Tibetan activists and monks hold protest in northern India against Chinese atrocities.

Tibetan activists and monks hold protest in northern India against Chinese atrocities
OCTOBER 19, 2011                    By Girish Kumar Dubey

Hundreds of Tibetan activists and Buddhist monks held a massive demonstration in the Varanasi town of northern India's Uttar Pradesh state against alleged Chinese atrocities on Wednesday (October 19).

Shouting slogans and holding up placards, the irate agitators also called for the intervention of the United Nations in order to restore normalcy and peace in the ethnic Tibetan regions in China.

Voicing their ire, the activists and monks held a peaceful sit-in hunger strike to protest the rising atrocities of Chinese government that has prompted numerous young people to resort to self-immolation in Tibetan parts of China.

The highly charged protestors also mourned the death of a 20-year old nun, who had set herself alight outside a convent in Sichuan province of China's Tibetan Autonomous Region to protest alleged excesses.

She had called for the religious freedom in Tibet and for the return of their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. It was the ninth self-immolation case of this year in the Tibetan parts of China.

Swept by a wave of patriotic fervour, many Buddhist monks also signed petitions and write messages on a giant sheet with their own blood, in a bid to portray the deep-rooted angst against alleged Chinese excesses.

"We have written this with our blood. Today, China is so powerful economically, but we are the only group of people fighting against it since so many years. We have been fighting, we are fighting and even out coming generations would continue this struggle against China. We will fight, but only through peaceful and non-violent means," said Dorje, a Biddhist monk.

The self-immolations, along with protests, have been concentrated in Aba prefecture, a mainly ethnic Tibetan part of the southwestern province of Sichuan that has been the centre of defiance of Chinese control.

At least nine people have set fire to themselves in Tibetan parts of China in recent months in protests against Chinese rule and what they say are restrictions on their culture and faith.

However, the protests have yet to spread to what China calls the Tibet Autonomous Region, which Beijing has controlled since Communist troops marched in 1950.

Meanwhile, Tibetan activists extended strong support with the self-immolators, while condemning Chinese actions.

"Since the past few days, at least eight people have immolated themselves in China. We are extending solidarity with them by holding a hunger strike here. Four people have been killed in China, while at least three are injured due to excesses," Thono, a Tibetan activist, told mediapersons.

China has ruled Tibet with an iron fist, ever since its troops annexed the small Buddhist kingdom in 1950.

Despite all opposition by activists, Beijing considers Tibet as an integral part of its territory.

An estimated 80,000 Tibetans along with the Dalai Lama arrived in India in 1959 after an unsuccessful uprising against the Chinese rule.

Many Tibetans demand complete independence from China, even though in recent years the Dalai Lama has advocated for limited autonomy.

Intro

Hundreds of Tibetan activists and Buddhist monks hold a massive demonstration in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state against alleged Chinese atrocities and call for the intervention of the United Nations in order to restore normalcy and peace in the ethnic Tibetan regions in China.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (OCTOBER 19, 2011) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. BUDDHIST MONKS SITTING AT A PROTEST SITE

2. MONKS SITTING

3. MONKS HOLDING PLACARDS AND POSTERS

4. CLOSE OF POSTERS

5. A MONK DONATING HIS BLOOD

6. CLOSE OF THE SYRINGE USED FOR EXTRACTING THE MONKS' BLOOD

7. A TIBETAN ACTIVIST SITTING

8. A MONK WRITING ON A BANNER WITH HIS BLOOD

9. THE MONK WRITING WITH HIS BLOOD

10. THE MONK'S FACE

11. CLOSE OF THE BANNER

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) DORJE, A BUDDHIST MONK, SAYING:

"We have written this with our blood. Today, China is so powerful economically, but we are the only group of people fighting against it since so many years. We have been fighting, we are fighting and even out coming generations would continue this struggle against China. We will fight, but only through peaceful and non-violent means."

13. TIBETAN ACTIVISTS SITTING

14. AN ACTIVIST HOLDING A PLACARD

15. FACE OF A TIBETAN ACTIVIST

16. ACTIVISTS SITTING

17. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) THONO, A TIBETAN ACTIVIST, SAYING:

"Since the past few days, at least eight people have immolated themselves in China. We are extending solidarity with them by holding a hunger strike here. Four people have been killed in China, while at least three are injured due to excesses."

18. MONKS SITTING

19. A MONK SITTING IN PROTEST

20. A MONK HOLDING A PLACARD

21. ACTIVISTS AND MONKS AT THE PROTEST SITE

Original Script Date

Oct 19 17:59 (10 days ago)

Modified Script Date

Oct 19 17:59 (10 days ago)

Script Version

1

Headline

Tibetan activists and monks hold protest in northern India against Chinese atrocities.

Services

Subcon Extra

Locations

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Dates Shot

OCTOBER 19, 2011

Sound

NATURAL WITH HINDI SPEECH

Duration

2:20

Leader of India’s main opposition slams Prime Minister over widespread corruption

Leader of India's main opposition slams Prime Minister over widespread corruption

OCTOBER 13, 2011              By Girish Kumar Dubey

Leader of India's main opposition, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Lal Krishna Advani lashes out at the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh over widespread scams engulfing the country leading to the federal government's expose of ill governance and mismanagement.

He said this while addressing an audience on Thursday (October 13) in Varanasi city of northern India's Uttar Pradesh state.

Earlier, supporters in Mirzapur district of the state welcomed Advani where he was on a visit to a local temple and also interacted with supporters also.

Addressing a mammoth gathering, he jibed at Singh and said once touted as an honest politician, his cabinet houses one of the most scandalized ministers constantly facilitating scams in the country.

"I have noticed that in the past two years all of a sudden there is uncontrollable corruption in the country. The common man earlier thought high of the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh and he was touted as the most honest and corruption-free man in the country. However, the recent scams in the country under his governance have totally disillusioned the common man. The federal government is extremely corrupt, so many cabinet ministers have been forced to resign and some are languishing at the Tihar prison in New Delhi. A joke is doing the rounds that that one day after all cabinet ministers are thrown into the prison, the government will hold their officials meetings inside the prison," said Advani.

The federal government has been stung by controversies, the biggest being the telecom corruption scandal, which may have cost the Indian exchequer around $39.57 billion in potential revenue, as per the country's apex auditing body, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).

Former Telecom Minister A. Raja was also forced to resign and was sent to prison after CAG indicted him in his report.

Further commenting on the boiling issue of Indian money stashed in foreign banks abroad, he said the money if used appropriately, could potentially benefit 600, 000 villages in India uplifting them socially and infrastructurally.

"If India's wealth which is currently stashed in foreign banks abroad is brought back to the country then it has the potential to benefit around 600, 000 villages in India. Not even one village will suffer due to inadequate food, potable water, and electricity. The money used could potentially benefit school going children and provide them with basic amenities. It will also create better employment opportunities for the youth in villages who are at the receiving end of widespread corruption and Indian money stashed in foreign accounts abroad," said Advani.

Advani kicked off the 38-day nationwide tour against corruption from eastern India's Sitab Diara city, the birthplace of freedom fighter and socialist crusader of Sarvodaya movement Jai Prakash Narayan, on Monday (October 11).

Advani, who built his career on Hindu revivalism, stepped out of the limelight after fighting a losing campaign against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

This planned nationwide tour against corruption sparked talk of his return to the frontline.

During the much-hyped campaign that would last for more than a month, Advani will cover 23 states and four federal administered provinces, which will include 100 districts and log 7600 kilometres.

Advani had organised a similar Yatra in 1990, to mobilise the people towards building a temple dedicated to Lord Rama at Ayodhya city in northern India's Uttar Pradesh state.

Intro

Leader of India's main opposition, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Lal Krishna Advani lashes out at the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh over widespread scams engulfing the country leading to the federal government's expose of ill governance and mismanagement.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

MIRZAPUR, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (OCTOBER 13, 2011) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. LAL KRISHNA ADVANI, LEADER OF INDIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION, BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY COMING OUT OF AN OFFICIAL VEHICLE

2. SECURITY PERSONNEL STANDING

3. ADVANI STANDING

4. ADVANI BEING WELCOMED BY SUPPORTERS

5. ADVANI BEING GARLANDED

6. ADVANI WALKING

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (OCTOBER 13, 2011) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) L K ADVANI, MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER, SAYING:

"I have noticed that in the past two years all of a sudden there is uncontrollable corruption in the country. The common man earlier thought high of the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh and he was touted as the most honest and corruption-free man in the country. However, the recent scams in the country under his governance have totally disillusioned the common man. The federal government is extremely corrupt, so many cabinet ministers have been forced to resign and some are languishing at the Tihar prison in New Delhi. A joke is doing the rounds that that one day after all cabinet ministers are thrown into the prison, the government will hold their officials meetings inside the prison."

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) L K ADVANI, MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER, SAYING:

"If India's wealth which is currently stashed in foreign banks abroad is brought back to the country then it has the potential to benefit around 600, 000 villages in India. Not even one village will suffer due to inadequate food, potable water, and electricity. The money used could potentially benefit school going children and provide them with basic amenities. It will also create better employment opportunities for the youth in villages who are at the receiving end of widespread corruption and Indian money stashed in foreign accounts abroad."

Original Script Date

Oct 13 17:46 (16 days ago)

Modified Script Date

Oct 13 17:46 (16 days ago)

Script Version

1

Headline

Leader of India's main opposition slams Prime Minister over widespread corruption.

Services

Subcon Extra

Locations

MIRZAPUR/VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Dates Shot

OCTOBER 13, 2011

Sound

NATURAL WITH HINDI SPEECH

Duration

2:29

Senior leader of India’s main opposition sees party veteran as ‘PM in waiting’

Senior leader of India's main opposition sees party veteran as 'PM in waiting'
  OCTOBER 13, 2011                      By Girish Kumar Dubey
Leader of India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Uma Bharati obliquely said that she sees party's veteran leader, Lal Krishna Advani as the most suitable candidate for the position of country's Prime Minister.

While addressing the mass-rally in Varanasi, the holy city in northern Uttar Pradesh state on Thursday (October 13) Uma Bharati extended her full support to Advani as he undertakes his mass awareness campaign.

"This is his mass awareness procession and this will bring changes in the India's political system because Mr. Advani is the only one capable of countering political challenges. This is a major challenge against corruption. Also it is known that whoever who begins his campaign from here, he not only succeeds in eliminating corruption but also goes on to become the Prime minister," said Bharati.

Later on Murli Manohar Joshi, senior leader (BJP) praised Advani for his efforts to create awareness among people regarding widespread corruption in the country.

"Advani has undertaken various tours for the unity of the nation, for the culture of the nation, for the good governance in the country, and now he has taken out this tour to root out corruption from this country," said Joshi.

Moreover Joshi slammed India's Congress led UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government saying that it was because of the efforts of his party members that the recent corruption scams were brought into light and leaders of incumbent government were sent behind the bars.

"Mr. Advani has started this campaign to highlight how endemic corruption and dishonesty has affected national security and development of the nation," added Joshi.

The 38-day nationwide tour against corruption kicked off from eastern India's Sitab Diara city, the birthplace of freedom fighter and socialist crusader of Sarvodaya movement Jai Prakash Narayan, on Monday (October 11).

Advani, who built his career on Hindu revivalism, stepped out of the limelight after fighting a losing campaign against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

This planned nationwide tour against corruption sparked talk of his return to the frontline.

During the much-hyped campaign that would last for more than a month, Advani will cover 23 states and four federal administered provinces, which will include 100 districts and log 7600 kilometres.

Advani had organised a similar Yatra in 1990, to mobilise the people towards building a temple dedicated to Lord Rama at Ayodhya city in northern India's Uttar Pradesh state.

Intro

Leader of India's main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Uma Bharati sees party's veteran leader, Lal Krishna Advani as the most suitable candidate for the position of country's Prime Minister.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (OCTOBER 13, 2011) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. LAL KRISHNA ADVANI, SENIOR LEADER OF INDIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY (BJP) ALONG WITH OTHERS ARRIVING AT THE EVENT

2. ADVANI GREETING MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI, SENIOR BJP LEADER

3. GIRLS SINGING

4. ADVANI SITTING WITH OTHERS

5. ADVANI SITTING

6. PEOPLE STANDING, HOLDING BJP FLAG

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) UMA BHARTI, BJP LAWMAKER, SAYING:

"This is his mass awareness procession and this will bring changes in the India's political system because Mr. Advani is the only one capable of countering political challenges. This is a major challenge against corruption. Also it is known that whoever who begins his campaign from here, he not only succeeds in eliminating corruption but also goes on to become the Prime minister."

8. SUPPORTERS STANDING HOLDING BJP PARTY FLAG

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI, SENIOR LEADER OF INDIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION, BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY, SAYING:

"Advani has undertaken various tours for the unity of the nation, for the culture of the nation, for the good governance in the country, and now he has taken out this tour to root out corruption from this country."

10. SUPPORTERS SITTING

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI, SENIOR LEADER OF INDIA'S MAIN OPPOSITION, BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY, SAYING:

"Mr. Advani has started this campaign to highlight how endemic corruption and dishonesty has affected national security and development of the nation."

12. SUPPORTERS SITTING

Original Script Date

Oct 13 11:55 (17 days ago)

Modified Script Date

Oct 13 11:55 (17 days ago)

Script Version

1

Headline

Senior leader of India's main opposition sees party veteran as 'PM in waiting'.

Services

Subcon

Locations

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Dates Shot

OCTOBER 13, 2011

Sound

NATURAL WITH HINDI SPEECH

Duration

2:20

Tibetan monks in India write protest messages in their own blood against alleged Chinese atrocities

Tibetan monks in India write protest messages in their own blood against alleged Chinese atrocities

                    By Girish Kumar Dubey

Hundreds of Tibetan activists and Buddhist monks held a massive demonstration in the Varanasi town of northern India's Uttar Pradesh state against alleged Chinese atrocities on Wednesday (October 19). Shouting slogans and holding up placards, the irate agitators also called for the intervention of the United Nations in order to restore normalcy and peace in the ethnic Tibetan regions in China.

The activists and monks held a peaceful sit-in hunger strike to protest what they say are rising atrocities of Chinese government, which has prompted numerous young people to resort to self-immolation in Tibetan parts of China. The highly charged protestors also mourned the death of a 20-year-old nun, who had set herself alight outside a convent in Sichuan province of China's Tibetan Autonomous Region to protest alleged excesses.

She had called for the religious freedom in Tibet and for the return of their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. It was the ninth self-immolation case of this year in the Tibetan parts of China. Swept by a wave of patriotic fervour, many Buddhist monks also signed petitions and wrote messages on a giant sheet with their own blood, in a bid to portray the deep-rooted angst against alleged Chinese excesses.

"We have written this with our blood. Today, China is so powerful economically, but we are the only group of people fighting against it for so many years. We have been fighting, we are fighting and future generations will continue this struggle against China. We will fight, but only through peaceful and non-violent means," said Dorje, a Biddhist monk.

The self-immolations, along with protests, have been concentrated in Aba prefecture, a mainly ethnic Tibetan part of the southwestern province of Sichuan that has been the centre of defiance of Chinese control.

The protests have yet to spread to what China calls the Tibet Autonomous Region, which Beijing has controlled since Communist troops marched in 1950. Meanwhile, Tibetan activists extended strong support with the self-immolators, while condemning Chinese actions.

"In the past few days at least eight people have immolated themselves in China. We are extending solidarity with them by holding a hunger strike here. Four people have been killed in China, while at least three are injured due to excesses," Thono, a Tibetan activist, said.

China has ruled Tibet with an iron fist, ever since its troops annexed the small Buddhist kingdom in 1950.

Despite all opposition by activists, Beijing considers Tibet as an integral part of its territory.

An estimated 80,000 Tibetans along with the Dalai Lama arrived in India in 1959 after an unsuccessful uprising against the Chinese rule.

Many Tibetans demand complete independence from China, even though in recent years the Dalai Lama has advocated for limited autonomy.

Intro

Hundreds of Tibetan activists and Buddhist monks hold a massive demonstration, writing protest banners in their own blood in India against alleged Chinese atrocities.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (OCTOBER 19, 2011) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. BUDDHIST MONKS SITTING AT A PROTEST SITE

2. MONKS SITTING

3. MONKS HOLDING PLACARDS AND POSTERS

4. CLOSE OF POSTERS

5. A MONK DONATING HIS BLOOD

6. CLOSE OF THE SYRINGE USED FOR EXTRACTING THE MONKS' BLOOD

7. A TIBETAN ACTIVIST SITTING

8. A MONK WRITING ON A BANNER WITH HIS BLOOD

9. THE MONK WRITING WITH HIS BLOOD

10. THE MONK'S FACE

11. CLOSE OF THE BANNER

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) DORJE, A BUDDHIST MONK, SAYING:

"We have written this with our blood. Today, China is so powerful economically, but we are the only group of people fighting against it for so many years. We have been fighting, we are fighting and future generations will continue this struggle against China. We will fight, but only through peaceful and non-violent means."

13. TIBETAN ACTIVISTS SITTING

14. AN ACTIVIST HOLDING A PLACARD

15. FACE OF A TIBETAN ACTIVIST

16. ACTIVISTS SITTING

17. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) THONO, A TIBETAN ACTIVIST, SAYING:

"In the past few days at least eight people have immolated themselves in China. We are extending solidarity with them by holding a hunger strike here. Four people have been killed in China, while at least three are injured due to excesses."

18. MONKS SITTING

19. A MONK SITTING IN PROTEST

20. A MONK HOLDING A PLACARD

21. ACTIVISTS AND MONKS AT THE PROTEST SITE

Original Script Date

Oct 19 23:17 (1 day ago)

Modified Script Date

Oct 19 23:17 (1 day ago)

Script Version

1

Headline

Tibetan monks in India write protest messages in their own blood against alleged Chinese atrocities.

Services

Asia

Locations

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Dates Shot

OCTOBER 19, 2011

Sound

NATURAL WITH HINDI SPEECH

Duration

2:20

Prisoners in northern India stage play enacting life of Lord Rama

Prisoners in northern India stage play enacting life of Lord Rama

OCTOBER 02, 2011           By Girish Kumar Dubey
       
Prisoners in Varanasi city of India's northern Uttar Pradesh state staged a play re-enacting the life of Hindu god, Lord Rama.

Speaking to mediapersons, Jaiveer Upadhyaya, who is a prisoner and performed the role of Lord Rama, highlighted the importance of Ramlila (re-enactment of the life of Lord Rama) in real life.

"Through the organisation of Ramlila (Story of Hindu god Rama) like programmes, the mental and physical stress of the prisoners gets reduced. We have gained a lot from it. And the main thing is that whatever we had read about Lord Rama, Lord Laxman and goddess Sita (wife of Lord Rama), we should carry those morals in our daily lives and we will try learning them," said Upadhyaya.

The prisoners of the Central Jail of the city wore colourful costumes and performed the roles of diverse characters from the epic Ramayana, the oldest epic, which is based on the life, times and moral values of Lord Rama. Rama is considered as 'Maryada Purushottam' (the best among the dignified).

Lord Rama is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the central character of age-old epic 'Ramayana'.

Intro

Prisoners in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state stage a play enacting the life of Hindu god, Lord Rama.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (OCTOBER 02, 2011) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. A BANNER READING 'RAMLILA MAHOTSAVA, 2011'(RAMLILA FESTIVAL, 2011)

2. ARTISTS PREPARING FOR THE PLAY AND PUTTING ON MAKE-UP

3. PRISONERS WEARING DIFFERENT COSTUMES

4. A PRISONER WEARING A TEN-HEADED CROWN, STANDING

5. TWO PRISONERS IN THE OUTFIT OF HINDU LORD RAMA AND LAXMAN, WALKING

6. MEN PLAYING TABLA (INDIAN PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT)

7. PRISONERS PERFORMING ON A STAGE

8. GATHERING OF PEOPLE WATCHING THE PERFORMANCE

9. PRISONERS PERFORMING

10. A PRISONER WEARING AN OUTFIT OF A SAINT

11. GATHERING OF PEOPLE

12. A PRISONER PERFORMING ON THE STAGE

13. AUDIENCE CLAPPING

14. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) JAIVEER UPADHYAYA, A PRISONER, SAYING:

"Through the organisation of Ramlila (Story of Hindu god Rama) like programmes, the mental and physical stress of the prisoners gets reduced. We have gained a lot from it. And the main thing is that whatever we had read about Lord Rama, Lord Laxman and goddess Sita (wife of Lord Rama), we should carry those morals in our daily lives and we will try learning them."

15. A PRISONER IN AN OUTFIT OF A DEMON, PERFORMING

16. AUDIENCE SITTING

17. A PRISONER CARRYING A BOW AND AN ARROW, STANDING ON THE STAGE

18. PRISONERS PERFORMING

19. CROWD CLAPPING FOR THE PERFORMERS

20. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) CAPTAIN S. K PANDEY, JAIL SUPERINTENDENT, CENTRAL JAIL, VARANASI, SAYING:

"I believe that the prisoners too have certain desires in their minds and (such programmes have been organised so that) they would also get the same kind of environment of festive seasons. If they had been independent, then they too would have definitely enjoyed these festivals in their villages. So, it's a kind of healthy entertainment for them and in addition to it, (these programmes) would give a chance to them to showcase their talents."

21. CAPTAIN S. K PANDEY, JAIL SUPERINTENDENT, CENTRAL JAIL, VARANASI, SITTING

22. RAMLILA (RE-ENACTMENT OF THE LIFE OF LORD RAMA) IN PROGRESS

Original Script Date

Oct 03 10:50 (1 day ago)

Modified Script Date

Oct 03 10:50 (1 day ago)

Script Version

1

Headline

Prisoners in northern India stage play enacting life of Lord Rama.

Services

Subcon

Locations

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Dates Shot

OCTOBER 02, 2011

Sound

NATURAL WITH HINDI SPEECH

Duration

2:51

"I believe that the prisoners too have certain desires in their minds and (such programmes have been organised so that) they would also get the same kind of environment of festive seasons. If they had been independent, then they too would have definitely enjoyed these festivals in their villages. So, it's a kind of healthy entertainment for them and in addition to it, (these programmes) would give a chance to them to showcase their talents," said Captain S. K Pandey, Jail Superintendent.

The play is staged annually over ten successive nights during the auspicious period of Sharad Navratras (the nine-day festival which falls at the beginning of winter season). On the tenth day of the Hindu festival, Vijayaydashmi or Dussehra, the devotees commemorate the victory of Lord Rama over the Demon King, Ravana.

In recent times, Ramlila has received considerable worldwide attention, especially due to its diverse representation throughout the globe.

River Ganga continues to face pollution

Varanasi, May 4 : River Ganga remains highly polluted even after being declared the 'National River' by the Central Government.

The Ganga was declared the 'National River' to facilitate the clean up operations.

A Ganga River Basin Authority was also set up in order to check pollution in the river and its degradation.

But the problems for the River Ganga are far from over. It remains immensely polluted. Filled with chemical wastes, sewage and even the remains of human and animal corpses, it poses major health risks to around 400 million people living by its side and all others who benefit from it.

Ganga also suffers from another major problem called silting which results into chocking of its flow.

Some people also believe that constructing dams on the Ganga could be the cause of low water level in the river.

Acharya Jitendra, president, Ganga Mahasabha, a voluntary organisation working for saving the Ganga said, "Nearly 243 dams are slated to be constructed on the tributaries of the Ganga in Uttarakhand. This will obstruct the flow of water into the main river. So obviously, there will be sand dunes and the water level will be low. If the tributaries don't release water into the river, how will there be water in the Ganga."

The residents say that even after being declared the 'National River', no steps have been taken to improve the condition of the Ganga.

"The condition of the Ganga is deteriorating by the day. There is more sand in it. Though it is declared a 'National River', no efforts are being made to clean it. If water is resleased from the dam, then only the water level will increase in the river," said Rajesh Kumar Singh, a resident.

Efforts have always been made to clean up the Ganga since a long time but none have been proved successful.

The Rajiv Gandhi Government launched the Ganga Action Plan in 1984, but yielded little result. The river is said to be directly affecting the lives of around 400 million people who live by its side. By Girish Kumar Dubey

ANI

Read more: http://www.andhranews.net/India/2009/May/4-River-Ganga-continues-4048.asp#ixzz1ZWCqGb4u

Handloom weavers incur huge loss due to continuous rainfall in India’s northern state

Handloom weavers incur huge loss due to continuous rainfall in India's northern state

   Date on Sep 28 ,2011( 06:29 ) ANI                         By Girish Kumar Dubey

The recent rains in Varanasi town in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state, adversely affected the handloom weavers and their business, as their factories were inundated with water and forced them to stall their work.

Continuous rainfall and sultry weather conditions adversely affected the handloom industry in Varanasi.

The rainy season turned out to be a bane for the handloom weavers in the region as the weavers incurred loss worth millions of rupees.

"It has been raining since last night. There is no dry space in our house where we can sleep. We work on the spinning wheel but because of the rains we are facing a lot of problem. Our entire handloom machines are wet in the rain and we are left with nothing. There is no help coming from the government's side as well," said Mohammad Suhaib, a handloom weaver.

Apart from the daily wageworkers, the factory owners also incurred huge monetary losses.

The weavers have been forced to pull rickshaws or work as daily wageworkers to feed their families.

"We have incurred a loss of 15- 20,000 rupees. We get a daily wage of about 50 to 60 rupees. I fail t understand how to come out of this problem. No we will have to pull rickshaw or work as labourers to survive. We are left with no work. The entire town is submerged in water," said Mohammad Shamim, another handloom weaver.

Every year the weavers face the brunt of the monsoons. However, this year the loss incurred by them was high due to incessant rains.

Varanasi is famous for its hand woven 'Banarsi' sarees all over the world, especially in the American and European countries.ANI

Intro

The recent rains in Varanasi town in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state, adversely affects the business of the handloom weavers as their factories are inundated with water and has forced them to stall their work.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Shotlist

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA (SEPTEMBER 27, 2011) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. HOUSES SUBMERGED IN WATER

2. WATER INSIDE THE HOUSE

3. THREAD HANGING FROM THE HANDLOOM WEAVING MACHINE SUBMERGED IN WATER

4. A MAN THROWING OUT WATER FROM HIS HOUSE

5. HANDLOOM WEAVING MACHINE SUBMERGED IN WATER

6. A HANDLOOM WEAVING MACHINE

7. WEAVERS STANDING IN A POOL OF WATER, LOOKING AT THE WEAVING MACHINE

8. A ROOM FILLED IN WATER

9. HANDLOOM WEAVING MACHINE SUBMERGED IN WATER

10. A SACK HANGING IN A ROOM

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) MOHAMMAD SUHAIB, A HANDLOOM WEAVER, SAYING:

"It has been raining since last night. There is no dry space in our house where we can sleep. We work on the spinning wheel but because of the rains we are facing a lot of problem. Our entire handloom machines are wet in the rain and we are left with nothing. There is no help coming from the government's side as well."

12. A SAREE HANGING ON A HANDLOOM WEAVING MACHINE

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) MOHAMMAD SHAMIM, A HANDLOOM WEAVER, SAYING:

"We have incurred a loss of 15- 20,000 rupees. We get a daily wage of about 50 to 60 rupees. I fail t understand how to come out of this problem. No we will have to pull rickshaw or work as labourers to survive. We are left with no work. The entire town is submerged in water."

14. MOTOR OF THE WEAVING MACHINE SUBMERGED IN WATER

Original Script Date

Sep 28 06:29 (3 days ago)

Modified Script Date

Sep 28 06:29 (3 days ago)

Script Version

1

Headline

Handloom weavers incur huge loss due to continuous rainfall in India's northern state.

Services

Subcon Extra

Locations

VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Dates Shot

SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

Sound

NATURAL WITH HINDI SPEECH

Duration

2:38