A month more for Pictorial warnings on tobacco products

A month more for Pictorial warnings on tobacco products

The long pending pictorial or graphic health warnings on all tobacco products in India shall finally be impelmented from 30 May 2009. This is in line with the Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act and the global tobacco treaty which India has ratified (World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control).

Earlier this month in April 2009, the Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium had assured a bench headed by Justice BN Aggarwal in the Court after senior counsel Indira Jaisingh, appearing for NGO Health for Millions, alleged the Centre was dragging its feet on the issue.

Also earlier this month, the Group of Ministers (GoM) on tobacco warnings were supposed to meet on 8 April 2009 and further dilution or delay to pictorial health warnings on tobacco products was apprehended by many health activists. However the meeting didn't take place.

Also, a survey conducted in four Indian States by Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health and Voluntary Healh Association of India (VHAI) reports 98% of public supporting the pack warnings and 99% supporting government action to strengthen health warnings requiring them to be large and including pictures of all tobacco products.

Pictorial warnings on tobacco products are intended to increase consumer knowledge of the deadly health effects of tobacco consumption, to encourage cessation and to discourage uptake. In India they also break the linguistic and cultural barrier, in addition to informing the illiterate population (a large proportion of this segment smokes bidis) about the harmful effects of tobacco use.

Before going to the 3rd Conference of Parties (COP3) to the FCTC, the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had revealed before the Central Information Commission that tobacco industry is putting "pressure" to relax the tobacco control policies (source: The Hindu, 14 November 2008). The Preamble of the global tobacco treaty, indicates that Parties “need to be alert to any efforts by the tobacco industry to undermine or subvert tobacco control efforts and the need to be informed of activities of the tobacco industry that have a negative impact on tobacco control efforts”. Further, Article 5.3 of the FCTC requires that “in setting and implementing their public health policies with respect to tobacco control, Parties should act to protect these policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry in accordance with the national law.”

Hope the authorities will not dilute or delay the implementation of this health policy any further, and stick to their commitment to enforce the pictorial health warnings on tobacco products by 30th May 2009.

- Bobby Ramakant

A month more for Pictorial warnings on tobacco products

A month more for Pictorial warnings on tobacco products

The long pending pictorial or graphic health warnings on all tobacco products in India shall finally be impelmented from 30 May 2009. This is in line with the Cigarette and other Tobacco Products Act and the global tobacco treaty which India has ratified (World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control).

Earlier this month in April 2009, the Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium had assured a bench headed by Justice BN Aggarwal in the Court after senior counsel Indira Jaisingh, appearing for NGO Health for Millions, alleged the Centre was dragging its feet on the issue.

Also earlier this month, the Group of Ministers (GoM) on tobacco warnings were supposed to meet on 8 April 2009 and further dilution or delay to pictorial health warnings on tobacco products was apprehended by many health activists. However the meeting didn't take place.

Also, a survey conducted in four Indian States by Healis Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health and Voluntary Healh Association of India (VHAI) reports 98% of public supporting the pack warnings and 99% supporting government action to strengthen health warnings requiring them to be large and including pictures of all tobacco products.

Pictorial warnings on tobacco products are intended to increase consumer knowledge of the deadly health effects of tobacco consumption, to encourage cessation and to discourage uptake. In India they also break the linguistic and cultural barrier, in addition to informing the illiterate population (a large proportion of this segment smokes bidis) about the harmful effects of tobacco use.

Before going to the 3rd Conference of Parties (COP3) to the FCTC, the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had revealed before the Central Information Commission that tobacco industry is putting "pressure" to relax the tobacco control policies (source: The Hindu, 14 November 2008). The Preamble of the global tobacco treaty, indicates that Parties “need to be alert to any efforts by the tobacco industry to undermine or subvert tobacco control efforts and the need to be informed of activities of the tobacco industry that have a negative impact on tobacco control efforts”. Further, Article 5.3 of the FCTC requires that “in setting and implementing their public health policies with respect to tobacco control, Parties should act to protect these policies from commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry in accordance with the national law.”

Hope the authorities will not dilute or delay the implementation of this health policy any further, and stick to their commitment to enforce the pictorial health warnings on tobacco products by 30th May 2009.

- Bobby Ramakant

Save democracy in Sri Lanka: NAPM

Save democracy in Sri Lanka: NAPM

SAVE HUMAN LIVES, HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY IN SRI LANKA ! SUPPORT TAMIL'S STRUGGLE FOR SELF DETERMINATION!

STOP WAR AND WAR CRIMES!

The situation in Sri Lanka is alarming. Despite a two days ceasefire on the occasion of the Tamil New Year, and despite innumerable appeals to the Sri Lankan government, President Mahinda Rajapaksha has made it clear during the recent visit of UN Special Envoy Vijay Nambiar on 17th April 09 that he is not ready to abandon his line of "war to the finish".

The Tamil civil population in the Vanni is in an absolutely desperate situation without food, water and medical supplies and under frequent attack in the so-called safe zone. Those who manage to leave (many don't want to, for complex reasons), encounter extremely discouraging conditions in the transit camps. Families are separated, disappearances of males of a certain age group are rampant, women face violations and informers try to track down political affiliations, which lead to further disappearances, while food, water and medical supplies leave a lot to be desired. Those who stay in the Vanni do so under manifold compulsions and there are daily deaths in large numbers due to lack of food, water, medical supplies and violent interference. Since 20th April, more people have come out of the so called safe zone, so that more ferocious massacres can be expected in the Vanni Region.

The argument that the LTTE has a vested interest in the presence of the civil population cannot be used as an excuse for the ongoing human rights violations by the State. The war has to end in order to end war crimes and enable a sustainable democratic process.

It is known that the Indian economic and military aid to the Sri Lankan government has been of a high order, presumably "to keep the Chinese at bay". We also remember from the over quarter of a century of armed conflict that the fratricidal tendencies among Tamil groups have been encouraged and enhanced by material aid and training through the RAW and other Indian intelligence outfits over the years. So the injury inflicted from the Indian side is much larger than only the involvement of the IPKF. Actually Priyanka Gandhi has a point when she says to the press that the murder of her father was caused by people's unbearable suffering.

We appreciate that the tone of the Indian Government has changed over recent weeks due to vast protest in India and abroad. However this is not enough. We have reasons to believe that words and deeds often do not tally. Political parties are using the issue to garner votes. There have been numerous protests by democratic organisations over the past three months, demanding to stop the war. People have had demonstrations, hunger fasts, appeals, conferences, road blocks, human chains, petitions galore. In Tamil Nadu, there have been several self immolations. Over the past one week (since 13th April 09), a group of twenty women in Chennai belonging to different organisations have been on an indefinite fast for PEACE in Sri Lanka .

On behalf of NAPM and PPF we wholeheartedly support this struggle. We have raised the issue extensively in our pre-election manifesto and campaign in Tamil Nadu from 23 to 31st March .National Conveners of NAPM have endorsed the demands for Peace, democracy and sovereignty of Tamils in Sri Lanka in their national Conveners meeting in Nagpur on March 1st, 09. NAPM Tamil Nadu has had rasta roko, arrest and fast on February 21 and a massive human chain on March 19th, 09. We also participated in the International Working Class Protest on April 8th, 09. We will not cease to raise the issue at national and international level. We will integrate the issue in all our campaign during pre-election time and also in the long term.

However, we appeal to our sisters to end their fast, as the conflict of decades cannot be solved over night and the aim is to save human lives and end the death toll, not to add to it. Let us abide by the slogan of the Tamil women from Batikaloa:

WE WILL END THE WAR

WE WILL PROTECT LIVES

BY THIS, WE WILL MAKE THE VICTORY OURS.

- We demand an immediate durable and unconditional ceasefire to enable peace negotiations.

- We demand formation of credible teams of international human rights activists, medical personnel and social workers to be present in the process of helping the civil population in the Vanni to get access to food, water and medical supplies and to safeguard their human rights, sanity and dignity in the transition. Special care needs to be taken to protect, women, children and youth.

-We demand de-mining and restoration of villages so that peoples right to return to their homes can be safeguarded and implemented.

We demand a political process in which all communities will be able to participate with confidence and equal rights, irrespective of ethnicity, language, caste, creed and gender.

-The Tamil people's right to self-determination must be respected and implemented.

-Disappearances and other violence must end and freedom of the press must be guaranteed. The working classes must be able to form organisations and struggle for people's rights to Life and Livelihood.

Medha Patkar
National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM)

Save democracy in Sri Lanka: NAPM

Save democracy in Sri Lanka: NAPM

SAVE HUMAN LIVES, HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY IN SRI LANKA ! SUPPORT TAMIL'S STRUGGLE FOR SELF DETERMINATION!

STOP WAR AND WAR CRIMES!

The situation in Sri Lanka is alarming. Despite a two days ceasefire on the occasion of the Tamil New Year, and despite innumerable appeals to the Sri Lankan government, President Mahinda Rajapaksha has made it clear during the recent visit of UN Special Envoy Vijay Nambiar on 17th April 09 that he is not ready to abandon his line of "war to the finish".

The Tamil civil population in the Vanni is in an absolutely desperate situation without food, water and medical supplies and under frequent attack in the so-called safe zone. Those who manage to leave (many don't want to, for complex reasons), encounter extremely discouraging conditions in the transit camps. Families are separated, disappearances of males of a certain age group are rampant, women face violations and informers try to track down political affiliations, which lead to further disappearances, while food, water and medical supplies leave a lot to be desired. Those who stay in the Vanni do so under manifold compulsions and there are daily deaths in large numbers due to lack of food, water, medical supplies and violent interference. Since 20th April, more people have come out of the so called safe zone, so that more ferocious massacres can be expected in the Vanni Region.

The argument that the LTTE has a vested interest in the presence of the civil population cannot be used as an excuse for the ongoing human rights violations by the State. The war has to end in order to end war crimes and enable a sustainable democratic process.

It is known that the Indian economic and military aid to the Sri Lankan government has been of a high order, presumably "to keep the Chinese at bay". We also remember from the over quarter of a century of armed conflict that the fratricidal tendencies among Tamil groups have been encouraged and enhanced by material aid and training through the RAW and other Indian intelligence outfits over the years. So the injury inflicted from the Indian side is much larger than only the involvement of the IPKF. Actually Priyanka Gandhi has a point when she says to the press that the murder of her father was caused by people's unbearable suffering.

We appreciate that the tone of the Indian Government has changed over recent weeks due to vast protest in India and abroad. However this is not enough. We have reasons to believe that words and deeds often do not tally. Political parties are using the issue to garner votes. There have been numerous protests by democratic organisations over the past three months, demanding to stop the war. People have had demonstrations, hunger fasts, appeals, conferences, road blocks, human chains, petitions galore. In Tamil Nadu, there have been several self immolations. Over the past one week (since 13th April 09), a group of twenty women in Chennai belonging to different organisations have been on an indefinite fast for PEACE in Sri Lanka .

On behalf of NAPM and PPF we wholeheartedly support this struggle. We have raised the issue extensively in our pre-election manifesto and campaign in Tamil Nadu from 23 to 31st March .National Conveners of NAPM have endorsed the demands for Peace, democracy and sovereignty of Tamils in Sri Lanka in their national Conveners meeting in Nagpur on March 1st, 09. NAPM Tamil Nadu has had rasta roko, arrest and fast on February 21 and a massive human chain on March 19th, 09. We also participated in the International Working Class Protest on April 8th, 09. We will not cease to raise the issue at national and international level. We will integrate the issue in all our campaign during pre-election time and also in the long term.

However, we appeal to our sisters to end their fast, as the conflict of decades cannot be solved over night and the aim is to save human lives and end the death toll, not to add to it. Let us abide by the slogan of the Tamil women from Batikaloa:

WE WILL END THE WAR

WE WILL PROTECT LIVES

BY THIS, WE WILL MAKE THE VICTORY OURS.

- We demand an immediate durable and unconditional ceasefire to enable peace negotiations.

- We demand formation of credible teams of international human rights activists, medical personnel and social workers to be present in the process of helping the civil population in the Vanni to get access to food, water and medical supplies and to safeguard their human rights, sanity and dignity in the transition. Special care needs to be taken to protect, women, children and youth.

-We demand de-mining and restoration of villages so that peoples right to return to their homes can be safeguarded and implemented.

We demand a political process in which all communities will be able to participate with confidence and equal rights, irrespective of ethnicity, language, caste, creed and gender.

-The Tamil people's right to self-determination must be respected and implemented.

-Disappearances and other violence must end and freedom of the press must be guaranteed. The working classes must be able to form organisations and struggle for people's rights to Life and Livelihood.

Medha Patkar
National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM)

Lalit Mehta Shahadat Divas

Lalit Mehta Shahadat Divas

A day of solidarity with NREGA activists and protest against state repression

On 14 May 2008, Lalit Mehta was brutally murdered in Palamau District (read CNS news of May 2008 here), just as a social audit of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) was about to begin in the area.

One year later, on 14 May 2009, a public meeting (“aam sabha”) will be taking place in Daltonganj to remember Lalit and also to protest against state repression of NREGA activists in Jharkhand and elsewhere.

Ever since the Act came into force three years ago, NREGA activists have been a prime target of state repression. In Jharkhand, Lalit Mehta’s tragic death was quickly followed by the murder of Kameshwar Yadav, the suicide of Tapas Soren, and a spate of other NREGA-related deaths. Similar incidents have occurred in Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and elsewhere. Hundreds of NREGA activists have also been jailed under false charges or beaten up. The time has come to raise our voice, together, against these human rights violations.

As it happens, 14 May 2009 will also be the second anniversary of Binayak Sen’s arrest in Raipur. This abuse of power, too, needs to be opposed.

You are invited to join this solidarity day. The programme will start around 9.30 am and conclude in the evening with candlelight procession and cultural programme. Please stay for the full duration is possible (simple accommodation will be available in Daltonganj on 14th). Daltonganj can be reached by bus or train from Ranchi, Patna, Varanasi and Allahabad.

This event is an initiative of Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, Jharkhand. For further information please contact Vikas Sahyog Kendra (06566-285 483), James Herenj (09470396732), Jawahar (09430126909), Gurjeet (09431120534) or Mithilesh (09431193202).

Ayojan Samiti
Lalit Mehta Sahadat Divas
(Ajit, Birender, Gurjeet, James, Jawahar, Sunita)

Lalit Mehta Shahadat Divas

Lalit Mehta Shahadat Divas

A day of solidarity with NREGA activists and protest against state repression

On 14 May 2008, Lalit Mehta was brutally murdered in Palamau District (read CNS news of May 2008 here), just as a social audit of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) was about to begin in the area.

One year later, on 14 May 2009, a public meeting (“aam sabha”) will be taking place in Daltonganj to remember Lalit and also to protest against state repression of NREGA activists in Jharkhand and elsewhere.

Ever since the Act came into force three years ago, NREGA activists have been a prime target of state repression. In Jharkhand, Lalit Mehta’s tragic death was quickly followed by the murder of Kameshwar Yadav, the suicide of Tapas Soren, and a spate of other NREGA-related deaths. Similar incidents have occurred in Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and elsewhere. Hundreds of NREGA activists have also been jailed under false charges or beaten up. The time has come to raise our voice, together, against these human rights violations.

As it happens, 14 May 2009 will also be the second anniversary of Binayak Sen’s arrest in Raipur. This abuse of power, too, needs to be opposed.

You are invited to join this solidarity day. The programme will start around 9.30 am and conclude in the evening with candlelight procession and cultural programme. Please stay for the full duration is possible (simple accommodation will be available in Daltonganj on 14th). Daltonganj can be reached by bus or train from Ranchi, Patna, Varanasi and Allahabad.

This event is an initiative of Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, Jharkhand. For further information please contact Vikas Sahyog Kendra (06566-285 483), James Herenj (09470396732), Jawahar (09430126909), Gurjeet (09431120534) or Mithilesh (09431193202).

Ayojan Samiti
Lalit Mehta Sahadat Divas
(Ajit, Birender, Gurjeet, James, Jawahar, Sunita)

Sri Lanka: Humanitarian disaster in making

Sri Lanka: Humanitarian disaster in making

Activists expressed their deep anguish and concern on unabated mass killings in Sri Lanka which is, as they underlined, "no short of a humanitarian disaster in northern Sri Lanka".

"We also protest the covert provision of economic and military aid to Sri Lanka by Indian government which has, certainly, deeply aggravated the situation in Sri Lanka" said Dr Sandeep Pandey, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee (2002) and Convener of National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM).

The Sri Lankan government’s indiscriminate military actions have exacted an appalling toll on the civilian Tamil population. Unless India does its part to negotiate an immediate ceasefire, civilian casualties will continue to escalate, tarnishing India’s claim to be a morally responsible regional ‘spiritual’ power.

"Indeed, we have watched with growing dismay the Indian government’s effective complicity with the Sri Lankan government’s ongoing efforts to brutalize the Tamil minority. There is considerable evidence that, while publicly calling for a "political solution", the Indian government has covertly supplied military equipment and training to Sri Lanka through the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and other Indian intelligence outfits. Decades ago, sending in the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to Sri Lanka had exacerbated the situation and questions India’s claim of being a harbinger of ‘peace’ in the region" said Gurudayal Singh Sheetal, Leader of Prakritik Manav Kendrit Andolan, Punjab.

In July 2007, Sri Lanka’s army chief, Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, had told journalists that India was training 800 officers annually, free of charge, describing India’s support as “huge”. "Furthermore, there are credible reports indicating that India’s support for the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksha government is based on base economic calculations: that Tamil areas destroyed by Sri Lanka’s ferocious military offensive will offer lucrative investment opportunities for Indian companies under the guise of helping Tamils living there" said the press statement issued today by People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Uttar Pradesh state chapter.

If these reports are true, India’s economic and political gain will have been purchased in blood and lives. The humanitarian situation in northern Sri Lanka is now catastrophic. According to Human Rights Watch and Sri Lankan rights groups, since January 2009 alone, at least 1,000, and perhaps as many as 2,000, Tamil civilians have been killed as a result of the Sri Lankan military's continuing artillery attacks and aerial bombing offensive. The military has openly targeted urban areas, including schools, hospitals, and buildings that house civilians.

The Sri Lankan government, believing it is on the verge of final victory over the LTTE, has resisted all calls for a ceasefire. President Rajapaksha has made it clear during the recent visit of UN Special Envoy Vijay Nambiar (on 17 April 2009) that he is not ready to abandon his line of "war to the finish".

The government is keeping those who have managed to flee the onslaught in detention camps that it has cynically and misleadingly termed “welfare villages”. Arguing that the population of internally displaced people includes “terrorists” in its ranks, the Sri Lankan government has announced plans to hold up to some 250,000 civilians – even very young children – in the camps for a period of three years. It has requested funds from the UN and other aid agencies to build schools, banks and hospitals inside these camps. There is credible fear that, while detaining this population, the Sri Lankan government will settle majority Sinhalese in northern Sri Lanka.

The recent appeal issued by the Indian External Affairs Ministry “to the Sri Lankan Government and to all concerned to work out appropriate and credible procedures for the evacuation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to safety, which would include the international agencies being able to oversee the movement of the IDPs” is a step in the right direction. But it is not enough.

"We demand an immediate durable and unconditional ceasefire to enable peace negotiations" said SR Darapuri, Vice President of People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Uttar Pradesh state chapter. "We demand formation of credible teams of international human rights activists, medical personnel and social workers to be present in the process of helping the civil population in the ‘Vanni’ to get access to food, water and medical supplies and to safeguard their human rights, sanity and dignity in the transition. Special care needs to be taken to protect, women, children and youth" added Darapuri.

"We demand de-mining and restoration of villages so that peoples right to return to their homes can be safeguarded and implemented. We demand a political process in which all communities will be able to participate with confidence and equal rights, irrespective of ethnicity, language, caste, creed and gender" further added SR Darapuri.

"The Tamil people's right to self-determination must be respected and implemented. Disappearances and other violence must end and freedom of the press must be guaranteed. The working classes must be able to form organisations and struggle for people's rights to Life and Livelihood. We demand that India should challenge the Sri Lankan government’s proposal for compulsory confinement of these refugees in detention camps for as long as three years" said Darapuri, while reading the charter of demands activists are making on the governments of India and Sri Lanka.

There is no evidence in history where violence has been a solution to the problems of community, said Dr Ramesh Dixit, Professor of Political Science, Lucknow University. "Dialogue, not war, can lead to solutions" said Dr Dixit.

Sri Lanka: Humanitarian disaster in making

Sri Lanka: Humanitarian disaster in making

Activists expressed their deep anguish and concern on unabated mass killings in Sri Lanka which is, as they underlined, "no short of a humanitarian disaster in northern Sri Lanka".

"We also protest the covert provision of economic and military aid to Sri Lanka by Indian government which has, certainly, deeply aggravated the situation in Sri Lanka" said Dr Sandeep Pandey, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee (2002) and Convener of National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM).

The Sri Lankan government’s indiscriminate military actions have exacted an appalling toll on the civilian Tamil population. Unless India does its part to negotiate an immediate ceasefire, civilian casualties will continue to escalate, tarnishing India’s claim to be a morally responsible regional ‘spiritual’ power.

"Indeed, we have watched with growing dismay the Indian government’s effective complicity with the Sri Lankan government’s ongoing efforts to brutalize the Tamil minority. There is considerable evidence that, while publicly calling for a "political solution", the Indian government has covertly supplied military equipment and training to Sri Lanka through the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and other Indian intelligence outfits. Decades ago, sending in the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to Sri Lanka had exacerbated the situation and questions India’s claim of being a harbinger of ‘peace’ in the region" said Gurudayal Singh Sheetal, Leader of Prakritik Manav Kendrit Andolan, Punjab.

In July 2007, Sri Lanka’s army chief, Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, had told journalists that India was training 800 officers annually, free of charge, describing India’s support as “huge”. "Furthermore, there are credible reports indicating that India’s support for the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksha government is based on base economic calculations: that Tamil areas destroyed by Sri Lanka’s ferocious military offensive will offer lucrative investment opportunities for Indian companies under the guise of helping Tamils living there" said the press statement issued today by People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Uttar Pradesh state chapter.

If these reports are true, India’s economic and political gain will have been purchased in blood and lives. The humanitarian situation in northern Sri Lanka is now catastrophic. According to Human Rights Watch and Sri Lankan rights groups, since January 2009 alone, at least 1,000, and perhaps as many as 2,000, Tamil civilians have been killed as a result of the Sri Lankan military's continuing artillery attacks and aerial bombing offensive. The military has openly targeted urban areas, including schools, hospitals, and buildings that house civilians.

The Sri Lankan government, believing it is on the verge of final victory over the LTTE, has resisted all calls for a ceasefire. President Rajapaksha has made it clear during the recent visit of UN Special Envoy Vijay Nambiar (on 17 April 2009) that he is not ready to abandon his line of "war to the finish".

The government is keeping those who have managed to flee the onslaught in detention camps that it has cynically and misleadingly termed “welfare villages”. Arguing that the population of internally displaced people includes “terrorists” in its ranks, the Sri Lankan government has announced plans to hold up to some 250,000 civilians – even very young children – in the camps for a period of three years. It has requested funds from the UN and other aid agencies to build schools, banks and hospitals inside these camps. There is credible fear that, while detaining this population, the Sri Lankan government will settle majority Sinhalese in northern Sri Lanka.

The recent appeal issued by the Indian External Affairs Ministry “to the Sri Lankan Government and to all concerned to work out appropriate and credible procedures for the evacuation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to safety, which would include the international agencies being able to oversee the movement of the IDPs” is a step in the right direction. But it is not enough.

"We demand an immediate durable and unconditional ceasefire to enable peace negotiations" said SR Darapuri, Vice President of People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Uttar Pradesh state chapter. "We demand formation of credible teams of international human rights activists, medical personnel and social workers to be present in the process of helping the civil population in the ‘Vanni’ to get access to food, water and medical supplies and to safeguard their human rights, sanity and dignity in the transition. Special care needs to be taken to protect, women, children and youth" added Darapuri.

"We demand de-mining and restoration of villages so that peoples right to return to their homes can be safeguarded and implemented. We demand a political process in which all communities will be able to participate with confidence and equal rights, irrespective of ethnicity, language, caste, creed and gender" further added SR Darapuri.

"The Tamil people's right to self-determination must be respected and implemented. Disappearances and other violence must end and freedom of the press must be guaranteed. The working classes must be able to form organisations and struggle for people's rights to Life and Livelihood. We demand that India should challenge the Sri Lankan government’s proposal for compulsory confinement of these refugees in detention camps for as long as three years" said Darapuri, while reading the charter of demands activists are making on the governments of India and Sri Lanka.

There is no evidence in history where violence has been a solution to the problems of community, said Dr Ramesh Dixit, Professor of Political Science, Lucknow University. "Dialogue, not war, can lead to solutions" said Dr Dixit.

We condemn unabated mass killings in Sri Lanka

We condemn unabated mass killings in Sri Lanka

India should be a strong international voice for democratic rights

We express our deep anguish and concern on unabated mass killings in Sri Lanka which is no short of a humanitarian disaster in northern Sri Lanka. We also protest the provision of economic and military aid to Sri Lanka by Indian government which has certainly deeply worsened the situation in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan government’s indiscriminate military actions have exacted an appalling toll on the civilian Tamil population. Unless India does its part to negotiate an immediate ceasefire, civilian casualties will continue to escalate, tarnishing India’s claim to be a morally responsible regional ‘spiritual’ power.

Indeed, we have watched with growing dismay the Indian government’s effective complicity with the Sri Lankan government’s ongoing efforts to brutalize the Tamil minority. There is considerable evidence that, while publicly calling for a "political solution", the Indian government has covertly supplied military equipment and training to Sri Lanka through the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and other Indian intelligence outfits. Decades ago, sending in the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to Sri Lanka had certainly exacerbated the situation and questions India’s claim of being a harbinger of ‘peace’ in the region.

In July 2007, Sri Lanka’s army chief, Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, told journalists that India was training 800 officers annually, free of charge, describing India’s support as “huge”. Furthermore, there are credible reports indicating that India’s support for the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksha government is based on base economic calculations: that Tamil areas destroyed by Sri Lanka’s ferocious military offensive will offer lucrative investment opportunities for Indian companies under the guise of helping Tamils living there.

If these reports are true, India’s economic and political gain will have been purchased in blood and lives. The humanitarian situation in northern Sri Lanka is now catastrophic. According to Human Rights Watch and Sri Lankan rights groups, since January 2009 alone, at least 1,000, and perhaps as many as 2,000, Tamil civilians have been killed as a result of the Sri Lankan military's continuing artillery attacks and aerial bombing offensive. The military has openly targeted urban areas, including schools, hospitals, and buildings that house civilians.

The Sri Lankan government, believing it is on the verge of final victory over the LTTE, has resisted all calls for a ceasefire. President Rajapaksha has made it clear during the recent visit of UN Special Envoy Vijay Nambiar (on 17 April 2009) that he is not ready to abandon his line of "war to the finish".

The government is keeping those who have managed to flee the onslaught in detention camps that it has cynically and misleadingly termed “welfare villages”. Arguing that the population of internally displaced people includes “terrorists” in its ranks, the Sri Lankan government has announced plans to hold up to some 250,000 civilians – even very young children – in the camps for a period of three years. It has requested funds from the UN and other aid agencies to build schools, banks and hospitals inside these camps. There is credible fear that, while detaining this population, the Sri Lankan government will settle majority Sinhalese in northern Sri Lanka.

The recent appeal issued by the Indian External Affairs Ministry “to the Sri Lankan Government and to all concerned to work out appropriate and credible procedures for the evacuation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to safety, which would include the international agencies being able to oversee the movement of the IDPs” is a step in the right direction. But it is not enough.

- We demand an immediate durable and unconditional ceasefire to enable peace negotiations.

- We demand formation of credible teams of international human rights activists, medical personnel and social workers to be present in the process of helping the civil population in the ‘Vanni’ to get access to food, water and medical supplies and to safeguard their human rights, sanity and dignity in the transition. Special care needs to be taken to protect, women, children and youth.

- We demand de-mining and restoration of villages so that peoples right to return to their homes can be safeguarded and implemented.

- We demand a political process in which all communities will be able to participate with confidence and equal rights, irrespective of ethnicity, language, caste, creed and gender.

- The Tamil people's right to self-determination must be respected and implemented.

- Disappearances and other violence must end and freedom of the press must be guaranteed. The working classes must be able to form organisations and struggle for people's rights to Life and Livelihood.

- We demand that India should challenge the Sri Lankan government’s proposal for compulsory confinement of these refugees in detention camps for as long as three years.

We believe that these borders have only led to violence and agony for the common people. We appeal to the south Asian nations to stand united and move towards the formation of a Visa-free, nuclear-free and peaceful south Asia.

SM Naseem, former ADG Police
Dr Ramesh Dixit, Lucknow University
SR Darapuri, Vice President, People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), UP
Muhammed Shoaib, senior advocate, High Court
Dr Sabra Habeeb, Lucknow University
Zahir Ahmad Siddiqui, Foundation for Social Care
Mohammed Khalid, Jamaat-e-islami hind
Dr Sandeep Pandey, convener, National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM)

on behalf of People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), UP

We condemn unabated mass killings in Sri Lanka

We condemn unabated mass killings in Sri Lanka

India should be a strong international voice for democratic rights

We express our deep anguish and concern on unabated mass killings in Sri Lanka which is no short of a humanitarian disaster in northern Sri Lanka. We also protest the provision of economic and military aid to Sri Lanka by Indian government which has certainly deeply worsened the situation in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan government’s indiscriminate military actions have exacted an appalling toll on the civilian Tamil population. Unless India does its part to negotiate an immediate ceasefire, civilian casualties will continue to escalate, tarnishing India’s claim to be a morally responsible regional ‘spiritual’ power.

Indeed, we have watched with growing dismay the Indian government’s effective complicity with the Sri Lankan government’s ongoing efforts to brutalize the Tamil minority. There is considerable evidence that, while publicly calling for a "political solution", the Indian government has covertly supplied military equipment and training to Sri Lanka through the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and other Indian intelligence outfits. Decades ago, sending in the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to Sri Lanka had certainly exacerbated the situation and questions India’s claim of being a harbinger of ‘peace’ in the region.

In July 2007, Sri Lanka’s army chief, Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, told journalists that India was training 800 officers annually, free of charge, describing India’s support as “huge”. Furthermore, there are credible reports indicating that India’s support for the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksha government is based on base economic calculations: that Tamil areas destroyed by Sri Lanka’s ferocious military offensive will offer lucrative investment opportunities for Indian companies under the guise of helping Tamils living there.

If these reports are true, India’s economic and political gain will have been purchased in blood and lives. The humanitarian situation in northern Sri Lanka is now catastrophic. According to Human Rights Watch and Sri Lankan rights groups, since January 2009 alone, at least 1,000, and perhaps as many as 2,000, Tamil civilians have been killed as a result of the Sri Lankan military's continuing artillery attacks and aerial bombing offensive. The military has openly targeted urban areas, including schools, hospitals, and buildings that house civilians.

The Sri Lankan government, believing it is on the verge of final victory over the LTTE, has resisted all calls for a ceasefire. President Rajapaksha has made it clear during the recent visit of UN Special Envoy Vijay Nambiar (on 17 April 2009) that he is not ready to abandon his line of "war to the finish".

The government is keeping those who have managed to flee the onslaught in detention camps that it has cynically and misleadingly termed “welfare villages”. Arguing that the population of internally displaced people includes “terrorists” in its ranks, the Sri Lankan government has announced plans to hold up to some 250,000 civilians – even very young children – in the camps for a period of three years. It has requested funds from the UN and other aid agencies to build schools, banks and hospitals inside these camps. There is credible fear that, while detaining this population, the Sri Lankan government will settle majority Sinhalese in northern Sri Lanka.

The recent appeal issued by the Indian External Affairs Ministry “to the Sri Lankan Government and to all concerned to work out appropriate and credible procedures for the evacuation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to safety, which would include the international agencies being able to oversee the movement of the IDPs” is a step in the right direction. But it is not enough.

- We demand an immediate durable and unconditional ceasefire to enable peace negotiations.

- We demand formation of credible teams of international human rights activists, medical personnel and social workers to be present in the process of helping the civil population in the ‘Vanni’ to get access to food, water and medical supplies and to safeguard their human rights, sanity and dignity in the transition. Special care needs to be taken to protect, women, children and youth.

- We demand de-mining and restoration of villages so that peoples right to return to their homes can be safeguarded and implemented.

- We demand a political process in which all communities will be able to participate with confidence and equal rights, irrespective of ethnicity, language, caste, creed and gender.

- The Tamil people's right to self-determination must be respected and implemented.

- Disappearances and other violence must end and freedom of the press must be guaranteed. The working classes must be able to form organisations and struggle for people's rights to Life and Livelihood.

- We demand that India should challenge the Sri Lankan government’s proposal for compulsory confinement of these refugees in detention camps for as long as three years.

We believe that these borders have only led to violence and agony for the common people. We appeal to the south Asian nations to stand united and move towards the formation of a Visa-free, nuclear-free and peaceful south Asia.

SM Naseem, former ADG Police
Dr Ramesh Dixit, Lucknow University
SR Darapuri, Vice President, People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), UP
Muhammed Shoaib, senior advocate, High Court
Dr Sabra Habeeb, Lucknow University
Zahir Ahmad Siddiqui, Foundation for Social Care
Mohammed Khalid, Jamaat-e-islami hind
Dr Sandeep Pandey, convener, National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM)

on behalf of People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), UP

Let Humanity And Nature Coexist

Let Humanity And Nature Coexist

While the rest of the country seemed to be drawn in the vortex of mud slinging and shoe throwing, as the lead in to the on going Lok Sabha elections, a group of common citizens was deliberating the more serious issue of the dangers of nuclear power. Several eminent social activists, doctors, academicians, and other members of civil society took part in a symposium, organized on 26th April in Lucknow , to mark Chernobyl Day. This brainstorming session had a very positive outcome and resulted in many eye opening revelations.

Magsaysay Awardee (2002) and member, National Presidium, Lok Rajniti Manch (People's Politics Front) Dr Sandeep Pandey, retired Inspector General of Police and Lok Rajniti Manch's candidate from Lucknow for Lok Sabha elections this year SR Darapuri, leader of Prakriti Manav Kendrit Andolan Gurudayal Singh Sheetal, a medical expert from Endocrine and Nuclear Medicine unit of Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University (CSMMU) who is also the World Health Organization (WHO) Director General's Awardee (2005) Professor (Dr) Rama Kant, and Aflatoon Desai, State President of Samajwadi Jan Parishad, were among the key resource people addressing the seminar on Chernobyl Day.

The disaster which took place at Chernobyl Power Plant (situated in Ukraine), twenty three years ago, unleashed a radioactive fury which was 400 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bombing, and whose effects could be felt as far as Ireland. This accident raised serious doubts, world wide, about the suitability of nuclear power to meet our energy needs.

There is enough scientific and medical evidence to show that nuclear energy is neither clean, nor safe, nor cheap. Yet, its protagonists (mainly governments and political parties) harp upon these very virtues of nuclear energy. The harmful radiations, emitted during the process of nuclear fission, cannot be eliminated and neither can the environment (including human beings) be protected fully from them, despite the best possible precautions taken. Several nuclear power plant disasters in the past took place despite high standard safety norms. And, perhaps, this prompted those countries to refrain from constructing more such plants.

In a country like India , the entire approach to security and safety is generally directed towards protecting the political and corporate big wigs. Yet, to date about 130 mishaps, (due to flouting of safety norms), from the 15 nuclear plants operating in India , have been reported by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. The nuclear power plant at Narora has released radioactive waste which has been detected in river waters near Varanasi .

The situation in the mining areas of nuclear energy fuel is worse. As our entire Uranium supply comes from the tribal regions of Jharkhand and Meghalaya, there is a total disregard of international safety norms. In Jharkhand there are three productive mines within a radius of 5 kilometres. After extracting Uranium, the 85% radioactive products left behind, are made into slurry and pumped to tailing dams, which have no protective linings to prevent its seepage into under ground water. So, contaminated water reaches far and wide. Careless dumping of radioactive waste has adversely affected the environment. A large number of villagers in the surrounding areas have developed disorders related to ionized radiations. Incidences of deformities at birth, miscarriages, still births, fatigue, depression and even mental illness are very high. Radioactive waste has also entered the food chain in the region. Mutant varieties of fruit and paddy have been observed. Despite a public outcry, nothing seems to have been done to mitigate the sufferings of the tribal people. Perhaps, in the eyes of the government, they are not worth caring for.

Yet, the urge to be in the league of super powers is so strong that our political parties gloat over our possession of the atom bomb as well as over the recently signed Indo US Nuclear Treaty. Both these are steps towards increasing our nuclear superiority and exposing our unsuspecting public to greater health hazards.

India ’s 15 nuclear reactors, spread over 6 states, are barely able to meet 3% of the country’s energy needs by producing 3360 mega watts of energy. The most optimistic projections aim to raise this figure to 9% in the future. Setting up a nuclear reactor is very capital intensive and so is its maintenance. Moreover, the life of a nuclear reactor is around 30 years, after which it has to be dismantled, the cost of which is exorbitant too. Thus, developing nuclear energy is a slow, expensive and uncertain proposition, fraught with dangers. The real solution to our energy needs lies in opting for energy resources that have a low impact on our environment, are cost effective and are easily available. Besides, we need to control our greed and conserve energy rather than use it blatantly.

Renewable energy has the true potential to bring energy sufficiency to India . Nature has blessed our land with lots of sunlight, wind power and tidal power. We need to engage in ‘nature centric activities’ (rather than just human centric) and use its bounties, without exploiting or denuding it. There is an urgent need for the government to support research for better utilization of solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, and biomass energy; rather than endorse politically motivated deals, like the Indo US Nuclear Treaty, which can never benefit the common citizen. In fact wind power is currently generating 3740 mega watts of energy in the country (as opposed to 3360 megawatts produced by nuclear power plants), and is a far better option than nuclear power. Also, given India ’s poor track record of resettlement, it would make more sense to develop small hydro electric projects, rather than build huge dams.

All right minded citizens need to contemplate on these issues and reject the Atom Bomb as well as the Atomic Energy. Both of them are extremely unsafe devices and have dangerous effects. The world is awaking to the necessity of total nuclear disarmament and weaning away from nuclear power plants. Social organizations are campaigning globally to save us from their deadly impacts. In fact, 114 countries ( India is NOT one of them) have signed a pact to be ‘nuclear free zones’.

It is time that civil society becomes an integral part of the government’s decision making process, and short term populist measures (like doling out freebies just before election time) are replaced by long enduring sensible ones. It is time that political parties formulate their manifestos after having meaningful dialogues with various sections of civil society, rather than blow their trumpet of partisan interests. Only then will the government policies/treaties benefit the lowliest of the lowly, and not merely fill the coffers of the ruling junta.

Let us accept peaceful coexistence as the way of life, where no one predates upon nature and upon each other; where there is enough for all and there is no vulgar display of ones’ physical, financial and social superiority. Amen!

Shobha Shukla

The author writes extensively in English and Hindi media. She serves as Editor of Citizen News Service (CNS)

Let Humanity And Nature Coexist

Let Humanity And Nature Coexist

While the rest of the country seemed to be drawn in the vortex of mud slinging and shoe throwing, as the lead in to the on going Lok Sabha elections, a group of common citizens was deliberating the more serious issue of the dangers of nuclear power. Several eminent social activists, doctors, academicians, and other members of civil society took part in a symposium, organized on 26th April in Lucknow , to mark Chernobyl Day. This brainstorming session had a very positive outcome and resulted in many eye opening revelations.

Magsaysay Awardee (2002) and member, National Presidium, Lok Rajniti Manch (People's Politics Front) Dr Sandeep Pandey, retired Inspector General of Police and Lok Rajniti Manch's candidate from Lucknow for Lok Sabha elections this year SR Darapuri, leader of Prakriti Manav Kendrit Andolan Gurudayal Singh Sheetal, a medical expert from Endocrine and Nuclear Medicine unit of Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University (CSMMU) who is also the World Health Organization (WHO) Director General's Awardee (2005) Professor (Dr) Rama Kant, and Aflatoon Desai, State President of Samajwadi Jan Parishad, were among the key resource people addressing the seminar on Chernobyl Day.

The disaster which took place at Chernobyl Power Plant (situated in Ukraine), twenty three years ago, unleashed a radioactive fury which was 400 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bombing, and whose effects could be felt as far as Ireland. This accident raised serious doubts, world wide, about the suitability of nuclear power to meet our energy needs.

There is enough scientific and medical evidence to show that nuclear energy is neither clean, nor safe, nor cheap. Yet, its protagonists (mainly governments and political parties) harp upon these very virtues of nuclear energy. The harmful radiations, emitted during the process of nuclear fission, cannot be eliminated and neither can the environment (including human beings) be protected fully from them, despite the best possible precautions taken. Several nuclear power plant disasters in the past took place despite high standard safety norms. And, perhaps, this prompted those countries to refrain from constructing more such plants.

In a country like India , the entire approach to security and safety is generally directed towards protecting the political and corporate big wigs. Yet, to date about 130 mishaps, (due to flouting of safety norms), from the 15 nuclear plants operating in India , have been reported by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. The nuclear power plant at Narora has released radioactive waste which has been detected in river waters near Varanasi .

The situation in the mining areas of nuclear energy fuel is worse. As our entire Uranium supply comes from the tribal regions of Jharkhand and Meghalaya, there is a total disregard of international safety norms. In Jharkhand there are three productive mines within a radius of 5 kilometres. After extracting Uranium, the 85% radioactive products left behind, are made into slurry and pumped to tailing dams, which have no protective linings to prevent its seepage into under ground water. So, contaminated water reaches far and wide. Careless dumping of radioactive waste has adversely affected the environment. A large number of villagers in the surrounding areas have developed disorders related to ionized radiations. Incidences of deformities at birth, miscarriages, still births, fatigue, depression and even mental illness are very high. Radioactive waste has also entered the food chain in the region. Mutant varieties of fruit and paddy have been observed. Despite a public outcry, nothing seems to have been done to mitigate the sufferings of the tribal people. Perhaps, in the eyes of the government, they are not worth caring for.

Yet, the urge to be in the league of super powers is so strong that our political parties gloat over our possession of the atom bomb as well as over the recently signed Indo US Nuclear Treaty. Both these are steps towards increasing our nuclear superiority and exposing our unsuspecting public to greater health hazards.

India ’s 15 nuclear reactors, spread over 6 states, are barely able to meet 3% of the country’s energy needs by producing 3360 mega watts of energy. The most optimistic projections aim to raise this figure to 9% in the future. Setting up a nuclear reactor is very capital intensive and so is its maintenance. Moreover, the life of a nuclear reactor is around 30 years, after which it has to be dismantled, the cost of which is exorbitant too. Thus, developing nuclear energy is a slow, expensive and uncertain proposition, fraught with dangers. The real solution to our energy needs lies in opting for energy resources that have a low impact on our environment, are cost effective and are easily available. Besides, we need to control our greed and conserve energy rather than use it blatantly.

Renewable energy has the true potential to bring energy sufficiency to India . Nature has blessed our land with lots of sunlight, wind power and tidal power. We need to engage in ‘nature centric activities’ (rather than just human centric) and use its bounties, without exploiting or denuding it. There is an urgent need for the government to support research for better utilization of solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, and biomass energy; rather than endorse politically motivated deals, like the Indo US Nuclear Treaty, which can never benefit the common citizen. In fact wind power is currently generating 3740 mega watts of energy in the country (as opposed to 3360 megawatts produced by nuclear power plants), and is a far better option than nuclear power. Also, given India ’s poor track record of resettlement, it would make more sense to develop small hydro electric projects, rather than build huge dams.

All right minded citizens need to contemplate on these issues and reject the Atom Bomb as well as the Atomic Energy. Both of them are extremely unsafe devices and have dangerous effects. The world is awaking to the necessity of total nuclear disarmament and weaning away from nuclear power plants. Social organizations are campaigning globally to save us from their deadly impacts. In fact, 114 countries ( India is NOT one of them) have signed a pact to be ‘nuclear free zones’.

It is time that civil society becomes an integral part of the government’s decision making process, and short term populist measures (like doling out freebies just before election time) are replaced by long enduring sensible ones. It is time that political parties formulate their manifestos after having meaningful dialogues with various sections of civil society, rather than blow their trumpet of partisan interests. Only then will the government policies/treaties benefit the lowliest of the lowly, and not merely fill the coffers of the ruling junta.

Let us accept peaceful coexistence as the way of life, where no one predates upon nature and upon each other; where there is enough for all and there is no vulgar display of ones’ physical, financial and social superiority. Amen!

Shobha Shukla

The author writes extensively in English and Hindi media. She serves as Editor of Citizen News Service (CNS)

Common experiences provide platform for effective control of vivax malaria

Common experiences provide platform for effective control of vivax malaria

Ways to effectively control vivax malaria are at the centre of this year’s World Malaria Day activities in the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia and the Western Pacific Regions.

Representatives from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Republic of Korea and Sri Lanka met in New Delhi on 23-24 April to discuss on ways to better control and contain the spread of vivax malaria, which is one of the malaria strains prevalent in these two regions.

During the meeting, the current situation of vivax malaria in Asia and the progress of work in capacity development were reviewed as well as ways to operationalize the monitoring and evaluation of the control of vivax malaria in Asia.

Plasmodium vivax causes malaria symptoms and relapses. Patients infected by this parasite suffer from frequent relapses (mainly of fever) within one to three years after a single inoculation of parasites from mosquito bites. Though vivax malaria is not absolutely fatal and the parasites usually cause mild symptoms compared to the “killer” Plasmodium falciparum which is prevalent in sub-tropical Africa, recent evidence from India indicated that the vivax malaria occasionally causes severe manifestations and even death.

“These countries bring to the table a wealth of experience in controlling the vivax malaria. We are confident that pertinent experience and lessons have been shared in an effort to control the spread of vivax malaria especially along the border of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Republic of Korea,” said Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, Regional Director of the WHO South-East Asia Region.

“Malaria in Asia is different from malaria in Africa. Vivax malaria is less known and we need to understand more its epidemiology and control interventions. Malaria control is a complex issue in Asia and is particularly sensitive to environmental changes,” the Regional Director stressed.
The decade 2000-2010 is the decade of “Roll Back Malaria” and Member States of WHO have committed to halving the global malaria burden by 2010. The clock ticks on this World Malaria Day 2009, with exactly 614 days left to achieve this target.

Common experiences provide platform for effective control of vivax malaria

Common experiences provide platform for effective control of vivax malaria

Ways to effectively control vivax malaria are at the centre of this year’s World Malaria Day activities in the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia and the Western Pacific Regions.

Representatives from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Republic of Korea and Sri Lanka met in New Delhi on 23-24 April to discuss on ways to better control and contain the spread of vivax malaria, which is one of the malaria strains prevalent in these two regions.

During the meeting, the current situation of vivax malaria in Asia and the progress of work in capacity development were reviewed as well as ways to operationalize the monitoring and evaluation of the control of vivax malaria in Asia.

Plasmodium vivax causes malaria symptoms and relapses. Patients infected by this parasite suffer from frequent relapses (mainly of fever) within one to three years after a single inoculation of parasites from mosquito bites. Though vivax malaria is not absolutely fatal and the parasites usually cause mild symptoms compared to the “killer” Plasmodium falciparum which is prevalent in sub-tropical Africa, recent evidence from India indicated that the vivax malaria occasionally causes severe manifestations and even death.

“These countries bring to the table a wealth of experience in controlling the vivax malaria. We are confident that pertinent experience and lessons have been shared in an effort to control the spread of vivax malaria especially along the border of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Republic of Korea,” said Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, Regional Director of the WHO South-East Asia Region.

“Malaria in Asia is different from malaria in Africa. Vivax malaria is less known and we need to understand more its epidemiology and control interventions. Malaria control is a complex issue in Asia and is particularly sensitive to environmental changes,” the Regional Director stressed.
The decade 2000-2010 is the decade of “Roll Back Malaria” and Member States of WHO have committed to halving the global malaria burden by 2010. The clock ticks on this World Malaria Day 2009, with exactly 614 days left to achieve this target.

Lok Rajniti Manch rejects Indo US Nuclear Deal on Chernobyl disaster day (26 April)

Lok Rajniti Manch rejects Indo US Nuclear Deal on Chernobyl disaster day (26 April)

To mark the world’s biggest accident – the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster (26 April 1986) – peace activists interacted in a public meeting in Hazratganj today. “The dream to provide electricity across the country by signing the Indo US Nuclear Deal is not true” said Dr Sandeep Pandey, Magsaysay Awardee (2002) and member, National Presidium, Lok Rajniti Manch (People’s Politics Front). “Nuclear power is not a safe, affordable or better option for producing electricity. Rather nuclear power is a very dangerous and expensive option. The Indo US Nuclear Deal is actually a political and military deal” added Dr Pandey.

“The India US Nuclear Deal is not about India 's energy security. Energy security lies in using indigenous energy resources such as coal, gas, hydro, etc., and ensuring our future energy supplies from Iran and other countries in West and Central Asia ” said social activist and retired Inspector General of Police SR Darapuri. Darapuri is also contesting the Lok Sabha elections this year on behalf of Lok Rajniti Manch.

“Obviously, augmenting indigenous coal production, building hydro plants, investing in oil exploration, securing gas supplies through Iran Gas Pipeline are much more important for India's energy security than buying imported reactors and importing uranium for such nuclear plants” added Darapuri.

“There is a deliberate misinformation being created that nuclear plants will be a quick fix to our huge shortages and power cuts” said Aflatoon Desai, State President of Samajwadi Jan Parishad.

“The Nuclear Deal is a part of a larger vision which seeks to subordinate India to the US 's strategic vision. It is known that the US strategic thinking calls for dominance in all possible theatres. In Asia, the US has been handicapped that it has only one major base -- Okinawa , Japan -- in East, South-east and South Asia . The only other base it has in this region is in the Indian Ocean in Diego Garcia. That is why the US 's interest in making India as a junior partner in Asia ”, said Dr Pandey.

“The disabilities and diseases attributed to radioactive nuclear radiation have upped in the neighbouring areas where nuclear reactors, nuclear mining or nuclear waste dumping is done in India . Places like Jadugoda, where uranium mining and nuclear waste dumping is carried out, is an example where virtually every household is a living testimony of nuclear radiation hazards”, said Dr Pandey.

The peace activists rejected the Indo US Nuclear Deal and resolved to campaign for nuclear disarmament and peace.

Lok Rajniti Manch rejects Indo US Nuclear Deal on Chernobyl disaster day (26 April)

Lok Rajniti Manch rejects Indo US Nuclear Deal on Chernobyl disaster day (26 April)

To mark the world’s biggest accident – the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster (26 April 1986) – peace activists interacted in a public meeting in Hazratganj today. “The dream to provide electricity across the country by signing the Indo US Nuclear Deal is not true” said Dr Sandeep Pandey, Magsaysay Awardee (2002) and member, National Presidium, Lok Rajniti Manch (People’s Politics Front). “Nuclear power is not a safe, affordable or better option for producing electricity. Rather nuclear power is a very dangerous and expensive option. The Indo US Nuclear Deal is actually a political and military deal” added Dr Pandey.

“The India US Nuclear Deal is not about India 's energy security. Energy security lies in using indigenous energy resources such as coal, gas, hydro, etc., and ensuring our future energy supplies from Iran and other countries in West and Central Asia ” said social activist and retired Inspector General of Police SR Darapuri. Darapuri is also contesting the Lok Sabha elections this year on behalf of Lok Rajniti Manch.

“Obviously, augmenting indigenous coal production, building hydro plants, investing in oil exploration, securing gas supplies through Iran Gas Pipeline are much more important for India's energy security than buying imported reactors and importing uranium for such nuclear plants” added Darapuri.

“There is a deliberate misinformation being created that nuclear plants will be a quick fix to our huge shortages and power cuts” said Aflatoon Desai, State President of Samajwadi Jan Parishad.

“The Nuclear Deal is a part of a larger vision which seeks to subordinate India to the US 's strategic vision. It is known that the US strategic thinking calls for dominance in all possible theatres. In Asia, the US has been handicapped that it has only one major base -- Okinawa , Japan -- in East, South-east and South Asia . The only other base it has in this region is in the Indian Ocean in Diego Garcia. That is why the US 's interest in making India as a junior partner in Asia ”, said Dr Pandey.

“The disabilities and diseases attributed to radioactive nuclear radiation have upped in the neighbouring areas where nuclear reactors, nuclear mining or nuclear waste dumping is done in India . Places like Jadugoda, where uranium mining and nuclear waste dumping is carried out, is an example where virtually every household is a living testimony of nuclear radiation hazards”, said Dr Pandey.

The peace activists rejected the Indo US Nuclear Deal and resolved to campaign for nuclear disarmament and peace.

Engaging healthcare providers in tobacco control on 'Safe Saturday'

Engaging healthcare providers in tobacco control on 'Safe Saturday'

The healthcare providers, particularly the young nursing and medical students can potentially strengthen tobacco control in all healthcare facilities. This was the key thought expressed at the 'Safe Saturday' seminar held in Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University (CSMMU), organized by its Tobacco Cessation Centre. People tend to indulge more in risk-taking behaviour on a Saturday and health-seeking behaviour is minimal - that is why the Surgeons of CSMMU have taken an initiative to raise awareness and target different audiences for a 'safe saturday.'

The importance of integrating tobacco cessation with the existing healthcare services was emphasized by Professor (Dr) Rama Kant, Head of the Department of Surgery at CSMMU and a World Health Organization (WHO) Director General's Awardee (2005). He firmly believes that we can use the existing vast healthcare network of our country in tobacco control, simply by better management and utilization of the existing healthcare staff, at no extra cost. Involvement of health care workers is a major tool in curbing the tobacco epidemic.

Studies have shown that even a brief counseling by health professionals on dangers of smoking and the importance of quitting goes a long way in reducing tobacco consumption. This method is cost effective too and has been successfully tried in some parts of the state of Uttar Pradesh, informed Prof (Dr) Rama Kant. He felt that it was essential for all the primary and community health centres in the rural areas to join hands with the district hospitals/medical institutes in the urban areas to be part of this tobacco control activity.

The health professionals need to have adequate knowledge and a proper attitude in order to put the plan into practice. Proper training (by way of lectures and audio visual programmes) of the doctors, paramedics, nurses and all others involved in patient care is very essential. This should be coupled with a proper attitude. Lack of time is often cited as an excuse. But "even a cursory remark by the doctor like – 'do you take tobacco?' may have a tremendous cessation outcome" says Dr Vinod Jain, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery at CSMMU. A study has revealed that smoking cessation interventions during physician visits were associated with increased patient satisfaction. Patients are bound to feel that the doctor cares for them. Even one minute spent with the patient, results in an abstinence rate of 11% which increases to 17.5% if contact time is 3 minutes.

"Tobacco kills 5.4 million people around the world each year. Tobacco is a risk factor in six of the eight leading causes of death worldwide" said Alejandra Ellison Barney, Wellesley College, USA. The death toll is projected to rise to eight million a year by 2030, with 80 percent of those deaths occurring in developing countries, added Alejandra. If current trends are not reversed, tobacco will claim one billion lives this century, said she.

The healthcare professionals were also briefed on the coming World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) on 31 May 2009. This year the theme for WNTD 2009 is "Tobacco Health Warnings." Tobacco health warnings appear on packs of cigarettes and are among the strongest defences against the global epidemic of tobacco. WHO particularly approves of tobacco health warnings that contain both pictures and words because they are the most effective at convincing people to quit. Such pictorial warnings appear in more than a dozen countries.

The healthcare providers in CSMMU will campaign to encourage their government to adopt tobacco health warnings that meet all the criteria for maximal effectiveness, including that they cover more than half of the pack, appear on both the front and back of the pack and contain pictures. In India, the pictorial health warnings on all tobacco products are slated to come into effect from 30 May 2009.

- Bobby Ramakant

Engaging healthcare providers in tobacco control on 'Safe Saturday'

Engaging healthcare providers in tobacco control on 'Safe Saturday'

The healthcare providers, particularly the young nursing and medical students can potentially strengthen tobacco control in all healthcare facilities. This was the key thought expressed at the 'Safe Saturday' seminar held in Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University (CSMMU), organized by its Tobacco Cessation Centre. People tend to indulge more in risk-taking behaviour on a Saturday and health-seeking behaviour is minimal - that is why the Surgeons of CSMMU have taken an initiative to raise awareness and target different audiences for a 'safe saturday.'

The importance of integrating tobacco cessation with the existing healthcare services was emphasized by Professor (Dr) Rama Kant, Head of the Department of Surgery at CSMMU and a World Health Organization (WHO) Director General's Awardee (2005). He firmly believes that we can use the existing vast healthcare network of our country in tobacco control, simply by better management and utilization of the existing healthcare staff, at no extra cost. Involvement of health care workers is a major tool in curbing the tobacco epidemic.

Studies have shown that even a brief counseling by health professionals on dangers of smoking and the importance of quitting goes a long way in reducing tobacco consumption. This method is cost effective too and has been successfully tried in some parts of the state of Uttar Pradesh, informed Prof (Dr) Rama Kant. He felt that it was essential for all the primary and community health centres in the rural areas to join hands with the district hospitals/medical institutes in the urban areas to be part of this tobacco control activity.

The health professionals need to have adequate knowledge and a proper attitude in order to put the plan into practice. Proper training (by way of lectures and audio visual programmes) of the doctors, paramedics, nurses and all others involved in patient care is very essential. This should be coupled with a proper attitude. Lack of time is often cited as an excuse. But "even a cursory remark by the doctor like – 'do you take tobacco?' may have a tremendous cessation outcome" says Dr Vinod Jain, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery at CSMMU. A study has revealed that smoking cessation interventions during physician visits were associated with increased patient satisfaction. Patients are bound to feel that the doctor cares for them. Even one minute spent with the patient, results in an abstinence rate of 11% which increases to 17.5% if contact time is 3 minutes.

"Tobacco kills 5.4 million people around the world each year. Tobacco is a risk factor in six of the eight leading causes of death worldwide" said Alejandra Ellison Barney, Wellesley College, USA. The death toll is projected to rise to eight million a year by 2030, with 80 percent of those deaths occurring in developing countries, added Alejandra. If current trends are not reversed, tobacco will claim one billion lives this century, said she.

The healthcare professionals were also briefed on the coming World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) on 31 May 2009. This year the theme for WNTD 2009 is "Tobacco Health Warnings." Tobacco health warnings appear on packs of cigarettes and are among the strongest defences against the global epidemic of tobacco. WHO particularly approves of tobacco health warnings that contain both pictures and words because they are the most effective at convincing people to quit. Such pictorial warnings appear in more than a dozen countries.

The healthcare providers in CSMMU will campaign to encourage their government to adopt tobacco health warnings that meet all the criteria for maximal effectiveness, including that they cover more than half of the pack, appear on both the front and back of the pack and contain pictures. In India, the pictorial health warnings on all tobacco products are slated to come into effect from 30 May 2009.

- Bobby Ramakant

One-third preventable deaths can be averted by healthy environment

One-third preventable deaths can be averted by healthy environment

In the least developed countries, one third of death and disease is a direct result of environmental causes. Proper environmental management is the key to avoiding the quarter of all preventable illnesses which are directly caused by environmental factors, said Prabha Chaturvedi, President, Exnora Lucknow, in an interface with students of Navyug Public School in Chander Nagar, Alambagh.

She stressed on the need to segregate bio-degradable and non bio-degradable garbage, and bury the bio-degradable garbage below the soil so that it can provide us with rich manure, and hand over the non bio-degradable garbage to the rag-pickers.

Anupriya Dayal, Principal, Navyug Public School has initiated the formation of a nature and health club where students will take care of the environment and begin from the Navyug Garden.

The environment influences our health in many ways — through exposures to physical, chemical and biological risk factors, and through related changes in our behaviour in response to those factors. Thirteen million deaths annually are due to preventable environmental causes. Preventing environmental risk could save as many as four million lives a year, in children alone, mostly in developing countries.

"Every year, the lives of four million children under 5 years – mostly in developing countries – could be saved by preventing environmental risks such as unsafe water and polluted air” said senior educationist and social activist Dr Geeta Dayal

The main environmentally caused diseases are diarrhoeal disease, lower respiratory infections, unintentional injuries, and malaria. Better environmental management could prevent 40% of deaths from malaria, 41% of deaths from lower respiratory infections, and 94% of deaths from diarrhoeal disease – three of the world's biggest childhood killers.

Healthier environments could significantly reduce the incidence of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, asthma, lower respiratory infections, musculoskeletal diseases, road traffic injuries, poisonings, and drownings.

“Tobacco is addictive, and harms not only the health of its users but environment as well” said Alejandra Ellison Barney from Wellesley College in USA.

“Much of this death, illness and disability could be prevented through well targeted interventions such as promoting safe household water storage, stopping tobacco use, stopping Gutkha use, better hygiene measures and the use of cleaner and safer fuels. Other interventions that can make environments healthier include: increasing the safety of buildings; promoting safe, careful use and management of toxic substances at home and in the workplace; and better water resource management” said Prabha Chaturvedi.