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Sunday, February 5, 2012

Re: [mukto-mona] Rising Seas From Antarctica to Bangladesh



I never said Azad recruited Jihadists.  Those devout Muslims went looking for Dar-us-Salam, i.e., Jerusalem.  They were inspired by the Hadith.  Darul Arb literally meant the land of the Arabs, i.e., Mecca and Medina considered the land of war during the lifetime of the prophet.   The Quranic exegesis(tafsir) by Azad during his twenties earned him fame.  His dictum was taken seriously.  He belonged to the school of Deoband.  He was not secular but did not mix religion with politics. To be secular, one has to be critical of every religion.  Secularism would not breed on the "scourge of civilization" called religion.

On Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 8:18 AM, subimal chakrabarty <subimal@yahoo.com> wrote:
 

I have several books on history of Indian independence including Azad's own "India Wins Freedom". Interestingly none of them mentions that Azad recruited thousands of jihadists to march to the holy land and then perish in Afghanistan. But it is true that he was one of pioneers in launching and organizing the Khilafat movement. He concentrated his picketing in Bengal. But it is true that thousands of jihadists actually marched towards the holy land. I am not sure how much credit goes to Azad in organizing the long march. Prof. Das may want to be more specific. I have real respect for Azad although I do not buy every thing he did. After coming in close touch with Gandhi he became a secular leader. He was probably the youngest president of the Congress. 

Sent: Sunday, February 5, 2012 11:39 AM

Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Rising Seas From Antarctica to Bangladesh

 

Looked up some stories on Maulana Azad but did not see anything about calling India "Dar-ul_harb"


-----Original Message-----
From: Kamal Das <kamalctgu@gmail.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Feb 5, 2012 10:02 pm
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Rising Seas From Antarctica to Bangladesh

 
The exodus occurred in the twenties of last century.  The man you cited existed a century earlier.  Read the history of Indian Independence and Azad's contribution to it.

On Sun, Feb 5, 2012 at 8:00 AM, Kamal Das <kamalctgu@gmail.com> wrote:
The message remains the same whether it is Azad or Berelvi.  Ain't it?


On Sun, Feb 5, 2012 at 6:44 AM, subimal chakrabarty <subimal@yahoo.com> wrote:
 
I am afraid you are confusing Moulana Abul Kalam Azad with Syed Ahmed Berelvi!

Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2012 10:56 AM

Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Rising Seas From Antarctica to Bangladesh

 
One should be a little more aware of history.  When Maulana Azad called India 'Darul-i-arb' or the land of war, hundreds of thousands of Moslems packed their bags and crossed the Khyber pass to walk their holy land and perished in Afghanistan.

"In my opinion "spiritual home" assumption is totally wrong. It will also be wrong to say that the spiritual home of a Bangladeshi Hindu is Goya, Kashi, Vrindaban, Mathura, etc. Similarly the spiritual home of Bangladeshi Christians is not Jerusalem."

Indeed, anyone is entitled to his opinion.  However that would cot change the facts.


On Sat, Feb 4, 2012 at 8:22 AM, subimal chakrabarty <subimal@yahoo.com> wrote:
 
  • "Spiritual home" of 4 million Hindus is not "thousands of miles away." You are forgetting them!
  • Modern civilized world will never consider letting "him drown" as a good option.
  • In my opinion "spiritual home" assumption is totally wrong. It will also be wrong to say that the spiritual home of a Bangladeshi Hindu is Goya, Kashi, Vrindaban, Mathura, etc. Similarly the spiritual home of Bangladeshi Christians is not Jerusalem.

From: Kamal Das <kamalctgu@gmail.com>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, February 3, 2012 11:25 AM

Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Rising Seas From Antarctica to Bangladesh

 
I wish to sympathize with my brother.  The basic problem, though, is that his spiritual home is thousands of miles away.  If he does not relocate to the place where his mind is, I have little choice but to let him drown.  Abraham left his motherland after it was too saline to support cultivation.  Rest is history.  If my brother and I are invaded by the ocean, I would have less difficulty than these children of Abraham with a desire to conquer other civilizations by hook or crook.

On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 10:13 AM, subimal chakrabarty <subimal@yahoo.com> wrote:
 
  • First we should express our concern about the potentially endangered 35 million. We should think about what should be done about them. We do not have even 40 years at our disposal.
  • Of these 35 million about 4 million will be non-Muslims.
  • If the crisis really arises and mass migration to India occurs, can India and the rest of the world really remain indifferent in the face of this humanitarian crisis?
  • Why do we assume that most of them "will probably be brain-washed anti-Indian or down-right communal cadres of BNP/Jamat?" Why can't we see them as the distressed humanity?
  • My brother is sinking and I am worried that he will share and pollute my cousin's home! This cannot be the line of thinking.

From: Jiten Roy <jnrsr53@yahoo.com>
To: "mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com" <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 8:19 PM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Rising Seas From Antarctica to Bangladesh

 

"Then there is Bangladesh. A one-meter sea level rise - which could happen as soon as 2050 according to some Antarctic specialists - could result in between 22 and 35 million people in Bangladesh relocating from the areas in which they now live and work. Two-thirds of this nation is less than five meters above sea level."
If the above prediction of Al Gore really comes true, can you guess where those 35 million people will go? All of them will move in to India. The eastern belt of West Bengal and Assam is already saturated with Bangladeshi settlers and migrant workers. Colonies after colonies of Bangladeshi settlers are already present all around Delhi, Bombay, and Gujrat; can they take another 35 million Bangladeshi settlers? Most of them will probably be brain-washed anti-Indian or down-right communal cadres of BNP/Jamat. What can India do with such unwanted guests? I do not envision a happy ending. Do you?
Jiten Roy

From: Farida Majid <farida_majid@hotmail.com>
To:
Sent: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 3:38 PM
Subject: [mukto-mona] Rising Seas From Antarctica to Bangladesh

 



Portrait, climate activist and former Vice President Al Gore, 11/03/09. (photo: Graeme Robertson)
Portrait, climate activist and former Vice President Al Gore, 11/03/09. (photo: Graeme Robertson)
go to original article


Rising Seas From Antarctica to Bangladesh

Al Gore, Reader Supported News
01 February 12
 
fter crossing the legendary Drake Passage, we came in sight of the Antarctic continent. It is a majestic, otherworldly place. The Antarctic Peninsula, which juts northward toward South America, is lined with ice-covered mountains and surrounded by abundant wildlife in the sea. But even on this continent that looks and feels pristine, a troubling process is underway because of global warming.
The ice on land is melting at a faster rate and large ice sheets are moving toward the ocean more rapidly. As a result, sea levels are rising worldwide. Most of the world's ice is contained in Antarctica - more than 90 percent. The West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which lies south of the Peninsula, contains enough water to raise sea levels worldwide by more than 20 feet. Part of the ice sheet, the Pine Island Glacier ice shelf, is among the many in Antarctica that are shrinking at an accelerating rate. This has direct consequences for low-lying coastal and island communities all over the world - and for their inland neighbors.
In analyzing the relationship between melting ice and sea level rise, it is important to distinguish between two kinds of ice: the ice on land and the ice floating on top of the sea. When floating ice melts, sea level is not affected, because its weight has already pushed the sea level upward. But the melting of glaciers and ice sheets resting on land does increase sea level rise. So far, the melting of small mountain glaciers and portions of ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland has been the main contributor to sea level rise from the loss of ice. (As the oceans warm up, their volume naturally expands, and this too has been a contributor to a small portion of the sea level rise that has occurred in the age of global warming).
Scientists aren't yet sure precisely how much sea levels will rise over the next century. What we do know is that sea level rise is occurring already, with real consequences for human beings who live near the coasts. In the world's largest port cities, 40 million people are now already at risk of severe coastal flooding. That number could well triple within the next half-century or so.
Even wealthier countries are not immune to the impacts. In the United States, for example, particularly vulnerable areas are: Miami Beach, the Chesapeake region, coastal Louisiana, and coastal Texas. In some of these areas, the land is sinking even as the oceans rise. This will have implications that extend right up to the steps of our nation's Capitol. A recent study found that sea level rise of only a tenth of a meter would lead to $2 billion in property damage and affect almost 68,000 people in Washington, D.C. In addition, the enhanced threat of storm surges was illustrated last year when tropical storm Irene led to warnings that the New York City subway system and tunnels into the city could be flooded.
But the most vulnerable regions lie in developing countries, where populations are still rising fast and there is little money to shore up infrastructure. The cities most threatened by sea level rise are places like Calcutta and Mumbai in India; Guangzhou, China; and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. And of course, there are more than a few low-lying island nations - like the Maldives - that are already in imminent danger.
Then there is Bangladesh. A one-meter sea level rise - which could happen as soon as 2050 according to some Antarctic specialists - could result in between 22 and 35 million people in Bangladesh relocating from the areas in which they now live and work. Two-thirds of this nation is less than five meters above sea level. For the nation's 142 million people packed into a small space, climate change poses a nearly unimaginable challenge. The threat of sea level rise is not simply flooding, but saltwater intrusion that hurts the production of rice, the country's staple crop. Increased damage to rice farmers could soon put 20 million farmers out of work and force them into crowded cities.
Here in Antarctica, it's easy to feel isolated from the rest of the world. But as I look at this exquisite continent buried deep under the ice, it's troubling to think about what will happen as this ice melts ever more rapidly.
Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work. Permission to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader Supported News.
 

















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Re: [mukto-mona] RE: ডা. দীপু মনি



I have no reason to support the RSS, or to call it a progressive party.  Any party or individual with loyalty to religion is reactionary in my judgment.  "Reactionaries coming from diverse groups act toward the same goal although there are no written agreements among them. They do it only to fulfill their respective hidden agenda."  What did these sentences mean, Mr. Chakravarty?  Most Muslims of this subcontinent are Muslims first and other identities are not important to them.  They treat Rushdie and Taslima as apostates.  Would you dare to call them reactionaries and irrational?  Dr.Bain, Dr.Roy, and myself do it whenever necessary in spite of all the risks involved.  The RSS would not be even formed but for the Muslim imperialism.  You call the RSS reactionary, and spare the supporters of Muslim imperialism progressive and yet claim to have any sense of judgment?

Back in nineteen twenties, after the Khilafat movement collapsed along with the Caliphate in Turkey, the Maulana brothers withdrew support from the Independence movement of India led by the congress.  In a press conference, one of those Maulanas quoted a Hadith that said, " Even the worst Muslim is better than the best non-Muslim."  On being asked if the Hadith would apply even if that non-Muslim is M. K. Gandhi?  The Maulana replied, "Of course, it would.".  I hope you would learn about their pshyche from such hadiths and their manners in general.  No amount of appeasing could change their attitude.

On Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 8:23 AM, subimal chakrabarty <subimal@yahoo.com> wrote:
 

I don't know where I have siad that Tasloima is a reactionary. I have always shown respect for her. I have been fighting for her even in this forum. Is Prof. Das angry as because I have called RSS a reactionary party?  

From: Kamal Das <kamalctgu@gmail.com>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, February 5, 2012 11:10 AM

Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] RE: ডা. দীপু মনি
 
A large part of the Jewish 'holocaust' is fiction rather than fact.  Reputed western historians, not just the present Iranian President has questioned it's authenticity.  About 'Lajja', what is Mr. Chakravarty's view.  Is he convinced that minorities are not persecuted here?  Apparently this guy is worse than Jogen Mandal.  Does he deem Taslima as a reactionary?  Does he know that in spite of the atrocities carried out by the Pakistan army during our liberation war, any Muslim born in Pakistan is allowed dual citizenship in Bangladesh, but a Hindu forced out of Bangladesh into India loses his citizenship and property?  Call it by any name you wish, the 'Enemy Property act' has been in force in Bangladesh for about half a century.  I do not wish to believe that Mr. Chakravarty is a moron, but is he dumb and blind?  He can't see what even members of Muslim community do.  Or is he too apologetic to those who treat 'minority property' as mal-i-ganimat?

On Sun, Feb 5, 2012 at 12:20 AM, subimal chakrabarty <subimal@yahoo.com> wrote:
 
Believe it or not: Dr. Majid is right. Reactionaries coming from diverse groups act toward the same goal although there are no written agreements among them. They do it only to fulfill their respective hidden agenda. They do it to fish in the troubled waters. You should not be surprised if you find that a muslim organization in India wants to capitalize on an anti-muslim riot. RSS may like to see persecution of hindus in Bangladesh to promote its own agenda. It has been reported that RSS spent huge amount of money to translate, print, and distribute atheist Taslima's "Lajja". Both the groups need "proofs" to make their cases stronger. Iranian president even does not recognize the history of persecution of Jews by Hitler. Is he then not an ally of Hitler?  

From: qar <qrahman@netscape.net>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, February 2, 2012 1:35 PM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] RE: ডা. দীপু মনি
 
It is highly unlikely that our current FM is a agent for RAW. However we expect our honorable ministers to know how to speak and how to make a statement. They are not ordinary citizens and their words have much more weight than you or I.

Because of her education, family background etc I was very excited to have her as our FM. Now a days I hear more disappointing comments about her than and rarely hear anyone supporting her position. It is painful to watch that our democratically elected officials are really out of touch with situation of our country.

As I said before blind supporters of parties makes me angry as well. However it is VERY unlikely that, extreme BD right group is work WITH Indian Sangh Parivar. It is as absurd as telling that, Ziaur Rahman was working for ISI during our liberation war.

There are quite a few comedians in this forum but I enjoy constructive criticism based on facts, knowledge, logic. NOT blind slavery to one party or one country. Our Creator gave us that much freedom and I don't see why we should not stay free. It makes our discussion very enjoyable...

Shalom!


-----Original Message----- From: Farida Majid <farida_majid@hotmail.com> Sent: Thu, Feb 2, 2012 6:37 am Subject: [mukto-mona] RE: ডা. দীপু মনি
 
                How many times do we have to hear this? Every single time is it necessary to call everyone a RAW agent? This RAW agency of their unlimited deprived imagination has unlimited RAW agents. There is never any variety. Whenever their puny little brain runs out of ideas it is RAW time! Get it RAW. No time to cook.                 Herr Goebbels himself would object to his own formula --lies being told repetitively in order to make people believe in lies --  being overused and loosing its efficacy. It is getting deafening!                      There are all sorts of sign that these hukka hua choir (the extreme right wing faction of BD) is hired by the extreme right-wing Sangh Parivar of India. They have at least one common agenda: keeping communalism alive and kicking.                        We have to be mindful of that while we grit our teeth and bear the antics of these very bad comics.
From: shahadathussaini@hotmail.com To: bangladeshiamericans@googlegroups.com; khabor@yahoogroups.com; alochona@yahoogroups.com Subject: ডা. দীপু মনি Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 11:56:32 -0500
 
উক্তি আর্কাইভ
বন্যার ক্ষতি কমাতেই টিপাইমুখ বাঁধ দিচ্ছে ভারত
ডা. দীপু মনি
পররাষ্ট্রমন্ত্রী
জাতীয় সংসদের বৈঠকে মৌখিক উত্তরদানের জন্য উত্থাপিত এম এ মান্নানের এক প্রশ্নের জবাবে
আরটিএনএন, ৩০/০১/২০১২ 
 
 
 
সোনা মনির কথা শুনে মোটেও অবাক হইনি,উনি তো ঐ দেশের মন্ত্রী। উনিতো উনার দেশের কথা বলবেন।
 
আমরা ভারতের প্রতিবেশী,তাদের কল্যাণ আমাদের চিন্তা করতে হবে ।যেহেতু ভারত বন্যার পানি সামাল দিতে এ বাধ দিচ্ছে ,সুতরাং আমাদের নৈতিক দায়িত্ব হচ্ছে ভারতকে এ বাধের ব্যাপারে আর্থিকভাবে সাহায্য করা । মাননীয় মন্ত্রীর বক্তব্য থেকে আমি এটা বুঝতে পেরেছি । কেউ যদি আর ভাল কিছু বুঝে থাকেন তাহলে দয়া করে শেয়ার করুন ।
 
This is outrageous,despicable and totally insulting.This kind of remark is befitting for paid RAW's agent.These agents are totally blind to the catastrophic damage caused by the Farakka and Teesta barrage.Now the Tipaimukh would turn Bangladesh into desert.But these water aggression and brutal tortures and killings at the border are of no concern to them.They have no love,respect and concern for Bangladeshis and Bangladesh.These agents has only one concern to be in the Indian payroll and implement the Indian agenda.This is shame that they are enjoying the luxary of expensive cars,mansions and frequent royal foreign trips at the cost of hard earned Bangladeshi tax payer money.
 
 



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"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
               -Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190




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[ALOCHONA] Weekly BUDHBAR report on Corridor



Weekly  BUDHBAR  report on Corridor



http://budhbar.com/?p=7511



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[ALOCHONA] Tipaimukh Dam and Indian Hydropolitics



Tipaimukh Dam and Indian Hydropolitics

RASHID ASKARI examines the politics of dam building between India and Bangladesh.

India has finally moved to build the disputable dam (Tipaimukh) avowedly for flood-control and public welfare. An agreement was signed on Oct 22, 2011 between the State Government of Manipur and the hydro developers at New Delhi under wraps. So far as the proposed project (Tipaimukh Hydroelectric Project) is concerned, a dam is going to be erected on the river Barak in Manipur, India which flows down in the north-eastern part of Bangladesh assuming the names Surma and Kushiara. The 164 metre high and 390 metre long dam would cost about 1.35 billion US dollars, and have a capacity to generate around 1,500 megawatts of power for the national grid. The dam is within 100 km of Bangladeshi border town of Sylhet, and there is very close dependence of Indian river Barak and Bangladeshi rivers Surma and Kushiara. Now the question may arise as to what if India builds 101 dams and barrages in its own territory. But the thing is not as simple as that! It is a question of joint rivers and shared waters between India and Bangladesh. In point of this sort of upstream dam, Bangladesh is in a 'once bitten, twice shy'-like situation. The Farakka Barrage has been taking a heavy toll on her for a long time. Its entire north-eastern part is under threat of desertification. Another strike at Bangladesh's environment will only aggravate the existing wound. Experts from both the countries have sounded a note of serious caution on the building of the Tipaimikh Dam. But the Indian government seems totally unmoved by it.

Adverse effects of the project
Although hydroelectric projects are generally considered better than other power generation options, they have adverse long-term effects on the environment such as changes in the ecosystem, destruction of wildlife habitat and settlements. Especially in the densely populated countries like India and Bangladesh where rivers are a lifeline for most of the people, projects like Tipaimukh can cause numerous negative effects. Besides, a dam carries with it the seeds of its own malfunction. Even the world-famous Aswan High Dam has produced several detrimental effects, chief of which is the gradual decrease in the fertility of Egypt's riverside agricultural lands.

Its complete control of the Nile's annual flooding leaves its load of rich fertilising silt impounded in reservoirs and canals, and prevents the silt from being naturally deposited on farmlands. The Tipaimukh Dam may have similar effects on the fertility and productivity of the downstream land.

Effects on Bangladesh
If the Tipaimukh dam is put into operation, the whole North Eastern Bangladesh, especially Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulavibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj, Netrokona, Norshingdi and Narayanganj districts would suffer severe environmental consequences, and the people would be put to reduced circumstances. It would endanger wildlife, agriculture and freshwater fisheries in a vast area of land which would be alternately affected by worse droughts and floods in lean and wet seasons. And the daily life of a vast number of people of the Meghna basin who live by fishing would be put at risk. Above all, it would hugely contribute to the problem of water shortages which is assuming considerable dimensions at this crucial juncture of global warming while the availability of drinking water per capita is miserably shrinking worldwide.

Effects on India
The Tipaimukh Hydroelectric Project will not be worth the candle even for India. It is being foisted on the people of Manipur at such a place which is geologically one of the most vulnerable areas in the world. It is an epicentre for earthquakes that has recorded at least two major earthquakes measuring 8+ on the Richter scale in the past 50 years. A professor of the Department of Earth Sciences at Manipur University, Soibam Ibotombi warns: "the dam will be a geo-tectonic blunder of international dimensions". It would submerge a vast area of land, render thousands of people landless, affect 90 villages of Tamenglong district and about 27,242 hectares of cultivable land, and demolish some ancient monuments which bear witness to history of the Zeliangrong people.

Public reaction
The environment-conscious people of the world are fully aware of the harmful effects of building a dam on a river. So the people of north-eastern India and of Bangladesh are bitterly opposing the Tipaimukh Dam building steps. There is growing apprehension among them that the environment would be adversely affected by it. The people of Manipur have started fighting legally to stop the project. The Sinlung Indigenous People Human Rights Organization (SIPHRO) of India opined that the process of choosing the project premises ignored both the indigenous people and the recommendations of the WCD (World Commission on Dams). There have been widespread protests and anti-dam demonstrations throughout Bangladesh. But the Government of India seems to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to all criticisms levelled at the dam.

The motive
Why is Mr. Singh's government hell-bent on building the dam? While the developed countries in the world are backing off from governing nature by artificial means keeping in view its long term effects on the environment, India's decision to build this highly controversial dam gives rise to a host of questions. The reasons obviously are more political than developmental. The north-eastern region is a constant cause for concern to the far-off Delhi Government. This region of India has become a breeding ground for security risks. There are about 34 separatist organisations only in Manipur who often rise in rebellion against the central government which, unable to always resist by force, is trying to use the carrot and stick approach to control the rebel forces. Tipaimukh Hydroelectric project is an expression of the carrot approach to local people. The government has given Manipur people a tantalising offer of 10% free electricity (i.e. 40 MW) from the project in exchange for building the dam. That the local people can find huge employment from the project is another enticement to them.

This, however, is all about India's internal politics. But what is their politics with Bangladesh in this regard? Maybe it is not a deliberate act of hostility towards Bangladesh. Rather, it is happening as a ripple effect of the Tipaimukh project. Whatever it is, India would get a windfall gain in the bilateral relations by putting Bangladesh to pressure point.

Defence against the building of the dam
Although there is no immediately obvious penal system to bring this sort of anomaly to justice, there must be some basic political decencies of civilised countries which can dispense fair play in sustaining a gesture of goodwill amid conflicting interests. There are, however, some global agencies that can give necessary advice to settle such matters.

(A) Recommendations of World Commission on Dams (WCD)
The proposed Tipaimukh Dam is going to be built without conforming to some vital recommendations of WCD. First, as per the recommendations, a project should give social and environmental aspects the same significance as is given to technical, economic and financial factors. But the Tipaimukh project is giving significance neither to local environment nor to that of Bangladesh. Second, before the decision to set up a new dam is taken, outstanding social and environmental issues should be addressed, and all stakeholders should have the opportunity to participate in the decision-making processes. But the Tipaimukh project is the solitary decision of the corridors of power. Even the local people are not privy to it. Thirdly, the project should provide entitlements to the downstream project affected people to make up for their losses. Fourthly, the project affected people should be able to negotiate to ensure the implementation of development entitlements. But I don't know if Bangladesh Government, as the government of a large segment of project affected people, has been asked to negotiate any deal with India on Tipaimukh Project. Fifthly, the project should not affect the river ecosystem and endanger its wildlife. But experts are of the opinion that Tipaimukh hydroelectric project would imperil the ecosystem and wildlife habitat of the entire Meghna basin. Last but not least, a dam should not be constructed on a shared river if the other riparian state/country raises any objection to it. The people of Bangladesh have a strong objection to the building of the dam. This can easily be confirmed by referendum.

(B) The United Nations Convention
The United Nations General Assembly has recently introduced the rule of equitable utilisation on the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses (Article 5 of its United Nations Convention). The Assembly ratified the UN Convention on May 21, 1997. As per Article 5, the watercourse nations are required to utilise an international watercourse in an equitable and reasonable manner with a view to attaining optimal and sustainable utilisation and benefits consistent with adequate protection in the watercourse. It also states that watercourse nations shall participate in the use, development and protection of an international watercourse in an equitable and reasonable manner. But contrary to all these, Bangladesh as a watercourse nation has not been allowed either to utilise the watercourse equitably and reasonably, or to participate in its use, development and protection. The project owners are in open violation of the UN convention in this regard.

(C) No-Harm Rule
The UN Convention has also introduced a second principle called "no-harm rule" in its Article 7 which is subordinate to the rule of equitable utilisation of international watercourse. Article 7 suggests the watercourse nations to take all "appropriate measures" to prevent themselves from causing significant harm to other watercourse nations. Nevertheless, if they cause another watercourse nation any significant harm, they must take all appropriate measures in consultation with the affected nation, to eliminate or mitigate the harm and, where appropriate, to discuss the question of compensation.

Although the UN Convention has not come into force, it has received broad endorsements, and is widely accepted as an embodiment of the basic principles of international water law. It should be used as the law on transboundary fresh waters among the watercourse nations regardless of whether they have ratified it. This law was confirmed by the International Court of Justice in its ruling on the Danube River Case (Hungary v. Slovakia) in 1997. So, the watercourse nations need to develop treaties to ensure the equitable utilisation and management of internationally shared groundwater basins.

(D) The International Boundary Waters Treaty:
The International Boundary Waters Treaty (1909), between the United States and Great Britain set up an International Joint Commission of Americans and Canadians to supervise the issues related to waters on the boundary between the United States and Canada. Utilisation of the shared waters, shipping and other transportation rights, building of dams and bridges, and concern for probable water pollution are within the jurisdiction of the Joint Commission. The treaty proposed the commission "to prevent disputes regarding the use of boundary waters and to settle all questions which are now pending between the United States and the Dominion of Canada involving the rights, obligations, or interests of either in relation to the other or to the inhabitants of the other, along their common frontier."

(E) Indus Waters Treaty
After partition of India in 1947, while the irrigation system of the Bari Doab and the Sutlej Valley Project was disrupted by the international boundary between India and West Pakistan leading to disruptions to the water supply in some parts of Pakistan, a treaty between Pakistan and India known as the 'Indus Waters Treaty' was drawn up in 1960 under the mediation of the World Bank to resolve the crisis. This was also done in light of the 'International Boundary Waters Treaty' and both the countries built dams and barrages in their own parts under the terms of the treaty. This is also a shining example of the equitable use of shared waters by neighbouring countries. Similarly, as a lower riparian country, Bangladesh preserves the right to an equitable share of the waters of Barak River, and in its light can seek to examine the details of the dam construction by neighbouring India. And India, being an upper riparian country, is bound by legal obligation to negotiate with Bangladesh for the erection of such a huge structure on a common river.

(F) Indo-Bangladesh Joint River Commission
A Joint River Commission was signed between India and Bangladesh on November 24, 1972. In Article 4 of its Statute, it is clearly stated that the Commission will "maintain liaison between the participating countries in order to ensure the most effective joint efforts in maximising the benefits from common river systems to both the countries" and "study flood control and irrigation projects so that the water resources of the region can be utilized on an equitable basis for the mutual benefit of the peoples of the two countries". What benefits is Bangladesh going to get from the dam to be built on a common river? Has India made any liaison with Bangladesh regarding this dam under the terms of the Commission? The answer is in the negative.

Policy on the issue
It is not our lookout to see how India deals with its local people in Tipaimukh in particular and Seven Sister States in general but we are obviously deeply concerned about the devastating effects of the dam on our Bangladesh. We should leave no bilateral and global stones unturned to mitigate the problem. India may have the privilege of the upstream Barak, but we too have the rights to the downstream Surma and Kushiara. All the global schools of legal thought would look with favour upon our cause.

We should, however, deal with this problem with a balanced, down to earth policy. We should try to settle the dispute by diplomatic means and rounds of negotiations. In the first instance, we should try to get the ins and outs of the project straight from the horse's mouth, and then determine its detrimental effects on us with a view to embarking on meaningful negotiations. If we can sound very convincing to India and to the international community with regard to our claims as the project affected people, we can easily drum up support in our favour, and be able to stop the project or at least come to an equitable compromise that would give us our due. The government can find a way out, if they have a sincere will. They have taken our maritime cases to international court and are hoping to win. They may have to take recourse to international legal proceedings in this regard too if all negotiations falter.

The surge of protest against the dam is sweeping through Bangladesh and parts of India. It is a big plus in the anti-dam campaign. But we should keep an open mind on it. It would be best if we could totally stop the dam construction steps taken by upstream India. But if it is not at all possible, we should not close the book on the issue. It could be wiser to choose the lesser of the two evils than to lose all at the end of the day.

We should strike a bargain with India on the question of PAP's (Project Affected People) rights/ dues. We have to think of maximising our profits and minimising the losses inflicted on us by India's Tipaimukh project. It's good that both our Prime Minister and Opposition Leader seem to have seen eye to eye with each other at least on this issue. But if they only play to the gallery, we cannot get anything out of it. They should mean what they say. The government's steps should not be affected by any smaller interest of ascendancy or that of the opposition by any cheap politicking. To work honestly, sincerely, and disinterestedly for the country, to bargain and negotiate rationally for it, and to fight for its rights, for the sake of the country itself, not for anything else's sake, is the sign of true patriotism in a democratic government and a conscientious opposition party. If our present democratic government and the party / parties in opposition realise this, winning or losing the Tipaimukh deal won't make any significant difference to us in the long run.

***

Water is an eternal cause of rivalry. It is the ambient natural resource that neither knows nor respects human boundaries. The world's 261 international river basins, spreading over 45% of the earth's surface, are shared by more than one nation. But the reality is that, even the most neighbourly nations have found it difficult to reach a mutually acceptable settlement regarding transboundary waters. It is worth noting that the English word "rival" is derived from the Latin word 'rivalis' which means persons who live on the opposite banks of the same river. So, water is too vital a resource for nations to fight over. A wide range of water conflicts appear throughout history, and people have been repeatedly at war while protecting each other's water- rights. Many apprehend that the third World War would be a Water War. Whatever it is, we never want to go to war with our closest neighbour over water issue. We want to arrange to share the waters of our transboundary basin mutually and amicably, and settle our differences out of court. Even in the absence of any approved arrangements, India and Bangladesh can consult customary international law, and follow the simple rules that can enable them to coexist peacefully within a shared river basin. Indian premier Manmohan Singh has unambiguously told us in his recent Dhaka University speech that India would not cause any harm to Bangladesh in regard to anything. We still believe that he would not sell us down the river, and would show a spirit of goodwill in bilateral relations. We would never want a rupture in relations between Bangladesh and India.

Dr. Rashid Askari writes fiction and columns, and teaches English literature at Kushtia Islamic University, Bangladesh. He can be reached at rashidaskari65@yahoo.com

http://www.thedailystar.net/forum/2012/January/tipaimukh.htm


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[ALOCHONA] Mahmudul Haque's Kalo Borof trnaslated by Mahmud Rahman & Published by Harper Collins India



Mahmud Rahman is a friend from my childhood and also school mate from St. Josephs. My LA friends you have met him at our place.
 
 
Harper Collins India has just brought out Black Ice, a translation of Mahmudul Haque's Kalo Borof. It's a heart-wrenching and lovely book and Harper Collins has brought out Mahmud Rahman's translation with a lovely cover.

http://www.harpercollins.co.in/BookDetail.asp?Book_Code=3123

"Abdul Khaleq teaches at a rural college nearing collapse in newly independent Bangladesh. When a writer friend asks him to chronicle his childhood, Abdul retreats to an enchanting world in the suburbs of Calcutta. He remembers the girl who spoke to fish and birds, the girl he first loved. He also recalls the stream of visitors who came to his parents' door in those days, some bearing want, some malice, and others, generosity and wisdom. He plummets into despondency when memories return him to a time when Hindu–Muslim tensions in undivided Bengal eclipsed his innocence. Abdul's nostalgia enrages his wife Rekha who resents his lack of ambition and aloofness. Prodded by the village physician Doctor Narhari, the couple embark on a boat ride that forces them to confront their discord and desires, and plumb the roots of Abdul's alienation. Published first in 1977,  Mahmudul Haque's cult novel, Black Ice, probes with utmost sensitivity the invisible scars bequeathed to the inheritors of the losses of Partition."

Here's the translator reading from Black Ice: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150578972887402

Here's the translator talking about his friendship with Mahmudul Haque and solving puzzles: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150580039012402




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[ALOCHONA] Fw: [FutureOfBangladesh] Bangladesh War movies' fest to be held in Agartala




----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Shamim Huq <ShamimMHuq@Yahoo.com>
To: FOB <FutureOfBangladesh@Yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 5, 2012 9:43 PM
Subject: [FutureOfBangladesh] Bangladesh War movies' fest to be held in Agartala

 

Bangladesh war movies' fest to be held in Agartala

Agartala, Feb 5 : Bangladesh will tell the world about the genocide of its three million people and mass atrocities on 200,000 women and children perpetrated by Pakistani forces during the 1971 liberation war, a Bangladeshi diplomat said here Sunday.
 
"Bangladesh missions across the world have been organising numerous programmes including screening of films and cultural programmes to depict the barbaric massacres, brutal atrocities on women and children during the nine month long liberation war," Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner Mahbub Hassan Saleh told reporters. He was speaking ahead of a three-day film festival -- "Bangladesh's War of Liberation in Celluloid" -- beginning here Feb 10.

"To mark the 40th anniversary of the War of Liberation, the Bangladesh high commission in India in association with the Indian government, has been organising film festivals and cultural programmes in various Indian cities," he added.

"The new generation in India and other countries knows very little about Bangladesh's liberation war and the supreme sacrifice of lakhs of people and India's role in the battle," the envoy said.

Saleh said: "During the war, to escape from Pakistani forces' barbaric atrocities, over one crore (10 million) Bangladeshi men, women and children took shelter in (the Indian states of) West Bengal, Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya."

"Over 1,600,000 Bangladeshis (larger than the state's then total population of 1,500,000) had taken shelter in Tripura alone," he said.

"India-Bangladesh relations were founded during the war, which could not have succeeded without India's support and help," the diplomat added.

The official was talking to reporters

Six films, which recreate the valiant deeds of the freedom fighters in the 1971 liberation war, will be screened in this first ever festival in the northeastern state. The festival is being organised in association with the directorate of film festivals under the Indian union ministry of information and broadcasting and the Tripura government.

Similar such film festivals were held in New Delhi and Kolkata.

The films expected to be screened in the Agartala film festival include "Matir Moina" (the clay bird), "Khelaghar" (dollhouse), "Joyjatra" (victory mission), "Khondo Golpo-1971" (1971 - a few shattered tales), "Amar Bandhu Rashed" (my friend Rashed) and "Guerilla".

"The proposed films to be screened in the film festivals have won various international awards and have been acclaimed by all," Saleh said adding that during the festival, the film directors and film personalities of Bangladesh would be present to explain about their movies.

India's directorate of film festival deputy director Tanu Rai said : "The freedom struggle of any country is a very emotional and acclaimed issue and event. India always has had a deep and abiding respect for the Bangladesh liberation war and that is why New Delhi was associated with this festival." (IANS)




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[mukto-mona] পাঠকের লেখা [1 Attachment]

[Attachment(s) from Mehedi Tuhin included below]

আমি আমার লেখাটি ডকুমেন্ট হিসেবে এটাচ করে দিলাম। কিছুটা সমসাময়িক গোছের লেখা। দয়া করে পড়ে দেখবেন একবার। 

Attachment(s) from Mehedi Tuhin

1 of 1 File(s)


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Mukto Mona plans for a Grand Darwin Day Celebration: 
Call For Articles:

http://mukto-mona.com/wordpress/?p=68

http://mukto-mona.com/banga_blog/?p=585

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"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
               -Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190




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Re: [mukto-mona] Fw: Hindu Deities demolished at Serajdi Khan Upazila of Munshigonj district of Bangladesh on 21.01.2012



When some one's hatred for some thing or some community is so blind that it has reached the level of fanaticism, then it is really meaningless or wastage of time to engage in any fruitful conversation with him. In a forum like Mukto-mona we need to learn see things from different angles. This gut sees things from one angle only.

From: Kamal Das <kamalctgu@gmail.com>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, February 5, 2012 7:46 PM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] Fw: Hindu Deities demolished at Serajdi Khan Upazila of Munshigonj district of Bangladesh on 21.01.2012
 
Children of Abraham are assured of their place in heaven for such deeds.  Hence they ruin the icons of other religions.

On Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 4:06 AM, Jiten Roy <jnrsr53@yahoo.com> wrote:
 
[Attachment(s) from Jiten Roy included below]


--- On Sun, 2/5/12, Rabindra Ghose <ravin_3bd@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Rabindra Ghose <ravin_3bd@yahoo.com>
Subject: Hindu Deities demolished at Serajdi Khan Upazila of Munshigonj district of Bangladesh on 21.01.2012
To: "Media Monitor" <media_monitor5@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Sunday, February 5, 2012, 1:56 PM


Hi all,
Some unknown perpetrators on pof January,2012 unlawfully entered into Hindu temple and demolished "Kali Deity" at village-Chormordon within Serajdi Khan Upazila of Munshigonj District of Bangladesh. When the devotees on last Saturday went to worship their Goddess "Kali Deity" they found that Hindu idols have been broken into pieces. They also informed police and police visited the spot. As a result of repeated incidents of such desecration of Hindu dities Minority Hindus of those locality feeling unsafe as insecurity was prevailing. Mr. Sheikh Mahabubur Rahman,the officer in Charge of Serajdi Khan police station said that a group of unidentified perpetrators are very much active in doing this sort of nefarious activities in the area. He hoped that he will identify those perpetrators and bring them to book. In this connection a complain has been filed at Serajdi Khan police station.  The matter has been published in the national daily "Jugantor" dated 22nd of January,2012. BDMW and GHRD hurriedly communicated with the local administration over phone who informed us the situation is now under control. But till date no perpetrators has been identified by police. Through Adv.Rabindra Ghosh Founder President-Bangladesh Minority Watch (BDMW) 12, K.M. Das Lane, Tikatully, Bholagiri Trust, Sutrapur P.s.,Dhaka, Bangladesh. www.bdmw.org


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Mukto Mona plans for a Grand Darwin Day Celebration: 
Call For Articles:

http://mukto-mona.com/wordpress/?p=68

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"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
               -Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190




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