NGO Donates Food, Clothes To Widows, Orphans
The Mercy Vincent Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Maiduguri, has donated food items and clothes to widows and orphans in its bid to provide succour to vulnerable groups in Borno State.
The donation of 50 bags of rice and many clothes to about 50 widows and 25 orphans was made at the premises of the foundation. In addition, three other widows, Hajiya Fatima Musa, Mrs. Mary Mark and Mrs. Medugu Amos, got scholarship awards by the foundation for their children.
In his address during the annual event, entitled ‘Borno Widows Forum,’ the managing director and founder of the charity home Dr. C. Oufuani, remarked that most widows were confronted by tough and difficult life after the death of their husbands, as they were left almost alone with the burden of providing food, healthcare and education for their children, the orphans.
“That is why we at the Mercy foundation have chosen to identify with you by providing you with an alternative home, where we offer you hope, food, clothing, counseling and guidance in a world full of suffering, pain, affliction tragedies and death,” he said.
While expressing appreciation for donations made to the widows by philanthropic individuals and groups, he also urged other financially stable members of the society to advance the cause by emulating the gesture. “We encourage you to be part of it. Whatever you feel like giving will go a long way to help and encourage these orphans and widows. And to you orphans and widows, we encourage you to be strong and courageous for God will never abandon you”, he added.
On his part, the representative of the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Malam Yakubu Mbaya, commended the efforts of the foundation in alleviating the sufferings of widows and orphans who constitute a large segment of disadvantaged groups in the state, and called on others philanthropic individuals and groups to do same.
Some of the organisations that attended the event include Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), and Fati Modu Sheriff Baby Home.
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Judgment reserved on Air India's aircraft purchase order
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday reserved its order on an NGO's plea for a direction to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to probe a Rs 67,000 crore purchase order by Air India for 111 aircraft.
After hearing long arguments from both the petitioner and the respondent, a division bench of Acting Chief Justice A.K. Sikhri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said the judgment was kept reserved.
AI suspends buying Boeing Dreamliners, to lease instead
The public interest litigation (PIL) was filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) through its counsel Prashant Bhushan.
The high court had earlier issued notices to the central government, Air India, the CVC, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the government auditor on CPIL's petition.
It had also asked the CVC and the auditor about action taken by them on the issues raised in the petition.
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NGO lauds Orji over minimum wage
A- non-Governmental organization, Global Centre for Peace and Justice, has commended Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State for approving N20,100 minimum wage for workers in the state.
It said the gesture shows that Orji has the welfare of the workers as a priority.
It said: “We are thrilled by his dexterity and magnanimity in resolving to pay Abia workers a minimum wage of N20,100 thereby coming tops as the most worker-friendly governor in the country.
“It may be recalled that Governor T. A. Orji remains the only Governor in Nigeria who promoted all workers in Abia State to the next salary grade level.
“It is also apposite to appreciate and commend his decision to set aside the sum of N 2 billion to further espouse his administration’s Roads Rehabilitation Programme in the state all for the betterment of the good people of the State and others traversing the State”, the group said in a statement signed by its president, Chief Anthony Agbazuere.
It also commended the governor for the on-going constructing Public Service Secretariat and the International Conference Centre even as it called on the workers to reciprocate the gesture by being more dedicated in their duties.
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Begin declares NGO bills ‘practically dead’
Ministers can only vote on bills if PM decides to revive them, which he is unlikely to do; Lieberman says he "won't give up."
Talkbacks (17)
Senior ministers sent mixed signals on the future of the disputed NGO bills on Monday, with Minister-without-Portfolio Bennie Begin proclaiming them “practically dead,” and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman insisting one of them will be brought to a vote on Wednesday.
The bills in question limit donations from foreign governments and international organizations to NGOs. One, by MK Ophir Akunis (Likud) would cap such contributions at NIS 20,000, if they are sent to political organizations. The other, drafted by MK Faina Kirschenbaum (Israel Beiteinu), seeks to levy a 45 percent tax on donations from foreign governments to any NGO.
The NGO bills have faced fierce opposition from leftwing politicians and organizations, as well as some ministers in the coalition, claiming that the measures limit freedom of expression. Kirschenbaum and Akunis, however, have said their initiatives will prevent foreign governments and international organizations from intervening in Israeli politics.
Israel Beiteinu put Kirschenbaum’s initiative on the Knesset agenda for a preliminary vote on Wednesday, with Lieberman saying his party “won’t give up on this bill.”
“We expect the coalition to consider our promises to our voters,” Lieberman said.
“When there is ‘land-mine’ legislation, we prefer to find ways to dismantle the mine and not make it explode.” However, the foreign minister said he would be willing to delay the vote by a week if the coalition leadership requests that his party do so.
Sources in the Likud, however, said the bill has no possibility of passing.
Begin told the The Jerusalem Post on Monday that once the bills were approved by the Ministerial Committee on Legislation, he appealed to the ministerial plenum.
Begin’s appeal means the ministers can only vote on the bills again if Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu decides to revive them, which he is unlikely to do in light of opposition by Begin and other ministers.
“The bill is dead,” Begin told the Post. “If there’s a medical term for ‘practically dead,’ that’s what the bill would be.”
Akunis underwent throat surgery last week, and is currently unable to speak, but his spokesman said his bill will not be brought to a vote as long as it isn’t approved by the ministers.
However, Kirschenbaum’s initiative is still on the agenda.
Coalition chairman Ze’ev Elkin (Likud) cited “simple math” to explain that the bill has no chance of passing.
According to Elkin, even if there is coalition discipline in favor of the NGO bill, ministers will not be required to vote against a government decision.
Therefore, with all opposition factions other than the National Union likely to oppose the measure, and many ministers absent from the Knesset, the bill cannot get a majority vote in the plenum.
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Don’t differentiate between kids: Akshay Kumar
Gujarat’s chief minister Narendra Modi, on Monday evening, flagged off an Olympic-like event in Ahmedabad with over 20 lakh kids from different age groups and states participating in various sporting events. Actor Akshay Kumar, along with a bunch of differently-abled kids from the NGO he supports,
were invited to participate in all the competition categories alongside regular kids of the same age groups.
“I’m glad this event has sent out a great message to the entire society — don’t differentiate between kids. All of them under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan have the right to study, play and grow up in the same environment, attend the same schools and colleges. For some reason there is a huge divide, which can be blurred with events like this one,” beams Akshay, adding, “It was so overwhelming to see my kids participate in the same sports events and appear on a common platform with other kids without feeling any sense of division based on one’s physical aspects.”
The actor, who has just completed his marathon promotions for Desi Boyz, and will be off to Bangkok tonight to join the rest of the cast of Housefull 2 for the film’s last schedule, says it didn’t take him too long to agree to attend the event. “Thanks to my father, who also had a strong sports background, I have developed an affinity for all kinds of sporting events, whether it’s martial arts, sprinting, boxing or kushti (traditional wrestling).
And if I’m getting a chance to place special children alongside the normal ones and boost their confidence, I’m not a fool to drop it,” he states.
Akshay also spoke to the politico to make martial arts compulsory for school kids in his state. “Modiji has assured me that he will make efforts for it,” he smiles. “And I’m sure he will do it because he seemed very kicked about the idea of incorporating martial arts with basic education. I’ve been speaking to authorities in various states, but this is one of the first ones where I’ve returned with something more concrete than the others.”
‘Party is due’
Akshay Kumar plans to throw a party along with Desi Boyz co-star John Abraham to celebrate the success of the film in Bangkok. The actors will be shooting there with the rest of the Housefull 2 team. “I’ve known Rohit (director Rohit Dhawan) from the time he was a kid. It’s his first success. I’m going to celebrate. But a party separately with the cast is due,” he says.
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Green NGOs should remain non-partisan
We refer to your article titled “Indonesian NGO wants ‘immoral’ M’sian firms out”. Green NGOs owe a responsibility to their fund donors, supporters and the public to ensure that their agenda are strictly non-partisan.
The Palm Oil Truth Foundation finds it curious to note that the protestors from the Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP) are decked out in orangutan suits that look strangely identical to the suits worn by Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth (FOE) when they launched their anti-palm oil campaigns.
Could these suits be hand-me-downs as it is common knowledge that these orangutan suits are not available in this part of the world!
If the ongoing investigations establishes that an adult orangutan was found battered in MKH’s concession area and MKH is found to be complicit in the culling of orangutans, the Palm Oil Truth Foundation supports the calls for the wrongdoers to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
However, the unbridled jingoism of the kind directed at all Malaysian palm oil companies invested in the Indonesian palm oil industry is not called for nor justified. Many of these companies support sustainable practices and contribute to conservation efforts to preserve the biodiversity in their host country so there is no place for the hysterics on display here by these green NGOs!
-------------------------------------------------
‘Raen baseras’ at LLR in a bad shape
The attendants of patients at Lala Lajpat Rai hospital's emergency ward are forced to stay at night in the dilapidated 'Raen Basera'. Scenes like attendants arranging for trolleys or stretchers and begging doctors to come and attend their kin are common. But with the onset of winters, they are facing a tough time in making arrangements for accommodation at night.
Shortage of doctors, non-availability of paramedical staff and the absence of basic prerequisites are the regular scenes at LLR Hospital, which makes matters all the more difficult for a critically ill patient lying on a stretcher with his/her hapless attendants.
It is worth mentioning that as many as four buildings at LLR are meant for the attendants. These were built by lottery fund, NGOs and social organizations. These structures have benefited the attendants initially.
But now, only a single structure is in a condition where attendants can stay for the night but that too at the time of emergencies. Even this 'Raen Basera' is in a poor state and most of the attendants prefer to stay outside or forced to sleep in the ward. "This place is so dirty that it is not possible to stay. Neither the bathrooms nor floors are cleaned," said Shashi, an attendant from Panki. Rajesh from Maharajpur, who is attending his wife since the past one week, said that the attendants are forced to sleep on floor as there is no proper arrangement of furniture and beddings at 'Raen Basera'.
"We have to carry beddings with us as there is no arrangement. 'Rain Basera' also lacks security arrangements," he added.
The 'Raen Baseras' have been constructed by private agencies, but maintenance has to be done by the hospital. The lone operating 'Raen Basera' is being managed by an NGO. It had deputed a caretaker for its upkeep.
Apart from 'Raen Baseras', several other buildings at LLR are in a poor condition. And such structures were erected either by lottery fund or by social organizations.Among such structures, one is situated in the ruined condition in front of Bal Rog Hospital and the other in front of Psychiatric Hospital. Similar is the condition of private wards of LLR behind the medicine department which are being used to dump waste. The only building left in a good state is the one in front of emergency, where the monkey menace has been forcing the attendants to opt for some other place for shelter.
LLR junior engineer Vishawakarma said that one new 'Raen Basera' will be soon constructed with a capacity to accommodate 100 people. This new structure would have several facilities like water-cooler and beds with shelf. When questioned who would maintain the new building, Vishwakarma said that it is difficult to say anything at this initial stage.
Most of the buildings which were gifted to the hospital by private bodies like NGOs or constructed by lottery fund are in poor state. LLR chief medical superintendent CS Singh refused to comment on the issue.Ganesh Shanker Vidyarthi Medical College principal Anand Swaroop said that the mismanagement is due to lack of funds.
A health official blamed the government for not paying heed towards the demand of the medical college which makes condition worse for patients as well as their attendants.
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NGO, UAB set hunger force
The Leadership and Service council of UAB teamed up with Oxfam’s Grow campaign, an international relief and development organization, led by Nicole Beachum and Cheryl Hudson, to demonstrate the Oxfam America Hunger Banquet.
The purpose of this event is to demonstrate the United States’ role in the world hunger crisis and encourage participants to take action.
The participants were divided into three groups by drawing cards upon entering the banquet.
The majority of students made up the lower-income-poverty group, who were given a small serving of rice and water (50 percent).
The middle-income group was given a larger proportion of rice and beans (35 percent). These two groups represent 85 percent of the world who struggle to have enough food to feed themselves and their family.
A few students were seated in the upper-income group.
They were given a three-course meal, consisting of more than enough food to survive.
Most of the students could not finish their meal of salad, spaghetti, and chocolate pudding.
These individuals were permitted to “donate” portions of their meal to the impoverished group.
“Our rich planet produces enough food for everyone,” speaker and junior student at UAB, Inquashia Shaw, stated.
“Everyone on earth has the same basic needs,” she added.
“Poor people don’t have the power to shake up their dismal situations,” stated Brendan Rice, president of UAB’s fighting against world hunger group.
He also spoke on the United States’ insufficient food-aid system, claiming “most money is used on transport.”
We are “creating scarcity from plenty,” he added.
Rice also spoke of their petition against budget-cutting in foreign aid food assistance programs, by asking congress to refrain from “uprooting” the programs and leaving decorated potatoes in their representatives’ offices.
“Less than one percent of the U.S. budget is used for these programs. They are live-saving aids.”
Rice said. “Join us in food justice to ensure a future for everyone.”
During the discussion portion of the program, many students shared their opinions.
“No one likes world hunger, but it often seems like too big of an issue for one person,” a student stated.
“I believe we should fix the system instead of giving hand-outs,” said another. “It’s not fair to only blame the U.S. government,” stated a young woman in attendance.
“The way trade policies are set up, most countries will remain poor,” she added.
An individual also spoke on the inaccuracy of the “poverty” group’s meal, stating that if they truly represented an impoverished family, “we wouldn’t have any utensils, and the water would be much dingier, with no ice.”
Others also stated that Americans are wealthy by the world’s standards, even if they are living below the level of poverty, due to the U.S. welfare programs.
“If you are poor in the U.S., you are still better off than in other countries,” stated a student who is originally from Bangladesh.
Every 3.6 seconds, someone dies of hunger, leaving 9 million people to die of hunger in the past year.
2.5 billion people live in poverty. Approximately 1.345 million people in developing countries live on wages of $1.25 a day or less.
925 million people suffer from malnourishment, along with 32.5 percent of children alone. 80,000 tons of food is wasted in the United States, and only 17,000 tons of food aid is donated globally. 4.4 million Americans are living in poverty, as well as 15% of Alabamians.
26.5 million people use food stamps. 183 million children in the world are underweight. One out of every eight children under the age of 12 goes to bed hungry every night in the United States.
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Boy in government-run home thrashed by guard, hospitalised
Mohammad M, who worked in a bag-making unit, was lodged at the home after being rescued by Justice and Care, a non-governmental organisation.
He was waiting to return to his home town Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh. The Boys’ Home is run under the aegis of the Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD).
On Tuesday, the NGO noticed the boy was injured and demanded that he be sent to hospital immediately. He was treated at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health and discharged later in the day.
Missed elbow fracture
Medical reports stated that the boy had narrowly missed an elbow fracture. The members of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, who visited the boy at the hospital, said he was beaten 10 days ago with a cane by Suresh, a security guard, who also doubled as a staffer at the home.
“Though the boy was beaten ten days ago, the staff there gave him medicines twice a day and hushed up the matter. It would have never come to light, if the people from the NGO had not spotted it,” Nina Nayak, chairman of the Commission, said.
The boy was allegedly caned as he did not go for lunch on time. “There are 175 boys in the home and because of staff shortage, they use people from outsourced agencies to supposedly maintain discipline.
The security guard had no business taking care of the children at the home. The guard is 23 years old. How can he be expected to control boisterous boys,” asked Mamatha, another member of the Commission.
Even the Child Welfare Committee, which had settled the case, had not been informed about the incident. “The case is closed and the boy will travel back home on January 24,” Nayak said.
Though no case has been filed against Suresh, he has been fired from his job. The Commission said this was not the first case of beating reported at the home.
“There is no policy saying the children should not be touched. The solution they have for anything is violence. There is absolutely no concept of compassion,” Mamatha railed.
Though the incident happened on Tuesday morning, neither the Secretary nor the Director of DWCD was aware of it till late Tuesday night.
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NGO campaign drives social awareness
The Southern African NGO Network (SANGONeT) is driving its 2011 'No Pain No Gain' fundraising campaign in order to support the work of thousands of NGOs in SA.
Last month, SANGONeT's executive director, David Barnard, completed the Sahara Race, in Egypt – a seven-day, six-stage, 250km footrace across the Sahara Desert, the hottest in the world. Participants had to carry their own food and equipment for the duration of the race.
Money raised during the campaign will be used to expand key SANGONeT services such as NGO Pulse, Prodder and SANGOTeCH, in support of NGOs.
The organisation says it will also use the campaign to raise awareness about the work of TechSoup Global, a US non-profit organisation supporting technology investments in non-profit organisations in more than 30 countries. The SANGOTeCH Technology Donation Programme is TechSoup Global's partner in SA, Botswana and Kenya.
Four organisations will benefit from the 2011 campaign – the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), the Starfish Greathearts Foundation and Score.
Tebogo Makgatho, SANGONeT chairperson, says: “Collectively, we are implementing a wide range of communication and outreach activities to generate awareness about the campaign and secure donations in support of our work. The fundraising target is R1 million, which will be shared equally between the organisations.”
The 'No Pain No Gain' campaign started on 1 July, exactly 100 days to the last day of the Sahara Race, on 8 October, and will continue until 30 November.
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Will law prevail over religion?
To what extent law can prevail over religion will be ? A division bench of Justice PB Majmudar and Justice Mridula Bhatkar of the Bombay High Court will decide on the issue after hearing petitions for and against the practice of child diksha in Jainism.
The issue came under debate after a minor girl, an Indore resident, was given diksha (ordained as nun) in Mumbai on May 11, 2004. Questions were raised if a minor girl was capable of deciding if she wants to renounce the world.
Earlier, Justice Majmudar had remarked: “We have to look at welfare of society and also of the minor.”
The court has asked the petitioners in favour of diksha to produce literature and affidavits of religious leaders saying that child diksha is integral part of Jainism.
Stating Jainism is being practised since seventh century, Srihari Aney, Prateek Seksaria and Lalit Jain — counsels for the girl’s parents Santosh and Seema Bagricha — have pleaded that law should not curb the religious practices. Aney said the diksha system is not as rampant as it is made out to be.
“Jains don’t just give away their children for diksha practice. There is a process to be followed before a child is given diksha,” he added.
When Aney stated that under Article 27 of the Constitution, every citizen had the right to practise his/her religion, Justice Bhatkar replied saying, “Article 27 gives right to religion, but at the same time Article 21 gives right to childhood also.”
The parents and Jain community group have contended that the Bombay high court does not have the jurisdiction to decide in the case as the girl and her parents were not from Maharashtra. Besides, the Child Welfare Committee did not have the jurisdiction to inquire into the matter as it is based in Mumbai and not Indore, where the family belongs.
A petition has also been filed by NGO Child Line challenging the conversion of the minor girl into a nun. In fact, several other religious organisations have been quoted in the petition, both in support and against the diksha system.
Child Line had alleged that the girl’s parents had forced the child into taking diksha, as the family was financially unstable. The NGO had sought that the parents should be booked under the Juvenile Act since the child was suffering a social death.
The case will now come up for hearing in mid-December.
The Mercy Vincent Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Maiduguri, has donated food items and clothes to widows and orphans in its bid to provide succour to vulnerable groups in Borno State.
The donation of 50 bags of rice and many clothes to about 50 widows and 25 orphans was made at the premises of the foundation. In addition, three other widows, Hajiya Fatima Musa, Mrs. Mary Mark and Mrs. Medugu Amos, got scholarship awards by the foundation for their children.
In his address during the annual event, entitled ‘Borno Widows Forum,’ the managing director and founder of the charity home Dr. C. Oufuani, remarked that most widows were confronted by tough and difficult life after the death of their husbands, as they were left almost alone with the burden of providing food, healthcare and education for their children, the orphans.
“That is why we at the Mercy foundation have chosen to identify with you by providing you with an alternative home, where we offer you hope, food, clothing, counseling and guidance in a world full of suffering, pain, affliction tragedies and death,” he said.
While expressing appreciation for donations made to the widows by philanthropic individuals and groups, he also urged other financially stable members of the society to advance the cause by emulating the gesture. “We encourage you to be part of it. Whatever you feel like giving will go a long way to help and encourage these orphans and widows. And to you orphans and widows, we encourage you to be strong and courageous for God will never abandon you”, he added.
On his part, the representative of the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Malam Yakubu Mbaya, commended the efforts of the foundation in alleviating the sufferings of widows and orphans who constitute a large segment of disadvantaged groups in the state, and called on others philanthropic individuals and groups to do same.
Some of the organisations that attended the event include Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), and Fati Modu Sheriff Baby Home.
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Judgment reserved on Air India's aircraft purchase order
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday reserved its order on an NGO's plea for a direction to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to probe a Rs 67,000 crore purchase order by Air India for 111 aircraft.
After hearing long arguments from both the petitioner and the respondent, a division bench of Acting Chief Justice A.K. Sikhri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said the judgment was kept reserved.
AI suspends buying Boeing Dreamliners, to lease instead
The public interest litigation (PIL) was filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) through its counsel Prashant Bhushan.
The high court had earlier issued notices to the central government, Air India, the CVC, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the government auditor on CPIL's petition.
It had also asked the CVC and the auditor about action taken by them on the issues raised in the petition.
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NGO lauds Orji over minimum wage
A- non-Governmental organization, Global Centre for Peace and Justice, has commended Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State for approving N20,100 minimum wage for workers in the state.
It said the gesture shows that Orji has the welfare of the workers as a priority.
It said: “We are thrilled by his dexterity and magnanimity in resolving to pay Abia workers a minimum wage of N20,100 thereby coming tops as the most worker-friendly governor in the country.
“It may be recalled that Governor T. A. Orji remains the only Governor in Nigeria who promoted all workers in Abia State to the next salary grade level.
“It is also apposite to appreciate and commend his decision to set aside the sum of N 2 billion to further espouse his administration’s Roads Rehabilitation Programme in the state all for the betterment of the good people of the State and others traversing the State”, the group said in a statement signed by its president, Chief Anthony Agbazuere.
It also commended the governor for the on-going constructing Public Service Secretariat and the International Conference Centre even as it called on the workers to reciprocate the gesture by being more dedicated in their duties.
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Begin declares NGO bills ‘practically dead’
Ministers can only vote on bills if PM decides to revive them, which he is unlikely to do; Lieberman says he "won't give up."
Talkbacks (17)
Senior ministers sent mixed signals on the future of the disputed NGO bills on Monday, with Minister-without-Portfolio Bennie Begin proclaiming them “practically dead,” and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman insisting one of them will be brought to a vote on Wednesday.
The bills in question limit donations from foreign governments and international organizations to NGOs. One, by MK Ophir Akunis (Likud) would cap such contributions at NIS 20,000, if they are sent to political organizations. The other, drafted by MK Faina Kirschenbaum (Israel Beiteinu), seeks to levy a 45 percent tax on donations from foreign governments to any NGO.
The NGO bills have faced fierce opposition from leftwing politicians and organizations, as well as some ministers in the coalition, claiming that the measures limit freedom of expression. Kirschenbaum and Akunis, however, have said their initiatives will prevent foreign governments and international organizations from intervening in Israeli politics.
Israel Beiteinu put Kirschenbaum’s initiative on the Knesset agenda for a preliminary vote on Wednesday, with Lieberman saying his party “won’t give up on this bill.”
“We expect the coalition to consider our promises to our voters,” Lieberman said.
“When there is ‘land-mine’ legislation, we prefer to find ways to dismantle the mine and not make it explode.” However, the foreign minister said he would be willing to delay the vote by a week if the coalition leadership requests that his party do so.
Sources in the Likud, however, said the bill has no possibility of passing.
Begin told the The Jerusalem Post on Monday that once the bills were approved by the Ministerial Committee on Legislation, he appealed to the ministerial plenum.
Begin’s appeal means the ministers can only vote on the bills again if Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu decides to revive them, which he is unlikely to do in light of opposition by Begin and other ministers.
“The bill is dead,” Begin told the Post. “If there’s a medical term for ‘practically dead,’ that’s what the bill would be.”
Akunis underwent throat surgery last week, and is currently unable to speak, but his spokesman said his bill will not be brought to a vote as long as it isn’t approved by the ministers.
However, Kirschenbaum’s initiative is still on the agenda.
Coalition chairman Ze’ev Elkin (Likud) cited “simple math” to explain that the bill has no chance of passing.
According to Elkin, even if there is coalition discipline in favor of the NGO bill, ministers will not be required to vote against a government decision.
Therefore, with all opposition factions other than the National Union likely to oppose the measure, and many ministers absent from the Knesset, the bill cannot get a majority vote in the plenum.
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Don’t differentiate between kids: Akshay Kumar
Gujarat’s chief minister Narendra Modi, on Monday evening, flagged off an Olympic-like event in Ahmedabad with over 20 lakh kids from different age groups and states participating in various sporting events. Actor Akshay Kumar, along with a bunch of differently-abled kids from the NGO he supports,
were invited to participate in all the competition categories alongside regular kids of the same age groups.
“I’m glad this event has sent out a great message to the entire society — don’t differentiate between kids. All of them under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan have the right to study, play and grow up in the same environment, attend the same schools and colleges. For some reason there is a huge divide, which can be blurred with events like this one,” beams Akshay, adding, “It was so overwhelming to see my kids participate in the same sports events and appear on a common platform with other kids without feeling any sense of division based on one’s physical aspects.”
The actor, who has just completed his marathon promotions for Desi Boyz, and will be off to Bangkok tonight to join the rest of the cast of Housefull 2 for the film’s last schedule, says it didn’t take him too long to agree to attend the event. “Thanks to my father, who also had a strong sports background, I have developed an affinity for all kinds of sporting events, whether it’s martial arts, sprinting, boxing or kushti (traditional wrestling).
And if I’m getting a chance to place special children alongside the normal ones and boost their confidence, I’m not a fool to drop it,” he states.
Akshay also spoke to the politico to make martial arts compulsory for school kids in his state. “Modiji has assured me that he will make efforts for it,” he smiles. “And I’m sure he will do it because he seemed very kicked about the idea of incorporating martial arts with basic education. I’ve been speaking to authorities in various states, but this is one of the first ones where I’ve returned with something more concrete than the others.”
‘Party is due’
Akshay Kumar plans to throw a party along with Desi Boyz co-star John Abraham to celebrate the success of the film in Bangkok. The actors will be shooting there with the rest of the Housefull 2 team. “I’ve known Rohit (director Rohit Dhawan) from the time he was a kid. It’s his first success. I’m going to celebrate. But a party separately with the cast is due,” he says.
----------------------------------------------
Green NGOs should remain non-partisan
We refer to your article titled “Indonesian NGO wants ‘immoral’ M’sian firms out”. Green NGOs owe a responsibility to their fund donors, supporters and the public to ensure that their agenda are strictly non-partisan.
The Palm Oil Truth Foundation finds it curious to note that the protestors from the Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP) are decked out in orangutan suits that look strangely identical to the suits worn by Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth (FOE) when they launched their anti-palm oil campaigns.
Could these suits be hand-me-downs as it is common knowledge that these orangutan suits are not available in this part of the world!
If the ongoing investigations establishes that an adult orangutan was found battered in MKH’s concession area and MKH is found to be complicit in the culling of orangutans, the Palm Oil Truth Foundation supports the calls for the wrongdoers to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
However, the unbridled jingoism of the kind directed at all Malaysian palm oil companies invested in the Indonesian palm oil industry is not called for nor justified. Many of these companies support sustainable practices and contribute to conservation efforts to preserve the biodiversity in their host country so there is no place for the hysterics on display here by these green NGOs!
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‘Raen baseras’ at LLR in a bad shape
The attendants of patients at Lala Lajpat Rai hospital's emergency ward are forced to stay at night in the dilapidated 'Raen Basera'. Scenes like attendants arranging for trolleys or stretchers and begging doctors to come and attend their kin are common. But with the onset of winters, they are facing a tough time in making arrangements for accommodation at night.
Shortage of doctors, non-availability of paramedical staff and the absence of basic prerequisites are the regular scenes at LLR Hospital, which makes matters all the more difficult for a critically ill patient lying on a stretcher with his/her hapless attendants.
It is worth mentioning that as many as four buildings at LLR are meant for the attendants. These were built by lottery fund, NGOs and social organizations. These structures have benefited the attendants initially.
But now, only a single structure is in a condition where attendants can stay for the night but that too at the time of emergencies. Even this 'Raen Basera' is in a poor state and most of the attendants prefer to stay outside or forced to sleep in the ward. "This place is so dirty that it is not possible to stay. Neither the bathrooms nor floors are cleaned," said Shashi, an attendant from Panki. Rajesh from Maharajpur, who is attending his wife since the past one week, said that the attendants are forced to sleep on floor as there is no proper arrangement of furniture and beddings at 'Raen Basera'.
"We have to carry beddings with us as there is no arrangement. 'Rain Basera' also lacks security arrangements," he added.
The 'Raen Baseras' have been constructed by private agencies, but maintenance has to be done by the hospital. The lone operating 'Raen Basera' is being managed by an NGO. It had deputed a caretaker for its upkeep.
Apart from 'Raen Baseras', several other buildings at LLR are in a poor condition. And such structures were erected either by lottery fund or by social organizations.Among such structures, one is situated in the ruined condition in front of Bal Rog Hospital and the other in front of Psychiatric Hospital. Similar is the condition of private wards of LLR behind the medicine department which are being used to dump waste. The only building left in a good state is the one in front of emergency, where the monkey menace has been forcing the attendants to opt for some other place for shelter.
LLR junior engineer Vishawakarma said that one new 'Raen Basera' will be soon constructed with a capacity to accommodate 100 people. This new structure would have several facilities like water-cooler and beds with shelf. When questioned who would maintain the new building, Vishwakarma said that it is difficult to say anything at this initial stage.
Most of the buildings which were gifted to the hospital by private bodies like NGOs or constructed by lottery fund are in poor state. LLR chief medical superintendent CS Singh refused to comment on the issue.Ganesh Shanker Vidyarthi Medical College principal Anand Swaroop said that the mismanagement is due to lack of funds.
A health official blamed the government for not paying heed towards the demand of the medical college which makes condition worse for patients as well as their attendants.
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NGO, UAB set hunger force
The Leadership and Service council of UAB teamed up with Oxfam’s Grow campaign, an international relief and development organization, led by Nicole Beachum and Cheryl Hudson, to demonstrate the Oxfam America Hunger Banquet.
The purpose of this event is to demonstrate the United States’ role in the world hunger crisis and encourage participants to take action.
The participants were divided into three groups by drawing cards upon entering the banquet.
The majority of students made up the lower-income-poverty group, who were given a small serving of rice and water (50 percent).
The middle-income group was given a larger proportion of rice and beans (35 percent). These two groups represent 85 percent of the world who struggle to have enough food to feed themselves and their family.
A few students were seated in the upper-income group.
They were given a three-course meal, consisting of more than enough food to survive.
Most of the students could not finish their meal of salad, spaghetti, and chocolate pudding.
These individuals were permitted to “donate” portions of their meal to the impoverished group.
“Our rich planet produces enough food for everyone,” speaker and junior student at UAB, Inquashia Shaw, stated.
“Everyone on earth has the same basic needs,” she added.
“Poor people don’t have the power to shake up their dismal situations,” stated Brendan Rice, president of UAB’s fighting against world hunger group.
He also spoke on the United States’ insufficient food-aid system, claiming “most money is used on transport.”
We are “creating scarcity from plenty,” he added.
Rice also spoke of their petition against budget-cutting in foreign aid food assistance programs, by asking congress to refrain from “uprooting” the programs and leaving decorated potatoes in their representatives’ offices.
“Less than one percent of the U.S. budget is used for these programs. They are live-saving aids.”
Rice said. “Join us in food justice to ensure a future for everyone.”
During the discussion portion of the program, many students shared their opinions.
“No one likes world hunger, but it often seems like too big of an issue for one person,” a student stated.
“I believe we should fix the system instead of giving hand-outs,” said another. “It’s not fair to only blame the U.S. government,” stated a young woman in attendance.
“The way trade policies are set up, most countries will remain poor,” she added.
An individual also spoke on the inaccuracy of the “poverty” group’s meal, stating that if they truly represented an impoverished family, “we wouldn’t have any utensils, and the water would be much dingier, with no ice.”
Others also stated that Americans are wealthy by the world’s standards, even if they are living below the level of poverty, due to the U.S. welfare programs.
“If you are poor in the U.S., you are still better off than in other countries,” stated a student who is originally from Bangladesh.
Every 3.6 seconds, someone dies of hunger, leaving 9 million people to die of hunger in the past year.
2.5 billion people live in poverty. Approximately 1.345 million people in developing countries live on wages of $1.25 a day or less.
925 million people suffer from malnourishment, along with 32.5 percent of children alone. 80,000 tons of food is wasted in the United States, and only 17,000 tons of food aid is donated globally. 4.4 million Americans are living in poverty, as well as 15% of Alabamians.
26.5 million people use food stamps. 183 million children in the world are underweight. One out of every eight children under the age of 12 goes to bed hungry every night in the United States.
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Boy in government-run home thrashed by guard, hospitalised
Mohammad M, who worked in a bag-making unit, was lodged at the home after being rescued by Justice and Care, a non-governmental organisation.
He was waiting to return to his home town Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh. The Boys’ Home is run under the aegis of the Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD).
On Tuesday, the NGO noticed the boy was injured and demanded that he be sent to hospital immediately. He was treated at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health and discharged later in the day.
Missed elbow fracture
Medical reports stated that the boy had narrowly missed an elbow fracture. The members of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, who visited the boy at the hospital, said he was beaten 10 days ago with a cane by Suresh, a security guard, who also doubled as a staffer at the home.
“Though the boy was beaten ten days ago, the staff there gave him medicines twice a day and hushed up the matter. It would have never come to light, if the people from the NGO had not spotted it,” Nina Nayak, chairman of the Commission, said.
The boy was allegedly caned as he did not go for lunch on time. “There are 175 boys in the home and because of staff shortage, they use people from outsourced agencies to supposedly maintain discipline.
The security guard had no business taking care of the children at the home. The guard is 23 years old. How can he be expected to control boisterous boys,” asked Mamatha, another member of the Commission.
Even the Child Welfare Committee, which had settled the case, had not been informed about the incident. “The case is closed and the boy will travel back home on January 24,” Nayak said.
Though no case has been filed against Suresh, he has been fired from his job. The Commission said this was not the first case of beating reported at the home.
“There is no policy saying the children should not be touched. The solution they have for anything is violence. There is absolutely no concept of compassion,” Mamatha railed.
Though the incident happened on Tuesday morning, neither the Secretary nor the Director of DWCD was aware of it till late Tuesday night.
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NGO campaign drives social awareness
The Southern African NGO Network (SANGONeT) is driving its 2011 'No Pain No Gain' fundraising campaign in order to support the work of thousands of NGOs in SA.
Last month, SANGONeT's executive director, David Barnard, completed the Sahara Race, in Egypt – a seven-day, six-stage, 250km footrace across the Sahara Desert, the hottest in the world. Participants had to carry their own food and equipment for the duration of the race.
Money raised during the campaign will be used to expand key SANGONeT services such as NGO Pulse, Prodder and SANGOTeCH, in support of NGOs.
The organisation says it will also use the campaign to raise awareness about the work of TechSoup Global, a US non-profit organisation supporting technology investments in non-profit organisations in more than 30 countries. The SANGOTeCH Technology Donation Programme is TechSoup Global's partner in SA, Botswana and Kenya.
Four organisations will benefit from the 2011 campaign – the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), the Starfish Greathearts Foundation and Score.
Tebogo Makgatho, SANGONeT chairperson, says: “Collectively, we are implementing a wide range of communication and outreach activities to generate awareness about the campaign and secure donations in support of our work. The fundraising target is R1 million, which will be shared equally between the organisations.”
The 'No Pain No Gain' campaign started on 1 July, exactly 100 days to the last day of the Sahara Race, on 8 October, and will continue until 30 November.
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Will law prevail over religion?
To what extent law can prevail over religion will be ? A division bench of Justice PB Majmudar and Justice Mridula Bhatkar of the Bombay High Court will decide on the issue after hearing petitions for and against the practice of child diksha in Jainism.
The issue came under debate after a minor girl, an Indore resident, was given diksha (ordained as nun) in Mumbai on May 11, 2004. Questions were raised if a minor girl was capable of deciding if she wants to renounce the world.
Earlier, Justice Majmudar had remarked: “We have to look at welfare of society and also of the minor.”
The court has asked the petitioners in favour of diksha to produce literature and affidavits of religious leaders saying that child diksha is integral part of Jainism.
Stating Jainism is being practised since seventh century, Srihari Aney, Prateek Seksaria and Lalit Jain — counsels for the girl’s parents Santosh and Seema Bagricha — have pleaded that law should not curb the religious practices. Aney said the diksha system is not as rampant as it is made out to be.
“Jains don’t just give away their children for diksha practice. There is a process to be followed before a child is given diksha,” he added.
When Aney stated that under Article 27 of the Constitution, every citizen had the right to practise his/her religion, Justice Bhatkar replied saying, “Article 27 gives right to religion, but at the same time Article 21 gives right to childhood also.”
The parents and Jain community group have contended that the Bombay high court does not have the jurisdiction to decide in the case as the girl and her parents were not from Maharashtra. Besides, the Child Welfare Committee did not have the jurisdiction to inquire into the matter as it is based in Mumbai and not Indore, where the family belongs.
A petition has also been filed by NGO Child Line challenging the conversion of the minor girl into a nun. In fact, several other religious organisations have been quoted in the petition, both in support and against the diksha system.
Child Line had alleged that the girl’s parents had forced the child into taking diksha, as the family was financially unstable. The NGO had sought that the parents should be booked under the Juvenile Act since the child was suffering a social death.
The case will now come up for hearing in mid-December.
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