SNIPPET NEWS
September 17, 2012
Ban production, trade in products contaminated with radioactive element & hazardous waste
Dr Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister
Government of India
New Delhi
September 17, 2012
Subject-Ban production, trade in products contaminated with radioactive element & hazardous waste
Sir,
This is with reference to detection of consignment of stainless steel and aluminum products contaminated with an artificial radioactive element at the Colombo harbor in the cargo which was imported from India as per the report of September 16, 2012 published in the Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka. (Source:http://www.news.lk/news/sri-lanka/3149-radioactive-contaminated-cargo-detected)
I submit that the report has extremely relevance for the Indian workers who are/were involved in processing and manufacturing these stainless steel and aluminum products whose distribution has been halted in Sri Lanka.
I submit that the contaminated cargo is currently held at Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Authority (SLAEA) has stopped the release and distribution of the contaminated products. It has come to light that the cargo, imported from India contained about 125 units stainless steel and aluminum products contaminated with cobalt 60 – a radioactive element.
I submit that Sri Lanka Customs is all set to return the consignment to India and to inform the Atomic Energy Commission of India and the International Atomic Energy Agency concerning the products. When this consignment comes back, the government must ensure complete transparency about what is done with these consignments. It must reveal how the company and the regulators have been made accountable for exposing unsuspecting Indian workers who were betrayed by both the company and the government they trust.
I submit that it is not the first time that Indian products have been found to be contaminated with radioactive steel.
I submit that since you also hold the Environment Ministry cabinet portfolio and are in charge of the Department of Atomic Energy, there is a logical compulsion for you to acknowledge this serious lapse and constitute a Independent Trans Disciplinary High Power Expert Committee to investigate metal scrap units, foundries and every yard of the ship-breaking industry in order to trace the workers and communities who have been exposed to radioactive radiation within India while handling these products throughout its life cycle from processing to manufacturing to packaging these radioactive contaminated steel and aluminum products.
I submit that if the finished products have radioactive hazards, one can visualize the fate of raw scrap and the workers who process the scrap. Only a bare minimum of these finished products are exported. The major portion of the recycled scrap is used in India.
I submit that there has been a news report about the incident of exposure of workers from radioactive contaminated metal scrap in the past as well. It is an open secret that huge amount of hazardous wastes, end of life products and scrap metal is coming to India in the name of it being a recyclable material. It is apprehended these are contaminated with radioactive wastes etc.
I submit that in 2009, Scrap News, a journal reported that more than 50% of the total 123 shipments of contaminated steel is from India. The 67 shipments from India were denied entry into European and US ports because of contamination of Cobalt-60 in the finished products. There were unconfirmed reports that the highly radioactive Chernobyl scrap was shipped to Asia but there isn’t any substantial evidence on that.
I submit that radioactive Co-60 is also a byproduct of nuclear reactor operations, when metal structures, such as steel rods, are exposed to neutron radiation. A tale of radioactive radiation, hazardous substances and toxic trade has consistently been brushed under the carpet in the name of secrecy.
I submit that a Hazardous waste case has been going on in the Supreme Court since 1995 because of non-cooperation from the concerned ministries. In the matter of radioactive contaminated scrap metal lack of coordination among Commerce Ministry, Steel Ministry, Environment Ministry and Department of Atomic Energy is quite manifest. Huge amount of hazardous radioactive scrap metal is imported into India considering the cheap rates. Indian harbors and ports do not have a proper regulation on hazardous materials and are admittedly, ill-equipped to detect radioactive materials.
I submit that even earlier in 2009 lift buttons made of scrap steel which were being used by Otis elevators, that was being handled by a French firm were found to be contaminated with radioactive radiation from Indian products. Some 30 workers of theirs suffered radioactive radiation. French nuclear safety authority informed Indian Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and all other nuclear countries. There have been complaints from Russia and Sweden too.
I submit that the buttons has been traced to factories near Pune. AERB issued a letter asking all port agencies to use radioactive monitors but while French workers who suffered are identified, the Indian workers who suffered are yet to be traced. These lift buttons were contaminated with Cobalt 60, a byproduct of nuclear reactors. The radiation was measured between 1 and 3 on an International Nuclear Event Scale (INES). There are 7 levels on the INES scale; 3 incident-levels and 4 accident-levels.
I submit that the French France’s Nuclear Safety Authority detected that the steel lift buttons brought from India contained traces of radioactive Cobalt 60. It had also alerted the Indian authorities about the radioactive buttons. The original complaint was from Otis firm, a French subsidiary of the US company.
I submit that the factory belonging to Mafelec company, which delivers the buttons to Otis noticed in early October, 2009. Nuclear Safety Authority classed the incident at a factory of the Mafelec firm in the east-central town of Chimilin at level two on the seven-level International Nuclear Event Scale (INES). It said that of 30 workers exposed, 20 had been exposed to doses of between one mSv (milli-Sievert) and three mSv.
I submit that the maximum permitted dose for workers in the non-nuclear sector is one mSv. Otis Elevator Company’s lifts in France were traced to a foundry in Maharashtra. There is a foundry near Khopoli on the way to Pune from Mumbai called Vipras, which melted this scrap. French firm Mafelec delivered thousands of lift buttons to Otis. Otis has said it is now in the process of removing the buttons, after the Nuclear Safety Authority announced that 20 workers who handled the lift buttons had been exposed to excessive levels of radiation.
I submit that the components used by Mafelec were supplied by two Indian firms, which purchased the inputs from SKM Steels Ltd, which in turn worked with foundry Vipras Casting Foundry. Vipras was provided scrap by SKM Steels to convert into bars. Currently, it is not mandatory for Indian foundries to install radiation detectors to check scrap metals. It is noteworthy that although the factory explosions of October 2004 in the missile scrap metal imported without detection by the Bhushan Steel Ltd in Ghaziabad, UP had compelled governmental responses at the highest level both in the state and at the centre but it has been of no avail. No visible punitive action or remedial action was taken beyond routine posturing. In this case too in all likelihood it would meet the same fate.
I submit that scrap metal and its contamination comes under the Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008, but this incident and several others in the recent past illustrate that the Rules offers no resistance to transboundary movement of hazardous and radioactive contaminated scrap materials. According to the Rules, it does not matter if contaminated “recyclable scrap metal”/hazardous waste comes without prior decontamination in the country of export although it is in manifest contempt of Supreme Court’s directions in its order dated 14 October, 2003 in Writ Petition (Civil) 657 of 1995.
I submit that radioactive contamination is dealt under Radiation Atomic Energy (Safe Disposal of Radioactive Wastes) Rules, 1987 that deals with the radioactive waste, not with radioactive contaminated finished products. The framers of both the Rules were oblivious to a situation where hazardous waste (recyclable metal scrap, according to Environment Ministry) and the products made out of it would be contaminated with radioactive materials.
I submit that Hazardous Waste Rules lays down the procedure for import of hazardous waste and how it would facilitate the same by providing administrative mechanism to ensure that even Port and Customs authorities ensure compliance when hazardous waste is imported by paying lip service seeking “safe handling”. After creating the loophole it says, Custom authorities would take samples as per Customs Act 1962 prior to clearing the assignments. Technical Review Committee of Ministry of Environment & Forests as noted in the Rules should now show its sense of purpose by finding out where did the radioactive materials come from in the lift buttons made of scrap steel.
The case illustrates how even the new Rules remain full of loopholes. One would have been surprised, had it not been so because the Ministry defines hazardous waste as recyclable metal…and then asks agencies Customs and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board to probe the consequences of the flawed Rules. The Hazardous Waste Rules do not apply to radioactive waste as covered under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 (33 of 1962) and rules made there under. Consequently, Atomic Energy (Safe Disposal of Radioactive Wastes) Rules, 1987 apply to it.
I submit that neither the Hazardous Waste Rules nor the Safe Disposal of Radioactive Wastes Rules seem to have foreseen a situation where metal scrap products are found to be contaminated with radioactive materials although while providing the definition, the Radioactive waste Rules, it says, “radioactive waste” means any waste material containing radio-nuclides in quantities or concentrations as prescribed by the competent authority by notification in the official gazette”.
I submit that Safe Disposal of Radioactive Wastes Rules also provides for a “Radiological Safety Officer” who can advise the employer regarding the safe handling and disposal of radioactive wastes and on the steps necessary to ensure that the operational limits are not exceeded; to instruct the radiation workers engaged in waste disposal on the hazards of radiation and on suitable safety measures and work practices aimed at minimising exposures to radiation and contamination, and to ensure that adequate radiation surveillance is provided for all radiation workers and the environment.
I submit that neither the environment ministry nor the atomic energy ministry provides for Radiological Safety Officer in the scrap metal factories and ship breaking yards.
I submit that the labor ministries do not seem to have any role in ensuring worker’s safety although International Labor Organization provides guideline to be followed. As per the Radioactive Waste Rules, Radiological Safety Officer has to carry out such tests on conditioned radioactive wastes, as specified by the competent authority; to ensure that all buildings, laboratories and plants wherein radioactive wastes will be or are likely to be handled/produced, conditioned or stored or discharged from, are designed to provide adequate safety for safe handling and disposal of radioactive waste. He has to help investigate and initiate prompt and suitable remedial measures in respect of any situation that could lead to radiation hazards; and …to ensure that the provisions of the Radiation Protection Rules, 1971 are followed properly.
I submit that there is an urgent need to rewrite the present Rules that is more concerned about human health than hazardous waste trade. Officials who draft such Rules must be made accountable. The issue must be dealt with at a much higher level than is case now.
I submit that CAG should be requested to do an audit of radioactive radiation exposure detection preparedness at all the ports and airports. When different government complained to Government of India, the government had announced that it is putting in place radiation monitors at ports to check cargo. It merits inquiry as to whether this has indeed been done.
I submit that it is an act of grave omission on the part of Environment Ministry and its loophole ridden Rules that allow import of hazardous wastes in the name of recycling. It is also a result of an exercise in linguistic corruption while drafting the Rules that redefines hazardous waste as a recyclable metal scarp.
I submit that while unsatisfactory governmental response in matters of environmental health and workers occupational health is nothing new, what is alarming is that even the alerts by different foreign countries has failed to hammer the frozen passivity of the government. What else can justify the ongoing dismantling of end of life ships by migrant, casual workers of UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa that is evidently and admittedly contaminated with radioactive material and killer asbestos fibers.
I submit that each time such incidents occur, Radiological safety division of India’s Atomic Energy Regulatory Board announces investigation into the concerns raised but either such inquiries remain incomplete or the outcome of such exercises are never made public.
The million dollar question is: Has AERB’s lackadaisical approach as revealed in the Supreme Court in September 2007 in dealing with radioactive material in ships changed? It has chosen to become oblivious of for instance 1088 radioactive material containing equipments onboard Blue Lady, a contaminated ship under demolition in Alang, Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
I submit that under the new Rules from the Ministry of Environment, hazardous waste gets classified as hazardous material meant for recycling, and it would fall in the category of second hand materials. The commerce ministry allows even hazardous waste since as per the new notification a waste would be deemed as non-waste. In this way toxic waste will reincarnate itself as a reusable or recyclable product.
I submit that it is high time the government revised its existing Hazardous Waste and Radioactive Waste Rules.
I submit that the Supreme Court had taken cognizance of this problem in the hazardous wastes case wherein the role of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board was also specified. The issue of radioactive material has also been raised in the matter of the ship breaking activity on Alang beach.
I submit that earlier, when the French ships such as radioactive material laden SS Blue Lady (SS France, SS Norway) and RIKY, the Danish ship got dumped purportedly for scrap metal in India, the ship owners from developed heave a sigh of relief because they manage to escape decontamination cost but they do realize that the scrap metals would end up in their backyards as lift buttons and other steel products are made of the same contaminated secondary steel.
I submit that even the Division Bench of Justice Dr Arijit Pasayat and Justice S H Kapadia overlooked the admittedly known dangers of radioactive material in their order that gave a go ahead to dismantling of the Blue Lady, a dead French ship.
I submit that the bench granted permission for the dismantling based on the submission by Gopal Subramaniam, the then Additional Solicitor General, to the effect that the ship does not have any more radioactive material and beaching is irreversible. But contrary to the recommendations of the Technical Experts Committee on Hazardous Wastes relating to Ship-breaking, Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Enviro Protection and Infrastructure Ltd, (GEPIL) and the ship’s current owner Priya Blue Shipping Pvt Ltd., the ship does contain radioactive substances at thousands of places.
In the order passed the apex court merely states, “There was also an apprehension rightly expressed by the petitioner regarding radioactive material on board the vessel Blue Lady. Therefore, an immediate inspection of the said vessel beached at Alang since 16.8.2006 was undertaken by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and by Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB). The apprehension expressed by the petitioner was right. However, as the matter stands today, AERB and GMB have certified that the said vessel Blue Lady beached in Alang no more contains any radioactive material on board the ship.” I was the applicant.
I submit that a perusal of the report of the inspection undertaken on 14 August 2007 showed that the entire inspection of 16 floors of 315 meter long ship seems to have been completed within a period of 4 hours (a commendable task no doubt) and the report states that they could detect only 12 smoke detectors containing Americium 241. Having found these 12 smoke detectors containing radioactive materials, the report concludes that the ship “now, does not contain any radioactive material on board”.
In a petition to the Supreme Court, a letter sent by one Tom Haugen (who had been the Project Manager for Engineering, Delivery, Installation, Commissioning and later services and upgrades as regards Fire Detection Installation Systems on-board the Blue Lady) was brought on record. Haugen had written to Chairman of the Technical Experts Committee (by virtue of being the Secretary at the Ministry of Environment) that the fire detection system on the Blue Lady contained 5500 detection points which included 1100 ion smoke detectors that use radioactive elements composed of Americium 241.
I submit that in a separate letter to you dated 19 September 2007, Haugen has reiterated the fact about the enormity of radioactive material on the ship given that he himself supervised its installation. Countering the AERB-GMB report that that ship did not contain any radioactive material after their inspection, Haugen wrote that in most cases, the fire detection systems are not labeled or indicated in any way, as they are typically ‘buried’ out of sight. According to Haugen, due to the risk of hazardous radioactive exposure, they should only be handled by professionals or certified technicians. “The system and its detectors are very subtly placed and virtually completely hidden in most parts, so it is totally understandable that a non-expert team might miss it during a broader inspection of the vessel,” wrote Haugen.
I submit that even though the technical experts committee had put in its 2006 report that there was no radioactive material on the ship, one of the Committee’s members Dr Virendra Misra of the Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow, had disagreed with the findings. He wrote that, “Presence of radioactive materials should be ascertained well in advance. Though it is mentioned in the report that radioactive material is not available, in my opinion there is possibility of the presence of radioactive materials due to existence of liquid level indicators and smoke detectors on the ship.” This was ignored by TEC’s then chairman, Prodipto Ghosh, the then Secretary, Union Ministry of Environment & Forests. Not surprisingly, the final report of the Technical Committee was signed by only Mr Ghosh. All of this is in the records of the Supreme Court.
It is clear that exposures from radioactive radiation be it in the scrap metal or hazardous trade or from nuclear plants do not get treated by paying lip-service to environmental and occupational health and safety concerns. It can be brushed under the carpet within the country but repeated incidents and complaints from countries ranging from Sri Lanka, Europe, Russia to US reveals that skeletons in the cupboards cannot be hidden for long.
I submit that the IAEA is aware that the international community has been confronting a new security threat: the risk of the malicious use of nuclear or other radioactive material, an area in which the IAEA has unique expertise. Much of its work focuses on trying to ensure that this does not happen in the first place. But within India, thus far Department of Atomic Energy appears to have failed to stop indiscriminate entry of radioactive materials or radioactive contaminated products and wastes and to take preventive steps.
I submit that so far even IAEA does not appear to be pro-active in the matter of radioactive steel that gets produced when radioactive sources containing cobalt gets amalgamated with scrap steel such as the ones sourced from ship-breaking industry and other secondary steel production sources.
In view of the above mentioned facts, it is high time you, the government and IAEA gave up its Ostrich policy in this regard.
Thanking You
Yours Sincerely
Gopal Krishna
ToxicsWatch Alliance (TWA)
New Delhi
Phone: +91-11-2651781, Fax: +91-11-26517814
Mb: 9818089660
Web: toxiscwatch.blogspot.com
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Sep
17
International Gita Society
Founded in 1984, the International Gita Society (IGS) is a registered, non-profit, tax-exempt, spiritual institution in the United States of America under Section 501(c) (3) of the IRS Code. Membership is free of charge and open to all. The Aims and Objectives of IGS include, but not limited to:
1. Translate, publish and distribute, The Bhagavad-Gita in simple and easy to understand languages, to anyone interested in the Gita.
2. Spread the basic Non-sectarian Universal teachings of Shrimad Bhagavad-Gita and other Vedic scriptures in easy to understand languages by establishing branches of the Society in other countries to be known as International Gita Society of United Kingdom or any other particular country.
3. Provide support and guidance in establishing Gita Study and Discussion (Satsang) Groups, including a free Gita correspondence course.
4. To provide inspiration, cooperation, and support to persons and non-profit organizations engaged in the study and propagation of Vedic knowledge.
5. To break the barriers between faiths, and establish unity of races, religions, castes, and creeds through the immortal non-sectarian teachings of the Vedas, Upanishads, Gita, Ramayana, as well as other major world scriptures and to promote the Universal Brotherhood.
Readers interested in promoting the ideals of the society are invited to correspond with the
secretary: sanjay@gita-society.com, The International Gita Society, 511 Lowell Place
Fremont, California 94536-1805 117, USA, Visit us: www.gita-society.com, www.gita4free.com, www.gitaInternational.com
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Sep
17
SportzPower Daily
Join us on:
SportzPower Daily www.sportzpower.com
Sep 17 Vol 01, Issue 1029
TODAY’S TOP HEADLINES
BCCI cannot float tender for new IPL team till September 24
Bombay High Court has stayed the termination dispute between the BCCI and the Deccan Chargers as the Hyderabad-based IPL team has sought more time to prepare for the hearing
Ficci calls for grant of industry status and FDI in sports sector
The federation has said systematic involvement of the private sector in the sports domain will contribute to its growth as well as economic development
McLaren contacts Perez to replace Hamilton who says he is not distracted with rumours
In Mumbai for the Vodafone Speedfest, the 2008 champion says he is only concentrating on winning the world championship
MCA to start its own T20 league
Newly elected president says the Mumbai T20 Prestige League (MTPL) from 2013 will give cricketers an additional source of income
Adidas signs Suresh Raina as brand ambassador
Raina will endorse the entire range of Adidas products including sports footwear, apparel and accessories and play a role in the development of Adidas cricket and training-specific apparel and footwear
Jayawardene to lead Delhi Daredevils in CLT20 in South Africa
Sehwag, who led the team in four of the five IPL seasons, has asked to be relieved of captaincy
T20 WC set for new broadcast record with global coverage on ESS
The event is set to reach an audience of more than 1.5 billion, a record for any cricket event
MCS TV Group signs 4-yr deal with WTA
The deal, which covers all platforms, starts at the Brisbane International on 2nd January 2013 and will include access to 22 WTA Premier tournaments every yearr
ICC and Emirates launch social media initiative
By using #wt20 on Twitter, fans will get a chance to win a range of prizes, ranging from match tickets and Emirates merchandise
Li Ning signs 5-yr sponsorship deal with CBA league
Li Ning will supply all CBA league clubs for five seasons and benefit from extensive on-court and media exposure
Learning Module – Player Selection Disputes: Comparative Legal Analysis
One of the most challenging tasks for any national or international governing body of a sport is the development of fool proof criteria for team selection. However, a large part of the selection process comprises a subjective element that cannot be quantified.
FROM THE HOME PAGE
VIEW POINT
Consistent Recognition And Rewards Necessary For Athletes To Bring In The Gold
SPORTZPOWER VIEW – One wonders what award Vijay would have received if he had finished fourth in the Olympics, without a medal, though he has been a consistent winner in the international arena.
COMMMENTARY
The Wooden Spoon
INSIDE OUT – It is only when sports such as Hockey, Football. Basketball and Tennis are promoted and encouraged that there will be the monetizing of sports other than Cricket
BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
300 Reebok stores to remain closed in protest against ‘unfair exit route policy(The Economic Times )
Yamaha Motor to make India regional sourcing hub(Hindu Business Line )
CRICKET
Banks propose SPV for Deccan Chargers(Business Standard )
No more zonal rotation to elect president (Indian Express )
Millionaires vs part-timers shows World Twenty20 divide(Hindustan Times )
The story behind the birth of the Indian Premier League(Daily mAil )
Mumbai Cricket Association turns to T20 league to raise money(Daily mAil )
Anurag Thakur is now member of Asian Cricket Council(Times of India )
Foreign players interested in Pakistan Premier League: Ashraf(Times of India )
FOOTBALL
International football clubs keen on playing in India(Times of India )
MOTORSPORTS
Speculations about my leaving McLaren are rubbish: Hamilton(The hindu )
TENNIS
AITA plans to strengthen rules(The Hindu )
AITA bans Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna till 2014(Hindustan Times )
OTHER SPORTS
India raises the bar, targets 25 medals in 2020 Olympics(The Hindu )
‘The government has started paying attention to the sport’ (Hindustan Times )
Atos set to be target of new protests over sponsorship of Glasgow 2014 (In
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Sep
17
Gau Bhakts Protest at JNU against ‘Beef Party’, burns VC effigy
Gau Bhakts Protest at JNU against ‘Beef Party’, burns VC effigy
New Delhi Sept 17, 2012. Gau bhakts (Cow worshipers) today held a large protest at Jawahar Lal Nehru University(JNU) gate against ‘Beef Party’ in its campus.Many Relegious, social and cultural organisations along with prominent saints participated the large gathering just opposite the main gate of the university. The protestors carrying saffron flags & play cards were shouting slogans against JNU administration. Angry gau bhakts have also burn effigy of Vice chancellor of the university. Protestors demanded immediate arrest of those trying to organise such party.
Shri Satyendra Mohan & shri Deepak Kumar of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Shiv Kumar of Bajrang Dal, Ms Santosh Rajput, Yogendra Rajput and Rashmi sharma of Physical welfare association, Jagadguru shankaracharya swami Madhvashram ji, swami Satya bandhu of Akhil Bharteey Gaumans nishedh samitee, Sandeep Ahuja of Akhand Hindusthan morcha and Chandra Prakash Kaushik of Hindu Maha sabha were amongst those prominent personalities who addressed the gathering. A memorandum of demands were also submitted to the VC after the protest.
Our protest will continue untill the culprits are sent to Tihar, said Vinod Bansal, Media chief – VHP Delhi
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Sep
17
Tibetans Need to Act Swiftly and The World Must Open Its Eyes
Tibetans Need to Act Swiftly and The World Must Open Its Eyes
September 17, 2012
Tibetans Need to Act Swiftly and The World Must Open Its Eyes
iPolak: In the second upcoming General Body Meeting of Tibetans in exile organized by the CTA, Tibetans should seriously engage in discussion and make a decision based on a realistic approach towards their struggle, rather than depending on the international community to pressure the Chinese government. This is a struggle for Tibet by Tibetans. History will remember. Tibet was a free country before 1950 and therefore any Tibetan can demand freedom and individual Tibetans must respect each other’s freedom of speech and choice. Dividing our own people on the basis of their democratic right to free choice and decision represents the continuation of what is transpiring in China and in Tibet under the Chinese Communist regime. In the world’s present condition, if the middle way approach for Genuine Autonomy sought by the CTA is good enough, then Tibetans can support it, but every individual should and must take responsibility to ask questions, make plans and take action within some time frame of how they are taking the next step towards achieving Genuine Autonomy and what if it is not at all accepted or delayed like it is being done till now. We must understand that nine rounds of the secretive talks held in the CTA’s pursuit of Genuine Autonomy have proved futile and ultimately a failure. Upon their resignation, two previous representatives expressed their frustration over the Chinese leadership’s refusal to restart the stalled negotiations and their lack of response through all these years. Through all this, we must realize that we need to act swiftly.
Sometimes, I do feel that our calls for our land sound as if we are seeking something that was never ours. It is painful when our fellow Tibetans self-immolate for the sake of our freedom yet the Chinese government remains unmoved and continues to blame Tibetans in exile.
In our struggle for freedom, if we continue to focus on the creation of policies telling us what we should and should not do then over time, our struggle will lose its sustained energy. Furthermore, it will divide our community in disagreement and as we become increasingly and solely engaged in our day-to-day life, far too little time and energy will be devoted to our struggle. The time may then come when our struggle will die in cold blood by our own hand. Every action and effort we make for Tibet must be measured, respected and justifiable.
I hope the CTA will make a decision as soon as possible and pursue realistic goals in a concrete timeframe. We in exile should keep in our mind that our fellow Tibetans in Tibet are suffering and dying with hope still in their heart. They are struggling every day and every moment. Being in exile, problems and worries that we faced will keep on rising with time to come in various situation. It is endless and it may get worse as there are nothing like one’s homeland. This time of struggle in which we find ourselves is of historic importance and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to do something for our nation and for our people. We must all stand up together with the strongest determination for our common cause.
We must know our transgressors and we must identify our allies.
Sometimes, I feel Tibetans in exile scattered throughout India in various settlements are involved more in improving facilities and their individual conditions rather than focusing harder on how and when can we return back to our own land. This has become a curse in disguise. When we were children, we heard stories of our Tibet from grandparents and how they lived life and how Tibet once was. We dream of Tibet and imagine what our lives would be like back home. Now we see children in nurseries drawing cars, phones, buildings and gadgets. As time passes, the evidence that things are no longer the same has become clear.
The Chinese Communist Party is a threat to today’s fast changing and interdependent world. Under the CCP regime, China is now the biggest manufacturing hub of the world, delivering some of the best products like Apple’s iPhone to the simplest of items we see on the street. The continuation of such massive scale production will use natural resources to such an extent that the five elements will revolt in the form of natural disasters such as those witnessed in recent years, disasters that many fear represent only the tip of the iceberg of environmental problems. At the same time, this regime is suppressing and inhumanely coercing their own people to such an extent that one day their own billion population will revolt against them and turn upon those nations and international players whose greed and inaction passively allowed them to suffer hell on earth. That time will prove very difficult and heart wrenching to witness, but it will come.
The Chinese people should not be considered a destructive people. They are the source of many inventions, discoveries and have given the world many things to improve people’s lives. Sadly, the Chinese Communist Party took control of the nation and its massive population under the banner of progress and development, in the process of killing their own people and staining the nation’s history with the blood of patriots and civilians. The Chinese people are victims of a system in which the world’s growing demand for cheap products is met by the CCP’s greed for profits and power. Corporations claim to promote progress under the guise of fair trade while they pump millions of dollars into the hands of a remorseless government that uses its funds to oppress its own people and further its political interests around the world.
It is truly sad and shameful that so many leading world nations and their leaders are complicit in this injustice. In developed and developing countries, we have strict and severe imprisonment for the trafficking of illegal substances of addiction. But I feel that the time has come for people and their governments to realize that capitalist-driven multinational companies injecting people with greed and a never-ending need for more, the likes of which has never been seen in our history. Corporate research and development departments study human psychology to manipulate consumers and ensure an ongoing demand for their products, regardless of the result. This consumerism and horrific greed, allowed to thrive through the policies of the Communist Chinese regime, is slowly choking our world, our environment and our humanity, and is therefore not sustainable. People of the world must come to know that we are not the only living beings of the world and that without our humanity and the legitimate support and respect for human rights, survival of humanity itself may prove doubtful in the years to come.
(The writer is a member of Think Tibet, and presently, working in Dharamsala. E-mail: ipolak88@gmail.com Twitter @ThinkTibet)
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Sep
17
Smriti looks to extending lead in fifth leg of Hero-WGAI Women’s golf
Smriti looks to extending lead in fifth leg of Hero-WGAI Women’s golf
Gurgaon, September 17: Smriti Mehra will look to extending her lead on top of the Hero-WGAI Order of Merit, as she gets ready for the fifth leg of the Hero-WGAI Women’s Pro Tour at the DLF Golf and Country Club.
The fifth leg gets underway on Wednesday, though the golfers went through their practise round on Monday. The club is closed on Tuesday and the first round gets underway on Wednesday.
On Monday it rained a bit in the morning but the course conditions at DLF Golf and Country club were near perfect as the golfers are eager to tee off.
Smriti Mehra has won two of the four legs held so far, while Vani Kapoor and Sharmila Nicollet have won one each. Sharmila, however, has not played since the second leg.
Last week at Srinagar, Smriti was in excellent form and it will be hard for others to catch up is she continues in the same vein. Smriti has won twice, finished third once and fourth once.
The one to catch the eye has been Rookie Vani Kapoor. The 18-year-old has won once, the third leg, and was also runner-up, losing in play-off to Sharmila Nicollet in the Opening leg. Vani was fifth in the other legs, the second and fourth and is now second on the Money List, behind Smriti.
Nalini Singh Siwach has been consistent without winning. She has been second once, third twice and fourth once. But she will be looking for is her first win of the year at DLF Golf and Country Club this week.
Tee times: First round on Wednesday:
8:30 AM: Nalini Singh Siwach / Preetinder Kaur
8:40 AM Vani Kapoor / Ankita Tiwana / Priya Puri
8:50 AM Neha Tripathi / Saaniya Sharma / Smriti Mehra
9:00 AM Rani Sonti / Meghna Bal / Nikki Ponappa
9:10 AM Pallavi Jain / Shraddhanjali Singh / Vandana Agarwal
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Sep
17
Realty cash crunch may end soon
Realty cash crunch may end soon
Govt sends positive signs
· Banking Secy discusses housing industry issues with IBA, CREDAI
· Developers call for easing funding norms
· Bankers agree to address the issue
· Focus on speeding up approvals across the country
MUMBAI, September 17, 2012: Sending positive signs from easing the cash crunch for the realty sector, Secretary for Financial Services Mr D K Mittal today asked the commercial banks to focus on funding partially completed projects on a priority basis and development of projects in small towns.
Presiding over a joint meeting of Indian Bankers Association (IBA) and developers apex body CREDAI at SBI in Mumbai, Mr Mittal asked the realty industry to conduct a survey of unsold housing stock in cities in batches so that a decision would be taken on unlocking their value.
He also asked CREDAI to come with norms for development in consultation with the NHB and standards for funding the projects.
He told CREDAI to work on rating the real estate projects for the benefit of bankers as well as buyers.
The meeting was called to understand the issues of housing sector and the problems being faced by developers in terms of funding the projects. Apart from SBI, many leading bankers like HDFC, NHB, Bank of Baroda attended the meeting.
Describing the outcome of the meeting as “positive”, CREDAI Chairman Mr Pradeep Jain said: “We are happy that a good beginning has been made and we hope this will send positive signals to the real estate market as such. As we move on, we hope to solve the various issues one after the other.”
Briefing media on the meeting, CREDAI National President Mr Lalit Kumar Jain said “we highlighted the problems related to supply aide as well as demand side. All bankers more or less agreed that besides banking, the other factors like project approval delays, limitation on land availability for real estate and even the FSI restrictions should be addressed for the development housing sector.”
Bankers also felt that the knotty issue of speeding up the approval process should be addressed across the country by sensitizing all the States since real estate is typically a local issue and the rules differ from state to state and even city to city, Mr Jain said. This will help create adequate housing stock in the country.
On the issue of restructuring the realty debt, it was felt that it has to be addressed by the regulator RBI.
Bankers on their part also insisted on the one-project one-bank norm and opening escrow accounts. In metro cities, the developers should have one lead banker for funding. They also suggested incentivising the rated projects through lower rate of interest.
Mr Lalit Kumar Jain said at the meeting that credit limit for realty projects should be raised to 25% of the total credit from the current 2.8%. In other countries, the norm is as high as 30%.
Referring to the reduction of CRR by the RBI today, Mr .Jain said “This is not enough.”He said there could two options to contain inflation: Either to cut monetary supply or increase the supply of products.”The second option is the right one since it will generate employment and contribute to growth of GDP,” he said.
He said the rollover facility for commercial real estate (CRE) should be on par with the industry since it is the safest sector to lend.
He reiterated CREDAI suggestion to reduce the rate of interest on housing loans to 7% to strengthen demand. All other expenses like stamp duty and the various taxes should be added to the overall cost of project and should be funded up to 90% of the total cost.
The real estate project funding should be at 10% instead of the prevailing 15.5% and even the costly funding by NBFC sector should be brought down, CREDAI said. CREDAI called for easing the RBI risk weightage of 1.25 given to real estate sector.
CREDAI expressed its happiness that the positive vibes generated by the meeting would help the home buyer as well as the developer as the revival of real estate industry would help rejuvenate hundreds of other industries, generate massive employment and contribute to the nation’s growth.
About CREDAI:
The Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) is the apex body for private real estate developers in India. CREDAI represents over 8,800 developers through 20 states and 114 city chapters across the country. Its numerous initiatives and activities help developers come together and work towards better practices, improved customer service and a stronger realty industry.
Acting as the voice of India’s Real Estate industry, CREDAI has been the guiding force for the growing Real Estate sector in India bringing more transparency to rid the sector of its most potent virus, Corruption and Red-Tapism.
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