I posted on Facebook, and now I'm in jail? Demand freedom of expression in India

Amnesty International in India

I posted on Facebook, and now I'm in jail? Demand freedom of expression in India Amnesty International India and the Centre for Internet and Society have joined forces to ask India's Prime Minister and Minister for Communications and IT to uphold the right of the people to freedom of expression...both on and off the Internet. To Kapil Sibal Minister for Communications and Information Technology Government of India Sir, In recent months, the Government of India has targeted individuals numerous times for exercising their constitutional right to free speech and expression on the Internet. In the name of preserving peace or protecting religious sentiments, authorities have detained or arrested people for the peaceful expression of their opinions and beliefs . The arrests of 21-year old Shaheen Dhada and her friend Renu Srinivasan in Maharashtra - for Facebook comments questioning a recent Mumbai bandh - are just the latest example of a government crackdown on online speech and freedom of expression. In October, the Puducherry police arrested businessman Ravi Srinivasan for a Twitter post referring to allegations that the son of Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram was corrupt. A month earlier, cartoonist Aseem Trivedi was arrested in Mumbai for publishing a series of cartoons parodying India’s national symbols.  In April, the Kolkata police arrested Professor Ambikesh Mahapatra for posting a cartoon critical of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. In all these cases, authorities relied partly on one law - Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 [amended in 2008].  This provision criminalizes online communication that is “grossly offensive or has menacing character”, as well as persistent sending of information, that is known by the sender to be false, to cause “annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred or ill will”. Amnesty International India and the Centre for Internet and Society believe that Section 66A is not in line with the Constitution of India and internationally accepted standards on freedom of expression. The Constitution of India guarantees in Article 19(1)(a) the right to freedom of speech and expression. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognises the right to freedom of opinion and expression. A similar right to freedom of expression is guaranteed in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which India is a state party. In June this year, the UN Human Rights Council affirmed - in a resolution endorsed by India – that Governments must ensure that freedom of expression is also protected online.  The ICCPR does allow for certain restrictions on the right to freedom of expression. However these must be demonstrably necessary and proportional for specific public interests or the rights of others. Restrictions should be precisely defined to guard against over-broad or abusive application. Amnesty International India and the Centre for Internet and Society believe that Section 66A is imprecise and over-broad. Some restrictions dealing with information of menacing character or for purposes of criminal intimidation may reflect recognizably criminal offences. However other restrictions – including on sending information that is grossly offensive or causes annoyance and inconvenience, etc – are inconsistent with the international human rights law and standards on freedom of expression. The Internet should be a force for political freedom, not repression. People have the right to seek and receive information and to express their peaceful beliefs without fear, or interference. But under Section 66A, even a peaceful posting could lead to a prison sentence of up to three years. Two writ petitions have already been filed challenging the constitutionality of the section. In solidarity and support of these petitioners, Amnesty International and the Centre for Internet and Society call on the Government of India to: (a) Review Section 66A of the IT Act and bring it in line with international human rights law standards on freedom of expression; and (b) Lay down clear and comprehensive explanations of the restrictions on free speech either in the IT Act or in the IT Rules in order to prevent the abuse of the provision by various state law enforcement officials; the explanations should be framed after public consultation. We ask that you highlight these points during your meeting on 29 November convened to discuss the arrests of Shaheen Dhada and Renu Srinivasan.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway

 The Nilgiri Mountain Railway                      The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a 46 Km long and runs on 1000 mm gauge railway. It connects Mettupalayam to Ooty. The first section of the Nilgiri Railway up to Coonoor was completed in 1899 by the Nilgiri Railway Company and was extended to Ooty in 1903.                     This Nilgiri rail system is unique as it is the steepest one in Asia. In combination with this gradient there are many curves. To overcome this incline the Nilgiri Railway uses a unique `rack and pinion' rail system. In this system, between the two conventional rails, there are two rack bars, out of step with each other, on which the pinions of the locos and coaches 'climb' in a similar manner as a person climbing a ladder using his feet itleernately.                      It is interesting to note that the engine pushes the train from behind when ascending the hills and is in front while going downhill so that the train does not run amuck. The main incline between Mettupalayam to Coonoor is a continuous gradient where the rack system is used. After Coonoor until Ooty the gradient is relatively eased.                      Presently all traffic on the rack section is ably handled by the eight X class locomotives built by SLM of Switzerland. These locomotives have four cylinders instead of the conventional two. The main cylinders of the locomotive use high-pressure steam and drive the wheels of the loco while the smaller cylinders using low-pressure steam drive the rack system of the Nilgiri Railway system. Another interesting thing associated with the Nilgiri Railway is that the youngest X class loco is over 50 years old and the oldest is 80 years old!

 Main Features:                      The main feature of this line is the unique rack system and the equally unique and complicated locomotives. To quote from Sir Guilford L. Molesworth's report of 1886: "The locomotive used for working on the Abt System has two distinct functions: first, that of traction by adhesion as in an ordinary loco and second, that of traction by pinions acting upon the rack bars.                      The brakes are four in number-two hand brakes action by friction and two acting by preventing the free escape of air from cylinder and thus using compressed air in retarding the progress of the engine. The former are used for shunting whilst the latter for descending steep gradients. One of the hand brakes acts on the tyres of the wheels in the ordinary manner and the second acts on grooved surfaces of the pinion axle but can be used in those places where the rack is laid. Even after hundred years, the brake system on Nilgiri locomotives is as intricate and cumbersome as it was in 1886.                       The train journey from Chennai to Metupalaiyam then took just over 17 hours and cost Rs 20 first class and another 20 rupees to cover the remaining 33 miles up the steep mountain road to Coonoor and Ootacamund by the 'Nilgiri carrying Company's Mail and Express Tonga Service' while heavy baggage had to be sent bullock cart. The only titleernative was to hire a pony and arrange for luggage to be taken up by individual baggage carriers using the shorter but even steeper old road to Coonoor.

The Present Scenario                       Nowadays, the traveller from Ootacamund leaves Chennai central station on the evening Nilgiri Express at 9.00 p.m. and arrives at Mettupalaiyam at 7.10 am. After a 10 hour journey. There he merely crosses the platform to join the metre gauge train which leaves at 7.25 am. And reaches Udagamandalam at 11.40 a.m. in less than 15 hrs. The Nilgiri Railway (NMR) is a feat of engineering unique in the east.                     The line is a metre gauge, practically level for the first four and a half miles, to Kallar at the immediate foot of the hills. As soon as the train leaves Kallar, the rack rails appears and the long climb begins. In the next 12 miles to Coonoor, the line rises 4,363 feet curving almost continuously as it clings to the mountainside, crossing lofty viaducts or tunnels, the longest being 317 feet in length. The gradient posts read one in twelve and a half with monotonous consistency.                    Construction expenses were heavy because in addition to the tunnels, a big bridge over the river Bhawani at the foothills was necessary. Besides this large bridge, 26 other bridges smaller in size, were constructed and heavy expenditure incurred in rock-cutting and blasting.

For more details contact : Regional Director, IRCTC Ltd. South Zone 6A, The Rain Tree Place, #9, Mc Nichols Rd., Chetpet, Chennai-600031 Tel: 28363726 / 27 Fax: 28363453

MY LOT, ONLY MY LOT

MY LOT, ONLY MY LOT

 

 

I REMEMBER THAT DAY
THE BLACK FOREST WAS STILL, WITHOUT ANY
ROARING IN THE AIR.
ONLY THE SPARROWS WERE GRUDGING ABOUT THE STORM
THAT SHOOK THE FOREST THE PREVIOUS NIGHT
THEIR EGGS MIGHT HAVE ROLLED OUT AND BROKEN
THEIR DREAM NEST.FROM
I WALKED TOWARDS THE RIVER
AND PLUNGED INTO IT FROM THE ROCKY STEEP.
I DIVED DOWN TO THE BOTTON
TO BRING YOU OUT.
WHEN I GOT ...


by Benny Kottarathil

Stop!!! Koodankulam Nuclear Plant

 

Amnesty International in India

On several occasions over the last 18 months, authorities in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu have responded with force to deal with ongoing peaceful protests against the commissioning of a Russian-built nuclear power project in Kudankulam. The authorities have filed false charges including sedition and waging war against the State against hundreds of peaceful protestors hailing from the coastal village of Idinthakarai led by People’s Movement Against NuclearEnergy including its leaders Dr S P Udayakumar and Pushparayan. The authorities also detained more than 50 protestors during the latest round of protests in September last. Even as the next round of protests are expected to commence on 21 November, they have served additional orders on two of the detained protestors – Lourdesamy (68) and Nazarin (40) – which could result in their detention up to a year. The petition below is addressed to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha and seeks to hold the state authorities accountable fortheir violations of the human rights of local communities in southern Tamil Nadu. Come, let's appeal to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to urgently and fully address the concerns over the ongoing human rights violations against the peaceful protestors against the Kudankulam nuclear power project. Dear Chief Minister You are aware that local communities around the upcoming Russian-built nuclear power station at coastal Kudankulam have intensified their protests after the March 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan. The protestors believe the project threatens local communities. They fear that the site will affect at least 15,000 people living nearby. You are also aware that Kudankulam’s neighbouring villages were hit by the tsunami that struck South and South-East Asia in December 2004; local residents are fearful of a radioactive leak if such a disaster strikes again. The People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy which is spearheading the protests has contended that the expert panel set up by the authorities to conduct a safety assessment, which declared the site safe, has failed to satisfactorily address several site and safety concerns raised by an independent group of experts. During the last 18 months, your government has responded to the peaceful protests by charging more than 1,000 protestors with various offences. 53 protestors face sedition charges and imminent arrest. This includes Dr S.P. Udayakumar and M. Pushparayan – key leaders of the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy. If convicted of these charges, they could face life imprisonment. During the latest round of protests on 9 and 10 September, the police responded with force when hundreds of protestors marched towards the project site. They reportedly fired tear gas shells at peaceful protestors and baton-charged them. Some 60 protestors were injured, including a child. Some protestors reportedly responded to the police violence by throwing sand and stones. Additionally, one person was shot dead by police firing on protestors in Manappad village; three media workers sustained injuries during the subsequent police action in Idinthakarai, from which the police evicted 500 protestors after burning their vehicles and looting their property. In all, the police have detained 49 male and seven female protestors. Charges against them included defying restrictions on size of gatherings, rioting with deadly weapons, and attempting to assault public servants. Subsequently, local courts ordered the release on bail of 13 men and four women; five have now been released on bail. On 3 November, police went to the Vellore central prison and served additional orders to two protestors – Lourdesamy (68) and Nazarin (40) – under the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug-offenders, Forest-offenders, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders and Slum-grabbers Act, 1982, which provides for their detention without charge or trial up to a year. They face several charges including defying restrictions on size of gatherings, rioting with deadly weapons, and attempting to assault public servants. We are concerned over the ongoing human rights violations against the peaceful protestors against the Kudankulam nuclear power project including the recent arbitrary detention of Lourdesamy and Nazarin in violation of international human rights treaties which India is obliged to respect. We, therefore, urge you to Halt the arbitrary detention of Lourdesamy and Nazarin under the state Goondas Act, drop any unsubstantiated charges against them and ensure their prompt and fair trial in an independent court of law for any charges for internationally recognized criminal offences they may face; Not detain peaceful protestors, including PMANE leaders Dr S.P. Udayakumar and M. Pushparayan, and to drop any unsubstantiated charges against them; Respect the protestors’ rights to freedom of expression and assembly in accordance with India’s obligations under international law; and Order an impartial investigation into all reports of unnecessary use of force against peaceful protestors at Kudankulam and prosecute those suspected of being responsible for human rights violations, including unnecessary use of force.

Dr. S.P. Uday Kumar

 

Dr. Manmohan Singh

 

 

Police charging the Protesters

Sign here: http://act.amnesty.org.in/protect_kudankulam?recruiter_id=7547

Australia's Changing Seasons

Capturing the force of nature: Dramatic photos show the brutality and beauty of Australia's changing seasons

By Amanda Williams

 PUBLISHED: 16:15 GMT, 6 November 2012 | UPDATED: 09:00 GMT, 7 November 2012

Some are terrifying, some are awe inspiring - all are beautiful.

These images, showing the elements at their wildest and most magnificent, have been released in a new calendar.

Each year the Bureau of Meteorology and Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society organises a competition for the best weather pictures, offering an enduring record of the moments when nature puts on her most dramatic show.

January: An electrical storm perfectly complements fireworks launched to mark Australia Day 2012 celebrations in Perth, in a stunning shot by Matthew Titmanis

February: A thunderstorm sweeps over the Melbourne suburb of Carrum Downs, captured by Flavio Bonicelli

March: Sunset highlights streets of stratocumulus over Buninyong, central Victoria by Keith Day

April: Majesty and threat - A cumulonimbus with anvil seen beyond wind turbines at Burra, SA by photographer Helen Simpson 

And the stunning images make up its 2013 calendar, with lightning bolts, dust storms and enormous clouds creating a dramatic series of natural spectacles.

One of the star moments Down Under was captured by amateur photographer James Collier after he witnessed a thunderstorm in March.

James, from Geelong, Victoria, watched as the storm cell caused an abrupt increase in wind - with gusts jumping from 30 km/h to 115 km/h as the storm passed nearby.

The image is used as the December entry for the calendar.

He said: 'It was calm, almost surreal. I was clicking off ten second time exposures when all of a sudden it let go.

'I really jumped and nearly fell out the back of the wagon.

'I wasn't sure I had pressed the button and had several seconds of anxiety before I confirmed that I had it.

'There was a lot of sheet lightning and only the occasional bolt, missing what I thought was the best bolt as I adjusted the camera.

'I continued to shoot when the cell let go with this massive bolt. It was stunning to watch but all over in a second. I very nearly didn't go out that night.'

Matt Titmanis shot nature and man made in perfect harmony for January.

The science teacher, from Perth, was on his way to Australia Day celebrations in January this year when he got his camera out.

May: Ship in sea fog off McCrae, Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, by photographer Meredith Banhidi 

June: In the wake of a thunderstorm, hail blankets paddocks at Marong, Victoria by John Allen

July: A squall line associated with a thunderstorm over Era Beach, south of Sydney by photographer Bruce Cooper

With perfect timing, Matt photographed a multi-coloured fireworks display in the foreground of a huge lightning storm.

And full-time photographer Peter Macdonald, who has specialised in shooting the outback for 20-years, was left mesmerised by the dust storm used in September.

The photo, taken in 2008, captures the sheer size of the 50km storm which was so large it only within the lens from 4km away.

Peter, from South Australia, said: 'Unfortunately I left it too late to run.

'A howling mass of sand hit me, I could barely see, and had difficulty finding the car.

'When I did I stupidly opened the door and it was amazing how much sand got in.

'It was around 45 minutes before the storm turned into something like a sandy fog with visibility increased to 100 metres.'

August: The ethereal beauty of a mist bow and fog at Mount Anne in Tasmania by Grant Dixon

September: A massive dust storm rolls over the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in the northern Flinders Ranges of South Australia, in this stunning photograph by Peter MacDonald

October: A thunderstorm threatens the Gold Coast, Queensland by photographer Ann Van Breemen

The calendar, now in its 29th year, was launched to promote the understanding of meteorology and oceanography.

This year saw hundreds of entrees, leaving project manager Robert Kershaw with the daunting task of whittling it down to 13 for the calendar and front cover.

Robert said: 'From an Australia Day lightning display that competes with fireworks in Perth, to rows of deep pink and violet stratocumulous clouds in country Victoria, or clouds casting dappled shadows on the terracotta-coloured Simpson Desert - this calendar presents an enduring record of the moments when nature puts on her most dramatic show.'

November: The shadows of cumulus clouds dapple the parallel dunes of the Simpson Desert by Steve Strike

December: Lightning illuminates a cumulonimbus cloud over Corio Bay, Victoria by James Collier

courtesy : yahoo group