Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Rock band Aberrant crowned 'Meghalaya Icon'
Shillong, Feb 1 : Shillong based rock band Aberrant was today crowned 'Meghalaya Icon III' at a rock music competition here as part of the government's initiatives to create awareness on HIV/AIDS through music and promoting local talents. Other bands Symphonic Illusion and Acts of Violence were crowned the first and second runners-up respectively at the competition Organized by the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS). Aberrant, which would be the brand ambassador for MACS, received a cash award of Rs one lakh while Symphonic Illusion and Acts of Violence received cash awards of Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively. The band will be participating in the awareness campaigns in the state on HIV/AIDS. MACS officials said, the event has been held for the past three years to showcase local musical talents and also to enhance and increase their understanding on the subject of HIV/AIDS. Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh gave away prizes to the title winners.
Monday, 30 January 2012
New Publication: Legal Pluralism in Southeast Asia
A new publication entitled "Diverse Paths to Justice: Legal Pluralism and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Southeast Asia" has been released by Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), Forest Peoples Programme, the Center for People and Forests (RECOFTC), and Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI). Demonstrating that legal pluralism is "at the heart of Indigenous peoples' struggles", this fascinating compilation includes a range of articles by leading practitioners and academics about the legal landscapes and Indigenous peoples' experiences in Nagaland (India), Sabah and Sarawak (Malaysia), the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts (Bangladesh).
The publication can be downloaded here.
Exploring Native Land Rights in Sabah
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Harry Jonas and Holly Shrumm (Natural Justice) attended a symposium entitled "Sabah Native Land Rights: Issues, Challenges and the Way Forward". Chaired by Dr. Jacqueline Pugh-Kitingan (UMS Kadazandusun Chair), it was hosted by the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) School of Social Sciences from 30-31 January in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. The opening keynote was delivered by YAA Tan Sri Richard Malanjum (Chief Justice, High Court of Malaysia). Highlights of the paper presentations included:- Overview of Native Customary Land Laws in Malaysia (Dr. Ramy Bulan, Centre for Legal Pluralism and Indigenous Law, University of Malaya)
- Governance of Customary Land and Natural Resources in Sabah (Datuk Osman Jamal, Director, Sabah Lands and Surveys Department)
- Land Rights, Native Rights, and Human Rights (Tan Sri Simon Sipuan, Former Vice Chairman, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia)
- Selection of Village Headmen in Sabah (Dr. Paul Porodong and Dr. Gaim Lunkapis, UMS)
As in many former British colonies, the legal landscape in Sabah consists of a mosaic of statutory, common, and customary law. Drawing on a burgeoning global jurisprudence in support of Indigenous peoples' rights, many presenters called for greater legal pluralism, effective reform of decades-old legislations, and a national tribunal to address violations and the backlog of an estimated 300 000 native title applications.
Thousands vow to struggle for corruption-free Meghalaya
SHILLONG, JAN 31 : Thousands of people Monday vowed to struggle for a corruption-free Meghalaya at a mass rally held here as part of Clean Politics Campaign. and to make 2013 the beginning of an era of clean, transparent and effective governance in the state.
The “partyless campaign” initiated by Team Ardent - named after Meghalaya legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, attended thousands of people from across the state aims aims at educating people about the electoral politics, ills of corruption, rights and duties of citizens and responsibilities of the lawmakers.
“We have resolved to continue to strive in our struggle for a corruption-free Meghalaya,” Basaiawmoit said after thousands of people supported Team Ardent’s Clean Politics Campaign at the mass rally.
With a year left for the 2013 battle of ballots in Meghalaya, the rally also resolved to make 2013 the beginning of an era of clean, transparent and accountability governance in the state. Political instability appears to have become a permanent feature in Meghalaya, which has seen four governments since the March 2008 assembly elections.
“We cannot provide clean and transparent governance without ensuring political stability in the state. Therefore, we are going to educate our people across the state about the electoral politics and to elect a right-thinking legislator who would ensure to provide the electorate with clean and accountability governance,” Basaiawmoit said.
Moreover, the “Clean Politics Campaign” rally also resolved to reach out to every nook and corner of the state in choosing the “right kind of parliamentarians”. “Before you cast your vote, please ensure that you have done a careful analysis of the candidates.
Choose the one who has a clean image with a good social standing so that he can fight for your rights,” Basaiawmoit said.
In fact, the “partyless campaign” which was launched in May 2010 had received positive response with Over 7,000 people have registered for the political mass movement held in various parts of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills in eastern part of Meghalaya.
Speaking at the mass rally , the United Democratic Party (UDP) legislator said campaign was the cure-all to the problems afflicting the society ranging from corruption to the disparity between the haves and the have-nots.
“This is the beginning of a revolution which would lead to the institution of clean and effective governance in the state. We will try to show results from 2013 onwards by electing good people to the Assembly and to reject those who come to us with false hopes and promises,” Basaiawmoit said.
The “partyless campaign” initiated by Team Ardent - named after Meghalaya legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, attended thousands of people from across the state aims aims at educating people about the electoral politics, ills of corruption, rights and duties of citizens and responsibilities of the lawmakers.
“We have resolved to continue to strive in our struggle for a corruption-free Meghalaya,” Basaiawmoit said after thousands of people supported Team Ardent’s Clean Politics Campaign at the mass rally.
With a year left for the 2013 battle of ballots in Meghalaya, the rally also resolved to make 2013 the beginning of an era of clean, transparent and accountability governance in the state. Political instability appears to have become a permanent feature in Meghalaya, which has seen four governments since the March 2008 assembly elections.
“We cannot provide clean and transparent governance without ensuring political stability in the state. Therefore, we are going to educate our people across the state about the electoral politics and to elect a right-thinking legislator who would ensure to provide the electorate with clean and accountability governance,” Basaiawmoit said.
Moreover, the “Clean Politics Campaign” rally also resolved to reach out to every nook and corner of the state in choosing the “right kind of parliamentarians”. “Before you cast your vote, please ensure that you have done a careful analysis of the candidates.
Choose the one who has a clean image with a good social standing so that he can fight for your rights,” Basaiawmoit said.
In fact, the “partyless campaign” which was launched in May 2010 had received positive response with Over 7,000 people have registered for the political mass movement held in various parts of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills in eastern part of Meghalaya.
Speaking at the mass rally , the United Democratic Party (UDP) legislator said campaign was the cure-all to the problems afflicting the society ranging from corruption to the disparity between the haves and the have-nots.
“This is the beginning of a revolution which would lead to the institution of clean and effective governance in the state. We will try to show results from 2013 onwards by electing good people to the Assembly and to reject those who come to us with false hopes and promises,” Basaiawmoit said.
Dangerous Method - March 1st.
The next Cardiff sciSCREEN will be on Thursday March 1st from 6pm at Chapter Arts Centre when we will be discussing themes brought up in the film Dangerous Method.
Directed by David Cronenberg and starring Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley and Viggo Mortensen, the film explores the birth of psychoanalysis by focussing on the relationship between Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. After the film screening there will be discussion, debate and a wine reception. The talks will cover the representation of the female characters, popular and professional attitudes towards psychoanalysis in Edwardian society, the depiction of psychiatrists in film, Freud’s Welsh connection, and one hundred years of psychoanalysis and Buddhism. This event will be sponsored by the Welsh Psychiatric Society (WPS).
Tickets for the film are to be purchased from Chapter Arts Centre (6pm showing on March 1st). The discussion and debate will commence after the film in the room Stiwdio. This part of the event is free but places will be limited by the size of the venue. This room is, however, larger than previous events.
Directed by David Cronenberg and starring Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley and Viggo Mortensen, the film explores the birth of psychoanalysis by focussing on the relationship between Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. After the film screening there will be discussion, debate and a wine reception. The talks will cover the representation of the female characters, popular and professional attitudes towards psychoanalysis in Edwardian society, the depiction of psychiatrists in film, Freud’s Welsh connection, and one hundred years of psychoanalysis and Buddhism. This event will be sponsored by the Welsh Psychiatric Society (WPS).
Speakers:
Dr. Keir Waddington – Cardiff School of History, Archaeology and Religion
Dr. Steven Stanley – Cardiff School of Social Sciences
Rachel Cohen – Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies
Dr. Rhys Bevan-Jones - Hywel Dda Health Board, and Cardiff University School of Medicine (Institute of Psychological Medicine & Clinical Neurosciences)
Dr. Keir Waddington – Cardiff School of History, Archaeology and Religion
Dr. Steven Stanley – Cardiff School of Social Sciences
Rachel Cohen – Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies
Dr. Rhys Bevan-Jones - Hywel Dda Health Board, and Cardiff University School of Medicine (Institute of Psychological Medicine & Clinical Neurosciences)
Tickets for the film are to be purchased from Chapter Arts Centre (6pm showing on March 1st). The discussion and debate will commence after the film in the room Stiwdio. This part of the event is free but places will be limited by the size of the venue. This room is, however, larger than previous events.
Kalpavriksh Newsletter on Biodiversity and Livelihoods
The latest edition of People in Conservation, the newsletter of the Kalpavriksh Environment Action Group, focuses on biodiversity conservation and livelihood security. The introductory editorial carefully analyses current methods of agricultural production and concludes by arguing, "to avert a humanitarian crisis of major proportions, new agri-food systems (production and access to food) are desperately needed – to ensure food security for all as well as to do so in an environmentally sound way. Continuing to rely on fossil-fuel-based mechanized industrial production is not a possibility."
Other articles examine the Indian National Biodiversity Authority's decision to prosecute Monsanto for promoting BT brinjal in violation of the Biodiversity Protection Law, a critical analysis of India's proposed Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill, and a report on the Lokpanchayat movement to protect local seeds.
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Meghalaya to host mass rally for clean politics
SHILLONG, JAN 29 : After Team Anna launched its anti-graft campaign across India, Team Ardent - named after Meghalaya legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit - is set to host a mass rally as part of Clean Politics Campaign here Monday. With a year left for the 2013 battle of ballots in Meghalaya, the “partyless campaign” initiated by Basaiawmoit aims at educating people about the electoral politics, ills of corruption, rights and duties of citizens and responsibilities of the lawmakers.
“Team Anna is putting pressure on representatives to make good laws in the country. We are telling people to elect the right people who will legislate good laws,” Basaiawmoit told reporters when asked about the difference between his and Anna Hazare’s campaign.
He said Team Anna was active in identifying the symptoms of the disease (corruption) and the campaign here was directly tackling the disease by enlightening the citizens. The United Democratic Party (UDP) legislator made it clear that his campaign had nothing to do with any particular political party nor was he trying to gain any political mileage out of it.
“I am already a legislator. I am not using this campaign to gain political mileage. But this campaign is to reclaim democracy, reject corruption and redeem politics,” Basaiawmoit said. He had toured villages across Khasi-Jaintia Hills in the eastern part of Meghalaya to motivate the rural masses to support his campaign.
Stating that he had received positive response, the social activist-turned-politician said nearly 70 meetings have already been held in various parts of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills. Over 7,000 people have registered for the crusade.
“Team Anna is putting pressure on representatives to make good laws in the country. We are telling people to elect the right people who will legislate good laws,” Basaiawmoit told reporters when asked about the difference between his and Anna Hazare’s campaign.
He said Team Anna was active in identifying the symptoms of the disease (corruption) and the campaign here was directly tackling the disease by enlightening the citizens. The United Democratic Party (UDP) legislator made it clear that his campaign had nothing to do with any particular political party nor was he trying to gain any political mileage out of it.
“I am already a legislator. I am not using this campaign to gain political mileage. But this campaign is to reclaim democracy, reject corruption and redeem politics,” Basaiawmoit said. He had toured villages across Khasi-Jaintia Hills in the eastern part of Meghalaya to motivate the rural masses to support his campaign.
Stating that he had received positive response, the social activist-turned-politician said nearly 70 meetings have already been held in various parts of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills. Over 7,000 people have registered for the crusade.
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