September 26, 2011
Dr Binayak Sen, the well-known humanitarian doctor and right activist has won the prestigious 2011 Heinz R. Pagels Human Rights of Scientist Award by the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS).
The Award was received by a representative of Dr Sen in New York on 22 September as he was unable to travel to the United States to receive it. The other awardee of this prize, given to scientists doing human rights work, was Jack Minker, Professor Emeritus, Department of Computer Science, University of Maryland.
In his acceptance speech Dr Sen said “The support of my professional colleagues, and of the academic community across the world, has been invaluable in securing my freedom.” Apart from the 48 Nobel Prize winners who signed a statement calling for his release Dr Sen recollected that while in Raipur prison he was personally visited by a delegation of leading scientists, including Professor Robert Curl, winner of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1996.
“ Then as now, I was personally dumbfounded and humbled by this groundswell of support, which I can only attribute to shared recognition of our common cause of human rights” he said in his speech.
Regarding his own work in Chhattisgarh Dr Sen said that “As a paediatrician and public health physician, I have tried to enhance the public’s understanding of the ways in which poverty and injustice undermine efforts to promote health and peace, which we ourselves take for granted as our own fundamental human rights”
The NYAS’s Committee on the Human Rights of Scientists was created in 1978 to support and promote the human rights of scientists, health professionals, engineers and educators around the world. The committee focuses on rights of scientists who have been detained, imprisoned, exiled, or deprived of the rights to pursue science, communicate their findings to their peers and the general public, and travel freely.
The Academy annually honors scientists for their contributions in this area with the Heinz R. Pagels Human Rights of Scientists Award. Heinz Rudolf Pagels (February 19, 1939 – July 23, 1988) was professor of physics at Rockefeller University, the executive director of the New York Academy of Sciences, and president of the International League for Human Rights. He is best known to the general public for his popular science books The Cosmic Code (1982), Perfect Symmetry (1985), and The Dreams of Reason: The Computer and the Rise of the Sciences of Complexity (1988).
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Saturday, September 03, 2011
Hazare defends Kejriwal over income tax notice
Ralegan Siddhi, Sep 3 (ANI): Taking strong exception to the income tax department's notice to his key aide Arvind Kejriwal, veteran social activist Anna Hazare has urged the government not to target a man of integrity and character.
"I appeal to the government that it is not appropriate to target Arvind Kejriwal. He has devoted his time to social work, neglecting his family. He doesn't ask for money," said Hazare while addressing people here on Friday.
I have seen Kejriwal from close quarters. He is doing a selfless service for society. He could have made money if he wanted to, but he is not like that...," he added.
Meanwhile, former Karnataka Lokayukta Justice N. Santosh Hegde alleged that the government has been vindictive against his civil society activist colleagues.
"This government seems to be doing wrong things at a wrong time. They could have done it much earlier or they could have done it later. Right now, when Arvind Kejriwal is in news for other reasons, you (the government) serve a notice on him," Hegde told reporters in Bangalore.
The chief commissioner of income tax had issued a notice to Kejriwal last month, to clear his dues totalling Rs 9.27 lakh after his 2006 resignation from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). (ANI)
"I appeal to the government that it is not appropriate to target Arvind Kejriwal. He has devoted his time to social work, neglecting his family. He doesn't ask for money," said Hazare while addressing people here on Friday.
I have seen Kejriwal from close quarters. He is doing a selfless service for society. He could have made money if he wanted to, but he is not like that...," he added.
Meanwhile, former Karnataka Lokayukta Justice N. Santosh Hegde alleged that the government has been vindictive against his civil society activist colleagues.
"This government seems to be doing wrong things at a wrong time. They could have done it much earlier or they could have done it later. Right now, when Arvind Kejriwal is in news for other reasons, you (the government) serve a notice on him," Hegde told reporters in Bangalore.
The chief commissioner of income tax had issued a notice to Kejriwal last month, to clear his dues totalling Rs 9.27 lakh after his 2006 resignation from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). (ANI)
Kejriwal gets breach of privilege notice
Indo Asian News Service
New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS) Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal Saturday received a breach of privilege notice from parliament, an India Against Corruption activist said.
'The notice was sent through speed-post at his residence in Ghazhiabad. He has not gone through the letter yet,? said the activist, on the condition of anonymity.
Kejriwal could not be reached for comment.
New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS) Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal Saturday received a breach of privilege notice from parliament, an India Against Corruption activist said.
'The notice was sent through speed-post at his residence in Ghazhiabad. He has not gone through the letter yet,? said the activist, on the condition of anonymity.
Kejriwal could not be reached for comment.
California man arrested for biting pet python
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) - A California man is in custody after being accused of biting a python in what police said was apparently an unprovoked attack on the pet snake of an acquaintance.
The suspect, David Senk, 54, was arrested on Thursday evening on suspicion of unlawfully maiming or mutilating a reptile, Sacramento police Sergeant Andrew Pettit said on Friday. The badly injured snake underwent surgery.
In a jailhouse interview aired on KOVR-TV in Sacramento, Senk said he had no recollection of the incident after having blacked out from drinking but felt "horrible as hell about it."
Asked why he might have bitten the snake, Senk replied: "I get drunk, I get crazy. I don't know. I've been an alcoholic for a long time."
Full Story:http://in.news.yahoo.com/california-man-arrested-biting-pet-python-031649456.html
The suspect, David Senk, 54, was arrested on Thursday evening on suspicion of unlawfully maiming or mutilating a reptile, Sacramento police Sergeant Andrew Pettit said on Friday. The badly injured snake underwent surgery.
In a jailhouse interview aired on KOVR-TV in Sacramento, Senk said he had no recollection of the incident after having blacked out from drinking but felt "horrible as hell about it."
Asked why he might have bitten the snake, Senk replied: "I get drunk, I get crazy. I don't know. I've been an alcoholic for a long time."
Full Story:http://in.news.yahoo.com/california-man-arrested-biting-pet-python-031649456.html
Anti-graft campaign has just started and must continue, says Anna Hazare
ANI – Fri, Sep 2, 2011
Ralegan Siddhi (Maharashtra), Sep.2 (ANI): Stating that the recent anti-graft campaign against the government by civil society activists was just the beginning of a long and hard struggle, veteran activist Anna Hazare on Friday told about 7,000 supporters in his hometown of Ralegan Siddhi that his victorious fast of 12-days in Delhi was a victory of the people.
"I am concerned about the country's future. This is just a beginning. We have a long way to go. It will take another 10 to 15 years before we eradicate corruption from the system for which we should be prepared to go to jail," Hazare said.
"It's not enough to say I am Anna, one has to change their character. I believe even if a little change can be done, it's always good," he added.
Further calling the youth the real heroes of the nation, Hazare said that the general public is being looted and it was time to sow seeds of change.
"Despite 64 years of independence from the British rule, nothing has changed in the country. The whites have been replaced by black. Loot, corruption and terrorism is rampant," he said.
"One seed of change will lead to thousands of seeds of change. Every young Indian must sow one seed of change. Some of us have to sacrifice to ensure benefit for future generation," he added.
He also said that India must walk on the principles of B.R. Ambedkar to bring religion equality and narrow down economic disparities. (ANI)
Ralegan Siddhi (Maharashtra), Sep.2 (ANI): Stating that the recent anti-graft campaign against the government by civil society activists was just the beginning of a long and hard struggle, veteran activist Anna Hazare on Friday told about 7,000 supporters in his hometown of Ralegan Siddhi that his victorious fast of 12-days in Delhi was a victory of the people.
"I am concerned about the country's future. This is just a beginning. We have a long way to go. It will take another 10 to 15 years before we eradicate corruption from the system for which we should be prepared to go to jail," Hazare said.
"It's not enough to say I am Anna, one has to change their character. I believe even if a little change can be done, it's always good," he added.
Further calling the youth the real heroes of the nation, Hazare said that the general public is being looted and it was time to sow seeds of change.
"Despite 64 years of independence from the British rule, nothing has changed in the country. The whites have been replaced by black. Loot, corruption and terrorism is rampant," he said.
"One seed of change will lead to thousands of seeds of change. Every young Indian must sow one seed of change. Some of us have to sacrifice to ensure benefit for future generation," he added.
He also said that India must walk on the principles of B.R. Ambedkar to bring religion equality and narrow down economic disparities. (ANI)
Prashant Bhushan gets breach of privilege notice
Indo Asian News Service, 03 Sept. 2011
New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS) Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan Saturday said he has received a breach of privilege notice for his remarks against MPs and will respond to it. He further added that he stands by his statement.
'I have received the notice and will respond to it. I stand by my statement and don't think it amounts to breach of privilege,' Bhushan told a TV channel.
He was served notice for alleging that members of parliament take bribes to pass laws. He has been asked to file a reply by Sep 14.
Former top cop Kiran Bedi, another aide of activist Anna Hazare, also faces a privilege motion for her remarks against parliamentarians. Addressing the Ramlila Maidan gathering, she accused politicians of wearing 'several masks' at the same time, drawing the ire of MPs in both houses of parliament.
Affirming that she stood by whatever she had said, Bedi said Friday: 'If I get a notice, I would say I am sorry I will not be able to say sorry. If I get an opportunity, I will go before the Committee and will show a bigger mirror to Parliament.'
'The truth has to be said, which was needed, and I stand by it. You should see what is happening in parliament. Slippers were exchanged in the Rajasthan assembly,' she added.
New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS) Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan Saturday said he has received a breach of privilege notice for his remarks against MPs and will respond to it. He further added that he stands by his statement.
'I have received the notice and will respond to it. I stand by my statement and don't think it amounts to breach of privilege,' Bhushan told a TV channel.
He was served notice for alleging that members of parliament take bribes to pass laws. He has been asked to file a reply by Sep 14.
Former top cop Kiran Bedi, another aide of activist Anna Hazare, also faces a privilege motion for her remarks against parliamentarians. Addressing the Ramlila Maidan gathering, she accused politicians of wearing 'several masks' at the same time, drawing the ire of MPs in both houses of parliament.
Affirming that she stood by whatever she had said, Bedi said Friday: 'If I get a notice, I would say I am sorry I will not be able to say sorry. If I get an opportunity, I will go before the Committee and will show a bigger mirror to Parliament.'
'The truth has to be said, which was needed, and I stand by it. You should see what is happening in parliament. Slippers were exchanged in the Rajasthan assembly,' she added.
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