Click below in case you couldn't see the embedded viewers above.
http://www.dermandar.com/p/elkUrf
http://www.dermandar.com/p/aXHjRV
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
A view of EBHLE
Click below in case you couldn't see the embedded viewers above.
http://www.dermandar.com/p/elkUrf
http://www.dermandar.com/p/aXHjRV
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
polygon calculator
http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/geometry-plane/polygon.php
Pyramid:
http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/geometry-solids/pyramid.php
(Select the option with given a,e for the case where you have all
sides of set length and have to calculate everything else.)
Other solid geometries:
http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/geometry-solids/
Actually they have calculators for everything:
http://www.calculatorsoup.com/
Pyramid:
http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/geometry-solids/pyramid.php
(Select the option with given a,e for the case where you have all
sides of set length and have to calculate everything else.)
Other solid geometries:
http://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/geometry-solids/
Actually they have calculators for everything:
http://www.calculatorsoup.com/
Friday, January 16, 2015
Fwd: Press Note: Apex Court directs GRAs to dispose 3000 Narmada (SSP) cases by 28, Feb, 2015
PRESS NOTE: NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
Supreme Court Social Justice Bench directs GRAs to dispose of all pending complaints of Sardar Sarovar Oustees by 28th February, 2015
M.P. appoints 5 judges, Guj commits to appoint 2 judges on GRA
M.P. Maha and Guj to file Compliance Report on about 3000 complaints on 10th March : Next Hearing on 13th March
16th Jan, 2015: In a significant development with regard to the rehabilitation of thousands of families affected by the Sardar Sarovar Project on the Narmada River, the Supreme Court today issued a clear directive to the Grievance Redressal Authorities (GRAs) of the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat to dispose of all pending cases by 28th February, 2015. Delivering the Order, the Division Bench of Hon'ble Justice Madan Lokur and Justice U.U. Lalit directed the States to submit compliance reports by 10th March and has listed the matter for further hearing on the 13th March, 2015.
In compliance with the previous Order of the same Bench dated 9th January, the Govt. of M.P filed an affidavit conveying appointment of Jst. (Retd) A.K. Sharma; Jst. (Retd) S.S. Dwivedi, Jst. (Retd) Indrani Dutta, Jst. (Retd) I.S. Shrivastava and Jst. (Retd) G.D. Saxena - 5 Retired Judges of the High Court to work full time as GRA, M.P. Govt. of Guj has committed to appoint 2 Judges for grievance redressal. Govt. of Maharashtra has committed that the present GRA, Jst. Bagga would dedicate more time to hear all cases. It was also directed that the GRAs would be assisted by one Retd. Dist. Judge, 1 Addl. Collector and 2 Deputy Collectors in each state. The GRAs are also required to make filed visits, wherever necessary.
The Order was issued, by the Bench, while hearing applications filed by oustees from various affected villages and Narmada Bachao Andolan, challenging the recent decision of the Narmada Control Authority dt. 12th June, 2014 to raise the height of the dam from 121.92 mts to 138.68 mts as unconstitutional and in violation of the Narmada Tribunal's Award, previous judgements of the Supreme Court, which mandated that raise in dam height shall only be after rehabilitation of all the oustees upto full height and its back water. The Applications also challenged the false claims that there would be no 'additional submergence'.
Pleading for the oustees, Counsel Sanjay Parikh informed the Court that even as on date, the rehabilitation of thousands of oustees as per law, is pending, while the dam height has been increased and construction has commenced, leading to grave violation of the fundamental rights of the oustees. He informed the Court that the procedure for dam height raise laid down by the 2000 and 2005 judgements has been grossly violated by the Environment and Rehabilitation Sub Groups of the NCA and the NCA itself. He also questioned the legality of the ongoing dam work, when it is already proved that the conditional clearance to raise the dam height from 110.64 to 121.92 mts has been violated and thousands of oustees, already thrown in the submergence zone are not yet rehabilitated and have been defrauded by a nexus of officials and agents, whose acts are being inquired into by a Judicial Commission in M.P.
Applicant-in-person, Medha Patkar submitted that there are already hundreds of orders of the GRAs, where compliance is pending and oustees have already faced impacts of unlawful submergence. She pointed out NCA's Annual Report of 2013 which admitted more than 2300 families are yet to get land in M.P alone, more than 1000 adivasi oustees in Maharashtra and a few hundred in Gujarat are without land, civic amenities; thousands of landless, fish workers, potters are yet to be ensured alternative livelihood, as per law in M.P. The Hon'ble Supreme has assured the applicants that it would afford full hearing and deal with all substantive questions of legal violations, including the legality of raise in dam height on 13th March, 2015.
Yogini Khanolkar Kamla Yadav Bilal Khan Bhagirath
Ph: 09179148973 / 09423965153 / 09818905316
===============================================
National Alliance of People's Movements
National Office : 6/6, Jangpura B, Mathura Road, New Delhi 110014
Phone : 011 24374535 Mobile : 09818905316
Web : www.napm-india.org | napmindia [at] gmail.com
National Alliance of People's Movements
National Office : 6/6, Jangpura B, Mathura Road, New Delhi 110014
Phone : 011 24374535 Mobile : 09818905316
Web : www.napm-india.org | napmindia [at] gmail.com
Facebook : www.facebook.com/NAPMindia
Twitter : @napmindia
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Video: Difference Between Judaism and Zionism; and Zionist domination of the Obama administration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roR3sSunqpo
David Icke Exposes the Difference Between Judaism and Zionism, Between
War and Genocide, and Between Anti-Zionism and Anti-Semitism
I'm only noticing this right now : Obama did not bring any other
people of colour in his staff. All the main positions are held by
people nearly identical to Bush's administration. Including people who
are publicly steadfasts zionists. It's just been a nominal
black-placement in the President's seat. If a genuinely multiracial
regime had come to Washngton, as people believed at the 2008 US
elections, we'd be seeing a totally different kind of administration
in Washington.
David Icke Exposes the Difference Between Judaism and Zionism, Between
War and Genocide, and Between Anti-Zionism and Anti-Semitism
I'm only noticing this right now : Obama did not bring any other
people of colour in his staff. All the main positions are held by
people nearly identical to Bush's administration. Including people who
are publicly steadfasts zionists. It's just been a nominal
black-placement in the President's seat. If a genuinely multiracial
regime had come to Washngton, as people believed at the 2008 US
elections, we'd be seeing a totally different kind of administration
in Washington.
Exposing colleges' tactics of attaching the glorified pursuit of knowledge, to their high cost programs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sOeLUCeDsA
(you'll have to watch it full, or you might misconstrue this video to
be a racist/sexist rant or so)
I liked the fact that he cut through the tactic that latches a
glorified pursuit of knowledge with spending huge amounts of money and
getting into lifelong debt, and introduced the idea that these things
can be pursued equally or even better outside of the colleges' walls.
The second part (the money and the debt!) is very casually forgotten
in many debates about liberal arts /social studies vs engineering,
medicine etc. We need to learn how to cut through the divide.
I have more to share at length; kept it after the links below.
Warning: May be uncomfortable for some.
--------
Another film that I would recommend especially to members of the
homeschooling community who aren't yet extending their critical focus
beyond higher secondary schools:
Scholarslip: A documentary about the student debt crisis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFY-PgPA-Uk
----------
For further more detailed investigation into the college myth, I'd
recommend the "Disciplined Minds" audiobook listed here:
http://www.unwelcomeguests.net/Category:Audiobooks (free) (the other
books there are also awesome)
----------
Nikhil's personal, practical and no-holds-barred opinion:
I feel that parents, especially in the homsechooling community, who
want to dispute the traditional domination of
engineering/medicine/finance, are very susceptible to these programs.
In many cases, they come as a relief; as something that we can finally
show to our peers as proof that the decision to homeschool/unschool
our children was a right one. It portrays as a viable step to enable
our child's transition to being part of the real, mainstream world.
Of course, facilitating our kids to pursue their passions is
important. But I just want to point out that you don't need to spend a
lifetime's worth of savings on it; the institutions that take all this
money are NOT delivering the value you think they will, and you really
need to do the detective work and investigate exactly what kind of
damage they're causing to the children entrusted to them. Their
interests are not aligned with your children's best interests. There
ARE other ways, and just because they don't glitter as much doesn't
mean they're not good enough for your child.
And those who think that it's ok as they can afford it : that they can
afford to send their child to a liberal arts program or the like at so
and so university in US or New Zealand or UWC or wherever: I'm sorry,
but you're doing all the other parents not as rich as you a great
disservice, because you are giving credibility to the scam, and they
are getting pressured to mimic you.
Let's be practical here: If you just took all the money you're
planning on spending on your child's college and put it into an FD or
something similar that starts to give a basic monthly payout in three
or four years time (when you would expect your child to start earning
for self), and let it take care of part or all of the basic living
expenses of your child for her/his whole life, then THAT would truly
liberate your child to pursue her/his passions and find a meaningful,
fulfilling way to live their life. And the "investment" remains with
you; it's not vanished into someone else's pockets. Your kid is not
left with a lifelong burden of recovering this investment. When they
start to be financially self-sustaining, they can just return that sum
back to you.. heck, it was never gone. (Now don't get too greedy about
interest and all.. the college wouldn't even have returned you your
capital!)
If that thing your child wants to do, is just not available in a
proper quality locally or in your country, then that's actually an
opportunity for entrepreneurship. Or, maybe you're not looking in the
right places. It might not be being taught here, but it might be
getting practiced, and an apprenticeship could be on the cards. Or,
maybe your kid has a multitude of interests, including things that are
locally available, and this is just one single petal in that flower
that you've fixated upon and hyped up as an adoring parent who thinks
their child is oh-so unique. (Ouch! "Jab dil pe lagegi, tabhi toh baat
banegi" :D)
And as to what all that amazing program offers : Yes, it's possible
now (maybe not in 1990 but definitely now) to find that peer group and
"exposure" and opportunities that the glitzy university program is
promising. Yes, you can let your child travel to other places that
aren't big colleges, intern with people doing the work she/he is
interested in, and learn on-the-job. And Yes, you CAN let your
children explore their sexuality closer to home, so they don't need to
take the cover of a far-away college program just to get away from you
and seek out the autonomy over their bodies that they want at this
age.
Oh, you think that's not a primary motivating factor for an 18 year
old on par with "more learning" and "greater opportunities"? It looks
ridiculous, but we live in ridiculous and desperate times. We do spend
multiple lakhs of our parents' money just so we can get a proper
chance to explore our sexuality and the phenomenon of being in love
with someone. If we get that chance, we jump for it and cool-ly play
along and agree whole-heartedly with all the other reasonings, taking
great care that this aspect never enters the discussion. Let's admit
to it. And I hope this gets taken as a practical feedback on what's
really important in life, rather than being decried.
We're already refuting so many false assumptions of what human beings
are.. why don't we just take it logically forward and apply it to our
own children? NO, they're NOT going to become lazy bums if they know
that their basic survival needs are guaranteed. That will only bring
them closer to a state that every living being on this planet is
supposed to be in anyway : there is enough in this world for
everyone's needs but not for everyone's greed, remember? Our
conventional value of "earning a living" : which wasn't in existence
100 years ago : is what is killing our planet.That's not the primary
function, or motive, of living beings. Please do some research on this
"value" : who introduced it into popular culture and with what
motives. (The audiobook on Debt listed at that unwelcomeguests link is
a great resource in this topic)
To sum up hastily, No, human beings do not need to attend extremely
expensive college courses in order to be successful or happy or more
knowledgeable or more experienced or "exposed" in life; in simple
practical terms there's a world of better things you'd rather do with
that money / absence of debt.
(you'll have to watch it full, or you might misconstrue this video to
be a racist/sexist rant or so)
I liked the fact that he cut through the tactic that latches a
glorified pursuit of knowledge with spending huge amounts of money and
getting into lifelong debt, and introduced the idea that these things
can be pursued equally or even better outside of the colleges' walls.
The second part (the money and the debt!) is very casually forgotten
in many debates about liberal arts /social studies vs engineering,
medicine etc. We need to learn how to cut through the divide.
I have more to share at length; kept it after the links below.
Warning: May be uncomfortable for some.
--------
Another film that I would recommend especially to members of the
homeschooling community who aren't yet extending their critical focus
beyond higher secondary schools:
Scholarslip: A documentary about the student debt crisis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFY-PgPA-Uk
----------
For further more detailed investigation into the college myth, I'd
recommend the "Disciplined Minds" audiobook listed here:
http://www.unwelcomeguests.net/Category:Audiobooks (free) (the other
books there are also awesome)
----------
Nikhil's personal, practical and no-holds-barred opinion:
I feel that parents, especially in the homsechooling community, who
want to dispute the traditional domination of
engineering/medicine/finance, are very susceptible to these programs.
In many cases, they come as a relief; as something that we can finally
show to our peers as proof that the decision to homeschool/unschool
our children was a right one. It portrays as a viable step to enable
our child's transition to being part of the real, mainstream world.
Of course, facilitating our kids to pursue their passions is
important. But I just want to point out that you don't need to spend a
lifetime's worth of savings on it; the institutions that take all this
money are NOT delivering the value you think they will, and you really
need to do the detective work and investigate exactly what kind of
damage they're causing to the children entrusted to them. Their
interests are not aligned with your children's best interests. There
ARE other ways, and just because they don't glitter as much doesn't
mean they're not good enough for your child.
And those who think that it's ok as they can afford it : that they can
afford to send their child to a liberal arts program or the like at so
and so university in US or New Zealand or UWC or wherever: I'm sorry,
but you're doing all the other parents not as rich as you a great
disservice, because you are giving credibility to the scam, and they
are getting pressured to mimic you.
Let's be practical here: If you just took all the money you're
planning on spending on your child's college and put it into an FD or
something similar that starts to give a basic monthly payout in three
or four years time (when you would expect your child to start earning
for self), and let it take care of part or all of the basic living
expenses of your child for her/his whole life, then THAT would truly
liberate your child to pursue her/his passions and find a meaningful,
fulfilling way to live their life. And the "investment" remains with
you; it's not vanished into someone else's pockets. Your kid is not
left with a lifelong burden of recovering this investment. When they
start to be financially self-sustaining, they can just return that sum
back to you.. heck, it was never gone. (Now don't get too greedy about
interest and all.. the college wouldn't even have returned you your
capital!)
If that thing your child wants to do, is just not available in a
proper quality locally or in your country, then that's actually an
opportunity for entrepreneurship. Or, maybe you're not looking in the
right places. It might not be being taught here, but it might be
getting practiced, and an apprenticeship could be on the cards. Or,
maybe your kid has a multitude of interests, including things that are
locally available, and this is just one single petal in that flower
that you've fixated upon and hyped up as an adoring parent who thinks
their child is oh-so unique. (Ouch! "Jab dil pe lagegi, tabhi toh baat
banegi" :D)
And as to what all that amazing program offers : Yes, it's possible
now (maybe not in 1990 but definitely now) to find that peer group and
"exposure" and opportunities that the glitzy university program is
promising. Yes, you can let your child travel to other places that
aren't big colleges, intern with people doing the work she/he is
interested in, and learn on-the-job. And Yes, you CAN let your
children explore their sexuality closer to home, so they don't need to
take the cover of a far-away college program just to get away from you
and seek out the autonomy over their bodies that they want at this
age.
Oh, you think that's not a primary motivating factor for an 18 year
old on par with "more learning" and "greater opportunities"? It looks
ridiculous, but we live in ridiculous and desperate times. We do spend
multiple lakhs of our parents' money just so we can get a proper
chance to explore our sexuality and the phenomenon of being in love
with someone. If we get that chance, we jump for it and cool-ly play
along and agree whole-heartedly with all the other reasonings, taking
great care that this aspect never enters the discussion. Let's admit
to it. And I hope this gets taken as a practical feedback on what's
really important in life, rather than being decried.
We're already refuting so many false assumptions of what human beings
are.. why don't we just take it logically forward and apply it to our
own children? NO, they're NOT going to become lazy bums if they know
that their basic survival needs are guaranteed. That will only bring
them closer to a state that every living being on this planet is
supposed to be in anyway : there is enough in this world for
everyone's needs but not for everyone's greed, remember? Our
conventional value of "earning a living" : which wasn't in existence
100 years ago : is what is killing our planet.That's not the primary
function, or motive, of living beings. Please do some research on this
"value" : who introduced it into popular culture and with what
motives. (The audiobook on Debt listed at that unwelcomeguests link is
a great resource in this topic)
To sum up hastily, No, human beings do not need to attend extremely
expensive college courses in order to be successful or happy or more
knowledgeable or more experienced or "exposed" in life; in simple
practical terms there's a world of better things you'd rather do with
that money / absence of debt.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
On the decision that Delhi's citizens have to make on 7 February 2015
First filter that citizens need to apply to list of possible choices in elections :
Uses Black Money for Election Campaign? -> No.
Results after applying filter :
1 entry remaining: AAP.
That's it, no more comparisons possible.
Whatever else you throw up for one or against the other, this basic critical criteria has been met by one party and not the others.
"Strong leadership" >> Then why use black money? If really strong leadership then why not fight fair and honest? Only a coward cheats.
Uses Black Money for Election Campaign? -> No.
Results after applying filter :
1 entry remaining: AAP.
That's it, no more comparisons possible.
Whatever else you throw up for one or against the other, this basic critical criteria has been met by one party and not the others.
"Will do dharna again" >> By what logic? Are you saying that the Central govt, ie, Modi Sarkar, is going to continue to let crimes against women : rapes, bride-burning, killing etc happen and will continue to order Delhi Police to look the other way and not do its duty? Because it was THIS situation that caused the dharna the last time. Police were kept too busy collecting bribes and facilitating black money collection, and were actively prevented from doing their real jobs. To say that this will happen again, means to say that Modi Sarkar is going to continue making Delhi unsafe for women. What would that imply about the character of the Central govt? What are you trying to imply?
"Will resign again" >> So this means you are already 100% sure these guys will be non-corrupt and very reliable and trustworthy in their job. Only in such a circumstance would you be afraid of a government resigning. Otherwise the normal concern with any leader is "Will never step out once put into power". And that was for upholding a promise made in public well in advance.
There's no point getting into any of these. The nature of funding is going to call the shots on what the elected representative does. Simple.
There's no need to over-complicate things.
There's no need to over-complicate things.
Sort out what's more important to you. And bloody hell, stop over-complicating, stop over-speculating, evaluate efficiently and close the matter.
Friday, January 9, 2015
honest technical pointing-out : Modi Sarkar is already there in Delhi
Just FYI, the state of Delhi has been operating under Modi Sarkar
since he took office as PM this year.
Because Delhi state has been under direct Central rule since February 2013.
It can get confusing when we consider the nitty gritties of Presidents
Rule, governors etc, but here's a delineator : The President of India
does NOT have the kind of autonomy from the Prime Minister's Office as
the Chief Ministers of the various States of India do.
Which means, in comparison with a time when there was a Chief Minister
in charge of Delhi, today, it is under Central government rule. No,
the arrangement isn't such that no one is in charge : someone IS in
charge, someone IS to be held accountable for the day to day issues of
the state even if exactly WHO that someone is may be shrouded in
legalese. And as of today, those in charge of Delhi, ultimately have
to report to the Central Government.. the PMO. Such is not the case in
State governments. Though at an informal level such has been made the
case in all the states where BJP has recently won state elections by
promising Modi Sarkar.. essentially turning them into an informal kind
of Presidential Rule. Where the Chief Ministers are acting more as
Governors, where they will owe their seat's occupancy to whether the
PM approves of them or not and not to whether the people of that Sate
approve of them or not.
So whoever talks about bringing Modi Sarkar in Delhi, just a polite
reminder : It's already there. It is physically impossible to bring
something to Delhi that has already snuck in by default.
And whoever believes something great and good will happen by bringing
Modi Sarkar to Delhi, newsflash : Something in that direction should
have already begun by now.
So, do you notice anything different in Delhi?
In matters of life and death, such as safety of women or survival of
the poorest of the poor during the winter, to allege that Modi Sarkar
will do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for them till after the elections happen,
and combined with the fact that the Central govt, both past and
present, and the BJP party, has very clearly had a role to play in
indefinitely delaying of elections all this time, would amount to an
act of holding the people of Delhi to ransom, and abandoning of duties
of leadership in favour of electoral politicking. In comparison,
during its 49-day stint, the AAP initiated a slew of far-reaching
measures despite having a 100% guarantee that they will not complete
their term and need a re-election to secure their position. The AAP
chose to do whatever could be done in the time given, rather than
holding the people of Delhi to ransom. So yeah, I'd caution anyone who
tries to defend the Central govt's role in Delhi so far : by giving
the election reason they'll actually be asserting something much more
sinister.
In fact, the best way to keep Modi Sarkar in Delhi is to eliminate any
chance of elections forever. They've managed to get delayed
indefinitely since almost an year now through the confusing inactions
of Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung who, in accordance with the
on-the-ground reality of completely messing up the mandate of the
Constitution, should have lost his position by now but remains in
office without any enquiry or reprimand whatsoever : an anomaly that
years on people are going to point out and ask what the heck was that
all about! The rule of Constitution in that region should be
suspended; India's independent status at least over the territory of
Delhi should be revoked and it should be declared as a colony of the
Central Govt. That would be the best way to maintain "Modi Sarkar" in
Delhi. Again, just to point out to readers : The ongoing BJP campaign
(if they're campaigning then surely they know the election dates?) is
no longer a campaign to bring in something new : It is a campaign to
maintain, and strengthen, the status quo.
Disclaimer : Facts as they are on the ground are much more important
than anybody's for- or against- opinion.
since he took office as PM this year.
Because Delhi state has been under direct Central rule since February 2013.
It can get confusing when we consider the nitty gritties of Presidents
Rule, governors etc, but here's a delineator : The President of India
does NOT have the kind of autonomy from the Prime Minister's Office as
the Chief Ministers of the various States of India do.
Which means, in comparison with a time when there was a Chief Minister
in charge of Delhi, today, it is under Central government rule. No,
the arrangement isn't such that no one is in charge : someone IS in
charge, someone IS to be held accountable for the day to day issues of
the state even if exactly WHO that someone is may be shrouded in
legalese. And as of today, those in charge of Delhi, ultimately have
to report to the Central Government.. the PMO. Such is not the case in
State governments. Though at an informal level such has been made the
case in all the states where BJP has recently won state elections by
promising Modi Sarkar.. essentially turning them into an informal kind
of Presidential Rule. Where the Chief Ministers are acting more as
Governors, where they will owe their seat's occupancy to whether the
PM approves of them or not and not to whether the people of that Sate
approve of them or not.
So whoever talks about bringing Modi Sarkar in Delhi, just a polite
reminder : It's already there. It is physically impossible to bring
something to Delhi that has already snuck in by default.
And whoever believes something great and good will happen by bringing
Modi Sarkar to Delhi, newsflash : Something in that direction should
have already begun by now.
So, do you notice anything different in Delhi?
In matters of life and death, such as safety of women or survival of
the poorest of the poor during the winter, to allege that Modi Sarkar
will do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for them till after the elections happen,
and combined with the fact that the Central govt, both past and
present, and the BJP party, has very clearly had a role to play in
indefinitely delaying of elections all this time, would amount to an
act of holding the people of Delhi to ransom, and abandoning of duties
of leadership in favour of electoral politicking. In comparison,
during its 49-day stint, the AAP initiated a slew of far-reaching
measures despite having a 100% guarantee that they will not complete
their term and need a re-election to secure their position. The AAP
chose to do whatever could be done in the time given, rather than
holding the people of Delhi to ransom. So yeah, I'd caution anyone who
tries to defend the Central govt's role in Delhi so far : by giving
the election reason they'll actually be asserting something much more
sinister.
In fact, the best way to keep Modi Sarkar in Delhi is to eliminate any
chance of elections forever. They've managed to get delayed
indefinitely since almost an year now through the confusing inactions
of Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung who, in accordance with the
on-the-ground reality of completely messing up the mandate of the
Constitution, should have lost his position by now but remains in
office without any enquiry or reprimand whatsoever : an anomaly that
years on people are going to point out and ask what the heck was that
all about! The rule of Constitution in that region should be
suspended; India's independent status at least over the territory of
Delhi should be revoked and it should be declared as a colony of the
Central Govt. That would be the best way to maintain "Modi Sarkar" in
Delhi. Again, just to point out to readers : The ongoing BJP campaign
(if they're campaigning then surely they know the election dates?) is
no longer a campaign to bring in something new : It is a campaign to
maintain, and strengthen, the status quo.
Disclaimer : Facts as they are on the ground are much more important
than anybody's for- or against- opinion.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
d3pie
A little glimpse at what I'm up to.. the following is for Pune, in Rs. crores:
Created here: http://d3pie.org
Created here: http://d3pie.org
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
in defense of and in gratitude to amir khan
copy-posting..
आमिर खान ने जब मँगल पाँडे बनकर अंग्रेजों के खिलाफ बगावत किया था ,जब अजय सिँह राठौड़ बनकर पाकिस्तानी आतँकवादी गुलफाम हसन को मारा था.जब आमिर ने फुन्सुक वाँगड़ू (रैंचो) बनकर पढ़ने और जीने का तरीका सिखाया था.जब भुवन बनकर ब्रिटिश सरकार से लड़कर अपने गाँव का लगान माफ कराया था। जब टीचर बनकर बच्चों की प्रतिभा कैसे निखारी जाए सिखाया था। सत्यमेव जयते । जिसको देख कर काफी जागरूकता आई तब आमिर एक देशभक्त और जिम्मेदार नागरिक था।..पर जब आमिर ने pk फिल्म से धर्म के नाम पर पाखण्ड और अंधविश्वास को उजागर किया है। तो एक देशभक्त और मंझा हुआ कलाकार मुसलमान हो गया। आमिर का मुसलमान के नाम पर विरोध वही कर रहे है जो चाहते है धर्म का धंधा चलता रहे। चढ़ोत्तरी आती रहे। लोग धर्म के नाम पर मरते कटते रहे ! OMG में भगवान पर मुक़दमा ठोकने वाले परेश रावल को तो संसद बना दिया और अब PK का विरोध , कुछ समझ नहीं आया।
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Diaspora declaration
A Translation of the Declaration by Nathalie to English
(The original declaration is in German. As I did not write the original document, but only translated, I can only answer questions about the translation and cannot speak as the author.)
(I'd also like to extend a "Thank you" to #diaspora-de for ensuring that I retain the original meaning of each sentence to the highest degree we could.)
EDIT: Original translation was deleted because I needed to fix some bad mistakes. Sorry! Hopefully I fixed them all.
A declaration,
It makes me very happy that the amount of Diaspora users is currently increasing so quickly. The network is finally getting the attention that it deserves.
The problem is only that many who come from Facebook to escape its shamelessness bring along quite false expectations. They expect a social network in which they can read what their friends are doing, how they are, and where they are meeting. They are searching for an uncomplicated method of communication, that is more direct and faster than an email and less binding than a telephone conversation. An instrument to reach all contacts. They want to know what is happening in their social circle and what impels their friends in America. Through facebook they want to feel good and connected with their loved ones.
They will not find that on Diaspora. Here, strangers post their (usually politically left-leaning) ideals, philosophical text, calls for change, and evidence of unjust activity. And of course pictures of baby kittens.
The Facebook refugee is initially surprised by the alternative network and explains to himself the differences come from the still too small amount of members.
But in the end the foundational difference does not lie in the amount, but in the type of user. To the majority of the current active Diaspora users, it is not about the "social" in the network. They want an exchange of thoughts. That which Facebook does not provide. They don't want to see, twice per week, half-successful Instagram photos of half-botched cupcakes. And they also don't want to see photos of shit-faced people who are "enjoying" life in its full glory. And they also are not interested in whether unimportant person A is in an open relationship with unimportant person B.
All of that is not classy enough for Diaspora. But that is exactly what the upcoming converts will miss. In order to lure a large part of the now Facebook users here, and keep them permanently, it will be necessary to add exactly these things that do not fit Diaspora.
One could say that Facebook is a social network and Diaspora is a thought network. In Facebook it is about the relationships between people who post things. In Diaspora it is about what they posted.
If one takes "social network" literally, then ultimately Diaspora matches the phrase better than Facebook with its always-respectful interactions between users and the genuine interest in text that was written with blood, sweat, and tears. Here the people do not want to portray themselves as first in line, but want to share their thoughts with others. Everyone wins: One shares his convictions, gives thought-out Feedback, and gets new thoughts, new knowledge and answers, that can only come from collaborative thinking.
I believe that Diaspora should stay different and non-conforming like it is. Even if that means that, due to a lack of users, it can never be a new, better Facebook. Who cares?
#Diaspora #Liebesbrief #German #English #Translation
Join us, on the truly decentralized, non-commercialized and free social/thought network : https://diasp.de (one pod among many.. see https://diasporafoundation.org/ to find out about this all from the beginning)
Who caused World War 2 ?
Whoa, just had a realization when I started reading this article : http://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/12/30/is-russia-anti-illuminati-2/
Just remembered a part of world history... the years before World War 2...Doing so, they allowed the Nazis to grow into the threat to the world that they eventually became.
So why did they appease them?
Because they wanted the Nazis to take out the Russians/Soviets. This was just post the Communist revolution in Russia.
It was the Western powers' desire to destroy the Soviets that cause the Second World War, that caused death and destruction on a scale never witnessed before.
Only when this Frankenstein turned on them, did they get moved to finally act against it.
The conventional line of thinking is that it was the Western powers, primarily the US, that ended WW2. What we don't read and hear as often, is that in their haste to torment an older enemy, they're the ones who made WW2 happen!
The conventional line of thinking is that it was the Western powers, primarily the US, that ended WW2. What we don't read and hear as often, is that in their haste to torment an older enemy, they're the ones who made WW2 happen!
My underlying assumptions
This flowed out while writing another post.. I think it's a good, quick explanation of where I stand, and what the underlying assumptions are in what I say and do.
This author's perspective focuses on transitioning society to a more sustainable state from a relative, doable standpoint rather than an absolutist, impossible one.
The author refutes the self-righteous delusion of criminalizing individual persons for the corruption present in society; rather he sees them as co-sufferers on the same boat, and there is a systemic phenomena that needs to be addressed at systemic, collective level.
The author also refutes the zero-sum-game hypothesis and insists that the much-misquoted 2nd Law of Thermodynamics does not apply to systems that have living beings in them; that it IS possible to increase order over time as exemplified by planet Earth's biosphere; to have win-win situations and increase prosperity for all.
This author's perspective focuses on transitioning society to a more sustainable state from a relative, doable standpoint rather than an absolutist, impossible one.
The author refutes the self-righteous delusion of criminalizing individual persons for the corruption present in society; rather he sees them as co-sufferers on the same boat, and there is a systemic phenomena that needs to be addressed at systemic, collective level.
The author also refutes the zero-sum-game hypothesis and insists that the much-misquoted 2nd Law of Thermodynamics does not apply to systems that have living beings in them; that it IS possible to increase order over time as exemplified by planet Earth's biosphere; to have win-win situations and increase prosperity for all.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Kerala to go fully organic by 2016; Kasargod has already switched over
Copy-posting from http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/organic-farming-in-all-assembly-segments/article6747476.ece
[Kerala] To make State fully organic by 2016
The government has initiated efforts to promote organic farming in all Assembly constituencies.
Minister for Agriculture K.P. Mohanan said here on Thursday that the initiative was designed to encourage farmers to switch over to organic methods of cultivation, under a project to convert Kerala into a fully organic State by 2016. Kasaragod district had already switched over to organic farming in the pilot phase of the project.
Addressing a press conference after a meeting to review the performance of public sector undertakings, Mr. Mohanan said the agriculture sector in the State had registered a Gross State Domestic Product growth of 5.26 per cent over the last year. The production of paddy went up to 5.376 lakh tonnes though the acreage of 2.148 hectares showed little increase. The productivity of other crops such as coconut, cassava, mango, pineapple and other fruits and spices, including pepper, ginger, and turmeric, also registered an impressive growth. The domestic vegetable production had gone up to 11.9 metric tonnes.
The Minister said efforts were on to procure vegetables from farmers through Krishi Bhavans and market them through outlets of Horticorp and Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam. Simultaneously, Kerala Agricultural University and the Agriculture Department were involved in a drive to promote processing of agricultural products under the "Safe to Eat" brand.
Vending machinesThe government, he said, was planning to install vending machines in every panchayat to dispense neera, vegetable seeds and products manufactured by Kerafed. The project would be implemented by the departments of Agriculture and Panchayats. The daily production of neera was expected to go up to 20,000 litres by February with the commissioning of new plants by the Coconut Development Corporation at Aralam and Elathur and the KAU campuses at Vellanikara and Vellayani.
Mr. Mohanan said Kerala was expected to become self-sufficient in milk production in another three years. "By that time, we will have added 6,00,000 milch cows to the domestic bovine population, raising the milk production potential to 60 lakh litres."
Officials from 20 public sector units participated in the review.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Corruption for Sustainability
This idea has been making the rounds in my head ever since I started
getting glimpses at the extreme amounts of money being spent in
otherwise innocuous infrastructure development.
Example: The road and footpath on an average road in this city.. costs
more money than needed to feed, clothe and rehabilitate all the poor
people who will pass by that road and footpath.
Another example: Channeling a "nallah" or river with straight-line
cement embankments costs much more money than it takes to form a
living ecosystem with grassy, bushy soil gently merging into the
water-stream along a curving length, plus the ecosystem embankment
purifies the water flowing by, hence covering the cost of sewage
treatment plants; as well as slows it down during monsoons, thus
preventing drowning deaths.
The textbook assumption is that governments choose the cheapest
possible ways to accomplish things as budget is very limited. Another
textbook assumption is that the more proper solutions are more
expensive than the improper solutions. We know from real life
experience now that it is not so : There's actually huge quantities of
money in these treasuries, and the corrupt nature of our system
ensures that actually quite wasteful projects get sanctioned... all
because they yield a higher margin. This ground reality came out
incredibly in Satyamev Jayate's episode on waste management.
(http://www.satyamevjayate.in/dont-waste-your-garbage.aspx) The
amazing, totally eco-friendly project that can heal huge landfills
permanently and sustainably.. owing to its dirt-cheap cost, got
rejected in favour of an unsustainable, cover-up solution that costed
ten times more money.
A common refrain I hear is that the ecologically damaging projects are
being done as they give a good "margin".
On the other hand, eco-friendly alternatives are being shown again and
again to have much lower expenses than the cement/concrete/etc
standard models.
(Disclaimer: Advocates of expensive solutions like electric vehicles
and solar streetlights and complex patented materials that require
high-tech to fabricate, please walk elsewhere.. there's nothing for
you here. Sustainable means easy-to-make, locally sourced. And it
means adapting needs and ways to suit what's available rather than
stubbornly sticking to unsustainable practices disguised as needs. If
you don't get that then you don't understand sustainability.)
Well, HELLO! If it's cheaper, then why don't we make the eco-friendly,
pro-sustainability projects such that they fetch the deciding powers
even higher margin?
Example: You have a citywide urban farming project that'll cost, say,
Rs.10 lakhs. And the output looks awesome.. like most of the
sustainable solutions it's something that looks like it's grand but
actually has very simple and hence cheap origins. You take the project
to the administration, and bill it at Rs.50 Lakh, and tell them they
can keep the extra Rs.40 Lakh.
That's a freakin' 80% margin right there! Way better than most
road-concretization projects!
So, how about it! Use sustainability's cheapness to make it even more
lucrative for the fat cats; get pilot, proof-of-concept projects off
the website and on the ground. Later when there is enquiry and
exposure of the gap between cost price and list price, the project
will have already proved its usefulness through its existence smack
inside the city, within easy reach of all inquisitive minds, and the
message that carries through will be : "Shit, this is so damn cheap,
AND it works! Let's do this!"
So, calling out to the regular and would-be isshmaart contractors :
Change the materials and designs you use to make an even bigger
fortune, AND build a brighter future for your children; both at the
same time!
Disclaimer : This author's perspective focuses on transitioning
society to a more sustainable state from a relative, doable
standpoint rather than an absolutist, impossible one. The author
refutes the self-righteous delusion of criminalizing individual
persons for the corruption present in society; rather he sees them as
co-sufferers on the same boat, and there is a systemic phenomena that
needs to be addressed at systemic, collective level. The author also
refutes the zero-sum-game hypothesis and insists that the
much-misquoted 2nd Law of Thermodynamics does not apply to systems
that have living beings in them; that it IS possible to increase order
over time as exemplified by planet Earth's biosphere; to have win-win
situations and increase prosperity for all. If you dispute the
solutions proposed then please provide something in exchange that is
even more easily doable, not less; and also provide your underlying
assumptions.
getting glimpses at the extreme amounts of money being spent in
otherwise innocuous infrastructure development.
Example: The road and footpath on an average road in this city.. costs
more money than needed to feed, clothe and rehabilitate all the poor
people who will pass by that road and footpath.
Another example: Channeling a "nallah" or river with straight-line
cement embankments costs much more money than it takes to form a
living ecosystem with grassy, bushy soil gently merging into the
water-stream along a curving length, plus the ecosystem embankment
purifies the water flowing by, hence covering the cost of sewage
treatment plants; as well as slows it down during monsoons, thus
preventing drowning deaths.
The textbook assumption is that governments choose the cheapest
possible ways to accomplish things as budget is very limited. Another
textbook assumption is that the more proper solutions are more
expensive than the improper solutions. We know from real life
experience now that it is not so : There's actually huge quantities of
money in these treasuries, and the corrupt nature of our system
ensures that actually quite wasteful projects get sanctioned... all
because they yield a higher margin. This ground reality came out
incredibly in Satyamev Jayate's episode on waste management.
(http://www.satyamevjayate.in/dont-waste-your-garbage.aspx) The
amazing, totally eco-friendly project that can heal huge landfills
permanently and sustainably.. owing to its dirt-cheap cost, got
rejected in favour of an unsustainable, cover-up solution that costed
ten times more money.
A common refrain I hear is that the ecologically damaging projects are
being done as they give a good "margin".
On the other hand, eco-friendly alternatives are being shown again and
again to have much lower expenses than the cement/concrete/etc
standard models.
(Disclaimer: Advocates of expensive solutions like electric vehicles
and solar streetlights and complex patented materials that require
high-tech to fabricate, please walk elsewhere.. there's nothing for
you here. Sustainable means easy-to-make, locally sourced. And it
means adapting needs and ways to suit what's available rather than
stubbornly sticking to unsustainable practices disguised as needs. If
you don't get that then you don't understand sustainability.)
Well, HELLO! If it's cheaper, then why don't we make the eco-friendly,
pro-sustainability projects such that they fetch the deciding powers
even higher margin?
Example: You have a citywide urban farming project that'll cost, say,
Rs.10 lakhs. And the output looks awesome.. like most of the
sustainable solutions it's something that looks like it's grand but
actually has very simple and hence cheap origins. You take the project
to the administration, and bill it at Rs.50 Lakh, and tell them they
can keep the extra Rs.40 Lakh.
That's a freakin' 80% margin right there! Way better than most
road-concretization projects!
So, how about it! Use sustainability's cheapness to make it even more
lucrative for the fat cats; get pilot, proof-of-concept projects off
the website and on the ground. Later when there is enquiry and
exposure of the gap between cost price and list price, the project
will have already proved its usefulness through its existence smack
inside the city, within easy reach of all inquisitive minds, and the
message that carries through will be : "Shit, this is so damn cheap,
AND it works! Let's do this!"
So, calling out to the regular and would-be isshmaart contractors :
Change the materials and designs you use to make an even bigger
fortune, AND build a brighter future for your children; both at the
same time!
Disclaimer : This author's perspective focuses on transitioning
society to a more sustainable state from a relative, doable
standpoint rather than an absolutist, impossible one. The author
refutes the self-righteous delusion of criminalizing individual
persons for the corruption present in society; rather he sees them as
co-sufferers on the same boat, and there is a systemic phenomena that
needs to be addressed at systemic, collective level. The author also
refutes the zero-sum-game hypothesis and insists that the
much-misquoted 2nd Law of Thermodynamics does not apply to systems
that have living beings in them; that it IS possible to increase order
over time as exemplified by planet Earth's biosphere; to have win-win
situations and increase prosperity for all. If you dispute the
solutions proposed then please provide something in exchange that is
even more easily doable, not less; and also provide your underlying
assumptions.
Vellore model of Solid Waste Management (seen in Satyamev Jayate's "Don't Waste Your Garbage" episode)
Cows, hens, frogs, ducks and earthworms—these are only some of the 'workers' helping C. Srinivasan to convert garbage into gold. Srinivasan, who appeared on the Don't Waste Your Garbage episode, spoke about the 'Vellore model' of solid waste management which involves both animals and human beings in reusing and recycling waste. After the show, people from all walks of life approached him to learn more about handling waste responsibly. He us tells us more here.
After the episode was aired on the morning of March 16, my phone was engaged all day, till late at night. I used to think garbage was a dry subject and nobody was really interested in it. But I was surprised that so many people want to see India clean.
Through the show, people learned about the reality of garbage and began to realize that the problem is solvable. They now want to see change in their own localities and become involved in bringing about that change. So, making India clean may not be far off. You have lit the fire and it has caught on like a forest fire; it cannot be stopped.
I was contacted by people from 16 states, and received nearly 300 emails. Out of these 50 were from total strangers. The people who contacted me wanted to know more about our Solid and Liquid Resource Management programme and implement it in their own areas. Some people even said, 'I will give my land for this project, but I need your help with the technology.' It isn't so easy for people to promise their land for a project like this. Students contacted me to learn more about the SLRM project so that they can get involved in it soon after they graduate.
I also noticed that highly qualified people want to get involved in managing unwanted materials. Normally, such people want to sit in AC rooms and expect that people will come to them. But here, people with MBAs, MScs, PhDs and other postgraduate degrees contacted me. Most of them want to get involved in the field, to use their hands. Some want to use this method to develop a business; others just want to help society. At the moment, two people with MBAs are being trained by us. I feel that all these people are definitely going to be change-makers. Earlier, we were on the lookout for change-makers, but here they are waiting for us!
In addition to this, I received 12 emails from outside the country, including from a Madagascan diplomat stationed in Poland, who has approached the president of Madagascar and asked for the implementation of the SLRM programme in that country. Many people have expressed the desire to visit us and see the project site in Coimbatore. Looking at this response, we have decided to set up a training centre not only for people in Tamil Nadu but for people from across the world. They can come for a one-day visit or for a 15-day training programme, which will help them understand all the different aspects of treating and recycling unwanted solid and liquid materials. They could also stay for a year and get certified as a Grassroots-Level Consultant in SLRM from a local university.
Today, I still receive emails and calls from people who have seen the show. We've been waiting for this kind of response for years. Satyamev Jayate was like a rocket that pushed the issue of garbage into space. Now we just need to get it into orbit.
C. Srinivasan is the project director of Indian Green Service, an environmental organization. He can be contacted on velloresrini [at] hotmail.com.
Sourced from Satyamev Jayate website: http://www.satyamevjayate.in/Dont-Waste-Your-Garbage/EPISODE-3Impact.aspx?uid=E3-Impact-A1
Do you want to get in touch with / involved with Mr. Srinivasan and his organization?
Join their network here: http://www.indiangreenservice.com/advocacy-initiatives.html
NAPM Press Release : Ordinance on Land Act Unconstitutional and Anti People
cross-posting...
Ordinance on Land Act Unconstitutional and Anti People
People's Movements to Organise Against its Passage in Parliament
Every Forced Acquisition on Ground Will Face Stiff Resistance
Today's Cabinet decision approving the Ordinance amending the Land Acquisition Act 2013, even before the law has been actually implemented on the ground is completely unacceptable and reminds us of the anti democratic and authoritarian streak of this government. In six months of its existence NDA government has already used the Ordinance route three times.
We fail to understand what is the Emergency at this moment that, NDA government has to take the Ordinance route. This is only being done as a measure to benefit the Corporate Houses and nothing else. 20 Lakh Crore investments are not stuck because of the new land act, since the law has only been in existence for one year.
The land acquisition act, 1894 was amended precisely to resolve the conflict due to forcible land acquisition, give farmers their due and meet the needs of the industrial development. Today's decision will only increase that conflict since large scale forcible land acquisition for the industrial corridors will be norm, Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor alone has plan for acquisition of 3,90,000 Hectares of land. Industrial Corridors, big infrastructure projects, dams etc cause the maximum displacement and environmental damage and the new land Act was to address situations arising out of that.
Amendments to Fulfill Corporate Agenda
We strongly oppose this move and believe that this government is completely anti-poor and is only interested in pushing forward the corporate agenda. It is a Ambani-Adani Sarkaar – a Company Sarkaar, which is out to sell the democratic rights of the people and democratic traditions of law making in the Parliament in the name of business. The new Act was framed after consulting all the stake holders and over a period of seven years after going through two Parliamentary Standing committees (2007 & 2009), both headed by senior BJP leaders, Shri Kalyan Singh and Smt. Sumitra Mahajan.
Mr. Modi has displayed least patience for the parliamentary traditions and often remained silent on the key issues concerning the nation and blamed opposition for non-functioing of the Parliament. Matters concerning the lives of millions of the farmers in this country can't and shouldn't be decided by mere Ordinance. These are matters of grave importance and need thorough debate and discussion in this democracy. BJP when in opposition had opposed the Ordinances for law making and now they are doing exactly that, how shameful!
Section 105, Consent and SIA Clause
The government is claiming that the decision is not anti farmer since they are not touching the monetray compensation, but the issue was not only compensation. A piece of land has an interest from many sections workers, share croppers – other than the land owners and they all get affected by any acquisition. So, the changes in the consent clause for acquisition of the PPP and Private projects will impact everyone and not only the land owners. The explanation that an Ordinance became necessary to deal with matters arising out of the Section 105 of the Act is completely false. We believe, it is not only misleading but again obfuscating what the Act mandates. As per the Act, the government was to bring a Notification in the Parliament in year 2014 to extend the provisions of the compensation and R&R to the people affected by land acquisition carried through the 13 central acts, as mentioned in Fourth Schedule.
The dilution of the need for the consent and conducting of the Social Impact Assessment for all the projects is completely uncalled for and will only make matters worse. These two provisions are central to addressing the issue of 'forced land acquisition' and 'resulting impoverishment" to the communities.
Section 24, Retrospective Application of the new Act
Even as we wait for the full details of the Ordinance, we would like to say that the 2013 Act provided relief to so many farmers where land was forcibly acquired or land was not utilised or adequate compensation not paid. The Ordinance is changing that which is completely anti farmer. We all know that there are nearly 10 Crore people displaced by various projects since independence and this government rather than providing any relief is only concerned about the needs of the industry.
We Will Oppose its Passage in the Parliament
It remains a fact that intense struggles are going on in various states across the country around the issues related to land acquisition, displacement, development plans and projects. The farmers, fishworkers, labourers, artisans, facing uprootment from not just their socio-cultural environs but also livelihoods, are compelled to get united and raise their voices against unjust displacement pushed by Modi Sarkaar. The resistance will only become much more vocal now. People's movements from across the country oppose this Ordinance and will organise demonstrations across the country this week and will ensure that resolutions are passed in the Gram Sabhas on the Republic Day that no forcible land acquisition will be allowed by the government for profit and private corporations.
Medha Patkar, Yogini Khanolkar, Meera - Narmada Bachao Andolan and the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM); Prafulla Samantara - Lok Shakti Abhiyan & Lingraj Azad – Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti, NAPM, Odisha; Dr. Sunilam, Aradhna Bhargava - Kisan Sangharsh Samiti & Meera – Narmada Bachao Andolan, NAPM, MP; Suniti SR, Suhas Kolhekar, Prasad Bagwe - NAPM, Maharashtra; Gabriel Dietrich, Geetha Ramakrishnan – Unorganised Sector Workers Federation, NAPM, TN; C R Neelkandan – NAPM Kerala; P Chennaiah & Ramakrishnan Raju – NAPM Andhra Pradesh, Arundhati Dhuru, Richa Singh - NAPM, UP; Sister Celia - Domestic Workers Union & Rukmini V P, Garment Labour Union, NAPM, Karnataka; Vimal Bhai - Matu Jan sangathan & Jabar Singh, NAPM, Uttarakhand; Anand Mazgaonkar, Krishnakant - Paryavaran Suraksh Samiti, NAPM Gujarat; Kamayani Swami, Ashish Ranjan – Jan Jagran Shakti Sangathan & Mahendra Yadav – Kosi Navnirman Manch, NAPM Bihar; Faisal Khan, Khudai Khidmatgar, NAPM Haryana; Kailash Meena, NAPM Rajasthan; Amitava Mitra & Sujato Bhadra, NAPM West Bengal; B S Rawat – Jan Sangharsh Vahini & Rajendra Ravi, Madhuresh Kumar and Kanika Sharma – NAPM, Delhi
For details contact : 9818905316 | email : napmindia[at]gmail.com
===============================================
National Alliance of People's Movements
National Office : 6/6, Jangpura B, Mathura Road, New Delhi 110014
Phone : 011 24374535 Mobile : 09818905316
Web : www.napm-india.org | napmindia[at]gmail.com
National Alliance of People's Movements
National Office : 6/6, Jangpura B, Mathura Road, New Delhi 110014
Phone : 011 24374535 Mobile : 09818905316
Web : www.napm-india.org | napmindia[at]gmail.com
Facebook : www.facebook.com/NAPMindia
Twitter : @napmindia
Interesting links for December 2014
In just 1K size, this guy, MARCIN IGNAC has made a mesmerizing tunnel animation using HTML5.
3-D globe and animation to illustrate major earthquakes around the world in 2010.
"Challenge -- which carries with it a risk of failure -- is a part of learning. That's not something we'd want to eliminate. But when students who are tripped up by challenges respond by tuning out, acting out, or dropping out, they sometimes do so not because of a deficiency in their makeup (lack of stick-to-itiveness) but because those challenges -- what they were asked to do -- aren't particularly engaging or relevant. Finger-wagging adults who exhort students to "do their best" sometimes don't offer a persuasive reason for why a given task should be done at all, let alone well. And if the rejoinder is that it doesn't matter if the assignment is just busywork because kids need to develop "good work habits" across the board, well, a reasonable person would wonder who stands to benefit when children are taught to work hard at anything that they're assigned to do by someone with more power.
A second explanation for students' not rebounding from failure at what they were asked to do is that they weren't really "asked" to do it -- they were told to do it: deprived of any say about the content or context of the curriculum. People of all ages are more likely to persevere when they have a chance to make decisions about things that affect them. Thus, the absence of choice might be a better explanation than a character defect for giving up."
"The city has changed from being a congenial space of shared amenities and relationships to a fearful nightmare of private strongholds and walled compounds"
Alternative to Bitcoin.. without the excessive mining and centralization
Explanation for why we should push for a much lower cap on the number of working hours in a day.
Awesome listing of projects, institutions working on creating a better world
This jugaad guy in Indonesia is able to use a custom-made generator to power high-power devices.. generator can work on v.slow rotating input
App for remotely controlling laptop from your smartphone, incl. mouse movement
Involves software on laptop, has portable version : http://www.androidremotepc.com/downloads/
http://www.centerforneweconomics.org/publications/essays/witts/susan/the-grace-of-import-replacement
A beautifully detailed visioning of what a localized, decentralized economic system, with flourishing cities, would look like. The term "Import replacing" is explained here.
"Radiant Watts" : A form of electricity that doesn't burn or electrocute anyone touching a live wire carrying it; or damage the electric equipment it is powering.
In this device, the heart of the "modulator" is a spinning ceramic magnet that oscillates a magnetic field.
Seemingly a social network for science.. posting this not so much for the content, but for the categorization.
Gaddafi's son: Libya like McDonald's for NATO - fast war as fast food
Before the breaking news of Bin Laden's death, U.S.-led NATO forces attacked Colonel Gaddafi's compound. The Libyan leader escaped harm, but his son and three grandchildren were reportedly killed in the air strikes. However, despite NATO claims they bombed a military target, some say it was an attempt to get rid of Gaddafi.
Putin: Who gave NATO right to kill Gaddafi?
Website with a lot of articles, content on unschooling
Christmas, WW1, when British and German troops broke ranks, disobeyed orders, called a temporary truce and celebrated Christmas together. This article explains the whole sequence of events that led to this.
Oil prices have fallen by half since late June. (1) Why is this happening? (2) Who wins and who loses over the short term?, and (3) What will be the impacts on oil production in 2015?
John Taylor Gatto needs our help.
On July 29, 2011 John had a stroke which left him hospitalized for months and mostly paralyzed on his left side and bedridden ever since. His brain is working well, he believes he has much more to accomplish and contribute, and he is slowly gaining his strength. Over the last several months we have raised enough money to help John and Janet in big and demonstrative ways... let's keep it up and get him back on his feet and ready to share his next round of intelligent discourse with us! We love you John!
Jason Lewis survived one of the longest, most grueling, yet uplifting journeys in history, circumnavigating the globe on human power alone - no motors or sails. Traveling more than 46,000 miles on pedal boats, roller blades, kayaks, bikes, and his own two feet; the adventurer set off from London at the age of 26 and returned from his odyssey 13 years later. He traveled across five continents, two oceans and one sea.
He survived a crocodile attack off the Australian coast and blood poisoning in the Pacific Ocean. He was hit by a car and left for dead with two broken legs in Colorado, and incarcerated for espionage on the Sudan-Egypt border. The Dalai Lama has called it "a journey of great courage and determination."
"September 11 - The New Pearl Harbor" is a 5 hour documentary that summarizes 12 years of public debate on 9/11. While aimed primarily at a general, uninformed audience, the film also contains some new findings that may be of interest to advanced researchers.
The page has a detailed index of the movie, which should give people a glance at the various pieces of evidence lined up.
Flat-owners in Pune standing up to builders' extortion tactics
Chances are you've come across some ocean news lately. And it may even have been positive! Yes, the ocean is still in serious trouble due to overfishing, pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction, but there are more and more success stories to point to, and point I shall.
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/12/24/critical-glaciers-melting-under-continuous-warming-study
Following comprehensive survey, Chinese researchers warn drinking sources may dry up in much of Asia''
How Music Can Be Better For You Than Sex and Chocolate: Deanna Choi at TEDxQueensU
I'm starting to see why most extremist, hardliner and even materialism-driven groups, family heads etc seem to have a thing against music!
Consciousness -- the final frontier | Dada Gunamuktananda | TEDxNoosa 2014
Dick Cheney : psychopath revealed
Bhaskara Wheel & Overbalanced Chain
Perpetual motion machines
Paul Scheerbart's Wheel. Movimiento Perpetuo
VE Project : lots of videos on perpetual motion machines, with explanation
Russian magnet-motor bike... working, drivable models
Russian electronic ultra efficient magnet motor; a solution to the energy-wasting internal combustion engine. 10 times as efficient as a fossil fuel engine and considerably more eff. than any other electr. motor. According to the designer returns energy back to the battery, even uphill; if pedalled 1 km, returns energy for another km.(For those who don't believe in free energy: where does the supplementary power come from?). Works on alternating current triggered from a battery. Tested on bicycles at speeds up to 140 kmh=90 mph.
European Patent Application: https://data.epo.org/publication-server/getpdf.jsp?cc=EP&pn=1616741&ki=A1
Joint Declaration, signed by leaders from all faiths, to end modern slavery.
"Each human being is a free person, whether girl, boy, woman or man and is destined to exist in equality and dignity, free forever.
Collectively we have the opportunity, awareness, wisdom, innovation and technology to achieve this human and moral imperative.
We can be the generation that ends slavery."
Melting aluminium in an induction copper heater
Gold Gone? Germany baffled as Fed bars access to bullion
MagDrive engine : short animation explaining how shielding one side of the magnet enables the water-wheel analog to work.
So it turns out that any calls made using cell phones.. can be recorded from anywhere. Which means it must already be being done.
Brands Are Wasting Time And Money On Facebook And Twitter, Report Says >> this applies even more for causes and movements.
How A Former Corporate Lawyer Stood Up To Fracking Companies, And Won
Algae-powered building : window-walls with algae-filled liquid filled between panels. When sunlight hits the 129 "bioreactors," photosynthesis causes the microorganisms to multiply and give off heat (the water goes to about 40 degrees C). The warmth is then captured for heating water or storing in saline tanks underground
Ranking / numbering countries by how safe / unsafe / restrictive / liberated their womens' lives are. Here's the status for India: http://www.genderindex.org/country/india
On Japan's shrinking population, driven by its more and more of its men and women living lives devoid of relationships. The Japanese population dropped by 212,000 people last year, the largest decrease on record.
Exposing the myth of Barter : No example of a barter economy has ever been found in the actual day-to-day lives of the native people's economies or histories around the world as they were contacted by the "civilized" world's explorers one by one. Entirely different systems had evolved. Adam Smith and others who wrote the first books on economics, had written about barter being the "primary" system of exchange of early societies, entirely out of their (severely!) limited imagination. They never bothered cross-checking or referencing any real on-the-ground data, even though indigenous societies were being contacted at the time. The only instances of barter were between different tribes/communities who did not trust each other.
A chapter from "Debt, The First 5000 Years" by David Graeber, read by Robin Upton http://www.unwelcomeguests.net/Category:Audiobooks
Kenya's geothermal resources - game-changer?
In Nairobi, power blackouts are decreasing and electricity bills are getting cheaper. Over time, infrastructural improvement and the development of geothermal resources are improving the country's power situation. Right now, 70 percent of Kenya's power comes from renewable sources.Al Jazeera's Erica Wood reports from Nakuru, Kenya.
More links off a google search:
Renewable Energy Portal, All the information you need about renewable energy in kenya.
The renewable energy sector in Kenya is among the most active in Africa. In Kenya, investment grew from virtually zero in 2009 to US$1.3 billion in 2010...
http://kerea.org/ - Kerea | Kenya Renewable Energy Association
Dizzying Renewable Energy Price Declines Can Help States Meet Ambitious Carbon Targets Under The EPA's Clean Power Plan. Here's some exciting news ...
Pesticide Free Farming
A revolutionary experiment in sustainable agriculture is showing impressive results in south India.
Around two million farmers in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh have ditched chemical pesticides in favour of natural repellants and fertilisers, as part of a growing eco-agriculture movement.
The sustainable techniques are spread through a network of women's self-help groups, and over 10 percent of the state's farmland is now being cultivated without chemical pesticides.
Farmers make natural pest repellents from ingredients such as neem tree leaves, chilli and cow urine - which is over 70 percent cheaper than using chemicals.
They also promote beneficial insects, use compost, and plant crops that fix nitrogen into the soil. Since it began in 2004 the scheme has improved soil health and biodiversity, reduced costs and upped yields.
Short film on Curitiba
Earthrise : 9 min videos on the SOLUTIONS for a sustainable planet
earthrise explores solutions to today's environmental challenges, taking an upbeat look at ecological, scientific, technological and design projects the world over. Our reporters meet inspiring individuals and communities leading the way in a field few can afford to ignore.
..and that wraps up 2014!
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