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E-Weekly-4/14

Green Earth Movement


An E-Newsletter for the cause of Environment, Peace, Harmony and Justice
Remember - you and I can decide the future

Mangalore Bishop supports Save


Niddodi Movement
GEM inspirational series
Readers Letters
Bengal leads in organ donation
I am a proud Indian
10 plants to convert Mumbai's
garbage into energy
Mumbai: City vegetables lack
vital nutrients, reveals study
Mumbai to get pollution
information on 15 screens
DR. (SR) MUDITA ON
BIODIVERSITY: XAVIERIANS
LEARN OUT OF THE BOX
Railways, IIT-Madras tie up to
power AC coaches with solar
energy
Mangalore: Ramanath Rai plants
sapling at Kadri Park
ISRAEL: A Forest for Cardinal
Martini

Udupi: Locals oppose 80


Badagabettu's conversion into
industrial zone
Mangalore: Amarnath Shetty
questions CM's motives behind
Niddodi project
Sand mining banned across India
Sand in the eye: Being elected to
power isnt a licence for
politicians to abuse it
Greenpeace helps activists block
marine dumpsite
ASIA : Sino-Burmese pipeline
opens despite environmental
alarms and poor compensation
HC directive sought not to give
approval of GMO variety
India's Christians lose faith in
ruling party
TAIWAN : Internet and noodles,
a Tainan parish priests
Goa archbishop joins leaders to
offer Eid Mubarak
"weapons" to help the needy
Martyr Darryl Castelino
Girl from red-light area flies to
the US for studies
Church bodies, civil society
launch movement for street
children
GEM PLUS wanted alliance,
vacancies etc
GEM LAUGH TIME

Thought for the week


We need to protest against Ultra Mega Power Project
like projects which would take away our cultivation,
nature and identity of farmer class. We need to stop
such projects from their very inception lest we should
lose our battle. I congratulate you, the people of the
locality who are extremely cautious in-spite of the fact
that no official information is shared with you with
regard to UMPP
Bishop of Mangalore
(read article below)

Mangalore Bishop supports Save Niddodi


Movement
By Fr Francis Rodrigues, Raknno (courtesy: daijiowrld.com)

The people will take oath in their respective temples, mosques and churches as to
support the movement and as to not to part with the land. Every house will attach
a sticker in front of their house showing their voluntary support to the Save Niddodi
Movement
Mangalore, Aug 8: Dr Aloysius Paul the Bishop.
DSouza,
the
Bishop
of
Mangalore
expressed and assured his full pledged While the MSS officials thanked the Bishop
support to the Save Niddodi Movement for the support given, appealed to him to
that is being led by Matrubhoomi communicate the fears and demands of
Samrakshana Samithi (MSS) as against the parishioners of Niddodi, Sampige,
Kinnigoli,
Kirem,
Pakshikere,
the fears of loosing thousands of acres of Kateel,
Mulky,
Neerude,
Ferar,
Moodbidri
etc. to
cultivational land in and around Niddodi
situated
in
Kallamundkur
Grama the state as well central governments.
Punchayath of Moodbidri Hobali. He
listened to the fears of the people through The Nandikoor UPCL can produce 1200
the officials of MSS in Bishops House M.W. power but just 300 M.W. is being
produced because supplying more power
today August 8th.
through the wires would bring in much
This is a people oriented movement by more side effects to the people above
the people as to save the land, greenery whose houses the power is moved. And we
and the healthy ecology of the rural will be victims of 4000 M.W. of power. We
scenario. We need to protest against Ultra need our land, fields and the green
Mega Power Project like projects which nature. No amount of incentives and
would take away our cultivation, nature promises will change our mind and
and identity of farmer class. We need to outlook said Alphonse DSouza, the
of
MSS.
stop such projects from their very president
inception lest we should lose our battle. I The people will take oath in their
congratulate you, the people of the locality respective temples, mosques and churches
who are extremely cautious in-spite of the as to support the movement and as to not
fact that no official information is shared to part with the land. Every house will
with you with regard to UMPP said Bishop attach a sticker in front of their house
showing their voluntary support to the
of Mangalore to the officials of MSS.
Save Niddodi Movement said Valerian
Be united till the end in this movement Sequeira, the director of MSS.
transcending the parameters of religion
and creed. See that no one shows support We are united and we will be united in
in the front and acts the opposite at the this fight till the end said Poovappa
back. We are fully with you in your people Gowda the executive president of MSS. In
oriented movement and I have already the days to come a huge protest would be
expressed this to the members of the organized in Moodbidri for which too the
Diocesan Pastoral Council and requested bishop expressed his support.
the support. If God is with us no one can
Vinodhara Suvarna, the Secretary of MSS

be against us in this movement opined

was present.

FEW COMMENTS BY DAIJIWORLD READERS ON THE ABOVE ARTICLE


CYRIL MASCARENHAS, KIREM/MIRA ROAD/DUBAI, Thursday, August 08, 2013
IF GOD IS WITH US NOBODY DARE TO TOUCH NIDDODI.KEEP FAITH IN GOD..HE IS THE
SAVIOR OF THE WORLD..HE WILL SAVE US FROM THIS DIFFICULTIES ALSO..
Amin Bhoja, Patte / Riyadh, Thursday, August 08, 2013
Bishop and his support to save Niddodi i.e any work that benefits to the people and to this society it is
heartily welcome always .A good sign of the people their support their fighting spirits irrespective of cast
creed or religions.We always say unity is the strength no doubt!!. Thanks to Bishop.
kurt waschnig, Oldenburg Germany, Thursday, August 08, 2013
Dr Aloysius Paul DSouza, the Bishop of Mangalore supports the Save Niddodi Movement. This is a
very encouraging news as it shows that the Diocese of Mangalore look after the poor and vulnerable. Pope
Francis expressed several times his will that the Church must serve the poor, the downtrodden and
vulnerable. Bishop Aloysius listened to the fears of the people through the officials of MSS Loosing
thousands of acres of cultivational land in and around Niddodi would be a catastrophe for those people.
Bishop Aloysius said: This is a people oriented movement by the people as to save the land, greenery and
the healthy ecology of the rural scenario. We need to protest against Ultra Mega Power Project like
projects which would take away our cultivation, nature and identity of farmer class. These are honest and
true words. These people would lose their identities as farmers. Generations of them have cultivated this
land and have earned a livelihood there. The Save Niddodi Movement knows that the Church is
supporting their peaceful fight for their land and Alphonse DSouza is right that no amount of incentives
and promises will change their minds and outlook. I wish the Save Niddodi Movement success and would
like encourage them to pluck up courage and do never forget the Church is with you.
Best regards
Kurt Waschnig Oldenburg Germany
email: oldenburg1952@yahoo.de
Jaison Dsilva , Dubai, Thursday, August 08, 2013
Great news... All swamies... All religoius leaders ... United... Then project will be scrapped soon... But I
have not see any statement from elected members after CM d openly the project will be implemented as
per plan....
Arun, Mumbai, Thursday, August 08, 2013
OGGATTINALLI BALAVIDE! Thank you Dear beloved Bishop for your support. Hope Many more
other community leaders too come forward to support 'Save Niddodi Movement'.
Joe Gonsalves, Mangalore, Thursday, August 08, 2013
It is not very difficult to convert the precious land into an Industrial area. However NATURE should be
preserved at all costs. Again just in case the area is taken over by The Government, what compensation
will the poor tillers get? I admire Our Bishop Aloysius for taking up the case and assuring support to the
farmers.
Joe Gonsalves
Vincent Rodrigues, Katapadi/Bangalorem Thursday, August 08, 2013
Instead of supporting Niddodi Movement we need to form an expert commitee to analyse the pros and
cons of the project and then educate the people because without new industries our coastal area will not
improve nor get employment to our youth.Thanq.

PEOPLES VOICE
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GEM INSPIRATIONAL SERIES


GLOBAL : Promoting Mutual Respect through Education
By Pope Francis (Vatican Radio via CNUA)

The Vatican has published a message from Pope Francis to the world's Muslims for the
conclusion of Ramadan. This year, the Islamic period of prayer and fasting concludes
between August 8th and 9th. Though its usually issued by the Pontifical Council for
Interreligious Dialogue, Pope Francis says at the start of his pontificate, he wished to
personally send this message of good wishes to the worlds Muslims himself as they
celebrate Id al-Fitr, breaking their fast. Below, please find the text of Pope Francis
message:
To Muslims throughout the World - It gives me great pleasure to greet you as you
celebrate Id al-Fitr, so concluding the month of Ramadan, dedicated mainly to fasting,
prayer and almsgiving.
It is a tradition by now that, on this occasion, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious
Dialogue sends you a message of good wishes, together with a proposed theme for
common reflection. This year, the first of my Pontificate, I have decided to sign this
traditional message myself and to send it to you, dear friends, as an expression of esteem
and friendship for all Muslims, especially those who are religious leaders.
As you all know, when the Cardinals elected me as Bishop of Rome and Universal Pastor of
the Catholic Church, I chose the name of "Francis", a very famous saint who loved God and
every human being deeply, to the point of being called "universal brother". He loved,
helped and served the needy, the sick and the poor; he also cared greatly for creation.
I am aware that family and social dimensions enjoy a particular prominence for Muslims
during this period, and it is worth noting that there are certain parallels in each of these
areas with Christian faith and practice.
This year, the theme on which I would like to reflect with you and with all who will read this
message is one that concerns both Muslims and Christians: Promoting Mutual Respect
through Education.
This years theme is intended to underline the importance of education in the way we
understand each other, built upon the foundation of mutual respect. "Respect" means an
attitude of kindness towards people for whom we have consideration and esteem. "Mutual"
means that this is not a one-way process, but something shared by both sides.
What we are called to respect in each person is first of all his life, his physical integrity, his
dignity and the rights deriving from that dignity, his reputation, his property, his ethnic and
cultural identity, his ideas and his political choices. We are therefore called to think, speak
and write respectfully of the other, not only in his presence, but always and everywhere,
avoiding unfair criticism or defamation. Families, schools, religious teaching and all forms
of media have a role to play in achieving this goal.
Turning to mutual respect in interreligious relations, especially between Christians and
Muslims, we are called to respect the religion of the other, its teachings, its symbols, its
values. Particular respect is due to religious leaders and to places of worship. How painful
are attacks on one or other of these!
It is clear that, when we show respect for the religion of our neighbours or when we offer
them our good wishes on the occasion of a religious celebration, we simply seek to share
their joy, without making reference to the content of their religious convictions.
Regarding the education of Muslim and Christian youth, we have to bring up our young
people to think and speak respectfully of other religions and their followers, and to avoid

ridiculing or denigrating their convictions and practices.

We all know that mutual respect is fundamental in any human relationship, especially
among people who profess religious belief. In this way, sincere and lasting friendship can
grow.
When I received the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See on 22 March 2013, I said:
"It is not possible to establish true links with God, while ignoring other people. Hence it is
important to intensify dialogue among the various religions, and I am thinking particularly
of dialogue with Islam. At the Mass marking the beginning of my ministry, I greatly
appreciated the presence of so many civil and religious leaders from the Islamic world."
With these words, I wished to emphasize once more the great importance of dialogue and
cooperation among believers, in particular Christians and Muslims, and the need for it to be
enhanced.
With these sentiments, I reiterate my hope that all Christians and Muslims may be true
promoters of mutual respect and friendship, in particular through education.
Finally, I send you my prayerful good wishes, that your lives may glorify the Almighty and
give joy to those around you. Happy Feast to you all! + FRANCIS, From the Vatican, 10
July 2013 - http://en.radiovaticana.va

READERS LETTERS

From,
Vincent Anes
vincyanescmf@gmail.com
Dear Fr. Felix,
I appreciate your service to the nature and in turn to humanity. God bless you. I enjoy and inspired
by your news bulletin.
Dear Fr. Felix,
Thank you for your mails on GEM. We have been going thru' these and find them very interesting
and informative. May we request you to permit us to use some matter from GEM for our
forthcoming issue of 'Tidings'.
Thanking you,
With love and prayers
Fr. Ivan D'souza, OCD
St. Joseph Church
Mira Road
Thane 401107
[Dear Fr Ivan,
Please feel free to use any matter for any publication, no need to take any permission as the matter
has been taken from various sources. In fact, the message should reach to as many people, which
can bring more and more awareness and a change for the better. Fr Felix]
From,
denis.khan@gmail.com, Mumbai

Dear Fr. Felix

Congrats for your dedication to saving he environment. You will agree that it is equally important
to save the economy.
We have a twin black holed economy with crores disappearing at the macro level and small
change disappearing at the micro level. All political parties are allegedly united in keeping the
black money out. The alarming Current Account Deficit-CAD - 6.7% of the GDP will leave a debt
trail of about $33 billion for GEN Next. The alleged Cobra Post macro level reappearance of
crores of Rupees is being investigated. We should stop the small change disappearance at the
micro level, although it has boosted the Church collections where small change is replaced by
Rs.10 notes! Kindly help in disseminating my petition re the disappearance of small change.
.Here's the link: <http://www.change.org/en-IN/petitions/rbi-bring-back-the-black-money- andstop-the-small-change-shortage>.
Thanks. & regards
From: rajkumar sharma <almanac.rks@gmail.com>

Hi All,

The Rotary Club of Deonar along with its partner clubs are donating
5 0 0 F R E E W h e e l C h a i r s to the needy.
They require an actual list of beneficiaries who require these wheel chairs.
Folding Wheel Chair , Chrome plated, Metal Frame, adult size
Folding Wheel Chair, Chrome plated, Metal Frame, child size
We look forward to hearing from you.
Contact: Vishnu Kamat. Director, Community Services, Rotary club of Deonar, Mumbai. Cell
9820281068
Please forward to all your contacts.
Regards,
Raj Kumar Sharma.

From,
Dr Leo Rebello
prof.leorebello@gmail.com
Hello Fr Felix: I am sending a supporting letter, as received from USA, for your information
and publication in next issue of GEMS. I have highlighted the important point in this fine
spiritual essay. My 12 point opposition to Organ Transplants and this essay of NRI
Duraisamy from USA makes a strong case that you, as a Priest of Christ should at once
STOP supporting the Organ Donation scam not in consonance with the Christian teachings.
Best Regards, Dr. Leo
From: Sphatik Prakashan
Sent: Friday, August 02, 2013 9:54 PM
To: Dr. Leo Rebello
Subject: Re: NO TO ORGAN DONATION -- DR. LEO REBELLO
Dear Dr Rebello,
Many thanks for sending this to us. We are in agreement with your thinking on this matter. We

agree also that Jesus The SON OF GOD healed holistically and would not be in support of the
concept of organ transplantation.
I would like to share with you a small section from my book "From INDIA to the TRUTH",
which gives some spiritual dimension to the organ transplant process. This essay is at the bottom. I
believe it harmonises gracefully with your initiative outlined in your email, which I support.

I hope my little contribution, however minimal, also helps in our mutual goal.
Warm regards,
R. M. Duraisamy
~~ Sariputta ~~
Web: The Sphatik Mission - http://www.Sphatik.com
Blog: http://spiritualcommune.blogspot.com/
ST: http://www.speakingtree.in/public/rmduraisamy/blog
Email: rmduraisamy@gmail.com
When all seems lost, when the world appears to fall apart, then search within yourself for that quiet inner
voice that only leads upward. Follow the direction of that gentle, yet firm and unrelenting inner voice, to
the summit of The Holy Mountain where you will find your God.
There has been much furore over the organ transplant scam that has been going on for a long
time in places like Amritsar, Chennai and Bangalore. In 2005, a BBC documentary highlighted
the still ongoing activities of doctors who supposedly solicit kidneys from the locals and send it
to overseas patients in return for a very high payment. The donors are usually healthy people
from poor communities who, because of debts or other financial problems, are left with little
personal choice but to contribute their organs in return for a very small fraction of the large payoffs the doctors receive.
The media has done very much to provide a lot of information about this illicit activity, and the
debate has gone on for a very long time as to what is the right path in this regard. There are
even those who claim that this practice should be made legal, that it is up to the personal choice
of the donor to provide his organs for a cost, and that, so long as there is no coercion, there is
nothing wrong with this scheme. This practice does not correspond with the Human Organs
Transplant Act of 1994, which forbids monetary exchange between the donor and the recipient,
and mandates that the organ be donated out of love for the recipient.
Here, again, we encounter the fallibility of the letter of the law, for human legislation does
very little to correspond with the Cosmic Laws of the Universe, The Laws of Nature, which have
been anchored in Creation from eternity unto eternity, and against which even the most minor
transgression brings inescapable consequences! The organ transplants can thus be made
legal, even where a donor does not know the recipient, simply by signing an affidavit to the
effect that the donor is providing an organ out of genuine love and concern for the recipient. And
all the authorisation committees can do is verify the appropriate documents, but not the actual
facts!
The organ donation takes place, not out of love or concern for a patient, but solely
for money, thus for purely materialistic purposes. And bulk of that money does not even go
to the donor patient, who often lives in poverty, but to the scheming doctors who perform these
operations and all their associated brokers. If using if solely for the sake of argument there
is such a thing as Divine Justice, where each person absolutely and unconditionally receives in
full measure that which he had sown, what is the Karma of all those responsible for this cunning
scheme, which has been quite clearly drafted to bring about only an increase in personal
wealth?
There is not even the slightest trace of love, of genuine concern for ones neighbour. Are
these the kinds of doctors we want in our society, in whom we repose so much trust for the
healing of those among us who are physically ailing?
The craving for materialistic fulfilments is solely an attribute of the earthly intellect. The intellect
is supposed to assist us in our lives on Earth, but when we make it the ruler of our lives, then we

submit to it, which has the effect that we live only for materialistic values. As a consequence, we
concoct schemes designed to bring only the greatest returns in wealth, power and reputation.
Clearly, this transplant scam is just one such corrupt scheme of countless thousands.
Yes, it is true that these people (both the doctors and the donors) are doing this out of their own
free will.

Or at least, we certainly hope that this is the case. And it is true that persons with failed organs
(e.g. kidneys) could be helped by an organ transplant. It is also true that the donor could be
helped if the amount of money he received would help alleviate his poverty, even if for a short
while.
But there are much greater consequences of the very act of organ transplantation itself,
consequences that are the result of the operation of The Laws of Nature. And these
consequences cannot be stayed even if the donor contributes his organs out of genuine love for
another patient. The answer to this lies in an understanding of the innate laws associated with
the evolution of the physical body up to the present time, as well as those laws that operate in
the finer, imperceptible world of coarse-matter, also known as the astral world.
We need to first of all accept that such a world does exist, and only then can we draw genuine
answers for ourselves in all things. If we assert that what we see and feel with our coarsematerial senses is the only basis for all investigation and analysis, then we are already on the
wrong path. That is akin to seeing only the tip of an iceberg, for there is much more to be
uncovered deep within the ocean of all existence.
Creation swings in The Law of Equilibrium and Balance! Where a one-sidedly self-imposed
imbalance takes place, The Laws of Nature quickly ensure that the other side becomes strong
enough to restore the balance. The greater the degree of imbalance, the more tremendous is
the restoration to the natural balance. We see this constantly around us. In the conflict in nature,
i.e. in the ecosystems, and also within the physical body.
Hence, if an organ of a different, unsuitable type is transplanted to a person, we can clearly
observe how the natural working of the body tries to reject this alien organ. In this, we can
observe yet again The Creation-Law of Attraction of The Homogeneous, which now
transforms in its effect into the repulsion of heterogeneous species! The same is the case with
blood transfusions. The body reacts in order to restore the balance. But any constantly
sustained one-sidedness results in total breakdown of all the body functions.
The case is different with donors and recipients who are of the same type. In this case, there is
no observable rejection of the donated blood due to the coarse-material homogeneity. However,
there are reactions to the donated organs, which can only be unnaturally suppressed with antirejection drugs. Moreover, there are even worse reactions in the finer astral world!
The auras of both the donor and the recipient become distorted, because both of them
suffer an imbalance. In the case of a kidney transplant, the donor now has to depend on a
single kidney, and all the auric radiations that were formed in the harmonious working of the two
kidneys become heavily distorted. These may not necessarily manifest in this world, but once
the donor passes over into the next world, the influence becomes all too apparent for him. In any
case, the donor, no matter how healthy, is always put at physical risk by donating his organs to
another.
The same is true for the recipient. He receives a new organ, which has been formed under
different karmaic conditions, and this introduces distortions into his own aura. Although he
may obtain coarse-material relief from this organ, there is no guarantee that his own karmaic
condition, which led to him being in this sad situation in the first place, is also redeemed. In most
cases, however, he only becomes burdened with a much weightier Karma!
Unfortunately, we have formed wrong conceptions of sickness and suffering. The moment
we are struck with a painful Karma, we strive to immediately find coarse-material cures, without
recognising the former wrong deeds that led to the suffering. All such cures are useless if we
have not made this recognition, and the Karma is not redeemed even if our body returns to
normal. All that drugs or operations do thereby is to simply make the body unsusceptible to the

present karmaic reactions, which then have to find another way to become manifest, either here
or the Beyond. This is no healing, but only paves the way for further transgressions against The
Laws of Creation!
But he who truly swings in The Divine Law of Karma, in which there is no injustice whatsoever, if
he were inflicted by the returning reactions of the past such that his only coarse-material hope
according to medical science would be an organ donated by another human being, he himself
would not wilfully undertake such a thing. In his absolute cognizance of his own former wrong
deeds, he would simply bow down his head and accept the returning radiations, but would never
demand that another persons life
be put at risk for the sake of his own. At most, therefore, he would only try to use those kinds of
medicines or treatments that would affect him and him alone. But at no time would he have to
require someone else to make such a sacrifice for the sake of his health!
This kind of sacrifice is therefore not willed by God! He has given us healthy bodies so that
we can put them to good use and help build up His Kingdom on Earth, thus bringing about
peace and happiness on this planet and in all of Creation. And if we fail to do so, we bring about
our own personal downfall, which we must reap and fully experience for ourselves. This does not
mean that we should not help one another, but there are limitations or natural barriers which we
cannot cross without bringing even further harm to ourselves.
Thus two kidneys are absolutely vital to our full working on Earth! Just as we require two
eyes, two arms, two legs and so forth. We also have only one liver, one pancreas, one spleen
etc. for this harmonious activity. The Creator has given us this perfect configuration so that
we can develop to the fullest extent. It is our fault if we do not do so. And only then do we
suffer grave illnesses, our organs fail to function and we end up living miserable lives. Even if one
person donates any part of him to another individual, who is sick, they both, in effect, become
sick! Sick, at least in spirit, if not in flesh, because the connection between the spirit and the body
becomes weakened.
Surprisingly, the same is true even if the organs are collected from a donor involved in a fatal
accident! In all these cases, the soul of the donor is very often still strongly connected with the
physical body, and can feel and experience everything that happens to the body via the astral
link or the connecting cord. The pricking and prodding of a post-mortem can thus become a
most painful experience for the soul, as well as the withdrawal of any organs from the body. Death
is supposed to be a transition for the soul, and it is wrong for doctors to interfere with this
transitional process in any way!
Viewed in this light, it is not only the organ transplant scams running in India that thereby
go against The Laws of Balance and Equilibrium in Creation, but in reality all transplants.

Bengal leads in organ donation


TNN | Aug 6, 2013

KOLKATA: At a time when people are falling victims to the most complicated of diseases, the city is
inching towards a better record in organ donation. West Bengal gets the maximum number of body
donations in the country with nearly 10 lakh bodies being pledged. And Kolkata records the most number of
cases in the state.

If parents have given you life, somebody else, not even distantly related to you, may help keep you alive.
Realising the truth at a time when diseases of the most complicated form, are looming, Kolkata is inching
towards a better record vis-a-vis organ donation.
With about 10 lakh bodies pledged in the state, West Bengal gets the maximum number of body donation in
the country and its capital gets most of these.
Ganadarpan, an organisation that coordinates body donation, gets more than 100 bodies every
year. The number shot up after former chief minister Jyoti Basu joined the tribe in 2003 by

pledging his body.


Besides Jyoti Basu, there is a host of well-known politicians (both dead and live) who have donated their
bodies. These include Somnath Chatterjee, Anil Basu, Benoy Roy, Biman Bose, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee
and Surjya Kanta Mishra.
Former Bengal spinner Utpal Chatterjee, actors Shobha Sen and Rupa Ganguly and mime artist Jogesh
Dutta also find a place on the list of famous personalities who have pledged their bodies and organs.
Though most of the well-known figures who pledged their bodies (both dead and alive) are Left winged
politicians - Somnath Chatterjee, Anil Basu, Benoy Roy, Biman Basu, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, Surjya
Kanta Mishra - many from diverse filed are also joining the bandwagon. Former Bengal spinner Utpal
Chatterjee, actresses Shobha Sen, Rupa Ganguly, mime artist Yogesh Dutta being few in the sea of people
who pledged their bodies and organ.
"The body and organ donation campaign got a big shot in the arm after Jyoti Basu announced his pledge.
There are some families in Kolkata where each and every member has pledged his or her body. Despite this
encouraging trend, there have been very few cadaver organ transplants in the state," said Brojo Roy, general
secretary of Ganadarpan.
The biggest hurdle, however, is not making brain dead declaration mandatory as is the case in states like
Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, felt Roy. If all hospitals with ICU facilities have a panel of doctors for
declaring patients brain dead it would be easier for organisations like Ganadarpan to approach families of
the deceased and convince them, he said.
Lack of awareness among the rural population is also a cause of worry. "Donating body, organs and eyes, is
still a very urban concept, and only a small part of the populace follows it is in practice in That too, amid a
small part of the populace
. What we need now is to spread awareness in the rural areas which cover a larger part of the state
population," said R C Pal, secretary, Susrut Eye Foundation and Research Centre. Pal was instrumental in
transplanting Jyoti Basu's corneas within 24 hours of the CPM patriarch's death.
Pal keeps getting pledges of cornea transplantand those that transform into transplants. "That's because
donation of corneas, after death, is emotionally more acceptable to donors and their families than the
donation of other body parts. However, there is growing evidence of the safety of live organs and the
immense benefit that many can get if organs can be harvested from dead persons," said Pal, adding, "We
must increase awareness among the public which will lead to more people registering to be donors after
their death."
Rabindranath Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (RTIICS) that conducts perhaps the highest
number of kidney tranplants in the city handles about 200 transplants every year. But doctors feel that
Kolkata needs to gear up in the cadaver transplant field. "Though there are good facilities for organ
transplant in the city, we lag behind when it comes to cadaver transplant," said Dr Deepak Shankar Ray,
nephrology head at RTIICS.
Apart from kidneys, transplant procedures also involve heart, liver and pancreas. With corneal and bone
marrow transplants being performed more frequently in Kolkata, hospitals are trying to hire doctors with
expertise in the field.
Satyjit Bose, who is about to open Bengal's first transplant-only hospital at Andal in Burdwan, said, "A lot
of kidney transplants happen in Bengal, but there is scope for transplants in liver, skin, bone marrow,
pancreas and even heart. Though there hasn't been a heart transplant yet, there are centres that perform one

or more of these procedures. But our state general lacks the infrastructure for transplant and that is why we
came up with the unique project. We also need strong laws for transplant."

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ORGAN DONATION (Give Thanks give Life)
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I AM A
PROUD
INDIAN
HELLO MY DEAR FRIENDS,
J.F. Kennedy once said, do not ask what your country is doing for
you, but ask what you are doing for your country. Every year,
during the National days like Independence Day people quote this
saying. This quote makes a lot of sense. There are many citizens
who always want others, especially the government to do things,
which they themselves can easily do. They forget that, they are
the part of the government and hence, they too are responsible for
the running of the country. Once example we see filth and dirt all
around, on the footpaths, roadsides, outside the housing colonies,
institutions and so on. We expect the municipality to come and
clean our surroundings. Instead, do we question who is responsible
for this filth and dirt? It is due to our lack of civic sense and
negligence we dirty our surroundings and expect others to come
and clean it. We have always one justification we pay our taxes!
As patriotic and Responsible Citizen, one important project, I want
to take up in my Housing Colony is the project of Zero Garbage.
When every family in my building segregate the household waste
into dry and wet, we can keep the surroundings of our colony clean.
If all our neighbouring buildings do this, the message of cleanliness

will spread to wider and wider areas making our country and its
environs clean. As a housewife I want to spread this message to all
around. Only when I do something for my beloved country, I can
boldly say, I AM A PROUD INDIAN!
advt
Hope you too would like to call yourself A PROUD INDIAN by giving
something in
return for your country, for all the benefits and privileges you enjoy. If
you agree
with this, tell others about it, by forwarding this mail to all your efriends.

10 plants to convert
Mumbai's garbage
into energy
Clara Lewis, TNN | Aug 8, 2013
MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal
Corporation (BMC) has proposed the
setting up of at least 10 waste-toenergy plants to process 8,000
metric tonnes of garbage generated
everyday in the city. It is, however,
not clear what the BMC plans to do
with the power that is generated.
Additional municipal commissioner
Mohan Adtani said each plant will
require five to six acres to process at
least 1,000 metric tonnes of garbage.

comes,'' he said.
The BMC will invite expressions of
interest from across the globe over the
next fortnight for the new project. Unlike
the previous project, where the operator
was to make the full investment, the
BMC will invest 50%.

"We can go in for full investment but we


do not wish to do that to ensure that the
city gets the right technology. With a
50% stake, the contractor will have to
While some processing plants will be
ensure the scheme works to its fullest,''
set up at existing dumping grounds in he said.
Deonar, Mulund and Kanjurmarg, the
BMC has zeroed in on land in Mahim- In Deonar, 60 hectares will be converted
Dharavi to process the island city's
into a green hillock after scientifically
waste. It is scouting for land for the
treating waste and ensuring outlets for
western suburbs.
gas, which will then be flared at the
Adtani said, "We have told the
development plan department, which
is preparing the DP, to identify land
for the purpose. The only open space
available is on the sea-front. We will
have to seek clearance from the
Union ministry of environment &
forests. But it should not be a
problem as it will tackle an
environmental problem.''
The need to set up processing plants
arose as the BMC's earlier plan to
shut down the Deonar and Mulund
dumping grounds is under
investigation.
A clause for the ambitious project on
the develop-build-own-operatetransfer model was leasing the
dumping ground land to the
contractor for Re1 per square metre.
Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has
set up a special investigation team to
probe the contract.
Adtani said the BMC will go ahead with
the new project and cannot wait for
the investigation to be completed.
"We shall go by the findings when the
decision

Gorai dumping ground. Of the remainder


65 hectares, 20 will be used for the
plants to process the waste and around
10 hectares as a landfill for the inert
material generated from the plant. In
Kanjurmarg, 65 hectares will be used for
the plant and in Mulund it will be 10
hectares.
Adtani said they wanted to ensure
minimum transportation and hence have
processing plants in the island city and
the western suburbs.
While the new project will ensure no
dumping of garbage, smell will continue
to be an issue. "Garbage will be brought
to the plants round-the-clock and it
takes time to offload from the trucks.
Even if we spray a deodorant, there will
be trucks queuing up,'' he said.
The closure of the Gorai dumping ground
was planned so that gases released
would be used to generate 4MW of
electricity but it is still to become
operational.

Mumbai: City vegetables


lack vital nutrients,
reveals study
Mumbai Mirror, Jul 23, 2013

protein. In all other cases, there was a wide


difference in nutrient value between the Mumbai
and Nashik (organic) vegetables.
For instance, while the potassium content of 100g
of organic tomatoes from Nashik was 148 mg, the
same quantity from the Mumbai markets contained
just 58 mg. The organic bottle gourds had optimal
levels of iron and phosphorus essential minerals
that play a key role in energy metabolism and tissue
oxidation while the minerals were below
detection levels in the Mumbai samples. (See box)
The tests also found that chemicals like endosulfan
and nuvan were widely used in most of the
vegetables available in the city. Direct contact with
these chemicals is known to causes headaches,
nausea, seizures, and in extreme cases,
unconsciousness and death.

Cityvegetableslackvitalnutrients,reveals
study
Ayearlonginvestigationbyacitydieticianfinds
thatvegetablescommonlyavailableat
DadarandVashifallshortofvitamins,
minerals,comparedtotheirorganic
counterpartsfromNashik
Ankit.Ajmera@timesgroup.comTWEETS
@_MumbaiMirror
The large vegetables available at many of the
popular markets in Mumbai might have a
healthy appearance but this could be deceptive.
A study by a city dietician has found their
nutrient levels to be very poor. The same study
has shown that smaller, organically grown
vegetables pack in much more vitamins and
minerals.
Beginning April last year, Juhu-based dietician
Sheela Tanna sent five vegetables - bottle
gourd, moringa leaves (leaves from the
drumstick tree), tomatoes, cabbage and beans
--sourced from the Dadar and Vashi wholesale
markets to a laboratory in Nashik to have their
nutritional value tested.
At the same time, she also asked her cousin,
agriculturist Jitendra Kutmutia, who owns an
organic farm in Nashik, to send a batch of the
same selection of vegetables to the laboratory
services division of Ashwamedh Engineers and
Consultants.
I wanted to check if the vegetables we ate were
causing problems, says Tanna, who had been
receiving health complaints from clients whom she
had prescribed raw vegetable salads and juices.
Each test cost between Rs 10,000 and Rs. 11,000.
Tanna sent the last batch in May this year.
The results were startling, and troublesome. All
vegetables that were sourced from Mumbai
hadtracesoffertilizersandpesticides.Some,like
moringa leaves, showed higher values of
calcium and Vitamin A than their organic

This study comes at a time when Switzerlands raw


food movement is fast taking root in the city; a raw
food workshop was conducted in May by cancer
survivor Mona Gandhi. Whats more, nutritionists
routinely prescribe raw food to clients.
WHAT ONE CAN DO
If you cannot afford organic food all the time, go
for vegetables that are smaller in size. The bigger a
vegetable is, the higher the probability that it was
treated with artificial fertilisers. Go for smaller
tomatoes, bottle gourd, lady finger and egg plants,
advises Tanna.
She points to a test conducted by Kerala
Agricultural University last year which proved that
soaking vegetables in tamarind water (with at least
20 mg of tamarind) for 20 minutes helped get rid of
95 per cent chemicals on their surface.
Diluting vinegar in water and using it to wash
vegetables is equally good, adds Tanna.
A DOCTORS VIEW
Looking at the reports, it can be said that the
organically grown vegetables have more nutrients.
But this is a small experiment. Based on this its
difficult to say that all of Mumbais vegetables lack
in nutrients, said Dr Purwa Duggal, head of
department, nutrition, Fortis Hospital, Mulund.
There could be other factors to consider, such a
quality of soil, which might lead to low nutrient
values in certain vegetables. ``But they cant account
for all of Mumbais vegetables. I would also like to
understand how in the challenging climate of today,
the Nashik vegetables
werepreservediftheywerenotsprayedwithpesticides,
said Dr Duggal.
Her advice is that people will remain healthy if
they have balanced meals and go for seasonal
vegetables and fruits. Then there is a lesser chance
that they might have been artificially ripened. She
also advises periodic check ups for detecting
vitamin and other nutritional deficiencies, which
can be treated with temporary supplements.

counterparts, but showed zero traces of crucial


nutrients like Vitamin C and B12, iron,
potassium and

Mumbai to get pollution


information on 15
screens
Pratibha Masand, TNN | Aug 1, 2013
MUMBAI: Real-time weather information and
pollution levels will soon be available at
big traffic intersections in the city. By
mid-2014, the city will get air quality
monitoring systems at ten locations,
data from which will be displayed on big
screens at 15 of the busiest crossings.
The city is also likely to get a second
Doppler radar.
Under the System of Air Quality
Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the
data generated by the air quality
stations will be sent to the weather
bureau through GPRS, and after it is
processed, passed on to civic authorities.
The System of Air Quality Forecasting
and Research (SAFAR), a project of the
Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)
and the Indian Institute of Tropical
Meteorology (IITM), will generate air
quality data for the public. The
information will be available via SMS and
email, based on subscription. If the
threshold of any pollutant is crossed, an
alarm will be raised. The air quality
stations will be distributed in a way to
generate data in as localized a way as
possible.
"The initiative is by the ministry of earth
sciences," said K S Hosalikar, who has
taken over from N Y Apte as the deputy
director general of IMD, Mumbai.
"The ten air quality stations will include

Panvel and Thane. Observations will be


micro-level; sensors at the stations will
monitor levels of carbon, sulphur
dioxide, ammonia, dust, smoke and
greenhouse gases," he said.
Thirty more automatic weather stations
are in the pipeline. Hosalikar said the
IMD will sign a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) with the BMC to
procure sites for the stations.
The sensors at every station will be
location-specific. "For instance, if a
particular area has more complaints of
acid rain, the station will measure
ammonia levels," Hosalikar explained.
"We will make sure that the sensors are
neither too close nor too far from a
pollution source like a factory. This will
help us to get an unbiased measurement
of pollution."
About getting another Doppler radar, he
said referring to the S-band radar
installed about three years ago, "In a
city like Mumbai, one Doppler radar is
not enough. The Met department is
hopeful of setting up another radar. We
have given a projection for a C-band
radar, which will solve the dual purpose
of tracking regular weather and helping
with aviation signals (S and C bands are
frequency ranges)."
Incidentally, the BMC started 33 weather
stations earlier in the year, bringing the
total in the city to 60.
"Our stations can measure all aspects of
the weather, but we collect only rainfall
data during the monsoon," said Mahesh
Narvekar, head of the BMC's disaster
management cell.

DR. (SR) MUDITA ON BIODIVERSITY:


XAVIERIANS LEARN OUT OF THE BOX
courtesy: silentvoice58@gmail.com

Bored with run of the mill classroom


teaching and rote learning, St. Xaviers
College, Digha Ghat in an attempt to
make learning a fun filled, hands-on
experience, experimented teaching GES
(General and Environmental Studies), a
compulsory paper for BA (Hon) and
B.Com (Hon) Part III students in an
innovative way. Motivated by (Dr) Fr
Nishaant S. J. the dynamic Principal of
the College, Dr (Sr) Mudita RSCJ took up
the challenge, by enthusing her 76
students with Michael Jacksons songs,
Earth Song and Heal the World.
Students were asked to feel with him as
they comprehended the lyrics in the
audio-visual. Impacted by the emotions
of Michael Jackson-a familiar youth fan,
the students were intrinsically motivated
and all ears to learn more about
biodiversity,
the
biggest
ecological
problem faced by India today. UN has
declared the decade 2011-2020 as the
decade of biodiversity and India hosted
the UN meeting Cop XI in Hyderabad in
October 2012.
Biodiversity
and
its
conservation,
Hotspots and threats to biodiversity
(Topic 3) of the prescribed syllabus was
taught through a PowerPoint in an
interactive manner, where students were
excited to know more about the
Sheesham
trees
that
suddenly
disappeared from Patna and the mango
trees on the St Xaviers College Campus
that are suddenly dying. Mono culture is
the cause of species becoming extinct,
echoed Alokita, B.Com III and a Student
Council Member. I now know that the
web of life is made stronger by
biodiversity,
remarked
student
Shikander. Enthusiastic Nelson Osta, BA

trees.
Learning
about
Indias
Biodiversity Hotspots and the Indian
scenario-how India has diverse cultures,
religions and traditions since time
immemorial, and how this is reflected in
the day-to-day lives of their people and
is expressed in innumerable festivals,
customs,
rituals
and
practices
is
illuminating, opined Priyanka. Studying
about Sanskritik Vans or Traditional
Gardens where trees act like antennas
and absorb cosmic energy which can be
tapped by human beings, or the
Nakshatra Vans where there is a
separate tree for each of the 27
Constellations was just mind blowing,
said Isha. I want to do further studies in
Environment. The subject is incredible!,
proclaimed Ashutosh.
The cream on the cake of this exciting,
out of the box learning methodology,
saw the completion of the topic with a
hands-on experience at the Tarumitra
Biodiversity Centre, Digha Ghat on 20th
July 2013, where (Dr) Fr Robert Athickal
S.J (Founder and Director) taught the
students how to identify different trees.
Students will return to the college where
they will do an assignment which read,
Select a rare tree on the campus (the
rarer the better) love it and care for it.
Find out its name-local, botanical, Hindi,
English and Bhojpuri; its uses, medicinal
value etc. When asked, a beaming Sr
Mudita commented, I enjoyed teaching
this topic. My students brought out the
best in me. My hope is that 76 rare trees
on the college campus will be labelled,
one by each student in the class.
20th July 2013 Dr. (Sr) Mudita Menona
Sodder RSCJ Society of the Sacred
Heart, 1/6 New Patliputra Colony, Patna

(Hon) III exclaimed, I looked up the 800013,


Bihar,
North
India
net, to get more information on the .#09470652713
(Patna)/09869266651
Chipko Movement and how the women (Mumbai) Landline: (0612)2261344
succeeded in saving the

AVAILABLE
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BIODIVERSITY
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Railways, IIT-Madras tie


up to power AC
coaches with solar
energy
V Ayyappan, TNN | Aug 5, 2013

CHENNAI: Soon, solar power will be used


to cool air conditioned train coaches. The
Integral Coach Factory has kicked off a
project in association with IIT Madras to
design coaches that will draw power
from the sun for interior lighting and
cooling.
This is the first time the railways is
attempting to tap solar power. Being the
world's biggest railway system, it plans
to use innovative technology to tap
alternative sources of energy to reduce
dependence on fossil fuel and the power
grid. The railways sees a huge demand
for air conditioned coaches in the coming
years. And this demand could lead to
increased spending on diesel to power
the coaches. In other countries, too, it is
rare to use solar power on trains.
There are two ways to source power for
air conditioningpower cars that use
diesel and AC coaches that generate
power from the speed of a train. Power
cars are attached to trains like Shatabdi
Express, Duronto and double decker
trains while AC coaches of other trains

systems.
"We have asked IIT Madras to find ways
to tap solar power and use it for interior
lighting and air conditioning. An MoU was
signed a month ago. We have started
preliminary discussions with professors
to work out different modalities to
develop a feasible model to use solar
power in running trains," said a senior
ICF official.
If the project is successful, the railways
may be able to dispense with power
cars. "We are yet to know if power cars
can be eliminated because we have to
find out the extent of power that can be
drawn from solar panels and how much
of that can be stored effectively. These
issues will be looked at by the
developers," he added.
The new technology will be incorporated
in the coaches designed by ICF. It is not
clear how long it will take to complete
the project.
Powering an air conditioned coach
efficiently has become a huge challenge
as trains run across different climate
zones during a single trip. The air
conditioning system has tripped on many
trains, including the recently-introduced
double-decker service between Chennai
and Bangalore. Last year, passengers on
a Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram train
suffered when the air conditioning failed.
AC compartments often have trouble
with the battery system needed to power
the self-generator fixed near the wheels
of the coach.
ICF has already turned to renewable
energy to meet its needs and has set up
a few wind mills to generate power in the
southern districts of the state. The power
is now being supplied to the grid.

have self-generating

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Mangalore: Ramanath Rai


plants sapling at Kadri Park
Daijiworld Media Network Mangalore

It is important to plant
trees and should create
awareness among people
in this regard. Like food,
even trees are important
for a man and all citizens
should indulge in planting
saplings
importance of conserving environment, Rai said
it is an international issue and lauded journalists
association for organizing a meaningful
programme.

Mangalore, Aug 2: Minister for forest,


environment and ecology B Ramanath Rai on
Friday August 2 planted a sapling at Kadri, as
part of Vanamahotsava, organized by Dakshina
Kannada District Working Journalists
Association and Mangalore Press Club.
Speaking on the occasion, Rai said, It is
important to plant trees and should create
awareness among people in this regard. Like
food, even trees are important for a man and all
citizens should indulge in planting saplings
around him, he advised. Stressing on the

Minister Rai will also kick-start the state-level


Laksha Vruksha (lac tree plantation campaign)
Andolan programme on August 3.
Forest conservation officer Shantappa, deputy
conservator of forest O Palaiah, Jagannath
Shetty Bala, corporator Shashidar Hegde,
corporator Mahabala Marla, working journalist
association president P B Harish Rai, Press Club
president Ramakrishna among others were
present.

ISRAEL: A Forest for Cardinal Martini (SJWEB via CNUA)


"To plant small trees and let them grow, is what God asks
from us"
ceremony, during which the first trees were
planted. Numerous messages were received
to mark the occasion. Among them were
reflections from Giuseppe Laras, the former
Chief Rabbi of Milan and President Emeritus
of Italian Rabbinical Assembly, from Pope
Francis, and from Father Adolfo Nicols,

A moving ceremony in the presence of many


dignitaries was held on Sunday, 16 June

Superior General of the Society of Jesus.


Cardinal Martini's sister was also present. It
is planned to plant five thousand trees in the
memorial forest. Elia Richetti, chairman of
Italian Rabbinical Assembly, highlighted the

2013, to dedicate a forest planted in


memory of the late Cardinal Carlo Maria
Martini.
Last month, in Galilee, a start was made to
planting a forest in honour of the late
Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini. He was a man
of dialogue between religions, and especially
of dialogue with the Jewish people. Civil and
religious representatives from Israel, Italy
and the Vatican were present at the

Udupi: Locals oppose 80


Badagabettu's conversion into
industrial zone

deep significance of the tree as a symbol of


"memory which endures over time, and
especially as a symbol of growth." Father
Nicols, in his turn, recalled the biblical tree
of Mamre, and the mustard seed of the
Gospel. "To plant small trees and let them
grow, is what God asks from us", concluded
Eugne Korn, representing the American
Jewish Committee. - http://www.sjweb.info

(a Kannada daily) that 80 Badagubettu industrial area


will be set up soon.
This time, the impact was huge as there was political
pressure as well as public pressure to stop the allocation
of land for the project.
On June 20, a meeting was called where public
unanimously opposed the project and accused the local
officials (ZP president, PDOs and others) of deliberately
keeping it hidden from the public.
"Being people's representatives it is their responsibility
to notify us," they said. M T Reju, DC visited the place
and assured the residents that nothing would happen as
the government will not forcibly impose any plans
without public consent. However, many officials have
been visiting the spot, creating panic among the locals.

Panchayat member Sathyanat alleged that the decision


over the proposed plan was taken without informing the
villagers; nor was the issue discussed in the gram sabha.
He demanded that the government should pass a
Udupi, Aug 1: Even as the government's ambitious plan resolution against the proposal.
to set up an ultra mega power project in Niddodi in
Dakshina Kannada district continues to draw flak from
various quarters, another proposal - to convert 80
Residents oppose:
Badagabettu in Udupi into an industrial zone - has been
met with strong opposition from the locals.
A few youngsters in the village said that they have
Sheeja Moodubelle, Daijiworld Media Network
Udupi

When Daijiworld spoke to some of the local people, it


turned out that all of them objected to the government's
proposal.

witnessed bad instances of industrialization like the


UPCL. "The proposed Niddodi project is also like the
UPCL. In future if industries find land here they will not
spare our beautiful village," they said.

First, the actual issue:

Ganesh Bhat said that he stays at Kapiyadi and owns


3.57 acres of land. He is a farmer who had lost his 10
In 1991, a master plan was prepared for the area,
acres of land when MRPL project came into existence.
according to which, portions of 80 Badagabettu were
"I then purchased land here some years back. Other than
divided into agricultural zone, industrial zone, ITBT and farming I do not know anything. We have invested
deemed forest. The proposal was passed in the year
everything in this land, we cannot leave the place no
2008.
matter what," he said.
Athrady, Badagabettu, Kapiyadi, Perke, Balukatta
including Beerangi - altogether 282 to 289 acres - come
under the industrial zone. In 1991, there were only 15 to
20 houses here. But as this part of the area is just 4 km
away from Manipal, the development was drastically
fast.

There are high tension wires passing over the


agricultural lands here. If industrial projects are set in
the villages, the residents may suffer huge loss.

Vasanth Kamath said, It is not the matter of one family.


Nearly 300 families would lose their shelter. We will
never allow this to happen. There are coconut, arecanut
Now there are around 350 to 400 houses valuing at Rs
plantations with paddy as the main cultivation. Most of
25 lac each. In 2001, before confirming the allocation of the people here depend on farming.
land for the industrial zone, a notice was published in an
English daily stating that any objection to the plan could Panchayat president Sri Devi said, We are trying our
be conveyed to the government, but as it was published utmost to stop the project and will do our best to protect
in English daily no one knew about it and hence no one the land.
objected, after which the allocation was confirmed.

Most of the developers knew that it was an industrial


zone, yet they found a way to convert the land into
residential plots and sold them. For conversion they
went to Bangalore and got permission from the CMC.

The urban development minister Vinay Kumar Sorake


has assured to withdraw the proposal. As the issue
comes under his ministry, he can initiate measures to
withdraw the proposal, said EO Manjunathayya.

After effect:

Jana Jagrathi Samithi had submitted a memorandum to


MP Jayaprakash Hegde at Kapiyadi Shree Durgamba
Bhavani Temple on July 28. The minister assured that
big industries will not come here and the government
will be asked to reconsider the issue. He also assured
the government is with them.

On June 6 this year, another statement from the


industrial officer was published in the local news paper

Mangalore: Amarnath
Shetty questions CM's
motives behind Niddodi
project
Daijiworld Media Network Mangalore (GA)

Mangalore, Aug 4: I am seriously


concerned about the hidden motives of
chief minister Siddaramaiah who seems
to be very much interested in setting up
the thermal power plant at Niddodi. It
looks more like a covet mission than a
project undertaken for the good of the
people. Even the DC does not have any
information about the proposed project.
I am prepared for any fight that can stop
setting up of such a dangerous thermal
plant, said former minister Amarnath
Shetty.
He was speaking at a press conference
held at the JD (S) office here on
Saturday August 3.
The people of the district have already
been suffering due to the Nagarjuna
power plant and if another thermal
power plant comes up at Niddodi people
within the radius of 60 kilometres in and
around Niddodi will suffer. There is much
at stake. According to the initial
information we have, the government
will make its move to acquire over 4,000
acres of land in at least four villages.

are forcing the thermal plant on us


should not forget the loss of face they
suffered at Tadadi. It was also 4,000
mega watt thermal power project which
the government wanted to force on the
locals. But the intense protest by locals
which was vehemently supported by the
environmentalists finally succeeded and
the Centra government had to scrap the
idea.
Similarly the proposed project at Niddodi
too is a potentially dangerous and
destructive proposal which should be
opposed tooth and nail by everyone, he
opined. I have already written a letter
to opposition leader H D Kumaraswamy
about this. He has also promised to visit
the place and join the protests soon.
Protests committees will be set up in
each of the four villages which will be
heavily affected by the proposed project,
he added.
He further criticised the silence of four
ministers, that is, U T Khader, Ramanath
Rai, Vinay Kumar Sorake and
Abhayachandra Jain, who represent the
coastal districts of Udupi and Dakshina
Kannada in the state cabinet. They
should break their stoic silence and come
out with their views and join the protests
if they are really concerned about the
districts. They should also make efforts
in convincing the CM to not to go ahead
with the project, Shetty said.
JD (S) leaders Shashidhar Nayak,
Umanath Karkera, Ashwin Pereira,
Diwakar Shetty, Fredrick Pinto, Prithviraj
Jain, Hariprasad were also present at the
press conference.
The proposed project is will have deep
impact on the geography and natural
balance of the coast districts. Nandini
and Shambhavi rivers will be affected
and many small water bodies will

The profile of the land that the


government is angling for has fertile
fields that has resources to cultivate
three paddy crops and one pulse crop,
apart from coconut, horticultural corps,
areca, pepper and spice. So why force a
project which the locals do not want and
why go against the nature, questioned
he.
The CM and other political leaders who

vanish,. In fact river Nandini river will be


one of the worst affected as many
tributaries, in the form of small rivulets,
will cease to join the river due to
fragmentation and alteration of land
mass. Pollution of river Shambhavi,
which has a tributary running right
through the land identified for the plant,
is not ruled out. The establishment of
this power station will have long-term
negative ecological and human
consequences.

out any mining activity or removal of


sand, from river beds anywhere in the
country without obtaining environmental
clearance from MoEF/SEIAA and license
New Delhi, Aug 5 (PTI): The national
from the competent authorities," the
green tribunal (NGT) on Monday banned bench said while issuing notices to all
mining or removal of sand from river
respondents seeking their response by
beds across the country without an
August14. The tribunal also directed all
environmental clearance amid the uproar the mining officers and police officers
over suspension of an IAS officer who
concerned of all the states to ensure
had cracked down on sand mafia in Uttar compliance of its orders, on the plea filed
Pradesh. In its order, the Tribunal noted
by the National Green Tribunal Bar
that the loss caused to the state exchequer Association.
due to illegal sand mining may run into
lakhs of crores of rupees.
The petition alleged that those who have
opposed such sand mining, including field
The order was given on a plea alleging
level officers, like suspended SDM Durga
that such activities were going on in UP
Sakhti Nagpal, have been victimized
with the "wilful connivance" of its state
which is also apparent from various news
machinery.
reports.

Sand mining banned across


India

Widening the ambit of the plea, a bench


headed by NGT chairman Justice
Swatanter Kumar said its order would be
applicable across the nation as the petition
raised substantial environmental issues.
Initially, the bench banned illegal sand
mining on the beds and banks of rivers
Yamuna, Ganga, Hindon, Chambal,
Gomti, among others, but later modified
its order saying the issue of illegally
removing sand has nationwide
implications. The bench said the clearance
has to be obtained from the ministry of
environment and forests (MoEF) or state
environment impact assessment authority
(SEIAA).
"We restrain any person, company,
authority to carry

Nagpal, the 28-year-old SDM of Gautam


Budh Nagar who led the crackdown on
sand mining mafia in her district, was
suspended on July 27 ostensibly for
ordering demolition of a wall of a underconstruction mosque allegedly without
following the due process. Nagpal, who
belongs to the UP cadre, was
chargesheeted yesterday.
Senior advocate Raj Panjwani assisted by
advocate Ritwick Dutta, appearing for the
association, contended that "rampant"
illegal mining and transport of lakhs of
tonnes of sand is being carried on every
year and is causing a loss of lakhs of
crores of rupees to the state exchequer.

Sand in the eye: Being elected to power isnt


a licence for politicians to abuse it
Aug 8, 2013, 12.00 AM IST, TOI Edit
Days after IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal was suspended and charge
sheeted, thwarting her efforts to take on illegal sand mining in UP, the district
collector of Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu has similarly been shunted out. Ashish
Kumar was handed his transfer order hours after he had ordered a raid on
illegal miners in his district. Both incidents not only confirm the political

clout that the sand mining mafia wields, but also highlight the widespread
nature of the problem.
Classified as a minor mineral, the mining of sand is governed by state laws
that usually lack teeth. In fact, from UP to Tamil Nadu illegal sand mining is
rampant, taking place right under the nose of the local administration. That
sand is a crucial component in construction ensures that builders are always
on the lookout for cheap supply of the mineral. This provides fertile ground
for a politician-builder-mafia nexus. With beneficiaries cutting across the
political spectrum, illegal sand mining has come to acquire the status of a
protected activity.
The impact of this on the environment and river ecologies has been
deplorable. And given the expected growth in construction activities
throughout the country, unchecked sand mining could increase the frequency
of devastating floods, as witnessed recently in Uttarakhand. The solution lies
in beefing up checks on unlicensed mining along with incentivising the use of
sand alternatives such as fly ash, slag and recycled debris through tax breaks
to builders and contractors. Having said that, it is also imperative that honest
public officials are protected from political interference. No civil servant can
perform his duty in an impartial manner if the threat of being transferred or
suspended hangs over his head.
In this regard, the brazenness with which members of the ruling party in UP
have defended Durga's suspension - even touting it as a triumph of
democracy - is shocking. It is equally deplorable that a dalit writer from
Rampur was arrested for purportedly criticising Samajwadi leader Azam Khan
over the Durga affair on a social networking website. All of these betray a
mindset that perceives the position of a legislator as an elected monarch.
Such political arrogance is unbecoming of a democracy. Politicians ought to
know that their only job is to serve the public. In this context, UP chief
minister Akhilesh Yadav's description of government as a teacher is wrong - it
is the people's servant.

Greenpeace helps activists block marine dumpsite


Calls for major clean-up of Manila Bay

Greenpeace activists display a banner after


blockading Manila's Pier 18 (Photo by
Steve De Neef/Greenpeace)
Environmental activists and the crew of the
Greenpeace ship Esperanza successfully
blockaded an allegedly illegal dumpsite on
the shores of Manila Bay today.
Activists in small boats secured mooring
lines blocking Manilas Pier 18, preventing
the entry and exit of trash barges.
After closing the dumpsite, the activists
displayed banners that read This dumpsite
is now closed and Stop ocean
destruction.

Philippine laws."
Pier 18 is a sordid example of crime and
grime on our waters, said Greenpeace
spokesman Vince Cinches.
Unless dumps such as Pier 18 are shut
down, pollution problems facing
communities on land and plaguing marine
life will be difficult, even impossible to
address, the activists said.
It is time the government sent the
message that our coastal waters are not
dumping grounds. We need to protect the
integrity of our marine resources against
abuse, Lucero said.

Purportedly a garbage transfer station, it


is claimed that Pier 18, which covers about
3 hectares, has been illegally stockpiling
trash meant for a permanent dump outside
the city for decades.

The Esperanza is in the Philippines as part


of its Ocean Defender Tour of Southeast
Asia 2013.

It is the most high-profile of several dumps


polluting the bay, according to the activists.
Greenpeace and the EcoWaste Coalition
are calling for the immediate closure of the
dump and for the site to be cleaned up. It
is completely unacceptable that this
garbage dump continues to operate with
impunity when it blatantly violates

The tour aims to tell the story of the


richness and the beauty of the Philippine
seas, expose destruction that causes
marine degradation, and urge government
action to save the Philippine seas from
crisis. Each year, the government spends
millions trying to clean up Manila Bay. But a
big part of the problem is illegal waste
dumps, said Aileen Lucero, national
coordinator of EcoWaste Coalition.

ASIA : Sino-Burmese pipeline opens despite environmental


alarms and poor compensation
Yangon (AsiaNews / Agencies via CNUA)

Amid the discontent of the dispossessed farmers and activists' concerns about the
environmental impact, the controversial pipeline linking Burma's Arakan State with the
municipality of Kunming, in the south China is now operational. After years of work and
billions of dollars of investment, the Shwe pipeline (800 km long) crosses the boundaries

of Myanmar to supply energy industries in Beijing, but, according to critics, the civilian
population of Burma will never reap the benefits from the investment in terms of revenues
and use the energy produced and transported. At full capacity, the pipeline will carry 12
billion cubic meters of gas, equal to 6% of China's total energy demand. In terms of
income, at least 1.8 billion dollars a year will go into the pockets of the Burmese stateowned Moge company, although it is not clear how resources will be distributed and who
the real beneficiaries of this huge flow of money are. Management from Seagp consortium
(Southeast Asia Gas Pipeline Company Limited), in charge of the project, explain that oil
and gas taken from the plant will be channeled to Kyaukphyu on Chinese soil passing
through a border crossing in Shan State. The project is a collaboration between the China
National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and the Burmese Myanmar Oil & Gas Enterprise
(Moge), linked to the former ruling military junta in Myanmar. A second pipeline is
currently under construction, which will instead be used to transport oil to supply the
Chinese industries across the border. For the construction company, the pipeline is of
mutual benefit" to the Burmese and Chinese governments and ensures at the same time
underscores "good" relations marked by "collaboration" with the civilian population.
However, this has failed to stop the protests of critics, activists and environmentalists who
denounce abuses and human rights violations, ridiculous compensation in the face of vast
land seizures and damage to the natural heritage of the construction phase. They also
complain about a lack of transparency on the part of the Burmese government, as
confirmed by a recent survey, when it comes to investments in the energy sector. The
Sino-Burmese Committee in charge of checking the pipeline has launched a campaign to
collect signatures, asking for greater clarity on the part of the authorities and better
controls in terms of safety, given that in previous weeks - during the testing - there were
leaks. - http://www.asianews.it

HC directive sought not to


give approval of GMO variety
Published : Monday, 29 July 2013
FE Report

A writ petition has been filed with High


Court (HC) seeking its directive to restrain
the government from giving approval to
release four varieties of BT-brinjal, a
genetically modified (GMO) variety, at the
farmers' level.
A national green group sought the HC

She further said that till now there is no act


in Bangladesh, under which the
government can analyze hazards of
modified agriculture items to the human
body and biodiversity. In absence of such a
law, they sought the court's directive.
Moreover, production of the local varieties
of brinjal will be at stake if the BT-brinjal
varieties are released, she added.
Move to cultivate such GMO variety of
brinjal was reportedly halted in the
neighbouring country India and the

directive alleging that the GMO BT-brinjal


could affect biodiversity and cause severe
health hazards to human, other animals
and plants.

Philippines earlier due to protests and legal


bar there, sources said.

Multinational seed giant Monsanto and its


Indian ally Mahyco, with the financial
Ubinig, the group, took the legal move as
assistance of USAID, developed the BTthe Bangladesh Agricultural Research
brinjal seed in India in 2005 which is now
Institute (BARI), a government-run research banned in the country amid massive
organisation, recently sought permission
protests from Indian environmentalists,
from the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) to
biodiversity experts and ordinary citizens.
release the four varieties of BT-brinjal.
Chairman of Bij Bistar Foundation under
Ubinig executive director Farida Akhter
UBINIG Dr MA Sobhan earlier said the Bt
confirmed about the filing of the writ petition research is a conspiracy on behalf of the
to the FE Sunday. Hearing on the matter is multinational seed companies.
likely to be held at the concerned HC bench
soon, she added.
Since 2005, environmentalists in India and
Bangladesh have been staging serious
In the writ, the petitioner prayed to the court protests against the attempt to introduce Bt
to protect the people's right to live, which is crops in the region, claiming the transgenic
guaranteed in the constitution.
crops to be seriously harmful to human
health as well as the environment.

India's Christians lose faith in


ruling party
Disillusionment has Christians
looking elsewhere.
Posted on July 25, 2013, 10:04 PM

Latin Rite Catholics, an economically weak


Christian group, against the Congress government
in Kerala, accusing it of pandering to the rich. Dalit
Christians exist in considerable numbers in Andhra
Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, and possibly to a lesser
degree in Karnataka and Kerala where they form a
substantial portion of the fisher folk, boatmen,
toddy tappers [people who tap sap from trees to
make alcohol] and similar groups.
In Andhra, there is an additional group, said to be
very large, who maintain a low profile for various
reasons in the Hindu fold, but are in solidarity with
Dalit Christians.

John Dayal
New Delhi: Congress Party leaders ought to be
worried about the increasing disillusionment the
country's 26 million Christians feel towards a party
that has ruled India for much of the 67 years since
independence.
If there were any other national party which could
assure security and development for Christians,
more than 60 percent of which belong to
marginalized tribal and Dalit communities, it could
walk away with their vote.
In the absence of such a political force, the
Christian community could well consider the
plethora of regional ethnic or linguistic centered
parties as plausible alternatives to support.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with its
extremely divisive communal Hindutva agenda, its
blatant Islamaphobia and aggressive stance against
freedom of faith and the rights of Dalits, is not an
option, except perhaps for a microscopic section of
the wealthy along Indias west coast.
Its accommodation of several Catholics in its
successful campaign for the Goa legislature still
remains a one-off event.
Elsewhere, a few bishops and the heads of a few
other groups are hobnobbing with, or are being
vigorously wooed by the BJP, but they are a
numerically insignificant group.
Congress should red-flag two recent events,
prominent in a chain of other incidents from the
Punjab and the states of South India.
The first was an ultimatum to the Congress
government in New Delhi by the National Council
of Dalit Christians which, in effect, said no vote if
there is no acceptance of the rights of converts
from Indias former untouchable castes.
The second was another public demonstration by

In Punjab, there are perhaps as many as 400,000 of


them concentrated in Gurdaspur and Amritsar
districts. They can make or break political fortunes.
But it is not just all about Dalit Christians. Other
segments of the Christian community feel the
Congress Party has taken them for granted, treating
them as a captive vote all these years without in any
way making an effort to redress their grievances.
They feel only an elite group has prospered in the
years since independence.
The Christian community had a close relationship
with the Congress through the freedom struggle,
enthusiastically supporting Mahatma Gandhi,
particularly in the southern states.
It then backed Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi
who they saw as prime ministers with vision, and
inclusive policies for religious minorities.
Congress under Rajiv Gandhi also benefited from
this loyalty. And so has Sonia Gandhi. But patience
is now wearing thin.
Violence against Christians, and other forms of
persecution, is becoming an everyday affair, and the
ruling party is not helping them enough.
While Christians hold little expectations from states
ruled by the BJP such as Gujarat and Madhya
Pradesh, they were hoping for a better deal
elsewhere in the country.
As a general election approaches they are due by
the summer of 2014 Christians are assessing
regional parties, waiting and watching to see how
Congress responds.
John Dayal is the general secretary of the All India
Christian Council and a member of the Indian
governments National Integration Council.
Source: ucanews.com

TAIWAN : Internet and


noodles, a Tainan parish
priests "weapons" to help
the needy

important foundations have also come to


the aid of the needy, through these very
popular portals to help people in financial
difficulty. The priest has adapted to this
new aid modalities: "We have to be in
step with the times and try all
everything to put in touch with those who
by Xin Yage Tainan (AsiaNews via CNUA)
can help those who need this help."

In order to help those most in need, a


priest of Tainan has become a noodles
chef not only in the small restaurant
next to the church, but also online, The
pastor of "Mary cause of our joy" parish
in Tainan has become famous throughout
Taiwan for how he has put his talent to
work for charity. Father Lee decided
some time ago to a noodles restaurant
open next to his parish, in where he
works in the kitchen. His staff consists
of new immigrants and people who can
not find a job. In this way they have a
regular salary and all profits after costs
go to the poor of the parish or to the
needy in the area.

The decision to open a noodles


restaurant is not random: "As a child I
was adopted. When I grew up I found out
that my biological parents lived in Tainan
and sold noodles". From this research
into his own origins, which took place
along with the discovery of his vocation
to the priesthood, "the idea was born to
cook spaghetti next to the parish church.
I knew nothing about cooking, but then I
learned little by little and thanks to 'help
of my brother I started this type of
activity." "When customers pay - he
continues - they know they also
contribute to a good cause.

Unfortunately there are always people in


need, and they are our brothers. I have
had the opportunity to make visible the
help that the Catholic Church offers to
all those who really need it. It's not just
my thing, it is our whole community that
engages in this and takes care of those
who ask for help." Since he had the idea
of using the internet and other means of
communication to widen the initiative,
several foundations have joined him in his
mission: including the famous model and
Fr. Lee has also gone "digital". Some of
actress Lin Chi-ling who has used her
the young people of the parish pointed
immense fame as Taiwan's top model to
out to him the emergence of sites that
assist in this important mission. The
faciliate deals between suppliers and
latest example is eleven days ago, when
buyers that allow small businesses to
Fr. Lee published an ad online calling on
reach customers in their own home,
people to help needy people in the area.
cutting costs. These sites have given rise With a small donations of about 100
to web initiatives such as "17 life" and
Taiwanese dollars (about 3 U.S. dollars)
"Gomaji" that allow "special deals for
he was able to collect 31 thousand local
special buyers", just by coming to an
dollars (1000 dollars) to donate to
agreement and using the website to buy
charity. - http://www.asianews.it
and receive the product at home. Some

Goa archbishop joins leaders to offer Eid


Mubarak

The festival is celebrated today.


Panaji: Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao of Goa and Daman has joined state governor
and chief minister to extended greetings to the Muslim community on the occasion
of Eid.
"On behalf of the Catholic community in Goa and on my own, I have great joy in
greeting our Muslim sisters and brothers on the occasion of their festivity of Eidul-Fitr," his message said.
As they celebrate the revelation of the first verses of the Holy Quran and
particularly cherish family bonds, we extend our hands in solidarity and fraternal
love, the prelate said.
Such inter-religious solidarity will promote genuine justice, live in friendship with
God, the source of all human relationship, with oneself, with others and with the
whole creation, he said.
"We pray to God that this be the culture of all those who desire to be instruments
of peace in this world. Eid Mubarak," his message said.
Governor B V Wanchoo has extended his heartiest greetings and best wishes to the
people of Goa and Muslim brethren in particular on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Goa is a land of religious unity, brotherhood, social harmony and cultural solidarity,
he added and appealed to the people to retain and further enrich this tradition.
Chief minister Manohar Parrikar has extended his warm greetings to the people of
Goa on the happy and auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
The occasion brings joy and happiness on the culmination of the month of Holy
Ramzan, a period of fasting, prayer and charity.
"May this festival strengthen our faith in oneness, compassion and tolerance and
instill in us a sense of brotherhood and goodwill towards all. Let us rededicate
ourselves on this day to the service of humanity," the chief minister said.
Source: Times of India (ucannews)

Martyr Darryl Castelino

MUMBAI: A chowk in Vakola is set to be named after late Wing Commander


Darryl Castelino, who died in a helicopter crash during rescue operations in
Uttarakhand in June.
A proposal made by Kalina corporator Brian Miranda to name the chowk after Castelino was
passed in the ward committee meeting on July 23, and is currently pending approval by the works
committee (suburbs) and will then be sent for approval to the Brihanmumbai Municipal
Corporation (BMC).
I had put forward a proposal to name the chowk after Darryl Castelino since he is a martyr and
died during rescue work, said Miranda.The proposal was approved by the prabhag (ward)
committee and has been sent for approval to the suburban works committee after which it will be
sent to the house (BMC). But this is only a formality and the proposal will be approved, Miranda
said.
Miranda said the chowk next to the Vakola market will be officially named Martyr Wing
Commander Darryl Castelino Chowk within the next two or three months. A hoarding carrying
the news has already been put up in the area. The late wing commanders family rejoiced at the
news. We are all proud of Darryl and are honoured that his name is being glorified in this
manner, said Jyothi, Castelinos wife. I came to know about this when I saw the hoarding at the
chowk a few days ago.
The Castelino familys neighbours at the Diamond Park Housing Society in Vakola were also
thrilled. Castelino gave his life for the people of the country. He is truly deserving of such an
honour, said Milind Deshpande, secretary of the housing society.

Girl from red-light area flies to the US for


studies

Mumbai, Aug 4 (PTI): For 18-year-old Shweta Katti, who grew up as the
daughter of a devdasi in the infamous red-light area of Kamathipura in

the city, getting scholarship to study in the US is a dream coming true.


Shweta, who once studied in a civic school, flew to New York on Thursday to
pursue a course in psychology at Bard University.
"Shweta has got the opportunity to study in the US. I don't know what she
would be studying there. But I feel proud of her," her mother Vandana, a
devdasi, told PTI here today. Devdasis are girls who are 'dedicated' to a life
of sex work in the name of religion.
"Since childhood Shweta had been good at studies. Earlier, she studied in the
municipality school. From class VIII, she started going a private school in
south Mumbai," she added. After Shweta completed her higher secondary
school (HSC), she approached 'Apne Aap', an organisation in Kamathipura to
which she was associated since her class IV.
'Apne Aap' then took her to 'Kranti'--an NGO--which educates and empowers
trafficked girls, to help her in pursuing further education. Knowing well about
her field of interest, the organisation then cleared the deck for Shweta to
get further education in the US.
When asked about the funding part of Shweta's education abroad, Robin from
'Kranti' said, "Around 200 people from all over the world have contributed to
towards her education in the US. She would be studying psychology over there.
She had told us about her dream and we promised that we will make it happen."
Her mother says that Shweta would come back only after four years. "I am
missing her. But I have to make myself strong," she said.

Church bodies, civil society launch movement


for street children
The project aims at generating greater awareness about
underprivileged children.
Posted on August 4, 2013, 3:29 PM
By C M Paul
Guwahati:

Some 800 street children in Guwahati took part in a


program to launch a movement to make the city
child friendly.
Church bodies and civil society in Guwahati came
together under the leadership of Don Bosco Society
for the initiative yesterday.
Archbishop John Moolachira of Guwahati is the
chief Chile-Friendly Guwahati (CFG) patron.
The CFG project aims at generating greater
awareness among the people, and to create a sense
of responsibility in the community for the rights of
the underprivileged children.
It is our common mission as members of the
church and civil society to join the movement for a
Child-Friendly Guwahati, said Salesian provincial
of Guwahati Fr. Thomas Vattathara.
To ensure that the movement spreads, Fr. Vattathara
has appointed Fr. Solomon as director of the project
and Br. Prasad as assistant coordinator.
The evening started with a magic show, tea and the
inaugural function with songs from children.
It was followed by musical evening with pop
artists, DJ night and dinner.
The launch ceremony had 12 children with lighted

candles from five Shishu Prerona Kendras, as well


as a choir from Snehalaya on stage.
Besides screening of a short film on street children
on the theme- All rights to all children- two CFG
websites were launched:
www.childfriendlyguwahati.com and
www.thisweekguwahati.com.
The CFG is a focused project to create a city-wide
movement of citizenry for children especially those
who are out of school and to ensure their rights to
survival, protection, development and
participation, said Fr. Solomon.
We want to become a movement, added Br.
Prasad while speaking about setting up some 40 to
50 centers in six months by January 2014.
Besides collaborating with the government, the
project will promote volunteerism, mobilize media
collaboration, encourage sponsorship and build up
the capacities of the various stakeholders, he said
explaining the project.
Though it looks ambitious, it is possible, he
added.
Snehalaya founder director Fr. C.T. Lukose said,
there are more than enough poor children in the
city for all of us to reach out.
Source: press release

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Even candidate who does not have relevant experience but have confident communication skills
can also be considered.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------V. IMP: Candidates should email us their resumes with the following Details:
1.

Job or Position interested

2.
Salary drawn and expected on: personnelpeople@gmail.com or
dolphydolphy13@gmail.com
Please note we do not collect fees from the Candidate before and after they are placed.
Note: Please first email us your resume with all the above details. If you do not receive a
response via email within 72 hrs than please call us.
Dolphy Elma Dsouza 9820226227 / Office: 9967503894
THE PERSONNEL PEOPLE
43, Kalina, Santacruz East,
Mumbai 400 029.
Email: personnelpeople@gmail.com

GEM PLUS - LAUGH TIME

MY DOCTOR...

Let me tell you about my doctor. He's very good! If you tell him you
want a second opinion, He'll go out and come in again.

~~~~~
He treated one woman for yellow jaundice for three years before he
realized she was Chinese.
~~~~~
Another time, he gave a patient six months to live. At the end of the
six months, the patient hadn't paid his bill, So, the doctor gave him
another six months.
~~~~~
While he was talking to me, his nurse came in and said, "Doctor, there
is a man here who thinks he's invisible." The doctor said, "Tell him I
can't see him."
~~~~~
Another time, a man came running in the office and yelled, "Doctor,
doctor! - my son just swallowed a roll of film!" The doctor calmly
replied, "Let's just wait and see what develops."
~~~~~
One patient came in and said, "Doctor, I have a serious memory
problem." The doctor asked,"When did it start?" The man replied,
"When did what start?"
~~~~~
I remember one time I told my doctor I had a ringing in my ears. His
advice: "Don't answer it."
~~~~~
My doctor sure has his share of nut cases. One said to him, "Doctor,
I think I'm a bell." The doctor gave him some pills and said, "Here,
take these - If they don't work, give me a ring."
~~~~~
Another guy told the doctor that he thought he was a deck of cards.
The doctor simply said, "Go sit over there. I'll deal with you later."
~~~~~
When I told my doctor I broke my leg in two places, He told me to
stop going to those places.
~~~~~
You know, doctors can be so frustrating. You wait a month and a half
for an appointment, then he says, "I wish you had come to me
sooner."
E-Forward by Martin Kannoth

Published by Fr Felix Rebello


c/o St Francis Xavier Church, Panvel
Tel: 2745 5556, Email:panvelchurch@gmail.com, gemenewsletter@gmail.com
website: www.stfrancisxavierpanvel.in
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http://www.facebook.com/gemenewsletter

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