Hindu institution in northern India instructs girl students on priesthood.

Hindu institution in northern India instructs girl students on priesthood.
                                        By Girish Kumar Dubey

A residential school, in Varanasi city of India's northern Uttar Pradesh state, took the initiative to instruct girl students on methods of learning traditional Hindu scriptures like Vedas and Vedangas (auxiliary disciplines associated with the study of the Hindu traditional scriptures).

More than 80 girls, between the age group of eight to twenty years, reside in the residential education school of 'Panini Kanya Mahavidyalaya'. The girl students are being trained in priesthood, an arena conventionally considered as a male bastion.

Speaking to mediapersons, Nandita Shastri, an instructor said that it was essential to educate the young generation on the need to develop moral principles which will equip them to deal with various hurdles in life.

"No matter how modern we become, at present children are ready to commit suicide over any small issue. They do not have self-belief and they think that in case they fail to achieve their goal, then they have lost everything. So by educating them about their moral values, we tell them that the purpose of their life is very vast and great for which you have to struggle till you achieve 'dharma' (religion), ' karma' (action deeds), 'kaam' (work), 'moksha' (salvation). Your aim should be to achieve 'par brahma' (universal soul). By overcoming the small hurdles in your life, you should move towards achieving your goal and that can be attained by imbibing the moral values," said Shastri.

Meanwhile, the women instructors of the school were also seen performing 'upanayana ceremony' (Hindu thread ceremony) with the girl students. Conventionally, the traditional Hindu thread ritual is performed before the marriage of Hindu men which gives them the authority to perform Yajna (a religious fire ritual) and allows them to read verses and hymns from the traditional scriptures.

Explaining the purpose behind wearing the sacred thread, known as 'Janeu', a student said that the thread represented an oath to always tread on the path of truth during their student life.

"Every human being after wearing this (sacred thread) takes an oath that they would always tread on the path of truth and devote their lives towards studying. We will never use foul language and not indulge in any misdeeds. We would devote our lives to learning the Vedas and would try to become a person who has moral values," Divya Arya, a student.

There are very few schools in India which instruct girls in traditional Hindu hymns and verses in the medium of Sanskrit.

The traditional Hindu scriptures contain hymns and verses written in Sanskrit and has been translated in various other Indian and foreign languages.

Intro

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE -RE-SENDING WITH REVISED SCRIPT

A residential school in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state has taken the initiative to instruct girl students on traditional methods of learning Hindu scriptures like Vedas and Vedangas (auxiliary disciplines associated with the study of the Hindu traditional scriptures).

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (AUGUST 30, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. GIRL STUDENTS IN THE COMPOUND OF A SCHOOL

2. A GROUP OF GIRLS PERFORMING YAJNA (HINDU FIRE RITUAL)

3. THE GIRL STUDENTS CHANTING SANSKRIT SHLOKAS (HYMNS) WHILE PERFORMING YAJNA

4. HANDS OF THE STUDENTS PERFORMING A RITUAL

5. A WOMAN INSTRUCTOR POURING DROPS OF WATER ON THE HANDS OF THE STUDENTS

6. STUDENTS CHANTING HYMNS IN SANSKRIT

7. TWO INSTRUCTORS TEACHING STUDENTS

8. FOLDED HANDS OF A STUDENT

9. FACE OF THE STUDENT

10. AN INSTRUCTOR TYING A ROPE WITH COLOURFUL THREAD AROUND THE WAIST OF A STUDENT

11. INSTRUCTOR TYING ROPE ON ANOTHER STUDENT'S WAIST

12. HANDS OF THE INSTRUCTOR TYING ROPE

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) NANDITA SHASTRI, AN INSTRUCTOR, SAYING:

"No matter how modern we become, at present children are ready to commit suicide over any small issue. They do not have self-belief and they think that in case they fail to achieve their goal, then they have lost everything. So by educating them about their moral values, we tell them that the purpose of their life is very vast and great for which you have to struggle till you achieve 'dharma' (religion), ' karma' (action deeds), 'kaam' (work), 'moksha' (salvation). Your aim should be to achieve 'par brahma' (universal soul). By overcoming the small hurdles in your life, you should move towards achieving your goal and that can be attained by imbibing the moral values."

14. TWO INSTRUCTORS PRESENTING SAFFRON STOLES TO THE STUDENTS

15. AN INSTRUCTOR GIVING A STOLE TO A STUDENT

16. AN INSTRUCTOR TEACHING THE STUDENTS

17. INSTRUCTOR GIVING STICKS TO THE STUDENTS

18. STUDENTS AND INSTRUCTORS HOLDING A HINDU SACRED THREAD (USED FOR CEREMONIAL PURPOSES) AND CHANTING HYMNS IN SANSKRIT

19. AN INSTRUCTOR CHANTING HYMNS AND PERFORMING RITUAL OF UPANAYANA CEREMONY (HINDU THREAD CEREMONY)

20. ANOTHER INSTRUCTOR PERFORMING THE RITUAL WITH A STUDENT

21. TWO STUDENTS SITTING

22. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) DIVYA ARYA, A STUDENT, SAYING:

"Every human being after wearing this (sacred thread) takes an oath that they would always tread on the path of truth and devote their lives towards studying. We will never use foul language and not indulge in any misdeeds. We would devote our lives to learning the Vedas and would try to become a person who has moral values."

23. TWO INSTRUCTORS GIVING FOOD OFFERING TO THE STUDENTS

24. STUDENTS RECEIVING FOOD OFFERING IN THEIR SAFFRON STOLE

Original Script Date

Aug 30 10:46 (7 hours ago)

Modified Script Date

Aug 30 11:26 (6 hours ago)

Script Version

2

Headline

Hindu institution in northern India instructs girl students on priesthood.

Services

Subcon Extra

Locations

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Dates Shot

AUGUST 30, 2011

Sound

NATURAL WITH HINDI SPEECH

Duration

2:54

People offer special prayers after River Ganges is declared National River

People offer special prayers after River Ganges is declared National River

on Mon, 11/10/2008 - 22:20.                By Girish Kumar Dubey 

Varanasi, Nov 10 : Thousands of people offered special prayers inVaranasi on Sunday after the holy river Ganges got the status of country''s first national river. Country''s Central government declared the riverGanges first national river on Tuesday with a separate authority to monitor its cleanliness. Seers including head of the Jyotish and Dwaraka Pith Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand performed rituals amidst chanting of sacred hymns. Swaroopanand expressed happiness over Government''s gesture, which would mean better and concerted efforts for cleaning the river battling pollution.

"I want to convey my thanks to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on declaring Ganges a national river. I also want to say that by doing that he has won hearts of many countrymen and he will find an immortal place in the history. We now want him to accelerate pace of activities intended to clean the water of the Ganges," said Swaroopanand.

The residents are also upbeat and expect that the initiative will help their campaign for clean Ganges. "Now we feel that this step will help in cleaning the water of the Ganges and we would get the Ganges as clean as the one in Himalayas," said Asha Aggarwal, a resident.

The Prime Minister will chair the proposed Authority and Chiefs of the states through which the river flows would be its members. Various agencies working on different aspects of river conservation and pollution management would be brought together under the proposed authority. Environmentalists and scientists in India are concerned as the pollution levels in the river have reached alarming proportions. Ganga or the Ganges, which finds a mention in mythological as well as historical texts, is in a pitiable condition.

The banks of the river present an ironical picture. On the one hand religious activities like prayers, recital of hymns and fire-rituals take place. On the other, heaps of garbage lies unattended. One of the major causes of polluting the river is the cremation of human bodies on the banks ofthe river, the practice of throwing bodies into the river and immersion of flowers and other articles into the Ganga after performing religious rituals. Hindus immerse the ashes of their deceased or just leave the bodies to be taken away by the ''holy waters'' to a heavenly abode.

Nearly 88 per cent of the pollution originates in 27 cities located along the banks of River Ganga and its tributaries. Industrial effluents account for a quarter of the entire rubbish being thrown and pumped into these rivers. Domestic and industrial pollution, combined with deforestation, use of pesticides and fertilisersand other factors, have rendered the water of River Ganga unfit for drinking. (ANI)

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

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

 Sat, 05/23/2009 - 16:09.                      By Girish Kumar Dubey

Varanasi, May 23 : 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)

Japanese help rickshaw puller to open school for destitute kids

Japanese help rickshaw puller to open school for destitute kids

Tue, 05/27/2008 - 14:22.                   By Girish Kumar Dubey 

Varanasi, May 27 : About 40 Japanese have come together to construct a school for destitutechildren in Varanasi.A Japanese journalist met Salim, a rickshawpuller, 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

Thu, 03/13/2008 - 14:18.                    By Girish Kumar Dubey 

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)

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Clean River Ganges campaign picks up in Varanasi

Clean River Ganges campaign picks up in Varanasi

Wed, 02/20/2008 - 16:35.                             By Girish Kumar Dubey

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)

Massive campaign to cleanse polluted water of River Ganges

Massive campaign to cleanse polluted water of River Ganges

 Thu, 02/21/2008 - 00:34. 

                                By Girish Kumar Dubey 

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)

Wedding season pushes up further inflated milk prices in Varanasi

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                                    By Girish Kumar Dubey

Varanasi, Apr 23 : A sharp rise in demand for milk and milk-made sweets due to wedding season has pushed up further already inflated milk prices in Varanasi.Milk prices have doubled and the demand for consumer durables and non-durables have almost doubled.The milkmen say that with supply remaining constant the steep increase in demand is playing havoc with the milk prices.

"The fodder prices have gone up pushing the prices of milk. The demand for milk is more, but the supply has not increased," said Rajesh Yadav, a milkman.While the residents complain that they pay around 50 rupees per litre of milk, almost twice the price prevailing a month ago, the milkmen and the shopkeepers say that they aren't happy either as the price rise has translated into lesser sales of milk based products.

"Today, the price of milk is hovering around Rs 40-50 per litre. We cannot help but increase the price of tea. But, the consumption of tea has gone down. Many people are not buying tea. Many milk brands are also not available in the market," said Sonu Yadav, a roadside tea vendor. Others say that even as they were trying to cope up with the increasing prices of food grains, vegetables and fruits, the inflated price of milk is hurting them more. 

Treating illness with gemstones

Submitted on Jun 11 2007                    By Girish Kumar Dubey

, Varanasi, June 11 : Varansi, a place known for its religious fervour, is emerging as a haven for many gemstone traders who style themselves as 'Astrology Doctors'.

Many claim that they can cure diseases like cancer, anaemia, piles, kidney-related problems and others, with their 'gemstone-therapy'. It is done by influencing the planetary conditions through gemstones.

They prefix 'Dr.' with their names.

Different gemstones are prescribed for patients' after studying their horoscopes. It is after a brief analysis of the horoscope that a patient is suggested what planet is actually affecting his/her health.

Sidhartha Singh, one of such astrologer-therapists, said: 'In astrological therapy, ailment is treated on the basis of positions of planets and twelve zodiacs. Like Aries and Scorpio are controlled by Mars. If Mars is creating problem then the person could suffer from blood related ailments and injuries. In such cases we suggest people to use coral gem.'

The gemstones are expensive and often bought by the well-off families. Dozens of such 'clinics' have come up in various parts of Varanasi.

It is claimed wearing a right stone matching one's horoscope can cure a person of all ailments.

Some of these 'astrology doctors' admit that astrological permutations and combinations can only treat the problems

indirectly and it is the allopathic doctors that can give direct treatment.

Lakshman Das, an astrologer-therapist, said: 'Astrologers can only tell when the disease rooted as well as the planet responsible for the ailment. An astrologer cannot do the direct treatment. He only pacifies the planetary conditions of the concerned person.'

It takes various gem stones for a 'treatment' of any disease as per these 'astrological practitioners'. Though many people visiting some of the genuine astrologers say they have benefited through gem therapy.

Vivek, a visitor to one such astrologer, said: 'He (astrologer) told me to wear pearl for various purposes; it could give me a peace of mind and success in my career. I followed the advice and now I am happy in my life.'

Manish, another visitor to such astrological clinic, said: 'When I came here astrologer searched my entire horoscope and advised me to use coral. From the time I am using it, I have been benefited a lot.'

In astrology, there are twelve zodiacs and three planets i.e. Mars, Venus and Saturn which have a direct and indirect bearing on human life and health.

http://www.newkerala.com/news5.php?action=fullnews&id=37900

Devotees deposit handwritten chants at a unique bank in Varanasi

Devotees deposit handwritten chants at a unique bank in Varanasi
Varanasi , Wed, 03 Aug 2011 ANI

Varanasi, Aug 3 (ANI): Varanasi, the temple city in Uttar Pradesh,
boasts of a unique bank, where devotees deposit their prayers
dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The 'banking' temple close to the banks of River Ganga was set up in
2002 and it accepts deposits in form of handwritten chants Om Namah
Shivaya.Devotees believe they would be blessed by this exercise of
depositing the handwritten Panchakshari Mantra (devotional hymn
dedicated to Lord Shiva).Rajendra Trivedi, a devotee said there is no
fee for opening an account and paper is provided to the devotees by
the bank.

"You just need to take a notebook and become a member of this
religious bank. There is no fee to open an account; one has to merely
write Panchakshari Mantra innumerable times. The difference between
the two banks is that unlike the commercial bank it is not money
oriented and does not take any deposit to open account. Here prayers
and belief in Lord Shiva are accumulated. Well, there is no tax on
anything," Trivedi added.Over the years millions of such handwritten
papers have been deposited and these have been bundled and kept in
shelves at the bank.

"I have been associated with this bank for the past one year and over
this period I have been writing the chants. This makes one feel at
peace and receive blessings of Lord Shiva protecting from all evils,"
said Ankur Pandey, another devotee.
According to Hindu scriptures Shiva Purana and Dashavatara (ten
incarnations of Lord Vishnu), during the churning of the ocean known
as Samundra Manthan, poison emerged out. The venom was deadly for the
entire mankind and divine entities were distraught, unaware how to
destroy it.At this juncture, Lord Shiva took a precarious step of
drinking the venom to save his devotees.He drank the poison but did
not swallow it. He allowed it to remain in his throat, which turned
his throat blue and the monsoon showers lent him immense relief. Hence
Lord Shiva is referred as Neelakantha. (ANI)

Global recession may spell doom for Banarasi saree industry

Global recession may spell doom for Banarasi saree industry
Wednesday, November 05, 2008 9:01:20 PM by ANI ( Leave a comment )

By Girish Kumar Dubey
Varanasi, Nov.5 (ANI): It appears the global meltdown being witnessed
prominently in the financial markets is all set to devastate the
famous Banarsi Saree industry, which is currently facing a tough time.
At one side the prepared saris are not getting sold off in abundance
like before, on the other side the export orders appears to face a
downward trend in near future.
The Silk industry, which was facing a tough time due to other factors,
is likely to face a major jolt in the days to come leading to literal
starvation of several people.
Be it handlooms or power looms both methods of preparing sarees are
threatened by crisis following the present situation in which the
people related to this industry are failing to get work even for whole
month. They just work for 15 days these days, which affects daily
wages of a lot of people here.
Exporters are also facing a tough time due to skewing demand for the
Banarasi Sarees
"Business of Banarsi sarees has come down due to economic recession
around the globe in many ways. Because all the fabrics made here are
luxury items. All those who purchase these are the ones who are rich,
either from India or from abroad. Among the most influenced are of the
same class. People, who buy the stuff eventually, are actually
influenced by this financial crisis. And therefore this influences
us," said Maqbool Hasan, a Banarsi saree Exporter.
In the recent past, Banarsi sarees have been among the most sought
after articles by women across the globe. The Banarsi fabric is an
essential material, traditionally used for bridal and party wear
clothes. .
Initially, Banarsi fabric used to be woven with real gold thread
called Zari. The artisans, who designed the floral motifs as well as
the full "pallu" of the sarees, cherished authority over intricate
designing as well as colour combinations.
But these artists are today afraid of facing perhaps the toughest
phase of their professional life. The suppliers are unable to meet the
demand due to rise in inflation rate.
It is also feared that if nothing is done on time for survival of the
artisans here, these already poverty-stricken people may have a real
impossible time to carry on in this work.
"The business is not doing well. We work for 15 days and there is no
work for another 15 days. Initially the labour was 500 rupees today,
it is only 400 rupees. The inflation has come up and we have only 15
days work," said Javed, Weaver.
Business of Banarsi sarees had already been facing crises for
different reasons for a few years and the recent global setback to
business centers proved a body blow to the industry here.
"The market is not responding well, and the conditions here are not
good. The prices of raw material are rising and material is not being
sold. Hence, people are turning to other businesses. The art is facing
threat of extinction," said Abdul Salam, a Banarasi Saree wholesaler.
The local artisans complain that though they length of the sarees has
increased by one metre of late, meaning almost double work, but their
wages have not increased a bit.
Today, the weavers and the artisans don"t get enough work. There were
times when they were remain heavily occupied for entire month. But
presently they dont have work beyond 15 days a month. (ANI)

Theatre artistes in India stage a rally against spiralling corruption across the country

Theatre artistes in India stage a rally against spiralling corruption across the country
                                                 By Girish Kumar Dubey
Three days prior to veteran Indian social activist Anna Hazare's proposed indefinite hunger strike demanding a strong law to fight the prevailing mushrooming graft in the country, the run up to the protest seemed to be warming up across India.A group of theatre artistes staged an anti-corruption rally at Varanasi in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh on Friday (August 12).Marching through the streets and lanes of the temple city, these theatre artistes raised anti corruption slogans other than enacting a play in which the commoners were characterised as slaves and federal government as a dictator.Ajay Roshan, an artiste and protestor said the federal government must give a serious thought to the proposals of Hazare and his associates vis-à-vis the Lokpal (ombudsman) Bill."The government's version of the Lokpal (ombudsman) Bill, is complete fraud and we want that the adaptation of Mr. Anna Hazare's (veteran social activist) suggestions should be passed in the Indian Parliament. And ahead of the Independence Day we have gathered here as we want an end for the corruption mushrooming in the country and thus help the progress of the nation," Ajay Roshan, theatre artiste.The participants in this unique rally raised slogans in support of Hazare and the Jan Lokpal Bill mooted by him and like-minded social activists.The much-debated Lokpal Bill, which aims to set up an anti-corruption watchdog in the country, was tabled in the Lok Sabha (lower house of the Indian parliament) on August 4.Hazare and his supporters, however, burnt copies of the bill in various cities, claiming that the Bill tabled in its present form in the parliament lacked teeth to counter corruption.The opposition parties too termed the government's draft Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha as toothless.While the civil society activists including Anna Hazare and his team are garnering public support against the government's draft Bill, the government is in a rush to get it passed in the Parliament.Meanwhile at Bangalore in India's southern state of Karnataka, supporters and activists of the Lokpal (ombudsman) Bill, addressed the mediapersons to highlight their plan of action in crusading for the enactment of an effective Lokpal Bill.Under the banner of 'India Against Corruption' these activists of Bangalore said that they would be conducting a symbolic cleanliness drive in the city to motivate people to join the movement."We have a slew of programmes that we have coming up, starting from tomorrow towards the 16th (August) where Anna Hazare will start his fast. So tomorrow since it is clean up of India, clean it from corruption we are saying we are not just protesting we are also doing work on the ground. So tomorrow we will clean up one of our major markets which is the Yashwantpur market in Bangalore; we will pass the message of cleanliness, we will pass the message of India without corruption," said Meenakshi Bharat, member Loksatta Party and Lokpal Bill activist, Bangalore.Corruption and a series of graft cases have proven to be the key issue plaguing the ruling federal government led by the Congress Party.The final meeting between the government and the civil society representatives on the drafting of the Lokpal Bill had ended on June 22, with differences on six key issues which included the Prime Minister, the higher judiciary, and lawmakers, being brought under the purview of the Lokpal.The civil society members also differed with the government over the mode of selection of the Lokpal panel and removal of its members.Graft has long been a part of daily life in India, but a series of recent scandals - which include violations in granting telecom licences that cost the country $39 billion in lost revenue - are unprecedented.

Intro

Three days ahead of veteran Indian social activist Anna Hazare's indefinite hunger strike demanding a strong law to fight spiralling graft in the country, a group of theatre artistes stage an anti-corruption rally in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (AUGUST 12, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. THEATRE ARTISTES SINGING PATRIOTIC SONGS DURING THE PROTEST RALLY

2. AN ARTISTE HOLDING A BANNER AND PLEADING BEFORE A PAAN (BETEL) SHOPOWNER

3. RALLY IN PROGRESS

4. PROTESTING STAGE ARTISTES WEARING MASKS AND HOLDING BANNERS

5. PROTESTORS RAISING SLOGANS

6. STATUE OF MAHATMA GANDHI, FATHER OF THE NATION

7. PROTESTORS SINGING SONGS

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) AJAY ROSHAN, A THEATRE ARTISTE, SAYING:

"The government's version of the Lokpal (ombudsman) Bill, is complete fraud and we want that the adaptation of Mr. Anna Hazare's (veteran social activist) suggestions should be passed in the Indian Parliament. And ahead of the Independence Day we have gathered here as we want an end for the corruption mushrooming in the country and thus help the progress of the nation."

BANGALORE, KARNATAKA, INDIA (AUGUST 12, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

9. OMBUDSMAN BILL SUPPORTERS ADDRESSING A NEWS CONFERENCE AT THE PRESS CLUB

10. MEENASKHI BHARAT, MEMBER LOKSATTA PARTY, SEATED DURING THE PRESS MEET

11. AN ACTIVIST ADDRESSING MEDIAPERSONS

12. AN ACTIVIST READING 'INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION'

13. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

14. MEDIA PERSONS SEATED

15. MASK BEARING THE FACE OF ANNA HAZARE, VETERAN SOCIAL ACTIVIST AND NATIONAL CRUSADER ON OMBUDSMAN BILL

16. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MEENASKHI BHARAT, MEMBER LOKSATTA PARTY, SAYING:

"We have a slew of programmes that we have coming up, starting from tomorrow towards the 16th (August) where Anna Hazare will start his fast. So tomorrow since it is clean up of India, clean it from corruption we are saying we are not just protesting we are also doing work on the ground. So tomorrow we will clean up one of our major markets which is the Yashwantpur market in Bangalore; we will pass the message of cleanliness, we will pass the message of India without corruption."

17. ACTIVISTS LISTENING

18. A WOMAN ADDRESSING DURING THE PRESS MEET

Original Script Date

Aug 13 00:23 (1 day ago)

Modified Script Date

Aug 13 00:23 (1 day ago)

Script Version

1

Headline

Theatre artistes in India stage a rally against spiralling corruption across the country.

Services

Subcon Extra

Locations

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH/BANGALORE, KARNATAKA, INDIA

Dates Shot

AUGUST 12, 2011

Sound

NATURAL WITH HINDI AND ENGLISH SPEECH

Duration

2:36

US debt crisis hits carpet industry in northern India

US debt crisis hits carpet industry in northern India

                                             By Girish Kumar Dubey
Carpet industry workers in Bhadohi district of India's northern Uttar Pradesh state, the biggest carpet-manufacturing centre, fear that their export orders will be cancelled due to the credit downgrade of the US by Standard & Poor.They believe that the downgrading will have a direct impact on the carpet industry, since two-thirds of the exports come from Germany and United States of America."We have a huge fear in our minds because the carpet is a luxury good and it is generally purchased by the rich and the upper middle class. This is not a necessity. Due to the US debt crisis, the carpet industry here is severely affected. So, the common man will automatically reduce his expenditure on luxury goods. The demand of these carpets would gradually fall. In fact, the peak season is nearing, when buyers generally purchase carpets. The carpet season generally begins from September onwards and goes on till March. The demand for carpets is anyway low in summers," said Ashok Kapoor, a carpet exporter.

The United States lost its top-tier AAA credit rating from Standard & Poor on Friday (August 11) in an unprecedented blow to the world's largest economy in the wake of a political battle that took the country to the brink of default.Traders and weavers in the state's Bhadohi district, which is famous for carpets, said that they wanted the government to help them regain the customers lost due to the US debt crisis."The recession in US has affected us. In fact, the talks about AAA rating have just begun, but the markets have not been stable for a very long time now. We feel that if this slowdown continues for long, then it would be very difficult for us to run this industry.

This is due to two reasons. Firstly, it is very difficult to get any payment from buyers. Secondly, wholesalers give the products to retailers on a consignment basis. This happens only in the carpet industry. We feel that this practice should be immediately stopped," said Kailash Narayan Baranwal, a carpet exporter.According to analysts, the luxury goods sector would be the most affected.In the wake of the global economic slowdown, the small exporters are being wiped out while large exporters are struggling to survive.The traders also said that government should reconsider the taxes levied on them.Varanasi is famous for its hand woven carpets all over the world.The carpet industry, being highly labour intensive and decentralised, is an important source of employment and a foreign exchange earner.According to estimates, there are 1215 carpet manufacturing units in India, out of which 190 are in the organised sector and the rest are in small-scale industry sector.

Intro

Carpet industry workers in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state, the biggest carpet-manufacturing centre, fear cancellation of export orders due to the credit downgrade of the US by Standard & Poor.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

BHADOHI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (AUGUST 12, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. A WORKER WEAVING A CARPET

2. A WORKER SITTING

3. A WORKER WEAVING A CARPET

4. A WORKER DESIGNING A CARPET

5. WORKERS SITTING AROUND A CARPET

6, A WORKER DESIGNING A CARPET

7. A WORKER SEWING A CARPET

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) ASHOK KAPOOR, A CARPET EXPORTER, SAYING:

"We have a huge fear as the carpet is a luxury good and it is generally purchased by the rich and the upper middle class. It is not a necessity. Due to the US debt crisis, the carpet industry is severely affected. So, the common man will automatically reduce his expenditure on luxury goods. The demand for these carpets will gradually fall. In fact, the peak season is nearing, when buyers generally purchase carpets. The carpet season generally begins from September and goes on till March. The demand for carpets is anyway low in summers."

9. WORKERS SEWING A CARPET

10. A WORKER MAKING A CARPET

11. WORKERS SITTING AROUND A CARPET

12. A WORKER HAMMERING NAILS INTO THE CARPET

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) KAILASH NARAYAN BARANWAL, A CARPET EXPORTER, SAYING:

"The recession in US has affected us. In fact, the talks about AAA rating have just begun, but the markets have not been stable for a very long time now. We feel that if this slowdown continues for long, then it would be very difficult for us to run this industry. This is due to two reasons. Firstly, it is very difficult to get any payment from buyers. Secondly, wholesalers give the products to retailers on a consignment basis. This happens only in the carpet industry. We feel that this practice should be immediately stopped."

14. CARPETS ON DISPLAY

15. ROLLED CARPETS IN A ROW

Original Script Date

Aug 13 07:58 (1 day ago)

Modified Script Date

Aug 13 07:58 (1 day ago)

Script Version

1

Headline

US debt crisis hits carpet industry in northern India.

Services

Subcon Extra

Locations

BHADOHI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Dates Shot

AUGUST 12, 2011

Sound

NATURAL WITH HINDI SPEECH

Duration

2:47

Children learn Hindu scriptures at summer camp in Varanasi

Varanasi, Sat, 14 May 2011 ANI                                          By Girish Kumar Dubey

Varanasi, May 14(ANI): As an initiative to inculcate cultural values and allied Indian ethos among youngsters, a special summer camp has been organized for school children in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.This summer camp has been mooted by Ishita School where the children are taught essence of Hindu culture, relevance of rituals and recitation of passages from holy scriptures such as Vedas, Bhagwad Gita, Upanishads and Puranas.  

At the outset, every day, the teacher conducting the classes fondly applies a paste of sandalwood on the foreheads of the young Vedic 'scholars', incidentally, all studying in English medium and convent schools."It is very necessary for today's children because today, children are convent educated, going far from our traditional culture. So, we need to enlighten them about our Indian cultural heritage since during their routine academics, they are unable to concentrate on this aspect.

So, this is the right time to give them the right training. That's why in summer camp we are teaching these children Bhagwad Gita and Vedic Mantras among others," said Ishita Saraswat, a trainer at the school.On their part, the children despite not understanding the Sanskrit language in which most of the Hindu scriptures are written seemed to be curious to learn it."My father and mother are very happy to hear my reciting passages from our religious scriptures,"

said Avantika Kapoor, a student at the summer camp.Indu Saraswat, the coordinator of the school, said that this camp plays a very positive effect on children while learning the ancient scriptures of Hinduism."Since many parents are working, both of them don't have time to make their children understand about basic culture. They don't have time even to make their children be aware about certain basic facts of our culture and hence this summer camp for the children," Saraswat said.She also mentioned that the young children have learnt a lot about Hinduism right form respecting one's parents and teachers to reciting simple shlokas (psalms) from the scriptures. (ANI) 

An unusual classroom in Varanasi

                                By girish Kumar Dubey

VARANASI: Here comes a floating school for the children of the boatmen. In a novel gesture, a local social organisation and some enterprising people have launched two 'schools on boats' for providing informal education to the children of the economically backward community who could not enroll in schools. In the first step, 62 boys and girls are being provided informal education on two boats at the Rajghat.

These children row the boats amid chants, but their chants have a unique connotation. Their every movement is filled with a purpose. For them, it is a way to education. "Humko angrezi ka A B C D yaad ho gaya hai (I have learnt alphabets)," says Gunja, a 12-year-old girl from the boatmen community. Govind (17), who has never been to school, is also busy learning English so that he can interact with foreign tourists.

"In Varanasi, Ganga is a way of life, especially for the thousands of boatmen and their families who depend on the river for sustenance. Through this initiative, we are trying to develop an interest in learning in these children as well as their parents, who consider sending their wards to school a waste of time," a volunteer of the Vishal Bharat Sansthan (VBS), the social organisation spearheading the campaign, told TOI.

The 'classes' are held on two medium-sized boats. The children assemble at the ghat at 4.30pm, even before the arrival of their teachers. They then take their seats on the two boats and the class begins with a prayer. Govind and his brother Abhishek (eldest of the lot) take the charge of rowing the boats. The class continues till 6.30pm. Schooling on floating boats is also a fun activity for these children, who are skilled in swimming.

It is only the eldest boys among them who row the boats during the two-hour floating classes in the afternoon. A boatman, Gurucharan Sahan