The Asian Independent 16 - 30 Nov. 2019

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8 16-11-2019 to 30-11-2019 ASIA www.theasianindependent.co.uk Delhi’s choking is in the news every year during this period. This year, it broke all the ‘box office’ records of worst air quality. The Supreme Court ‘acted’ as a ‘concerned’ authority. It asked the Delhi and other related government to ‘stop’ ‘blame’ game. It has given some order and ‘decided’ that ‘enough’ is ‘enough’. Arvind Kejriwal blamed the Punjab farmers while BJP and Congress blamed Arvind Kejriwal for all that was happening in Delhi where air quality is ‘good enough’ to send you to some ‘asthma cure’ centers. Netas are ‘protesting’ in the street. Some students organisations and other groups too are ‘protesting’ that ‘Delhi must be given clean air’ as if you can buy it from Reliance’s Big Bazar. Watching the protest of the people, I found how hypocrite are politicians as well as public. The question we must ask today is whether Delhi’s environmental crisis is because farmers are burning stubble or are farmers being used as soft target ignoring the vast construction activities, vehicular pollution and above all, despite all pretensions, our ‘festivals’ which we glamorise so much. Modern day, commercialised, Diwali and other festivals have become the biggest threat for our environment and actually a disaster for our future if we dont change the mode to celebrate them. There was a time when crackers were burst only during the Diwali day but now the trend has been extended during the Dusshera, Chhuth as well as marriage parties, India- Pakistan matches and various other festivals. I am here in the Eastern Uttar Pradesh and every year I come to this place particularly during the festivities of Diwali to protect myself from the torture that we face in Delhi but here too crackers were burst, noise pollution was already there through temples but on Chhutth day, we have seen crackers being burst. Next morning, we saw smog all over but we dont care. We are hell bent to please our gods who cant do anything but will only help the brahmanical interests. When I was flying from Chennai to Gorakhpur and came via Delhi, I can say that the smog was not merely in the Delhi sky, It had actually spread across the other part of Northern India and various satellite images now confirm that. It is painful to see how India’s smaller towns too are now being choked. And it will continue as long as our political class and people at large will not act. we will destroy our environment Pyongyang : North Korea lashed out at former US vice president Joe Biden for denouncing the communist regime, calling him a “rabid dog” that should be “beaten to death”, state media said on Friday. “Biden bereft of elementary appearance as a human being, much less a politician, again reeled off a string of rubbish against the dignity of the supreme leadership of North Korea,” Yonhap News quoted Pyongyang’s state-run KCNA as saying in a commentary. “Rabid dogs like Biden can hurt lots of people if they are allowed to run about. They must be beaten to death with a Who is responsible for our current climate crisis in DELHI ? and No God will be able to help India if people dont act. That is why I remember Periyar who was the man who had the courage to speak up against evils of religion. There were many other reformers who spoke against these religious evils which are one of the reasons of continuous destruction of our environment. Cant we imagine how much north India engulfed in darkness on the Diwali day but once you raise this question the deliberate thing will be what about Christmas and Eid and I tell all these that no other festival match in destruction of nature as the current form of Diwali if bursting of the cracker is considered to be essential ‘religious’ activity. No political leader of the modern time, can appeal to people not to burst crackers and greet each other, light stick, before it is too late.” Biden, a leading Democratic presidential candidate, has been vocal about his criticism of US President Donald Trump’s approach to North Korea in negotiations to denuclearise the regime. In July, he accused Trump of embracing “thugs” like North diyas. Why cant the government act against the cracker factories but it wont because it will allow things to come from the source and penalise the poor workers. Our festivals are related to crop and I have mentioned it many times but given the nature today, we need to have a serious look at the way we celebrate them. On the Holi, we burnt so much of wood all over the country. Can By Vidya Bhushan Rawat social and human rights activist N Korea calls Joe Biden ‘rabid dog’ that should be ‘beaten to death’ any one imagine burning of wood at the time when it will not be available even for burning the dead bodies. That apart, we destroy our environment. Chhatth has finished shortly. The festival is called ‘festival’ of nature but the Korean leader Kim Jong-un and giving him the legitimacy he craves on the world stage. He has called the two Trump- Kim summits made for TV shows. KCNA on Friday described Biden as a “profiteer” who is greedy for power and “wandering about like a starving field dog”. “He will be made to see even in a grave what horrible consequences will be brought about by his thoughtless utterances.” In May, Pyongyang had issued similar angry remarks at Biden and called him a “fool of low IQ” after he called leader Kim a “dictator and tyrant” during a campaign speech. fact is these are celebration of male supremacy. Right from Karwachowth to bhai dooj and now Chhath, they all are part of our male dominated brahmanical system but none of the politicians will ever speak against them. None of our ‘revolutionaries’ will speak. Now, Chhatth has been cleverly ‘nationalised’ through TV channels and rivers and banks are all filled with mass of people. The next day, you find only garbage on these banks. The photographs of women worshiping sun in the highly polluted Yamuna river. I am amazed to see the ‘faith’ that makes these women including young girls to give ‘ardhya’ to sun Lucknow : The Uttar Pradesh Shia Central Waqf Board Chairman Wasim Rizmi, has announced a donation of Rs 51,000 for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Wasim Rizvi said on Thursday that the Shia Waqf Board was in favour of the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya and the Supreme Court judgment was the 'best verdict' that could have been possible. "Preparations are on for the construction of a grand temple at the Ram Janmabhoomi. Since Lord standing in the hugely intoxicated water of Yamuna. I am not ‘impressed’ in their ‘faith’ but can only pity at their ignorance. I am shocked that political leaders and government did not advise people not to go to these dangerous polluted areas in the name of faith. It should have stopped but then it wont because our politicians remain highly hypocrite. India is destroying its natural resources in the name of faith. Watch your festivals of Durga Puja, Ganesh Puja and the amount of garbage is left over after the ceremony. After the festivals are over, we immerse all the idols in the rivers and seas. Have anybody said why this cant stop. How will you keep your water bodies clean and safe with such massive level of rubbish is flown into them. It is not the issue or north or south. It is the issue of our cultural corruption. Fight to protect environment is not just a government job. In fact politicians and governments dont have courage to speak things bluntly as they are habitual of using these ‘religious’ events to further their political agenda. Once you have seen ignorance as bliss for politicians, they wont make a comment but our constitutional bodies must work, our environment Ministry must act, we must have river protection department and stop people from further polluting them. Faith can not be a pretense to destroy our environment. Donot blame farmers of Punjab for the evils of Delhi, have courage to complete halt the crackers and immersion of idols in various parts of the country. Reduce vehicular traffic and stop your ‘developmental’ activities at the cost of our nature. No developmental work should be allowed unless an impartial environmental assessment study is done and approve it. Ofcourse, we know how this is done these days. Modi ji is ‘developing’ a new plan to ‘develop’ Delhi. The historical buildings might become ‘history’. So further digging and polluting of the city will continue. A green Delhi has been converted into cemented zone which will choke it further. It is time we all understand the dangers of our ignorance and superstitions which are now threatening our environment. Our ‘developmental’ module is also helping the corrupt and cronies and has nothing to worry about protecting earth. Can they protect our nature who want to ‘exploit’ everything in it ? We need to place our priorities well only then we will be able to protect our right to breathe fresh air otherwise situation is going to worsen in future. UP Shia Waqf Board chief donates Rs 51,000 for Ram temple Ram is the ancestor of all of us, we are giving Rs 51,000 on behalf of the 'Wasim Rizvi Films' to the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas towards temple construction," he said. He further said that the unanimous verdict of the Supreme Court on November 9, had cleared the way for the construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, The court has also directed the Centre to allot a separate five-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board to build a mosque.
www.theasianindependent.co.uk ASIA 16-11-2019 to 30-11-2019 9 Guru Nanak Chair Launched at the University of Birmingham by Indian Union Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri As part of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, in a scintillating function organised by the University of Birmingham and Consulate of India, on November 1st, 2019, India?s Union Minister, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri formally announced the launch of the Guru Nanak Chair (supported by the Government of India). This academic Chair will promote research into the life and philosophy of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the revered first Sikh Guru. This announcement was made while the Hon?ble Minister was delivering the prestigious „Distinguished Guest Lecture’ in the „packed to the capacity? ?Great Hall? of University of Birmingham (UOB). Nearly 400 people from all across the UK, braved the early – November chill to listen to the illustrious orator from India speak on the subject of ‘The Contemporary Relevance of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji’s Message of Inter-faith Harmony?. In his key note address, lasting a little over half an hour, the Hon?ble Minister spoke eloquently about Guru Nanak’s powerful and eternal message to the world, and its relevance in the 21st Century. Drawing upon the tenets of the Sikh religion, he exhorted the three principles of Naam Japo (meditation), Kirat Karo (honest living) and Vand Chakho (sharing with others), which are inspiring the followers of Guru Nanak even today. He emphasized that Guru Nanak during his travels all around the world, over a period of 27 years, interacted with people of all faith, with commoners, with Kings, with philosophers, and seers, and built interfaith harmony through dialogue. Long before the launch of the inter-faith movement, Guru Nanak had shared his ideas on building inter-faith understanding and harmony, almost five centuries ago. In today?s world, facing conflict and religious bigotry, the essential teaching of Guru Nanak – „See the divine light in all? can help build peace and harmony around the world. As the world addresses the challenge of terrorism, we don?t have the luxury to ignore this message of Guru Nanak, which can help each of us become a better human being and make the world a more peaceful place for everyone. The Hon?ble Minister announced amidst thunderous applause, the launch Honourable Minister Shri Hardeep Puri being felicitated on behalf of the British-Indian community (From L-R: High Commissioner of India, Mrs. Ruchi Ghanashyam, Chancellor Lord Bilimoria, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Consul General Aman Puri & Prof Nathu Puri) of the prestigious academic Chair to promote research into the life and philosophy of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the revered first Sikh Guru. He said on the occasion “The University of Birmingham is most suitable for the Chair given the strength of its academic offering, its close connections to the vibrant Sikh community, the larger British-Indian community of the UK, and its history and continuing commitment to India. Equally, the City of Birmingham, in the heart of the United Kingdom, with its rich and diverse religious heritage, and its diverse population, is an ideal place for the Chair to be located.” In a star studded setting- the hallowed precinct of University of Birmingham turned into a veritable „who?s who gathering? for the evening. Among the notable dignitaries gracing the occasion were H.E. High Commissioner of India to the UK, Mrs. Ruchi Ghanashyam, Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea, CBE, DL, Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, University of Birmingham, Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK, H.E. Ms. Saida Muna Tasneem, Mr. Charanjeet Singh, Deputy High Commissioner of India to the UK, Mr. Samantha Pathirana, Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the UK, Prof Robin Mason, Pro Vice Chancellor & Director of India Institute, UOB, Ms. Neena Gill MBE, (the first female MEP in the European Parliament), Baroness Sandeep Verma, Professor Nat Puri, Founder of Purico Group, Professor. Philip Plowden, Vice Chancellor, Birmingham City University, Mr. Dipankar Chakraborty, Country Director of India Institute, UOB The evening?s proceedings began with a melodious musical performance organised by the Birmingham based South Asian Arts & Heritage institution- SAMPAD. The artist, Priti Kaur, gave an uplifting, solemn and seamless rendition of a Sanskrit Shloka, a hymn from Guru Granth Sahib and sang „?Ae Watan, Mere Watan Abad rahe tu, Main jahan rahoon, jahaan mein yaad rahe tu??. Addressing the guests, Professor Robin Mason, Pro Vice Chancellor (International) said that he was delighted to welcome the Hon?ble Minister to deliver the Annual Distinguished Guest Lecture which would strengthen the already existing strong linkage between the University and India. He also remarked that the University of Birmingham was the first British University to start academic course in Sikh studies, and was very proud of its engagement with the British-Indian community. University of Birmingham Chancellor Lord Bilimoria of Chelsea said that, “The Indian Government?s decision that the University of Birmingham should host this high-profile Chair is testament to our long-standing and ever-deepening relationship with India and its people??. “We are proud of our education and research links with India, particularly in those fields that resonate with the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. We believe this Chair will help further deepen and strengthen links between our academic community and the Indian Diaspora.” In her closing address the High Commissioner for India in the UK, Mrs Ruchi Ghanashyam congratulated the British-Indian community for its partnership on various projects to celebrate the auspicious occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, whose life and teachings inspire Indians belonging to all faiths across the globe. This is a great opportunity for that eternal message of the revered first Sikh Guru to be shared with the British community, and the larger world community. The programme concluded with the presentation of a souvenir – a large original oil painting by renowned artist Mr. Sukhprit Singh from India.The artwork was especially commissioned by the High Commission of India, London for the occasion and was presented to the Hon?ble Minister as a token of appreciation from the British-Indian Community of the United Kingdom. Aman Puri, Consul General of India, Birmingham commented, „„I am delighted that the University of Birmingham has partnered on this prestigious academic Chair, as its India Institute is playing such an important role in improving collaboration between India and the UK??. “Future research by this Chair will help further understand the contemporary relevance of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji?s teachings.” Honourable Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri along with some distinguished members of Indian diaspora and dignitaries. Honourable Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri speaking on ’The contemporary relevance of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s message of inter-faith harmony’ Chancellor Lord Bilimoria, UOB welcomed Honourable Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri H.E. High Commissioner of India to UK, Mrs. Ruchi Ghanashyam sharing her thoughts on the occasion of Annual Distinguished Guest Lecture
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The Asian Independent 16 - 30 Nov. 2019

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