IN-FOCUS: Indefinite fast against proposed amendment to RTI Act
DailySouthAsian
---------------

INDEFINITE FAST AGAINST PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO RightToInformation Act
.................................

Noted senior activist and Magsaysay Awardee 2002 Dr Sandeep Pandey shall begin
an indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi from August 8, 2006, to protest
against the proposed amendments to RTI Act. Several committed activists are
likely to join the crusade. Read more...


....E X C E R P T S .............
"THIS IS A BATTLE BETWEEN BUREAUCRACY AND LEADERSHIP WANTING TO CONTINUE TO 
FUNCTION WITHOUT BEING ACCOUNTABLE TO THE CITIZENS AND A CITIZENRY NOW BENT 
UPON MAKING THE PROCESS OF GOVERNANCE TRANSPARENT TO THE PEOPLE. THIS IS A 
STRUGGLE TO REALIZE THE DREAM OF REAL DEMOCRACY. THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY 
SHOWS THAT PEOPLE WILL NEVER TOLERATE AUTHORITARIAN RULE AND WILL OVERTHROW 
ANYONE TRYING TO RIDE ROUGHSHOD OVER THEM. IT IS TIME ONCE AGAIN TO TEACH A 
LESSON TO OUR RULERS, WHO OFTEN FORGET THAT THEY ENJOY THE PRIVILEGES ONLY IN 
THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY. PEOPLE ARE SUPREME IN A DEMOCRACY AND 
THEY’LL DEMONSTRATE IT TO THEIR RULERS - Sandeep Pandey
..................................


          The  recent decision by the Central Cabinet to amend the Right to
Information Act to  exclude file notings, cabinet papers and answer sheets of
examinations from its  purview is an anti-democratic step. The passage of RTI
Act by the UPA  Government was a milestone in the history of our country,
empowering its  citizens for the first time to experience true democratic spirit
by allowing  access to information about how decisions are taken and money is
spent. This  would have brought an end to the arbitrary manner in which our
bureaucracy and  leadership function in the name of the people.

          However,  the Central Government seems to be quite worried about the
implications of all  decisions becoming public, which will probably expose the
irregularities in the  decision making process and will then raise questions on
how these decisions  were taken. The citizen of a democracy has a right to know
how all decisions  are taken and no section of bureaucracy or leadership should
be left immune to  this Act. Information of the kind which has been left out of
the ambit of this  Act, like that which is supposed to sensitive to the security
of the country  and the state of Jammu & Kashmir,   must be also brought within
the purview of this Act. Often arbitrary  actions involving huge embezzlement of
funds and gross human rights violations are  justified in the name of national
security.

          To  protest against this attempt to tamper with the RTI Act by the
Central Cabinet,  I propose to begin a fast from 8th   August, 2006 at Jantar
Mantar, New Delhi.  The Cabinet will have to take this step back otherwise face
the consequences of  an awakened citizenry committed to fighting to the end to
save their due right.  This is a battle between bureaucracy and leadership
wanting to continue to  function without being accountable to the citizens and a
citizenry now bent  upon making the process of governance transparent to the
people. This is a  struggle to realize the dream of real democracy. The history
of this country  shows that people will never tolerate authoritarian rule and
will overthrow  anyone trying to ride roughshod over them. It is time once again
to teach a  lesson to our rulers, who often forget that they enjoy the
privileges only in  the name of the people of this country. People are supreme
in a democracy and  they’ll demonstrate it to their rulers.

Sandeep  Pandey
--------------


Contacts: Phones: in Delhi: 9313106745 (Faisal Khan), 9871602612 (Rajeshwar
Ojha) and in Lucknow: 9415022772  (Arundhati Dhuru)
---------------

Contact email: ashaashram@...
---------------

2006 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership: ARVIND KEJRIWAL
------------------------------

HEAD OF PARIVARTAN AND INDIAN REVENUE SERVICE OFFICER, A R V I N D***
K E J R I W A L, has been awarded this year's prestigious Ramon
Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership. This award is considered as
Asia's Nobel prize.
……………………………………………………………………..

1) Complete Citation for Arvind Kejriwal, by Ramon Magsaysay Award
Foundation, Philippines

2) EXCERPT from Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation's Announcement
Letter:

3) Magsaysay Award for India's Arvind Kejriwal: IANS

4) Arvind Kejriwal selected for Magsaysay Award: ToI

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================================================================

1) Complete Citation for Arvind Kejriwal, by Ramon Magsaysay Award
Foundation, Philippines
……………………………………………………………………………………..

The 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership CITATION for
Arvind Kejriwal
Ramon Magsaysay Award Presentation Ceremonies

31 August 2006, Manila, PhilippinesThe brazen corruption of the high
and the mighty may grab headlines, but for ordinary people it is the
ubiquity of everyday corruption that weighs heaviest. And that
demoralizes. Arvind Kejriwal, founder of India's Parivartan,
understands this, which is why his campaign for change begins with
the small things.

As a tax officer with the Indian Revenue Service, Arvind Kejriwal
became aware of the many powers that tax officials held over private
citizens and how easily these powers could be abused. Indeed, at the
tax department, one expected to pay bribes as a matter of course.
With a few kindred spirits, Kejriwal began to strategize about how to
bring an end to this. In 2000, he founded Parivartan,
meaning "change." Parivartan appealed to the tax commissioner to make
the tax department more transparent and less capricious. When this
failed, it filed Public Interest Litigation directing the department
to implement a five-point transparency plan. Eventually, Parivartan
held a nonviolent protest, or satyagraha, outside the chief
commissioner's office. Threat of another protest with the press on
hand convinced the tax chief to implement the reforms.

Meanwhile, on leave from his job, Kejriwal stationed himself with
other Parivartan members outside the electricity department. There
they exhorted visitors not to pay bribes and offered to facilitate
their dealings with the department for free. Since then, Parivartan
has settled 2,500 grievances with the electricity department on
behalf of individuals. Some seven hundred more have benefited from
the group's "Don't pay bribes!" campaign at the tax department.

Under the Delhi Right to Information Act of 2001, every citizen
possesses the right to inspect government documents. Kejriwal put the
new law to use in Sundernagari, a New Delhi slum where Parivartan was
working among the poor. First, the group obtained official reports on
all recent public-works projects in the area. Next, it led residents
in a "social audit" of sixty-eight projects, stirring the community
to action with neighborhood meetings and street plays. Then, in a
large public hearing, the residents presented their findings and
exposed misappropriations in sixty-four of the projects—embezzlement
to the tune of seven million rupees! Today, in Sundernagari, local
committees monitor public-works projects block by block, and no
project may begin until the details of the contract have been made
public.

The Indian government provides subsidized rations of wheat and rice
to poor people through neighborhood ration shops. Records acquired by
Kejriwal for Sundernagari revealed high levels of theft in the
system. In one area, over 90 percent of the grain ration was being
skimmed off by shopkeepers in collusion with certain food department
officials. When Parivartan investigated this, one of its team members
was savagely attacked. In protest, more than five thousand residents
of the community held a monthlong "rations fast." This and a mass
rally riveted public attention, and foot-dragging officials finally
moved to clean up the system.
Now in its seventh year, Parivartan has only ten full-time members.
Although Kejriwal sometimes takes on larger issues—such as the
successful 2005 campaign challenging a water-privatization plan for
New Delhi—he has no plans to expand. He prefers to coordinate
Parivartan's efforts with other like-minded NGOs across India.

Thirty-eight-year-old Kejriwal reminds Indians that the boons of
collective action, such as the honest delivery of services, have
already been paid for through taxes. Citizens are entitled to them.
The spirit of his movement was aptly captured by the women of
Sundernagari as they rallied to protest cheating in neighborhood
ration shops: "We are not begging from anyone!" they chanted. "We are
demanding our rights."
In electing Arvind Kejriwal to receive the 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Award
for Emergent Leadership, the board of trustees recognizes his
activating India's right-to-information movement at the grassroots,
empowering New Delhi's poorest citizens to fight corruption by
holding government accountable to the people.
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================================================================

2) EXCERPT from Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation's Announcement
Letter:
--------------------------------

MR ARVIND KEJRIWAL, HEAD OF PARIVARTAN, A CITIZEN'S MOVEMENT AGAINST
CORRUPTION, HAS BEEN AWARDED DR RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARD IN EMERGENT
LEADERSHIP CATEGORY FOR THIS YEAR 2006. HE IS BEING HONOURED FOR
HIS "ACTIVATING INDIA'S RIGHT TO INFORMATION MOVEMENT AT THE
GRASSROOTS, EMPOWERING NEW DELHI'S POOREST CITIZENS TO FIGHT
CORRUPTION BY HOLDING GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE TO ITS PEOPLE".


Available online at: http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Foundation/Press-
Kit/2006/1-Announcement.pdf

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================================================================

3) Magsaysay Award for India's Arvind Kejriwal: IANS
By Indo Asian News Service

New Delhi, July 31 (IANS) India's Arvind Kejriwal has been named the
winner of the 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Award for emergent leadership
for 'empowering New Delhi's poorest citizens to fight corruption by
holding government accountable to the people', it was announced
Monday.

In the citation, the Manila-based awards committee said: 'The brazen
corruption of the high and the mighty may grab headlines, but for
ordinary people it is the ubiquity of everyday corruption that weighs
heaviest. And that demoralises. Arvind Kejriwal, founder of India's
Parivartan, understands this, which is why his campaign for change
begins with the small things.

'As a tax officer with the Indian Revenue Service, Arvind Kejriwal
became aware of the many powers that tax officials held over private
citizens and how easily these powers could be abused. Indeed, at the
tax department, one expected to pay bribes as a matter of course.
With a few kindred spirits, Kejriwal began to strategize about how to
bring an end to this.'

Under the Right to Information Act, every citizen possesses the right
to inspect government documents. The 38-year-old Kejriwal put the new
law to use in Sundernagari, a New Delhi slum where Parivartan was
working among the poor.

First, the group obtained official reports on all recent public works
projects in the area. Then it led residents in a 'social audit' of 68
projects, stirring the community to action with neighbourhood
meetings and street plays.

Then, in a large public hearing, the residents presented their
findings and exposed misappropriations in 64 of the projects -
embezzlement to the tune of Rs.7 million! Today, in Sundernagari,
local committees monitor public-works projects block by block, and no
project may begin until the details of the contract have been made
public.

The other winners are: Eugenia Duran Apostol of Philippines
(Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts), Ek Sonn
Chandigarh of Cambodia (government service), Park Won Soon of South
Korea (public service), Antonio Meloto of Philippines (community
leadership), Sanduk Ruit of Nepal (international understanding) and
Gawad Kalinga (Community leadership).

The awards would be presented Aug 31 in Manila.

Copyright Indo-Asian News Service

Available online at:
http://www.dailyindia.com/show/47137.php/Magsaysay_Award_for_Indias_Ar
vind_Kejriwal

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================================================================

4) Arvind Kejriwal selected for Magsaysay Award: ToI

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1832474.cms

KUALA LUMPUR: Head of Delhi-based Parivartan citizen's movement,
Arvind Kejriwal, was on Monday selected for this year's Ramon
Magsaysay Award for his contribution to India's right-to-information
movement and empowering poor citizens to fight corruption.

Besides Kejriwal, the other five selected for the award are Sanduk
Ruit (Nepal), Ek Sonn Chan (Cambodia) Park Won Soon (South Korea) and
Eugenia Duran Apostol and Antonio Meloto (both Philippine).

They would be presented the award, Asia's version of the Nobel Prize,
at a ceremony in Manila on August 31. The annual awards are named
after late Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay.

In electing Kejriwal, 38, to receive the 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Award
for Emergent Leadership, the board of trustees recognizes his
activating India's right-to-information movement at the grassroots,
empowering New Delhi's poorest citizens to fight corruption by
holding government accountable to the people, the organisers said in
a citation.

Kejriwal, a mechanical engineer from IIT Kharagpur, who joined the
civil services as a member of the Indian Revenue Service in 1992, is
currently on leave from the Government for two years. "The brazen
corruption of the high and the mighty may grab headlines, but for
ordinary people it is the ubiquity of everyday corruption that weighs
heaviest. And that demoralizes.

Arvind Kejriwal, founder of India's Parivartan , understands this,
which is why his campaign for change begins with the small things,"
the organisers said.

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============================================================

This week's headlines in The SouthAsian 

Details at : http://www.thesouthasian.org

PM Sugarcoats RTI Amendment, Citizens Disappointed

Various citizen groups and civic society leaders have expressed disappointment at the attempted amendment to limit file notings from RTI disclosures.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/pm_sugarcoats_rti_amendment_ci.html

Questions of Foreign Funding

The government and the Supreme Court case vis-à-vis foreign funds of NBA has raised an important issue. What are the implications of foreign funds and how
 does the Indian State see this?

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/post_4.html

New Initiative by Friends of Tibet

In April this year, Four Directions UK announced its intention to concentrate solely on the continuing struggle of the Tibetan people for freedom in their own land. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/new_initiative_by_friends_of_t.html

Water Levels Around Coke Plant Drop 30 feet

In a preliminary survey conducted by Swadesh Science Movement of India(Delhi) with in the Mehndiganj area where the Coca-Cola plant is based, the water level in the villages of Nagepur, Bhikaripur and Mehndiganj villages have decreased to 27, 43 and 32 feet respectively.   

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/water_levels_around_coke_plant.html

Urge Peace with India, Kidnap Peace Activist in Pakistan

While the Pakistani President talks about peace with India on one hand, peace activists working on Indo-Pak peace are under threat. One activist – Asif Baladi – has been kidnapped by ISI.   

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/urge_peace_with_india_kidnap_p.html

TRIPS may Trip Healthcare in India

Numerous civic society groups are concerned about the impact of implementation strategy of Trade-Related aspects of Intellectual Property rights
 (TRIPS) in India. A petition is being presented to the PM of India to analyze these concerns.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/trips_may_trip_healthcare_in_i.html

Pakistani Physicians in USA Boo Undemocratic Leaders

At a recent panel discussion organized by Association of Pakistani 

Physicians in North America (APPNA), the audience booed Dr. Farooq Sattar a stalwart of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) for undemocratic processes in Pakistan and within the party. Dr. Manzur Ejaz analyzes this urge for democracy coming from Pakistani expats.  

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/pakistani_physicians_in_north.html

Adivasis in Hoshangabad Just Keep Getting Displaced

Adivasis of the Hoshangabad district in Madhya Pradesh have been fighting for their right to a dignified life. This struggle has now reached a critical juncture where your support is required.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/adivasis_in_hoshangabad_just_k.html

Hating Muslims is a Natural Thing in Gujarat

Dr. GN Devy, A Sahitya Akademi Award winner, and founder-director of the Tribal Academy in Tejgarh, Gujarat speaks with Sankarshan Thakur. 

This was first published in Tehelka on May 20, 2006  

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/hating_muslims_is_a_natural_th.html

Considerations for the Conference on Peace in South
 Asian

Prof. Ramneek Mohan presents his thoughts on concrete steps that the 

Visa Free and Nuclear Free South Asia Conference should consider.   

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/considerations_for_the_confere.html

Petition Attempt to Limit Right to Information

The Government of India plans to introduce an amendment to the RTI that will exempt file notings and cabinet papers from disclosure under the Right to Information Act 2005. This is the second attempt to do so; the earlier attempt in Dec 2005 was scuttled under protests from citizens of India.   

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/petition_attempt_to_limit_righ.html

Campaigns across India ask Coke to Quit

Brunda Kattekola presents an overview of the campaigns against Coke in 

India. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/quit_coke_say_no_to_pepsi.html

Chota Sardar, Lame Sardar

Sandip Dasverma presents a satire on Narendra Modi's bid to fish in the troubled waters of Mumbai bomb blasts.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/chota_sardar_lame_sardar.html

RTI Helps Citizens, Shows Ineffectiveness of Bureaucracy

Since the first of July, a concerted effort by Civic Society 

Organizations, Non Government Organizations, individuals and a prominent TV news channel - NDTV and leading national newspapers are coming together to launch a national campaign

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/rti_helps_citizens_shows_ineff.html

To subscribe to this list: 

thesouthasian_headlines-subscribe@yahoogroups.com 

To unsubscribe to this list: 

thesouthasian_headlines-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com 

SATYA-GRAH: Resignation from CABE
--------------------------------

Comment: Dr Sandeep Pandey, noted Gandhian, senior social activist and leader of
National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), who is also the recepient of
Ramon Magsaysay Award 2002, has resigned from Central Advisory Board on
Education (CABE) of Government of India. Read more...

E X C E R P T S
..............
"THE RTI ACT IS A HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY AND
PROMISES TO TAKE US A STEP CLOSER TO THE IDEAL CONCEPT OF DEMOCRACY – BY THE
PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE AND OF THE PEOPLE. IT IS GOING TO EMPOWER THE COMMON
CITIZEN AND AWAKEN THE DEMOCRATIC CONSCIOUSNESS OF PEOPLE AT THE GRASSROOTS. AN
ATTEMPT TO WEAKEN THIS ACT IS TANTAMOUNT TO SCUTTLING DEMOCRACY.

             IF THIS GOVERNMENT WILL RIDE ROUGHSHOD OVER THE RIGHTS OF COMMON
PEOPLE AND WILL BE SEEN AS FAVOURING THE INTERESTS OF RICH, POWERFUL, RULING
CLASS, INTERNATIONAL MONETARY AGENCIES AND MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS THEN IT
SHOULD JUST REMEMBER THE FATE OF THE BJP LED GOVERNMENT’S ‘INDIA SHINING’
CAMPAIGN.

             IT HAS BECOME IMPOSSIBLE UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES FOR ME TO
CONTINUE TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH ANY BODY OF THIS GOVERNMENT. I, THEREFORE, RESIGN
FROM THE CENTRAL ADVISORY BOARD ON EDUCATION" - Dr Sandeep Pandey

-------------------------

Dated: 29th July, 2006

RESIGNATION FROM CABE
---------------------
             I was never very keen to join the Central Advisory Board on
Education from the beginning. But upon insistence by the senior bureaucrat
Sudeep Banerjee in the Ministry of Human Resources Development that I join CABE
for the sake of children of India I agreed to become a part of it. However, over
the last few months it has become very clear that this Government has ceased to
represent the interests of common citizen of this country. Some of its
anti-people steps include:

   (1) Going back on its promise to bring an Education bill in the parliament and
instead proposing to the States to pass their own laws.
   (2) Ignoring the rehabilitation of people being submerged in the Narmada
valley and continuing with the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
   (3) Adopting a policy of development in the urban areas which necessitates
uprooting poor communities living in slums.
   (4) To decide to get the Office of Profit bill passed again without any
changes even though it was returned by the President.
   (5) The Central Pollution Control Board not taking any action against Coca
Cola and Pepsico plants, sludge of which has been found to contain dangerous
toxins like Cadmium, Chromium and Lead, even though the Kerala Pollution Control
Board has ordered the plant in Plachimada to shut down because of the presence
of Cadmium in it’s sludge.
   (6) The Cabinet decision to exclude file notings, Cabinet papers and answer
sheets of examinations from the purview of Right to Information Act.

             The RTI Act is a historical development in the history of the
country and promises to take us a step closer to the ideal concept of democracy
– by the people, for the people and of the people. It is going to empower the
common citizen and awaken the democratic consciousness of people at the
grassroots. An attempt to weaken this Act is tantamount to scuttling democracy.

             If this Government will ride roughshod over the rights of common
people and will be seen as favouring the interests of rich, powerful, ruling
class, international monetary agencies and multinational corporations then it
should just remember the fate of the BJP led government’s ‘India Shining’
campaign.

             It has become impossible under these circumstances for me to
continue to be associated with any body of this Government. I, therefore, resign
from the Central Advisory Board on Education.

             Sandeep Pandey
             A-893, Indira Nagar, Lucknow-226016, U.P.
             Telephone: 0522-2347365, Mobile: 9415022772
             Email: ashaashram@...

FRIDAY SPOTLiGHT: Water is a fundamental human right
DailySouthAsian
---------------

INDEX:

1) On-site Report from Lucknow Discussion led by Sudha Nandagopal
(CAI) and Arundhati Dhuru (NAPM)
2) News: Water is a fundamental human right
3) News: HT: Coca Cola again under scanner
4) Coke loses its social responsibility fizz!!!
5) Statement of Sudha Nandagopal of CAI, in support of Mehndiganj
struggle
6) PM Calls for a National Campaign for Recharge of Ground Water
7) Hundred day protest and hunger strike against the Coca-Cola
Company (23rd March 2006 – 1st July 2006)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

1) On-site Report from Lucknow Discussion led by Sudha Nandagopal
(CAI) and Arundhati Dhuru (NAPM)

A discussion was held on July 20, 2006 in Gandhi Bhawan, Lucknow on
water privatization and corporate accountability in support of
ongoing Mehndiganj struggle against Coca Cola. Arundhati Dhuru,
senior social activist and Narmada Bachao Andolan activist and Sudha
Nandagopal, activist of Boston-based Corporate Accountability
International (formerly Infact) were the key note speakers.

It was attended by youth and city based activists, as well as local
media. Arundhati said that corporations are trying to take control
over natural resources like those of water, and depriving local
communities from having free access to these natural resources.
GROUNDWATER FOR INSTANCE BELONGS TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES OF THE
REGION AND IS MEANT TO BE USED FOR DOMESTIC AND AGRICULTURAL
PURPOSES. Corporations like Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola have been taking
out disproportionately huge quantities of ground water for profit,
and not only the water table in these areas have gone down but also
that water is polluted and often become inaccessible to local
communities for their daily needs. She cited examples where big
corporations and builders are proposing to interlink rivers in India
which is not only a dangerous proposition to play with nature but
also neglects the opinion and right of local communities thriving on
these natural resources since ages.

Sudha Nandagopal, an activist based in Seattle and working for
Corporate Accountability International, who had visited Mehndiganj
anti-Coca Cola struggle and spent two days with the adversely
impacted communities of villages around Mehndiganj area in Varanasi,
said that it is deplorable the way voices of common people have been
stifled by rich corporations like those of Coca Cola. She expressed
solidarity with the Mehndiganj anti-coca cola movement and said
that "It is an honor to be here on behalf of Corporate Accountability
International to express our appreciation and solidarity for the
efforts of the people of Mehdiganj and Plachimada. Here in India,
Coca-Cola is profiting at the expense of people's health and
livelihoods. We deplore the fact that U.S. corporations like Coca-
Cola are threatening the health and human rights of people around the
world, particularly in India and other countries of the Global South.
We also recognize the need for people in the U.S. to learn more about
Coke's irresponsible and dangerous practices, and to take action to
hold US-based corporations accountable for actions that impact
people's lives around the world".

She added that "COKE'S ABUSES IN MEHNDIGANJ AND ACROSS INDIA ARE
BEING CARRIED OUT IN THE CONTEXT OF A GLOBAL WATER SHORTAGE. THE
UNITED NATIONS ESTIMATES THAT TWO-THIRDS OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION
WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO ENOUGH WATER BY 2025 UNLESS SOMETHING IS
DONE. According to the former Vice President of the World Bank, `The
wars of the 21st century will be fought over water'. Water is a
fundamental human right" said she.

==================================================================


2) News: Water is a fundamental human right
Indian Express
July 21, 2006
-------------

"WATER IS A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT" said young activist of US based
Corporate Accountability International Sudha Nandagopal. Sudha was
here in Lucknow speaking at a discussion held in Gandhi Bhawan. She
had earlier visited the Mehndiganj community adversely affected by
Coca Cola bottling plant. Local people should have access to ground
water for domestic and agricultural use and corporations shouldn't be
allowed to take out disproportionate amount of ground water for
commercial use and thereby deprive local communities from access to
water.

Arundhati Dhuru, senior activist of National Alliance of People's
Movements (NAPM) said that bottling plants of soft-drink companies
are not only responsible for siphoning away lakhs of litres of ground
water every day but also for releasing untreated sludge and solid
waste from their plants into the fields, in the name of fertilizers.
Pollution Control Board reports have shown that this sludge and solid
waste from bottling plants carry toxic elements like Chromium and
Cadmium beyond the prescribed safe limits.

A documentary made by people adversely affected by Coca Cola bottling
plant in Mehndiganj, Varanasi, was also screened. Besides University
students, city activists also attended the discussion despite of
heavy rain and water logging in River Bank Colony.

======================================================================


3) News: HT: Coca Cola again under scanner
Hindustan Times, India
July 20, 2006
-------------

Global giant Coca Cola is once again under scanner of
environmentalists for alleged contamination of ground water because
of sludge and solid waste discharged near the company, now closed,
plant at Palakkad in Kerala. Two NGOs Hazard Centre and People's
Science Institute, claimed that all underground water within the
radius of one kilometre of the factory has been contaminated because
of unscientific disposal of the waste from the Coca Cola factory.

Based on the samples picked in November 2005, over one and a half
years after the plant was closed, Ayan Biswas of the institute said
as one got closer to the plant the concentration of the contamination
increased indicating that the cause for water pollution was the
plant. OF THE NINE SAMPLES TESTED, THEY FOUND CHROMIUM MORE THAN THE
PERMISSIBLE LIMITS IN ALL THE SAMPLES. OF THE FOUR SAMPLES TESTED FOR
CADMIUM, THE METAL WAS FOUND MORE THAN PERMISSIBLE LIMITS.

That's not all, the NGOs say. The contamination has reached the level
of aquifers, considered as clean water sources. ALL THE BORE-WELL
SAMPLES HAD CADMIUM ABOVE THE PERMISSIBLE LIMITS. "It is seen from
the results that the bore well samples have more concentration of
heavy metals than the open well samples which are shallower part of
the ground water" the report says.

However Coca Cola denied the allegations and accused the NGOs of not
showing them the results before going public with them. A Coca Cola
spokesperson said that numerous tests done by independent agencies
like Kerala State Pollution Control Board have shown that there has
been no contamination of underground water because of bottling plant.

(for full news report please log onto www.hindustantimes.com)

======================================================================


4) Coke loses its social responsibility fizz!!!

KLD, THE NATION'S LEADING MARKETER OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
RATINGS, REMOVED COCA COLA FROM ITS INDEX OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBLE
COMPANIES CITING PERSISTENT LABOUR PROBLEMS IN OVERSEAS PLANTS,
MARKETING PRACTICES TOWARD KIDS, AND WATER USE OVERSEAS. The decision
prompted TIAA-CREF to sell 1.2 million Coke Shares from their Social
Choice Account. TIAA is the pension fund of college professors and
one of the largest pension funds in the US. Given the breadth of
KLD's influence, we hould expect other pension funds to follow suit.
Coke met the decision with denial saying that KLD had not talked to
them about the decision. When I was at KLD on Friday they said Coke
was coming to meet with them on Monday, so it seems pretty clear that
KLD did talk to Coke. The story was widely picked up in about a dozen
news sources, including the Chronicle, and Reuters. Interestingly The
Atlanta Journal Constitution reported Coke being dropped from the
index, but was the only story not to mention the reasons.

======================================================================


5) Statement of Sudha Nandagopal of CAI, in support of Mehndiganj
struggle

CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY INTERNATIONAL STATEMENT
PRESENTED BY SUDHA NANDAGOPAL
LUCKNOW, INDIA —JULY 2006

It is an honor to be here on behalf of Corporate Accountability
International to express our appreciation and solidarity for the
efforts of the people of Mehdiganj and Plachimada.
* Here in India, Coca-Cola is profiting at the expense of people's
health and livelihoods.
* We deplore the fact that U.S. corporations like Coca-Cola are
threatening the health and human rights of people around the world,
particularly in India and other countries of the Global South.
* We also recognize the need for people in the U.S. to learn more
about Coke's irresponsible and dangerous practices, and to take
action to hold US-based corporations accountable for actions that
impact people's lives around the world.

Coke's abuses in Mehdiganj and across India are being carried out in
the context of a global water shortage.
* The United Nations estimates that two-thirds of the world's
population will not have access to enough water by 2025 unless
something is done.
* According to the former Vice President of the World Bank, "The wars
of the 21st century will be fought over water."

Water is a fundamental human right.
* The struggle for the right to water here in India has implications
far beyond India's borders.
* Corporations like Coke threaten people's access to water all over
the world.
* By challenging Coke—one of the most powerful transnational
corporations in the world—the people of Mehdiganj and Plachimada are
defending all people's right to water.
* If transnational corporations control our water, they can decide
who gets it—and who doesn't. Decisions about a life-giving substance
and fundamental human right must not be left to corporate executives
and shareholders unaccountable to people.

The courage of the people here in India is inspiring action in other
parts of the world.
* People across the US and around the world are rejecting Coke's
irresponsible and dangerous practices.
* Thousands of people across the U.S. have taken action—calling on
Coke to close down its plant here in Mehdiganj, as well as
permanently close its plant in Plachimada, and pay for the damage
it's done to affected communities.
* We join with dozens of organizations around the world that
wholeheartedly endorse your struggle.
* We, along with students, religious leaders, and activists we work
with, pledge our solidarity, and express our deep felt appreciation
for the leadership provided by the villagers in Mehdiganj and
Plachimada.

======================================================================


6) PM Calls for a National Campaign for Recharge of Ground Water
22 July, 2006
Source: http://www.indlawnews.com/
----------------------------------

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has called for a massive,
nationwide campaign for recharge of ground water by stressing that
even as we develop strategies for regulating its use, we need
strategies for augmenting this resource.

Inaugurating the first meeting of the Advisory Council on Artificial
Recharge of Groundwater here today, Dr. Singh emphasized the need for
effective coordination among various agencies dealing with this
issue, adoption of a holistic approach and creation of institutional
arrangements in the interests of livelihood and nutritional security.

Referring to National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Bharat
Nirman, programmes for watershed, for afforestation, the Prime
Minister urged the Advisory Council to find ways on how these can
work for inclusive water secure futures in our country.

Dr. Singh observed that though the Government could take a number of
initiatives in this regard, the artificial recharge movement is first
and foremost a people's movement. Stating that unless there is equity
in water sharing, there will be no cooperation in water saving, Dr.
Singh pointed out that water management strategies will need to be
carefully designed so that they contribute to a more equitable growth
process.

The Union Minister for Water Resources, Prof. Saifuddin Soz, Dr. M.S.
Swaminathan, members of the Advisory Council, senior officials of the
Ministry of Water resources and others participated in the meeting.

The following is the text of the Prime Minister's address on the
occasion:

"I am truly delighted to inaugurate this first meeting of the
Advisory Council on Artificial Recharge of Groundwater. This is
because, I sincerely believe that the management of water is going to
be a key determinant of our ability to pursue such viable strategies
for sustainable development in the twenty-first century. I am,
therefore, very grateful to the members of this Advisory Council for
sparing their time for this truly national duty. AS I SAID, THE ISSUE
OF GROUNDWATER DEPLETION AND ITS RECHARGE REQUIRES OUR UTMOST
ATTENTION AND URGENT ACTION. IT IS A MATTER TRULY OF GREAT NATIONAL
PRIORITY.

GROUNDWATER IRRIGATES THE BULK OF OUR FARMERS' FIELDS. IT IS ALSO
ESTIMATED THAT ROUGHLY 80-90 PER CENT OF DRINKING WATER COMES FROM
GROUNDWATER SOURCES. THEREFORE, THE MANAGEMENT OF THIS RESOURCE WILL
DETERMINE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF WATER USE IN OUR COUNTRY AND HOLDS
THE KEY TO OUR WATER SECURITY.

Every country has to evolve a viable and sustainable water policy
suited to the needs of its people and its resource endowment. In our
sub-continent, where water resources are scarce, the management of
ground water is of critical importance. Good water conservation will
determine our future. It will ensure the food and livelihood security
of millions of our people, particularly, those who live on the edges
of subsistence.

The challenges are truly manifold. We have to augment our water
resources - build large and small reservoirs to store water. We have
to minimise our water use - invest in science and technology to
ensure that we can grow crops, which use less water. In other words,
we have to find ways of valuing the crop per drop of water. We have
to ensure that the available water is not degraded or polluted in
processes of its use.

We must find new ways in which urban households use water and
discharge wastewater in a more economical way. We have to tackle the
problem of water-waste even as we improve the efficiency of water
use. These are modern challenges for water engineers, scientists,
agriculturists and people to work together on. As Dr. Swaminathan has
rightly remarked we need a judicious combination of regulation,
education and social mobilisation. Therefore, you have a very
challenging task ahead of you. We need your guidance in each one of
these three areas - how to get the country moving at a sufficient
pace to meet this growing national challenge.

INDIA, OF COURSE, HAS HAD A RICH TRADITION OF WATER HARVESTING TO
MEET LOCAL NEEDS. SOME OF THESE PRACTICES ARE MORE THAN TWO MILLENNIA
OLD. WE MUST REVIVE THE COMMUNITY BASED WATER MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS,
LIKE PAANI PANCHAYATS. UNLESS THERE IS EQUITY IN WATER SHARING, THERE
WILL BE NO COOPERATION IN WATER SAVING.

The lack of institutional support for small and marginal farmers in
augmenting rural infrastructure and their dependence on private
finance is turning out to be a key cause of farmer indebtedness and
poverty in many parts of our country particularly areas which suffer
from acute water stress. We have seen in Vidharbha, for instance,
that debt incurred by small and marginal farmers to dig wells and
augment water supply for cash crops has often contributed to their
indebtedness. Debt, in turn, has driven them to desperation.

Vast areas of our country remain without irrigation and probably we
will never be able to educate more than 50 per cent of our cultivated
areas. Therefore, the use and conservation of water that we have is
of critical importance. Despite the huge investments made in
irrigation, the country remains predominantly rainfed. Water
availability for agriculture therefore, remains the most critical and
perhaps the most limiting factor on its growth. Investment in surface
irrigation systems has created islands of prosperity but they have
done not enough to improve local food scarcity in many parts of our
country.

The problem as I see it is less that of availability and more that of
utilisation. Water management strategies will therefore need to be
carefully designed so that they contribute to a more equitable and
more inclusive growth process. We need new forms of institutional
management of water that ensure more equitable access to it. Our
government is setting up the National Rainfed Area Authority. I hope
your Council will interact with this new body and come out with
constructive guidelines for future management.

It is important to think of groundwater like a bank account - we need
to live off its interest (that is the water we recharge) and not its
capital (i,e the stored water). Currently, without adequate attention
to recharge, we are in many areas of our country literally mining our
groundwater reserves.

We know that groundwater levels across the country are declining
alarmingly. The water level in 306 districts has fallen by over 4
metres during the past 20 years, with many blocks in these districts
categorised as over exploited or in critical stages of resource
development. Technology is allowing for deeper and deeper penetration
and extraction. But not with unmixed blessings.

We need to regulate this use. But we also know that it is an enormous
challenge, perhaps an impossible challenge, to control the use of
groundwater. It would mean new forms of licensing and lead to more
problems than solutions in the poorest regions of our country.

BUT WE CANNOT GET AWAY FROM THE PROBLEM OF OVERUSE AND DEPLETION. We
therefore, need different policies and strategies to deal with the
issue. We need location specific strategies to tackle this problem.
On the one hand, we need to develop ways of restricting and
regulating large users of groundwater, often found in our urban and
industrial sectors. On the other, we need ways of providing state of
the art knowledge about this hidden resource. This will help us
target policies to critical regions and communities. Science and
technology must make a greater contribution for promoting the cause
of equitable and sustainable development.

BUT EVEN AS WE DEVELOP STRATEGIES FOR REGULATING USE, we need
strategies for augmenting the resource, through a massive, nationwide
campaign for recharge. The fact is that groundwater is a
replenishable asset and what is needed is a comprehensive approach to
recharge wells, so that the annual abstraction is limited to what is
truly sustainable.

Recharge of groundwater is about the development of thousands,
perhaps millions of disaggregated water structures across the
country. It is of concern to us that minor irrigation systems -
tanks, ponds and all other community-based and decentralised water
harvesting systems have declined in importance over time. These
systems played a critical role in the recharge of groundwater as they
stored the monsoon rainwater, which in turn recharged underground
aquifers.

These diverse community structures were the key to irrigation in the
pre-British years. During Colonial rule, state policy neglected these
structures. We therefore need to learn from our own past experience
and from the global best practices today. Science and modernity must
be used to tackle vital social and economic progress. Traditional
water systems were designed to ensure that rainwater was stored in
millions of disaggregated and diverse structures, which would in turn
lead to local recharge of water into the ground. It is this
distributed water harvesting that will build water security for all
in the years to come.

In the campaign for water recharge we must therefore mobilise the
inventiveness, knowledge, wisdom and experience and energy of our
common people. The government must be an enabler. It can provide
information about the state of the resource. It can inform people on
the methods that are used to conserve water, to harvest rainwater and
to do watershed development. It can provide financial resources. But
the work belongs to people. The artificial recharge movement is first
and foremost a people's movement. If it is not, must become one to
succeed.

Let me put forward two suggestions for your consideration:

One, since water is everybody's business and various arms of the
Government deal with water policy, we must create institutional
arrangements to bring coherence into policies and practice. It is
feared that this Council can play a role. It can deliberate on these
inter-linkages and influence the programmes with its knowledge and
insights about using water as the starting point for livelihood and
national security for India's teeming millions.

Two, we need ways to improve the assessment of groundwater and to
ensure that this information truly reaches to the people in villages.
Understanding of the availability of groundwater is linked critically
to the formulation of an appropriate policy.

Our government has different key initiatives, which will impact on
water. One, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme has the
potential to change the future of India. It will invest in the labour
of people to build genuinely productive assets for social and
economic change. The scheme has made water conservation the top
priority. Your Council must help us to understand how we can do this
task better and more effective.

We also have the Bharat Nirman Programme. We will invest in rural
infrastructure for the poorest districts of our country. But we also
know that water infrastructure will require new ways of thinking and
new ways of working with rural communities. We know that this
infrastructure is critical as even today the lack of clean water and
sanitation lead to high rates of mortality in rural India. This is
simply not acceptable.

We also have programmes for watershed, for afforestation, for tank
renovation and for rainfed areas. I sincerely believe money is not
the most important constraint on pushing the various programmes that
we would like to see on the ground. What is missing and what is
probably lacking is effective coordination, effective
conceptualisation and the adoption of a holistic approach to deal
with this big national task that lies ahead. Your Council can
deliberate on ways in which these and other such initiatives can work
for inclusive water secure future for our people.

Water, not oil, it is said will be the cause of future wars. I am
sure this will not be the case if we learn from the traditional
wisdom of our communities on how to value each drop of water and by
using modern science to increase efficiency of utilization. Water
then will be a cause not of conflict but of peaceful progress and
prosperity. "

* * * * *(PIB – Press Information Bureau)
===============================================================


7) Hundred day protest and hunger strike against the Coca-Cola
Company (23rd March 2006 – 1st July 2006)

For the past four years, Lok Samiti and the local community have been
organizing a struggle against the Coca-cola bottling plant in
Mehndiganj with solidarity and support from the National Alliance of
Peoples movement and other groups so that
- The government will cancel the license of the Coca-Cola plant
- The farmers whose land has been affected by the pollution by the
plant will be compensated adequately
- Coca-Cola will immediately stop the exploitation of lakhs of liters
of groundwater in Mehndiganj
- Coca-Cola will return the encroached land that belongs to the
panchayat of Mehndiganj and pay the stamp duty
- Colca-Cola will withdraw the false charges it has filed against the
workers who tried to unionize and activists in the community.

For these demands, we have demonstrated before the Coca-Cola bottling
plant, the district headquarters, the pollution control board and the
government assembly house. We have met with representatives from
district to central government and have explained the impact of the
plant in the community but no action has been taken so far. The
situation here got so worse that the district government ordered the
pollution control board to form an investigation committee. From the
investigation, the government has acknowledged that the plant is
exploiting vast amount of ground water and polluting the lands of the
farmers in the region and that the sludge and effluents released by
the company on the farmers' fields contain hazardous elements such as
lead, cadmium and chromium. The Central Pollution Control Board has
given a notice to the State Pollution Control Board to initiate an
action against the company with regards to this investigation. The
high court in a case filed against Coca-Cola has also ordered the
company to return the community land that has been encroached by the
plant and which belongs to Mehndiganj village and also pay the stamp
duty of over Rs 3,01,50,000.00.

On all these issues, no action has been taken against the company. In
fact, when the community protested against these violations, the
police and the company security guards lathi-charged on the people
and jailed the activists. Based on these issues, we organized an
indefinite protest starting from 23rd March, 2006 in front of the
Coca-Cola bottling plant.

First day of the protest : The protest started on the day of Bhagat
Singh Death Anniversary with 6 demands based on the above issues. 400
women and men from the community attended the protest led by Dr.
Sandeep Pandey, Father Anand and Aflatoon. The protest started with a
public hearing.

The Coca-Cola representatives Mr. Kalyan Ranjan and Mr.Sharat Kumar
called Lok Samiti representatives and wanted to meet with the public
at the protest site. Earlier, the representatives offered to talk to
Nandlal Master, but they were told to talk to the people instead. Mr.
Kalyan Ranjan(Public Affairs), Mr. Sharat Kumar (General Manager) and
Mr. Sheetala Singh (Plant Manager) addressed the people on Coca-
Cola's behalf.

Mr.Kalyan Ranjan told that since Coca-Cola has come to the region,
the water table in the community has not dropped but actually has
risen! On hearing this, the women and men booed and one by one came
and told about the status of their handpumps, wells and borewells in
their community which are going dry due to Coca-Cola. Mr. Kalyan
Ranjan also said that using their rainwater harvesting structure,
they are able to recharge 70 lakh liters per year of water in the
ground (while they extract 2.5 lakh liters every day). He also
mentioned that Coca-Cola has not release any effluent outside their
plant and has not caused any pollution in the village. The community
especially those that have been affected by pollution told the
gathering on how their crops have died due to the pollution and their
land has been damaged. They also showed the report of the Central
Pollution Control Board to the representatives. The representatives
left with out answering the questions posed by the movement.

Praeran Kala Manch from Varanasi performed plays and sang songs
highlighting the issues and on the movement. Every day, the community
coordinated such that each day, one village would send 40-60 women
and men to sit in the protests. Women sat in the morning and men sat
in the night so that they could continue to do their regular work
with minimal impacts.

Cycle Rally :  On 30th April, 60 youths from 30 villages in Arajiline
block took a cycle rally starting from the protest site to the
Rajathalab market.

Ambedkar day event : A reflection meeting was held on Dr, Ambedkar's
fight for rights and equality on 17th April. In this meeting, former
I.G Mr. Dharapuri, Gandhian Institute direcor Mr. Deepak Malik,
Chamar Samaj Parishad member Ram Awad Rao, Arvind Murthy shared their
thoughts in which more than 300 people attended.

Fast in support of Medha Patkar : In the name of progress, the
government is taking water away from people and displacing them on
the advice of international institutions and multinational companies.
The struggle for Narmada and Mehndiganj are one. In order to stop the
construction of the dam pending the rehabilitation of the displaced
in the Narmada Valley, Medha Patkar sat on a fast unto death in
Delhi. In solidarity with the fast, 25 people fasted on 8th April
with the demand to stop the construction of the dam.

Rajendra Singh on the meeting on water : A meeting was organized on
the issue of war on water and the water exploitation by Coca-cola and
Pepsi in India on May 28th. Magaysay award winner Rajendra Singh
presided the event in which more than 500 people attended. For the
past two years, Coca-Cola has been announcing to the world that it is
working with Rajendra Singh on water conservation in Rajasthan.
Rajendra Singh said that the company is a liar and that he has been
fighting with the community in Rajasthan that opposes the local Coca-
Cola plant and has been jailed in the process.
Earlier, university faculty, lawyers, journalists and local civil
society groups staged a protest in front of Gandhi Adhyapeet in
Varanasi demanding that the government withdraw the license to Coca-
Cola plant.

Protest in front of District Headquarters : In solidarity with Medha
Patkar's fast in Delhi, Saja Sanskruti Manch of Varanasi organized a
protest in front of district headquarters.

Vehicle Procession : 50 Volunteers from Mehndiganj took a vehicle
procession from the protest site to the district headquarters on June
5th, World Environment Day. The district fourth A.C.M met with them
and promised that action will be initiated against the company soon.

Padayatra on 50th day of the protests : On 11th of May, the movement
had completed three years of its struggle against the Coca-Cola plant
and 50 days of protests in front of the plant. Sandeep Pandey
attended a public meeting organized on this day. During this meeting,
Coca-Cola had bribed some people from a different village with Rs 200
to take a rally against the movement. Nandlal master, the Lok Samiti
leader tried to talk to them but they wore a black ribbon around
their mouths and carried placards which were printed with computers.
After some hesitation, they talked to the activists and told them
that they didn't know why they were there and that they had been
given Rs 200 to participate in this procession. When asked about the
status of water in their village, they acknowledged that they had
water scarcity in their village but they had been told not to say
that. After listening to the movement articulating the issues and the
demands, they threw away their placards and apologized to the public.

A rally was also organized at the end of the meeting from Shivala(Asi
Ghats) to B.H.U (Banares Hindu University) led by Sandeep Pandey,
Swathi, Kunwar Agarwal and Nithi Bhai.

Street plays in villages : During the protests, Lok Samiti's Kala
Manch performed street plays regularly in villages highlighting the
issues of Coca-Cola plant in Mehndiganj. Praeran Kala Manch from
Varanasi also performed significant plays on the movement and Saja
Sanskruti Manch in Cholapur and Chirai villages.

False propaganda by Coca-Cola : Coca-Cola company has taken to false
propaganda to stop the protests and reduce the strength of the
movement. It has released pamphlets charging Nandlal master, the
local leader to have received funds from foreign sources and
misappropriated them. It has also tried to use its water harvesting
and nurseries to deceive people on its unethical practices. But
people have continued to support the protests and the movement and
not one person have left the movement.

Support from Panchayat Representatives and the behavior of government
officials :

There was a time when all the panchayat presidents and members were
in the pockets of Coca-Cola company and they sided with the Coca-Cola
company for their own vested interests. But in the previous
elections, the people removed all those representatives who were with
Coca-Cola company and elected new officials. Now none of the
presidents are with the Coca-Cola company fearing that they would
lose goodwill from the community.

If the panchayat representatives are learning from these mistakes, on
the other hand honorable minister Surendra Singh Patel and member of
Parliament Rajesh Misra are now taking the sides of the company
publicly. This is contradictory to Rajesh Misra's earlier stand when
he had supported the people and the struggle against Coca-Cola. Soon
they will have to face the questions from the common citizens if they
have been elected to serve common citizen's interests or Coca-Cola's
interests.

Enthusiastic Support from Media : Regional and international media
supported the protests very enthusiastically. Media folks came from
India, U.S, Europe and Africa and captured the issues and spread them
effectively. There was good support from local media as well.

Construction of a pond through Shramdaan : On 1st July 06, from 8AM,
all the activists and the local people came together to contribute
the volunteer labor work to construct a pond. The pond construction
was initiated by Medha Patkar, Sandeep Pandey, Amarnath Bhai,
Mehndiganj panchayat president Poolkumari and was attended by about
100 women and men.

Hunger strike against Coca-Cola : After three months of protests,
there has been no strong action against Coca-Cola plant. Several
times, we have met with district officials. For all the issues raised
by the movement, the official response seems to be that they do not
want to initiate action against a big company.

In the end, it was decided that there would be a relay fast starting
from 23rd June in which on the first day, about 50 people sat on
fast. Save the freedom movement leader Banwari Lal Sharma, initiated
the fast by tying a white ribbon on the hands of the activists who
were fasting.

From 27th June, leaders of the movement Nandlal Master and Mukesh
Kumar, the panchayat president of Nagepur village sat on an
indefinite hunger strike. The hunger strike went on till 30th June.
Several leaders such as Medha Patkar, Sandeep Pandey, Amarnath Bhai,
Uma Shankari, Mukta Srivastav, Arundathi Dhuru, Gopalakrishnan,
visited the protest site.

On 1st July a public meeting was held on the protest site, in which
thousands of women and men attended the meeting and several of them
asked the movement to end the hunger strike. They also demanded state
and central pollution control board to initiate an action against the
company. With the promise to expand and intensify the struggle in the
state capital, Nandal Master and Mukesh Kumar ended their indefinite
hunger strike. Medha Patkar and community representative Tharadevi
fed them juice to end the strike. The movement gave an ultimatum to
the government to initiate actions with in next 2 months. If there
were no action taken before August 15th, the struggle will be
intensified in the form of people's rights march to demand that the
state government and the pollution control boards stop the company
from violating the community's rights. The protest ended with the
slogan `Ladenge, Jeetenge' (We will fight! We shall win!)

The movement deeply appreciates the support it has received from all
the quarters.

Nandlal Master

(Nandlal Master is the leader of Mehndiganj anti coca cola struggle
and is a native of this village)

===================================================================

Details at : http://www.thesouthasian.org

Hating Muslims is a Natural Thing in Gujarat

Dr. GN Devy, A Sahitya Akademi Award winner,and founder-director of the Tribal Academy in Tejgarh, Gujarat speaks Sankarshan Thakur. This was first published in Tehelka on May 20, 2006  

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/hating_muslims_is_a_natural_th.html

Adivasis in Hoshangabad Just Keep Getting
 Displaced

Adivasis of the Hoshangabad district in Madhya Pradesh have been fighting for their right to a dignified life. This struggle has now reached a critical juncture where your support is required.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/adivasis_in_hoshangabad_just_k.html

Considerations for the Conference on Peace in South Asian

Prof. Ramneek Mohan presents his thoughts on concrete steps that the 

Visa Free and Nuclear Free South Asia Conference should consider.   

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/considerations_for_the_confere.html

Petition Attempt to Limit Right to Information

The Government of India plans to introduce an amendment to the RTI that will exempt file notings and cabinet papers from disclosure under the Right to Information Act 2005. This is the second attempt to do so; the earlier attempt in Dec 2005 was scuttled under protests from citizens of India.   

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/petition_attempt_to_limit_righ.html

Campaigns across India ask Coke to Quit

Brunda Kattekola presents an overview of the campaigns against Coke in 

India. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/quit_coke_say_no_to_pepsi.html

Chota Sardar, Lame Sardar

Sandip Dasverma presents a satire on Narendra Modi's bid to fish in the troubled waters of Mumbai bomb blasts.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/chota_sardar_lame_sardar.html

RTI Helps Citizens, Shows Ineffectiveness of Bureaucracy

Since the first of July, a concerted effort by Civic Society 

Organizations, Non Government Organizations, individuals and a prominent TV news channel - NDTV and leading national newspapers are coming together to launch a national campaign

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/rti_helps_citizens_shows_ineff.html

Momentum Against Coke on German Campuses

Student parliaments at four universities in Germany: the University of 

Cologne, University of Bonn, University of Wuppertal and the University of Arts have vowed to wage campaigns to ban the sale and marketing of Coca-Cola products from their campuses.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/momentum_against_coke_on_germa.html

South Asian Groups Deplore Mumbai Blasts

South Asian Network for
 Secularism and Democracy (SANSAD), The 

Southasian, and other south asian peace organizations utterly deplores the bomb blasts in Mumbai on July 11 that killed some 200 people and injured more than 700. We express our deepest condolences for all the bereaved families and extend our sincere wishes for the early recovery of all who are injured.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/south_asian_groups_deplore_mum.html

Minorities and the West Bengal Elections

Habib ur Rehman, of the Association of Indian Minorities presents a note on the dynamics of minorities in the electoral process presenting the 2006 West Bengal
 Elections as a case study.  

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/minorities_and_the_west_bengal.html

Malnutrition Deaths in MP

The Madhya Pradesh group of Right to Food has sent an alert of malnutrition deaths in Patalgarh village of Sheopur district. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/post_3.html

US-India Nuclear Deal: The Carrot and the Rod

This is the keynote address given at
 the World Peace Forum in 

Vancouver, on June 25, 2006 by Prof Emeritus Hari P. Sharma, Simon Fraser University.   

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/usindia_nuclear_deal_the_carro.html

NBA Responds to Inquiries on Foreign Funding

While the Supreme Court has asked NBA to respond to allegations of foreign funding, some other organizations have also been carrying on a vilification campaign via the media. NBA has chosen to respond to this campaign. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/nba_responds_to_inquiries_on_f.html

National Campaign for Displaced People to be Launched

A National Consultation on Development and Displacement - Priorities and Strategy was held at Gandhi Bhavan, Bhopal on July 7-8th, 2006. About 75 participants from all over the country participated in the event.  

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/national_campaign_for_displace.html

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JUST-TO-REMIND: 11 days left for 2nd Visa-free & Peaceful South Asia
Convention
DailySouthAsian
---------------

Comment: With hardly 11 days left before 2nd Visa Free and Peaceful
South Asia Convention opens in Lahore, Pakistan (August 6-9, 2006),
we will like to REMIND people of the RESOLUTION of 1st Visa Free and
Peaceful South Asia Convention (New Delhi, India, August 6-9, 2005).
Please read last year's RESOLUTION carefully so that we can take the
peace process forward when we meet 11 days later. Also in case you
wish to participate, please do remember to notify Rajeshwar Ojha
(ojha@...)
--------------

RESOLUTION - 1st Visa Free & Peaceful South Asia Convention, Delhi
2005
**********
-------------------------------------------------
JUST-TO-REMIND is a special series of DailySouthAsian, to re-read and
remind ourselves of commitments made in yesteryears. We believe this helps us
not re-invent the wheel, take the campaign forward and orient us better as we
gear towards 2nd Visa Free and Peaceful South Asia Convention
-------------------------------------------------

RESOLUTION passed by hundreds of delegates from India, Pakistan,
Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan in the `Visa-free and Peaceful South Asia
Convention' held in New Delhi from August 7 to August 8, 2005:-


We, the delegates of this convention hereby resolve that the
following steps be taken both by civic society and the governments of
South Asia:

1. Relations among the countries of South Asia be further
strengthened and the peoples of these countries be given full freedom
to meet each other. For this, these countries should become visa-free
so that the common socio-cultural and historical heritage of the
region is taken forward, trade is enhanced and the countries of SAARC
move towards giving shape to the idea of an economic union.
It is further resolved that in the present circumstances students and
teachers of schools, colleges and universities be given top priority
in the granting of visas, keeping in view the above stated objective.

2. Democratic values be strengthened in these countries and rights of
the people be protected especially in the context of women, and
deprived sections of society. Laws discriminatory towards these
sections in these countries be repealed forthwith and positive steps
be taken in this direction.

3. Steps should be taken to restore democracy in Nepal and Bhutan,
for, in our opinion, monarchy is a major hurdle in the overall
sustainable development of these countries. We whole heartedly
support the struggle for democracy and for the formation of a
constituent assembly being carried out by the political parties in
Nepal. The problems of Nepal should be resolved in a peaceful and
people-friendly manner. Further, the citizens of Bhutan waging a
struggle for democracy in their country and forced to live in exile
should be unconditionally allowed back into Bhutan.

4. We believe that what is stated above is possible only if there is
peace in the region. For this, it is imperative that all countries of
South Asia resolve to stop the militarization of the region, and
India and Pakistan put an end to all nuclear weapons. All the
countries should stop any increase in their defense budgets; they
should take steps to bring about a decrease of a minimum of 10% per
annum in this budget and allocate the resources thus saved for issues
of concern to the common man such as health and education. Moreover,
the expenditure on defense should be publicly transparent.

5. India and Pakistan should agree on the creation of a Nuclear-
Weapons Free Zone in South Asia on a time bound basis. Further the SAARC states
should conclude a South Asian No-War pact to facilitate South Asian economic
cooperation.

6. No country of the region should get into any agreement with any
super power that is likely to create a danger for the autonomy and
sovereignty of any of these countries.

7. All the problematic issues among the SAARC countries should be
resolved by way of talks without resorting to arms. In this context,
the problem of Jammu and Kashmir be resolved after taking into
consideration the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

8. Given the common socio-cultural and historical heritage of the
region, the activities of communal and fundamentalist forces in any
of these countries are likely to have repercussions for the rest of
the region. We therefore resolve that for peace and friendship to be
sustained in the region, the nefarious designs of all such forces be
challenged and all progressive forces be strengthened in the region.

9. We believe that the processes of globalization go against the
rights of the common man and create hurdles in the way of the
autonomy of the region. The multinational companies, propped up by
these processes, use the natural resources of water, land and forests of these
countries for their own profit and thus encroach upon the legitimate rights of
the people. We therefore resolve to support all pro-people movements in their
struggle against the forces of globalization acting under the directions of WTO,
World Bank and IMF. We also oppose the veto powers of representatives on bodies
like IMF, World Bank, UNO and WTO, for they go against the spirit of democracy.

Available online at:
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/DailySouthAsian/message/440

========================================================

DailySouthAsian
. . . . . . . .
www.TheSouthAsian.org

This week's headlines in The SouthAsian 

Details at: http://www.thesouthasian.org

RTI Helps Citizens, Shows Ineffectiveness of Bureaucracy

Since the first of July, a concerted effort by Civic Society 

Organizations, Non Government Organizations, individuals and a prominent TV news channel - NDTV and leading national newspapers are coming together to launch a national campaign

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/rti_helps_citizens_shows_ineff.html

Momentum Against Coke on German
 Campuses

Student parliaments at four universities in Germany: the University of 

Cologne, University of Bonn, University of Wuppertal and the University of Arts have vowed to wage campaigns to ban the sale and marketing of Coca-Cola products from their campuses.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/momentum_against_coke_on_germa.html

South Asian Groups Deplore Mumbai Blasts

South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy (SANSAD), The 

Southasian, and other south asian peace organizations utterly deplores the bomb blasts in Mumbai on July 11 that killed some 200 people and injured more than 700. We express our deepest condolences for all the bereaved families and extend our sincere wishes for the early recovery of all who are injured.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/south_asian_groups_deplore_mum.html

Minorities and the West Bengal Elections

Habib ur Rehman, of the Association of Indian Minorities presents a note on the dynamics of minorities in the electoral process presenting the 2006 West Bengal Elections as a case study.  

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/minorities_and_the_west_bengal.html

Malnutritions Deaths in MP

The Madhya Pradesh group of Right to Food has sent an alert of malnutrition deaths in Patalgarh village of Sheopur district. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/post_3.html

US-India Nuclear Deal: The Carrot and the Rod

This is the keynote address given at the World Peace Forum in 

Vancouver, on June 25, 2006 by Prof Emeritus Hari P. Sharma, Simon Fraser University.   

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/usindia_nuclear_deal_the_carro.html

NBA Responds to Inquiries on Foreign Funding

While the Supreme Court has asked NBA to respond to allegations of foreign funding, some other organizations have also been carrying on a vilification campaign via the media. NBA has chosen to respond to this campaign. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/nba_responds_to_inquiries_on_f.html

National Campaign for Displaced People to be Launched

A National Consultation on Development and Displacement - 

Priorities and Strategy was
 held at Gandhi Bhavan, Bhopal on July 7-8th, 2006. About 75 participants from all over the country participated in the event.  

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/national_campaign_for_displace.html

Kerala CM Wants Coke, Pepsi Accountability

R. Ajayan, convener of Plachimada Solidarity Committee, reported that 

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has supported the people’s concerns and their protest of the protests of Coke and Pepsi in Kerala.  

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/kerala_cm_wants_coke_pepsi_acc.html

The Ridiculousness of Self Auditing Industries

The Government of India is considering an industry proposal requesting processes of self-certification vis-a-vis industries adhering to laws of the land. Is this appropriate?  

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/the_reality_of_self_auditing_i.html

Land-Grab by Rich: The Politics of SEZs in India

Sanjay Sangvai writes about the enormous subsidies given to industries as part of special
 economic zones and analyses the impact of these zones that are allowed to function outside environmental and labour laws of the country. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/landgrab_by_rich_the_politics.html

RTI gets Anshu Admission in School

Three-and-a-half-year-old Anshu will be going to a public school from tomorrow. The passage has not been easy and doors were slammed on her but her father, social worker Rajiv Kumar Sharma, did something that shows the way to other parents. With Delhi government dragging its feet on implementing the quota for the poor, Sharma used the Right to Information Act. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/rti_gets_anshu_admission_in_sc.html

Drive Against Bribe with RTI Campaign

A 15-day (from July 1st - 15th) 'Drive Against Bribe Campaign' aimed at eliminating the scourge from various government departments and creating awareness about the Right to Information (RTI) Act among the public was launched on Saturday.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/drive_against_bribe_with_rti_c.html

To subscribe to this list: 

thesouthasian_headlines-subscribe@yahoogroups.com 

To unsubscribe to this list: 

thesouthasian_headlines-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com 

MONITOR: Pro-Tobacco writer Raj Chatterjee owns Imperial Tobacco Co.
Issue 20
-------

NO WHERE IN ANY OF THESE ARTICLES, MEDIA MENTIONED THE DISCLOSURE THAT AUTHOR
RAJ CHATTERJEE OWNS IMPERIAL TOBACCO COMPANY. Read more...

COMMENT: Media needs to show more moral conduct and ethics, and not allow owners
of tobacco companies like Raj Chatterjee to author SEVERAL pro-tobacco articles
and op-eds. His articles not only ridicule existing tobacco control Acts and
policies, but also glamorise and romanticise tobacco use. NO WHERE IN ANY OF
THESE ARTICLES, MEDIA MENTIONED THE DISCLOSURE THAT AUTHOR RAJ CHATTERJEE OWNS
IMPERIAL TOBACCO COMPANY. Read more...
.......................

EXPOSURE: Re-read old issues of The Tribune national daily:

"It is no wonder that Raj Chatterjee of the Imperial Tobacco Company and a
member of a mixed club in Delhi in the 1940s recalls that Europeans still
remained ..."
Available online at: http://www.jstor.org/view/00219371/sp030007/03x0053a/0

.......................

ARTICLE 1:
My Lady Nicotine
The Tribune, India
July 13, 2006
-------------

by Raj Chatterjee

   Beautiful women, flowers, snow-capped mountains, placid lakes, moonlit nights
and the songs of birds are not the only objects that have provided inspiration
to poets to compose their odes.
   One of my treasured possessions is a slim volume with the title “Lyria
Nicotiana”. Published in 1898, it is a collection of poems edited and compiled
by one William Hutchinson.
   The compiler says in his preface: “Once the fashion of smoking was introduced
it rapidly grew into a craze. Authors discoursed learnedly on its excellent
effects on health and maintained its sovereign virtue as a preservative against
all disease and as a means of lengthening life.”
   Other authors, with equal assurance and display of learning proved it to be a
venomous drug that would undermine the British constitution, physical and
political. The book contains over a hundred poems. I have picked a few at random
to illustrate the sentiments of the literati of yore.
   William Barclay, writing in the quaint language of the 17th century, said:
“The statlie rich, late conquered Indian plaines/Foster a plant, the prince of
all plants/ This plant at home the people and the priests assure/ Of his
goodwill, whom they as God adore/ Both here and there it worketh wondrous
cure/And hath such heauenue vertue in store. The “Indian Plaines”, of course,
refer to America which Christopher Columbs had mistakenly taken to be India.
   A poem in an 18th century issue of the “Gentleman’s Magazine” said: “Tube, I
love thee as my life/ By thee I mean to choose my wife/ Tube, thy colour let me
find/ In her skin, and in her mind/ Let her have a shape as fine/ Let her breath
be as sweet as thine/ Let, when her lips I kiss/ Burn like thee, to give me
bliss”.
   In the 18th century drawing rooms of the upper classes snuff was considered to
be more “genteel” than the pipe. William Cowper pleads for the latter in these
words: “Says the pipe to the snuffbox, “I can’t understand/ What the ladies and
gentlemen see in your face/ That you are in fashion all over the land/ And I am
so much fallen into disgrace.”
   It was not till the 19th century that we come across the first clarion call
against the use of tobacco which, however, was not regarded seriously by its
votaries. The following poem has in it a foretaste of what we read in medical
journals today: In spite of dire forewarnings that my brains will be scattered/
My memory extinguished, and my nervous system shattered/ That my hand will take
to trembling, and my heart begin to flutter/ My digestion turn a rebel to my
very bread and butter/ As I pull this mild Havana, and its ashes slowly
lengthen/ I feel my courage gather and my resolution strengthen/ I will smoke,
and I will praise you, my cigar, and I will light you/ with tobacco-phobic
pamphlets by the learned prigs who fight you”.

Available online at: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060713/edit.htm

.......................

ARTICLE 2:
THE TRIBUNE: With amorous intent
Raj Chatterjee

   “Trust in God”, says an old Arab proverb, “but tie up your camel”. It was some
such thinking, no doubt, that led the 13th century Crusaders to invent the
chastity belt. I am always reminded of it when we receive a card from two of our
dearest friends, an old colleague and his wife, who live in Dorset, England.
   My memory goes back to the second year of World War II when as a bachelor and
very junior assistant, I was ordered to proceed from Cawnpore (a spelling still
dear to me) to a place called Dalsingserai in the wilds of north Bihar.
   At the time of which I write D’serai was what was known as a “flag station” on
the Oudh-Tirhut Railway, also known as the “Old Twerps’ Rly”. This meant that
unless previously arranged with the railway authorities, no mail or express
train stopped there.
   My company owned some plantations in the region with a “leaf” (tobacco) depot
at D’Serai attached to which was a large and comfortable bungalow, once owned by
His Highness of Darbhanga, with its own generator, tennis court and swimming
pool. The “outposts of the Empire” men certainly knew how to make themselves
comfortable!
   Anyway, the Bihar earthquake a few years earlier having demolished our sales
branch in Patna we had been given temporary accommodation in this oasis and the
reason for my transfer was that the British manager, without an assistant owing
to the exigencies of the war, was required to do a month’s training with the
Auxillary Force of India. I was there to hold the fort in his absence.
   I had been told by my boss at Cawnpore that the man I was going to replace had
recently got married to an “absolute stunner”, Being young and normal in every
respect, I looked forward with mounting excitement to being left alone in the
company’s bungalow while her husband went soldiering.
   Early one morning in October I alighted from the Samastipur Express at D’Serai
and walked across the railway lines to the manager’s bungalow. I was greeted by
an Englishman in his mid-30’s, slightly thin on top, but good-looking and
well-built. He greeted me cordially though he had never shared a house with an
Indian before. His wife didn’t appear till lunchtime She was a “stunner” alright
and bore a strong resemblance to one of my favourite film stars, Myrna Loy.
   The three of us got on extremely well, playing tennis in the afternoon and
scrabble at night. The only discordant note in the set-up was a large tabby cat
called Sheba, much loved by my hostess and greatly feared and disliked by me.
   On the night before my host’s departure for his camp we were sitting on the
verandah sipping our drinks when the husband said to me, “I say, I do hope you
won’t mind looking after her while I’m away”.
   “Good heavens, no!” I said trying hard to keep the eagerness out of my voice.
“After all, she’s your wife”.
   “Wife?” ejaculated the man, sounding greatly puzzled. “Margaret is going to
stay with some friends in Muzaffarpur. I’m talking about Sheba.” My heart sank
in my boots, not to speak of the embarrassment.

Available online at: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030616/edit.htm


--- E V I D E N C E ---------------------------------------------
     ---------------

http://www.jstor.org/view/00219371/sp030007/03x0053a/0
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060713/edit.htm
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030616/edit.htm


--- V I O L A T I O N S -----------------------------------------
     -------------------
VIOLATIONS: What all provisions constitute violation under Section 5
of the Tobacco control Act.
* Any direct or indirect promotion of any tobacco product(s) or any
trade mark or brand name associated with any tobacco product in
exchange of any sponsorship, gift or prize.
* Affixing more than two boards, exceeding the size with one side 60
cms X 90 cms even inside a tobacco warehouse.
* The top area of 25% of each advertising board of the specified
size shall contain a waning which should read (i) Tobacco Causes
Cancer, or (ii) Tobacco Kills.
* The rules also state that such board cannot contain the brand name
or picture of the tobacco product
* Even oral promotion or advertising constitute an offense.

--- P E N A L P R O V I S I O N S ------------------------------
     ------------------------------
PENAL PROVISIONS: What is the Punishment for violation of the
provisions of the tobacco control Act?
Section 22 of the Act reads that; Whoever contravenes the provision
of section 5 shall, on conviction, be punishable— (a) in the case of
first conviction, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to
two years or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or
with both, and (b) in the case of second or subsequent conviction
with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and with
fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.

- M O N I T O R ------------------------
     -------------
MONITOR is a weekly feature of TambakooKills, reporting violations
of the rulings issued by Directorate of Health Services, Government
of India, for The Cigarette and other tobacco Products Act.
TambakooKills is the largest eGroup listed by YahooGroups Inc in
healthcare category in the world, and it's subscribers across India
are participating in this civil society reporting process.
Please SEND YOUR REPORTS to TambakooKiLLs@... ]
----------------------------------------

F C T C ... provisions:
-------
Nine salient features of First International Public Health and corporate
Accountability treaty FCTC (Framework Convention on Tobacco Control) are
available online at:
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/TambakooKills/message/36
-----------------------------------------------------------

R U L I N G
-----------
Complete text of the RULING issued by Directorate of Health Services
is available online at:
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/TambakooKills/message/12
-----------------------------------------------------------

MONITOR: Nine essential points about FCTC
Issue 19
--------

FCTC: Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, is the first International public
health and corporate accountability treaty convened by World Health
Organization. It has been ratified by 133 member countries in the world,
including India.
................................

1. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is the world's first
public health treaty, committed to stemming the globalisation of the tobacco
epidemic. Tobacco was responsible for 5 million deaths in 2005 alone, a yearly
total that will rise to 10 million by 2020.

2. In May of 2003, the World Health Organization's World Health Assembly
unanimously adopted the FCTC after four years of negotiations among it's 192
members.

3. Signing of the treaty: When a World Health Assembly member country signs
FCTC, it means it supports the concept of ratification and do nothing that would
undermine the treaty, but is not in itself legally binding.

4. Ratification of the treaty: After signing this treaty, when a member country
presents this treaty to it's senate or parliament and gets it ratified there by
2/3rd majority, then it becomes legally binding for that country to abide by the
provisions of FCTC treaty.

5. When 40 countries had ratified FCTC, (November 29, 2004) then it triggered
the 90 days count down of entry into force. The FCTC went into effect as legally
binding for all ratifying parties on February 27, 2005. There were 57 ratifying
parties on this date. As of June 6, 2006, the number of ratifying nations had
risen to 131, making it the fastest treaty ratification process in UN history,
and covering more than 3/4 of the world's population.

.........................................
6. The FCTC MANDATORY PROVISIONS include:
        -------------------------
* a comprehensive ban on advertising, sponsorship and promotion, with narrow
exceptions for countries such as the US that face constitutional conflicts

* Warning labels that cover at least 30% of the package

* elimination of deceptive and misleading labels such as "light" and "low tar"

* protection of non-smokers in public places and places of work

* specific measures to reduce tobacco smuggling
...............................................

7. The treaty also encourages parties (ratified countries) to enact other
tobacco control policies  such as:

* increasing tobacco taxes

* eliminating duty-free sales of tobacco products

* considering litigation against the tobacco industry

* prohibiting the sale of tobacco to minors

* including tobacco cessation services in national health plans
.................................................

8) The FCTC member nations began negotiations in early 2006 to develop more
detailed provisions regarding such treaty components as cross-border advertising
and smuggling, and the funding, enforcement, and evaluation of the treaty's
provisions. Because a member-party of the treaty is one that has RATIFIED and
not just SIGNED the treaty, the US will not be able to participate in further
treaty development until it ratifies. (US has not ratified FCTC through it's
parliamentary process, and only signed it).

9) The FCTC current and future member parties must work toward effective
implementation of the treaty's provisions into national laws, enforcement of
these policies, and evaluation of it's effects.


--- E V I D E N C E ---------------------------------------------
---------------

http://www.fctc.org
http://www.who.int/tobacco

--- V I O L A T I O N S -----------------------------------------
-------------------
VIOLATIONS: What all provisions constitute violation under Section 5 of the
Tobacco control Act.
* Any direct or indirect promotion of any tobacco product(s) or any trade mark
or brand name associated with any tobacco product in exchange of any
sponsorship, gift or prize.
* Affixing more than two boards, exceeding the size with one side 60 cms X 90
cms even inside a tobacco warehouse.
* The top area of 25% of each advertising board of the specified size shall
contain a waning which should read (i) Tobacco Causes Cancer, or (ii) Tobacco
Kills.
* The rules also state that such board cannot contain the brand name or picture
of the tobacco product
* Even oral promotion or advertising constitute an offense.

--- P E N A L P R O V I S I O N S ------------------------------
------------------------------
PENAL PROVISIONS: What is the Punishment for violation of the provisions of the
tobacco control Act?
Section 22 of the Act reads that; Whoever contravenes the provision of section 5
shall, on conviction, be punishable— (a) in the case of first conviction, with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine which may
extend to one thousand rupees or with both, and (b) in the case of second or
subsequent conviction with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five
years and with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.

- M O N I T O R ------------------------
-------------
MONITOR is a weekly feature of TambakooKills, reporting violations of the
rulings issued by Directorate of Health Services, Government of India, for The
Cigarette and other tobacco Products Act.
TambakooKills is the largest eGroup listed by YahooGroups Inc in healthcare
category in the world, and it's subscribers across India are participating in
this civil society reporting process.
Please SEND YOUR REPORTS to TambakooKiLLs@... ]
----------------------------------------

R U L I N G
-----------
Complete text of the RULING issued by Directorate of Health Services is
available online at:
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/TambakooKills/message/12
-----------------------------------------------------------

SOLIDARITY: Terror, especially in the name of faith, defiles faith
Teesta Setalvad, Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi and other friends
Citizens for Justice and Peace
July 12, 2006
-----------------


Statement of Condemnation
.........................

Acts of Terror are acts of cowardice. Terror of the kind unleashed by eight bomb
blasts in Mumbai’s western railway line killing over 175 innocent victims need
to be condemned unequivocally. Citizens for Justice and Peace condemns these
acts and pledges itself to the campaign against violence of any kind.  We pledge
whatever support we can give to the families of the victims and for the brave
Mumbaikar who chipped in all night to save the soul of the city.

Mumbai has already responded and will continue to respond with strong
condemnation and resolve to fight the terror and empathy and compassion for the
victims.

Terror, especially in the name of faith, defiles faiths and creates deep divides
among people. This is the greatest challenge for us. Not to fall for the deep
design of the terrorists and maintain peace and harmony at all costs. Do join
CJP’s campaign for calm, harmony, solidarity and hope. Against Violence.

Appeal

CJP is against the politics of violence and terror. Action after yesterday’s
terror is vital and critical. Help to find unidentified bodies, empathy for the
victims, salutes to the courageous men and women who saved, yet again, the soul
of this great city.

Give and Share Generously.

Teesta Setalvad, Secretary
Vijay Tendulkar, President
IM Kadri, Vice-President
Arvind Krishnaswamy, Treasurer
Javed Akhtar
Shabana Azmi
Javed Anand
Cyrus Guzder
Alyque Padamsee
Anil Dharker
Titoo Ahluwalia
Ghulam Peshimam
Rahul Bose
Dolphy De Souza
----------------

Citizens for Justice and Peace
-------------------------------
Nirant, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu, Mumbai – 400 049. Ph: 2660 2288
Email: cjp02in@...

This week's headlines in The SouthAsian
Details at : http://www.thesouthasian.org


NBA Responds to Inquiries on Foreign Funding
While the Supreme Court has asked NBA to respond to allegations of
foreign funding, some other organizations have also been carrying on
a vilification campaign via the media. NBA has chosen to respond to
this campaign.
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/nba_responds_to_inquiries_
on_f.html


National Campaign for Displaced People to be Launched
A National Consultation on Development and Displacement was held at
Gandhi Bhavan, Bhopal on July 7-8th,2006. About 75 participants from
all over the country participated in the event.
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/national_campaign_for_disp
lace.html

Kerala CM Wants Coke, Pepsi Accountability
R. Ajayan, convener of Plachimada Solidarity Committee, reported
that
Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has supported the people’s
concerns and their protest of the protests of Coke and Pepsi in
Kerala.
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/kerala_cm_wants_coke_pepsi
_acc.html


The Ridiculousness of Self Auditing Industries
The Government of India is considering an industry proposal
requesting processes of self-certification vis-à-vis
industries adhering to laws of the land. Is this appropriate?
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/the_reality_of_self_auditi
ng_i.html

Land-Grab by Rich: The Politics of SEZs in India
Sanjay Sangvai writes about the enormous subsidies given to
industries as part of special economic zones and analyses the impact
of these zones that are allowed to function outside environmental
and labour laws of the country.
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/landgrab_by_rich_the_polit
ics.html


RTI gets Anshu Admission in School
Three-and-a-half-year-old Anshu will be going to a public school
from tomorrow. The passage has not been easy and doors were slammed
on her but her father, social worker Rajiv Kumar Sharma, did
something that shows the way to other parents. With Delhi government
dragging its feet on implementing the quota for the poor, Sharma
used the Right to Information Act.
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/rti_gets_anshu_admission_i
n_sc.html

Drive Against Bribe with RTI Campaign
A 15-day (from July 1st - 15th) 'Drive Against Bribe Campaign' aimed
at eliminating the scourge from various government departments and
creating awareness about the Right to Information (RTI) Act among
the public was launched on Saturday.
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/drive_against_bribe_with_r
ti_c.html

Seven Times Twenty is Hundred
A few weeks ago the Pakistani Finance government was bragging about
having broken free of the shackles of the World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and now they are jubilant over the
$6.5 billion promised by the World Bank under its Country Assistance
Strategy (CAS).
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/seven_times_twenty_is_hund
red.html

Hunger Strike in Mehendiganj Ends
Central Pollution Control Board orders state board to investigate
Coke; National awareness drive of unethical Coke policies to begin.
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/hunger_strike_in_mehendiga
nj_e.html

CPCB Report, Hunger Strike Corners Coke
As Nandlal Master and Mukesh Kumar continue their second day of fast
in Mehdiganj, people continue to show their solidarity by coming to
the dharna site.
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/post_2.html

Government Listens to Weavers Concerns
We would like to tell you that as a result of continuous massive
campaigning conducted by PVCHR in the support weavers of Varanasi
ultimately State Government of UP and Central Government got
awakened and took notice to the poor and hunger stricken community
of weavers of the country.
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/government_listens_to_weav
ers.html

A Bleak Perspective of Corporations
While popular perception sees corporations as the engines of
development, another analysis leads to different conclusions.
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/a_bleak_perspective_of_cor
pora.html

Revisiting Orissa Development Plans
The recent firing in Kalinga Nagar, Jajpur, Orissa, India - is a
symptom of a disease that is plaguing the development process in
Orissa (handled by Govt. of Orissa (GOO)), not the disease itself.
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/revisiting_orissa_developm
ent.html

To subscribe to this list:
thesouthasian_headlines-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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thesouthasian_headlines-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

IN-FOCUS: NBA ready for any enquiry
Narmada Bachao Andolan
Badwani, MP
-----------

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST NBA ABSURD: READY FOR ANY ENQUIRY:
.....................................................
ATTEMPT TO STIFLE PEOPLE'S STRUGGLE AGAINST CORPORATES
.....................................................


While the Narmada Bachao Andolan will be giving a fitting reply to the notice
issued by the Supreme Court regarding the handling the foreign funds and the so
called seditious activities, we are amused at the very absurdity of these
allegations and the alacrity with which these notices were issued. It must be
clarified that the Supreme Court has only given the notices regarding the
allegations made by the Gujarat based National Committee of Civil Liberties
(NCCL) and NOT ordered any enquiry, as has been claimed by the outfit. However,
the NBA is prepared to face any kind of enquiry.

The allegations are brought under a well-thought out plan of diverting the
nation's attention from the serious issue of the imminent submergence
displacement in the Narmada valley and suppressing the larger nationwide
people's resistance to the government's policy of   large scale displacement and
eviction of millions of farmers and tribals, with the connivance of the
multinational capital.

Though the case is sub-judice, the NCCL president had chosen to make wild
allegations against the NBA in public through the media; therefore, we are
constrained to issue the rebuttal. All the allegations in the petition are
fabricated. Previously, around 1990, the Gujarat Samachar had to tender apology
for making such wild allegations against Medha Patkar. In the present case also
we would proceed against these unfounded charges. For last twenty years, the NBA
has been struggling for the rights of the people in the Narmada valley in a
non-violent way, braving the police atrocities, cheating, frauds, the money and
muscle-power. At the same time the Andolan has also strived to evolve an
alternative model of sustainable and equitable development in the Narmada valley
and all over India.

The NBA's deficit finances or source of income are an open book.  The NBA
carries on its activity on the small donations made by the supporters all over
India and from the funds raised by the people in the villages in the valley. The
incidents that are mentioned in the so-callled petition are out of Narmada
valley and have no relation with the Narmada struggle.

The allegations the foreign funds by the NCCL are the same rehashed charges made
some seven years ago by the NCCL. The NBA had already made clear its position
regarding these charges, which we consider imaginary and based on twisted and
half-baked information. It seems to be a strategy by the V,K, Saksena of NCCL,
who along with the BJP leader in Gujarat, one Amit Thakkar, were  booked by
Ahmedabad police for an assault on Medha Patkar in Sabarmati Ashram, in 2002.
This is politically motivated petition, as both the Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh
states, mentioned specifically as the respondent in the petition are the
BJP-ruled states Rahul Banerjea was never an activist of the NBA and had no
financial links with the NBA.


The NCCL's definitions of 'national interests' or 'anti-national activities' are
specious.
Besides, we assume that Public Interest Litigations (PIL) are filed and are
admitted primarily against the violation of the fundamental rights of the
citizens and marginalized groups.

We consider that the notice issued to the NBA is a warning for all the people's
movements in the country which are challenging the usurpation of people' rights,
their natural resources at the hands of the national and multinational corporate
powers. It is an irony that while the Ambanis, Jindals, and Mittals are given
red carpet treatment from the state and central governments, handing them over
the land and water of this country, the tribals and farmers are either shot dead
in Kalinganagar or being submerged in the Sardar Sarovar. Same is the fate of
the workers, farmers, unorganized and organized labour, Dalits, other backwards
castes in this country.

The NBA will file its response to the notice. But the issue is much larger than
that. It is a time that all the people's movements and organizations must evolve
a coordinated response to the onslaught of the corporate takeover in the country
and suppression of any dissent. However, we are sure that the corporate powers
will not have walkover in this country. The people - the farmers, workers,
tribals and Dalits- will fiercely defend their rights, livelihood and their
natural resources, come what may.


Ashish mandloi      Sanjay Sangvai     Devrambhai Kanera

Manglya Vasave     Kamala Yadav     Medha Patkar

----------------------
NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
----------------------
58, Gandhi Marg, Badwani, M.P.-451551 (Ph.07290-222464), badwani@...
<mailto:badwani@...> B-13, Shivam Flats, Ellora Park, Baroda-390007
(0265-2282232),badwani@...

FRIDAY SPOTLIGHT: 2nd Visa Free and Peaceful South Asia Convention
DailySouthAsian
----------------

LAHORE (Pakistan) is the venue for the 2nd Visa Free and Peaceful South Asia
Convention. This week the Friday Spotlight falls upon this forthcoming
convention. Please find below two sections:

1) INVITATION: of 2nd Visa Free & Peaceful South-Asia Convention in Lahore.
Please participate! now!

2) JUST-TO-REMIND: R E S O L U T I O N of the 1st Visa Free and Peaceful South
Asia Convention, New Delhi. This will help us in reminding ourselves of earlier
discourses on peace in South Asia and take the process forward.

==============================================

1) INVITATION: 2nd Visa-free & Peaceful South Asia convention, Lahore

2ND VISA FREE AND PEACEFUL SOUTH ASIA CONVENTION
LAHORE, PAKISTAN
AUGUST 6-9, 2006
----------------

Dear friends,

As an extension of efforts undertaken during the Indo-Pak peace march and as a
strategy to widen and consolidate the peace constituency in South Asia, this
year 2nd VISA FREE AND PEACEFUL SOUTH ASIA CONVENTION is being organized in
LAHORE, PAKISTAN and other events shall also take place between 6th to 9th
August, 2006. August 6, is Hiroshima Day and August 9, Nagasaki Day.

Lahore Organizing Committee invites you all to 2nd Visa Free & South Asia
Convention.

Please send your passport details to RAJESHWAR OJHA at ojha@...

Name:
Sex:
Address:
Citizenship:
Father's Name:
Spouse Name:.........If married
Date of birth:
Place of birth:
Passport No.:
Date of Issue:
Date of Expiry:
Issuing Authority:
Place of issue :
Contact No.:
Profession:

=========================================================



2) JUST-TO-REMIND: R E S O L U T I O N  of the 1st Visa Free and Peaceful South
Asia Convention, New Delhi

-------------------------------------------------
JUST-TO-REMIND is a special series of DailySouthAsian, to re-read and remind
ourselves of commitments made in yesteryears. We believe this helps us not
re-invent the wheel, take the campaign forward and orient us better as we gear
towards 2nd Visa Free and Peaceful South Asia Convention
-------------------------------------------------

As we prepare for 2nd Visa Free and Peaceful South Asia Convention to be held in
Lahore, Pakistan, from August 6-9, 2006, let us re-read and remind ourselves of
the RESOLUTION we agreed upon in 1st Visa Free and Peaceful South Asia
Convention held last year in New Delhi, India from August 6-9, 2005. The text is
also available online at:
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/DailySouthAsian/message/440
-------------------------------------------------

RESOLUTION passed at Visa-Free and Peaceful South Asia Convention, New Delhi
August 7-8, 2005
----------------

RESOLUTION passed by hundreds of delegates from India, Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal
and Bhutan in the `Visa-free and Peaceful South Asia Convention' held in New
Delhi from August 7 to August 8, 2005:-


We, the delegates of this convention hereby resolve that the following steps be
taken both by civic society and the governments of South Asia:

1. Relations among the countries of South Asia be further strengthened and the
peoples of these countries be given full freedom to meet each other. For this,
these countries should become visa-free so that the common socio-cultural and
historical heritage of the region is taken forward, trade is enhanced and the
countries of SAARC move towards giving shape to the idea of an economic union.
It is further resolved that in the present circumstances students and teachers
of schools, colleges and universities be given top priority in the granting of
visas, keeping in view the above stated objective.

2. Democratic values be strengthened in these countries and rights of the people
be protected especially in the context of women, and deprived sections of
society. Laws discriminatory towards these sections in these countries be
repealed forthwith and positive steps be taken in this direction.

3. Steps should be taken to restore democracy in Nepal and Bhutan, for, in our
opinion, monarchy is a major hurdle in the overall sustainable development of
these countries. We whole heartedly support the struggle for democracy and for
the formation of a constituent assembly being carried out by the political
parties in Nepal. The problems of Nepal should be resolved in a peaceful and
people-friendly manner. Further, the citizens of Bhutan waging a struggle for
democracy in their country and forced to live in exile should be unconditionally
allowed back into Bhutan.

4. We believe that what is stated above is possible only if there is peace in
the region. For this, it is imperative that all countries of South Asia resolve
to stop the militarization of the region, and India and Pakistan put an end to
all nuclear weapons. All the countries should stop any increase in their defense
budgets; they should take steps to bring about a decrease of a minimum of 10%
per annum in this budget and allocate the resources thus saved for issues of
concern to the common man such as health and education. Moreover, the
expenditure on defense should be publicly transparent.

5. India and Pakistan should agree on the creation of a Nuclear-Weapons Free
Zone in South Asia on a time bound basis. Further the SAARC states should
conclude a South Asian No-War pact to facilitate South Asian economic
cooperation.

6. No country of the region should get into any agreement with any super power
that is likely to create a danger for the autonomy and sovereignty of any of
these countries.

7. All the problematic issues among the SAARC countries should be resolved by
way of talks without resorting to arms. In this context, the problem of Jammu
and Kashmir be resolved after taking into consideration the wishes and
aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

8. Given the common socio-cultural and historical heritage of the region, the
activities of communal and fundamentalist forces in any of these countries are
likely to have repercussions for the rest of the region. We therefore resolve
that for peace and friendship to be sustained in the region, the nefarious
designs of all such forces be challenged and all progressive forces be
strengthened in the region.

9. We believe that the processes of globalization go against the rights of the
common man and create hurdles in the way of the autonomy of the region. The
multinational companies, propped up by these processes, use the natural
resources of water, land and forests of these countries for their own profit and
thus encroach upon the legitimate rights of the people. We therefore resolve to
support all pro-people movements in their struggle against the forces of
globalization acting under the directions of WTO, World Bank and IMF. We also
oppose the veto powers of representatives on bodies like IMF, World Bank, UNO
and WTO, for they go against the spirit of democracy.

========================================================

DailySouthAsian

www.TheSouthAsian.org

As you might know, there are two Gujarati conferences in NJ this
summer, and they have both invited Narendra Modi, as per newspaper
sources ( http://ia.rediff.com/news/2006/jun/20guj.htm?
q=np&file=.htm ) . It is not certain whether or not Modi will be
allowed to come this time, but it is quite alarming that he has been
invited in the first place.

Please find attached a draft of the letter that we plan to send the
organizers of the Gujarati convention on July 7-9th, organized by
the FIA and GANA ( www.fianynjct.org).  The letter is to register
protest at the invitation of Narendra Modi as well as Ashok Bhatt,
the main architects of the violence in Gujarat 2002.  We are
collecting both organizational endorsements as well as individual
signatures.

As time is of essence, please send in your signatures and
endorsements ASAP.  Email them to mail@... .
Also, please circulate this letter widely.

*  For organizational endorsements: please send in the full name of
the organization, city,state and also the webpage of the group (or a
one-line description of the group).

*  For individual signatures: please send in First and Last name,
city, state (and any relevant affiliation).

Thanks!

===============================

To



Mr. Ramesh Patel, Mr. Rambhai Gadhvi, Dr Sudhir Parikh, Mr. Jayesh
Patel, Mr. Prakash Shah, Mr. Jagdish Patel, Mr. Magan Patel, Mr.
Jitendra Fadia, Mr. Naresh Bhadiadra, Mr. Mahesh Patel

Members of the Organizing Committee, First Gujarati Convention

Gujarati Associations of North America (GANA)

and Federation of Indian Associations-New York, New Jersey and
Connecticut

355 Shawn Place

North Brk, NJ 08902



Dear GANA and FIA,



We, the undersigned organizations and individuals, who believe in a
secular, democratic and pluralistic Gujarat, write to you with deep
concern over reports that your organizations have extended
invitations to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and the Gujarat
Health Minister Ashok Bhatt to attend the GANA convention on July 7-
9, 2006 September 2006.   FIA-GANA's invitation to Mr. Modi is being
reported by several news agencies [1], while Mr. Bhatt is listed as
an "invited dignatory" on the FIA poster for the conference [2].

If this is true, then we wish to register our strong protest at
these invitations.  We believe that GANA's slogan of " Gujarat ni
asmita " (Gujarat's dignity) is only undermined by honoring
individuals such as Mr. Modi and Mr. Bhatt, who have a long record
of participating in sectarian hatred and communalism, and does no
justice to Gujarat's long tradition of hospitality and tolerance.

As you are aware, Mr. Modi and Mr. Bhatt are both regarded as chief
architects of the carnage that engulfed Gujarat in 2002 in which
more than 2000 Muslims lost their lives and 200,000 more fled their
homes, and in which concerted sexual violence against women was
employed to an unprecedented degree.

·         Mr.  Modi has been charged in an Indian court of law with
crimes against humanity and genocide.   He is a member of the
violent and extremist communal organization, the Rashriya Swamsevak
Sangh (RSS) has never expressed regret for his failure to take
preventative measures to stop the violence, indeed took measures or
made statements to incite it, and punished conscientious police
officials who did take preventative measures by promptly
transferring them out to inconsequential postings/assignments. The
policies of the State Government of Gujarat, of which he is the
chief executive, have been and continue to be discriminatory toward
Muslim and Christian minorities; the law is applied and enforced in
a discriminatory manner, and those fighting for justice have been
continually harassed by the state machinery. The Human Rights Watch
in its recent report notes, " The Gujarat state government, led by
Chief Minister Narandra Modi of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP), not only failed to take appropriate action to
prevent the violence, but has since failed to properly investigate
the crimes committed.   It has consistently sought to impede
successful prosecutions of those allegedly involved in the
massacres, leading the Supreme Court and National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC) to intervene on several occasions ." [3] Many
other human rights organizations, including Amnesty International,
Human Rights Watch, Commonwealth Initiative for Human Rights,
Citizen's Initiative, People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL),
People's Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) have documented the
extensive complicity of the state government, led by Mr Modi in
orchestrating the violence against Muslims in 2002.   It is for this
reason that the U.S. government decided to deny him a visa in 2005,
and some Congressmen introduced a resolution "condemning the conduct
of Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his actions to incite religious
persecution ." [4]

·         Mr Bhatt also took an active role in instigating and
overseeing planned violence against Muslims in the post-Godhra
carnage in 2002, according to several human rights reports.   The
Concerned Citizen's Tribunal Report notes that on 27th February,
2002, "Shri Ashok Bhatt and Shri Pratap Singh Chauhan, met at
Lunavada in Panchmahal district along with others. In this meeting,
the manner and methods of unleashing violence on Muslims were
planned in detail. " [5]  Furthermore, several media reports have
established that Mr. Ashok Bhatt was present in the Police Control
Rooms in Ahmedabad [6], where, as Human Rights Watch report
noted, "repeated pleas for help were blatantly turned down. [7]" The
National Human Rights Commission in India also noted the
participation of Mr. Ashok Bhatt in the riots, saying "A number of
persons holding responsible positions in public life alleged
involvement of some Ministers and MLAs in these riots.   They
mentioned that Shri Gordhan Zadafia, Home Minister and Shri Ashok
Bhatt, Health Minister were monitoring the progress of riots from
the City Police control room. " [8]  Additionally, eye witness
reports collected by the Concerned Citizen's Tribunal suggest that
Mr. Bhatt was responsible for inciting arson and destruction in the
Naroda Fruit Market and the Paldi-Ellis Bridge in Ahmedabad. [9]



We find it shameful that organizations supposed to represent the
collective interests of Indians and Indian Americans in the United
States would choose to invite people such as Mr. Narendra Modi and
Mr. Ashok Bhatt to their conferences, and thus implicitly endorse
and promote their agenda of sectarian hatred and violence.



Yours sincerely,







[1] Two Gujarati conventions vie for attention in US, Sheela Bhatt,
June 20 th 2006, Rediff India Abroad, available at
http://ia.rediff.com/news/2006/jun/20guj.htm?q=np&file=.htm , also
see Speculation rife over Modi's US visa, July 1, 2006, NDTV
available at http://tinyurl.com/o2nbd

[2] http://www.fianynjct.org/event.pdf

[3] DISCOURAGING DISSENT: Intimidation and Harassment of Witnesses,
Human Rights Activists, and Lawyers Pursuing Accountability for the
2002 Communal Violence in Gujarat, by the Human Rights Watch, 2006
http://hrw.org/backgrounder/asia/india/gujarat/

[4] H.Res. 160 in the 109th Congress, available at
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hr109-160

[5] State Complicity, in Concerned Citizens Tribunal - Gujarat
2002 , Vol 2, available at
http://www.sabrang.com/tribunal/vol2/compgovt.html

[6] Praveen Swami in Saffron Terror, Frontline Volume 19, Issue 06,
2002 writes "Health Minister Ashok Bhat sat in the Police Control
Room in Ahmedabad through the first two days of violence. Given his
portfolio, it was an odd place to be - but not given his past. Bhat,
along with Union Minister of State for Defence Harin Pathak, faces
charges of having incited a mob that murdered a police constable in
the course of communal violence on April 25, 1985"
http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1906/19060080.htm

[7] Background to the Violence,   in Compounding Injustice: The
Government's Failure to Redress Massacres in Gujarat , 2003, Human
Rights Watch, NewYork, available at
http://hrw.org/reports/2003/india0703/

[8] Report on the visit of NHRC Team headed by Chairperson, NHRC to
Ahmedabad, Vadodra and Godhra from 19-22 March 2002, available at
http://nhrc.nic.in/guj_annex_1.htm

[9] The Accused, in Concerned Citizens Tribunal - Gujarat 2002 , Vol
2, available at http://www.sabrang.com/tribunal/vol2/accused2.html

EK-MULAKAT: Shailendra Singh se
-------------------------

[EK-MULAKAT is a special series of DailySouthAsian, introducing unsung heroines
and heroes in South Asia. This issue throws the spotlight on Shailendra Singh,
IPS officer in UP, who resigned when UP State Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav
didn’t allow him to take action against a mafia don despite of compelling
evidence. Please join us in welcoming Shailendra Singh… read more]
………………………………

Dear Friends,
I would like to introduce Shailendra Singh, the former Deputy Superintendent of
Police in U.P. who was not allowed by the Mulayam Singh Yadav’s government to
taka action against a mafia politician (Mukhtar Ansari) in the case of sales of
dangerous stolen military arms to him and therefore chose to resign. He later
contested the parliamentary elections as an independent candidate from Varanasi
and polled about 25,000 votes but could not win.

Now he is with the Congress party and heads its RTI task force. We are fortunate
to have him as part of the Lucknow RTI team. He spends a few hours everyday at
the Lucknow camp office at Dr.Ambedkar Mahasabha opposite Vidhan Sabha, Lucknow.

Contacts of Shailendra Singh:
Phone: +91 9415006470
Email: shailendraksingh1@...

love,
sandeep

(Dr Sandeep Pandey, email: ashaashram@..., is a senior social activist and
recipient of Ramon Magsaysay Award 2002. He is the National Convener of NAPM –
National Alliance of People’s Movements – and President of People’s Union for
Human Rights)

This week's headlines in The SouthAsian 

Details at : http://www.thesouthasian.org

Seven Times Twenty is Hundred

A few weeks ago the Pakistani Finance government was bragging about having broken free of the shackles of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and now they are jubilant over the $6.5 billion promised by the World Bank under its Country Assistance Strategy (CAS).

http://www.thesouthasian.org/blog/archives/2006/seven_times_twenty_is_hundred.html

Hunger Strike in Mehendiganj Ends

Central Pollution
 Control Board orders state board to investigate Coke; National awareness drive of unethical Coke policies to begin. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/hunger_strike_in_mehendiganj_e.html

Revisiting Orissa Development Plans

The recent firing in Kalinga Nagar, Jajpur, Orissa, India - is a symptom of a disease that is plaguing the development process in Orissa (handled by Govt. of Orissa (GOO)), not the disease itself.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/revisiting_orissa_development.html

CPCB Report, Hunger Strike Corners Coke

As Nandlal Master and Mukesh Kumar continue their second day of fast in Mehdiganj, people continue to show their solidarity by coming to the dharna site. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/post_2.html

Government Listens to Weavers Concerns

We would like to tell you that as a result of continuous massive campaigning conducted by PVCHR in the support weavers of Varanasi ultimately State Government of UP and Central Government got awakened and took notice to the poor and hunger stricken
 community of weavers of the country. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/government_listens_to_weavers.html

A Bleak Perspective of Corporations

While popular perception sees corporations as the engines of development, another analysis leads to different conclusions.   

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/a_bleak_perspective_of_corpora.html

History of Right to Information

The right to information campaign in India began with the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS)
 movement to bring in transparency in village accounts via the demand for minimum wages in rural India. Ghost entries in muster rolls were a sign of rampant corruption in the system, which prompted MKSS to demand official information recorded in government files. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/post.html

Right to Information - Path To Swaraj

The Right to Information Act comes into force all over the country on 

October 12. Citizens should make use of it to ensure transparency and help good governance triumph.  

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/right_to_information_path_to_s.html

How Should the Indian Democracy Address Naxalism?

Is the Indian State’s policy vis-a-vis Naxalism only addressing a symptom?

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/how_should_the_indian_democrac.html

Blog for Tibet

On World Tibet Day (July 6<sup>th</sup>) which is also the birthday of 

Dalai Lama, the Tibetan community requests people all around the world to write about Tibet as a way to increase awareness about the Chinese occupation and their struggle for freedom.
 <br/><br/>

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/blog_for_tibet.html

Ethnic Dynamics and the Pakistani Nation

Dr Manzur Ejaz writes on the dynamics of Pakistani Nationhood.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/ethnic_dynamics_and_the_pakist.html

Mountain Children Propose Rights for Children

The state of Uttaranchal currently has no comprehensive policy on or rights of children. This is a report by 16yr old Tushar, who attended a conference with children from the
 mountains focusing on this issue.    

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/mountain_children_propose_righ.html

Stop Rape of Unarmed Women in Sri Lanka

The global community is anguished that, in the latest outbreak of violence in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Armed Forces as well as the LTTE are targeting unarmed civilians.   

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/stop_rape_of_unarmed_women_in.html

Maharashtra Government Lies About Malnourishment in
 Mumbai

Medha Patkar, today, addressed the press for a conference on the cases of malnutrition found among the displaced people of Mandala, Mankhurd. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/governments_claim_of_no_malnou.html

Karachi Fisher Community Fights for Fishing Rights

On 19 June 2006 law-enforcing agencies used force in Karachi against the fisher folk community, demanding the abolishment of contract system in fisheries. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/karachi_fisher_community_fight.html

To subscribe to this list: 

thesouthasian_headlines-subscribe@yahoogroups.com 

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thesouthasian_headlines-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com 

IN-FOCUS: Jal-Satyagrah in Delhi against Coca Cola declared
DailySouthAsian
---------------

National Alliance of People's Movements
A'wing' First Floor, Haji Habib Building
Naigaon Cross road, Dadar (E)Mumbai - 400014
E- mail: mumbainapm@..., napm_up@..., ashaashram@...
_________________________________________________________________

1st July 2006
.............

AGITATION AGAINST COKE STEPS UP FROM MEHNDIGANJ TO DELHI
..........................
Nandlal and Mukesh break the 5 days long hunger fast and 100 days long dharna
outside Mehndiganj Coca Cola plant, to step up agitation against Coca Cola in
Delhi
..........................

Noted NBA Leader MEDHA PATKAR and Magsaysay Awardee and NAPM leader SANDEEP
Pandey to lead the JAL-SATYAGRAH in New Delhi from September 2006
--------------------------

      Nandlal and Mukesh Break the 5th day hunger fast and 100th day dharana to
step up coca-cola agitation

      Mehandiganj and people from other parts of UP declare strong agitation
against coke at National level.

      Medha Patkar and Sandeep Panday declare historic 'National Jal Satyagraha'
at Delhi

   In ahuge gathering of more than 1500 people including men, women and farmers
joining Mehandiganj people from different parts of UP Medha Patkar and Sandeep
Pandey, Nandalal and Mukesh along with thousands of people declared intensified
agitation against coke and 'National Jal Styagraha' at Delhi in September 2006.

   With this promise and resolution and spirit the 100 day long dharna and
indefinite fast of Nandlal and Mukesh which entered 5th day today was called
off.
    women arriving from the far flung villages were in the fore front of these
decision and many of them challenge the coke imperialism and took oath that come
what may they will drive these companies not only from Mehandiganj but also from
India.

   "We may be able to get food from out side but what will be do without water,
we cannot allow our children's future to become dark zone because of these water
steeling and water polluting coca cola companies" said  Tara ben and many other
women who gathered in mehandiganj.

   'We will give our life to drive these companies out of our soil and will not
hesitate to give our life for saving water protecting  land and natural
resources' was the words of Meera ben with hope, enthusiasm and spirit. 
Majority of women requested thNandlal and Mukesh to break the fast as for now
and take the aguitation at national level.

   People from all over India and abroad came to show solidarity and support to
the agitation. NAPM's National convenors from Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and
Mumbai came to support the  struggle and join hand with mehandiganj people.

   In her address to the gathering Medha Patkar Challenged the Coca -Cola Company
on their violation of all the environmental norms and the usurpation of natural
resources. She said that it is no more the issue alone of Mehandiganj but a much
larger issue which is creating havoc in the life of people in Plachimada in
Kerala, Kala Dera, in Rajasthan and many other areas in India where Coke- Pepsi
and even many water bottling plants are established.  Water is being sold at 
phenomena cost and this has converted a very fundamental, and essential for life
-'common people's resources' into a 'commodity' which is a blatant violation of
people's right and against the Indian culture.

   Sandeep Pandey brought to the notice of the adverse health impact of the coke
consumption on children.

   The agitation thus was called off with more enthusiam , boost and renued
energy to take it at the national level.

--------------------------------------
for more information please contact:
Dr Sandeep Pandey
Email: ashaashram@...
Phones: (0522) 2347365, 94150 22772
--------------------------------------

FRIDAY SPOTLIGHT: 4th Day of indefinite fast against Coca Cola
DailySouthAsian
--------------

Comment: Indefinite hunger strike started on June 27, 2006 outside Coca Cola Inc
in Mehndiganj, Varanasi district by local people from neighbouring villages.
Coca Cola Inc has been taking out huge amounts of water from under the ground
depriving local communities from underground water for daily use, releasing
toxic affluents in their fields adversely affecting the ground fertility,
indulging in unethical corrupt practices and land grabbing despite of standing
order of court to pay up. Also soft drinks like Coca cola Pepsi Cola have been
conclusively proven to contain pesticides by Centre for Science and Environment
study as well as Joint Parliamentary Committee report. For more information
please send an email to napm_up@..., ashaashram@... or call 94150
22772, 9839073355 or 9415300520.

Senior social activists like Magsaysay awardee Sandeep Pandey, Narmada Bachao
Andolan leader Medha Patkar and NAPM (National Alliance of People's Movements)
leader Arundhati Dhuru shall join the indefinite fast today on June 30 in
Mehndiganj Varanasi.
...............................


1) On-site report of Day II
2) On-site report of Day III

==========================================================

1) On-site report of Day II
---------------------------

   Dear friends,

   As Nandlal Master and Mukesh Kumar continue their second day of fast in
Mehdiganj, people continue to show their solidarity by coming to the dharna
site.  At the site, Balchand Pradhan from Gajipur and his group sang several
folk songs(Poison, Poison, Poison; There is lots of poison in Coca-cola!) on the
struggle.

   In Varanasi, a press conference was organized to highlight the struggle and
the upcoming national conference on water privatization. The press conference
was well attended by journalists. Father Anand from Sajha Sanskruti Manch, Mr.
Aflatoon from Samajwadi Jan Parishad, Chanchal Mukherjee, Ranjeet Yadav, Arvind
from Lok Samiti, Kavita from AID headed the conference. They pointed that the
fast pace of globalization has resulted in the exploitation of land, water and
natural resources by multi-national companies in third world countries. The
privatization of natural resources such as the privatization of river sheonath,
mining of natural resources in Orissa have affected the lives and livelihoods of
communities who are forging a national movement to fight against the injustice.
On June 30th, there will be a one-day national conference at Sampoorna Sanskrut
University, Varanasi to discuss government’s proposal of privatizing urban water
supply systems. On July 1st, there
  will be a conference in Mehdiganj in front of Coca-cola factory to discuss on
strategies of national movements around water privatization. In the afternoon, a
ceremony will be conducted to initiate the construction of lake through
community shramdaan. In support of the conference, communities will contribute
food materials for the attendees.

   These efforts seem to have intimidated Coca-Cola. On 28th, Coca-cola initiated
another rainwater harvesting effort in Kallipur village here. Through this,
Coca-cola claims that it will harvest up to 3.75 lakh liters of water (Source:
Hindusthan newspaper)

   Contacts:
   Lok Samiti office
   Nagepur
   PO Benipur, Varanasi
   UP, India - 221307
   T: +91-542-2632433, +91 94153 00520
   Email: napm_up@...


==========================================================

2) On-site report of Day III
-----------------------------

We are on the third day of the indefinite hunger strike, and the officials are
taking notice. Today the senior officials from the Mehndiganj police station
visited the Dharna site and tried to convince Nandlal Master and Mukeshji to
withdraw their fast. Nandlalji and Mukeshji politely refused and told them why
they cannot withdraw the fast. Nandlalji and Mukeshji continue to show high
spirits inspite of low energy. Several saathis are also fasting during the day
in solidarity.

   The community continues to show their solidarity with the Dharna. Several
villagers have contributed food for the national conference and the Mehdiganj
event. In the evening, folk songs and speeches were organized in the neighboring
village Harsose on the impact of Coca-Cola Company’s violations in the community
and the upcoming Mehndiganj event.

   Contact:
   Lok Samiti office
   Nagepur
   PO Benipur, Varanasi
   UP, India - 221307
   T: +91-542-2632433, +91 94153 00520
   Email: napm_up@...

---------------------------------

IN-FOCUS: Campaign against Coca-Cola intensifies in Mehndiganj
DailySouthAsian

.........................
* Please see the analysis report (attached below) of Pollution Control Board for
the sludge and water used by M/S Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Ltd in
Mehndiganj, Varanasi. Cadmium, Lead, Chromium and other heavey metals were
reported in high concentrations*
.........................

INDEX
1) Analysis report of CPCB (of Coca Cola plant in Mehndiganj)
2) Media Alert: Indefinite hunger strike by affected villagers in Mehndiganj
3) 55 Organizations from across the World supports Mehndiganj movement
---------------------------------------------------------------

1/
ANALYSIS RESULTS of the sludge and water used by Hindustan Coca Cola Ltd in
Mehndiganj, Varanasi (done by CPCB in November 2003)

S. No.  Source 	 HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATION
 					   Cd  Pb Total Cr
1.` Raw water bore Well No.1 (mg/l) NT 0.007 NT
2. Raw water bore Well No.II (mg/l)NT NT 0.102
3. Treated Water (mg/l)  NT NT 0.084
4. ETP Inlet (mg/l)  NT 0.020 0.049
5. ETP Outlet (mg/l)  0.012 0.455 NT
6. Sludge from SDB-1 (mg/kg) 9 220 62
7. Sludge from SDB-2 (mg/kg) 71 445 93
8. Sludge from SDB-3 (mg/kg) 83 505 122
9. Sludge from SDB-4 (mg/kg) 86 538 128
10. Sludge from SDB-5 (mg/kg) 10 242 94
11. Sludge from SDB-6 (mg/kg) 85 520 134
12. Sludge from SDB-7 (mg/kg) 86 521 122
.........................
--------------------------------------------------------------------

2/
MEDIA ALERT:
***********
..........................................
Indefinite hunger strike against Coca Cola
..........................................

Mirzamurad, Varanasi, June 27, 2006: Lok Samiti and National Alliance of
People’s Movements have placed the following six demands to stop the Coca Cola
Company from exploiting water:

The daily exploitation of 25 lakh liters of ground water by the Coca Cola
Company should be stopped immediately.
Those farmers whose land and crop have been affected by the poisonous sludge and
waste water from Coca Cola Company must be compensated adequately and further
pollution must be stopped immediately.
Coca Cola should return the illegally occupied public land that belongs to the
Mehdiganj Panchayat.
All the false cases that have been registered on the workers of Coca Cola and
the activists should be withdrawn.
The company must pay the stamp duty and the fine as per the court orders
The license of Coca Cola plant in Mehdiganj should be cancelled.

The activists Nandlal Master and Nagepur Panchayt President (Pradhan) Mukesh
Kumar have started an indefinite hunger strike for these demands. Two women
farmers, Sitau devi and Sulabha Devi who are affected by the plant initiated the
hunger strike by tying ribbon around the activists’ hands. Today more than 500
women and men staged a protest against Coca Cola in solidarity with the
activists. Different organizations from Varanasi area also participated to show
their support.

Various speakers in the community pointed out that the Government has failed to
take any action against Coca Cola even after 97 days of protest. In view of this
the activists have been compelled to start the indefinite hunger strike.

Contacts:
Lok Samiti office
Nagepur
PO Benipur, Varanasi
UP, India - 221307
T: +91-542-2632433, +91 94153 00520
Email: napm_up@...
--------------------------------------------------------------------

3/
27th June, 2006
NANDLAL AND MUKESH GO ON INDEFINITE HUNGER STRIKE AGAINST COCA COLA

           The indefinite sit-in going on outside the Coca Cola bottling plant in
Mehdiganj village, Varanasi since 23rd March, 2006, was converted into a relay
hunger strike on 23rd June and today Nandlal, the leader of the movement, and
Mukesh, the Gram Pradhan of the neighbouring Nagepur village, decided to
intensify their struggle to close down the plant by going on indefinite hunger
strike.

           The struggle against this plant has been going on since the summer of
2003 and local villagers are fighting for their right to save their groundwater
which is under threat because of the operations of the plant, drawing
extraordinarily large volumes of water per day. Moreover, a recent Central
Pollution Control Board report has revealed that the sludge generated by the
plant contains toxins like Cadmium, Chromium and Lead which pose an additional
threat to groundwater contamination.

           When a senior Coca Cola official, Kalyan Ranjan, came to have a
dialogue with the community on the first day of the indefinite sit-in, in
response to his query as to what would it take to satisfy the local community he
was told in no uncertain terms that the people would not be satisfied in
anything less than the plant shutting down.

           The struggle has attracted international attention and support. About
55 organizations (see below) from all over the world have expressed solidarity
with the movement.

Sandeep

(Dr Sandeep Pandey is a noted social activist and recipient of Ramon Magsaysay
Award for the year 2002. He is the National Convenor of National Alliance of
People's Movements (NAPM) and President of People's Union for Human Rights. He
can be contacted at ashaashram@...)

----------

SUPPORT INDEFINTE FAST SINCE 27th JUNE, 2006, BY THE LOCAL LEADERS OF THE
COMMUNITY OUTSIDE THE COCA COLA BOTTLING PLANT IN MEHDIGANJ, VARANASI, INDIA

The Cola giants are under fire around the world for unethical corporate
practices. Community groups are increasingly demanding that Coke and Pepsi stop
externalizing their costs and exploiting communities.

A partial list of unethical practices by the Cola giants includes:
(1) Coca Cola involved in assassination of at least 8 union leaders and torture
of other workers at company's plants in Colombia over the last five years[1].
Its saga of unjust labour practices transcends commonly held human values. The
Global March against Child Labour found child workers in the production of
promotional footballs for the company in Pakistan[2].

(2) Coca Cola had to pay $192 million for racial discrimination of its black
workers in the USA in 2000[3].

(3) Coca Cola is a major threat to precious ground water resources which common
people use for drinking and irrigation purposes. In Plachimada, Kerala, India
water has dried up in a radius of 3 km from the plant site[4]. This situation
threatens to displace 20,000 local habitants, while at the same time the
bottling plant only gives employment to 50 local people[5]. Community groups in
Mehdiganj, Sinchawar and Kaladera in India are also protesting dropping water
levels owing to the companies activities.

(4) Pepsico and Coca Cola have lobbied with the Congress to cut US funds to
WHO[6] after its report on the health effects of high sugar diets.

(5) In India Coca Cola and Pepsi beverages were found to have 30 times more
pesticides than the European Union standard[7]. A High Court ruling requires
these companies to mention pesticide levels on bottles[8].

(6) The sludge coming out of Coca Cola plant has been dumped in neighboring
communities in Plachimada, Kerala. BBC found this sludge to contain hazardous
toxins including Cadmium and Lead[9].

(7) In Africa Coca Cola did not provide relevant education and treatment on AIDS
to its 100,000 employees until a public outcry in 2003[10]. Even after this it
provided the relevant services only to a small number of people it considered
its employees leaving out a large number of people who were associated with its
operations in Africa.

(8) Coca Cola renders 5 times more people, who make locally produced drinks,
jobless than it employs[11].  Dropping water levels and increasing toxicity in
the water have also affected agrarian livelihoods. It is a drain on the local
and rural economies.

(9) Coca Cola has been guilty of tax evasion in various countries [12]. In
Mehdiganj, Varanasi Coca Cola has encroached upon village commons. In spite of
the order of a former City Magistrate to demolish the portion of plant illegally
built on this piece of land, no action has been taken by the administration.
Coca Cola was found guilty of cheating on revenue when it bought this plant and
it was fined. It still has not paid the full amount of Rs. 35 million to the
government. On 9th December, 2005, the Company attempted to encroach upon a 100
metres road belonging to the Village Sabha in Sinhachawar, Ballia. The vigilant
villagers foiled the attempt.

(10)Coca Cola influences media to stall stories unfavorable to it[13].

A number of Universities including New York University and Rutgers University
have canceled their contracts with Coca Cola because they believe evidence shows
that Coca Cola is involved in unethical practices.

While Cola companies reserve the right to make profits ethically, they
externalize costs of production on to local and global communities which is
exploitative and unethical. We oppose this. They externalize their costs through
unfair wages and work conditions, through dumping of hazardous wastes on local
environments and through withdrawal of millions of liters of water everyday,
affecting health and livelihoods of local communities. There can be no
recompense for losing access to water or ill health owing to exposure to toxins.

These practices of the Cola companies are unjust and exploitative on a global
scale. We believe that in the globalized world, communities must act globally to
end such practices.

We demand the Coca Cola and Pepsico stop production of their products till such
time that they make products without exploitative methods and without
externalizing the costs of production.

Until such a time, as members of a global community, we hold these companies
responsible for their actions. As consumers, we boycott their products and call
upon other community groups to do so as well.

Endorsements:
National Alliance of People's Movements, Lok Samiti, Sajha Sanskriti Manch, Gaon
Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, Mehdiganj, Campaign to Stop Killer Coke (US), Asha
Parivar, Narmada Bachao Andolan, Socialist Front, Sajhi Duniya, Samajwadi Jan
Parishad, Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, Mahila Swarojgar Samiti, Mahila Chetna
Samiti, Prerna Kala Manch, Vision, Path, Grasses, Vidya Ashram, PVCHR, PUCL,
Gandhian Institute of Studies, Guria, Bhagat Singh Youth Brigade, Prayas
Prashikshan Samiti, Aasra, Jeevandan Samiti, Sarva Sewa Sangh, Gramya, SARC,
Chatra Asmita Bachao Manch, People for Animals, Mitra, Shikhar Prashikshan Sewa
Sansthan, Asmita, Achrumata Machuara Sangathan (Tikamgarh), INSAF, Plachimada
Solidarity Committee, Lok Raj Sangathan, South Asia Parternership (Pakistan),
Pakistan Social Forum, Iniciativas de Economia Alternativa y Solidaria (Spain),
EKTA (Committee for Communal Amity), Mumbai, South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers
and People, Community Development Library (Bangladesh), Association for Advocacy
and Legal Initiatives, Sahayog, Corporate Accountability International (US),
Polaris Institute (Canada), Minnesota Metro Women’s International League for
Peace and Freedom – Corporations vs. Democracy Committee (US), Ideas to Mobilize
People Against Corporate Tyranny (US), Avalon High School Amnesty Chapter,
Minnesota (US), Anti War Committee (US), Coalition for an Egalitarian and
Pluralistic India (US), South Asia Forum (US), World Council of Arya Samaj,
Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers (US)

Contact:
Nandlal, Lok Samiti, Mehdiganj, Raja Talab, Varanasi, PIN 221311, India, Ph:
542-2632433, Mobile: 9415300520, 9839017693, e-mail: napm_up@...
Sandeep, Asha Parivar, A-893, Indira Nagar, Lucknow-226016, India, Ph:
522-2347365, Mobile: 9839073355, 9415022772, e-mail: ashaashram@...
Carola Reintjes, IDEAS, Iniciativas de Economia Alternativa y Solidaria, Avda.
Amargacena, P.9-N.7-14013 Cordoba-Espana (Spain), Ph: 34 957429233,
www.ideas.coop, creintjes@...
Sanat Mohanty, 3104, 40th Ave., South, Minneapolis, MN 55406, USA, Ph: 612 623
3802, sanat.mohanty@..., mohantysanat@...

References
[1] "Colombia Coke Bottler Faces Death Suit", Stefan Armbruster, BBC News,
04.04.03
  [2] Global March against Child Labour, "Report on Child Labour in Football
Production in Pakistan", May 2002
[3] Les Echos FRA 17/11/2000; May 1 2000, San Francisco Bay Guardian,
http://www.commondreams.org/views/050100-108.htm;
http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2000/11/17/11540.htm
[4] CorpWatch India, Nityanand Jayaraman, 28/05-02,
http://www.corpwatchindia.org/issues/PID.jsp?articleid=1603
[5] Denise Commane and Eric Toussaint, www.cadtm.org, 11th March, 2004
[6] The Guardian, April 21, 2003,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,940287,00.html
[7] Report of the Joint Committee on Pesticide Residues in and Safety Standards
for Soft Drinks, Fruit Juices and other Beverages of Indian Parliament, January
27, 2004,  the Center for Science and Environment, India and Pesticide Action
Network/PAN (http://www.pesticideinfo.org), including extremely dangerous
pesticides such as DDT and Lindane
[8] http://www.rediff.com/money/2004/dec/06cola.htm
[9] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3096893.stm
[10] http://www.treat-your-workers.org/,
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/1017-02.htm,
http://edition.cnn.com/BUSINESS/programs/yourbusiness/stories2001/coke.aids/ ,
[11] The plant in Mehdiganj, India produces 250,000 litres of Coca Cola in a day
and employs about 500 people. Assuming one person could produce and sell 100
litres of a local drink per day, 2,500 will be employed.
[12] http://www.indiaresource.org/news/2004/1016.html,
http://www.indiaresource.org/news/2005/1071.html,
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/000383.html
[13] Bobby Ramakant (bobby@...) was requested by South Africa Broadcasting
Corporation not to mention Coca-Cola by name when he was being interviewed about
human rights violations of protestors outside Coca Cola plant in Varanasi, India
in November, 2004.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

This week's headlines in The SouthAsian 

Details at : http://www.thesouthasian.org

How Should the Indian Democracy Address Naxalism?

Is the Indian State’s policy vis-a-vis Naxalism only addressing a symptom?

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/how_should_the_indian_democrac.html

Blog for Tibet

On World Tibet Day (July 6th) which is also the birthday of 

Dalai Lama, the Tibetan community requests people all around the world to write about Tibet as a way to increase awareness about the Chinese occupation and their struggle for freedom. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/blog_for_tibet.html

Ethnic Dynamics and the Pakistani Nation

Dr Manzur Ejaz writes on the dynamics of Pakistani Nationhood.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/ethnic_dynamics_and_the_pakist.html

Mountain Children Propose Rights for Children

The state of Uttaranchal currently has no comprehensive policy on or rights of children. This is a report by 16yr old Tushar, who attended a conference with children from the mountains focusing on this issue.    

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/mountain_children_propose_righ.html

Stop Rape of Unarmed Women in Sri Lanka

The global community is anguished that, in the latest outbreak of violence in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Armed Forces as well as the LTTE are targeting unarmed civilians.   

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/stop_rape_of_unarmed_women_in.html

Maharashtra Government Lies About Malnourishment in Mumbai

Medha Patkar, today, addressed the press for a conference on the cases 

of malnutrition found among the displaced
 people of Mandala, Mankhurd. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/governments_claim_of_no_malnou.html

Karachi Fisher Community Fights for Fishing Rights

On 19 June 2006 law-enforcing agencies used force in Karachi against the fisher folk community, demanding the abolishment of contract system in fisheries. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/karachi_fisher_community_fight.html

Sri Lankan Combatants Rape Women to Terrorize

Mannar has now become the battle ground between the Sri Lankan Navy and the Sea Tigers. Women here are afraid of being raped by the armed forces in retaliation for any attacks. This note from Mannar Women for 

Human Rights and Democracy adds that this has happened many times in the past and things could only get worse, since the forces are now officially allowed to wear face masks in order to protect their identity as happened, for instance, at the Pesalai church on June 17th.  

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/sri_lankan_combatants_rape_wom.html

Crisis among Varanasi Weavers

The lives of over a million weavers of the famous Banarasi Saris are at risk as a result of insensitive policies vis-a-vis the WTO. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/crisis_among_varanasi_weavers.html

Activist Arrested on Demanding Accountability, Tortured

Mr. Santhosh Patel, a staff member of People's Vigilance Committee on 

Human Rights
 (PVCHR), was illegally arrested on 7 June 2006 when he met with the District Magistrate Mr. Rajiv Agarwal along with other villagers from Belwa village to lodge complaints of corruption and other discriminatory practices of public officers responsible for Belwa village.   

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/activist_arrested_on_demanding.html

Coke Facing Fines in Europe, Community Boycotts in US

There has been increasing support of protests against the Colas in USA. 

In Europe, Coca-Cola's
 regional subsidiary 8.66 million euros for discriminating against retailers 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/coke_faces_increasing_heat_in.html

Will We Support Economic Based Reservations, Then?

One opposition to India’s caste based reservation argues that policies should be based on economic differences to empower those who are poor. A recent article in Outlook lists the opposition to such efforts as well as their impact.   

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/will_we_support_economic_based.html

Who will Win - Jayshankar or Naxals?

Shubranshu Choudhary writes about the situation in Bodlapur, UP where government inaction has villagers in a bind with increasing influence of Naxalites. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/who_will_win_jayshankar_or_nax.html

Women in Rajasthan: Where do We Stand?

Surabhi Singh reviews the state of women in Rajasthan arguing that the state needs to proactively work to ensure even basic human rights are accessible.
 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/women_in_rajasthan_where_do_we.html

To subscribe to this list: 

thesouthasian_headlines-subscribe@yahoogroups.com 

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MONITOR: Tobacco Industry influences media
Issue 15
--------

- READ TWO ARTICLES WHERE INDUSTRY INFLUENCE ON MEDIA IS SO STRIKING -

[Comment: In this issue of MONITOR, we are reproducing two articles
published in lead English newspapers last week (The Times of India
and The Hindustan Times). It is just not possible to ignore the
strong tobacco industry influence to nullify the strengthening
tobacco control in India. The way tobacco industry is surreptitiously
using media to dilute and nullify tobacco control policies and Act
provisions in India, is extremely disturbing. Please read more…]

1) The Hindustan Times, Sunday: A HEALTH WARNING FOR Dr RAMADOSS [Dr
Ramadoss is Health Minister of India]
2) The Times of India, Sunday: SHOULD CELEBS STOP ENDORSING SOFT
DRINKS? NO ADD TO CLIPPINGS
================================================

1) A HEALTH WARNING FOR DR RAMADOSS
The Hindustan Times, Sunday June 18, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------------------

  Let him warn as much as he wants — but don't try and stop us
choosing for
  Karan Thapar

I 'VE COME to the conclusion that Anbumani Ramadoss is the sort of
minister we can do without. My grouse is not that he's incompetent,
corrupt or half-witted. For all I know he may be an excellent
administrator, honest and brilliant to boot. The problem is he has no
respect for the rest of us. He treats us like children, even idiots.
He thinks he knows best and that he's always right. I'm afraid
ministers who think they're infallible are a nuisance. They need to
be eliminated — much like pests! Last week Dr Ramadoss asked
celebrities to stop endorsing aerated drinks. With the likes of
Shahrukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Sachin Tendulkar in mind, he
said: "I urge stars... to desist from promoting these products." Why?
Because the good doctor has decided they're bad for us and,
therefore, we must not be tempted to drink them.

Earlier, the doctor's wrath fell upon scenes of smoking in films and
television. He believes these glamorise smoking and tempt us to
follow suit. So now, a committee he will appoint will decide if
smoking on screen is permissible. If it is, the concerned actor will
have to feature in an advertisement warning against smoking to be run
before, after and during the film. In older movies, a scroll with the
same message will be run for a minute before and after each smoking
scene.

Both decisions are silly. But since silliness is typical of
politicians what irks me is that, in addition, both decisions
transgress into areas where ministers ought not to venture. They
intrude upon our right to decide for ourselves.

No one would deny smoking is bad — not even smokers themselves.
Similarly, most people believe too many Cokes, Pepsis, Fantas, Thums
Ups or Mirindas aren't in their best interest al though, to be
honest, I'm not sure if they're bad per se. However, a surfeit of
anything isn't advisable. That's indisputable.

But do we need — or want — ministers to prevent us from temptation?
And does prevention work? The answer to both questions is no.

Let's take the second first. Will a warning by, say, Ajay Devgan or
Sanjay Dutt put people off smoking? Indeed, does awareness of how bad
smoking can be stop people from starting? Clearly, the answer is no
otherwise how does Ramadoss explain the fact that the proportion of
doctors who smoke is not smaller than the proportion of the general
population? No one could be more aware of the damage cigarettes cause
yet, despite this, they've taken to the weed in similar numbers.

However, it's the first question that is cause for greater concern.
Is it the job of ministers to prevent us from temptation? Unless they
think of themselves as St Matthew, I would say emphatically not.
Because when they try, what they're really doing is stopping us
deciding for ourselves. That, in turn, is denying us the right to
make the wrong choice. This may be acceptable when you're handling
children but when it's adults, it's intolerable.

The issue, however, goes deeper. Its not simply disrespect for our
adulthood but also denial of our humanity. Let me put it like this: I
wonder if Ramadoss knows who Descartes was? Or has he heard of the
dictum cogito ergo sum (actually it was je pense danc je suis, but
why be pedantic)? In English, that's `I think, therefore I am'. What
it asserts is that it's the capacity to reason, to discriminate right
from wrong, to choose between alternatives that distinguishes human
beings from other animals. Yet it's precisely this capacity — the
right to decide for ourselves — that the interfering doctor is
denying us. By seeking to remove temptation he's also attempting to
do away with the difficult choices which test and prove our
individuality.

If we have the capacity to choose between the UPA and the NDA — or
the AIADMK and the PMK, the minister's party — then, surely, we have
the requisite facility to decide between smoking or drinking Coke and
Pepsi and desisting from doing so? Let him warn as much as he wants
or raise the price if he has to — although that won't work — but
don't try and stop us choosing for ourselves.

Perhaps the health minister needs a health warning — in areas where
no one else is affected we have a right to be wrong. It may not be
good for us but it's neither immoral nor illegal. And the decision is
ours. Let us make it as we want.
============================================================


2) SHOULD CELEBS STOP ENDORSING SOFT DRINKS? NO ADD TO CLIPPINGS
Prahlad Kakkar, Adman
The Times of India
---------------------------

Mr Ramadoss has no right to speak off the record. Nor can he speak in
his personal capacity because he happens to be a public servant. And
not an ordinary public servant, but the minister for health. India is
reeling under the lack of attention towards health. We have a rampant
AIDS epidemic, the highest cases of diabetes in the world, Hepatitis
B, compounded by bird flu and other sundry things. The minister
should be awarded the family planning portfolio for presiding over
the demise of millions of people in this country. While he will be
chastised for it as health minister, he will receive bouquets as
family planning minister. As a minister, he can't make irresponsible
statements without furnishing facts. His statement is just shooting
from the lip, hip or whichever part of his anatomy that is convenient.

Since this is such a serious subject, his statement in limbo smacks
of irresponsibility. If he's serious about the issue, he should bring
out a white paper to educate people about the ills of fast food, soft
drinks, pakoras... and pass a legislation against them. In the
organised sector, the government first allowed those MNCs into the
country that dealt essentially with soft drinks, packaged fast food
and junk food - all of which seemed to be highly desirable to India's
middle class - which had only read about these articles and had never
experienced the real McCoy.

Obviously, India took to these products with a vengeance. And we were
lumped with obese Punjabi children who were called khaate peete types
and whose blubbery cheeks were used as handles to lift them up with -
that was our understanding of 'haalthy'. Then, in a moralistic about-
turn, we are swiftly trying to disappear up our own anal regions. We
are teetering between righteousness and greed and we don't really
know how to tackle either.

Therefore, the minister makes innuendoes rather than declare facts.
And uses a very effective bhai-language, which is a veiled threat
rather than firmaan.

In the past, whenever a government has resorted to innuendo and
veiled threat, it has almost meant - in the parlance of rajniti -
that hamara lifafa bahut halka hai, thoda bhari karo to hum chup reh
jayenge. My request to him is to be clear about what he means. Does
he mean the health of the nation is teetering on the brink of fizzy
drinks, or does he mean fill my hand and shake it?

I'm waiting with my congratulatory statement, when he actually gets
on a podium and, to the chagrin of all his benefit receiving
colleagues, bans all fizzy drinks. The ban can be substantiated by
facts that exist.


--- E V I D E N C E ---------------------------------------------
     ---------------

http://f5.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/QGebRFNj-
aYFst4ijiFCq5EQ8rQWlGbrNOwT89_N7sh1Pq7Ji1SS1FI2p4ph1J_dhpgKhc1hs8l37qA
OpUbxQA/The-Goa-Judgement.pdf
http://www.thehindustantimes.com
http://www.timesofindia.com
http://asia.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bobbyramakant/detail?.dir=47d4&.dnm
=37e8scd.jpg&.src=ph

--- V I O L A T I O N S -----------------------------------------
     -------------------

VIOLATIONS: What all provisions constitute violation under Section 5
of the Tobacco control Act.

* Any direct or indirect promotion of any tobacco product(s) or any
trade mark or brand name associated with any tobacco product in
exchange of any sponsorship, gift or prize.
* Affixing more than two boards, exceeding the size with one side 60
cms X 90 cms even inside a tobacco warehouse.
* The top area of 25% of each advertising board of the specified size
shall contain a waning which should read (i) Tobacco Causes Cancer,
or (ii) Tobacco Kills.
* The rules also state that such board cannot contain the brand name
or picture of the tobacco product
* Even oral promotion or advertising constitute an offense.

--- P E N A L  P R O V I S I O N S ------------------------------
     ------------------------------

PENAL PROVISIONS: What is the Punishment for violation of the
provisions of the tobacco control Act?

Section 22 of the Act reads that; Whoever contravenes the provision
of section 5 shall, on conviction, be punishable— (a) in the case of
first conviction, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to
two years or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or
with both, and (b) in the case of second or subsequent conviction
with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and with
fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.

- M O N I T O R ------------------------
   -------------

MONITOR is a weekly feature of TambakooKills, reporting violations of
the rulings issued by Directorate of Health Services, Government of
India, for The Cigarette and other tobacco Products Act.

TambakooKills is the largest eGroup listed by YahooGroups Inc in
healthcare category in the world, and it's subscribers across India
are participating in this civil society reporting process.

Please SEND YOUR REPORTS to TambakooKiLLs@... ]
----------------------------------------

R U L I N G
-----------

Complete text of the RULING issued by Directorate of Health Services
is available online at:
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/TambakooKills/message/12

-----------------------------------------------------------

FRIDAY SPOTLIGHT: Indefinite hunger strike at Coca Cola, Mehndiganj
DailySouthAsian
---------------

[Comment: People's struggles against corporate abuse will reach another pivot
with local villagers in Mehndiganj Varanasi, who are adversely affected by Coca
Cola Bottling plant, beginning their indefinite hunger strike on June 27, 2006.
Noted human rights' activist and Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar will
join their hunger strike on June 30. National Alliance of People's Movement
(NAPM) Leader and Magsaysay awardee (2002) Dr Sandeep Pandey will further
intensify the movement along with NBA activist Arundhati Dhuru. Read more...]

----------------

Dear Friends,

   As you know the people of Mehendiganj have been protesting against the
Coca-Cola plant  demanding its closure since the last few years. They have been 
on a sit-in (dharna) strike in front of the Coca Cola plant at Mehendiganj near
Varanasi since March 23 , 2006. As the Government of UP and Government of India
have  not responded to their demands they have decided to intensify their
struggle from June 23, 2006 by going on a relay fast. If the Govt. still does
not move, then Sandeep Pandey, the Magasasay Awardee, Nandlal Master and others…
are to go on an Indefinite Hunger Strike from June 27, 2006 at Mehendiganj,
Varanasi Dt. Uttar Pradesh….. Medha Patkar will participate in the dharna on
June 30, and July 1, 2006.

   On June 30, 2006 there will also be a strategy meeting to plan the future of
the struggle against , not only Coca-Cola, but also water privatization. As you
are aware, water privatization is taking huge strides all over the country,
threatening to put water, a very basic necessity for survival, beyond the reach
of the common man and the poor. Your presence is crucial for building the
movement against water privatization,  and we request you to reach Mehendiganj
by  morning  of 30 June  2006. Kindly come prepared to stay till July 2, 2006.
You are of course welcome to stay for as long as you can in support of the
struggle.

   A brief note on the Mehendiganj struggle is given below. You are requested to
circulate this widely and bring your friends to the meeting. Mehendiganj is
about 20 kms from Varanasi. It can be reached from Varanasi Cantonment railway
station by share autos or jeep to Raja Talab by paying about Rs.10. The auto
rickshaw drivers already know about the dharna and will take you right up to the
dharna site.
========================================


WHY DID THE PEOPLE OF MEHNDIGANJ rise AGAINST THE COCA COLA COMPANY?

   The Hindustan Coca Cola Company established its bottling plant in Mehendiganj
village of Varanasi District of Uttar Pradesh, North India, in 1995. Ever since,
the people of the place have been constantly protesting against it. The reasons
for protest areas below.

   1. Illegal Possession of Village Land

   The Company has forcefully occupied more than 33 decimal of village land
despite the resistance and notices of the village authorities. District
authority and the Court had found them guilty and issued notices to return this
public land. But the money power of the company had no troubles in keeping the
land against this country’s law and people.
   The company had also escaped with the theft of stamp duty worth rupees one
crore five lacs and seventy five thousand. Interestingly the Varanasi court had
a judgment passed against them in this regard to pay a penalty of Rs.
3,01,50,000/- on 3 March 2003, which the company’s underhand power has succeeded
to ignore to this day!!!

   2. Polluting Waste

   The company had made false publicity among the villagers that their waste
would be so pure as edible and manure. But the experiments and experiences have
proved to the whole world that not only their waste but the Cola itself is
poisonous!, that the polluted water which the company releases contains heavy
content of cadmium and lead which has in fact destroyed the entire agricultural
crops of the area causing unbearable losses to the village farmers. Surveys have
already manifested that various intestinal and  skin diseases increase in the
surrounding villages during the last five years. Many written complaints on this
fact have been made to the administration. Both administration and Pollution
Board have made study and discovered the truth of the sicknesses and losses.
Despite all these documented facts none of these machineries have succeeded to
take even a single step to take action against the company, nor to give
compensation to the poor villagers.

   3. Coca Cola’s unjust management against its employees

   Coca Cola is one of the highest profit making multinational companies of the
world. But the local people have come to experience the cut-throat behavior of
the company to its employees. It has kept all its workers as non-permanent. When
the employees took steps to unite to demand for just wages, the company dared to
use illegal forces, dismissed many and got 13 of its employee leaders implicated
in fictitious crimes and court cases, on which they are still being harassed.

   4. Depletion of Ground Water by Coca Cola for Commercial purposes.

   The most heinous crime against the people of Mehndiganj and against the whole
of our country is the massive exploitation of ground water, about 2,50,000
liters of water per day! This colossal use of ground water has dried up open
wells and run down the level of bore wells from 30 feet to 50 feet, in this
Gangetic Plain so that more than 20 villages are undergoing terrible scarcity of
water not only for irrigation but also for drinking! The drought of last two
years has worsened this situation leaving people with no alternative than to
drive away the exploiters of their drinking water!!

   5. The Shamefully Poor Response of the Government to these Problems

   The government of Uttar Pradesh has been saying that they are concerned about
the awful condition of drinking water in the state, and is considering closing
deep wells of the government for the sake of the shallow wells of the people.
   The fact is that when water is drawn for irrigation only 8 to 10% of the water
is used for crops, all the rest 90% returns to the source. But commercialization
and chemicalization of water, such as by Coco-Cola,  uses the water drawn out to
100% and sends it out of the local areas to far off places. This is nothing
short of theft of water. We have only one question to the UP government, “Is it
in a position to stop the  commercialization of ordinary people’s drinking water
by Coca Cola”??
   A Parliamentary Committee under the leadership of H’ble Sharad Pawar had found
that  Pepsi and Coke contained heavy content of poisonous elements after a study
on the recommendation of the NGO institution Center for Science and Environment.
But all that the Parliament could do was to remove these soft drinks from their
canteens, as if to say to the whole country that even if the nation goes to
doom, what concerns to them is their own welfare!!

   Mehendiganj’s Struggles against the Monster of Coca Cola

   The people of Mehendiganj have been holding peaceful protests against Coca
Cola according to the norms of democracy ever since they started to see the
deadly dangers it is spreading in the whole area. The Mehendiganj panchayat had
unanimously passed a resolution to cancel the license of the company in May
2005. But the state government behaved as a domestic dog of the company and used
brutal violence on the peacefully protesting people of the place and on their
supporters, beating up men and women alike, locking them up and suing them in
the court with fake criminal cases.
   Now it has become clear to the people of Mehendiganj and to the common man of
the country that our government is bought cheap by such companies and their
mafia to the extent that people are left with one single option:  to FIGHT UNTO
DEATH, for their own survival. The concerned citizens and supporting People’s
Movements have now determined to fight the decisive battle. The government,
which runs with the hard earned money of the common people and their votes, will
have to make a public decision whether it is with the people or with the
companies who fill their pockets with commissions and bribes. Now is the time to
prove that power of justice and truth.

   We the people of Mehendiganj have been on a sit-in strike(Dharna) in front of
the Hindustan Coca Cola Bottling Plant at Mehendiganj  since 23 March 2006. As
the dharna completes 100 days on July 1 2006, we are disappointed that the Govt.
of UP has not chosen to respond to our demands.  But that has only strengthened
our determination and resolve to continue and intensify our struggle through an
indefinite fast until the following demands of our people are fulfilled by the
government.

.........................................
* Cancel the license of Coca Cola company
* Prohibit Coca Cola company from its daily exploitation of 25 lac liters of
ground water.
* Release the public land illegally occupied by the company from the village
panchayat of Mehendiganj
* Stop the pollution caused by the wastes of Coca Cola, and compensate the
people of Mehendiganj for the losses of life and crops.
* Deposit the dwindled stamp duty of Rs. 3,01,50,000 (three crores one and half
lakh) into the treasury immediately
* Take back all the fake cases into which Coca Cola has dragged our peaceful
protesters, and its employees.
.........................................


Medha Patkar     Uma Shankari   Arundhati Dhuru     Vombatkere
--------------------------------------------------------------
on behalf of

National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), Asha Parivar, Lok Samiti
Varanasi, COCA COLA BHAGAO-GAON BACHAO SANGHARSH SAMITI of MEHENDIGANJ, SAJHA
SANSKRITI MANCH
--------------------------------------------------------------

Contact Address
Lok Samiti Office
Vill. Nagepur
P.O. Benipur
Varanasi
Ph. +91-542-2632433, +91 9415300520, +91 9839017693
Email: napm_up@..., umanarendranath@...
.........................................

Ray of Hope
Bobby Ramakant
The Statesman
India
June 21, 2006
-------------------

Available online at: http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?
clid=4&theme=&usrsess=1&id=120769
-------------------


Microbicides are substances that can substantially reduce the
transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Epidemiological models suggest that a microbicide with 60 per cent
efficacy could avert 2.54 million HIV infections worldwide over three
years. These are being researched by the National AIDS Research
Institute, the Indian Council Of Medical Research and other nodal
agencies in India.

Global HIV data confirms what women's health, rights and social
justice advocates have been saying for a decade. The social, economic
and sexual vulnerability of women ~ particularly young women and
girls ~ harms their health and increases their risk of HIV and other
sexually transmitted diseases. Existing prevention strategies have
largely failed to address this vulnerability, focusing on abstinence,
mutual monogamy and male condom use ~ none of which are easily
controlled by women.

Approximately 14,000 people become infected with HIV everyday. Half
of them are women. A vast majority of women have only one mode of
exposure to HIV ~ intercourse with their male partners. Also, women
are biologically more vulnerable to STDs; they are twice as likely as
men to contract HIV from unprotected intercourse. Younger women are
at greater risk because the immature cervix is more vulnerable to
damage and infection. STDs often go undetected, and therefore
untreated, in women. They also increase their vulnerability to HIV.
In addition, untreated STDs can lead to infertility, ectopic
pregnancy, infant mortality and cervical cancer.

Millions of women lack the social and economic power to insist on HIV
prevention measures such as condoms, abstinence or mutual monogamy.
The use of male and female condoms requires the tacit cooperation, if
not outright participation, of a woman's male partner. HIV risk
escalates among adolescent girls because of their physical
vulnerability and susceptibility to rape, forced marriage,
trafficking, economic dependence and coercion. Violence, coercion and
economic dependency render millions of women unable to "negotiate"
condom use or to abandon partners who put them at risk.

But there is always hope that gender inequity might change for the
better, and that women and men will recognise, appreciate and respect
the rights of each other, that women will have a more meaningful role
to play in decision-making, and will be empowered enough to access,
afford, employ and negotiate the use of STD/HIV prevention options
with their partners. This struggle shall indeed be a long one.
Some dedicated advocates, scientists and donors are working to
develop microbicides that could be used by a woman to reduce her risk
of contracting HIV through intercourse. Significant political will,
public investment and popular demand is needed to make microbicides
available. They could be produced in a variety of forms: gel, cream,
film, suppository, sponge or vaginal ring. Some would also be
contraceptives while others would enable women to conceive without
risking infection.

In countries like India, while condom promotion has encouraged men to
use them with sex workers and casual partners, many still refuse to
use them with wives or regular partners. Predictably, HIV cases are
increasing rapidly among monogamous women.

Microbicides would be safe for all potential users ~ sexually active
women and men, pregnant women, HIV positive women, adolescents ~ and
for vaginal and rectal application. Potential mechanisms of
microbicide action include killing or inactivating the virus by
disrupting the surface membrane (surfactants) or boosting the
vagina's natural defences (acidifying agents). Such actions would
prevent the virus from binding to its target cells (adsorption
inhibitors) and block the replication of the virus once it has
entered the cells.

There are about 60 possible microbicides in the pipeline. Six
potential products are likely to enter Phase 3 large-scale multi-
centric clinical trials soon to assess effectiveness in prevention of
vaginal transmission of HIV. These products include the surfactant
(Savvy), the acidifying agent (buffer gel), and the adsorption
inhibitors (PRO 2000, dextrin sulphate, carageenan and cellulose
sulphate).

There are also some barriers that prevent widespread support for
microbicides. Conservative and patriarchal social norms make it
difficult to confront the reality of a sexually transmitted epidemic.
A culture of silence around women's sexuality enhances the stigma
associated with seeking information or interventions about self-
protection.

Much progress has been made on microbicides but many challenges
remain. What is badly needed is a significant increase in investment
from both the public and private sectors.

Another challenge is to involve men and address the unequal power
equation between the sexes. Any effort in this regard must address
women's needs and vulnerabilities. Women need education, economic
opportunity and social support. They need gender equality in order to
protect their health and rights. More importantly, they need HIV and
STI prevention tools they can control.
---------------------------

Bobby Ramakant

(The author is a correspondent with Health and Development Networks,
Chiang Mai, Thailand, and based in India. He can be contacted at
bobbyramakant@...)

JUST-TO-REMIND: Trade relations between India & Pakistan move forward
The Tribune
India
www.tribuneindia.com
--------------------

[NOT THE FIRST TRADE DELEGATION FROM PAKISTAN! RATHER THE PROCESS
MOVES FORWARD THIS TIME. Our posting yesterday (available online at
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/DailySouthAsian/message/795) WRONGLY
stated that first time after Partition, a trade delegation from
Pakistan has visited Lucknow. In fact, the process of forging strong
trade relations has moved forward. A six member delegation from
Pakistan was invited to India Food Expo, inaugurated by UP State
Development Council in February 2006, a report of which is reproduced
below from the archives of noted English newspaper of Indian
Subcontinent The Tribune (www.tribuneindia.com). We apologise for
this confusion, and also feel glad that earlier such efforts were
made and this present delegation is a step in forward moving
direction. Thanks to senior Journalist and sensitive activist Shahira
Naim for bringing this to our notice and adding to our respective
understanding. Read more...]
---------------------------------------

REPORT published by senior Journalist Shahira Naim,
shahira@..., for Tribune News Service, is available online at:
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060209/biz.htm#8
---------------------

Lucknow, February 8: A six-member delegation from Pakistan will be
attending the India Food Expo to be inaugurated by Chairman Uttar
Pradesh Development Council Amar Singh on Thursday.

For the first time a neighboring country has shown interest in food
processing related technologies in an Expo outside metropolitan
cities claimed Indian Industries Association General Secretary Anil
Gupta.

This body of small and medium industries in Uttar Pradesh had this
year sent out two lakh e-mails to food technology related experts all
over the globe as well as in India to inform them of the expo and
invite them to participate and share their knowledge to help  the UP
farmer add value to his produce.

A record 170 exhibitors from across the country are putting up stalls
in the 4-day exhibition. The Pakistani team headed by the President
of the Sargoda Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr A Sawney, has food
technology related entrepreneurs who will explore opportunities of
working together, said Chairman of the Indian Food Expo Pramod
Miglani.


Sharing their vision for holding this exhibition for the third
consecutive year Mr Gupta said that despite UP being a great producer
and consumer of agro products the farmer has not been able to add
value to his produce. "The IIA expo is a step to raise awareness and
create the desired atmosphere to bring in changes in the right
direction".

According to Executive Director IIA D.S. Verma, "potatoes continue to
rot on the roadside every year in Uttar Pradesh, causing huge losses
to farmers. The delicious Dassehri mangoes with a short shelf life
cause a glut in season crashing prices and leaving the producers high
and dry."

Mr Verma said that while a farmer in the developed country processed
32 to 40 percent of his produce the situation here was that he barely
managed to process 3 percent of his produce.

While the central government has set aside a whopping Rs 1450000
crores buget for investments in this sector the UP farmer, pointed
out Mr Verma, required to upgrade his skills and knowledge base to
take advantage of the changing scenario.

A two day International Seminar on Commercialization of New
Technologies and Agro Food Processing' is also being organized on the
occasion. While experts have been drawn from all over the country to
address the seminar. The participants would be young postgraduates of
food technology institutes looking for entrepreneurship opportunities
in the sector.

The exhibits have been divided into six categories: Machinery and
emerging technologies; packaging and packaging trends; raw material
and agro inputs; agro and food products; quality certification and
publication and allied areas.

-------------------------------------------------
JUST-TO-REMIND is a special series of DailySouthAsian, to re-read and
remind ourselves of commitments made in yesteryears. We believe this
helps us not to re-invent the wheel, rather helps us to take the
campaign process forward for a just social order.
-------------------------------------------------

Details at: http://www.thesouthasian.org

Sri Lankan Combatants Rape Women to Terrorize

Mannar has now become the battle ground between the Sri Lankan Navy and the Sea Tigers. Women here are afraid of being raped by the armed forces in retaliation for any attacks. http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/sri_lankan_combatants_rape_wom.html

Will We Support Economic Based Reservations, Then?

One opposition to India’s caste based reservation argues that policies should be based on economic differences to
 empower those who are poor. A recent article in Outlook lists the opposition to such efforts as well as their impact.   

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/will_we_support_economic_based.html

Activist Arrested on Demanding Accountability, Tortured

Mr. Santhosh Patel, a staff member of People's Vigilance Committee on 

Human Rights (PVCHR), was illegally arrested on 7 June 2006 when he met with the District Magistrate Mr. Rajiv Agarwal along with other villagers from Belwa village to lodge complaints of corruption and other discriminatory practices of public officers responsible for Belwa village.   

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/activist_arrested_on_demanding.html

Coke Facing Fines in Europe, Community Boycotts in US

There has been increasing support of protests against the Colas in USA. 

In Europe, Coca-Cola's regional subsidiary 8.66 million euros for discriminating against retailers 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/coke_faces_increasing_heat_in.html

Who will Win - Jayshankar or Naxals?

Shubranshu Choudhary writes about the situation in Bodlapur, UP where government inaction has villagers in a bind with increasing influence of Naxalites. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/who_will_win_jayshankar_or_nax.html

Crisis among Varanasi Weavers

The lives of over a million weavers of the famous Banarasi Saris are at risk as a result of insensitive policies vis-à-vis the WTO. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/crisis_among_varanasi_weavers.html

Women in Rajasthan: Where do We Stand?

Surabhi Singh reviews the state of women in Rajastan arguing that the state needs to proactively work to ensure even basic human rights are accessible. 

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/women_in_rajasthan_where_do_we.html

Pakistani CM Conducts Jirgas, Sells Girls

Zulfiqar Halepoto writes about Jirgas conducted by political leaders 

inspite of courts declaring it illegal and requests people to write to Chief Justice of Pakistan.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/pakistani_cm_conducts_jirgas_s.html

Teen Documaker Takes on Indian Cigarettes

At present she is all set to screen her movie at the 13th World Conference on Tobacco Control at DC in July, as a guest at The American University. Part of this note was published in the Hindustan Times.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/teen_documaker_takes_on_indian.html

Indefinite Sit-In Against Coca Cola Continues Past 75 Days

Villagers in Mehdiganj, 20 km from Varanasi are sitting on an indefinite dharna outside and Coca Cola bottling plant since March 23rd, 2006 demanding the closure of the plant. Bollywood director, Mahesh Bhatt, presents support to the dharna.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/indefinite_sitin_against_coca.html

Social Profile of Indian Media

Yogendra Yadav (a Senior Fellow and Professor at Centre for the Study of Developing Societies) presents the results of a survey describing the make up of key decision makers in India’s media.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/social_profile_of_indian_media.html

Rebranding Pakistan

Ethan Casey writes on the perception of Pakistan in the US and processes that friends of Pakistan in the US are exploring so that the West may see other faces of Pakistan.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/rebranding_pakistan.html

Success of Reservation: Tamil Nadu Health Care

Ravishankar Arunachalam, a former faculty at IIT Madras and social activist follows up his first article (see below) with more evidence of its success.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/success_of_reservation_tamil_n.html

Journalist Refuses to Accept Award from Musharraf

Amir Mir on why he refused to take the All Pakistan Newspapers Society award for the Best Investigative Report from the Pakistani President.

http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2006/journalist_refuses_to_accept_a.html

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Pakistan India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy
(PIPFPD)
UP State chapter
3/A-4 Vikas Nagar, Lucknow. India
……………………………

FIRST TIME AFTER PARTITION, A TRADE DELEGATION FROM PAKISTAN COMES TO
LUCKNOW

PIPFPD (Pak India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy) UP state
chapter, with support from UP Export Cooperation, is hosting a
delegation of trade leaders from Lahore, Pakistan. This is a
significant forward moving development after partition of India and
Pakistan since this is the first initiative to promote trade between
the two nations after partition.


4 Members of PIPFPD Pakistan chapter who are visiting Lucknow (June
18-21, 2006) and staying in VIP State Guest House, Dalibagh, Lucknow,
include:
-----------------------

Mr Idris Tabassum, Secretary Trade wing, PIPFPD Pakistan
Mr Kamraan Rashid, Educationist and noted writer
Mr Riyazuddin, General Secretary, Trade Association of Lahore
Mr Mohammed Atif Bhatti, Wholesaler and garments' trader


On 20th June, a reception for this Pakistan delegation shall be
organized by Maulana Mohammed Ali Jauhar Foundation and PIPFPD UP
Chapter at:

Time: 6:30PM

Venue: Maulana Mohammed Ali Jauhar Foundation, near underground
parking Aminabad

The reception shall be presided by Dr Mirajuddin Ahmed, Irrigation
Minister UP Government and Mr Anees Ansari, IAS, Dr Malik Jyada
Mansoor Ahmad, President UP Urdu Academy, Irfan Ahmad, Secretary
PIPFPD UP State.


-----------
Irfan Ahmad
Secretary: PIPFPD UP Chapter
Vice President: People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) UP
Phone: 3092239, 9839802306

SHAME: For money, John Abraham can’t say 'No' to Pepsi Advertisements
----------------

Recently in an interview to REDIFF NEWS, (available online at:
http://in.rediff.com/movies/2006/jun/16john.htm) Bollywood actor and
Pepsi mascot John Abraham said that he is well aware of Union Health
Minister Ramadoss' appeal to Bollywood personalities to stop
endorsing pepsi and coca cola, as these were bad for health,
especially for children, but he had "already signed a deal with Pepsi
before Ramadoss' statement was released", so will NOT stop endorsing Pepsi.

This is indeed shameful that for money, rich and popular film actor
John Abraham don't want to say no to pepsi advertisements and
knowingly will continue promoting a product that is detrimental to
one's health. This speaks volumes on social consciousness of
bollywood stars who often enjoy a paramount power in influencing
minds of urban children and youth.

CALL FOR GLOBAL ACTION AGAINST COCA COLA – PEPSI COLA
--------------------------------------------------------------

             We appeal for action against and boycott of Coca Cola
world wide for the following reasons:

(1) Coca Cola got 8 union leaders assassinated and other workers
tortured at company's plants in Coloumbia over the last five years .

(2) Coca Cola had to pay $190 million for being guilty of racial
discrimination to its black workers in the US in 2000.

(3) Coca Cola is a major threat to precious gournd water resources
which common people use for drinking and irrigation purposes. In
Plachimada, Kerala, India water has dried up in a radius of 3 km from
the plant site.

(4) Coca Cola is a health hazard. It displaces healthier drinks from
the market with aerated drinks with heavy amount of sugar causing
obesity and diabetes.

(5) In India Coca Cola was found to have 30 times more pesticides
than the European Union standard. A High Court ruling requires it to
mention pesticide levels on bottles. Farmers find it a cheaper
alternative for other pesticides in the market.

(6) The sludge coming out of Coca Cola plant destroys fields and
crops in the vicinity. When BBC tested this sludge in UK it was found
to have Cadmium and Lead.

(7) In Africa Coca Cola did not provide relevant education and
treatment on AIDS to its 100,000 employees until a public outcry in
2003.

(8) Coca Cola renders 50 times more people jobless than it employs
who make locally produced drinks in a decentralized fashion. It is a
drain on the local and rural economies.

(9) A study in Brazil proved that Coca Cola can cause malnutrition
and vitamin deficiency in children aged 6-14 years.

(10) Coca Cola indulges in unfair practices like bribing officials
and politicians to break laws and violate norms as a business
practice. It also influences media to stall stories unfavourable to
it. It is a theat to fair trade and democracy.

             Hence please observe an intensive boycott of Coca Cola
(and Pepsi Cola).

Proposed by Carola Reintjes (Iniciativas de Economia Alternativa y
Solidaria, Spain) and Sandeep Pandey (National Alliance of Peoples'
Movements, India)
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