Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Fluorosis cripples villagers in Sonbhadra village in UP

Fluorosis cripples villagers in Sonbhadra village in UP

By Girish Kumar Dubey
Sat, 12/22/2007 - 19:11

Sonbhadra (Uttar Pradesh), Dec 22: A large number of villagers of Sonbhadra village in Uttar Pradesh are suffering from fluorosis due to the excessive fluoride content in the ground water that these villages draw to drink.

They are facing the risk of becoming handicapped due to excessive fluorosis Chopan, Dudhi and Myorpur and Babhni Blocks. The excessive fluoride in water has given rise to several orthopaedic problems.

"Water is the main problem in our village. Earlier, we didn't have any hand pump or well in our village. People used to drink water from open streams and have consequently become victims of deformities and diseases, " said Shambhu Prasad Patel, a villager.

Majority of the affected persons have to work hard to earn their daily bread. With weak bones, none of them is able to toil.

Since the villages are isolated, these hapless rural folk have no easy access to public health services. With some of them forced to travel over 50 kilometres for a public health centre and a hospital.

Authorities of the State Health Department however claim that health camps are being set up for the villagers.

"This problem is prevalent in nine villages of three blocks of the district because of excessive fluoride content in water. We have provided every facility for the treatment of the people who are handicapped or are suffering from any disease due to water, " said Dr. Ganesh Prasad, Chief Medical Officer of Sonbhadra District.

Another grouse of the villagers is that the government is not showing any concern as not even ten percent of the affected and handicapped persons have been issued certificates that they are handicapped.

Villagers hope that the concerned officials in the administration will take effective steps to stem the rot.

Fluorosis is a condition caused by the excessive intake of fluorine and is commonly of two types - Skeletal Fluorosis and Dental Fluorosis. As the names suggest, it first affects the bones due to excessive accumulation of fluoride in bones and the latter affects the teeth. (ANI)

Friday, November 19, 2010

Japanese help rickshaw puller to open school for destitute kids

Japanese help rickshaw puller to open school for destitute kids

by Girish Kumar Dubey

Tue, 05/27/2008 - 14:22.

Japanese help rickshaw puller to open school for destitute kids Varanasi, May 27 : About 40 Japanese have come together to construct a school for destitute children in Varanasi.

A Japanese journalist met Salim, a rickshaw puller, during his visit to India and over a period of time, they became friends.

Salim, who nurtured a dream for opening a school for poor and destitute children, shared this with Shin Ekeda.

Ekeda supported Salim and mobilizing his friends in Japan to join the cause.

On his return to Japan, Ekeda succeeded in collecting funds for the project and came back to India to fulfill Salim's dream in Ratta Pur Village.

"I met Salim. He has a family and dreamt of making a school for poor children. I spoke to him, and thought we could do something. I went back to Japan and spoke to my friends. Around 20 to30 people have come forth and contributed towards the construction of the school. We bought land in this village," Ekeda said.

Salim's dream project has taken shape in the form of the 'Mother Baby Kindergarden School'. The construction of the school is now in full swing.

A group of Japanese are also engaged in the dream project.

"I am used to working with foreign countries to help poor people and also the handicapped. I heard from one Japanese about this and came here to build a house for street children," said Myco Kukomutp, a Japanese.

Salim has been treating them like his family, as the group has also shown immense trust in his family.

"We treat them like family and they have shown a lot of trust in us. They have come here and are building an English medium school for poor children and the education is free of cost," said Salim. (ANI)

Toy industry in Varanasi passing through a rough phase

Toy industry in Varanasi passing through a rough phase

by Girish Kumar Dubey

Thu, 03/13/2008 - 14:18.

Toy industry in Varanasi passing through a rough phase Varanasi, Mar 13: Toy industry of Varanasi is losing its sheen as it has been forced to use low quality woods following the ban on 'Koraiyya' wood traditionally used for making toys.

The cottage industry has suffered a setback due to the ban on the supply of Korraiya wood as per the forest preservation act.

The colorfully designed toys depicting dolls, animals, birds and other figurines have been in huge demand besides the domestic markets in many countries including France, Russia, Germany and Hong Kong.

But that is not the case now as Varanasi's toy industry is no longer producing quality products for which it has been known.

Coupled with electricity woes the problems of the industry have complicated as it is compelled to use low-grade Eucalyptus wood.

"First, we have problem of electricity and then the problem of wood because of which the business has faced a set back. Earlier, we used to get 'Koraiyya' wood for making toys, but now there are woods like Eucalyptus. Before our products had good finishing, but now toys doesn't have good finishing and shine. The wood that we use now is waste for us because it is only fit for burning and grows naturally. Apart from this, woods that we use now are expensive and wet and the manufacturers are not satisfied with the quality," said Ram Shankar, a toy maker.

The toy makers claim that the wood that is being used now not only lacks the requisite finish, but toys made from it develop cracks in course of time and this has lead to the decline in the marketing of the toys.

The toy makers hold the government policies responsible for their woes.

"The attitude of the government is callous. Had it been concerned then the way it had planted trees like Eucalyptus it should have grown 'Koraiyya' tree with the help of the forest department. It could have taken some steps to help us and that could have helped in the growth of the industry and the number of people engaged in the business could have increased manifold and the toy making business could have done wonders in the market but sadly it is not the case," said Brahmanand Sharma, an exporter.

Due to the lack of governmental support many toy makers unable to withstand the crisis have switched to other businesses.

The number of artisans engaged in toy making has also declined to 300 from 4,000.

These artisans are still clinging to the traditional craft hoping that the government will take some initiative to bring them out of the woods. (ANI)

Massive campaign to cleanse polluted water of River Ganges

Massive campaign to cleanse polluted water of River Ganges

by Girish Kumar Dubey

Thu, 02/21/2008 - 00:34.

Massive campaign to cleanse polluted water of River Ganges Varanasi, Feb. 20 : To prevent the holy River Ganga from further pollution, a massive campaign has been launched from West Bengal's Gangasagar, the point from where River Ganga flows into Bay of Bengal.

Organised by Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, the 99-day campaign named "Ganga Sanskriti Pravah Yatra" which commenced on February 1, reached Varanasi earlier this week.

The campaign would conclude at Gangotri, the origin point of River Ganges on May 11.

"People have lost their faith in those who give speeches. They have even lost their faith in the Saints. There have been so many swords coming out during the Kumbh fair to take a dip in the river Ganga, if the same come out even to save, the river could be saved.," said Satya Narayan Baba, an artist.

"It is a group effort of Ganga Mahasabha and 145 other organisations from Ganga Sagar and Gangotri. We have called for this yatra (campaign) completely on the trust of the people of this nation and those living on the banks of River Ganga and not the government. The people who have come riding on boats in this Yatra are not a sponsored lot," said Acharya Jitendra, National Secreatary of Ganga Mahasabha, an RSS outfit.

"We believe soon a time will come when even the public would come out on roads to save the sacred River Ganga", Acharya Jitendra added,

"Pollution and commercialization has increased a threat to river Ganga. The society is also polluting Ganga in the name of development. We believe this initiative would help in creating awareness regarding cultural and water pollution," said Indresh Kumar, All India Karamkarini Member of the RSS.

Many prominent Hindu clerics are likely to join the campaign.

After Varanasi, the campaign would be taken to Allahabad, Kanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Rishikesh and Devprayag, Tehri, Uttarkashi before concluding at Gangotri, the origin point of River Ganga.

Meanwhile, the principal sources of pollution are domestic and industrial wastes. Conservative estimates put the effluents flowing into Ganges at 1.7 billion litres each day, out of which 1.4 billion litres is untreated.

Nearly 88 per cent of the pollution originates in the 27 cities that are located along the river's banks and the banks of its tributaries.

According to a recent official report, only 39 percent of the primary target of the Ganga Action Plan, which the Central Government had started in 1985, has been met so far.

The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was originated from the personal intervention and interest of the late Prime Minster Indira Gandhi, who requested a comprehensive survey of the situation in 1979.

After five years, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) published two comprehensive reports, which formed the base from which the action plan to clean up the Ganga, was developed. (ANI)

Protesting seers compel Spicejet officials to apologise

Protesting seers compel Spicejet officials to apologise

by Girish Kumar Dubey

Wed, 01/23/2008 - 15:57

Varanasi, Jan 23: Protesting seers here compelled officials of the Spicejet airline to sack errant workers and apologise for their misconduct.

The issue reportedly surfaced on Monday when a prominent seer, Avimukteshwaranand of Vidya Mutt, protested against the lewd comments passed on a teenage girl by some Spicejet employees.

Errant workers jeered the sage when he protested against their behavior. This enraged his followers who gathered at the Babatpur Airport here on Tuesday and raised slogans.

The protestors were pacified only after the Spicejet sacked the four accused and tendered an official apology.

"We have already suspended those who were involved in the misconduct. The seer has forgiven us," said Nalin Srivastava, Station Manager, Spicejet.

"I am happy that the Spicejet people have realised their mistake and they have sacked the four employees and apologized in writing. They have also promised to keep the pride of Varanasi and the honour of females," said Avimukteshwaranand. (ANI)

Koreans on a hugging campaign in Varanasi

Koreans on a hugging campaign in Varanasi

Tue, 01/22/2008 - 20:49.

India News by Girish Kumar Dubey
Varanasi

Varanasi, Jan 22: The Korean students of Gyanjoo University are spreading the message of love by hugging poor people in Varanasi, as a part of their "Free Hug Campaign."

They believe that their method can eradicate social divide by giving dignity to the deprived.

"Hugging each other is a small step to understand each other without speaking, without being violent. It may work over all castes but only if they hug each other more and more," said Frank, a student,

The Korean students spoke passionately about the urgent need to bring a change in the mindset of the people so that they could think beyond barriers of castes.

The students not only hugged the people but also washed the feet of those belonging to Musahar caste, which is considered one of the lower social groups.

"If we need to focus on anything at this point, it is the mindset of people. If we can change the mindset of the people and people start understanding each other, then it would be perfect," said Saisna Inko, a resident.

The Korean students have planned to visit 40 countries to propagate the message of brotherhood in the memory of those fellow countrymen who participated in the fight in
1985 to end the military dictatorship in Korea. (ANI)

Clean River Ganges campaign picks up in Varanasi

Clean River Ganges campaign picks up in Varanasi

Submitted by Girish Kumar Dubey

on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 16:35.

River Ganga Varanasi, Feb 20: A campaign to clean the River Ganges has been restarted with vigour by activists of 146 organisations.

The campaigners said they wanted people to join the effort to save the river.

"We are not depending on the government for this campaign, but it hinges on the support of the inhabitants of towns situated on the bank of Ganges. When the people of the country come out for this cause, the government and its leaders will be forced to be accountable for the cause," claimed Jitendra, the General Secretary of the Ganga Mahasabha, a voluntary organisation.

"River Ganga gives us salvation and purifies us. This effort to rid it of pollution is a Himalayan one," said Indresh Kumar, another member of the Ganga Mahasabha.

The principal sources of pollution are domestic and industrial wastes. Conservative estimates put the effluents flowing into Ganges at
1.7 billion litres each day, out of which 1.4 billion litres is untreated.

Nearly 88 per cent of the pollution originates in the 27 cities that are located along the river's banks and the banks of its tributaries.

Domestic and industrial pollution, combined with deforestation, the use of pesticides and fertilisers and other factors, have rendered the waters of the Ganges unfit for consumption or any other use.

Environmentalists say, one of the major causes of river pollution is the cremation of Hindus on its banks and the practice of immersing flowers and other rubbish after religious rituals.

According to a recent official report, only 39 percent of the primary target of the Ganga Action Plan, which the Central Government had started in 1985, has been met so far.

The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was originated from the personal intervention and interest of the late Prime Minster Indira Gandhi, who requested a comprehensive survey of the situation in 1979.

After five years, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) published two comprehensive reports, which formed the base from which the action plan to clean up the Ganga, was developed. (ANI)

Ashes of euthanised UK temple cow immersed in Ganges

Ashes of euthanised UK temple cow immersed in Ganges

Submitted by Girish Kumar Dubey

on Thu, 02/14/2008 - 00:39.

Ashes of euthanised UK temple cow immersed in Ganges Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Feb. 13 : The ashes of Gangotri, the euthanised sacred cow of the Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple in the United Kingdom, were immersed in the River Ganges on Wednesday.

Gangotri was given a lethal injection last December after doctors of the Royal Society for Prevention Cruelty To Animals (RSPCA) declared it to be sick.

The priests of Bhaktivedanta Manor, a large temple run by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISCKON) in a London suburb alleged that the cow was administered the injection when the prayers were going on.

The temple had taken the cow in after it was hit in an accident. RSPCA officials said that it was in dire condition and suffering from bedsores and had to be put down.

"How does it fee if someone is killing in your home. Your mother's interest is my best interest. She has bedsores and we understand she should be relieved of the pain; therefore, I want to give her the deadly injection and to give her that without even taking your permission. That's how we felt. And that was just devastating," said Gauri Das, the president, of the Hari Krishna Temple in the United Kingdom.

"(We have) written to Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister of Britain. We have also written to David Cameron, the leader of the Conservative Party and the Leader of the Opposition in the British Parliament, and to Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats in the UK. The response, I have to say, so far has not been so good," said Raj Joshi, Chairperson, Society Of Black Lawyers, UK.

This is the second instance of such killing in UK in last nine months.

Earlier, despite waging a long legal battle and a vigorous campaign Shambo, the bovine which tested positive of TB was killed in the same manner.

After the Court of Appeal's decision Shambo was slaughtered on July 26, 2007 after a court upheld it was a TB positive animal and should be killed before it posed a risk to public health.

Cows are sacred to Hindus. The priests of the Skanda Vale temple near Carmarthen where Shambo was kept even constructed a shrine to the bull within the temple. (ANI)

Displaced weavers to pull cycle rickshaws in Varanasi

Submitted by Girish Kumar Dubey

on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 23:08.

Aero Dynamic Rickshaws Varanasi, Feb. 7 (ANI): Many weavers, who have been displaced or have been badly hit due to the slump in the Benarasi saree industry, will now earn a living by pulling specially designed aero-dynamic rickshaws in Varanasi.

Thanks to a rehabilitation programme started by a local NGO in cooperation with the Guwahati-based NGO, Centre for Rural Devlopment (CRD), the rickshaws have been provided on nominal installments.

These rickshaws have been provided under a Janmitra Rickshaw Project, a part of Rickshaw Bank Project funded by the Punjab National Bank (PNB), which was formally inaugurated in Varanasi this past week.

Hindus celebrate birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman at Varanasi

Sunday, April 20, 2008 1:03:53 AM by admin ( Leave a comment )

Varanasi, Apr 20 (ANI): Hundreds of Hindus joined a procession on Sunday to celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman in Varanasi.

Hundreds of men, women and children participated in a colourful procession.

We have been taking part in this every year since the past eight years. And since it is Lord Hanumans birthday today, we are taking out this procession, said Ram Narain, a devotee.

Women took part in the procession with traditionally decorated flower plates in their hands and offered flowers to the deity.

The birthday of Lord Hanuman is the time to celebrate and enjoy. Everybody is engrossed in the celebrations, said Mahendra Sharma, another devotee.

In Hindu mythological epic Ramayana, Hanuman helps his master Lord Rama to kill the demon king Ravana.
Hanuman is worshipped for his undying loyalty to Lord King Rama and his consort, Sita. (ANI)

‘Hanuman Jayanti’ celebrations in Uttar Pradesh

'Hanuman Jayanti' celebrations in Uttar Pradesh

By Girish Kumar Dubey

Thursday, April 09, 2009 3:18:08 AM by ANI ( Leave a comment )

Varanasi/Ayodhya, Apr 9 (ANI): Devotees in Uttar Pradesh took out colourful procession and visited temples on Thursday on the occasion of the birthday of Lord Hanuman.

In Varanasi, a huge procession was taken out in which thousands of devotees took part. They danced on the streets to the tunes of traditional drums.

The procession, which began nine days ago, concluded on Thursday. The purpose of the procession was to spread the message of anti-terrorism among the people.

"We pray to god to grant them good sense so that they acquire a sense of love and peace for people around them. This is the purpose of this procession and for the last nine years, it is being organised every year," said Kaushal Sharma, organiser of the procession.

At the birthplace of Lord Rama, Ayodhya, devotees celebrated Hanuman Jayanti with gaiety. They visited the temple of Shri Kaleram.

As per the tradition, the devotees applied colours on each other to celebrate the occasion.

"On this occasion, devotees visit the Temple of 'Lord Kaleram' from all over India to get their wishes fulfilled," said Abhayraj Yadav, a devotee.

In Ramayana, Hanuman helps his master Lord Rama to kill the demon king Ravana. Hanuman is worshipped for his undying loyalty to Lord King Rama and his consort, Sita. (ANI)

22 orphan girls enter wedlock at marriage ceremony in Varanasi

By Girish Kumar Dubey

Saturday, November 21, 2009 8:16:40 AM by ANI ( 6 comments )

Varanasi, Nov 21(ANI): It is a moment that every girl waits for with great enthusiasm. And, for the 22 orphan girls in Varanasi, that moment came on Friday when the district administration helped them solemnize their marriage in a mass wedding.

The aim of the ceremony was to help the destitutes, who were separated from their parents at a very young age.

"We select prospective bridegrooms through a definite process and a lot of deliberations after these girls attain marriageable age. Public donations play a huge role in making the ceremony a success. The ceremony is performed with fervour and gaiety," said Nalin Awashti, Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Varanasi.

Both brides and bridegrooms were decked-up in their fineries. Brides had smeared their palms with mehendi, had bangles in their wrists and had put on red attire, while bridegrooms were in suites, befitting the occasion.

"I am very happy. I have forgotten my past life and I want to forget the rest of it. I was separated from my parents at a tender age. I have been transferred here from another institute from Mumbai," said Varsha, a bride.

After the function, the marriages were registered under the Hindu marriage Act of 1973.

The grooms and brides also expressed their gratitude for the help and support provided to them by the administration. (ANI)

Monday, November 1, 2010

Clean River Ganges campaign picks up in Varanasi

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 11:53:59 PM by admin ( Leave a comment )

By Girish Kumar Dubey

Varanasi, Feb 20 (ANI): A campaign to clean the River Ganges has been restarted with vigour by activists of 146 organisations. The campaigners said they wanted people to join the effort to save the river.
"We are not depending on the government for this campaign, but it hinges on the support of the inhabitants of towns situated on the bank of Ganges. When the people of the country come out for this cause, the government and its leaders will be forced to be accountable for the cause," claimed Jitendra, the General Secretary of the Ganga Mahasabha, a voluntary organisation.
"River Ganga gives us salvation and purifies us. This effort to rid it of pollution is a Himalayan one," said Indresh Kumar, another member of the Ganga Mahasabha.
The principal sources of pollution are domestic and industrial wastes. Conservative estimates put the effluents flowing into Ganges at 1.7 billion litres each day, out of which 1.4 billion litres is untreated.
Nearly 88 per cent of the pollution originates in the 27 cities that are located along the river's banks and the banks of its tributaries.
Domestic and industrial pollution, combined with deforestation, the use of pesticides and fertilisers and other factors, have rendered the waters of the Ganges unfit for consumption or any other use.
Environmentalists say, one of the major causes of river pollution is the cremation of Hindus on its banks and the practice of immersing flowers and other rubbish after religious rituals.
According to a recent official report, only 39 percent of the primary target of the Ganga Action Plan, which the Central Government had started in 1985, has been met so far.
The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) was originated from the personal intervention and interest of the late Prime Minster Indira Gandhi, who requested a comprehensive survey of the situation in 1979.
After five years, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) published two comprehensive reports, which formed the base from which the action plan to clean up the Ganga, was developed. (ANI)

Novel campaign by self-help group to create awareness on Ganges river pollution

Saturday, May 23, 2009 12:01:41 AM ANI ( Leave a comment )

By Girish Kumar Dubey

Varanasi, May 23 (ANI): A self-help group from Varanasi on Friday sent 543 utensils filled with water of river Ganges to the national capital to raise awareness on river pollution.

Ganga, which is revered as holy, also happens to be one of the most polluted rivers in the world.

Organisers said that the 'Save the River Ganga' campaign was to enlist support of the 543 newly elected lawmakers in parliament.

"To purify water you will have to undertake steps because if we don't look towards this direction at this time then the water of rivers, ponds and lakes will get polluted. How long we will survive like this on mineral water? We have to draw everyone's attention towards this thing and at the same time the purity of Ganges, for which our country is known, we have to safeguard it," said Swami Abhimukhteshwara Nand Saraswati.

"We don't just hope but we are fully confident that we will achieve success in our campaign of pollution free Ganga," said Girish, a volunteer.Revered as goddess by Hindus, the River Ganga is believed to cleanse people off their sins.

Though the Central Government set up a Ganga Action Plan in 1985 to cleanse the river, much of the action seems to have been confined only on paper.The Ganga runs its course of over 2,500 kilometres from Gangotri in the Himalayas to Ganga Sagar in the Bay of Bengal through 29 cities.

In 1996, the apex court banned the discharge of effluents from various tanneries located on its banks in Kanpur.

However, with one billion tonnes of waste being dumped into it everyday, the River Ganga, unfortunately, remains one of the most polluted rivers in the world. (ANI)

Varanasi craftsmen make a flag symbolizing communal harmony

Wednesday, May 05, 2010 3:45:28 AM by ANI ( Leave a comment )

By Girish Kumar Dubey

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), May 5 (ANI): Keen to reduce the differences between Hindus and Muslims, craftsmen in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi have made a flag symbolizing communal harmony.

"The Hindu-Muslim differences should lessen down. The differences, which are created in our hearts by the politicians and Muslims, are always termed, as militants. So, all these misunderstandings, which are created by the politicians, should be finished," said Mohammad Shamin Raza, one of the flag makers.

"Keeping all these aspects in mind, we made this flag," he added.

The flag is made of three colours green, white and saffron.This flag has been made with lot of enthusiasm, as the workers assert that it would be a strong message for Hindu-Muslim unity."The flag is made up of three colours. The green colour symbolizes our religion i.e., Islam, white colour symbolizes peace and saffron is the colour of Hindus. All the colours will send a healthy message," said Azam Ali Bhutto, another flag maker.

"In our group also there are both Hindu and Muslim workers, but we work together and everybody cooperates among each other," he added.

The flag costing Rs 1,50,000 would be given to the holy shrine of Varanasi on June 5. (ANI)

Varanasi residents protest against theft at famous Vishwanath Temple

Wednesday, Oct 27, 2010 12:17:09 PM by ANI
By Girish Kumar Dubey

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Oct. 27 (ANI): Residents of Varanasi took
out a rally in protest against the administration's failure to prevent
a robbery at the famous Vishwanath Temple.

Sources said that a week ago, a traditional Indian silver Trident was
stolen from the temple despite tight security.

The residents said this incident was unacceptable as the temple
administration spends huge amounts of money for its safety and
security.

"If things are stolen from somewhere else, it is a different matter.
Despite tight security here at the temple, a theft has occurred. Lot
of money is being spent on safety and security measures of the temple.
In spite of this, if 2.5 kilograms of silver trident is being stolen,
then it is not just a matter of trident being stolen, it is stealing
of a body part of the deity," said Avi Mukte Swaranand, a priest of
the temple.

"Seven to eight days have passed, but the administration has not been
able to find the thief or the trident. They have been unable to tell
the people what steps are being taken in this matter, and therefore,
it is natural for people to be angry," Swaranand added.

The residents have demanded that the police look into the matter with
some urgency. (ANI)