South Asia Citizens Web

"Today, those who have created the ecological crisis talk of the Green Economy. For them, the Green Economy means appropriating the remaining resources of the planet for profit — from seed and biodiversity to land and water as well as our skills, such as the environmental services we provide. For us, the privatization and commodification of nature, her species, her ecosystems, and her ecosystem services cannot be part of a Green Economy, for such an approach cannot take into account our traditions. The resources of the Earth are for the welfare of all, not the profits of a few. Sharing our vital resources equitably and using them sustainably for livelihoods and basic needs is at the heart of our concept of a Green Economy. Our rich knowledge of biodiversity, our ecologically sustainable agriculture, and our crafts techniques are free of fossil fuels and toxics... Our Green Economies are diverse and decentralized and therefore are a path of empowerment for all. Women are the storehouse of knowledge and provide the cultural base to create and build economies that increase wellbeing and happiness, joy and beauty, sustainability and equity. It is from our region of South Asia that the concept of Gross National Happiness has spread worldwide. We will deepen this concept and make it the basis of the Green Economy."

KARACHI, July 14: The Pakistan Peace Coalition (PPC) on Thursday strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in Mumbai that killed 21 people and injured 150. “On behalf of Pakistan’s civil society and the general public, the PPC extends condolences to the Indian nation and pledged to play its role in fighting against the scourge of terrorism in its capacity as a coalition of pro-peace organizations, groups and individuals from across Pakistan committed to counter the increasing trends of violence in society,” a statement said.

We the citizens of India and Pakistan strongly condemn the inhuman and dastardly serial blasts in Mumbai on 13th July 2011 in which 21 innocent people were killed and over 140 injured. We offer our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families and pray for quick and complete recovery of all those injured. It is clear that these blasts are a well orchestrated heinous conspiracy to derail the resumption of the dialogue and peace process between India and Pakistan that was stalled following the terrorist attack in Mumbai in 2008.

The army in Pakistan must stop seeing everything through the prism of competition and war with India. Six decades of this policy has left Pakistan exhausted and indifferent to its own suffering. To prosper, Pakistan needs to go further. It must overcome its hatred for India; and leave Kashmir as a problem to be solved by Kashmiris. Pakistan needs to put all its energies into improving governance and dealing with its myriad internal issues, most particularly ending the Islamist violence and rolling back the fundamentalist political and cultural currents that are overwhelming its society. The military’s role in this effort must be limited to defending the people of Pakistan from violence and to ensuring that their constitutional and civil rights are protected.

Ramesh Agrawal and Dr. Harihar Patel arrested after Jindal Steel and Power co., the biggest corporation in Raigarh district, charged them with defamation during an environmental clearance hearing. The case, two months after the actual hearing, suggested vendetta. Similarly Rohit Prajapati in Gujarat is now facing a defamation case worth millions of rupees for exposing enviromental pollution in Gujarat.