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ELENA POPTODOROVA: BULGARIAN ATLANTICS OFFER HEALTH SHIELD FOR EUROPE
April 25, 2020, Marica.bg
How will the COVID-19 pandemic that changed us change Europe?
"She's already changing it." The pandemic is a fundamental test of the fundamental values on which the EU, a united Europe and NATO are built. Unity and solidarity come first. It is precisely these two basic properties that are subjected to a very severe, perhaps the most severe test. It was touching to tears when I saw this mutual help, spontaneous readiness to help sick people, medics. This is wonderful.
The same thing happened within the EU and NATO. The exchange of shipments between countries, the help of those most affected by the pandemic Italy, Spain. And we received such a shipment of medical supplies on NATO planes. This suddenly brought the continent together, brought Europe together.
Let's look at the Western Balkans and appreciate what joining the European Union has brought us
There will be no serious talks on the new Marshall Plan before July 1, when the German presidency begins
Is Bulgaria a better place to live 15 years after the historic date of April 25, 2005, when Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha signed the Treaty of Accession to the EU?
In any case, today Bulgaria is a better place to live. We must have reasons for daily dissatisfaction, we want to be much ahead in critical sectors. But let's look at what we've gained from our starting point. It is enough to look around and see the situation of our neighbors in the Western Balkans, who are still struggling to start real membership negotiations. This comparison alone is enough to assess what we have today, 15 years from now.
Yes, we certainly could have done more, but there is no going back
This is the most important finding and is a huge achievement for us, the Bulgarians.
Exactly on April 25, 2020, the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty will be marked with an international virtual scientific conference on "European solidarity during the corona crisis", organized by PanEuropa Bulgaria, the Atlantic Club and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Bulgaria.
What is the most important thing we managed to achieve in this period?
The most obvious is the free movement of people, capital, goods. What was divided by deep lines until 1990, and we now perceive as a natural state. We don't even think about the meaning of free travel. The idea is to have accounts inside and outside Bulgaria, to be able to trade goods in all directions of the world, with ever-decreasing trade tariffs and barriers, especially within the EU. These are tangible, visible benefits.
We are lagging behind and it is most difficult for us to live in a European manner and pattern
The crown, the halo of Bulgaria as a European country will occur when we feel like "we are Europe". The majority of Bulgarians still think in the "they are Europe" dimension.
Maybe we are hurt by the feeling that we are the poorest in the EU?
It is not only a question of poverty as a statistical dimension, but also how we keep our environment clean, tidy, respectful of the other. These are all cultural dimensions of membership that are the most difficult to change. And I deeply believe that these more tangible parameters will inevitably bring the other most important change for me.
Where should we focus our efforts from now on?
We need to develop more openness, that's why education is so important. It is very necessary for children to take an open view of the world from an early age. They need to understand that, regardless of any political interpretation, they live in an open world.
The Internet reality is already flooding us, and against the background of the pandemic, the world is becoming much more virtual. The world opens up, whether we accept it or like it. We must not sacrifice our new generations by imposing a closed worldview. That is why education acquires even more critical dimensions.
Will the famous Marshall Plan, a double of the first one that resurrected Europe from the ruins after the Second World War, also work for the coronavirus pandemic?
This is a very interesting moment in the development of Europe, because the original "Marshall Plan" came to Europe from the United States, from an external friendly force. Now, however, the new Marshall Plan will include internal measures for which countries agree to provide funds. According to Internal Market and Services Commissioner Thierry Breton, the EU will need 1.6 trillion euros to recover from the pandemic, which is about 10 percent of EU GDP. But that 10 percent must come from all of us. The big question is how the states will agree on this. There are countries that are more skeptical about grants.
However, I do not think that a serious conversation about the new Marshall Plan will begin before July 1, when the German EU presidency begins.
It is a good sign that things will happen during Germany's EU presidency – the locomotive of Europe. In all the badness of the situation, this is a good coincidence.
A compromise will finally have to be found between North and South Europe. This tension has been smoldering beneath the surface for a long time, but now a solution must be sought. The North will have to accept compromises to help the weaker economies of the South in the face of Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece. Probably we should include ourselves here. Although so far we have missed the severe consequences.
The pandemic raises another important question for Europe – how will relations with China develop from now on?
Relations with China are a serious problem. President Trump was usually unceremonious, but he was essentially right. The enthusiasm for quick and easy profits led to the fact that key productions – both for Europe and the United States – were exported to China. And now the moment of truth came again – they began to return.
It is very indicative whether the EU will find an internal consensus on China, which will again go through purely economic and financial accounts.
It should already be assessed very carefully who from outside wants to buy European companies, who will invest in the EU from outside.
The Atlantic Club launched an international initiative in response to a request from EC President Ursula von der Leyen for ideas on how to develop Europe after the coronavirus. What are the main highlights of the initiative?
The initiative, called Health Shield for Europe, is supported by the signatures of authoritative European leaders, Bulgarian scientists, non-governmental organizations. In addition to health measures, including risks in food trade, the initiative includes longer-term measures to strengthen EU trade regulations, ensuring the security of the European economy and development.
There are no longer any illusions that recovery from the pandemic will be a long process
"Even Microsoft founder and renowned philanthropist Bill Gates warned that it would be at least 18 months before a vaccine or drug could be developed to tackle the epidemic."
Will we cope with the challenge?
Yes of course! So much knowledge has been accumulated around the world that there is no way the Covid-19 obstacle cannot be overcome like so many others before. However, they must be sober realists – this will have a very high price!
How will the coronavirus crisis affect overseas policy? Will Trump win a second term?
He is no longer guaranteed a second term. It will all depend on the pace of recovery in the US economy. Another disadvantage for Trump is the severe health effect of the epidemic. In this situation, Democratic candidate for the White House Joe Biden suddenly got a better chance than a month ago, and is now becoming an equal rival of Trump for the White House.
I know Joe Biden, I had the opportunity to work with him – he is an experienced politician and a warm person who knows how to communicate with people. Trump would be useful in rebuilding the economy, and Biden would be better suited to heal the nation's social wounds after the epidemic. One thing is certain – the US election has become extremely interesting.
Elena Poptodorova is an international diplomat and analyst. She graduated in English and Italian philology at Sofia University, diplomacy at the University of National and World Economy. He specializes in Great Britain and Italy. Long-term ambassador of Bulgaria to the United States. Member of Parliament with 4 seats in parliament. Vice President of the Atlantic Treaty Association, Director of Euro-Atlantic Activities at the Bulgarian Atlantic Club. He speaks English, Italian, Russian, French.
The interview was taken by: Henrieta Kostova
Source: Marica.bg
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You are here: Home1 / preventing vandalism
Vandalism and Decreasing Property Values
November 3, 2020 /in Blog /by Admin
A study has been done which demonstrates that where crime rates go up, property prices go down. When property prices go down, the economic livelihood of a community suffers. All kinds of crime contribute to this housing value avalanche, even crimes which at first glance may seem harmless, such as vandalism.
However, vandalism is actually the crime which most negatively effects the economic values of homes in an area. The reason behind this reality is that crimes do not occur in a vacuum, isolated from each other. The repeated occurrences of crime in one area foster an atmosphere of lawlessness which emboldens would-be criminals to actualize their illegal intentions. After a certain number of crimes occur in a single area, the atmosphere gives birth to a crime hot spot.
Crime hot spots cause a significant decrease in housing prices in the immediate area, even more so than the average crime rate of the whole town. And the worst kind of hot spot is a vandalism hot spot. The logic is such: vandalism affects the appearance of an area long term, allowing everyone to witness the continual aftermath of a crime. House buyers read the anarchy and vulgarities of vandalism as a sign that no authority is in control of the area, that the neighborhood is in decline, and so they avoid these areas if they can. Research suggests that physically observable crimes more effectively induce fear in the community than non-observable crimes. Thus, the strongest correlation between levels of different kinds of crime that can be found is between presence of vandalism hot spots in a community and violence, care theft, and house burglary.
The best way to combat vandalism and defend the economic livelihood of a community is to utilize crime deterrent cameras. Most vandalism is extremely expensive to erase and repair and occurs at times when there is little chance of the perps being caught in the act. Therefore, by strategically placing crime deterrent cameras, would-be vandals will be halted before they have a chance to commit the rapid, yet costly crime. And preventing vandalism will benefit communities immensely, by removing this catalyst crime.
#FightVandalism #ProtectOurCities #NoGraffiti
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Park Vandalism Affects our Community
June 26, 2019 /in Blog /by
Our community's public parks were built in order to bring recreation and joy to all who patronize them. Why certain individuals decide to vandalize these wonderful places, we may never fully know. Whether it's to blow off steam or mindless boredom, the fact remains that our parks are easily accessible to the public, and as such, will continue to be a likely target for would-be vandals. What these vandals obviously do not take into consideration, however, is the toll the consequences of their actions have on the community that enjoys visiting these beautiful places.
In addition to the physical dangers vandalism incurs at our parks, the emotional distress that park patrons suffer upon learning they are victims of this heinous crime is also of serious concern. "The impact of vandalism, as well as other related crime, on victims results in emotional, psychological, physical, financial, social, and spiritual consequences" (National Institute of Mental Health, 2006). Children who frequent parks are inspired to develop their creative imagination and social bonds when they are engaged in what's known as "free play". In the event of park closure due to an act of vandalism, children are deprived of this emotional development which can lead to complications such as depression and anxiety in social situations. A child may not fully comprehend how or why someone has vandalized their play area, leading to acting out anger episodes and fits.
When a Virginia Beach park's playground equipment was vandalized with derogatory sayings in January of 2015, children who had regularly enjoyed the park were visibly upset by the act. Izabella Garcia told ABC news, "It makes me feel uncomfortable to be on the swings and look at what they wrote. It just makes me feel like I shouldn't be there." Izabella mentioned that it makes her not want to play there anymore, which shows firsthand the distress vandalism causes to children.
Parks that suffer from recurrent vandalism may be perceived by community members that neighborhood crime is on the rise, causing fear, mistrust, and anxiety towards other residents. This type of personal isolation leaves a community more susceptible and vulnerable to further crime and acts of violence. Forcing the neighborhood in which one lives down a dark road of crime and urban decay.
It is important the parks departments deter these nuisance crimes to prevent the emotional distress these crimes cause the community.
https://www.qstartech.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Park.jpg 321 640 https://www.qstartech.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Q-Star-logo.png 2019-06-26 12:39:232020-03-24 10:38:52Park Vandalism Affects our Community
Vandalism Costs Parks
August 28, 2018 /in Blog /by
Vandalism at city owned and maintained parks occurs all too often. The various aftermath effects incurred from this type of crime delve deeper than what is on the surface. The effect that strikes the hardest is the cost of repair due to vandalism.
Playground equipment can cost as much as $150,000.
Without the proper funds to repair vandalized playground equipment, child safety comes into question and the area where the damage has occurred will have to be closed to the public. Vandalized maintenance equipment can cost thousands of dollars to repair and the park cannot be properly maintained. Due to the already tight budgets allocated to city parks, it can take weeks or months before a park can be reopened to be enjoyed by the public once again.
When vandalism befalls one of our national parks, the consequences can prove disastrous. Fragile ecosystems can be rendered unrepairable from illegal dumping or littering, causing lakes and streams to become polluted. Natural rock formations and caves adorned with much graffiti are beautiful no more. When these gorgeous areas are defaced, it costs everyone, as they are meant to be enjoyed by all. Money spent to repair a vandalized national park would be better spent to improve their natural beauty and a park patron's experience.
It is important to try to prevent park assets from being vandalized. These assets often include playground equipment, trashcans, restroom facilities, tables and benches, and recreational structures. All these items can cost quite a bit to repair or replace. Prevention, crime deterrent methods, are better than repair and replace. We must do what is in our power to keep our beautiful parks open for all to enjoy.
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Are Video Surveillance Systems Proactive Solutions for School Vandalism?
December 29, 2015 /in Blog /by
Recently, there was a heartbreaking vandalism incident at Albuquerque Public Schools, NM. The Albuquerque Journal reported the estimated cost of damage to be more than $80,000. The school had a video surveillance system in place, and the captured video has been released on their Facebook page.
In the video, there appears to be three girls in a restricted area scanning the space. The surveillance system continues to pan across, away from the suspects, and ultimately faces the wall. By the time the camera pans back to where the suspects were first seen, the video shows the last suspect climbing over a wall with what appears to be a hammer in one hand. This video system successfully captured evidence of the suspects entering the school, but did not help protect the school from the $80,000 destruction from taking place. These suspects "pretty much trashed and broke as much as they could," said John Dufay, Albuquerque Public Schools Executive Director of Operations.
Nothing is more frustrating when viewing the video images than seeing the three suspects clearly enter the facility, but not being able to clearly identify the suspects due to the limited resolution and image clarity. There is solid evidence of them entering the facility, but who are they? If the school had supplemental tools that captured higher resolution images for identification purposes to complement the video system, or ideally even stopped the vandals from even entering the school, less time and resources would be required to reverse this extreme case of vandalism. Imagine the amount of time it takes to find these few seconds of the suspects captured on video, having to fast forward through several days of footage after a holiday break?
Vandalism prevention efforts are ultimately more efficient by costing less money and time. In addition to the required resources to reverse and repair these damages, the emotional impact that school vandalism has on the students and faculty cannot be overlooked. It is critical to implement a game plan to protect schools from these types of nuisance crimes proactively as a long term strategy for maintaining school safety.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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After losing Dēmushu's trail, Kouta returns to his friends and tells them that Takatora has sided with them with Mitsuzane hiding his displeasure. The next day, though his sister is fine that he does not have a job as he found something that makes him happy, Kouta loses his résumés while he is forced to deal with an Inves attack. Despite the set backs, Bando gives him a job at Drupers . In Helheim Forest, as Dēmushu is being punished for attacking the outsiders, Mitsuzane attempts to kill Kaito to conceal his actions against Kouta. Kaito explains that while they are enemies, he has no intent to tell Kouta the truth. At the Yggdrasill Corporation, Takatora holds a meeting to discuss hunting down the Over Lords for an alternative to Project Ark. After telling Mitsuzane how Kouta has restored his hope for the future, the two of them along with Yoko and Sid depart for Helheim Forest in search for the Over Lords. However, Zangetsu Shin is attacked by Sigurd and Marika as Ryoma arrives to keep him from escaping. Realizing that he has been betrayed by the conspirators, Takatora tells Mitsuzane to report the treachery and help Kouta before he is knocked over a cliff. As Ryoma's group is confident that his older brother is done for, Mitsuzane takes Takatora's Genesis Driver and Melon Energy Lockseed for his own use. After learning that there is no one named Takatora working in Yggdrasill, Kouta returns to Drupers to serve Kaito until he is tasked to make a delivery at a site where he is ambushed by Mitsuzane as Zangetsu Shin. With Kaito coming to his aid, Kouta becomes Gaim Kachidoki Arms to stop the fight between Baron Lemon Energy Arms and Zangetsu Shin to find out what is wrong with the latter. Zangetsu Shin refuses to answer and summons a pack of Inves before escaping. Once the Inves are destroyed, Kaito tells Kouta to stop trusting others so easily while leaving him with a warning to be careful of those he thinks are his friends. Back at the Yggdrasill Corporation headquarters, though believing that he would be unopposed in his goal, Ryoma finds that his laboratory has been destroyed by Sid. Telling Ryoma and Yoko that he only allied himself with them as they had a mutual enemy in Takatora, Sid explains he is going to obtain the Forbidden Fruit as he escapes through the now closing Crack in the sacred tree.[29]
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Do you have dark circles? Do they affect your self esteem, or depress you? How can you get rid of dark circle? Are you wondering why you even have them? There are many different causes for dark circles. The main ones being, lack of sleep, stress and too much caffeine. This brings an unhealthy look to your face. There are many different products now available in stores. They are huge brands who advertise great products, with your favorite celebrities telling you that they work. They also promise to make your dark circles under your eyes vanish, overnight. But, let us face the truth! It isn't that easy to regain your health and lose the dark circles easily.
Using natural remedies is the best idea to nourish your skin. These natural remedies will help you get rid of unhealthy skin around the eye area. By using these remedies regularly, you will be completely satisfied. You need to make sure that you follow a healthy lifestyle, in order to get the best results.
How great would it be to treat yourself with natural ingredients? Most of these remedies are available in your kitchen. So walk towards the kitchen to feed yourself and to treat your skin. Here are some natural home remedies, which will help you get rid of saggy bags or dark circles under your eyes.
Potato consists of natural bleaching agents, which will help to lighten the dark circles and remove the puffiness near the eyes. What you need to do is, take two chilled potatoes and extract its juice. You can cut them into pieces, blend them and sieve it. Take a cotton ball and dip it into the potato juice. Flatten the cotton balls with your fingers and place it on the dark circles. Make sure that the juice covers your the affected area. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse off with cool water. You need to apply cream on this area. Continue this every day till you notice the change.
In case you find this process of extracting juice to be time consuming, you can take thick potato slices and place them on the dark circles. and repeat the same procedure.
You can mix equal quantities on potato and cucumber juice. Apply this juice on the dark circles and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse it off with normal water. Do this regularly to notice the change.
Cucumber has skin lightening agents and acts as the best astringent. Cucumber is very quick in treating dark circles and one can rely on it completely for this purpose. It is a very good skin toner as well. Cut the cucumber into thick slices and place them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Remove them and place them on the affected area for at least 10 minutes. Wash it off with normal water. It will give you the best relief from dark circles. It is a common remedy used to tone the skin. This does not only remove dark circles but relaxes the eyes.
Rose water has incredible skin care properties. These properties will relieve you from dark circles quickly. Place two cotton balls in rose water and soak them for a few minutes. Now remove them and place them on your eye lids. You need to leave it on for 10 minutes. Doing this twice daily for a few weeks will completely remove the dark circles around the eyes. It has proved to be a very effective method for many. It is also adopted due to the low cost factor.
One of the most beneficial natural ingredients for delicate skin around the eyes is almond oil. Using almond oil regularly will definitely lighten the skin around the eyes. Place few drops of almond oil on your fingers and gently massage it in, around your eyes. You need to do this every night before going to bed.
You should wash it off the next morning with cold water. It may seem a bit oily at first but you can cleanse it while taking a bath. You need to repeat the same procedure everyday till they completely vanish.
Tomato is also a great skin lightening agent with certain properties that will help clear the area around the eyes. Take one teaspoon of tomato juice and mix it in one teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply this mixture, gently on the affected area. Allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes. Rinse it off gently with cold water. Follow this remedy twice, daily till you notice reduction in the dark circles.
You can also drink a whole glass of tomato juice with mint leaves. Add a pinch of salt and one tablespoon of lemon juice. Mix it well and drink it. This will work inside your body and reduce the dark circles. You need to drink this juice immediately after making it, for the maximum results.
Cold water works really well to constrict the blood vessels under the eyes. This will help to reduce dark circles and eye puffiness. Take a soft cloth and soak it in cold water for a few minutes. You can also use cold milk in the place of cold water. Place it directly on your eye lids, for 5 to 7 minutes. You can also choose to wrap ice cubes in a towel and place it on your eye lids. Anything frozen can be placed on the eye lids like frozen peas, cold spoon or even a chilled tea bag. Repeat the same process three to four times everyday for a few weeks.
Just like potato, lemon juice also holds bleaching properties. Vitamin C will help to remove the dark circles around the eyes. You can place a cotton ball dipped in fresh lemon juice on the affected area. Leave it on for fifteen minutes and wash it off with normal water. Repeat to see results.
Another remedy is to make a paste and apply it around the area. The paste consists of one tablespoon of lemon juice, a pinch of gram flour and turmeric powder along with two tablespoons of tomato puree. Rinse off with clean water after 15 minutes. Repeat this process at least 2 to 3 times a week to regain your skin tone around the eye area. The dark circles will vanish in a few weeks.
Take a teaspoon of turmeric paste, tomato puree and orange lentil flour and mix it together, with a few drops of lemon juice. Apply this thick paste on the dark circles and leave it on for 30 minutes. It must be washed off with normal water.
Along with reducing dark circles, mint leaves give a cooling effect to the eyes. This is a natural remedy that will soothe and refresh your eyes. Take five to six mint leaves and crush them. Apply these leaves around the eyes and leave it on for 10 minutes. Wipe it off with a cold cloth. You need to be very gentle, as you are contacting a very sensitive area. This is the most effective natural remedy to cure under eye dark circles.
Another remedy to cure dark circles is by adding mint leaves paste to tomato juice. You need to apply this paste on the dark circles and leave it on for 5 to 7 minutes. Rinse off this area with cold water.
Apple consists of tannic acid that will help to lighten the skin tone. Vitamins B and C along with potassium act as a great aid to nourish sensitive skin around the eyes. You need to take a ripe apple and cut it into large slices. Place these slices under the eyes and leave it on for half an hour. Wash the skin with cold water and apply a cream.You can also apply a paste made from boiled green apple, under the eyes. Leave it on for around half an hour and rinse off with lukewarm water.
Turmeric has many different benefits and it is called 'Holy Powder' because of this. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help to clear the dark circles. You need to take two teaspoons of turmeric powder and add it to a few drops of pine apple juice. Apply this paste on the dark circles and leave it on for at least 10 minutes. Wipe it off with a damp cloth.
It doesn't just remove the dark circles; it also makes the skin around the eyes, smooth and soft. You need to follow this everyday to notice the difference.
Soak a few chamomile tea bags in hot water and rinse it in cool water. Create an eye pack and place it on your eyes. Leave it on for 20 minutes, and wash the area with plain water. This is a very effective method to diminish dark circles around the eyes.
Along with using these natural remedies, you can also prevent dark circles by making a few changes to your lifestyle. This is a natural treatment of reducing dark circles permanently! Yes, it is true, if you remove and add a few things to your life you can prevent dark circles from coming back.
Consuming lots of fruits and vegetables will help in clearing dark circles. The fibrous contents will clear all the toxins in the body.
Sleep is essential; you need to sleep for at least 7 to 9 hours per day. Lack of sleep is the major cause for dark circles.
Try to avoid eating sweets, as people with a sweet tooth are more prone to dark circles.
Avoid drinking, smoking and eating junk food will help to prevent under eye dark circles.
Do not use too much make up or chemical bleaching around the eye area.
Drinking fruit juice everyday will heal dark circles.
Make sure you consume Vitamin B, E and iron. Consuming Vitamin E will help cure dark circles.
Vitamin C is the most important vitamin for improving skin health. If you do not add enough vitamin C into your diet, you will be in a risk of having unhealthy skin. If used in your daily life, you will see a fresh glow on your skin every day. Add oranges, lemon or grape fruit to your daily diet.
Fluid retention is a cause of excessive salt consumption. This will lead to under eye puffiness. Reduce salt intake to see a visible change in just one day.
Dark circles under the eyes are mostly caused by aging skin. As the area becomes really thin and delicate, it needs to be improved by toning the skin with water. Including a healthy diet and exercises to your day will expel dark circles. If you are unable to escape stressful times or late night work, you can add these simple natural remedies to reduce the dark circles.
With the rising stress levels in our lives, more and more people are suffering from skin problems like under eye dark circles. Since there was an overwhelming response to the above article, we thought we thought we will extend the article so that you will have a great many options to choose from to bid your dark circles a firm goodbye. These are easy to follow remedies and also easy to get, right from your kitchen, and with this comprehensive article, we hope that your dark circles will be a thing of the past.
Your under-eye circle is a dead giveaway of your stressful life. The more you try to hide them the more evident they are. The reason why you are bombarded with questions by everyone you meet. "Didn't you sleep last night?", "Are you stressed?", "Are you ill?" These are questions that get on your nerves but they also point to the fact that you have a problem with dark circles.
Needless to say, it's high time you start paying attention and deal with it. Hiding behind fashionable sunnies or putting on a primer might be a temporary solution, but you need a permanent one for sure. When it comes to looking presentable, you should be willing to walk the extra mile to get rid of the problem. If you are wondering, what you should do to remove them or how to get rid of dark circles, you've come to the right place!
The first thing you should do is to find out why you have them. You are slathering on the under eye cream every night without fail, yet those tell-tale signs of stress refuse to fade away, so let's find out the truth behind dark circles and what you should do to get rid of them.
Today we always look for quick solutions and pop pills merrily to get rid of our beauty or health problems and suffer the long-term consequences. But we don't think that we have a ready solution right before our eyes. Yes, our kitchen, a veritable treasure trove. Eyes are the mirrors of the soul, and if we don't make efforts to look after them and the sensitive skin around them, gradually the condition of our skin will deteriorate and we will have to suffer the repercussions.
Milk contains antioxidants for glowing skin, and gives it a certain luminosity and a translucent quality which your expensive creams fail to give.
What we have to do is take a cotton ball and place it in a bowl of cold milk or iced water for a while.
Take out the cotton ball and dab it carefully around your eyes. Keep it for a while and wash it carefully with water.
Coconut is a great natural moisturizer and lemon acts a great bleaching agent. Cucumber has skin-lightening and mildly astringent properties that help set right those giant panda eyes naturally. They also help to refresh you considerably.
Mix all these ingredients together and keep in the fridge.
Cover the eyes with cotton wool and apply the mask over it ensuring that the pack does not drip into the eyes.
Lie down and relax for at least twenty minutes before washing it off with clean water or you can use cold milk for further relaxation.
Tomatoes are full of various nutrients like vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Sulfur, Iron, Potassium, Phosphorus, and Calcium. They have great bleaching properties and can diminish the dark circles under eyes to a great extent. Lemon juice has similar properties. Combining these two natural agents you can get rid of your dark circles with great effectiveness.
Mix the lemon juice, turmeric and gram flour to this tomato juice.
Leave for 15-20 minutes. Wash off with cool water or cold milk, with gentle rotating motions.
The curcumin component of turmeric is an excellent antioxidant which has anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that help reduce the dark pigments under your eye. The bromelain enzyme of pineapple has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce damage caused by free radicals. It helps reduce the inflammation and lightens the dark under eye circles. It is a great dark circle treatment.
Fresh pineapple juice- 1-2 tsp.
Apply this to the area around your eyes covering the area of the dark circles completely.
Leave for 20-30 minutes. Wash with water or cold milk as turmeric tends to leave behind ugly stains.
The acidic and astringent properties of buttermilk can lighten the under eye circles effectively.
Leave for 15-20 minutes. Wash off with milk or water and take extra care as turmeric leaves behind stains.
Castor oil is a good source of fatty acids that greatly helps to improve the skin tone and rejuvenates it further. Fresh cream, on the other hand, contains lactic acid which helps reduce the puffiness and fine lines.
Fresh cream – 1 tsp.
Castor oil – 1 tsp.
Take a bowl and add the fresh cream and castor oil into it, mix it well.
Now apply this castor oil and fresh cream paste over the closed eyelids and under the eyes. Leave it for 10-15 minutes.
Later wash the eye area with lukewarm water and dry the area.
This process can be repeated twice in a day for two weeks or until you notice a visible change in the dark under eyes.
This remedy is easy and can make the area under the eye smooth and free of dark circles. Almond oil is a natural moisturize, which helps preserve the elasticity and suppleness of the sensitive area around the eye.
Mashed avocado – 1 tsp.
Add the almond oil into the mashed avocado mixture and blend it well.
Now dip a cotton ball into this almond oil and mashed avocado mixture, and apply it over the closed eyelids and under the eyes.
Leave this avocado and almond oil mixture for about 15-20 minutes.
Later rinse the water and pat the eye area dry gently.
This process can be repeated twice in a day to reduce the puffiness under eyes and the dark circles.
Night jasmine has ophthalmic, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties that helps to reduce the stress, which is the prime reason for dark circles.
Mix 2 drops of jasmine essential oil and 2 tablespoons of olive, almond, or vegetable oil.
Apply to the area around eyes and gently massage for 3 – 4 minutes.
Leave for 20 – 30 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.
Nutmeg is known to work against blemishes and helps lighten darkened skin due to the presence of vitamin E and vitamin C.
Take two teaspoons of nutmeg powder and mix enough milk to make a paste.
Keep it on overnight and rinse off the next morning.
Honey is a great moisturizer and soothes the area under the eye to a great extent. It is especially effective when mixed with vitamin E and egg white. This is a wonderful natural home remedy for dark circles.
Ground 1 vitamin E tablet and add 1/2 teaspoon of raw honey and 1egg white.
Mix it well and apply this all around the eyes, then wash off with water and dry.
You have to do it regularly to get great results.
You can use vitamin E oil.
Lemon juice is a potent source of vitamin C which makes it a natural skin bleaching agent, and if this concoction is used regularly, it will yield great results.
Fresh lemon juice – ½ tsp.
Add the mint leaves into the blender and blend or juice it, so that you get ample amount of juice.
Now to this mint juice, add the fresh lemon juice and mix it well.
Dip a cotton ball into this solution and apply it over the closed eyelids and under the eyes.
Leave it on for about 10-15 minutes to let it work.
Later wash the face with lukewarm water and gently pat the area dry with a soft napkin.
This process can be repeated twice in a day for a week or until the dark area under your eyes reduces significantly.
Honey and banana both have great moisturizing qualities and the moisture from these ingredients helps moisturize the area, thus taking care of the sensitive area.
Mash a banana and add 1 tablespoon of honey.
Apply this on the dark circles.
Wash off with water after 20 minutes.
You can also add mashed avocado for effective results.
Coconut oil is considered as one of the best and most natural skin moisturizers. The dryness under your eyes causes dark circles, so if you want to get rid of that, use this remedy. So if you are wondering how to reduce dark circles under eyes, coconut oil is a great answer to your skin problems.
Organic coconut oil – ½ tsp.
Use your fingertips to massage the organic coconut oil over the closed eyelids as well as under the eyes for good 2-3 minutes.
This should be left overnight to get best results.
Wash the area gently next morning.
This process can be followed for 2 weeks or until the dark circles disappear.
Green papaya can be very effectively used to remove dark circles. It takes a few weeks to show results and you need to follow the process twice a day to get the best results.
Take a small cube of green papaya and keep it in the fridge. After 10 minutes, start rubbing it around your eyes, taking extra care to rub it in your dark circles and eyelids. Do not be rough on the skin as that can hurt the eyes and harm the soft skin of this area. Continue rubbing lightly with this papaya cube for 8-10 minutes and leave on. Wash off after 5 minutes with plain water.
If your dark circles are a result of dry skin, the wholesome fatty acids of avocados can come to your rescue. The avocado contains Vitamin B along with Vitamin E and Vitamin K which softens the area around your eye and reduces the dark circles. Count it as one of the best natural remedies for dark circles.
Squash some avocado and add almond oil to this mash of avocado. Apply this to your dark circles and leave for 15-20 minutes.
You can even utilize avocado oil on your dark circles to dispose of them.
Green apple is great to rejuvenate the area under your eyes. The nutrients in the apple help lighten the skin considerably.
Take about 2-3 cups of water and let it boil over the heat.
Add green apple to the boiling water and let it cook for about 5-10 minutes or until the outer layer of the apple becomes tender.
Later take it off the flame and cool it down.
Peel the outer layer of this cooked green apple and leave it over the eyelids for 15-30 minutes.
You can repeat this process twice in a day as it is a fantastic dark circles treatment.
You need to make some lifestyle changes in order to get rid of your dark circles permanently. A few simple changes can do wonders. So follow the methods and you will see a positive change in you for sure.
Drink lots of water to keep you hydrated and flush away toxins.
Have lots of green veggies.
Have a diet rich in vitamins A and E. A diet rich in all basic nutrients, including vitamins, minerals take care of all your skin woes.
Have an adequate amount of sleep. At least 7-8 hours of sleep is necessary.
Anything from strolling, running, vigorous, yoga can suffice. Meditation reduces stress and helps get rid of dark circles.
Protect your eyes when you venture out in the sun.
Just a little tender loving care can protect the sensitive area under your eyes, so you don't have raccoon eyes. These home remedies for dark circles can do the trick for you. These ingredients are all very cheap and easily available in any local shop. Hope you use these remedies everyday and reap the best results!
maam i am suffering from dark circles around my eyes even on eyelid , and it is from my child hood i think , dont remember exactly , and iam getting married after 7 months.
Mam.. I'M under medication and my face become so dull and dark.. And dark circles also appears a lot.. How to get rid of this dull face. please help me to get my previous skin back.
i am 22 years old . In my collage time i did not take care of my helth . now i have dark circle under my eyes . so please sugest me to remove it.
I'm a 21 years old college going girl. I'm suffering from pimples and dark circles problem as well. I have a poor eye sight and so I have to use high powered spectacles, is my dark circles a result of this?
I just want to get rid of both the problems especially dark circles ASAP, it looks very weird. I have already used a lot of dark circles removal cream but non of them worked.
Though my skin tone is fair, but these dark circles just steals my beauty.
I have very deep fine lines under eyes, they do not go away.
can i mix the cucumber,lemon juice and tomato juise to apply on dark circles?
I have pigmentation around eyes…n on face too..how can I get rid of it?
Use potato juice, tomato juice to get rid of dark circles.
I have dark circles which is heriditery..even my parents do have it …is it possible to remove it nd if possible what should I apply to remove it?
Use potato juice, iced tea bags, or cucumber juice to get rid of dark circles.
I have a dark circle from so many year. I have tried laser, medicine and expensive treatment still it did not go. Do you feel that raw [potatoes will help to reduce the dark circle??
You can try it and find out whether it will work for you.
So what exactly is the go-to method to apply the potato pulp on the eyes? Place the pulp on a napkin and place it over the eyes fully covered? My doctor suggest I use skincare for hyper pigmentation. What is your take on that?
It is an effective solution to get rid of dark circles. Take the juice of potato and with the help of a cotton wool apply the same underneath your eyes. You can use cucumber slices on your eyes.
can I try Vitamin E Oil Capsule ? is it work?
Any thing for dark lips?
yes, it works for everyone.


text:
Dicranoloma bartramianum är en bladmossart som beskrevs av Klazenga 1999. Dicranoloma bartramianum ingår i släktet Dicranoloma och familjen Dicranaceae. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

Egentliga bladmossor
bartramianum

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


There are seven main music centres in Derbyshire serving various geographical areas across the city and county.
Each centre − a delivery partner of the hub − hosts activities tailored for beginner level all the way to advanced playing in a mix of ensembles aimed at providing group musical experiences. Instrumentalists and singers are able to meet like-minded young musicians of similar age and abilities from across the local geographic area, make friends and enjoy music-making.
With a close working relationship with the Music Partnership, our Music Centres offer the chance to perform on minority instruments and the possibility of receiving an instrument on loan. Parents and young musicians can network and receive advice from music centre staff, as well as the Centre provide a friendly environment outside of school with other young musicians from the area.
Click on a music centre below to find out more about them.


The Ultimate Fantasy Premier League game for the 2015 / 16 season has gone live – sign up!
The Fantasy Premier League game for the 2015 / 16 season has gone live – sign up!
Investec Ashes Fantasy Game game for the 2015 season has gone live. Play it now!


text:
<!DOCTYPE html>

        <title>Track your employees' time</title>
        <meta charset="UTF-8"/>
        <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"/>

        <link rel="stylesheet" href="http://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootstrap/3.2.0/css/bootstrap.min.css"/>
        <link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/employees.css" th:href="@{/css/employees.css}"/>

Timekeeper

                    <form th:action="@{/logout}" method="post">
                        <input type="submit" value="Log out"/>
                    </form>

Employees

                    <form class="form-horizontal">

                                Last Name
                                <input type="text" ng-model="empSearchLast"/>

                                Department
                                <select ng-model="empSearchDept">
                                    <option value="" selected="selected">All</option>
                                    <option th:each="department : ${departments}" th:value="${department.name}" th:text="${department.name}">---</option>
                                </select>

                            <button class="btn btn-default" ng-click="searchEmployees()"> Search</button>

                    </form>

                        Last Name
                        First Name
                        Title
                        Department
                        Vacation
                        Sick
                        History
                        Hourly Wage
                        Status
                        Hired

                        <button class="btn btn-default" ng-show="e.employmentStatus == 'Active'" ng-click="createShift(e.id, e.firstName + ' ' + e.lastName)"></button>
                        {{e.lastName}}
                        {{e.firstName}}
                        {{e.position}}
                        {{e.department}}
                        {{e.vacationHours}}
                        {{e.sickHours}}
                        <button class="btn btn-default" ng-click="shiftsForEmployee(e.id, e.firstName + ' ' + e.lastName)">History</button>
                        {{e.hourlyRate | currency}}
                        {{e.employmentStatus}}
                        {{e.hireDate | date : 'shortDate' }}

                    <button class="btn btn-close pull-right" ng-click="closeShifts()"></button>

Shift history for {{shiftEmployee}}

                        Date
                        Type
                        Start
                        End
                        Lunch Start
                        Lunch End

                        {{s.startTime | date : 'shortDate'}}
                        {{s.shiftType}}
                        {{s.startTime | date : 'hh:mma'}}
                        {{s.endTime | date : 'hh:mma'}}
                        {{(s.lunchStartTime | date : 'hh:mma') || '---'}}
                        {{(s.lunchEndTime | date : 'hh:mma') || '---'}}
                        <button class="btn" ng-click="deleteShift(s.shiftId)"></button>

                    <button class="btn btn-close pull-right" ng-click="cancelCreate()"></button>

Enter shift for {{shiftEmployee}}

                <form class="form-horizontal">

                            Type
                            <select ng-model="newShift.shiftType" ng-change="shiftChange()" class="form-control">
                                <option ng-selected="st == 'Regular'" ng-repeat="st in shiftTypes" value="{{st}}">{{st}}</option>
                            </select>

                            Date
                            <uib-datepicker ng-model="newShift.date" ng-change="shiftChange()" ng-required="true" year-range="2" show-weeks="true" max-date="currentDate"></uib-datepicker>

Shift Times

                            Start
                            <uib-timepicker ng-model="newShift.startTime" ng-change="shiftChange()" ng-required="true" minute-step="15"></uib-timepicker>

                            End
                            <uib-timepicker ng-model="newShift.endTime" ng-change="shiftChange()" ng-required="true" minute-step="15"></uib-timepicker>

                                Lunch Taken?
                                <input type="checkbox" ng-model="newShift.hasLunch" ng-change="shiftChange()"/>

                                Lunch Start
                                <uib-timepicker ng-model="newShift.lunchStartTime" ng-change="shiftChange()" minute-step="15"></uib-timepicker>

                                Lunch End
                                <uib-timepicker ng-model="newShift.lunchEndTime" ng-change="shiftChange()" minute-step="15"></uib-timepicker>

{{creationErrorMessage}}

                            <button class="btn btn-default" ng-click="cancelCreate()">Cancel</button>

                            <button class="btn btn-default" ng-show="!creationError" ng-click="postShift()">Save Shift</button>

                </form>

Timekeeper by dgagne

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Find out what drives us to do what we do.
Charity Children Center enjoys broad local support.
Learn more about current and planned programs.
It's amazing what we can do when we come together.
A NOTE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Thirteen years ago when I first joined the Board, we had a 30-bed shelter. Today, we offer a safe place to sleep for 650, we serve thousands of nutritious meals each month, and we have a preschool program recognized by the governor.
Thanks for the support that's made it all possible!
Mr. John Anderson
May 2000 – Charity Children Center opens as Harambee House in a first floor suite downtown. The 30-bed facility is staffed by volunteers.
September 2002 – Harambee House takes over the entire building under the name Charity Children Center. A board of directors made up of local leaders meet to discuss the Center's future.
Thanksgiving 2005 – Charity Children Center Soup Kitchen serves its first meal.
March 2008 - Working in partnership with the city, the Board purchases two abandoned warehouses on 58th Street and begins renovation.
St. Paul Lutheran Church Miami Youth Group © 2013


text:
Nick Catanese es un guitarrista mejor conocido por formar parte del grupo de heavy metal Black Label Society durante 17 años. Usa guitarras de la marca Gibson, concretamente los modelos Les Paul Custom con pastillas EMG activas y también de la marca Dean Guitars, el modelo signature series del exguitarrista de Pantera, que murió en 2004, Dimebag Darrell.

Él es el apoyo de Zakk Wylde. Nick es conocido también con el sobrenombre de «The Evil Twin».

Nick Catanese es también un actor, que apareció en la película Rock Star, de 2001. Catanese interpretó al guitarrista Xander Cummins, de la banda ficticia Blood Pollution. La película también contó con las actuaciones de músicos como Zakk Wylde, Jason Bonham, Myles Kennedy, Brian Vander Ark, Elias Blas y Jeff Pilson. Él también tiene créditos en el DVD de conciertos de Black Label Society, Boozed, Broozed and Broken-Boned.

controversias
En 2018 fue declarado culpable de acoso a una menor de edad que era alumna suya. Se lo condenó a cinco años de prisión (no efectiva), no tener acceso a Internet, y registrarse en la base de datos de delincuentes sexuales.

Referencias

Guitarristas de heavy metal
Guitarristas de rock de Estados Unidos


text:
Home › Technology›Video
Samsung Announces its First Outdoor TV
The Terrace is 4K QLED and comes with Apple TV, AirPlay 2 and has a companion soundbar.
Samsung Electronics has announced the expansion of its Home Entertainment portfolio with the addition of The Terrace, its first outdoor 4K QLED TV and accompanying soundbar. The Terrace is a Samsung Smart TV that's specifically designed to bring the full indoor entertainment experience outside. A consumer model of The Terrace is launching in the U.S. and Canada now followed by rollouts to Germany, Australia and New Zealand and other regions later this year. And for businesses, a professional model will be launching in the United States, Germany, and Australia later this year.
Available in 55-, 65-, and 75-inch models, The Terrace delivers Samsung's QLED 4K display technology and Smart features. It is designed with weather in mind — with an IP55 rating, the Terrace's display boasts weather-resistant durability against water and dust.
The Terrace provides a brightness level of 2000 nits. Its QLED 4K display is perfect for sports fans: with a high motion rate of MR240, it provides clear, lifelike picture quality. The display also features anti-reflective coating to minimize unwanted glare, as well as adaptive picture technology to optimize content for its surroundings.
The Terrace and The Terrace Soundbar offers dynamic sound that redefine the dimensions of home theater. For those who want to customize their TV's sound output, the Terrace has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing it to be paired with The Terrace Soundbar or other devices.
The Terrace Soundbar can be mounted to a wall, or directly to the Terrace TV. And with an IP55 rating just like the display, the Terrace Soundbar is built to be weather-resistant and durable outdoors. The Terrace Soundbar features distortion cancelling technology. By cancelling distortion before it happens, it delivers a deep and clear bass sound from its built-in woofers.
The Terrace comes equipped with Tizen, Samsung's Smart TV platform, which powers features such as Samsung TV Plus, a free linear TV video service with over 120 channels, Samsung Health, a comprehensive fitness and wellness platform that launches in the U.S. next week, as well as the leading subscription streaming services. Finally, in addition to supporting mobile viewing capabilities like Multi View and Tap View, the Terrace also supports multiple voice services including Bixby, Amazon Alexa, and the soon to launch Google Assistant.
For more information, visit: https://www.samsung.com/us/televisions-home-theater/tvs/the-terrace/
Tags ⋅ 4K ⋅ OLED ⋅ Outdoor AV ⋅ Samsung ⋅ Soundbar ⋅ TV
Just Add Power's Path to Dante
Josh.ai Announces Inaugural President's Club
CES 2021: Kohler – Health and Convenience with Style
CES2021: PerListen Audio Makes U.S. Debut


text: Q: question regarding updating from 13.10 to 14.04 I now want to update my ubuntu 13.10 to 14.04....when i start the update or upgrade, will it reinstall everything, like re-download the whole distro or will it download a few files needed for the update?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Guttering cleaning service all over Dublin. Cleaning your gutters of debris and other material not only makes your home look better, gutters that are blocked can lead to a build up of water which can damage your house. Keeping all your gutters clean and clear will ensure that the water moves freely preventing any overflows and staining on your exterior walls.
Even small leaks and water overflows in gutters and drainpipes can cause damage to your property. With JP Guttering offering a gutter cleaning service means we can repair, replace and re-seal guttering joints so that you can prevent water penetration to the walls, windows and foundations of your home.
Gutters are cleared by hand or by the use of a ground based vacuum system to remove solid matter such as leaf residue and moss build up. Being guttering installation experts, we know exactly how to handle any gutter cleaning.
The brushing and cleaning of the external gutters PCV soffits and fascias that the gutters are attached to is included in the cleaning process. We make sure to clean downpipe entry points and shore outlets. All sections of the guttering is checked and cleaned.


text:
Maria Olga Bakkalapulo
Maria Bakkalapulo, an ethnomusicologist, filmmaker, and journalist whose life's work was largely dedicated to documenting music and cultural events around the world, died on Friday, January 22nd, in Houston, Texas, where she was in treatment for an aggressive cancer. Most recently based in Miami, although she lived in various points around the world, Maria wrote about, recorded, and photographed events in locations as varied as Indonesia, Malaysia, Scotland, Cuba, and the United States. Passionate about documenting indigenous music of the world, she also wrote stories that delved into the lives of the people in those countries, touching upon the joys and the challenges that bring us together as one human race. Maria reflected what all of us strive to be — honest, compassionate, joyful, and loyal to our friends and family. Whoever knew her, whomever she touched, whether it was for a few moments or for a lifetime, she left us with a smile and a positivity unique to Maria. Not one to ever complain, Maria kept her medical challenges largely private. So, this tragic news of her death came as a surprise to many. She was 50 when she was taken from us. Maria spent the past year determined to defeat a new adversary in a life of medical challenges that began at age 11, when she had her first kidney transplant at the University of Minnesota Hospital by Dr. John Najarian, a pioneer transplant surgeon. She lived a full and vibrant life while also spending time in and out of hospitals, with kidney transplants from her mother, brother, and two cadavers. Nobody except her family members and closest of close friends knew the incredible challenges that she overcame to live the life she chose. Maria was born in Stanford, Connecticut, the child of Fotini (Tina) and Konstantin Bakkalapulo, the youngest of the siblings to Louie, Anastasia, and Paul. The family was incredibly close and part of the Greek Orthodox communities wherever they lived — including Ridgefield, Connecticut; Overland Park, Kansas; and Dunedin, Florida, where Maria graduated from Dunedin High School. Maria went on to attend Florida State University in Tallahassee, where she majored in sociology and communications. Starting her career in music as a host and producer of her own world music program at WVFS Tallahassee, Maria moved to New York City to work as a publicist for Peter Gabriel's global music label, Real World Records. A few years later, she decided to go east — the Far East — to branch out as a freelance journalist, first documenting Hong Kong's territorial handover from British to Chinese rule. Soon after, she traveled to Thailand to produce an in-depth story about the disappearing traditional music of its northern hill tribes. Maria continued her education at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and received a master's degree in ethnomusicology. She returned to New York City where she worked at Sounds of Brazil (SOB's), a popular world music venue in lower Manhattan. She then returned to Asia, and her world traveling, as an independent journalist living in Bali, Indonesia. It was on a trip to the Rainforest World Music Festival in Borneo where she met her husband, Niall Macaulay, a sound engineer at various large-scale outdoor festivals around the world. Their relationship began at a distance, with him returning to Scotland and her to Bali. They were early adopters of Skype and the digital generation of relationships. Meeting again at the music festival in Borneo, Niall proposed to Maria at the end of the show in front of the stage that symbolized their shared love of music and performance. They were loving partners not only in their personal lives, but also became a creative and technical team. The two were inseparable, and their lives were as close as two human beings could be. Among the many projects they worked on together was the acclaimed documentary Street Punk! Banda Aceh, released in 2016. This inspiring film reveals how young people are striving to express their identities and fight for freedom in the face of religious and cultural oppression. Other projects that Maria has produced include a film about veterans hunting the invasive Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades, Miami's Little Haiti, musicians who survived the Khmer Rouge, body percussion from Banda Aceh, kite flying in Bali, Sierra Leone's Bubu King, sacred music of Bali, and so many more, which can be enjoyed through her website Vandaluna Music . Maria contributed to the BBC, MTV Iggy, Noisey / VICE, The World (BBC/ WGBH-Boston), CBC, NPR, National Geographic Music, Songlines magazine, Time magazine, The Wire magazine, Marketplace, Miami New Times, Going Places (Malaysia Airlines), Rolling Stone, and other outlets. Maria is now with her beloved father, Kosta. A private viewing and funeral will take place on Friday, January 29, at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Clearwater, Florida. The family would like ask those near and far to join them via Live Stream at that time. The Internment will be held following the Funeral at Cycadia Cemetery, 1021 E. Tarpon Ave, Tarpon Springs, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maria's memory to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Iconography Fund and Kintamani Bird Stage Fund in Sarawak, Malaysia. (These two funds were lovingly set up in memory of what was so important in Maria's life: her faith in God and her immense love of the World's music.) For friends and family who would like to watch Maria's service via Live Stream, please visit Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church website at https://www.htclearwater.com/
Maria Bakkalapulo, an ethnomusicologist, filmmaker, and journalist whose life's work was largely dedicated to documenting music and cultural events around the world, died on Friday, January 22nd, in Houston, Texas, where she was in treatment... View Obituary & Service Information
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text:
Ruminations on Sri Lanka's Ancient Past
By Seneka Abeyratne
Let us now turn our attention to Sri Lanka's prehistory corresponding to the Stone Age. Although it is possible that a Paleolithic, or Early Stone Age, culture existed in the island more than one hundred thousand years ago, the archaeological evidence in support of this hypothesis is somewhat sketchy. On the other hand, the discovery of rare fossil remains of homo-erectus in Balangoda, a region in south-central Sri Lanka, is strong archaeological evidence that the island was probably inhabited by primitive ape-like men about 34,000 BP. "These anatomically modern prehistoric humans belonged to what are called the Balangoda cultures," as stated by de Silva, K.M. 'A History of Sri Lanka', fifth edition, 2016. The stone implements found in the island are mostly of the Mesolithic, or Middle Stone Age, type which date back to about 28,000 BP and are associated with a hunter-gatherer way of life. They are similar to those found in the South-Indian peninsula, which suggests that there were cultural connections between Sri Lanka and South India during prehistoric times.
But the stone implements of Sri Lanka show a higher degree of local specialization than those of South India, which suggest first, that migration of technique figured more prominently in this development than migration of peoples and second, that adoption and local adaptation of improved technology played a key role in both territorial and population expansion during that period. It must be emphasized that this interpretation represents the line of thinking pioneered by Senake Bandaranayake, which differs radically from the conventional viewpoint.
We may note in passing that new evidence, in the form of miniaturized bone and stone implements or 'projectiles', has emerged from the site of the Fa-Hien cave in Kalutara District (Western Province), to indicate that previous assumptions regarding the earliest period of human settlements in the island need to be re-examined. Employing radiocarbon technology, scientists have determined that the bone implements (arrowheads) were used around 48,000 BP (Hanson, Molly, '48,000-year-old bone arrowheads and jewelry discovered in Sri Lankan cave', Internet, 2020) and the stone implements (microliths), around 45,000 BP (Randall, Ian, 'Ancient 45,000-year old quartz tools 'used to hunt animals up trees' are found in Sri Lanka', Internet, 2019). To quote Hanson: "If the researchers' conclusions are correct, this finding marks the earliest definitive proof of high-powered projectile hunting in a tropical rainforest environment."
Protohistory
It is important to note that there is little evidence of a clearly defined Neolithic (Late Stone Age) culture in Sri Lanka. It appears the island bypassed the Neolithic period on the whole and moved directly from the Middle Stone Age (Mesolithic Period) to the Early Iron Age. Since, in the South Asian context, the Early Iron Age and megalithic cultures are coterminous, the term 'Early Iron Age megalithic culture' is increasingly gaining currency (Seneviratne, Sudharshana. 'Common Lankan, South-Indian Trade Routes in Early Iron Age', Interview, 2006). We should also note that the Early Iron Age coincides with the island's protohistory, the period between prehistory and Early Historic Period when the existing culture had not yet developed writing. Protohistory; megalithic culture; Early Iron Age, the timeframe for all three periods is more or less the same: 1,000 BCE to 500 BCE.Sudharshana Seneviratne is of the view that the megalithic culture of Sri Lanka was very similar to that of Southern India in respect of key attributes such as pottery types, symbols on megalithic pottery, iron technology, bead types, black and red ware (BRW), and megalithic tombs. Moreover, he opines that migration of techniques occurred in both directions.
The following quote helps identify the fundamental difference between 'prehistory' and 'Early Iron Age' in the South-Asian context: "The prehistoric period cannot be counted as a formative period since it is represented by nomadic stone-using groups which did not sustain institutions…But with the ushering in of iron came semi-settled village culture and most importantly, the domestication of plants and animals in the far South and Sri Lanka in association with the Early Iron Age culture. This was a watershed development…the point of commencement of Early Iron Age culture. By far South, I mean an area south of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, going all the way down to Sri Lanka, that is, an area engulfing modern Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Sri Lanka" (ibid).
Historic leap
A prominent feature of Sri Lanka's historical trajectory that distinguishes it from the corresponding Indian experience is the relatively late but extremely rapid transition from stone-age hunting and gathering to an advanced, and literate, agrarian civilization, a historical leap, if you will, that seems to have occurred in the first millennium BCE (Bandaranayake, Senake, 'The Settlement Pattern of the Protohistoric-Early Historic Interface in Sri Lanka', 1989). We may also note another historian's observations in this regard: "Historical age in any country begins from the time history can be clearly reconstructed with written records. It is generally believed that an alphabet and the art of writing were introduced into the island during the time of Devanampiya Tissa (250 BCE-210 BCE)…It is due to this reason that the Mahavamsa stories related to the period from the time of the demise of the Buddha to the reign of Devanampiya Tissa have to be examined with caution…From the third century B.C. onwards, a reasonably clear history could be reconstructed with corroborative evidence in contemporary lithic records and chronicles" (Siriweera, W.I. 'History of Sri Lanka: From earliest times up to the sixteenth century', second edition, 2004).
The territorial authority of the Anuradhapura monarchs from Devanampiya Tissa to Elara (250-161 BCE) did not extend beyond a limited region. There were several polities ruled by chieftains which were more or less autonomous. The first monarch to end the power of the feudal chiefs was Dutugemunu (161-137 BCE). Under his rule, the whole country was transformed into a unified political entity for the first time in its history (Ibid).
Under the unified system of governance, provincial administrative structures were established to complement the central bureaucracy. The key positions in the vast bureaucratic machinery were held by close or distant relatives of the king. Thus lineage was a key factor in enabling one to rise to a position of power and authority. Perhaps due to the influence of Buddhism, there was no attempt by the royalty to impose a Wittfogelian type of despotic rule over the island. "The king, as well as the bureaucrats, were expected to balance the scales of justice" (ibid). Moreover, wherever possible, the king was expected to ensure fair play in administration so as to discourage government officials from engaging in corrupt practices. Whereas the strong kings generally abided by these principles, the weak ones did not. Invariably, during the reign of a weak king, the bureaucracy ran amok and fomented revolt and dissent, especially in the provinces.
Problem of being identical twin of a politician
A tribute to vajira
Match against Djokovic; Partying PM; Prince turned Mr Nobody, and no hope
Slightly old hat but arguments for or against Novak Djokovic being allowed to stay in Melbourne for the Australian Open will swirl around and then die down, sadly, but inevitably. The sports world will go on; Australian might will continue; and people will soon forget and go about their business. May even be that when the winners of AO are announced only a couple of persons will remember him who was such a wonderful player who hardly ever lost his cool and seemed so steady and even relaxed when on tennis courts. Remember Robert Frost in his poem, Out, Out succinctly mentioning this fact at the end when the boy whose arm was cut by an electric saw breathed his last.
"And they, since they Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs."
So very tragically true of all persons; all who brag, rant and pound their feet will die and not many will remember them.
The Editor of this paper commented on it and seemed to stand for 'the Law holds for all'. He made no mention of the health waiver the world's Number One tennis wizard got which he traded on to go to Melbourne in the first place.
Dr Upul Wijayawardhana in his piece printed beside the editorial on Tuesday 18 – "Australian antics and Djokovic's disgrace" mentioned this. "It is surprising that Djokovic was given a medical exemption to enter Australia by … Tennis Australia and the State Government of Victoria after testing positive for coronavirus." He got the permission to enter the AO, so he did, though there were controversial issues.
So, Cass in her emotional and yes, unreasonable, sense, sides with the tennis player. He should have been segregated and allowed participation in the tournament. We do not ask they consider his attempt at being the tennis world's first to win 21 grand slams, but that here was an outstanding sportsman who got clearance to enter and was even permitted release from segregation in a hotel and allowed to resume preparing for the tournament to start on the 17th. It seemed to be a tussle between a state government and that of Australia and poor Novak was A pawn, as it were.
Now, the Aussie Open has lost its glamour and even interest to this ole soul – Cassandra. She hoped Nadal and others would withdraw from the OA. But since it was not their deportation, they go along. Hopefully they will publicly comment in support of their co-sportsman. Nadal already spoke out.
Ordinary citizen of UK
Poor Prince Andrew: his carnal desire has got him in a dirty soup! Will he, now be stripped of all titles and even won military honours, go forth to court to battle his case as Mr Andrew Windsor with perhaps Mountbatten added as a middle surname? What a downfall and comedown!
Cass has been having an emailed argument about whether Virginia G is a gold digger or not, and whether it can be accepted Andrew raped, as is accused, a teenager way back around two to three decades ago.
Cass' arguing friend seems to see the issue in the light of what Virginia G wants to crush: – power, money and connections used against the underprivileged. She has spelled out her legal pursuit of Andrew thus. Noble aim but why select only this former prince? Surely there were others earlier – Epstein himself. To Cass she has schemed her way adroitly, seeing Epstein imprisoned and committing suicide (it is said, though belief is he was done in, with all the secrets of the rich and powerful within him), and his aide and abettor in the crime of trafficking underage girls – Ghislaine Maxwell – convicted to prison for 50 odd years. Virginia would surely have banked on raking in a great amount of lucre and of course publicity, fat and middle aged as she now is. True, Andrew (we dare call him that) was accepting what Epstein offered him, but to Cass and her incisive eye, it would definitely not have been rape.
What came across sharply to Cass was the difference between her much younger correspondent's opinion and Cass'. To the younger one Andrew was all black and Virginia a sweet little kid pounced upon and sullied against her wishes. Cass emerged rather old fashioned, believing in the adage that boys will be boys and men are allowed much more than girls/women who are censured more. Yes, that was the attitude of Sri Lankan society or what Cass knew of in her Kandy upbringing. We do not know whether a negotiation has been worked out or whether the ex-Prince faces the pretending Innocent in an American court of law with #metoo etc very strong over in the USA. The gracious duty-bound Queen is the greatest loser in this randy, rapacious business.
No storm in a teacup
The previous Cassandra Cry, referred to the bring-your-own-alcohol and observe- Covid-restrictions party in June 2019 in the garden of No 10 Downing Street. She classified it as a storm in the Brit's cuppa. Not so, not so many means. This party has resulted in a loud call to the PM to resign, perhaps not only the premiership but his Parliament seat too, which means being thrown out of the Conservative Party leadership. Boris Johnson is a bird of the Andrew feather – loves fun and partying. But he marries his girlfriends, one by one! The storm is brewing and it's getting hotter for the PM as ex employers throw in their tuppenny worth – all damning!
Us in Paradise?
We continue in Fool's Paradise with fireplaces in gardens; fear of lack of medicines; rising costs and sharing the anger of helpless farmers shedding tears. "Half of USD 6.7 mn paid to China would have helped save Maha yield." So pronounced SJB's MP Rohini Kaviratna. Inexplicable, unbelievable, the pinnacle of absurdity not to import chemical fertiliser, weedicides and pesticides now that it has been realised the move to organic farming was too precipitous and cost the country and its people so very much. And to add fuel to the fire an announcement is made that a fresh order for organic manure has been sent to that seaweed company in China. We never learn. It's corruption at whatever cost. And with no money to import fertiliser much is spent on food like beetroot and rice.
Chandra Jayaratne in The Island of Tuesday January 18 lists all our country and people's travails in his article 'People's wishes.' Cass painfully counted the words in one line of his article and computed that his very long first paragraph of 42 lines had approx 300 words – all of our country troubles. Him being the excellent writer with keen brain and good sense to match, writes very precisely. The list of woes was that long! So, you can imagine what dire straits we are in. His second paragraph lists origins of these maladies: "unprofessional, arrogant, egoistic, even childish … heading towards a failed state."
Please, please wake up, those in power and do what needs to be done to brake the speeding to bankruptcy. We really do not want 'splenour and prosperity'. We only want to live fairly decent lives, and that is not stymied by the pandemic. The 'gloom and despondency and poverty' are man-made.
On that note Cass says bye bye with no hope in her.
Patriotic surgeon who volunteered to work on battlefield
By Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne
(Retired from Sri Lanka Navy) Former Chief of Defence Staff
In 1991, I was selected to one of the prestigious sea appointments in the Sri Lanka Navy. After a short familiarisation course, I was appointed to P 467 (old pennant numbers), Fast Attack Craft (FAC) Super Dovra Mk ll, one of the fastest FAC of the Navy at that time. Built in Israel at a cost of US $ 30 million, it was the vanguard of our Navy throughout our conflict with LTTE Sea Tiger terrorists.
P467 was commanded by LT Cdr Ariyadasa, an officer senior to me, who has intercepted the highest number of smuggling boats in SLN in Western Naval Command. So, my sole intention was to work hard and capture more smuggling boats than LT Cdr Ariyadasa.
Two days after my appointment, my FAC was attached to Eastern Naval Command to patrol the Northern waters. It may have been done by someone in the Naval Headquarters who didn't want to see me in Colombo?
We had to deal with not smugglers but LTTE Sea Tigers operating in the northern waters at the time. The LTTE had some camps on the Southern Indian coast; it was their main logistics route to the Northern peninsula. They had boats moving at an excess of 30 knots (30 nautical miles per hour – approx 40mph ) and our FAC had a slight speed advantage over terrorist speed boats.
The distance between India and Sri Lanka is approximately 24 nautical miles. Indo- Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) has been marked at equidistance, approximately 12 nautical miles. So, terrorist boats moving at 30 knots could cross our waters in 24 minutes ! That's the time the Navy had to detect, chase and to destroy them. If you had got too close to land, which was held by my enemy at that time, you would have been fired upon with enemy's shore gun batteries. The FAC would have become a "sitting duck" in such an eventuality. The enemy always kept their tractors with the trailers in the water ready for their boat arrivals.
As soon as their boats hit the shore, they were loaded into tractor trailers and moved to safety. This was done in reverse order when the boats were launched. It was more difficult for us to detect the boat launching pads as they were done at night. However, those days when LTTE Sea Tigers saw an Israeli built Dovra, they used to run away at maximum speed. Most of our chases of sea tiger boats ended up in a "stern chase" and with slight speed advantage, we destroyed the enemy boat with 20mm Oerlicon cannon we had as the main weapon.
The FAC had a crew of two officers and 12 sailors at that time. It was a very close "family". My Second-In-Command was LT SHU Dushmantha, fearless and an excellent officer. He was an outstanding tennis player, an old Anandian and from the KDU Intake 4. Sadly, he died in action out at sea on 30/10/1998. He was a recipient of three gallantry medals for his bravery and valour out at sea namely, Weera Wickrama Vibushanaya (WWV), Rana Wickrama Paddakkama (RWP) and Rana Soora Paddakkama (RSP). I had Leading Seaman Newton as my coxswain (later rose to Master Chief Petty Officer rank and excellent photographer), and Leading Marine Engineering Mechanic Premaratne (also rose to MCPO rank later and excellent cook) looked after the
engines. Our FAC during her first patrol to Northern Naval Area was able to destroy a enemy boat, which was a great achievement to me personally and to my crew.
The FAC was a time-tested craft in the SLN. From time to time, we upgraded our weapons and sensors on board FACs. When we were onboard an FAC, we had only a radar to detect enemy boats at night. Later, we had MSIS (Multi Sensor Integrated Systems) and better forward main guns such as US-made 30mm Bush master chain gun, but the platform, the FAC hull remained the same.
When we fought with Sea Tigers, there were no suicide boats. The enemy fled at their maximum speed when they saw an FAC, Then enemy developed their suicide cadres and speed boats later loaded with explosives and started to steer towards us at excessive speed on suicidal missions.
We had to rewrite and develop our fighting tactics and manoeuvres against the new threat. We lost some of our best FAC Commanders and crews due to those deadly attacks. I salute them and all those who worked tirelessly during this period and special thanks to our gunners, electrical/electronic engineers and marine engineers for keeping FACs operational and battle-prepared.
There is a unique difference in fighting at sea that on land. There are no covers in sea battle. Whoever fired effectively first won. Sea battles are very short and decisive.
There is a special bond between your shipmates (FAC mates), whether you are an officer or a sailor. You go to battle together in Fast Attack Craft and come home victorious ,or perish at sea together. OIC take decisions and he had to be brave and knowledgeable.
My FAC command period was eventful and enjoyable. I was married and my wife Yamuna was expecting our son. We lived in married quarters at the Naval Base Trincomalee. Those Royal Navy time officers quarters are specious and beautiful.
Our patrols to Northern waters lasted seven days. If everything went well, you got a seven-day break for maintenance, repairs to get ready for next patrol. Before heading for the North, I would leave my wife with my brother officer's family living at the Naval Base, Trincomalee, where she would stay until my return. She preferred to be with LCdr (L) Sarath Silva's family. Sarath is from my junior batch and his wife Chandrani looked after Yamuna very well. They were very close friends. Such is the camaraderie among Naval families !
When your FAC is non operational, you have to take some other Operational FACs on patrol. This is not a good arrangement as you are going out to sea with an unknown crew. However, in September 1991, I had to take P468 (my batchmate Shirantha's FAC) as mine was under repairs on slipway. Further, my 2IC, Dushmamtha was also on leave. I decided to go to sea on board P468 without a 2IC, on a six-day patrol to Northern waters.
Fast Attack Craft have two very powerful inboard engines. They required large amounts of low sulphur diesel (LSD). One engine consumed approximately 100 litres of LSD per hour. Two engines running, its 200 litres per hour. It takes four hours for us to sail from Trincomalee to KKS. About 800 litres consumed per one run to Northern waters from Trincomalee. If Rs 100 a litre of LSD, FAC consumes approximately Rs 80,000 worth of LSD per one run. Then we do seven days patrolling and returning back to Trincomalee. Navy has 36 Fast Attack Craft. So you can imagine the fuel costs.
Navies are very expensive!
So, two days of my patrol onboard P468 was uneventful. On 13 June 1991 around 10AM, we were returning to KKS for rest and refuelling from the Mulativu sea area. Sea was calm and I was keeping about two nautical miles from the land and moving North at approximately 20 knots speed. I was on the flying bridge and enjoying bright sunlight and very clear weather. My lookout sentry on Port side (land side) reported two open jeeps moving on Manakkadiu road, one fitted with a gun. The area was held by enemy. I sounded action stations and told the crew that I would turn towards the jeeps and increase speed.
I told them when I was turning away from land they had to engage the targets with our 20mm cannon. The sea was deep enough for the FAC to go up to 400m from shore. Forward gunner was very good. His third shot hit a jeep and it started burning. Other jeep took cover behind a sand dune.
We saw some movements on the beach with enemy cadres getting into boats on land. When we were breaking away from targets and headed towards deep sea, our boat was hit by enemy fire from boats. Crack and thump of 50 calibre machine gun fire was very clearly heard.
Do you know how to identify someone is firing at you? You hear two noises (in military terminology known as a crack and thump. Every shot fired at you makes two noises for one shot. As bullet velocity is faster than the speed of sound, you first hear sound "tuck' (or crack) when bullet goes through air closer to you. Then you hear sound "Dum" ( or thump) after some time. That is the sound made by bullets leaving the gun barrel. A well trained Special Forces person will be able to say the approximate distance of firer by the interval between crack and thump.
Enemy gun fire rained on the FAC, but we were almost beyond enemy's effective gun range. Suddenly, one enemy gun shot hit the guard rail of the FAC. It's splinters hit my left shoulder and upper arm . A sailor who was standing next to me at Open bridge was also hit in the leg. Blood soaked my left arm and multiple injuries were visible.
I knew I was hit badly. Sailors onboard panicked. I steered the FAC to a safe distance from land and informed my colleague Rohan, who was on another FAC on patrol and steered towards KKS.
After bleeding was controlled by a sailor trained on combat medicine, I found no major damage to my bones. I felt a bit dizzy, but able to walk into a waiting ambulance at KKS harbour to be taken to Army hospital at Palaly for immediate medical treatment.
On arrival at the Palaly Army Hospital, I saw a tall figure in a surgical gown waiting for me. He was non other than Dr Maiya Gunasekara, Consultant Surgeon. Dr Maiya took a few hours to remove whatever shrapnel he detected. He said others would remain inside the bones as they posed no threat. They are still inside my left shoulders and upper arm.
I consider them as gifts from the LTTE but they prevent me from through any Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines!
I invited Dr Maiya on board to my FAC that evening and took him to sea and showed him Point Pedro and VVT (home town of LTTE leader Prabhakaran) from sea.
Dr Maiya volunteered services as a surgeon at the battle front and saved a number of officers and men who were severely injured.
Dr Indrajith Maithri ('Maiya') De Zoysa Gunasekara, FRCS, FICS, Consultant Surgeon was born on 22nd August 1951 and educated at Royal College, Colombo 7. He was a College coloursman in Basketball and Rugby Football and represented Royal College in Athletics as well. He represented the Royal College rugby team for a number of years and later entered the Medical Faculty of Colombo University. He was the recipient of Leslie Handunge trophy awarded to the best sportsman at both
Colombo and Peradeniya Universities in 1974. He excelled in both studies and sports, graduated from both Royal College of Surgeons of England and Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and captained CR and FC rugger team and represented the National Rugby team and the National Rugby sevens team for a number of years . He was President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union and Chairman of National Sports Council.
Now, he is the Consultant Surgeon at the Nawaloka Hospital, Colombo. He will sits in his consultation room (Room 55) at Navaloka Hospital daily.
However his dedicated service to the Nation in treating our Armed Forces personnel at the Battle front in Palaly Army hospital is not known to many.
Former South African President Nelson Mandela once said "There will be no greater gift than that of giving one's time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return"
Thank you Dr Maiya – we salute you !
South's development debacle compounded by SAARC's inner paralysis
From a development point of view, it's 'the worst of times' for the global South. The view of some of the most renowned development organizations is that the woes brought upon the hemisphere by the Covid-19 pandemic have probably stalled its development by decades. The inference is inescapable that the South would need to start from scratch as it were in its efforts to ease its material burdens, once the present health crisis shows signs of lifting.
A recent Jakarta Post/ANN news feature published in this newspaper on January 14th, detailing some of the dire economic fallout from the pandemic on the South said: 'Between March and December 2020, the equivalent of 147 million full time jobs were lost in the Asia Pacific region. In 2020, the World Bank estimated that between 140 million people in Asia were pushed into poverty and in 2021 another 8 million became poor…..Vulnerable groups such as women, ethnic and religious minorities and migrant workers were worst affected. Across Asia, informal and migrant workers suffered an estimated 21.6 percent fall in their income in the first four months of the pandemic.'
Needless to say, being one of the least developed regions of the South and its most populous one, it is South Asia that is likely to be worst affected in the current global crunch. A phenomenon that should not go unnoticed in this connection, is the rising number of the 'new poor' in the South. This refers in the main to those sections of the middle class that are sliding into the lower middle class and the ranks of the poverty-stricken as a result of the ill-effects of the present crisis. Job loss and decreasing income are some of the causes behind this rising tide of pauperization.
Referring to this and connected processes the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka states in its 'Sri Lanka State of the Economy 2021'report: 'Estimates at the USD 3.20 poverty line are forecasted to be at least 228 million, with a larger share of the population emerging from South Asia yet again. Initial projections for 2021 estimate the number of individuals in extreme poverty to be between 143 and 163 million.' The stark and widespread poverty emerging in Afghanistan since mid-August 2021, ought to push up these figures quite a bit.
Considering that the South is way behind the North in developmental terms, the unfolding global economic crisis could be expected to widen the chasm in material wellbeing between the hemispheres in the days ahead. However, 'the overwhelming question' for the South would be how it could fend for itself in the absence of those Southern-centred organizations that could take up its cause in the forums of the world and bring the region together in an effort to work towards its collective wellbeing. The importance of this question is strongly underscored by the fact that SAARC is more or less dysfunctional or paralyzed at present.
The immense magnitude of the poverty question is yet to be realized by the ruling elites of the South. It is as if the chimerical growth spurt in some sections of the South over the past 30 or so years has rendered them numb and insensitive to poverty-related issues, including the ever-yawning gulf within their countries between the obscenely wealthy and the desperately poor. As is known, while the so-called ordinary people of the South have been wilting in dire want over the past two years, the hemisphere has been producing billionaires in disconcertingly high numbers. This could be true of Sri Lanka as well and the Pandora Papers gave us the cue a few months back.
By burying their heads in the sands as it were in this manner, Southern political elites could very well be setting the stage for bloody upheavals within their states. The need for substantial 'bread' has always been a driver of socio-political change over the centuries. They are bound to find their problems compounded by the accentuation of ethnicity and religion related questions, considering that such issues are taking a turn for the worse amid the current economic debacle. Vulnerable groups would need to be cared for and looked after by rulers and these include women and ethnic minorities. An aggravation of their lot could compound the worries of Southern rulers.
The phenomenal increase of billionaires ought to be researched more intently and thoroughly by Southern think tanks, R and D organizations and the like. Among other things, does not this disquieting emergence of billionaires prove that classical economics was wrong in assuming that wealth would easily 'trickle-down' to the masses from wealth creators, such as businessmen and other owners of capital? After all, we now have clear evidence that mountainous wealth could exist amid vast wastes of poverty and powerlessness.
However, the view of some commentators that 'neoliberal policies of privatization' and connected issues should now be reassessed and even eschewed ought to strike the observer as worthy of consideration. These policies that enthrone free market economics should be viewed as badly in need of revision and correction in view of the inherently unstable economic systems that they have given rise to over the past three decades. Their serious flaws are thrown into strong relief by the present Southern economic crisis which has resulted in some isolated, formidable towers of wealth and opulence sprouting in a sea of hardship and economic want.
Hopefully, we would see a renewed wide-ranging discussion on development models from now on. Ideally, growth needs to go hand-in-hand with equity if development is to be achieved to a degree. There is no getting away from the need for central planning to some extent in our efforts to reach these ends. Capital and Labour would need to come together in a meeting of minds in these endeavours. Development thrusts would need to be launched on pragmatic considerations as well.
However, a regional approach to resolving these issues facing South Asia needs to be renewed and persisted with as well. As long as SAARC remains paralyzed such efforts are unlikely to bear full fruit. Accordingly, India and Pakistan, the regional heavyweights, need to negotiate an end to their differences and help rejuvenate SAARC; South Asia's key collective body that could usher in a measure of regional development.
Solving vexed problems: Ranil calls for fresh approach