AID News for Dec 16 2003

[aid...@aidindia.org]

AID News for Tue Dec 16 2003

AID News for Tue Dec 16, 2003
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AID News for Tue Dec 16, 2003
Good Afternoon,
Today's Headlines
1) International Conference Supports the Struggle in Narmada Valley
2) Puri nagrik Pura Haq campaign in UP
3) What Every Reader is Waiting For
4) Interesting Links


Today's News
1) International Conference Supports the Struggle in Narmada Valley
``We urge the concerned governments to desist from the tactics of repression
and ignoring people's issues, and engage in a dialogue with Narmada Bachao
Andolan'' appealed the Second International Meeting of Dam Affected and
their Allies, held at Rasi Salai, Thailand from November 29 - December 3,
2003.
The conference, which was attended by over 300 representatives of people's
movements opposing destructive dams, experts and academicians from 62
countries, supported the legitimate demand (of NBA) for a comprehensive
review of Sardar Sarovar Project and just reparation for the communities
who are already affected, before any further construction of the dam.
The conference urged the World Bank to accept the responsibility for the
mess already created in the Narmada Valley and use its legal powers on the
Government of India to ensure justice for the people affected by Sardar
Sarovar Project.
Over 20 people participated from India. They include Medha Patkar,
Magsaysay Award winner, Mr. Rajendra Singh, Mr. Kailash Avasia, Narmada
Bachao Andolan, Mr. Roy Laifungbam, CORE, North-East India, Dr. A Latha,
Chalakudy Puzha Samrakshana Samithi, Kerala and Dr. D.K.Mishra, Barh Mukti
Prominent among the international participants included, Ms. Liane Greeff,
Environmental Monitoring Group, South Africa, Ms. Ikuko Matsumoto, Friends
of the Earth, Japan, Mr. Sung Ting-Dung, Meinung People^Ņs Association,
Taiwan, Mr. Roberto Epple, European Rivers Network, France, Mr. Alexander
Fedorov, Centre for Environmental Initiatives, Russia, Ms. Berta Caceres
Flores, COPINH, Honduras, Ms. Shannon Lawrence, Environmental Defence, USA,
Mr. Ejaz Ahmed, Tarbela Dam Affected area, Pakistan, Ms. Joan Carling,
Cordillera People^Ņs Alliance, Philippines, Mr. Chainarong Srettachau,
Southeast Asia Rivers Network, Thailand and Mr. Jose Josivaldo de Oliveira,
MAB, Brazil.
Narmada Bachao Andolan was a member of the International Agenda Committee
of this Conference.
For More information on the Conference: www.irn.org/riversforlife
For More information on Narmada Bachao Andolan: www.narmada.org
Contributed by NBA
2) Puri nagrik Pura Haq (Complete citizens, total rights) campaign in UP
Friends,
On behalf of AID women, I would like to draw your
attention and seek support for the following campaign.
This is the first attempt from AID women to find closer
interaction with camapigns and ongoing efforts in
India- which directly address Violence and Gender.
The campaign Puri Nagrik, Pura Haq (Complete Citizens, Total Rights)
for Women's Rights in the state of Uttar Pradesh has been undertaken by
our NGO partners from Sahayog and runs Nov 25 to Dec 18. There are ONLY
3 days more in the campaign. AID_Women has supported the campaign by
creating a website and setting up an online petition with an appeal to
the Chief Minister of UP. We hoped to collect a large number of
signatures for the petition but only 29 people have signed so far!
The demands are for ensuring the State's accountability in ensuring
basic rights for the women of UP (in the reproductive, health,
marriage, caste and religious spheres) as per the Constitution and
International Laws.
For more details please visit the campaign website (updated with
pictures and detailed notes): www.aidindia.org/nodowry/purinagrik and
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT to sign the online petition at:
http://www.petitiononline.com/UP70047/petition.html
Contributed by Radhika and Vaijayanti
3) What Every Reader is Waiting For
or so we at AID News like to believe.. We were flooded with replies to our
quiz, hence the delay is sending AID News. We recieved 4 replies
(disregarding the few who thought it was a scam to make everyone read AID
News more carefully) all of which pointed out a difference, but not the one
we had in mind. Most of the differences they mentioned were actually
formatting slips on my part - so thank you folks! As promised, their name
enters the Hall of Fame.
Aarthi Rishi
Saurabh Jain
Rajeev Natarajan and
Vamsi Veeramacheneni
Vamsi since he is from State College, has the additional prize of inviting
me for dinner:)
The answer we were looking for is the new signature of AID News,
urging everyone to make a difference this holiday season. Take a look
at the oneforindia.org website (great job OFI team), make a donation and
spread the word.
Happy holidays everyone and lets spread the cheer around.
Hema for the editors
4) Interesting Links
(i) No berth for Greenpeace in Mumbai
The crew of the Rainbow Warrior, the flagship of the environmental
watchdog, Greenpeace, has run into rough weather with Gujarat and
Mumbai authorities.
http://www.rediff.com//news/2003/dec/08green.htm
Contributed by Mokshay Madiman
(ii) West 'risks new Ethiopia famine'
Dr Tewolde Egziabher, of Ethiopia's Environmental Protection Authority,
and its de facto environment minister, tells BBC Online:  ``I have no
doubt Ethiopia could grow enough to feed itself: many years it produces a
surplus, and the farmers don't know what to do with all the grain... ''
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3308231.stm
Contributed by Uma Asher
That's it for the day
Hema
Make a difference this holiday season. Visit
http://www.OneForIndia.org
where every One counts

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expressed by others do not necessarily reflect those of the editor.

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