Work of Girish Kumar Dubey: June 2012

Friday, June 15, 2012

Protestors fast unto death in ‘Save River Ganga’ campaign in northern India

Protestors fast unto death in 'Save River Ganga' campaign in northern India

MAY 19, 2012 Varanasi (ANI ) By Girish Kumar Dubey

Social activist G D Aggarwal and his supporters at Varanasi in northern state of Uttar Pradesh, prolonged their indefinite hunger strike in the cause of keeping River Ganges clean.

Five of the protestors including Hindu seers have been fasting for more than 100 hours.

Meanwhile, Hindu seer Swamy Abhimukteswaranand who is heading the campaign in the state along with environmental activist G D Aggarwal on Saturday (May 19) told reporters that the condition of the protestors is very bad and they have been admitted in the hospital.

"Physical condition of all the protestors is very bad but they are still strong at heart and their determination to take their protest further has strengthened," said Abhimukteswaranand.

Meanwhile officials from the Prime Minister Office and National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) arrived in the state to meet the protestors.

"We were not invited to the talks in this regard. Earlier the provincial administration had told us that the officials from the Prime Minister Office are coming and they would like to talk with you and we said that we have no problem in that. However later due to emergency we came here to hospital and the meantime officials met others and they left after that," added Abhimukteswaranand.

Meanwhile, the officials civic officials camce out to came to meet and seek solution as these protestors were not invited to the meeting of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on April 17

"Physical condition of all the protestors is very bad but they are still strong at heart and their determination to take their protest further has strengthened," said Abhimukteswaranand., a close associate of Indian Against Corruption, moted by Narenda Dhotu

Federal Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Minister of Environment and Forests Jayanthi Natarajan were also present at the meet.

State Chief Ministers Akhilesh Yadav of Uttar Pradesh, Vijay Bahuguna of Uttarakhand, Nitish Kumar of Bihar and Arjun Munda of Jharkhand besides environmental activists and Hindu monks were among others who took part in the NGRBA deliberations.

The major problem faced by this prime river of India is that over 90 percent of its water has been used by hydro electric projects and, barrages besides plethora of unlawful activities.

Apart from the shrinking river, the accumulation of silt deposit and garbage along the banks has worried the environmentalists despite millions of rupees being spent on the Action River Ganga Plan.

Earlier, also environmental activist G D Aggarwal had undertaken fast-unto-death as a mark of protest against the government's apathy towards the worsening condition of the River Ganga.

In 2011, the federal government approved a $1 billion loan from the World Bank, to fund an eight-year project to clean the River Ganga, in particular the large stretches heavily polluted by industrial effluents and domestic waste.

The 2,510-kilometre-long river that runs from a glacier in the western Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh supports over 400 million of India's 1.2 billion populations.

Intro

Social activist G D Aggarwal and his supporters at Varanasi in northern state of Uttar Pradesh, prolong their indefinite hunger strike in the cause of keeping River Ganges clean.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (MAY 19, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. FASTING PROTESTORS LYING ON THE HOSPITAL BED
2. A SIGN BOARD READING 'GANGES'
3. A FASTING PROTESTOR LYING ON THE BED
4. OFFICIALS STANDING
5. FASTING PROTESTOR SITTING
6. ONE OF THE FASTING PROTESTORS SITTING ON THE HOSPITAL BED
7. PROTESTOR SITTING
8. ONE OF THE FASTING PROTESTORS LYING ON THE HOSPITAL BED
9. PROTESTOR LYING ON THE BED
10. FACE OF THE PROTESTOR
11. PROTESTOR LYING ON THE BED

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) HINDU SEER SWAMI ABHIMUKTESWARANAND, SAYING:
"Physical condition of all the protestors is very bad but they are still strong at heart and their determination to take their protest further has strengthened."

13. ONE OF THE PROTESTORS SITTING
14. PROTESTOR SITTING
15. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) HINDU SEER, SWAMI ABHIMUKTESWARANAND, SAYING:
"We were not invited to the talks in this regard. Earlier the provincial administration had told us that the officials from the Prime Minister Office are coming and they would like to talk with you and we said that we have no problem in that. However later due to emergency we came here to hospital and the meantime officials met others and they left after that."

16. ONE OF THE FASTING PROTESTORS LYING ON THE HOSPITAL BED
17. PROTESTOR LYING ON THE BED
18. PROTESTOR'S FACE
19. PROTESTOR LYING ON THE BED

Hindu saints in north India start procession for clean Ganga campaign

Hindu saints in north India start procession for clean Ganga campaign

JUNE 14, 2012 Varanasi (ANI ) By Girish Kumar Dubey

Hindu saints along with several environmental activists began a four-day procession in the holy city of Varanasi of India's northern Uttar Pradesh state to create awareness among the masses about the need to clean River Ganga and ensure that it flows without any interruption.

A Hindu saint, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati of Jyotirmath on Thursday (June 14) said that he would be participating in the procession for the clean River Ganga campaign, which would conclude in New Delhi on June 18.

"The Hindu saint, who is fasting to save Ganga is also accompanying us. This journey would include places like Prayag, Kanpur,Agra, Mathura (cities of north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh), Palwal (city of Haryana), would reach Delhi on June 17th and would participate in Ganga Mukti Mahasangram (a campaign to save River Ganga) being conducted at Jantar Mantar on June 18th," said Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati.

Environmental activist Lakshmi Mani Shashtri led the procession on Thursday that included nearly 250 vehicles.

Earlier in the day, saints and priests performed Hindu rituals and sought blessings of Hindu goddess Ganga.

Hundreds of supporters thronged at the bank of River Ganga to show solidarity to the genuine cause.

Meanwhile, a supporter of clean river Ganga campaign, Mohammad Abaas highlighted the significance of holy River Ganga, which served as lifeline for millions of people across the country.

"Millions of people in this country depend on River Ganga. God had first created water in the world followed by man. Water is the basic requirement of the people across the world. Everybody including birds and animals in this world needs water. Through water we get vegetables, fruits and grains. But today, this basic requirement is being taken away from us. We are ready to give whatever sacrifices that would be required," said Mohammad Abaas.

Reportedly, a Hindu saint, Shri Jagat Guru Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj of Dwarka-Shardapeeth would also participate in the campaign.

In recent years, rising pollution in River Ganga has raised concern among people.

Nowadays, scores of non-governmental and social organisations are coming forward to show solidarity for the genuine cause of clean River Ganga campaign.

The major problem faced by this prime river of India is that over 90 percent of its water has been used by hydro electric projects and, barrages besides plethora of unlawful activities.

Apart from the shrinking river, the accumulation of silt deposit and garbage along the banks has worried the environmentalists despite millions of rupees being spent on the River Ganga Action Plan.

Earlier, environmental activist G D Aggarwal undertook fast-unto-death as a mark of protest against the government's apathy towards the worsening condition of the River Ganga.

The 2,510-kilometre-long river that runs from a glacier in the western Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh supports over 400 million of India's 1.2 billion populations.

Intro

Hindu saints along with several environmental activists begin a four-day procession in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state to create awareness among the masses about the need to clean River Ganga and ensure that it flows without any interruption.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (JUNE 14, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. HINDU SAINT, SWAMI AVIMUKTESHWARANAND SARASWATI OF JYOTIRMATH, WALKING DOWNSTAIRS ALONG WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST LAKSHMI MANI SHASHTRI
2. SWAMI AVIMUKTESHWARANAND AND SHASHTRI WALKING DOWNSTAIRS

3. GATHERING OF PEOPLE AT THE BANK OF RIVER GANGA
4. SHASHTRI PERFORMING A HINDU RITUAL
5. PEOPLE STANDING
6. SWAMI AVIMUKTESHWARANAND AND SHASHTRI, STANDING ALONG WITH OTHER PEOPLE NEAR THE BANK OF RIVER GANGA

7. PEOPLE STANDING
8. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) A HINDU SAINT, SWAMI AVIMUKTESHWARANAND SARASWATI OF JYOTIRMATH, SAYING:
"The Hindu saint, who is fasting to save Ganga is also accompanying us. This journey would include places like Prayag, Kanpur,Agra, Mathura (cities of north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh), Palwal (city of Haryana), would reach Delhi on June 17th and would participate in Ganga Mukti Mahasangram (a campaign to save River Ganga) being conducted at Jantar Mantar on June 18th."

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) A SUPPORTER OF CLEAN RIVER GANGA CAMPAIGN, MOHAMMAD ABAAS, SAYING:
"Millions of people in this country depend on River Ganga. God had first created water in the world followed by man. Water is the basic requirement of the people across the world. Everybody including birds and animals in this world needs water. Through water we get vegetables, fruits and grains. But today, this basic requirement is being taken away from us. We are ready to give whatever sacrifices that would be required."

10. SWAMI AVIMUKTESHWARANAND AND SHASHTRI STANDING ALONG WITH OTHER PEOPLE
11. SWAMI AVIMUKTESHWARANAND WALKING ALONG WITH OTHER PEOPLE
12. SWAMI AVIMUKTESHWARANAND SEEN WITH OTHER PEOPLE

13. A BUS MOVING
14. VEHICLES CARRYING ACTIVISTS MOVING

Girl gymnast from India’s northern state aspires to win laurels at championship in Russia

Girl gymnast from India's northern state aspires to win laurels at championship in Russia

JUNE 13, 2012 Varanasi (ANI) By Girish Kumar Dubey

A girl gymnast, Gitanjali, hailing from Varanasi of India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh aspires to win laurels at the International Children's Gymnastic Championship in Russia.

Though her circumstances did not favour her, she practised gymnastics with great dedication and went on to fulfil her dream.

Gitanjali appeared to be confident and learnt all the required techniques, as she is the chosen representative for the tournament.

"I am going for the championship and I am sure I will get a medal and will make my parents proud. I am going to Russia for the championship; I am working very hard for this. I have learnt turns, back lifts and cut fronts," said Gitanjali, a gymnast.

She encouraged all other gymnasts to move ahead and to excel in this field. Even though her family was reeling under severe poverty, she did not let the adverse circumstances prevent her from accomplishing her goal.

"I want that everyone should play like me and aspire to learn the way I have learnt and make everyone proud," she said.

Her mother and other relatives could not stop gushing about how persevering and meticulous she has been, since her tender years.

Gitanjali collected funds for her training by engaging in pottery and doing other jobs with an aim to achieve her goal.

"She has always been good and she has always excelled in sports more than academics. It is a happy moment for us and we want that that she should move ahead. We want that she should do everything very well. She was engaged in pottery and she collected money to fund her training," said Malti, Gitanjali's mother.

In a country like India, there is no dearth of talent, but abject poverty and lack of training results in disinterest among aspiring sportsmen.

Intro

A girl gymnast, Gitanjali, hailing from India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh aspires to win laurels at the International Children's Gymnastic Championship in Russia.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (JUNE 13, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. A GIRL GYMNAST, GITANJALI, WALKING
2. GITANJALI PERFORMING GYMNASTICS
3. GITANJALI PERFORMING
4. GITANJALI STANDING

5. GITANJALI STANDING WITH OTHER CHILDREN
6. GITANJALI STANDING
7. FEET OF CHILDREN STANDING
8. GITANJALI STANDING
9. GITANJALI POSING FOR A PHOTOGRAPH WITH OTHER CHILDREN
10.(SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) GITANJALI, A GYMNAST, SAYING:
"I am going for the championship and I am sure I will get a medal and will make my parents proud. I am going to Russia for the championship; I am working very hard for this. I have learnt turns, back lifts and cut fronts."

11. GITANJALI WEARING A GOLD MEDAL
12. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) GITANJALI, A GYMNAST, SAYING:
"I want that everyone should play like me and aspire to learn the wayI have learnt and make everyone proud."

13. A MEDAL
14. MEDALS ON DISPLAY
15. GITANJALI WALKING
16. EXTERIOR OF A HUT
17. GITANJALI STANDING

18. GITANJALI WITH HER MOTHER
19. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) MALTI, GITANJALI'S MOTHER, SAYING:
"She has always been good and she has always excelled in sports more than academics. It is a happy moment for us and we want that that she should move ahead. We want that she should do everything very well. She was engaged in pottery and she collected money to fund her training."

20. GITANJALI ARRANGING CERAMIC BOWLS
21. GITANJALI SITTING, ARRANGING CERAMIC BOWLS

Musicians converge in north India to create awareness about clean river Ganga campaign

JUNE 12, 2012 Varanasi (ANI) By Girish Kumar Dubey

Several musicians converged in Varanasi city of India's northern Uttar Pradesh state to create awareness among people about the need to clean river and ensure that it flows without any interruption.

Over hundreds of sitar (a plucked stringed instrument) players attended the campaign on Tuesday (June 12).

In recent years, rising pollution in River Ganga has raised concern among people.

Speaking to mediapersons, a Hindu saint Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati of Jyotirmath highlighted the significance of the musical campaign.

"The flow of river Ganga is interrupted and has become sluggish (at several locations) and it seems that it is a pond. And they (artists) want that the uninterrupted flow of River Ganga should be maintained. The 'ninaad' (the reverberation) that come out during the flow of River Ganga is similar to the sound produced while playing sitar. When the Ganga flows then the 'ninaad' is resonated and sounds akin to the reverberation of sitar," said Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati.

Legend of the Sitar, Pandit Shivnath Mishra and his group through their alluring performance moved and captivated hundreds of audience at the campaign.

Nowadays, scores of non-governmental and social organisations are coming forward to show solidarity for the genuine cause of clean River Ganga campaign.

The major problem faced by this prime river of India is that over 90 percent of its water has been used by hydro electric projects and, barrages besides plethora of unlawful activities.

Apart from the shrinking river, the accumulation of silt deposit and garbage along the banks has worried the environmentalists despite millions of rupees being spent on the River Ganga Action Plan.

Earlier, environmental activist G D Aggarwal had undertaken fast-unto-death as a mark of protest against the government's apathy towards the worsening condition of the River Ganga.

The 2,510-kilometre-long river that runs from a glacier in the western Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh supports over 400 million of India's 1.2 billion populations.

Intro

Several musicians converge in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state to create awareness among people about the need to clean holy river Ganga and ensure that it flows without any interruption.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (JUNE 12, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. A BANNER READING '108 SITAR SAPARYA BY PANDIT SHIVNATH MISHRA AND HIS GROUP'
2. ARTISTS PLAYING SITAR (A PLUCKED STRINGED INSTRUMENT)
3. SITAR SEEN IN THE HANDS OF ARTISTS

4. AN ARTIST PLAYING SITAR
5. GATHERING OF PEOPLE AT THE VENUE
6. ARTISTS PLAYING SITAR
7. AN ARTIST PLAYING SITAR
8. A TABLA (INDIAN PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT) PLAYED BY AN ARTIST
9. INSTRUMENTS BEING PLAYED BY THE ARTISTS
10. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) A HINDU SAINT, SWAMI AVIMUKTESHWARANAND SARASWATI OF JYOTIRMATH, SAYING:

"The flow of river Ganga is interrupted and has become sluggish (at several locations) and it seems that it is a pond. And they (artists) want that the uninterrupted flow of River Ganga should be maintained. The 'ninaad' (the reverberation) that come out during the flow of River Ganga is similar to the sound produced while playing sitar. When the Ganga flows then the 'ninaad' is resonated and sounds akin to the reverberation of sitar."

11. ARTISTS PLAYING SITAR
12. CAMPAIGN IN PROGRESS

World Child Labour Day is observed in different parts of India

World Child Labour Day is observed in different parts of India

JUNE 12, 2012 Varanasi (ANI) By Girish Kumar Dubey

Processions and meets were organised in different parts of India to observe the World Child Labour Day on Tuesday (June 12).

In northern Uttar Pradesh state's Varanasi city, groups of children and activists from the local non-government organization (NGO) gathered to raise their voices against the prevalence of child labour in the country.

The children and the activists raised slogans while holding placards and demanded the inclusion of children's ecological right in the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

"These kind of programmes are very impactful. It is a matter of children and they themselves are raising their voices here. The government takes it very seriously, which is why the law for a child's Right to Education has been established. Otherwise there would have been none. We believe that in the coming times, the ecological rights of the children would be enforced in the declaration of the UNCRC. Child labour will go down in Uttar Pradesh and children will go to school in large numbers," said Rajnikant, the director of the NGO.

Meanwhile processions were also observed in southern Tamil Nadu state's Coimbatore city where school children took to the streets in observance of the day.

The rally, which was flagged off by the local district authorities, saw schoolchildren taking to the streets while carrying placards and banners to highlight the evils of child labour in the country.

"Today we are creating awareness by celebrating awareness in this rally in Coimbatore. We have to abolish child labour, it is a big abuse for the nation. We have to abolish it so that no child has to work," said Sangeetha, a participant in the rally.

June 12 is observed throughout the world as the World Child Labour Day to raise awareness against the prevalance of child labour in several countries worldwide.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates say that there are 218 million child labourers worldwide. The government's 2001 census estimated 12.7 million involved in child labour and children constitute 3.6 per cent of the total labour force of the country.

Seminars are being held across the country by the central government and various states to address the issue of child labour.

Intro

Processions and meets are being organised in different parts of India to observe the World Child Labour Day.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (JUNE 12, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. A POSTER READING 'ECOLOGICAL CHILD RIGHTS IN UNCRC'
2. A GROUP OF CHILDREN HOLDING PLACARDS SHOUTING SLOGANS
3. TWO YOUNG GIRLS WEARING RED BANDS ON THEIR HEADS SHOUTING SLOGANS

4. A CHILD HOLDING A PLACARD IN FRONT OF THE OTHER CHILDREN SHOUTING SLOGANS
5. A MAN SHOUTING SLOGANS
6. A PLACARD WRITTEN IN HINDI
7. GROUPS OF CHILDREN SHOUTING SLOGANS WHILE SEATED IN FRONT OF A HUGE POSTER
8. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) DIRECTOR OF HUMAN WELFARE ASSOCIATION, RAJNIKANT, SAYING:
"These kind of programmes are very impactful. It is a matter of children and they themselves are raising their voices here. The government takes it very seriously, which is why the law for a child's Right to Education has been established. Otherwise there would have been none. We believe that in the coming times, the ecological rights of the children would be enforced in the declaration of the UNCRC. Child labour will go down in Uttar Pradesh and children will go to school in large numbers."

COIMBATORE, TAMIL NADU, INDIA (JUNE 12, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)
9. A GROUP OF PEOPLE TAKING OUT A LARGE BANNER IN A PROCESSION
10. A GROUP OF CHILDREN PLAYING DRUMS WHILE MARCHING IN THE PROCESSION IN A ROW

11. GROUPS OF CHILDREN WALKING IN A ROW
12. GROUPS OF YOUNG SCHOOLGIRLS WALKING IN A ROW
13. A GROUP OF YOUNG SCHOOLBOYS CARRYING PLACARDS WITH THEM

14. A GROUP OF BOYS CARRYING PLACARDS WITH THEM
15. A POLICE PERSONNEL WALKING WITH A GROUP OF GIRLS HOLDING PLACARDS WALKING IN A ROW
16. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SANGEETHA, A PARTICIPANT IN THE RALLY, SAYING:

"Today we are creating awareness by celebrating awareness in this rally in Coimbatore. We have to abolish child labour, it is a big abuse for the nation. We have to abolish it so that no child has to work."

17. GROUPS OF CHILDREN WALKING IN A ROW ON A ROAD

Hazare’s key aide calls for impartial probe into allegations

Hazare's key aide calls for impartial probe into allegations

JUNE 11, 2012 Varanasi (ANI) By Girish Kumar Dubey

A key aide of veteran activist Anna Hazare, Kiran Bedi, on Monday (June 11) called for impartial probe after federal ministers laid allegations against Hazare aides.

Overseas Indian affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi and junior minister in Prime Minister Office V. Narayanasamy called them anti-national and questioned their track record.

Hazare aides have demanded that a special investigation to probe graft charges against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and 14 senior ministers.

"Allegations against us, the ministers and the Prime Minister should be probed by a special investigation team not by the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) because the CBI is under the government's control. The CBI always does flip-flops," Bedi told reporters in Varanasi city of northern Uttar Pradesh state.

The Computer and Auditor General (CAG) has accused the government of extending 'undue benefits' of more than ten trillion rupees to commercial entities by allotting 155 coal acreages during 2004-09 when PM was in-charge of the coal ministry.

"He allocated coal mines to companies which were not in need of it. Some of them were garment or cassettes making companies. Instead it should have allocated to power, steal and cement companies. The contract was renewed despite they had not begin mining. As a result, the government had to import the coal by spending our foreign exchange reserve," added Bedi.

They have threatened an indefinite fast from July 25 if their demand was not met.

Intro

A key aide of veteran anti-graft activist Anna Hazare, Kiran Bedi, calls for impartial probe after federal ministers laid allegations against Hazare aides.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (JUNE 11, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. A KEY AIDE OF VETERAN ANTI-GRAFT ACTIVIST ANNA HAZARE, KIRAN BEDI, AT A PUBLIC MEET
2. BEDI LOOKING AT HER MOBILE PHONE
3. AUDIENCES SITTING
4. MORE PEOPLE LOOKING
5. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) A KEY AIDE OF VETERAN ANTI-GRAFT ACTIVIST ANNA HAZARE, KIRAN BEDI, SAYING:
"Allegations against us, the ministers and the Prime Minister should be probed by a special investigation team not by the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) because the CBI is under the government's control. The CBI always does flip-flops."

6. A BANNER WITH PICTURES OF HAZARE, BEDI AND HER COLLEAGUE ARVIND KEJRIWAL
7. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) A KEY AIDE OF VETERAN ANTI-GRAFT ACTIVIST ANNA HAZARE, KIRAN BEDI, SAYING:

"He allocated coal mines to companies which were not in need of it. Some of them were garment or cassettes making companies. Instead it should have allocated to power, steal and cement companies. The contract was renewed despite they had not begin mining. As a result, the government had to import the coal by spending our foreign exchange reserve."

8. PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN ANTI-CORRUPTION RALLY

Devotees converge in northern India to celebrate Hindu festival with fervour and enthusiasm

Devotees converge in northern India to celebrate Hindu festival with fervour and enthusiasm

MAY 30, 2012 Varanasi (ANI) By Girish Kumar Dubey

Thousands of devotees converged on the banks of River Ganga in the holy city of Varanasi in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state to celebrate Ganga Dussehra, a festival to mark the inception of the sacred river Ganges on the earth.

Speaking to mediapersons on Wednesday (May 30) a priest, Mahant Brijmohan Das highlighted the importance of the festival.

"Today is the festive occasion of Ganga Dussehra. Today only, mother Ganga from the 'jata' (hairlocks) of Hindu Lord Shiva came down to earth. The Ganga flows in north direction in 'Kashi' (ancient name of Varanasi city). This is why, in Kashi, this day holds significance for the people. Those devotees, who took holy dip in Ganga River, will get rid from all the sins," said Das.

The priests were seen performing traditional Hindu rituals and chanted hymns on the banks of the river.

Women and girls offered prayers for the well being of their family.

"This festival holds importance for the people. It's a grand and fortunate 'aarti' (a religious ritual of worship). This 'aarti' holds significance for the girls," said a devotee, Meenakshi Upadhyay.

Earlier, thousands of devotees assembled at the prominent 'ghats' or banks since the crack of the dawn to take holy dip and seek the blessings of Ganga to get rid of their sins.

In addition to it, a social organisation called Ganga Sewa Nidhi organised an environment awareness programme with an aim to save River Ganga.

Legend holds that the Ganges was gifted to mankind in answer to the great penance undertaken by King Bhagirath, after whom she is also called Bhagirathi.

Bhagirath, a descendant of the legendry Sagara dynasty prayed for the Ganges to descend onto the parched earth.

River Ganga is the most sacred river to Hindus and is also the lifeline to millions of people who live along its course.

Intro

Thousands of devotees converge on the banks of River Ganga in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state to celebrate Ganga Dussehra, a festival to mark the inception of the sacred river Ganges on the earth.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (MAY 30, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. GATHERING OF DEVOTEES ON THE BANK OF RIVER GANGA
2. PRIESTS PERFORMING 'AARTI' (A RELIGIOUS RITUAL OF WORSHIP)
3. A PRIEST PERFORMING AARTI

4. AARTI BEING PERFORMED
5. DEVOTEES SEEN AT THE BANK OF RIVER GANGA
6. AARTI BEING PERFORMED
7. LIGHTED LAMPS FLOATING IN THE RIVER

8. HINDU RITUALS BEING PERFORMED BY THE DEVOTEES
9. WOMEN SITTING AND OFFERING PRAYERS
10. DEVOTEES POURING MILK IN THE WATERS OF RIVER GANGA
11. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) A PRIEST, MAHANT BRIJMOHAN DAS, SAYING:
"Today is the festive occasion of Ganga Dussehra. Today only, mother Ganga from the 'jata' (hairlocks) of Hindu Lord Shiva came down to earth. The Ganga flows in north direction in 'Kashi' (ancient name of Varanasi city). This is why, in Kashi, this day holds significance for the people. Those devotees, who took holy dip in Ganga River, will get rid from all the sins."

11. A PRIEST PERFORMING A HINDU RITUAL IN FRONT OF THE IDOL Of HINDU GODDESS GANGA
12. PRIEST CLAPPING
13. IDOL OF GODDESS GANGA
14. GATHERING OF DEVOTEES
15. A PRIEST BLOWING A CONCH SHELL
16. PRIESTS BLOWING CONCH SHELLS
17. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) a DEVOTEE, MEENAKSHI UPADHYAY, SAYING:

"This festival holds importance for the people. It's a grand and fortunate 'aarti' (a religious ritual of worship). This 'aarti' holds significance for the girls."
18. UPADHYAY SITTING
19. PRIESTS PERFORMING RITUALS

Hindu devotees fetch clean water of river Ganges from northern India state

Hindu devotees fetch clean water of river Ganges from northern India state

MAY 28, 2012 Varanasi (ANI ) By Girish Kumar Dubey

In a bid to raise awareness about the heavy pollution in sacred River Ganges devotees fetched water from upper reaches of the water body in the Himalayas to offer to the Hindu deities for upcoming religious festival.

Locals travelled to Tehri village in Uttarakhand province and collected water from the River Ganges to offer it to the Hindu god Shiva on the auspicious occasion of 'Nirjala Ekadeshi' (fast without water), which falls on Thursday (May 31).

It is one of the stern fasts of the Hindu religion where the devotees are not allowed to consume food or water for a day and offer the holy water of River Ganges to lord Shiva.

Talking to mediapersons on Monday (May 28), a local, Vishwanath Singh said that the devotees had to collect water from Tihri, as the water of River Ganges flowing through Varanasi city in Uttar Pradesh is not clean enough to be offered to lord Shiva.

"The water of river Ganges flowing through Varansi is now not clean enough for Hindu rituals. It is severely polluted and to give a warning to the federal government to clean River Ganges we have brought water from 'Tehri. As the legends have it, Tehri is the place where it is believed that the river is entangled in the hair of Hindu god Shiva. We have brought water from there and will offer it to Lord Shiva on Thursday (May 31). We will observe fast without water on the auspicious day and worship Lord Shiva by offering the pure water. After this He should bless mother Ganges with pure waters," said Singh.

The Ganges, apart from the problems of siltation and flooding, has large stretches heavily polluted by industrial and domestic waste.

The Indian government last year approved a $1 billion loan from the World Bank to fund an eight-year project to clean the River Ganges.

The 2,510-kilometre-long river that runs from a glacier in the western Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh supports over 400 million people out of India's population of 1.2 billion.

The river occupies pride of place in the Hindu religious pantheon as a giver of sustenance.

Intro

In a bid to raise awareness about the heavy pollution in sacred River Ganges devotees fetch water from upper reaches of the water body in the Himalayas to offer to the Hindu deities for upcoming religious festival.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (MAY 28, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. DEVOTEES INSIDE A TEMPLE
2. IDOLS OF HINDU GODS AND GODDESSES
3. DEVOTEES AND A PRIEST STANDING AROUND PLASTIC CANS FILLED WITH RIVER GANGES WATER

4. DEVOTEES THROWING FLOWER PETALS ON THE PLASTIC CANS FILLED WITH RIVER GANGES WATER
5. STICKERS READING 'RIVER GANGES WATER' PASTED ON THE PLASTIC CANS
6. PRIESTS CHANTING PRAYERS
7. DEVOTEES SITTING
8. A GROUP OF PRIESTS CHANTING PRAYERS
9. DEVOTEES OFFERING FLOWER PETALS AND GARLANDS TO PLASTIC CANS FILLED WITH RIVER GANGES WATER

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) A LOCAL, VISHWANATH SINGH, SAYING:
"The water of river Ganges flowing through Varansi is now not clean enough for Hindu rituals. It is severely polluted and to give a warning to the federal government to clean River Ganges we have brought water from 'Tehri. As the legends have it, Tehri is the place where it is believed that the river is entangled in the hair of Hindu god Shiva. We have brought water from there and will offer it to Lord Shiva on Thursday (May 31). We will observe fast without water on the auspicious day and worship Lord Shiva by offering the pure water. After this He should bless mother Ganges with pure waters."

11. DEVOTEES SITTING INSIDE A TEMPLE

Indian government fails to pay heed to condition of star of Oscar winning movie “Smile Pinki”

Indian government fails to pay heed to condition of star of Oscar winning movie "Smile Pinki"

MAY 26, 2012 ,Varanasi (ANI) By Girish Kumar Dubey

The federal government failed to fulfil its promise to provide all kinds of monetary assistance to the main protagonist of Oscar winning movie 'Smile Pinki', Pinki Sonkar, an Indian child who is living in abject poverty in a small northern town of Uttar Pradesh.

She's not as famous as the child actors of "Slumdog Millionaire," but Pinki Sonkar is a legend in the Indian village that once ostracized her, thanks to cleft-lip surgery and another Oscar-winning film.

Pinki along with her family lives in a small village, 50 km (30 miles) south of the Hindu pilgrimage city of Varanasi in northern Uttar Pradesh state and faced the brunt of poverty.

The 39-minute poignant film, by U.S.-based filmmaker Megan Mylan, recounted how the girl, born into a poor family and with a cleft lip, is taken by a social worker to a hospital that provides free surgery to fix the deformity for thousands of children each year.

Pinki was once an outcast in her northern Indian village, where deformities are not understood, but she was accepted into the community after the surgery.

The family members of Pinki were hopeful that their monetary condition would improve after the government announced that all kinds of help would be provided to them as Pinki had made the nation proud in the international arena.

Grandfather of Pinki, Sohan Lal told reporters on Saturday (May 26) that no aid was provided by anyone and all their hopes for better future shattered like a broken glass.

"Our condition has deteriorated.

Q. When Pinki went to work at that time you would have thought that your condition would improve?

A. Yes, when she went to work and won Oscar we thought that government would provide us some aid but they did not help us. Several people told us that they would help us but none of then helped us," said Lal.

When small Pinki returned from America after receiving the award, she was accorded a warm welcome and wife of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also felicitated her.

However, now the streets leading to her house remain deserted.

Pinki's father Rajender Sonkar told reporters that it seems a challenging task for him to fulfil his daughter's dream to become a doctor as they had not received any help.

The hut where Pinki spent her whole life does not have basic facilities like electricity and water.

"Our condition is very bad in this village. We thought that when our daughter would return from abroad then our life would improve but nothing has happened. Neither the government nor others provided any financial assistance to us," said Sonkar.

However, after 'Smile Pinki' won the Oscar, several non-government organisations came forward to create awareness about corrective surgery being performed on those who have cleft lip, free of cost.

A charitable organisation, 'Smile Train' took the initiative to help those who cannot get themselves treated for cleft lips due to lack of money.

Plastic surgeon who operated on Pinki, Subodh Kumar Singh while interacting with reporters said that 'Smile Train' was trying their level best to help Pinki and others like her but due to geographical constraints proper aid failed to reach the needful.

"The smile train is providing monetary help to Pinki and Guddu and also taking care of their education but as they are living in the remote village area, there is limited scope of development. But I believe that this intelligent girl after completing her education would get a good job," said Singh.

Intro

The federal government has failed to fulfil its promise of providing all kinds of monetary assistance to the main protagonist of Oscar winning movie 'Smile Pinki's', Pinki Sonkar, an Indian child who lives in abject poverty in a village in northern state of Uttar Pradesh.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (MAY 26, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)
1. VIEW OF THE AREA

2. A SIGN BOARD IN LOCAL LANGUAGE
3. A MAKESHIFT TENT IN THE COMPOUND OF THE HOUSE
4. OSCAR WINNING CHILD PINKI PLAYING WITH ANOTHER CHILD
5. PINKI SITTING
6. PINKI PLAYING WITH ANOTHER CHILD
7. PINKI PLAYING WITH OTHERS
8. PINKI WALKING
9. EXTERIORS OF THE HOUSE

10. ENTRANCE GATE OF THE HOUSE
11. A BOOK RACK IN THE HOUSE
12. INTERIORS OF THE HOUSE
13. PINKI STANDING ALONG WITH HER GRANDFATHER

14. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) GRANDFATHER OF PINKI, SOHAN LAL, SAYING:
"Our condition has deteriorated.
Q. When Pinki went to work at that time you would have thought that your condition would improve?

A. Yes, when she went to work and won Oscar we thought that government would provide us some aid but they did not help us. Several people told us that they would help us but none of then helped us."

15. COMPOUND OF THE HOUSE
16. MUD FLOOR OF THE HOUSE
17. INTERIORS OF THE HOUSE
18. PINKI STANDING HOLDING OSCAR AWARD
19. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) FATHER OF PINKI, RAJENDER SONKAR, SAYING:
"Our condition is very bad in this village. We thought that when our daughter would return from abroad then our life would improve but nothing has happened. Neither the government nor others provided any financial assistance to us."

20. PINKI WALKING IN THE FARMLAND
21. PINKI WALKING
22. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) PLASTIC SURGEON WHO OPERATED ON PINKI, SUBODH KUMAR SINGH, SAYING:
"The smile train is providing monetary help to Pinki and Guddu and also taking care of their education but as they are living in the remote village area, there is limited scope of development. But I believe that this intelligent girl after completing her education would get a good job."

23. A WELL
24. PINKI WALKING ALONG WITH ANOTHER CHILD

Activists slam Indian PM over deplorable condition of river Ganges

Activists slam Indian PM over deplorable condition of river Ganges

MAY 21, 2012, varanasi (ANI) By Girish Kumar Dubey

Activists in northern India lashed at Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh for failing to adopt concrete measures to ensure cleaning of sacred river Ganges even as they warned of a mass protest in New Delhi in the near future.

Interacting with reporters in Varanasi city of northern Uttar Pradesh state on Tuesday (May 22), activists said that the federal government's future looms in danger because of turning a deaf ear to their demands.

"The Indian Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) is not playing his role in resolving the issue of saving River Ganges. On one hand he says that Ganges is the country's soul and on the other hand he doesn't take concrete steps to participate in the cause of cleaning and restoring it. So many people are sacrificing their lives for the cause and he seems to take no notice. River Ganges is sacred for so many people and India's constitution doesn't allow sabotaging someone's faith and belief. This is a matter of millions of Indians and needs immediate attention. I think the federal government still has time, if now they don't act promptly I am sure it will never return to power in the future," said an activist, Ramsharan Kumar.

Activists also said that they would soon head to the national capital to conduct protest rallies for their demands.

"We have started conducting 'Ganga Mukti Maha Sammelan' in over 20 states and starting from June 18 millions of people supporting the cause of cleaning and protecting river Ganges will reach New Delhi to protest," said another activist, Promod Krishna.

The Ganges, apart from the problems of siltation and flooding, has large stretches heavily polluted by industrial and domestic waste.

The Indian government last year approved a $1 billion loan from the World Bank to fund an eight-year project to clean the River Ganges.

The 2,510-kilometre-long river that runs from a glacier in the western Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh supports over 400 million people out of India's population of 1.2 billion.

The river occupies pride of place in the Hindu religious pantheon as a giver of sustenance.

Intro

Activists in northern India lash at Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh for failing to adopt concrete measures to ensure cleaning of sacred river Ganges even as they warn of a mass protest in the national capital in the near future.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (MAY 21, 2012) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. ACTIVISTS SITTING AT A MEETING
2. AN ACTIVIST ADDRESSING A GATHERING
3. ACTIVISTS SITTING AT THE MEET
4. ACTIVISTS STANDING

5. ANOTHER ACTIVIST SITTING
6. PEOPLE SITTING
7. MUSICIANS PLAYING THE TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENT 'SITAR'
8. MUSICIANS PLAYING 'TABLA'

9. A GATHERING SEATED
10. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) AN ACTIVIST, RAMSHARAN KUMAR, SAYING:
"The Indian Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) is not playing his role in resolving the issue of saving River Ganges. On one hand he says that Ganges is the country's soul and on the other hand he doesn't take concrete steps to participate in the cause of cleaning and restoring it. So many people are sacrificing their lives for the cause and he seems to take no notice. River Ganges is sacred for so many people and India's constitution doesn't allow sabotaging someone's faith and belief. This is a matter of millions of Indians and needs immediate attention. I think the federal government still has time, if now they don't act promptly I am sure it will never return to power in the future."

11. TELEVISION ACTOR MUKESH KHANNA WALKING WITH SUPPORTERS
12. ACTIVISTS HOLDING BANNERS
13. A BANNER IN HINDI READING 'GANGA'
14. KHANNA WAVING TO REPORTERS
15. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) AN ACTIVIST, PROMOD KRISHNA, SAYING:
"We have started conducting 'Ganga Mukti Maha Sammelan' in over 20 states and starting from June 18 millions of people supporting the cause of cleaning and protecting river Ganges will reach New Delhi to protest."

RECENT (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)
16. PEOPLE GATHERED ON A RIVERBANK
17. VOLUNTEERS CARRYING GARBAGE
18. A PILE OF RUBBISH

19. SCHOOLCHILDREN SWEEPING RIVERBANK CLEAN
20. VOLUNTEERS STANDING IN THE WATER, PULLING OUT REFUSE
21. RIVER BEING CLEANED BY VOLUNTEERS
22. A PILE OF RUBBISH