Archive of South Asia Citizens Wire

  • Yes to public transport, No to cars!

    by Centre for Science and Environment, 21 March 2009

    Centre for Science and Environment
    Press Note: March 13, 2009 Why CSE says ‘NO’ to cars CSE does not say no to Nano. It says ‘NO’ to All Cars. Says all cars are dinosaurs. All they is mean huge pollution, congestion and health costs Cities need mobility, not cars. Therefore, invest in public transport
    In January 2008, when the Tata ‘Nano’ was unveiled with much fanfare, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) had come out clearly – as always — against the growing trend (…)

  • No Dissent at the Corporate Barrons World Water Forum

    by Payal Parekh, 21 March 2009

    Payal Parekh’s blog
    Why I Risked Arrest
    International Rivers sent two colleagues and myself to attend the fifth World Water Forum (WWF5) to draw attention to the unacceptable risks of large dams. But the World Water Council, the main organizer of the WWF, had no intention of giving us a chance to voice our opinion. Our proposal for a side-event on dams, as well as those proposed by other NGOs, were all rejected. On the other hand, the International Hydropower Association was permitted (…)

  • The Story Behind The Common High Court For Punjab & Haryana

    by Rajindar Sachar, 21 March 2009

    Behind the lines activities for retaining a common High Court for Punjab & Haryana – is a story by itself and needs to be now told for the benefit of the present and next generation.
    As is known when Punjab was divided in 1966 to constitute Haryana State, the question of Chandigarh was a source of great concern. After the commissions verdict Govt. of India while accepting broadly the present areas of Haryana, could not make up its mind about Chandigarh. So it was decided that (…)

  • Human Rights and Humanitarian Issues in Northern Sri Lanka

    by The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), 21 March 2009

    This report focuses on the human rights and humanitarian situation resulting from the conflict in the North of Sri Lanka, between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), currently concentrated in the Mullaitivu District.
    The report is a discussion of several key human rights and humanitarian issues presented through a rights framework. It discusses the situation in the Vanni; the security and humanitarian issues in Vavuniya; screening, separation and (…)

  • Bangladesh: The BDR mutiny and questions of democratization of state and society

    by Rahnuma Ahmed, 21 March 2009

    A subaltern uprising
    That is how private TV channels had reported it, and how it had generally been perceived on 25 February when BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) soldiers – border security forces, additionally entrusted with anti-smuggling operations – rebelled at the Pilkhana headquarters in Dhaka city.
    Discontentment had been the issue. Over food rations (three months, as compared with twelve for the army), denial of UN peacekeeping mission services, low pay (the average BDR guard earns about (…)

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