Latest News Update: Dec 12, 2011

Monday, December 12, 2011

[ZESTCaste] Babasaheb Ambedkar worship on at 'seized' Indu Mills in Mumbai

www.dnaindia.com/money/report_babasaheb-ambedkar-worship-on-at-seized-indu-mills-in-mumbai_1624976

Babasaheb Ambedkar worship on at 'seized' Indu Mills in Mumbai
Published: Tuesday, Dec 13, 2011, 8:00 IST
By Alok Deshpande | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

The Indu Mills plot, captured by the activists of the Republican Sena
on December 6, has already assumed a shrine status, at least
symbolically.

In fact, the holed up activists are demanding that a 'Statue of
Equality' be built on the erstwhile mill land.

On Mahaparinirvan Day, around 800 activists barged in to the mill land
to claim what they believe is rightfully theirs. Busts of Dr Babasaheb
Ambedkar and Gautam Buddha were kept inside, as Buddhist monks
performed prayers inside.

Ever since, hundreds of Ambedkar followers are thronging the place on
a daily basis for worshipping the busts. The monks are living inside,
while a few policemen can be seen sitting at the entrance guarding the
mill.

"The capture of Indu Mills was not carried out by certain community,
but by followers of Babasaheb from all castes and religions who
participated in the act. On Sunday, our leader Anandraj Ambedkar held
discussions with an architect about the future plan and we have
decided to construct a huge 'Statue of Equality' on the mill land,"
said Ramesh Jadhav, Mumbai chief of Republican Sena.

Along with the plan of statue, a world-class memorial of Dr Ambedkar
is on the agenda.

"There's been a long-pending demand to build a memorial that will
attract people from all over the world. If the government does not
agree to it, then the people from over the world are ready to
contribute for the cause and the work will be completed with their
help," said Kashinath Nikalje, Maharashtra chief of Republican Sena.

While making it clear that occupants will not vacate the mill land at
any cost, Jadhav said, "If the administration uses force against us,
then the repercussions of their action will be felt all over
Maharashtra." He recalled that in spite of repeated requests to the
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to provide dustbins and
mobile toilets for the benefit of people inside, the civic body hasn't
bothered.

Inside Indu Mills, each and every structure bears the slogans against
Congress-led state government for not transferring the mill land. At
the same time, hundreds of followers of Ambedkar are visiting the
place as a mark of support to the action.

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

PARTICIPATE:-
On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to zestcaste@yahoogroups.com

TELL FRIENDS TO SIGN UP:-
If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a blank mail to ZESTCaste-subscribe@yahoogroups.com OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join/

Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
ZESTCaste-digest@yahoogroups.com
ZESTCaste-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ZESTCaste-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[ZESTCaste] Bundelkhand package: Maya under Plan panel scanne

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Bundelkhand-package-Maya-under-Plan-panel-scanne/Article1-781506.aspx

Bundelkhand package: Maya under Plan panel scanne
Prasad Nichenametla, Hindustan Times
New Delhi, December 12, 2011

The Planning Commission has asked the Mayawati government in Uttar
Pradesh to give details of the money spent and work done under the
Bundelkhand Special Package to the state. A monitoring committee on
Monday reviewed the progress of the Rs7266 crore package approved by
the UPA
government two years back for the drought-hit region in Uttar Pradesh
and Madhya Pradesh.

The UP assembly recently passed a resolution to divide the state UP
into four parts — Bundelkhand being one of them — for better
administration and development. The state is going to polls early next
year.

At a public hearing on Bundelkhand in the Capital last week, Congress
general secretary Rahul Gandhi's said the state had failed in
delivering benefits to the Bundelkhand poor. "The package was sent
because of the drought, backwardness and migration in the region. It
is not the Centre's or UP's, it is yours," he had said.

The monitoring panel, which expressed satisfaction with the progress
in the BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, questioned the information provided
by the UP officials.

"While MP faired well, there are some gaps in information (money
utilised etc) in case of UP. We have asked the state to furnish
details immediately, so that we can asses the progress properly,"
Mihir Shah, co-chair of the panel told HT after the meet. The plan
panel has called another review with UP officials later this month.

Planning commission deputy chief Montek Singh Ahluwalia and member
secretary Sudha Pillai, who visited the Uttar Pradesh earlier, found
the progress un-satisfactory.

"The physical progress which should have been 50% of the package
target by now, stands as low as 25 % in case of UP," J S Samrat, CEO,
National Rainfed Area Authority and member of review committee said.

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

PARTICIPATE:-
On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to zestcaste@yahoogroups.com

Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
ZESTCaste-digest@yahoogroups.com
ZESTCaste-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ZESTCaste-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[ZESTCaste] BJP demands white paper on Mayawati’s assets

http://www.firstpost.com/fwire/bjp-demands-white-paper-on-mayawatis-assets-149406.html

BJP demands white paper on Mayawati's assets

Dec 6, 2011

Lucknow: The Bharatiya Janata Party today demanded that Uttar Pradesh
Chief Minister and BSP supremo Mayawati issue a white paper on her
assets and those of her family members.

"Instead of misleading the people, Mayawati should issue a white paper
on her assets and those owned by her family members," party spokesman
Vijay Bahadur Pathak told reporters here.

Pathak said that Mayawati should tell the people about her assets. Reuters

He said that the BSP supremo should give a point wise reply on the
allegations levelled by the BJP against her brother Anand and his
wife.

BJP had yesterday accused Anand Kumar, the brother of the BSP Supremo,
and his wife of parking money through ghost and dummy companies at
Noida.

"There are 26 companies linked with dubious transactions, dealings and
investment, of which seven closed down after financial transactions of
Anand Kumar," BJP National Secretary Kirit Somaiya had alleged while
releasing the list of companies.

He had alleged that more than 100 such companies were involved in the
Noida scam.

Pathak said that Mayawati should tell the people about her assets and
those owned by her family members, including brother and his wife.

"Allegations against Anand are of a serious a nature and people need
to know the reality," he said.

He said that the BSP was misleading the people by terming these
allegations as false and baseless and making statements like "imported
leaders".

The spokesman demanded that a thorough probe into the matter.

Mayawati today hit out at the opposition parties for targeting her
government and the party and said such attacks would only work to her
advantage in the assembly elections due next year.

PTI

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

PARTICIPATE:-
On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to zestcaste@yahoogroups.com

Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
ZESTCaste-digest@yahoogroups.com
ZESTCaste-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ZESTCaste-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[ZESTCaste] Rahul seeks to storm Mulayam's bastion

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rahul-seeks-to-storm-Mulayams-bastion/articleshow/11087554.cms

Rahul seeks to storm Mulayam's bastion
Subodh Ghildiyal, TNN | Dec 13, 2011, 01.58AM IST

NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi will kick up dust in Uttar Pradesh afresh,
taking his campaign for Congress revival to the OBC-Muslim stronghold
in the central region, long considered the pocket borough of Samajwadi
Party boss Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The five-day foray, beginning Tuesday, is expected to nudge Gandhi to
focus his attack on the Yadav chieftain. This could test already
strained ties between Congress and SP at the Centre.

As if to quell any ambiguity, Rahul will kickstart the second leg of
his campaign from Gunnaur, an assembly seat in Sambhal once
represented by Mulayam, pass through the Lok Sabha constituencies of
his nephew Dharmendra Yadav (Badayun), son Akhilesh Yadav (Kannauj),
and Shahjahanpur which has an SP MP, before culminating in a rally of
'Most Backward Castes' in rural Kanpur.

Observers feel Rahul Gandhi's UP campaign is aimed at hurting Mulayam
Singh's bid to mobilize backwards and Muslims around the anti-BSP
sentiment. As if to drive home the point, Congress on Monday paraded
Samajwadi "defector" Rashid Masood as its prize catch, baring its
intent to hit Mulayam's recovery among Muslims following the
disastrous tie-up with 'saffron' Kalyan Singh during LS polls. The SP
ranks are already smarting under Rahul's attack during the launch of
his campaign from Phulpur, where he dubbed SP and BSP as equally
corrupt.

SP is not resenting Rahul's focus on it, suspicious as it is of
Mayawati's attempt to frame the coming polls as a "Rahul versus Maya"
affair. It sees Mayawati's indulgence of the Congress heir apparent's
attacks with aggressive ripostes is aimed at keeping voters from
gravitating towards SP, her main challenger. The resultant split in
anti-BSP votes will work to Mayawati's advantage, SP strategists
reason. Rahul has his own reasons to escalate the offensive against
SP. The Congress cannot be seen as soft on any of the principal poles,
lest it is edged out by the main opposition party in an anti-BSP
surge, as happened in favour of Mayawati in 2007. The trip through the
OBC-Muslim belt is critical to Mulayam's fortunes. The region has been
the launchpad for the post-Mandal surge of backward satraps, with the
'Mulayam vs Kalyan Singh' fight being the top draw of state politics
for over a decade.

Congress has much at stake in Rahul's second-phase campaign, as it
represents the party's new gambit on OBCs, MBCs and Muslims.

__._,_.___

Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic

Messages in this topic (1)

Recent Activity:

Visit Your Group

----
INFORMATION OVERLOAD?
Get all ZESTCaste mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to ZESTMedia-digest@yahoogroups.com, OR, if you have a Yahoo! Id, change your settings at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/join/

PARTICIPATE:-
On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to zestcaste@yahoogroups.com

TELL FRIENDS TO SIGN UP:-
If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a blank mail to ZESTCaste-subscribe@yahoogroups.com OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join/

Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/

MARKETPLACE

Stay on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get the Yahoo! Toolbar now.

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

__,_._,___

[ZESTCaste] More independent candidates from backward classes

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/More-independent-candidates-from-backward-classes/articleshow/11087943.cms

More independent candidates from backward classes
Linah Baliga, TNN | Dec 13, 2011, 02.51AM IST
MUMBAI: The upcoming elections are giving many corporators sleepless
nights, and with good reason too-with 50% seats reserved for women,
political uncertainty is the buzz word among the city's sitting
corporators. Now, a new trend is threatening to upset the already
unstable apple cart. More and more citizen consensus candidates,
especially from economically backward classes, are evincing an
interest in changing the political landscape.

Over the last two weeks, there has been an upsurge in Dalit
organizations and minority groups approaching Mumbai 227-a platform
launched by a group of Mumbaikars to push for independent citizen
candidates. Kunbi, a predominant Mumbai community of mainly former
mill-workers hailing from the Konkan, want to put up their candidates
through this platform. They're not the only ones. Of the 227
corporator wards, Mumbai 227 has managed to scout a sizeable 173
applicants. The first round of applications will cover more than 100
wards. "This data of 173 applicants is last week's. So there will be
more who will come forward. There are people who are not fluent in
Marathi, and we going to train them in language skills, as soon as
they are selected," said Santosh Avatramani, spokesperson, Mumbai 227.
He is not deterred by this election's comprehensive, more corporate HR
method of selecting a candidate. He said, "An eminent citizen panel
will choose the candidate by doing a background check first. We will
support the chosen candidates in every way."

__._,_.___

Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic

Messages in this topic (1)

Recent Activity:

Visit Your Group

MARKETPLACE

Stay on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get the Yahoo! Toolbar now.

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

__,_._,___

[ZESTCaste] Dalits demand representation in Anna camp

http://www.mid-day.com/news/2011/dec/121211-Dalits-demand-representation-in-Anna-camp.htm

Dalits demand representation in Anna camp
By: ANI Date: 2011-12-12 Place: New Delhi

While a large crowd gathered in support of Anna Hazare at the Jantar
Mantar here, a smaller crowd consisting of Dalits protested against
the veteran social activist at the same venue demanding the inclusion
of their representatives into the civil society team.

Social activist Udit Raj, who spearheaded the rally, said: "This is
not an anti-Anna protest. This is meant for the demands of Dalits and
others. Annaji himself says that he will incorporate them in their
agitations.

All of the Anna team members including Arvind Kejriwal say that
reservations should be given."

"I want to ask them that how can their agitations be successful
without the support of 85 percent people," he added. Udit Raj allured
Team Anna saying they can mount further pressure on the Centre with
the inclusion of Dalits in their camp.

"The government can only bend to the power of voters. Team Anna should
understand this, as this can expedite their process," he said.

A grim situation later occurred at the venue with the supporters of
Team Anna and Udit Raj pulling up each other.

The police personnel deployed at the spot later took control of the
situation, thereby, preventing any untoward incident.

Udit Raj also raised several questions on the integrity of the members
of Team Anna and claimed to have certain evidences and proofs against
them.

"We have some evidences against the members of Team Anna like Kiran
Bedi, who made an agreement with the Vedanta and received money from
them.

We demand that the concerned transaction should be investigated.
Annaji should himself get it monitored and if it is proven then she
should be removed from the committee," he said.

74-year-old Hazare sat on a daylong protest fast at the Jantar Mantar
here to mount pressure on the Centre for the passage of a strong and
effective Lokpal Bill.

__._,_.___

Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic

Messages in this topic (1)

Recent Activity:

Visit Your Group

MARKETPLACE

Stay on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get the Yahoo! Toolbar now.

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

__,_._,___

[ZESTCaste] Want PM, CBI under Lokpal: Mayawati

http://zeenews.india.com/news/uttar-pradesh/want-pm-cbi-under-lokpal-mayawati_746721.html

Want PM, CBI under Lokpal: Mayawati
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 13, 2011, 12:46

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Tuesday came out in
support of Anna Hazare's demands on the Lokpal issue, while taking pot
shots at the Congress-led Central government.

While she did not mention Hazare or Team Anna during the press
conference held here today, Mayawati endorsed their main demands of
bringing the Prime Minister, Group C and D Central government
employees, and the CBI under the ambit of Lokpal.

The UP CM was spelling out her party's stand on Lokpal ahead of
tomorrow's all-party meet on the issue.

Mayawati said the Lokpal should have control over the CBI so as to
prevent its misuse by Central governments.

"I am also a victim of misuse of CBI in the Taj Corridor case," she
told reporters.

According to her, an effective Lokpal would automatically curb
criminalisation of politics while tackling corruption.

She also demanded proper representation of all backward sections of
society in the Lokpal.

Mayawati said the Congress was not serious about bringing a strong
Lokpal. She also hit out at the Centre for having non-serious attitude
about bringing back black money.

Listing out her party's steps to curb corruption in the state,
Mayawati said stern action has been taken against party members and
ministers whenever any complaint has been received, including from the
state Lokayukta.

She further said that her government has implemented the citizen's
charter in the form of UP Janhit Kanun in the state.

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

PARTICIPATE:-
On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to zestcaste@yahoogroups.com

Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
ZESTCaste-digest@yahoogroups.com
ZESTCaste-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ZESTCaste-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[ZESTCaste] 37 Hindus convert to Islam in Matli

http://tribune.com.pk/story/305697/seeking-social-status-37-hindus-convert-to-islam-in-matli/

37 Hindus convert to Islam in Matli
By Sameer Mandhro
Published: December 13, 2011

In the last 22 months, around 93 families from the Bheel community ie
Dalits or untouchables, approached the Bait-us-Salam Madrassa in Matli
to convert.

KARACHI: On Saturday, 37 people from seven Hindu families converted to
Islam in Matli. They claim that more families will be embracing the
religion in the coming weeks.

In the last 22 months, around 93 families from the Bheel community ie
Dalits or untouchables, approached the Bait-us-Salam Madrassa in Matli
to convert. Most of these people work as farmers and are from Badin,
Tando Muhammad Khan, Mirpurkhas or Sanghar. "We were neither Muslim
nor Hindu," said a newly converted Abdullah Shaikh. "We had no
knowledge of our religion. I haven't even seen our sacred book and
don't even know what it's called." He added that Muslims and Hindus
both usually stay away from them and their attitude was humiliating.

"I am happy to convert," he said. "No one forced me to do this. My
children will offer their prayers proudly and will not be
discriminated against." He told The Express Tribune that he was a
farmer and had eight children. "We live comfortably," he said. "My
maternal cousin converted to Islam a few months ago and it really
inspired me to do the same."

Another new convert Khan Muhammad, 45, said that no one in his family
had converted to Islam. It is commonly believed that these people
convert as they are unable to pay the debts they owe to their
landlords. As the debts keep mounting, the landlords exploit them and
force them to work on their lands as bonded labour. He admitted that
he owed Rs60,000 in debt and the seminary had paid it off. While
talking to The Express Tribune about religion and tradition, he said
that his brother and sister-in-law had asked a Muslim cleric to
perform their Nikkah some 40 years ago because they did not know what
religious norms they were supposed to follow.

Maulana Muhammad Mushtaque Magsi from the Bait-us-Salam Madrassa
confirmed that 93 families had indeed converted to Islam in the last
22 months. "Some students and converts managed to convince others to
follow suit," he said. "A few people also come here because they are
in debt or fed up with life. We do not force anyone to convert."

While talking to The Express Tribune about how they helped the
converts settle into their new lives, Maulana Magsi said that in order
to help with the transition, the converts were asked to live in a
colony belonging to the seminary for four to five months. He added
that they were given food, medicine, Islamic education and some money
when they left the seminary.

"We do face some problems because of the landlords," he said. "They
don't want the farmers to convert and believe that we are from some
banned outfit or receive financial support from abroad." Magsi added
that they did not have a hidden agenda and were only trying to help.

Bait-us-Salam patron Haji Bashir Kambho said that they had paid
Rs311,000 for the seven families on Saturday.

He added that the landlords had refused to let them go without the
money. "I think some of the families converted to Islam because of
their debts but do not think all of them had the same intentions," he
said. "The discrimination they faced has something to do with it too.
They were not given respect among Hindus or Muslims."

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13th, 2011.

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

PARTICIPATE:-
On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to zestcaste@yahoogroups.com

Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
ZESTCaste-digest@yahoogroups.com
ZESTCaste-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ZESTCaste-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[ZESTCaste] Anna, Ambedkar favourite Indian leaders of central jail inmates

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Anna-Ambedkar-favourite-Indian-leaders-of-central-jail-inmates/articleshow/11064305.cms

Anna, Ambedkar favourite Indian leaders of central jail inmates
Soumittra S Bose, TNN | Dec 11, 2011, 12.59AM IST

NAGPUR: If the confined world behind the walls of central jail is
concerned, anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare and India's first law
minister BR Ambedkar seems to be fast overtaking the other prominent
Indian leaders in the preference scale.

Along with Anna's Topi and Ambedkar's much-known sombre profile,
Mahatma Gandhi's chakra too surfaced in the drawings of the Central
jail's inmates on Saturday during a drawing competition organized by
the Rotary Club of Nagpur North East.

'Favourite Indian leader' was one of the themes for the drawing
competition, held in the prayer room of the central jail, apart from
'nature' which was also given to them as a subject to display their
creativity. So along with sentiments to support anti-corruption
movement, there was also depiction of bountiful nature and traces of
family ties and responsibilities.

Convict Rakesh Gajbhiye's expression on the paper seemed to have
transcended the mere limit of the competition to reach a world which
he probably longs for deep in his heart.

Gajbhiye, guilty of compelling his wife to commit suicide, had divided
the white paper in two halves with septuagenarian Anna's ubiquitous
bespectacled face on one side and a scene on the other where a girl
was returning from school with her mother.

"Neither do I practice corruption, nor do I support it," said Gajbhiye
adding that Anna is an ideal leader. He explained the image of the
woman and her daughter but preferred not to share whether it was his
dream image.

Ajay Shende, serving life sentence for murder, said that it was the
image of Ambedkar which crossed his mind the moment he heard the theme
'favourite Indian leader'. "This great man was behind the framing of
our country's constitution. We owe a great deal to him," said Shende.
Apart from Ambedkar, it was his three daughters and their education
that apparently kept his mind occupied. While sketching a portrait of
the great Dalit leader, Shende said that he had faith on the
judiciary. "I had just returned to the jail after ensuring that my
girls were admitted in the school during my absence. This time, I have
approached High Court seeking intervention in the future of my
daughters," he said.

Gaurav Chakole, an undertrial of murder case, had made an interesting
depiction where he vouched for his support to anti-corruption crusader
Hazare. "I along with all other under-trials would be with Anna when
he would fight for anti-corruption," he said.

Ajay Pantawane, an undertrial of Arms Act, was busy making a pencil
sketch of Ambedkar. Pantawane was a professional poster-maker who had
already received an award for excelling in examinations on Gandhiji's
life and wisdom at the national level. Pantawane's mastery with the
pencil almost made him a black horse to win the race.

__._,_.___

Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic

Messages in this topic (1)

Recent Activity:

Visit Your Group

MARKETPLACE

Stay on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get the Yahoo! Toolbar now.

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

__,_._,___

[ZESTCaste] Ambedkar memorial: CM calls on PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Ambedkar-memorial-CM-calls-on-PM/articleshow/11052330.cms

Ambedkar memorial: CM calls on PM
Sandeep Ashar, TNN | Dec 10, 2011, 01.56AM IST

MUMBAI: Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Friday met Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh in Delhi and sought his assistance in resolving issues
related to Vidharbha farmers and the use of Indu mill land for Dr B R
Ambedkar memorial. Both the issues have become a political hot potato
for the Democratic-Front government in the state, especially in view
of elections to various municipalities.

Protests over demands for using the Indu mill land, which belongs to
the central-run National Textile Corporation, for the memorial have
been escalating. The CM also sought Singh's intervention for financial
assistance to cotton, soyabean and paddy farmers who have been asking
for higher support price.

__._,_.___

Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic

Messages in this topic (1)

Recent Activity:

Visit Your Group

MARKETPLACE

Stay on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get the Yahoo! Toolbar now.

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

__,_._,___

[ZESTCaste] Nagpur: Farmers Suicides, Ambedkar Memorial Set to Rock Maharashtra House

http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=124392

Sunday, December 11, 2011 3:12:07 PM (IST)
Nagpur: Farmers Suicides, Ambedkar Memorial Set to Rock Maharashtra House

Nagpur, Dec 11 (IANS): Farmers' suicides, better remuneration for
agricultural products and the much-delayed memorial for B.R. Ambedkar
are some of the major issues the ruling Congress-Nationalist Congress
Party Democratic Front braces to face in the Maharashtra legislature's
winter session starting Monday.

The opposition plans to raise the issue of law and order, inflation,
the Lavasa hill-city imbroglio near Pune, the Jaitapur Nuclear Power
Project in Ratnagiri and the alarming power scenario, indicating
stormy days ahead for the ruling coalition.

On the law and order front, issues like the June 11 killing of senior
journalist Jyotirmoy Dey, the brutal killing of two teenagers by
eve-teasers, the August police firing on protesting farmers in Maval
and instances of attacks on government servants will also be
highlighted by the opposition.

For the last three months, the Prithviraj Chavan government has been
grappling with massive farmers' agitations -- earlier by onion
growers, followed by cotton farmers and later the sugarcane
cultivators -- demanding better remuneration.

Chavan rushed to New Delhi last week and met Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh, urging him to initiate urgent measures on the farmers issues
and clearance to the Indu Mills, Dadar, land allotment for
constructing a memorial dedicated to Ambedkar.

On Dec 6, a group of Dalits from the Republican Sena barged into the
mill land and 'occupied' it in a bid to pressurise the government.

With the civic elections in major municipalities, including Mumbai,
scheduled early 2012, the opposition parties are expected to exploit
the situation to the hilt and put the government on the mat for its
various acts of commission and omission.

The aggressive mood of the opposition has been evident in the past few
weeks with the Shiv Sena accusing Chavan of being the "most
indecisive" chief minister of the state, sitting over 12,000 files.

Coupled with this is the anger among the journalist fraternity which
has announced a boycott of the chief minister's customary session-eve
tea party and a proposed morcha Dec 15.

The mediapersons have been demanding strengthening of laws to make
attacks on the professionals as cognizable and non-bailable, but claim
the government has done nothing in the matter.

The winter session is every year held in Nagpur, the second capital of
Maharashtra. It normally lasts two weeks but there have been instances
when it has been wound up after a week and even extended to three
weeks.

__._,_.___

Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic

Messages in this topic (1)

Recent Activity:

Visit Your Group

MARKETPLACE

Stay on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get the Yahoo! Toolbar now.

Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use

__,_._,___