Leading Micro Finance Institutions in India….
Microfinance companies offer financial services in both savings and credit form. India's leading MFI plays a crucial role in the economy of the country by helping the poor and underprivileged section.
Apart from providing financial help, these microfinance companies educate the poor people about utilizing funds in the right way.
You must know about the top microfinance companies in India who are providing financial help to the needy section of society.
What is Meant by Microfinance?
Microfinance is a kind of financial service in which loans, insurance, and savings are offered to entrepreneurs who do not have access to investors or banks. Microcredit is another term for microfinance.
Individuals with low income do not get the opportunity to start their business easily. They need financial help but do not qualify for a bank loan. As a result, they have to take help from microfinance companies or lenders.
Microfinancing helps the underprivileged dreamers in starting their business and create a brand. They provide the money that consumers need to invest in their business.
The consumers seek small loans so that they can purchase specific equipment or manage the capital for opening their business.
The co-founder of CNote, Yuliya Tarasava said that the ultimate goal of microfinance is to help its users outgrow the microloans so that they can get ready for a bank loan.
Although the microfinance companies in India are doing a great job for the underprivileged section of society, there is a downside to it. The microloans have higher interest rates than the traditional bank loans.
Many people do not get success in their business with the small loans that MFIs provide. Instead, these people run into debt that increases their problems. If an individual does not have a proper business plan and financial knowledge, he cannot become successful by taking a microloan.
The microfinance organizations offer microfinance services to the deprived section of society. Muhammad Yunus, a citizen of Bangladesh is the pioneer of microfinance. Kiva, a microlending organization based on crowdfunding took inspiration from the work of Yunus.
There are mainly two types of microfinance institutions: for-profit organizations and non-profit organizations. Citi Microfinance and General Electric Consumer Finance are examples of for-profit companies. Kiva, BRAC, and Accion are examples of non-profit organizations.
The microfinance companies offer small loans to individuals and help them set up a savings account. The top MFIs also assist their users in obtaining insurance for various purposes such as life insurance, health insurance, and property insurance.
Microfinance in India is very common. People in rural and semi-urban areas often require financial help for starting their business. They take help from microfinance companies because they offer financial services on a small-scale.
Anyonya Cooperative Bank Ltd. at Vadodara was the first microfinance company in India. It is not functional at the present moment. The bank used to offer small loans to farmers. In today's date, there are a total of 82 major microfinance companies in India.
The MFIs provide small loans to people so that they can rise from poverty and have a successful business. If a person wants to get self-employed by running an auto-rickshaw, he can approach the top MFIs in his area.
State Bank of India is the biggest microfinance company in India. They provide a wide range of microfinance solutions. They offer microloans of up to 50,000 INR for the development of villagers.
State Bank of India provides loans to the self-help groups (SHGs) of women as a part of India's poverty alleviation drive.
They fund machinery and farm equipment for small entrepreneurs. They also conduct several training programs to educate rural people about handling their finances.
Equitas Small Finance Bank Ltd. is one of the best microfinance companies in India. They are a new microfinance company in Tamil Nadu that began their operations in September 2016. Equitas Small Finance Bank Ltd. is a part of an NBFC called Equitas Holdings.
The MFI provide loans to the youth who aspire to start a small business or want to become self-employed by providing various services. They offer microloans to poor, helpless women who are struggling for independence. They empower women through their financial services.
Equitas Small Finance Bank Ltd. also offers loans and financial assistance to people with special needs. In such a short span of time, the bank has successfully helped thousands of poor and needy people.
Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services (M&M Financial Services) is a leading microfinance company in India. They have helped plenty of aspiring young people and women to accomplish their dreams of being financially independent.
M & M Financial services offer personalized finance for home development requirements, purchase of vehicles, and other endeavors. They are the top financer in India for farm tractors.
The MFI has 20,000 employees in their 1200 branches. They are known for serving more than 4 million people in India with their microfinance services.
Ujjivan Financial Services is a non-banking financial company in Bangalore. The company started in 2005 with the aim of providing a vast range of financial services to the poor people of India.
In the present day, the company has 469 branches spread over 24 Indian states and Union territories. They offer financial services in 209 districts of India. Therefore, they are one of the largest microfinance companies in India.
Ujjivan Financial Services established the Ujjivan Small Finance Bank in February 2017. Their motto is to offer banking and microfinance services to the economically deprived sector of the country.
Bharat Financial Inclusion Ltd. was earlier called SKS Microfinance Ltd. Vikram Akula founded the company in 1997. They offer microloans between 2000 INR and 12000 INR to poor women for setting up a vegetable shop or buying a cow.
They provide financial support to millions of people through their microfinance services. They have helped about 50 lakh poor women in one lakh villages of India.
Spandana Sphoorty Financial Ltd. is one of the most reputed microfinance companies in India established in 1998. They have their headquarters at Hyderabad.
They provide various types of loans such as Income Generation Loan, Small Ticket Personal Loan, Micro Enterprise Loan, Group loan, and Gold loan.
All the products of Spandana Sphoorty Financial Ltd. are aimed at poor women so that they can live a proper sustainable life.
Bandhan Financial Services is a top MFI in India. Founded in 2001, the company has provided help to millions of rural and poor people in India. They have their head office at Kolkata.
The objective of Bandhan Financial Services is to alleviate poverty and promote women empowerment. They have about 2022 branches in 22 Indian states and Union Territories. They provide financial support to people living in districts and villages.
Share Microfin Ltd. is one of the most popular microfinance companies in India. Founded in 1989, Share Microfin Ltd. was the first MFI in India to get a Non-Banking Financial Company license.
They are spread in 19 Indian states, providing microloans to underprivileged people. The company has benefited the lives of millions of people.
Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) is a reputed charitable trust. The Government of Karnataka has done the microfinance company registration. The aim of the MFI is to promote women empowerment in rural areas of the country.
They offer microfinance solutions to poor village women. Their microfinance activities and charitable programs are helping housewives and young women in more than 25,000 villages of South India.
Asmitha Microfin Ltd. is one of the best microfinance companies in India. Founded in 2002, the aim of the company is to provide small loans to the poor village women. They have their headquarters at Hyderabad.
The small ticket loans of Asmitha Microfin Ltd. help the rural women to start a small business. This uplifts their lives to a large extent. They are serving in 13 states of India. The sole mission of the MFI is to help women living below the poverty line who don't have the access to traditional banks.
Indian Cooperative Network for Women, etc.
The microfinance industry in India will grow more in the forthcoming days as more Indians will move towards entrepreneurship. Startups also avail microfinance to kick start their business.
A large number of banks plan to offer microfinance to the youth of the country. The existing microfinance companies in India plan to apply for banking licenses so that they can open microfinance banks. In the forthcoming years, the microfinance sector is all set to witness a boom in India.


Mardi Dickinson, BirdCallsRadio & Podcast Host, talks with Tom Bartlett on location at the Biggest week In American Birding 2018. Tom has for the past 23 years, conducted the Annual Big Sit fundraiser for Black Swamp Bird Observatory's (BSBO) education programs on International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD). Magee Marsh S.P., Oak Harbor, OH. ©Townsend P. Dickinson All Rights Reserved.
We are reporting LIVE from several locations in Northwest Ohio. This area is a world renowned migrant trap during spring migration of songbirds. Many people flock here to get their fill of warblers and other little gems at this time of year. I am also attending the Biggest Week in American Birding 2018 Festival, now in it's ninth year, that takes place at the same time. This festival is hosted by the Black Swamp Bird Observatory, under the guidance of Executive Director, Kimberly Kaufman and an incredible team of staff and numerous volunteers.
L. to R. Jason Guerard, Outreach Director, BSBO; Mardi Dickinson, Host of BirdCallsRadio; Jasmine Cupp, Communications Director, BSBO; Laura Guerard, Education Director, BSBO. At The Biggest Week in America Birding 2018, NW Ohio. ©BirdCallsRadio All Rights Reserved.
Many people from around the world agreed to be interviewed by me for this episode of BirdCallsRadio and they tell us why they come to this area for this segment called "Biggest Week 2018 Moments".
Checking out the Black-throated Grey Warbler who graced itself at The Biggest Week in America Birding 2018, Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Oak Harbor, NW Ohio. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/Kymry Group. All Rights Reserved.
L. to R. Kevin Perozeni, Christian Hagenlocher, Cassidy Flicker, Tyler Flicker and Kandace Glanville. Biggest Week in America Birding 2018, Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Oak Harbor, NW Ohio. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson / KymryGroup. All Rights Reserved.
I look forward to next year's 10th Anniversery of the Biggest Week 2019 that will take place from May 3-12, 2019.
Thank you to all the wonderful people who took time out from birding and were kind enough to stop and share their thoughts with me on this episode #131 of BirdCallsRadio™.
L. to R. Townsend P. Dickinson, Photographer/Writer; Linda Rockwell, Birder/Photographer. The Biggest Week in America Birding 2018, Magee Marsh Boardwalk, Oak Harbor, NW Ohio. ©Mardi Welch Dickinson/Kymry Group. All Rights Reserved.
Biggest Week 2018 Moments in Northwest Ohio.


Thank you everyone for sending in your poems and stories this week. You have kept the two sisters and foxes very busy through the week.
Here are the names of everyone who participated.
See you tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb/12/2019 for our next prompt.


York's Core and Fitness (YCF) is a functional training center designed to a provide quality training. We emphasize the importance of appearance, endurance, physical strength, core, flexibility, stamina and speed. Get fit, get ready….become part of our family here at YCF.


text:
Sony Wins, LG To Return Seized PS3 Consoles And Pay Fine
By Rue Liu/March 10, 2011 1:12 pm EST
The battle between Sony and LG has taken another turn and this time to the relief of PS3 fans. Late last month we reported that LG had seized over 300,000 PS3s entering the Netherlands due to alleged patent infringements and earlier today reports suggested that LG could further seize PS3s already purchased. However, after the court hearing today, it seems Sony has won the initial proceedings and LG has been slapped with a fine.
It seems unlikely now that LG actually won an injunction in the first place when it seized 300,000 PS3s. Customs has the authority to seize goods that are believed to be infringing a patent and hold them for a period of ten days. LG, being the rights holder has to take on the risk that if the goods are proven not to be infringing that they will have to pay for costs and damages resulting from the action.
LG has been ordered to return all seized PS3s and pay a fine of 130,000 euros to Sony. They will also need to ensure that all units are returned to Sony within the next day or face a fine of 200,000 euros per day if delayed. PS3 shipments to Europe are allowed for now until further legal proceedings.
Although Sony has won this initial fight on the PS3s, it is likely that LG may continue to push the patent infringement case and the two rivals are embroiled in several other legal battles.
[via PlayStationLifeStyle]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The BP-9-SP is an affordable self-propelled 230 volt single phase blast cleaning system. It is designed for small to medium size jobs as well as being a complementary unit on larger jobs for doing edges and other hard to reach areas. The BP-9-SP is used to prepare concrete surfaces prior to the application of paint, coatings, or overlays on garage floors, balconies, basements, hospital hallways, and pool decks.


text:
Q: Two class in a Single File I'm preparing the OCA Java 8 Certified Exam.
In the book says:

If do you have a public class, it needs to match the filename. public
  class animal2 would not compile in a file name Animal.java. The sample
  code is:

public class Animal{
private String name;
}
class Animal2{

}

But, if I create a Java file called "Animal.java", I put the code inside and compile it, the compiler generates two java class, "animal.class" and "animal2.class".
Is the study guide wrong?

A: Basically the book is saying that if a file is named Animal the public class must also be called Animal, otherwise, there is an error.
class Animal2 isn´t public that's why it compiles fine.
What you can do is have a public class within a public class:
public class Animal{

    public class Animal2{
        ...
    }

    ...

}

This is not possible:
public class Animal{
      ....
}

public class Animal2{
      ....
}

A: Ok, ok.
I understand now, the book has confusing me.
This compiles and generates two Class (One public class Animal, and one protected class animal2):
public class Animal{
private String name;
}
class Animal2{

}

This NOT compile:
public class Animal{
private String name;
}
public class Animal2{

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Philips brings a gift of light to a village that's been in darkness for 30 years
How an employee engagement program is now improving the lives of thousands of people around the world
Hanoi, Vietnam – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), the global leader in lighting, has provided a gift of Philips LED solar powered lighting to the village of Thanh Son in Vietnam. The donation, which is improving the lives of villagers who have been in darkness for 30 years, is part of the 'Philips Gift of Light' - an internal engagement initiative in which Philips employees nominated and voted for projects around the world deserving of a Philips gift of light. During the coming months, projects will be implemented by Philips employees in 17 countries.
The village of Thanh Son is located in a remote rural area about 70 km from Hanoi, Vietnam. For 30 years, village life in this largely off-grid community ended when the sun went down. Not anymore. A team of Philips employees has installed energy efficient LED solar powered lighting in 180 off-grid households and presented emergency LED battens and compact fluorescent lighting to a further 108 households where the electricity supply is unreliable. In addition, Philips has provided Philips Solar GreenVision solar powered LED road lighting for a play area at the village community center.
"We need to live our brand not just recite words on a page. So what better way to bring it to life than have our employees choose worthy causes that matter to them and then deliver our innovations to improve people's lives," said Eric Rondolat, CEO of Philips Lighting. "We received more than 200 nominations and thousands of our employees voted to decide the winning projects that are now being implemented in 17 countries. The Thanh Son village project illustrates how we're enhancing life with light and improving people's lives."
Le Viet Hung, Marketing Manager, Philips Lighting Vietnam, who nominated the project and worked with a team of nine employees to install the lighting said, "The candles and kerosene lamps have been put away and the smiles on people's faces say it all. Children can play safely and study in the evening and village life has blossomed, no longer constrained by the setting sun. Our technology not only improved their lives but ours, showing that our lighting innovations really do matter. It makes me feel good inside."
According to The World Bank, 1.2 billion people worldwide live without access to electricity. About 80% of those without access to modern energy live in rural areas.
About The Philips Gift of Light
In July 2013, Philips Lighting employees in 17 geographies were invited to nominate worthy causes or projects that could benefit from a Philips gift of light made up of innovations and services. Nominated projects were judged locally. Up to five shortlisted projects per geography were then voted upon by employees in each geography. The winners were announced in November 2013 to coincide with the unveiling of the new Philips brand positioning. The initiative was designed to engage employees emotionally and intellectually about the company's brand promise (Philips delivers innovation that matters to you). This internal positioning underpins Philips' external brand line, Innovation and You.
The Philips Lighting Management team reviewed all the winning projects and voted for an overall winner to receive an extra round of funding. The Thanh Son village project won this prize. The winning regional projects are in various stages of implementation and will be completed in the coming months.
The winning projects vary around the world. They include lighting in facilities for homeless people and for the elderly; lighting to comfort children and families in a children's hospice; lighting for specialist care facilities; lighting for communities in underprivileged and underserved areas, such as lighting for a hospital, school, etc..
Philips brings a gift of light to Thanh Son village in Vietnam
Neil Pattie
External Communications
Email: neil.pattie@philips.com
About Royal Philips


1987 Chevy Suburban aptly named "The Tank".
He opened up his warm, goofy personality, let me sit in the driver's seat and the rest is history. To this day, I am consumed in his honor he carries for family, his drive to be successful and his genuinely compassionate character.
Almost 5 years later, I find myself writing this post with a smile from ear to ear and my soul warmed with his presence. I couldn't imagine a day not spent with HouMan.
Love you to the Moon and Back, LumberJack.
We are constantly on the pursuit of accomplishing things that are larger than life and giving God the glory for it all. We are so privileged to have so many amazing role models and such a large support system.
We are letting God handle the perfect time. He has been pulling at our heart strings and we are just waiting for him to make the way for us to tie the knot!
Until then, we will be submerged in his plan of life for us, Love each other deeply and be thankful for the opportunities he is opening up for us.


Can you believe it's already the end of January and, for many of us, the end of summer holidays. For the past 4-6 weeks many of us have had the luxury of being able to exercise when we want to without the restraints of work and life. Not to mention it's been daylight savings and let's be honest, it's been amazing!! So how do you ensure that this healthy habit doesn't fall to the bottom of your to do list now that we are back at school and work for 2019?
The most important thing to remember is that exercise should be a habit, and not a task. Here are 5 tips to help you stay on track and not let the post holiday blues ruin your winning streak.
One of the main reasons I see people falling off the exercise wagon is that they have chosen an activity that they simply don't enjoy. It sounds simple but more often than not people see exercise as a task to achieve a certain goal, and not surprisingly they lose interest or motivation within a few months. It's important to find something that brings joy to your life and doesn't feel like a task. This might mean joining a social team, finding someone who shares your interests to go on a walk with. Whatever you chose to do, it must be something that is worth getting out of bed early for or you simply won't commit.
If you have not worked out in a while, setting unrealistic goals for your daily workout routine might make you start second-guessing your skills. This may make you feel overwhelmed and become unmotivated. No winners here. It is more important to enjoy the times when you are exercising rather than conquering Everest in an afternoon. After a while your motivation will increase and you can start to add more into your routine. This way we are thinking about the big picture from the get go! This will also avoid over training early and causing injury which will again knock you off the exercise wagon for 2019.
How many times have you set your alarm at some awful hour only to roll over and press snooze over and over? It is important to make exercise part of your lifestyle and not an additional task you need to add to your ever growing to-do list. I find it helpful to look at my week in advance and schedule times into my diary for training – this way I'm not playing catch up by Friday. You can also use apps on your phone to save these times and remind you with an alarm that it's workout time. For the long term make sure you take into account days you have early starts or late finishes so you don't end up trying to squeeze in a workout when you are not feeling yourself. Remember exercise is meant to be enjoyable.
Having someone to hold you accountable for exercise makes it much easier to get out of bed in the morning. Enlisting a friend to meet you for a workout means you are less likely to cancel as someone is waiting for you! This might mean joining a team, or pre purchasing class passes, so you are committed to turning up. When working out with a friend, ensure you chose someone of your similar ability and you will find that you are more willing to push yourself.
Any new exercise program needs to be sustainable long term. How often do we see new year resolutions dissolving with the summer heat simply because they are not realistic? All. The. Time. When setting your exercise program you need to think long term – look for an event to train for, schedule rest days into your program, find a coach to help you plan out your year, and so on. Exercise needs to become a part of your life just like brushing your teeth and eating breakfast. If you want to live a long and healthy life you need to start making exercise a habit and not a chore.
So, next time you think about joining the gym, registering for a marathon, or signing up to kick boxing, make sure you think about your long term goals and your current situation. Otherwise, you will be back on the couch come winter, wondering how you will ever get that elusive summer body for next year.


text:
On Normalization and the Meeting of Palestinian Movements
by The One Democratic State Campaign (ODSC) in Historic Palestine (The following is an unofficial translation of the Arabic original declaration. With the translation I expanded some terms to make them understandable to the foreign reader. Thanks to all the people that helped with this translation.) On September 3rd, the leaders of different Palestinian […]
by The One Democratic State Campaign (ODSC) in Historic Palestine
(The following is an unofficial translation of the Arabic original declaration. With the translation I expanded some terms to make them understandable to the foreign reader. Thanks to all the people that helped with this translation.)
On September 3rd, the leaders of different Palestinian movements, overcoming deep divisions, met in Beirut and Ramallah. This followed the invitation of the President of the Palestinian Authority, to discuss a common response to the 'Normalization Agreement', between the United Arab Emirates and Israel. What made this meeting possible is the American-Israeli imperialist alliance's total and aggressive denial of the Palestinian people's basic rights. The imperialist alliance's cynical approach removed any remaining illusions about a settlement to the conflict. Such illusions became prevalent after the Oslo Accords, and even existed before.
The imperialist powers are violating international law and humanitarian and ethical standards, and have disappointed all those who gambled on them. With "The Deal of the Century" the USA is repeating the injustices of the British 1917 'Balfour Declaration', by giving the Zionists Palestinian land over which they do not have any rights.
Now they drag corrupt and blood-stained Arab dictatorships into this rogue alliance. Those Arab regimes go beyond normalization to become accomplices in the aggression against the Palestinian people. The Palestinians are exposed to the most heinous crimes by the colonial Western regimes, through their proxy in the region.
All of this forced the Palestinian leadership to choose between two clear options: Surrender or Resistance. As for the Palestinian people, they continue resisting. This resistance has continued for more than a century, against the Western-Zionist plot to uproot and replace them by foreign settlers and form a bridgehead for European colonization in the heart of the Arab region.
The meeting of the factions was an important step towards the national unity yearned for by our Palestinian people. This ever since the disastrous division (between Gaza and the West Bank) in 2007. During this period, Israel waged three atrocious wars and committed numerous crimes against humanity; imposed a blockade on two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip; intensified its settlement and "Judaization" activities and the killings in the West Bank and Jerusalem; in addition to enforcing colonialist oppression of a million and a half of our people in the Galilee, the Triangle Region and the Naqab. And then, of course, we should not forget the plight of the millions of refugees who were displaced and uprooted from their homeland. Their right of return Israel continues to deny, thus embodying the brutality of Zionism and the lack of justice and ethics of the so-called international community.
National unity, based on a comprehensive, emancipatory vision and a correct resistance strategy, is an essential condition for joint work and a precursor to defeating oppression and achieving freedom and justice. It is also an essential condition to restore and enhance popular Arab support, and to mobilize for our cause all advocates of freedom around the world. Ours is a just cause, that should concern all the peoples of the world, especially the oppressed, of which the Palestinian people is a part, who are struggling to achieve freedom, justice and human dignity.
The question remains: does the movements' meeting, and its resulting statement and decisions, constitute a real turning point in the march of the Palestinian people, and redefine the way towards freedom and independence? The current leaders bear the responsibility for the division and failure to rebuild the Palestinian national movement and to achieve liberation – they were responsible for the national, political and moral devastation that all this has entailed. Are they qualified, capable, and even willing to break with the era of fatal illusions? Is it possible to move and advance the national liberation project towards a new era of true liberation struggle without the youth and without the participation of new leaderships? Our people ask these questions, people from all the layers of society: workers, peasants, intellectuals, detainees and many others.
Accordingly, the 'One Democratic State Campaign in Historic Palestine' asserts that, in order to fulfil the purpose of the meeting, the following conditions should be provided:
First, we should start from the fact that the Palestinian people, wherever they are, all 13 million, are one people; and that Palestine includes all the land located between the Jordan river and the Mediterranean, not merely the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Second, affirming the right of return of Palestinian refugees whom the Zionist movement expelled from Palestine and seized their properties, pursued them in their places of refuge, waged wars on them and assassinated some of their leaders. It is a natural and sacred right, recognized by an international decision since 1948.
Third, liberating the 'Palestine Liberation Organization', which has become subordinated to the 'Palestinian Authority' and its "security coordination" with the occupation. It should be liberated from the grip of bureaucracy and the restrictions of the Oslo Accords. It should be rebuilt on democratic foundations to represent all components and communities of the Palestinian people, wherever they are, including the Palestinians of 1948, and based on a program of return and liberation.
Fourth, the withdrawal of the PLO's recognition of Israel. Israel which has continued expanding its colonial settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem and imposed a siege on the Gaza Strip. Israel ignores all international laws that prohibit settlements in the occupied territories and criminalize the existing apartheid system. Israel adopted the so-called "Nationality Law" – a blatant colonial apartheid law – to grant false legitimacy to its colonization of all of historic Palestine. Israel has unambiguously stated – together with its patron the United States – that the country located between the river and the sea belongs to the Zionist movement. According to them the Palestinian people have no right to their homeland. A homeland which the Palestinians have not left for thousands of years, except under the pressure of the colonialist Zionist movement and its crimes of ethnic cleansing perpetrated in 1948, and still being perpetrated against the Palestinians – even the holders of its citizenship.
Fifth, responding to this colonial expansion and the new "Balfour Declaration" by stating that the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination applies to all of historic Palestine. This means reviving the PLO's program, represented by the return and liberation of Palestine from Zionism, its colonial regime and apartheid. The 'One Democratic State Campaign in all of Historic Palestine' revives this solution. But in a modern form, in which Palestinians and Israeli Jews can live in a human, democratic, egalitarian system, after dismantling the Israeli colonial apartheid regime, in the context of the removal of colonialism from the entire Arab region. The one state project is not merely a vision, but a resistance project, in which participate also Jewish anti-Zionists who oppose the system of colonialist settlement and its crimes.
Sixth, holding elections for the Palestinian National Council, with the participation of all the Palestinian people, without exception. The limitation of the elections for the Legislative Council and the Palestinian presidency to the West Bank and Gaza Strip cements the Oslo Accords. But they divide and fragment the Palestinian people and erases the universal Palestinian identity. It keeps the majority of the Palestinian people, especially those in 1948 areas and the refugees, outside the scope of representation, the conflict, the national unity project and the right to self-determination. Further, this exclusion prevents the participation of all Palestinians, without exception, in the Palestinian struggle for the right to self-determination.
Seventh, cancelling all the punitive measures taken by the Palestinian Authority against our people in the Gaza Strip since March 2017, and compensating them for all their dues. It is completely unacceptable to talk of national unity and reconciliation between the movements while, at the same time, imposing sanctions on a key component of our noble people.
Eighth, the adoption of the Palestinian boycott movement in a practical and clear way as a pioneering means of struggle. Acting resolutely against all forms of normalization with apartheid Israel, primarily through the abolition of security coordination with the occupation and the dissolution of the so-called Committee for Interaction with Israeli Society.
Ninth, the formation of a broad, popular front that adopts an effective popular resistance strategy, from all aspects, including the struggle in the streets, cultural, social and economic resistance. This front would establish a path towards a new, free society that is capable of steadfastness and cohesion while it achieves its interim goals, then its ultimate goal of dismantling the colonialist apartheid system and the establishment of the democratic state in all of historic Palestine.
This English translation first appeared on the Free Haifa Website. Reproduced with permission
Tags: Palestine Solidarity
Asufit
A righteous man – Obituary: Rolf Verleger
Norman Paech
The ECHR ruling: a victory that puts us more clearly than ever on the side of the Law
Didier Fagart


The 2018 registration process has a few updates of note. Please know that the league is trying to make sure we can provide the best experience possible for players, parents, officials and coaches.
Accident Insurance Notice – We have posted updated information to the web site to make sure all parents are aware of the insurance coverage provided through our Little League affiliation.
Shirt/Pant Size – We are collecting information about your child in order to improve the fit of the uniforms overall. Please note, not all clothing manufacturers are the same and based on the team creation process, you are not guaranteed the uniform size you submitted during registration.
Volunteer Application – New Process – We now have a new process to complete volunteer applications. Once you register as a coach/volunteer using our "Register Now" link on the right, we will send you a link to complete the required background check. The email comes from an automated address, but should have contact information from one of our board members if you have any doubts about it's authenticity.
If you would like to be a manager or coach for the 2018 season you are required to complete one of two applications the "new volunteer application" OR a "returning volunteer application" (only for volunteers that completed the form for the 2017 season. Please be sure to complete the appropriate application.


"John did an awesome job. Work was carried out with utter most professionalism and to a great standard. Really appreciate the no hassle service. Absolutely highly recommended."
"Mark and his crew worked really hard on preparing my property for sale. They went above and beyond and really did what I needed done. I'd highly recommend them to anyone with a lot to clear."
"Dan initially completed a bathroom and laundry renovation for us, we were very pleased with the outcome and we have had him back to complete a further two bathrooms and other building works. His attention to detail and ability to work with the other trades is very good. We would have no hesitation in recommending Dan for any building works."
"It was a long wait but it was a wait well worth waiting for! Tim promptly came to us to give us the best solution for fixing our garden surface water overflow solution, and let us know in advance there will be a long wait due to ongoing jobs. He is very experienced and quickly deduced the problem and best solution. Price was very reasonable. When they finally have a slot in their schedule…"
Our experience , read on , they arrived on the day they had booked in.
Presentation and personality of the operator, excellent.
We asked the operator for some product in a bucket so we could clean a bird nesting box on a pole ,his response Ive got 70 m of hose I'll do it for you ,…"
"We approached Paragon Solutions to draw up the plans for our en suite bathroom and help us submit them to council for consent approval.
We spoke to a few "designers" who could help with the design, the drafting and planning, the council submission. They invariably came joined at the hip with a builder in a take one take all arrangement.
We wanted to keep things simple because the job is…"
"Having just arrived from overseas, getting some solid advice on property was essential. Mark was straightforward, open, professional and very thorough. I would definitely recommend these guys and Mark in particular. He definitely helped us avoid some unnecessary risk."
"Good communication throughout. Good workmanship and tidy site during and on completion. Jae is a great guy, very professional and completed our bathroom tiling as discussed and to a high standard."
"I Recently had Mark and his Team of painters Re-paint the interior and exterior of our 4 bedroom , two storey house. Honestly can't speak highly enough of the end result ! All of my needs and fine details were completely taken care of and I was extremely impressed with the professional manner in which Mark undertook the project. The value in which the Re-paint added to our house exceeded our…"
"Your Builder completed a bathroom and deck renovation for us in early 2018. They also replaced posts and joists in the basement and constructed a nib wall to prevent water getting under the house. We found their builders to be professional, highly skilled, fast and extremely hard workers. They were very good at problem solving and a pleasure to deal with. The system of online communication also…"


text:
11.12.2016 Featured Story
Cross Country: Mattituck places fifth at state championships
Melanie Pfennig runs during cross country season in November. (Credit: Robert O'Rourk, file)
Mattituck senior Melanie Pfennig ran the fastest time for the Tuckers Saturday morning at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Championships.
Pfennig ran the five-kilometer course at Chenango Valley State Park in Chenango Forks in 19 minutes 49.7 seconds. She finished 13th overall to help lead the Tuckers to fifth place in the team standings.
Pfennig had the third fastest time among the runners competing for team scores.
The Tuckers' next four runners were freshman Payton Maddaloni (20:24.5), eighth-grader Kylie Conroy (20:35.6), senior Sascha Rosin (21:19.3) and junior Megan Dinizio (22:18.0). The final two runners for Mattituck who did not factor into the team score were sophomores Liv Shutte (22:52.6) and Maddie Schmidt (23:32.4).
The Tuckers finished in a tie for team points with Christian Brothers Academy 122 based on the combined finishes of the top-five runners. The teams were separated by one second in average time. CBA earned the fourth-place designated based on the team's sixth runner finishing ahead of Mattituck's.
For Pfennig, it was her fifth trip to the state meet. Her ninth-place finish at last year's meet was her highest place.
In Class C, Kaitlyn Butterfield of Greenport, who runs for Bishop McGann-Mercy, finished 36th overall in 20:25.9. Mattituck narrowly edged Mercy for the county title last week.
Correction: An earlier version of this story said Mattituck had its best finish at a state meet. In 2012, the team placed fourth.
Photo caption: Melanie Pfennig pictured at last week's Section XI Championships. (Credit: Robert O'Rourk, file)
Melanie Pfennig
new york state championships
Payton Maddaloni
Popular butcher shop prepares to open second location in Mattituck
Justin Aronoff was just a teenager when he learned the butcher trade. Now, seven years after opening his own...
12.05.2020	Mattituck Cutchogue School District
Mattituck honors alumni who served in military
The Wall of Honor at Mattituck High School grew by a dozen names as the district held its fourth...
Team Dylan North Fork Parade raises funds for Southold teen: photos
About 50 vehicles participated in the Team Dylan North Fork Parade Saturday morning as community members cheered the caravan...


text:
/* An abstract class for all agenda-related views. Displays one more columns with time slots running vertically.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
// Is a manager for the TimeGrid subcomponent and possibly the DayGrid subcomponent (if allDaySlot is on).
// Responsible for managing width/height.

var AgendaView = FC.AgendaView = View.extend({

	scroller: null,

	timeGridClass: TimeGrid, // class used to instantiate the timeGrid. subclasses can override
	timeGrid: null, // the main time-grid subcomponent of this view

	dayGridClass: DayGrid, // class used to instantiate the dayGrid. subclasses can override
	dayGrid: null, // the "all-day" subcomponent. if all-day is turned off, this will be null

	axisWidth: null, // the width of the time axis running down the side

	headContainerEl: null, // div that hold's the timeGrid's rendered date header
	noScrollRowEls: null, // set of fake row elements that must compensate when scroller has scrollbars

	// when the time-grid isn't tall enough to occupy the given height, we render an
 underneath
	bottomRuleEl: null,

	// indicates that minTime/maxTime affects rendering
	usesMinMaxTime: true,

	initialize: function() {
		this.timeGrid = this.instantiateTimeGrid();

		if (this.opt('allDaySlot')) { // should we display the "all-day" area?
			this.dayGrid = this.instantiateDayGrid(); // the all-day subcomponent of this view
		}

		var overflowY = this.opt('hideAgendaScroller') ? 'hidden' : 'auto';
		this.scroller = new Scroller({
			overflowX: 'hidden',
			overflowY: overflowY
		});
	},

	// Instantiates the TimeGrid object this view needs. Draws from this.timeGridClass
	instantiateTimeGrid: function() {
		var subclass = this.timeGridClass.extend(agendaTimeGridMethods);

		return new subclass(this);
	},

	// Instantiates the DayGrid object this view might need. Draws from this.dayGridClass
	instantiateDayGrid: function() {
		var subclass = this.dayGridClass.extend(agendaDayGridMethods);

		return new subclass(this);
	},

	/* Rendering
	------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*/

	// Renders the view into `this.el`, which has already been assigned
	renderDates: function() {

		this.timeGrid.setRange(this.renderRange);

		if (this.dayGrid) {
			this.dayGrid.setRange(this.renderRange);
		}

		this.el.addClass('fc-agenda-view').html(this.renderSkeletonHtml());
		this.renderHead();

		this.scroller.render();
		var timeGridWrapEl = this.scroller.el.addClass('fc-time-grid-container');
		var timeGridEl = $('
').appendTo(timeGridWrapEl);
		this.el.find('.fc-body > tr > td').append(timeGridWrapEl);

		this.timeGrid.setElement(timeGridEl);
		this.timeGrid.renderDates();

		// the
 that sometimes displays under the time-grid
		this.bottomRuleEl = $('
')
			.appendTo(this.timeGrid.el); // inject it into the time-grid

		if (this.dayGrid) {
			this.dayGrid.setElement(this.el.find('.fc-day-grid'));
			this.dayGrid.renderDates();

			// have the day-grid extend it's coordinate area over the
 dividing the two grids
			this.dayGrid.bottomCoordPadding = this.dayGrid.el.next('hr').outerHeight();
		}

		this.noScrollRowEls = this.el.find('.fc-row:not(.fc-scroller *)'); // fake rows not within the scroller
	},

	// render the day-of-week headers
	renderHead: function() {
		this.headContainerEl =
			this.el.find('.fc-head-container')
				.html(this.timeGrid.renderHeadHtml());
	},

	// Unrenders the content of the view. Since we haven't separated skeleton rendering from date rendering,
	// always completely kill each grid's rendering.
	unrenderDates: function() {
		this.timeGrid.unrenderDates();
		this.timeGrid.removeElement();

		if (this.dayGrid) {
			this.dayGrid.unrenderDates();
			this.dayGrid.removeElement();
		}

		this.scroller.destroy();
	},

	// Builds the HTML skeleton for the view.
	// The day-grid and time-grid components will render inside containers defined by this HTML.
	renderSkeletonHtml: function() {
		return '' +
			'
' +
				'
' +
					'
' +
						'	' +
					'
' +
				'
' +
				'
' +
					'
' +
						'' +
							(this.dayGrid ?
								'
' +
								'
' :
								''
								) +
						'	' +
					'
' +
				'
' +
			'
';
	},

	// Generates an HTML attribute string for setting the width of the axis, if it is known
	axisStyleAttr: function(isHeight, isNoneBorderColor) {
		if (this.axisWidth == null) {
			 this.axisWidth = 0;
		}

		var style = 'style="width:' + this.axisWidth + 'px;'
		if (isHeight) {
			style += 'height:'+ this.opt('slotHeight') + 'px;'
		}
		if (isNoneBorderColor) {
			style += 'border-color: #f6f6f6;'
		}
		style += '"';
		return style;
	},

	/* Business Hours
	------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*/

	renderBusinessHours: function() {
		this.timeGrid.renderBusinessHours();

		if (this.dayGrid) {
			this.dayGrid.renderBusinessHours();
		}
	},

	unrenderBusinessHours: function() {
		this.timeGrid.unrenderBusinessHours();

		if (this.dayGrid) {
			this.dayGrid.unrenderBusinessHours();
		}
	},

	/* Now Indicator
	------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*/

	getNowIndicatorUnit: function() {
		return this.timeGrid.getNowIndicatorUnit();
	},

	renderNowIndicator: function(date) {
		this.timeGrid.renderNowIndicator(date);
	},

	unrenderNowIndicator: function() {
		this.timeGrid.unrenderNowIndicator();
	},

	/* Dimensions
	------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*/

	updateSize: function(isResize) {
		this.timeGrid.updateSize(isResize);

		View.prototype.updateSize.call(this, isResize); // call the super-method
	},

	// Refreshes the horizontal dimensions of the view
	updateWidth: function() {
		// make all axis cells line up, and record the width so newly created axis cells will have it
		this.axisWidth = matchCellWidths(this.el.find('.fc-axis'));
	},

	// Adjusts the vertical dimensions of the view to the specified values
	setHeight: function(totalHeight, isAuto) {
		var eventLimit;
		var scrollerHeight;
		var scrollbarWidths;

		// reset all dimensions back to the original state
		this.bottomRuleEl.hide(); // .show() will be called later if this
 is necessary
		this.scroller.clear(); // sets height to 'auto' and clears overflow
		uncompensateScroll(this.noScrollRowEls);

		// limit number of events in the all-day area
		if (this.dayGrid) {
			this.dayGrid.removeSegPopover(); // kill the "more" popover if displayed

			eventLimit = this.opt('eventLimit');
			if (eventLimit && typeof eventLimit !== 'number') {
				eventLimit = AGENDA_ALL_DAY_EVENT_LIMIT; // make sure "auto" goes to a real number
			}
			if (eventLimit) {
				this.dayGrid.limitRows(eventLimit);
			}

			// Set height for all-day row
			if (this.opt('fixedAllDayHeight')) {
				this.dayGrid.rowEls.height(eventLimit * 20);
			}
		}

		if (!isAuto) { // should we force dimensions of the scroll container?

			scrollerHeight = this.computeScrollerHeight(totalHeight);
			this.scroller.setHeight(scrollerHeight);
			scrollbarWidths = this.scroller.getScrollbarWidths();

			if (scrollbarWidths.left || scrollbarWidths.right) { // using scrollbars?

				// make the all-day and header rows lines up
				compensateScroll(this.noScrollRowEls, scrollbarWidths);

				// the scrollbar compensation might have changed text flow, which might affect height, so recalculate
				// and reapply the desired height to the scroller.
				scrollerHeight = this.computeScrollerHeight(totalHeight);
				this.scroller.setHeight(scrollerHeight);
			}

			// guarantees the same scrollbar widths
			this.scroller.lockOverflow(scrollbarWidths);

			// if there's any space below the slats, show the horizontal rule.
			// this won't cause any new overflow, because lockOverflow already called.
			if (this.timeGrid.getTotalSlatHeight() < scrollerHeight) {
				this.bottomRuleEl.show();
			}
		}
	},

	// given a desired total height of the view, returns what the height of the scroller should be
	computeScrollerHeight: function(totalHeight) {
		return totalHeight -
			subtractInnerElHeight(this.el, this.scroller.el); // everything that's NOT the scroller
	},

	/* Scroll
	------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*/

	// Computes the initial pre-configured scroll state prior to allowing the user to change it
	computeInitialDateScroll: function() {
		var scrollTime = moment.duration(this.opt('scrollTime'));
		var top = this.timeGrid.computeTimeTop(scrollTime);

		// zoom can give weird floating-point values. rather scroll a little bit further
		top = Math.ceil(top);

		if (top) {
			top++; // to overcome top border that slots beyond the first have. looks better
		}

		return { top: top };
	},

	queryDateScroll: function() {
		return { top: this.scroller.getScrollTop() };
	},

	applyDateScroll: function(scroll) {
		if (scroll.top !== undefined) {
			this.scroller.setScrollTop(scroll.top);
		}
	},

	/* Hit Areas
	------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
	// forward all hit-related method calls to the grids (dayGrid might not be defined)

	hitsNeeded: function() {
		this.timeGrid.hitsNeeded();
		if (this.dayGrid) {
			this.dayGrid.hitsNeeded();
		}
	},

	hitsNotNeeded: function() {
		this.timeGrid.hitsNotNeeded();
		if (this.dayGrid) {
			this.dayGrid.hitsNotNeeded();
		}
	},

	prepareHits: function() {
		this.timeGrid.prepareHits();
		if (this.dayGrid) {
			this.dayGrid.prepareHits();
		}
	},

	releaseHits: function() {
		this.timeGrid.releaseHits();
		if (this.dayGrid) {
			this.dayGrid.releaseHits();
		}
	},

	queryHit: function(left, top) {
		var hit = this.timeGrid.queryHit(left, top);

		if (!hit && this.dayGrid) {
			hit = this.dayGrid.queryHit(left, top);
		}

		return hit;
	},

	getHitSpan: function(hit) {
		// TODO: hit.component is set as a hack to identify where the hit came from
		return hit.component.getHitSpan(hit);
	},

	getHitEl: function(hit) {
		// TODO: hit.component is set as a hack to identify where the hit came from
		return hit.component.getHitEl(hit);
	},

	/* Events
	------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*/

	// Renders events onto the view and populates the View's segment array
	renderEvents: function(events) {
		var dayEvents = [];
		var timedEvents = [];
		var daySegs = [];
		var timedSegs;
		var i;

		// separate the events into all-day and timed
		for (i = 0; i < events.length; i++) {
			if (events[i].allDay) {
				dayEvents.push(events[i]);
			}
			else {
				timedEvents.push(events[i]);
			}
		}

		// render the events in the subcomponents
		timedSegs = this.timeGrid.renderEvents(timedEvents);
		if (this.dayGrid) {
			daySegs = this.dayGrid.renderEvents(dayEvents);
		}

		// the all-day area is flexible and might have a lot of events, so shift the height
		this.updateHeight();
	},

	// Retrieves all segment objects that are rendered in the view
	getEventSegs: function() {
		return this.timeGrid.getEventSegs().concat(
			this.dayGrid ? this.dayGrid.getEventSegs() : []
		);
	},

	// Unrenders all event elements and clears internal segment data
	unrenderEvents: function() {

		// unrender the events in the subcomponents
		this.timeGrid.unrenderEvents();
		if (this.dayGrid) {
			this.dayGrid.unrenderEvents();
		}

		// we DON'T need to call updateHeight() because
		// a renderEvents() call always happens after this, which will eventually call updateHeight()
	},

	/* Dragging (for events and external elements)
	------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*/

	// A returned value of `true` signals that a mock "helper" event has been rendered.
	renderDrag: function(dropLocation, seg) {
		if (dropLocation.start.hasTime()) {
			return this.timeGrid.renderDrag(dropLocation, seg);
		}
		else if (this.dayGrid) {
			return this.dayGrid.renderDrag(dropLocation, seg);
		}
	},

	unrenderDrag: function() {
		this.timeGrid.unrenderDrag();
		if (this.dayGrid) {
			this.dayGrid.unrenderDrag();
		}
	},

	/* Selection
	------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*/

	// Renders a visual indication of a selection
	renderSelection: function(span) {
		if (span.start.hasTime() || span.end.hasTime()) {
			this.timeGrid.renderSelection(span);
		}
		else if (this.dayGrid) {
			this.dayGrid.renderSelection(span);
		}
	},

	// Unrenders a visual indications of a selection
	unrenderSelection: function() {
		this.timeGrid.unrenderSelection();
		if (this.dayGrid) {
			this.dayGrid.unrenderSelection();
		}
	}

});

// Methods that will customize the rendering behavior of the AgendaView's timeGrid
// TODO: move into TimeGrid
var agendaTimeGridMethods = {

	// Generates the HTML that will go before the day-of week header cells
	// Generates the HTML that will go before the day-of week header cells
	renderHeadIntroHtml: function() {
		var view = this.view;
		var weekText;

		if (view.opt('hideAgendaAxis')) {
			return '';
		}

		if (view.opt('weekNumbers')) {
			weekText = this.start.format(view.opt('smallWeekFormat'));

			return '' +
				'' +
					view.buildGotoAnchorHtml( // aside from link, important for matchCellWidths
						{ date: this.start, type: 'week', forceOff: this.colCnt > 1 },
						htmlEscape(weekText) // inner HTML
					) +
				'	';
		}
		else {
			return '	';
		}
	},

	// Generates the HTML that goes before the bg of the TimeGrid slot area. Long vertical column.
	renderBgIntroHtml: function() {
		var view = this.view;

		if (view.opt('hideAgendaAxis')) {
			return '';
		}

		return '	';
	},

	// Generates the HTML that goes before all other types of cells.
	// Affects content-skeleton, helper-skeleton, highlight-skeleton for both the time-grid and day-grid.
	renderIntroHtml: function() {
		var view = this.view;

		if (view.opt('hideAgendaAxis')) {
			return '';
		}

		return '	';
	}

};

// Methods that will customize the rendering behavior of the AgendaView's dayGrid
var agendaDayGridMethods = {

	// Generates the HTML that goes before the all-day cells
	renderBgIntroHtml: function() {
		var view = this.view;

		if (view.opt('hideAgendaAxis')) {
			return '';
		}

		return '' +
			'' +
				'' + // needed for matchCellWidths
					view.getAllDayHtml() +
				'' +
			'	';
	},

	// Generates the HTML that goes before all other types of cells.
	// Affects content-skeleton, helper-skeleton, highlight-skeleton for both the time-grid and day-grid.
	renderIntroHtml: function() {
		var view = this.view;

		if (view.opt('hideAgendaAxis')) {
			return '';
		}

		return '	';
	}

};

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Billings Urban Indian Health and Wellness Center opens to serve the Billings urban Indian population
IHS Updates
INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE
Download [PDF - 96 KB]
Contact: 301-443-3593, newsroom@ihs.gov
The Indian Health Service and the Native American Development Corporation held a grand opening celebration today for the Billings Urban Indian Health and Wellness Center Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov , which will provide health care services for approximately 5,900 urban Indians residing in the metropolitan area of Billings, Montana.
"Partnering with the Native American Development Corporation to open the Billings Urban Indian Health and Wellness Center underscores IHS' commitment to provide quality health care for urban Indians in and around the Billings area," said Rear Adm. Michael D. Weahkee, IHS principal deputy director. "We are addressing the health needs of urban Indians across the nation by partnering with urban Indian organizations to provide access to comprehensive, culturally appropriate health services."
The new facility, located at 1230 N. 30th St. in Billings, will accept patients beginning October 25th. It will provide primary medical care and behavioral health care under one roof, continuing the Indian Health Service's commitment to better serve patients by integrating behavioral and physical health care.
"The Native American Development Corporation accepted the challenge, through a contract with the Indian Health Service, to once again establish an urban Indian health clinic in Billings. We are working in close cooperation with IHS to provide quality and sustainable health services to Billings Native Americans, through an integrated process with other providers and programs," said Billings Urban Indian Health and Wellness Center Interim Executive Director Leonard Smith.
The new Billings Urban Indian Health and Wellness Center will help IHS meet the growing demand for health care in the Billings Urban Indian Community. Urban Indian Health Programs are funded through grants and contracts from the IHS, under Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Many receive funding from other sources as well, including local government, foundations, or other sources.
Urban Indian Health Program services in Billings were previously provided by Indian Health Board of Billings, a not-for-profit organization that closed in May 2017.
The Native American Development Corporation is a nonprofit Community Development Corporation and certified Native American Community Development Financial Institution with a long-standing presence in the Billings community.
The IHS, an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 2.2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives. Follow IHS on Facebook Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov and Twitter Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov .


text:
Blu-ray:
Sale Price 8.9
World without End (2012)
Review Date November 27th, 2012 by Kevin Yeoman
England is on the brink of a devastating war with France that will last over a hundred years. A terrible plague which will wipe out a third of Europe's population before it is done is spreading. Caris, a visionary young woman, struggles to rise above the suffering and oppression in order to lead her people out of the Dark Ages. With her loverMerthin, she builds a community in Kingsbridge that stands up to the church and the crown. Together, they unearth a dangerous secret and must fight to save their town from ruin, ultimately ushering in a new era of freedom, innovation and enlightenment.
Technical Specs: 2-Disc Set
Video Resolution/Codec: 1080p AVC/MPEG-4
French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English - Audio Descriptive Track 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles/Captions: English
Special Features: The Making of Ken Follett's World Without End
Movie Studio: Sony
'World Without End' is author Ken Follett's follow-up to the successful, and well-regarded historical novel, 'The Pillars of the Earth,' and, like most sequels that come more than a decade after their predecessor, there were some expectations that possibly proved too lofty for a popular and prolific author such as Follett to achieve. The sequel was certainly not met with disdain or derision – which is so often the case with continuations such as this – but it wasn't granted the same level of adoration 'Pillars' received, either.
The same can be said of the respective miniseries adapted from both novels; 'The Pillars of the Earth' was well received by most critics, despite a significant paring down of the novel, even with 8 hours of screen time at the project's disposal. As such, after the success and praise of the first miniseries, the producers – including Ridley Scott and his brother, the late Tony Scott, through their Scott Free Productions – secured the rights to 'World Without End' and quickly began work. (As a side note, this review is well aware of the significant differences between the book and the miniseries, but will refrain from making comparison's too often.)
Set one hundred years after the events in 'Pillars,' 'World Without End' once more returns to the fictional town of Kingsbridge, during the reign of King Edward III. Much of the larger, historical plotting is concerned with King Edward's war with the French – which would become the Hundred Years War – and the beginning of the boil-infused pestilence known as the Black Death, or the Bubonic Plague. These are interesting times, prone to over-romanticism by many, but certainly rich with potential and thematic elements. It is, unfortunately, the former that dictates much of the miniseries and attempts to add further interest and fascination in its characters by adorning them with narrative contrivances of the most melodramatic kind.
'World Without End' is adapted from Follett's novel by John Pielmeier, who also served as the screenwriter for 'The Pillars of the Earth,' and it's clear from the start that he's working with something of a lesser animal. Faced with the prospect of balancing an incredibly large cast of characters, each with his or her own sizeable storyline, Pielmeier's script opts to ramp up the heavy melodramatic elements in lieu of more legitimate character development and a throughline for each that has some kind of resonance within the larger context of the plot. It's understandable that this occurs; the miniseries is, after all, clearly intended to be a melodrama whose highs and lows swing with the same operatic glee as so many daytime soaps. In that regard, the program, when looked at as a whole, operates less like chapters in a single story, and more like slightly disparate elements cobbled together to give the feeling of something grand.
And grand it is; with 8-hours at its disposal, the story of 'World Without End' spans more than a decade, beginning in 1327, as King Edward II is defeated in a brutal civil war by his wife Queen Isabella (Aure Atika). Though she and her son, Edward III (Blake Ritson), play an integral part in the story, it is not one where kings and queens participate in royal games and scheme to maintain or increase their rule. The characters that primarily fill the story are those with far lesser authority, and, more importantly, those with no influence whatsoever. And yet, because this is fiction, it is in these seemingly powerless characters that the plot turns and progresses the most.
Familiar medieval tropes are brought right to the forefront of the story. Caris (Charlotte Riley), a young, intelligent and free-spirited young woman who places a higher emphasis on education and the study of medicine than in finding a husband, sits at the center of the plot. Meanwhile, at the opposite end is her older cousin, the weasel-like, slightly perverted and totally power-hungry Godwyn (Rupert Evans, 'Hellboy') – who begins the series as a sacrist in the Kingsbridge monastery, but works his way up the ranks to bishop through various backhanded methods and acts of skullduggery. Much of what transpires in the series hinges on Caris and Godwyn, but there are also those in their inner circles; namely, Godwyn's conniving mother, Petranilla (Cynthia Nixon), Caris' long, unrequited love, Merthin (Tom Westin-Jones, 'Copper'), his brother Ralph (Oliver Jackson- Cohen) and the man who started it all, Sir Thomas Langley (Ben Chaplin).
This is only a smidgen of the entire cast, whose stories strive to tell a tale that's really about the abuse of power by those who wield it with god-like authority, and those who have power simply because they are men. In its soapy way, 'World Without End' almost revels in the miserable conditions most women were forced to live simply due to the fact they held status as second-class citizens. There's plenty of such abuse depicted during the 8-hour run of the series, where women are forced into marriages for the sake of their family, or forced to endure the unwanted advances of men simply because they held sway over all things female. In a way, the would-be epic is devoted to portraying the struggles of the underclass (men and women alike), as well as the trials and tribulations of those whose thinking failed to fall in line with the canon of the period.
And through this, Pielmeier's script meets its first major stumbling block. Amongst all the knightly violence and peasants stirring the pot against the almighty church and the king, there appears a litany of very modern ideas and notions, spelled out in overly verbose proclamations that seem incredibly forced and contrived against the backdrop of 14th century England. The artificiality of these concepts and ideas, and, primarily, the way in which those backing them handle the integration of such uncommon principles largely serve to pull the viewer out of the period and into an unnecessarily modern story set against an ancient milieu.
The acknowledgement that theology takes precedence over science – which is largely considered the work of the devil, witches, or other supernatural entities with evil intentions for humanity – or that homosexual relationships were likely common, are not unusual to stories like this – just take a look at other, less historical works of the same ilk and the evidence is quite striking. The problem is the anachronistic manner in which these ideas are presented and dealt with that rings false. The idea of enlightened doctors, feminists, and people practicing actual tolerance in a battle against the ignorance of the status quo feels somewhat before its time and mostly out of place. What the viewer is left with is a miniseries intent on integrating modern elements into the storyline to differentiate the characters from one another and make the tale more palatable to audiences.
The problem is that there are so many characters, the only thing the script manages to do is grant them the thinnest of motivations and thrust them out into the harsh pseudo-reality of 14th century England. Characters lust for power, and that propels them through the story – otherwise they're so good by nature they exist to repeatedly be put upon and tortured for their own kindheartedness. Caris, for example, suffers near-constant recrimination for her efforts to help others, yet continues in her plight. Normally this would be the mark of the hero, but here, the cause and effect of such accusation and punishment is so melodramatic that is goes well beyond the concept of heroism or nobility, and crashes firmly into the realm of stupidity. There's a limit to how long the audience can handle such repetition of failures and successes before the cyclical nature of it all grinds interest to a halt.
'World Without End' is, in the end, a somewhat silly, but ultimately entertaining piece of work that's capable of making the overdramatic elements function within the confines of the tale it is attempting to tell. While it fails to be as compelling as its predecessor, and as such ends up relying more on histrionics than actual history, there's enough going on to make the 8-hour journey mostly worth the effort.
2-Disc Set
1080p AVC/MPEG-4
The Making of Ken Follett's World Without End
'World Without End' comes with a 1080p AVC-encoded transfer that, more often than not, borders on fantastic, but due to a few instances of inconsistency, it fails to receive completely high marks. Mostly, though, the miniseries looks very sharp, and every bit a recent production with all the technological trimmings one might imagine go into a production like this. As much of the town of Kingsbridge was actually physically constructed – then made larger through the use of CGI – the image is able to focus on the actors in a real environment, which certainly makes all the difference. As such, exteriors are typically bright and full of vibrant colors that capture the lush forests surrounding the market town, as well as when the story moves into France and briefly beyond. Interiors and night shots look very good; detail remains high, for the most part, in dimly lit scenes, as shadow delineation is smooth and evenly presented.
Fine detail is good but not great, managing to capture the smaller details of the characters' sometimes elaborate costumes and the scenery. It does, however occasionally miss features on the actors' faces, which would have added another layer of depth to the image quality. That being said, though, contrast remains high throughout with black levels strong and consistent while whites – even in the stark light of day – never look overblown or too hot.
On the downside, in addition to the sometimes inconsistent detail, there are a few scenes where such an extreme amount of grain is present and one begins to wonder if they were shot at the last minute on someone's handheld camcorder. The difference in quality is really quite noticeable and manages to bring the scene in question to a grinding halt. Furthermore, soft focus tends to be an issue in certain scenes, though it is far less jarring than the aforementioned issue of grain.
All in all, though, for an 8-hour miniseries, 'World Without End' looks great when the image is performing at its best, so despite the occasional misfires, the overall verdict is that it's quite good.
As this is more of a drama with romantic undertones, there isn't as much need for a bombastic audio mix the likes of, say, 'The Lord of the Rings' or 'Game of Thrones' would employ – though there is enough clashing of swords to make 'World Without End' a compelling listening experience for the home theater enthusiast. As such, the Blu-ray has been given a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that sounds just as good as any Hollywood blockbuster.
Dialogue is clear throughout, whether the characters are speaking close to one another, or over the din of battle. Mostly, the dialogue can be heard through the center and front speakers, but there are plenty of instances where the rear channels come into play for the purpose of imaging and directionality. It's sound effects, however, that benefit most from the surround sound, and this series is loaded with them. Ambient, atmospheric noises like running water, trees blowing in the breeze, or the sound of peasants toiling over rocky soil are all present here and wonderfully recreated in the audio mix.
Normally, epics like this have an equally large score, and 'World Without End' is no exception. The music by Mychael Danna is effective without being overbearing, and that shows primarily in how it is distributed in the mix. Typically coupled with dialogue and larger sound effects through the front channels, the score will sometimes seep into the rear channels for a more immersive experience. As with the sound effects, however, the score is balanced well and never overwhelms the actors' dialogue.
For such a large miniseries, one would think that more supplemental material would be made available. Instead, 'World Without End' settles for a rather rudimentary "making of" doc that features the kind of fluffy explanations of how the project attracted actors, and glossy compliments to the source material most audiences have come to expect from featurettes like this. While the doc doesn't delve as deeply as it could into the making of the miniseries, or the actual history behind it, there are some worthwhile nuggets of information here that make it watchable.
The Making of World Without End (HD, 24 min.) - There are some insightful snippets from the majority of the cast, which features their take on some key scenes in the miniseries, but mostly it's the appearance of Ken Follett that makes watching this doc worthwhile.
Historical fiction can be something of a tricky device. 'World Without End' is clearly attempting to illustrate the ignorance of a time when fear and superstition ruled with an iron fist, and, in the end, the only way out of it was through some kind of great upheaval – which, ironically enough, was brought about not by mankind's advancement, but through its near annihilation. Much of what is depicted here is too melodramatic and too on the nose to be taken as seriously as the writers and filmmakers would undoubtedly like. It's not going to suit everyone's tastes, but for those who enjoyed 'The Pillars of the Earth,' or are simply a sucker for a long, medieval romance, this lengthy miniseries will serve you well. As an added incentive, the miniseries is presented with a good looking – if sometimes inconsistent – image with impressive sound. Not a must own, but definitely worth a look.


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Brazilská katolická apoštolská církev (port. Igreja Católica Apostólica Brasileira, ICAB) je na Římu nezávislá katolická církev. V červenci 1945 ji založil původně římskokatolický brazilský biskup, kritik Svatého stolce i papežské neomylnosti, Carlos Duarte Costa. Učinil tak několik dní poté, co byl pro své názory z římskokatolické církve exkomunikován.

Tato církev se dělí na 58 diecézí, v roce 2000 dosahoval počet jejích členů 0,5 milionu věřících.

Charakteristika
Brazilská katolická apoštolská církev uznává nicejské, Atanášovo a apoštolské vyznání i sedm svátostí. Svaté přijímání umožňuje všem křesťanům, kteří uznávají, že je při něm svým tělem a krví reálně přítomen Ježíš Kristus.

Duarte Costa zavedl v ICAB řadu reforem v oblastech, které v římskokatolické církvi vnímal jako problematické:
 byl zrušen kněžský celibát
 liturgie byla přeložena do místního jazyka
 od kněží se očekávalo, že budou žít a pracovat mezi lidmi a vydělávat si na živobytí světským zaměstnáním
 rozvod je chápán jako součást reality života; po církevním přezkoumání je možný další sňatek
 křtěny jsou i děti rozvedených či bez partnera žijících rodičů
 za určitých okolností (např. jako prevence nemoci) je za přijatelnou považována kontrola porodnosti.

ICAB se však staví proti potratům, eutanazii, trestu smrti i jiným způsobům zmaření lidského života.

Historie
V roce 1949 brazilská vláda dočasně pozastavila všechny veřejné bohoslužby ICAB, protože podle ní byly matoucí svou podobností s bohoslužbami římskokatolické církve. O několik měsíců později však byly kostely ICAB znovu otevřeny pod podmínkou, že liturgie nebude shodná a že její kněží budou nosit šedý kněžský oděv na rozdíl od černého užívaného v římskokatolické církvi.

V roce 1961 Carlos Duarte Costa zemřel a ICAB několik následujících let procházela neshodami a rozvratem. O vedení církve usilovalo několik uchazečů. Stabilitu a rozvoj jí poté přineslo vedení Castilla Mendeze.

Reference

Externí odkazy
 Oficiální stránky Brazilské katolické apoštolské církve (portugalsky)

Katolické církve
Křesťanství v Brazílii
Organizace založené roku 1945

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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PANSY DIVISION
The Essential Pansy Division
PANSY DIVISION, one of the first openly gay punk bands in history, commemorates their fifteenth year together with The Essential Pansy Division! The boys have picked out thirty songs—from classics like Fem in a Black Leather Jacket and Homo Christmas to their newer hits like No Protection—culled from their six out-of-print Lookout! Records releases as well as their 2003 Alternative Tentacles release Total Entertainment!. Slap on a bonus DVD with music videos, TV appearances and live clips, including their 1994 opening stint for GREEN DAY, and you gotta agree that "essential" is no overstatement on our part. PANSY DIVISION formed in 1991 as a San Francisco-based, fully out-of- he-closet punk band. Their catchy pop hooks and smart, outré lyrics found an enthusiastic audience—both queer and straight—all over the world. It probably isn't too much to say PD's outness and their humorously frank yet sensitive tackling of social and personal issues changed the world a little bit. The Essential Pansy Division is a tidy summation of their groundbreaking career thus far, perfect for the uninitiated or the consummate fan who wants all the hits on one convenient disc.
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The first of a new feature new on Workaday Reads, I have June Stevens here with an interview about the cover of her novel Voodoo Moon.
I wanted to catch the readers eye and make them want to read the books blurb. I also wanted to get as much of an urban fantasy and paranormal feel as I could.
I used a combination of several stock photos in a graphics program.
I am extremely happy with the results, and I've had many compliments.
The only thing I would change if I could would be to have a model of my choice instead of a stock photo model.
I think it portrays a strong, confident heroine with something evil lurking in the background.
Zombies aren't supposed to exist, yet they are turning up all over Nash City. As a member of the Elite Black Blade Guard, Fiona Moon is tasked with hunting down the most dangerous Paranorm criminals. Now she must find out who is kidnapping mages and sucking the life energy from their bodies. To make matters worse, she has to work with the one man that embodies everything she despises.
Ian Barroes is the rich founder and head of the Necromancers Guild and a professor of Necromantic Studies at the Academy of Science and Magic. There is one thing he wants more than anything else in the world… Fiona.
They each hold secrets that could destroy them but could also be the key to destroying the evil Voodoo priest, Bokor. They must learn to trust each other track down Bokor before more innocents are taken, and murdered. To make matters worse, when Fiona becomes a target of the evil madman she is lured into his trap. Now she and Ian have to fight for survival and their very souls.
Thanks so much for hosting my book cover. I'm really interested in your readers' feedback.
Like most new features, I forgot a part – my thoughts on the cover.
I love this cover. It strongly screams UF to me, with a strong heroine. I love the colours, but the face in the moon is creepy. If it was a regular moon, I'd like it that much better.
Ahh, you see I put the creepy face in the moon on purpose… the bad guy is quite creepy and I really wanted an ominous feel to the cover. Though, admittedly, I did leave creepy elements out of the covers for the next two books in the series.


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Zubrowka is one of the best Polish vodkas available, flavoured with a special kind of aromatic bisongrass that is so prized that it costs £400 per kilo. Long renowned for its luxurious flavours and stellar quality, Zubrowka is simply outstanding with apple juice, especially the posh cloudy stuff.
Tried tonight. Unique and wonderful tasting vodka that is easy and pleasant to sip.
Lovely Vodka, slight hint of grass. It pays to shop around as there is a price difference, starting at offers of fifteen UK pounds including VAT for a 700ml bottle in a supermarket.
Perfect taste and perfect to drink plain and icy cold - just love it.
Great with apple juice or plain.
Worst vodka I've ever tasted absolute the worst I've ever tried.
I agree with someone's else's post on here the herbal taste is just added to hide the taste of a horrible vodka. I drink all my vodkas straight out of a glass and no a good vodka there is way better vodka out there for cheaper. Worst vodka ever.
I had this vodka back in '97 while visiting a friend in Zabi R?g. Loved it. There's a reason that it pairs well with apples; the vodka tastes exactly like "Apple Jacks" cereal. Exactly. It's quite easy to over indulge in this stuff!
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This IS a good vodka! Bought a bottle once in Gdansk - didn't know a thing about vodkas and the locals were buying it said (via hand getsures!) that this was the one to go for! And I agree. Most vodkas taste medicinal - my usual pref is Smirnoff Blue . . . where have all the > 40% vodkas gone!!
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Yes! Apple, Ginger and basically any flavours which compliment cinnamon will compliment Zubrowka...I love it with cloudy apple juice, it tastes like apple pie...mmmmmmm!


text:
About Mainstream Weekly
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Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2008 > June 21, 2008 > A Few Questions to the Prime Minister on the Proposed Indo-US Nuclear (...)
Mainstream, Vol XLVI No 27
A Few Questions to the Prime Minister on the Proposed Indo-US Nuclear Deal
Wednesday 25 June 2008, by Sailendra Nath Ghosh
Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh has said the proposed Indo-US civil civil nuclear cooperation deal seeks to "give a new dimension to India's relationship with the United States" and that it would end "nuclear apartheid" the world imposed on India. American supporters of the Bush Administration are persistently conveying the idea that the deal was "very much in India's interest" and that India will be the loser if it misses this great opportunity. The Indian lobbyists for the deal, too, are singing the same tune. Some are even insinuating that the opposers have a pro-Chinese inclination.
Vast majorities of Indians feel that arrogance—whether of the US or of the Chinese variety—will fall to the dust and that India has to think clearly about its interests, regardless of allurements. The Prime Minister must, therefore, give clear and unambiguous answers to the following questions, which have been assailing the minds of the common people of this country.
(i)	What exactly is the direction of the new relationship that the USA contemplates and the Government of India visualises? It does not need much intelligence to perceive that the Bush Administration which, by its Iraq invasion, has landed the USA in a "no-win" situation, in continuing economic drain and an unending prospect of American blood-letting alongside the massacre of Iraqi population and growing alienation of its European allies, is frantically trying to claim, in its fading year, the glory of enlisting India, once the "leader of the non-aligned world", as a "firm partner of a relationship" with the USA (that is, virtually a "camp follower"). How does India view this prospect?
India is not unaware that the USA, by pursuing a hegemonistic policy, has been creating conflicts in many regions of the globe. Will India's personnel be deployed to pull the chestnut out of the fire for the USA? What is the gain that is being dangled before India? Will the proposed "civil nuclear cooperation" deal have wonderful fall-outs in such diverse areas on dissolution of Kashmir imbroglio, resolution of the India-China border dispute, and deterrence to the Chinese drive towards encircling India? If these expectations are unrealistic, what else are the gains envisaged? India has already a friendly relationship with the USA. What is this new order of relationship? Will this not isolate India from the large numbers of developing countries whose days are coming? Will we not earn their hatred and be dubbed as renegade?
A "new dimension of relationship" is a mystical expression. Its direction must be defined, its content spelt out. That is the test of sincerity and steadfastness.
(ii)	True, the Hyde Act does not bind India directly. But does it not bind the US President to report every year to the US Congress whether the country, with which the US concludes the 123 Agreement, has been behaving in a manner conducive to US interests? In this manner, does not the 123 Agreement impinge on the foreign policy of every sovereign nation, which concludes such a deal with the USA?
(iii)	How is it crucial for ending the "nuclear apartheid" against India? Did Russia or France say its cooperation was dependent on India signing the "civil nuclear cooperation" agreement with the USA first?
(iv)	The world knows that India is a de facto nuclear weapon state. Will the signing of this deal mean de jure recognition of India as a "nuclear weapon state"? Supposing that it does, what advantage will it give India? Some people in this country feel that the formally recognised nuclear weapon states have the right to conduct nuclear tests. Is this correct at all? Moreover, will not any such test by the hegemonistic powers or by India—in the given state of global warming and the looming crisis of Life's survival on this planet—deserve universal condemnation?
(v)	If signing the deal with the USA is to end the apartheid against uranium supplies to India, why would India be required to further negotiate with individual countries "in the Nuclear Supplies Group" for uranium supplies? Australia has been persistently saying that it will not supply uranium unless India signs the NPT. What is India's answer to such statements?
(vi)	If it is a fact that our strongest urge for signing this deal comes from our weakness in the form of fuel (uranium) shortage for our existing nuclear power plants, will we not be creating far more vulnerable conditions for ourselves by inviting the USA or other foreign powers to install yet more nuclear reactors in India? Will not the uranium supplying countries keep demanding ever-increasing prices for their materials, in the same manner as the OPEC cartel is dong today? Admittedly, there is no visible sign of any technology emerging for conversion of thorium resources as reactor fuel. Hence more reactors will mean more dependence. Can you deny this?
(vii)	You seem to give high priority to nuclear energy in the given condition of soaring oil prices. You also have said that non-expansion of nuclear energy is a luxury, which we cannot afford. Have you cared to give due thought to the issue that high priority to nuclear energy, which is most expensive, ipso facto, means pre-empting the resources for it and shutting out the chances for alternative forms of energy which yield much larger output per unit of investment? Is this not the road to aggravating the energy crunch?
(viii) In the world today, more so, in tropical countries like ours, should not the highest priority be given to renewable energy systems—to solar and wind energy, mini-hydels and micro-hydels, biofuels (sans food-crop base), dispersed hydrogen production on small scales, and to clean coal technology, battery technology, fuel cell and hybrid propulsion technologies (for transport)? It is known that the global giants of petroleum and petrochemical corporations, in the interest of keeping their profit levels high, have been belittling the potentials of the renewable forms of energy in the same manner as the chemical fertilisers interests had earlier been deriding the potential of organic farming and sericulture until their own destructive character becamse apparent. Should you be blinded by these? Why do you not take counsel with your renewable energy advisors and throw the challenges at them?
(ix)	While advocating the importance of nuclear energy for meeting our needs, you have said that care should also be taken to see that fissionable material does not fall into the terrorists' hands. Would you pause to take note that in today's world, no technology, no material can be kept out of the hands of determined groups? Why try to delude yourself by imagining that both are possible? Moreover, will it not be naive to think that there will be no human error and no such technical fault as can occasion catastrophes like the Three-Mile Island and Chernobyl? Will you care to heed the words of Lord Rutherford, the discoverer of the structure of atoms, in regard to tapping nuclear power for economic enterprises? Would you listen to the advice of Heisenberg, another maker of modern physics and propounder of the Uncertainty Principle, to avoid "demonic science", which implicitly includes the pursuit of super-hazardous enterprises too?
(x)	The pro-deal lobby tells us that if the deal is concluded, we would get the benefits of advanced technologies. There is no whisper of any new process in uranium enrichment or reprocessing of the spent fuel or safe disposal of the nuclear wastes, which the US has developed and our scientists lack. During the last twenty years, the American people have not allowed any nuclear reactor to be set up. There has been an atmosphere of pervasive discouragement of nuclear power in the USA and some other countries. So, what is the advanced civil nuclear technology we hope to get through the deal? Do you hope for the transfer of some "dual-purpose" technologies, which would enhance our strategic capabilities, as a fall-out of this deal? The US industrial-military complexes have a reputation for tantalising. Unless India agrees to become a satellite state, there is no basis for this hope.
(xi)	Dear Prime Minister, under your stewardship, India voted in an international forum against Iran's programme for uranium enrichment. Our plea was that the emergence of yet another nuclear-armed state in India's vicinity would not be conducive to international peace. But is it at all a defensible proposition that the US, the UK, France, Russia and China will keep stockpiling nuclear arms, and Israel, India and Pakistan will have nuclear arms as a deterrence against aggression but Iran should not have it despite the USA's repeated threats against it? True, Iran is the epicentre of Shia jihadism. But is that not an issue for a separate kind of battle, for a battle against the distortion of Islam, against the perversion of Quran's core message of the Unity of Mankind? One perversion cannot cure another perversion. Only justice and equity can.
TO secure non-proliferation, all nuclear weapon states must first start to dismantle and destroy their nuclear weapons. And a regime of non-entropic use of energy, the principle of nature-harmonic lifestyle, and satisfaction of all genuine needs of life by non-polluting and renewable forms of energy—which are now discerned as eminently practicable—will have to be installed as the human agenda. Without this, survival of life on this planet will become impossible. Just as Nature protested against our use of petroleum—which she had kept hidden in her vaults in the deep sub-surface—as our regular energy-income flow rather than as a fixed deposit—this she did by emitting pollutants and greenhouse gases—Nature's revenge against the use of nuclear energy, hidden deep in the atom's interior, will spell the doom sooner. The use of gargantuan nuclear energy will soon become a nightmare. Its beneficient use can only be in minute doses in medicine.
The need, therefore, is the start of a powerful campaign for Universal Nuclear Disarmament. Our late Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, had taken some initiative in this regard. Due to our political classes' ambivalence, rooted in our lack of perspicacity, it has faded out. It must be revived and vigorously pursued. Will you, Mr Prime Minister, move for a UN declaration for banning the use of nuclear weapons and for universal nuclear disarmament? Fortunately, the great philosopher-scientist, Niels Bohr, has left his impassioned address, laden with scientific reasoning, in the form of a memorandum to the US Secretary of States, dated May 17, 1948, and later, in an "open letter to the United Nations", dated June 9, 1950. Of course, he had not pleaded against nuclear power generation. In his time, none except Lord Rutherford could warn about its danger. But Niels Bohr could foresee the "dangers of unprecedented character" from "disastrous competition in such formidable armaments". Therefore, he pleaded for (i) "international control of the manufacture and use of these powerful materials", (ii) "universal access to full information about scientific discoveries" and (iii) "international control of every major technical enterprise, industrial as well as military", in the domain of nuclear energy. In today's milieu of pervasive distrust, this is even more difficult. The emerging prospect of nuclear terror and the realisation of dangers of "radioactivity spread" from every aspect of nuclear power generation, and the emerging technologies in renewable energy are making nuclear energy an anachronism.
You would not believe this now. But why not give top priority to the far less expensive renewable forms of energy and clean coal technology (including integrated gasification with combined cycle technology) and keep your nuclear energy as the "last of the priorities"? Since the real cost of nuclear energy is about twice the cost of electricity generation by the clean coal technology route, how can it deserve a higher priority? And since mankind does not as yet know how to dispose of the nuclear wastes, can we go on generating these wastes?
December 20, 2008 - Annual Number 2008
In Defence of National Interest
The Tryst of a Woman of Nandigram
Some Concerns about GM Foods
Free Trade leads to Hunger
Not Cricket but a Gambling Sport
Cricket as Surrogate Kill
Caricaturing Cricket
Indepth Study of Farmers' Suicides, their Causes and Remedies
2022 Mainstream
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