BM_discussion http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion [email protected]
Today's topics: * Fw: Fwd: [bm] Reservation Effect - 2 messages, 2 authors http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion/browse_thread/thread/52bc730b7bd143ee * Chapter Activities! - 1 messages, 1 author http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion/browse_thread/thread/efd1d66d297937df * Another bombshell from Govt.: No Tax Exemption from Next Year - 2 messages, 2 authors http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion/browse_thread/thread/6176b2bb5f3d2750 * Integrity - 2 messages, 2 authors http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion/browse_thread/thread/a5ba096859823ca2 * What is BM's Official Stand on Reservation? - 1 messages, 1 author http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion/browse_thread/thread/4d35367097c48e67 * Another view on Reservation - 1 messages, 1 author http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion/browse_thread/thread/cf3c4dc1228ce567 * UN Convention Recognises GM Tree Threat. - 1 messages, 1 author http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion/browse_thread/thread/639ad5d531a1d9e * About fund raising - 1 messages, 1 author http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion/browse_thread/thread/708a14a3112ca0b7 ============================================================================== TOPIC: Fw: Fwd: [bm] Reservation Effect http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion/browse_thread/thread/52bc730b7bd143ee ============================================================================== == 1 of 2 == Date: Tues, May 30 2006 1:46 am From: "Aman Kumar Vashisht" Dear brother Deshmukh, No the reservation protests going on are not only for the IIT, IIMs and top medical institutes only. But as the medical students and doctors have single handedly led this movement undet the banner Youth for Equality hence all doctors in other cities also joined them and as you must be knowing JNU students and IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur students are also in hunger strike from last few days. The new 27% resevation for OBC is a disastar in case of medical colleges where the number of seats are already very low say in AIIMS only 34 sears are there. Also the responsibility of doctor is very much as he winesses the Life from very close and also Death for much more close. Hence if the number of candidate who has just appreared in medical entrace, got seat due to reservation and then passed MBBS with say just 40 % marks will increase very much then the standard of medical doctors will decrease very much and there will be more cases of mis-treatment by hospitals. Also is an interview with Arjun Singh by CNN-IBN, the interesting point came that according to a government body itself 23.5 per cent of the college seats are already with the OBCs on their own Merit! So when reservation is instituted the OBC students who would get in through merit anyway would get into the 50% general category and additional others through the 27% OBC Quota! According to the ruling, if a backward class person has enough marks to get via general quota then he is automatically transferred to the general category. This means much fewer seats for the so called forward castes.. Just imagine !!!!! Asking reserchers at Tata Institure of Fundamental Research (TIFR) most were of the opinion that the meritious students will leave the country and it will increase brain drain. Actually the lates step of government to increase reservation is only a political move to gain all the votes of OBC people. But after the Supreme Court judgement yesterday the congress goverment is in a trouble. SC has asked to the govt. what is the basis of the new 27% reservation for OBC? The govt. cant have valid answers as it was saying that it is giving reservation based on 1931 census which will be ridiculous against SC. Also the image of IIT was created not by governtment moves whether it was reservation or any other. IIT value is so much only due to one reason that its students were very bright as there is huge competition in JEE, though for sc/sts there was already reservation. Now government wants to use the IIT image for their political benefit. By increasing 27% more reservation yeah congress govt. will get vote but the quality and reputation of IIT will decrease in coming years and may be slowly which will slow down the reserach work and skills in IITs and slowly starts effecting indian economy and industry which will result in huge uncalculated losses to India in terms of growth as well as image. The $ 20 Billion software export which has witnessed about 30-50% growth in last many years was all due to the brilliant brains and not due to reservations. Do you want to stop here to want to get ahead of US also in terms of technology, research? Think about it ! Have a Nice Jounery to Developed India 2020 - Aman "We have only one Passion, the Rise of a Great Nation - Jai Hind" On 5/20/06, vijay Deshmukh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Is it for IIT, IIMs and top Medical Institues only ? > > If so, why not to take a step ahead and go against all kind of > reservations ? Or you are concerned about only IITs, IIMs and top Medical > Institues, etc. ? If so, how can you expect support from others who has > nothing to do with these top class institutes, directly. > > Expecting a reply. > > Vijay > > ----- Forwarded Message ---- > From: Nikhil Kulkarni <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: Nikhil Kulkarni <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Friday, May 19, 2006 8:40:18 PM > Subject: Fwd: [bm] Chapter Activities! > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Moderator BharatUdayMission <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: May 19, 2006 2:57 PM > Subject: [bm] Chapter Activities! > To: [email protected], [email protected] > > Dear Brothers and Sisters, > > This mail contains following topics : > 1. SOLIDARITY DAY/HUNGER STRIKE - 20 May, Jantar Mantar > 2. Hyderabad Chapter Meeting Announcement > > > 1. SOLIDARITY DAY/HUNGER STRIKE - 20 May, Jantar Mantar > > Dear Brothers and Sisters, > > > > *SOLIDARITY DAY & HUNGER STRIKE on 20th May 2006, 10 AM at Jantar Mantar. > * > > > > "First time in the History of Protests, all organizations are coming > together on one platform to show solidarity…….Engineering Fraternity (NSIT, > IIT, DCE, JAMIA, IGIT, IP, BITS ranchi), BHARAT UDAY MISSION,. UNITED > STUDENTS, YOUTH FOR EQUALITY, YOUTH FOR JUSTICE, YOUTH PARLIAMENT, URJA > (association for RWA's), CAIT, Senior citizens, Software Professionals from > GURGAON, NOIDA, School Students, Colleges. Participation confirmed from > Mumbai Pune, Trivandrum in respective cities. > > Organize the Protest in your respective cities all over India on 20th May > or Join us at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. > > > > *A CALL FOR UNITY………….A CALL FOR SOLIDARITY.* > > " > > This is a message for all those who are anti-reservation and who want to > show solidarity to Medical Students and doctors across India. > > > > After 100 hours of hunger strike in AIIMS, many medical students have > collapsed but the government has prohibited the media from covering this > story. You have already seen on TV the brutal treatment of students by the > Police. > > > > It's high time that we all get together and do something. The new > reservation will affect us as much as it will to any of the medical > institutes. Let us all join the movement and make it more representative. > > > Lets us all take our protest on the streets this Saturday. Let's join all > of us in the protest and make the effort stronger. We can also protest > against the proposal of reservation in Corporate Sector, which is in > pipeline, as well. > > > > Please send this message to all of your friends. > > > > *We are in contact with many organizations and I have composed this > message by taking inputs from all. Hence this message is from all of them. > * > > > > For any information you can write to: > > Aman Kumar Vashisht : [EMAIL PROTECTED] , > or Call 9213406045 > > > This is May 2006, 150 years after May 1857... > > It's the 2nd War of Independence > > > Reservation is only one issue. We want a poverty free and corruption free > India, where there are equal opportunities for everyone to live, study and > work under peaceful and prosperous environment. We will not stop until we > achieve our mission i.e. Developed India 2020. > > "We have only one Passion, the Rise of a Great Nation" - Jai Hind ! > > > > 2. Hyderabad Chapter Meeting Announcement > > *Date:* 20th May, Saturday > > *Time:* 10 am > > *Venue:* Mechanical Dept(Building 4), Sultan Ul Uloom College, Banjara > Hills(Also known as Mufakkam Jah College) - same venue as our Elections. > > *Agenda:* > - Introductions > - Updates of projects > (VPS;OGH - Registration for the Sanitation Drive starts;Don Bosco;RTI > workshop;Reservations) > - Presentations by the Exec. Committee Members > HR Plan - Mujeeb > Marketing Plan - Divya > Propagation Plan - Rahul > - Issues regarding Central Team > - Auction of 3 Bhumi jute bags(auction starts at Rs.251) > - Collection of the Monthly Contribution from all Primary Members and > Voluntary Contribution from all Secondary Members. > - Open for Discussion > > For directions/details contact: > Manoj [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Mujeeb 9849211083 [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Divyashri 9849000928 [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > > > -- > "We have only one Passion > The Rise of a Great Nation." > > www.bharatudaymission.org > > SPONSORED LINKS > > High<http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=High&w1=High&w2=India&w3=India+gift&w4=India+tour&w5=Political+parties&c=5&s=76&.sig=XNzYs1VJzeinjeltZ_BdBg> > India<http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=India&w1=High&w2=India&w3=India+gift&w4=India+tour&w5=Political+parties&c=5&s=76&.sig=rXaxGUZ3aOPM3XI2KCmUiQ> > India > gift<http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=India+gift&w1=High&w2=India&w3=India+gift&w4=India+tour&w5=Political+parties&c=5&s=76&.sig=SG76TSvKcVOiy-yz-cHRjA> > India > tour<http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=India+tour&w1=High&w2=India&w3=India+gift&w4=India+tour&w5=Political+parties&c=5&s=76&.sig=Ml_4v9JZfW3TgifHTPVufw> > Political > parties<http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Political+parties&w1=High&w2=India&w3=India+gift&w4=India+tour&w5=Political+parties&c=5&s=76&.sig=CMjzsyUNtJdOI4RD5l1E0w> > ------------------------------ > YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS > > > - Visit your group > "bharatudaymission<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bharatudaymission>" > on the web. > > - To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED]<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > - Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of > Service <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> . > > > ------------------------------ > > > -- > Nikhil Kulkarni > KPMG, Mumbai | +91 9324383346 | http://the-complete-man.blogspot.com| > > > *Marathi.NET* Think. Think Hard. Think Ahead. Think Positive.*Marathi.NET* > > > > > SPONSORED LINKS > Marathi > dating<http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Marathi+dating&w1=Marathi+dating&w2=Marathi+matrimonial&w3=Spanish+language+and+culture&c=3&s=79&.sig=TpvEGbRgvNqCngdM0DDYYA> > Marathi > matrimonial<http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Marathi+matrimonial&w1=Marathi+dating&w2=Marathi+matrimonial&w3=Spanish+language+and+culture&c=3&s=79&.sig=UcbRpc6Ahyv5uMYKygd51Q> > Spanish > language and > culture<http://groups.yahoo.com/gads?t=ms&k=Spanish+language+and+culture&w1=Marathi+dating&w2=Marathi+matrimonial&w3=Spanish+language+and+culture&c=3&s=79&.sig=EZTr_D_ogq8sC0rvyHO2_w> > ------------------------------ > YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS > > > - Visit your group > "marathidtnet<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marathidtnet>" > on the web. > > - > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED]<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of > Service<http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/> > . > > > > ------------------------------ > > == 2 of 2 == Date: Tues, May 30 2006 2:33 pm From: "Abhijit K" Please read: an interesting article http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2006052305841100.htm&date=2006/05/23/&prd=th&; ============================================================================== TOPIC: Chapter Activities! http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion/browse_thread/thread/efd1d66d297937df ============================================================================== == 1 of 1 == Date: Tues, May 30 2006 4:55 pm From: "Moderator BharatUdayMission" BM NAGPUR : Minutes Of Meeting Hi all, BM Nagpur had its first meet Venue: Shankar Nagar Square Timings: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Date: 28th May 2006 Members Present: 1) Vinay Yadav 2) Prachait Saxena 3) Srinivas There were several fruitful discussions including assigning of responsibility to each member. 1) Administative Team: - Vinay Yadav 2) Website Team: - Vinay Yadav ( [EMAIL PROTECTED]) - Prachait Saxena ([EMAIL PROTECTED] Anything related to website and its content should be sent to them. 3) Propagation Team: - Online Propagation - Prachait Saxena - Offline Propagation - Members Needed. 4) Legal Team: - NONE 5) Finance Team: - Rashmi Priya - [EMAIL PROTECTED] - All finance details will be available online for anyone to see. - Every member will contribute Rs 100/- per month. This contribution will be used for social service activities. - All this will be reflected on the website. Comments/suggestions/thoughts are invited. Please speak up for your country. Jai Hind. -- "We have only one Passion The Rise of a Great Nation." www.bharatudaymission.org ============================================================================== TOPIC: Another bombshell from Govt.: No Tax Exemption from Next Year http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion/browse_thread/thread/6176b2bb5f3d2750 ============================================================================== == 1 of 2 == Date: Tues, May 30 2006 7:43 am From: Jagannath Chatterjee Dear Guptaji, As you have pointed out, the salaried class can be considered to be the most sincere tax payer as the tax is deducted from his income at source. You are also right in claiming that we pay tax on tax on tax... Why should we pay both direct and indirect taxes? Why should there not be any incentive on saving? Why should we be forced to invest in the volatile stock exchange due to incredibly low returns on fixed deposits? Why should we pay so much in taxes and yet have no social security net? Why should we fill up the coffers for the corrupt to loot? Why should the common man be punished for the failure of the government to properly utilise available resources and let awesome amounts go waste due to faulty planning and corruption? Why should the common man forced to fund for projects which directly goes against his interests? On the one hand there is no job or income security, and on the other hand we are forced to part with our hard earned earnings. In Hindu prophecies it is clearly written that towards the end of the Kali Yuga the burden of taxes on the common man will be too difficult to bear. It is also written that India will suffer horribly under a woman Prime Minister who will be a widow. As per the political pundits the stage is all set to replace Dr Manmohan Singh. We are in for tough times ahead. Regards, Jagannath. --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], Manoj Gupta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Dear Friends, > > The Govt. is planning another attack on salaried middle class community by > scrapping tax exemptions. It may cost Rs 30000/- in year to everybody!!! Are > you ready to loose Rs 2500/- more everymonth on the top of existing taxes, > for our corrupt politicians? > > If yes, God may bless you. > > If NO, please write an email to "[EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; > [EMAIL PROTECTED]" immediately. My email to them is pasted below. > > Please goto following link of the ET and post your comments: > http://o3.indiatimes.com/et_blog/archive/2006/05/17/689726.aspx > > Please send this email to everybody you know before we Govt. decides against > us. > > Whether you are paying income tax today or not, please oppose this move of > Govt. It is going to harm everybody. > > > > ************************************************************************************************* > Brief of the issue: > > The Congress government is planning to scrap tax exemptions on various > policies like LIC, NSC, HRA, Mutual Funds & Other section 80C benefits > (Exemptions Upto 1 lakh). > > What does that mean: > - You cannot get tax exemptions on your HRA, i.e. No business of showing > House rent agreement & receipts. You will be taxed on the whole HRA. > - You cannot claim tax exemptions by showing LIC Policies or by having NSC > Bonds. > - You wouldn't be able to get tax exemptions on Housing loans. > - No Tax benefits on Mutual/Infrastructure bonds. > > What does government wants: > Government is targeting the salaried people and is making sure that no tax > exemptions can be availed and thereby collecting as much tax as possible from > our salaries. > > What does government wants us to do: > This is in discussion and government wants people to provide their feedback > on these future decisions and will thereby decide by the number of feedbacks > received. > > ** Your feedback is important and will decide how much of our Hard earned > money is going to government. ** > > Please refer > http://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/archive/ListofexemptionsunderI.T.Act1961.doc > for complete details. > > > Regards > Manoj > Bangalore > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Manoj Kumar Gupta > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Monday, May 29, 2006 6:17 PM > Subject: Please continue tax exemptions and deductions under the Income Tax > Act, 1961. > > > > Dear Sir, > In reference to your notice > (http://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/archive/ListofexemptionsunderI.T.Act1961.doc), > I request you to please continue tax exemptions and deductions under the > Income Tax Act, 1961. > Please do not burden the middle class, we are the honest tax payers. Why > doesn't the government question people with crores of rupees who don't pay > tax??? We pay tax on tax on tax ...? > I request that the existing tax benefit policy should be increased up from > Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 2 Lakh. After all Govt. is greatest beneficiary of this > saving. > Thanks & Regards > Manoj Kumar Gupta > Technical Lead > McAfee, Inc. > > "Our ideal is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquest of life by the power of the spirit." - Aurobindo. --------------------------------- Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less. == 2 of 2 == Date: Tues, May 30 2006 5:40 pm From: saish hi, I think the real issue here is: 1. corrupt politicians (who misuse the funds) 2. corrupt citizens (who donot pay their taxes) I think I am quite ok with tax exemptions being removed, provided the money is correctly chanelised. Regards, Saish On 30/05/06, Jagannath Chatterjee <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Dear Guptaji, > > As you have pointed out, the salaried class can be considered to be the most > sincere tax payer as the tax is deducted from his income at source. You are > also right in claiming that we pay tax on tax on tax... > > Why should we pay both direct and indirect taxes? Why should there not be > any incentive on saving? Why should we be forced to invest in the volatile > stock exchange due to incredibly low returns on fixed deposits? Why should > we pay so much in taxes and yet have no social security net? Why should we > fill up the coffers for the corrupt to loot? Why should the common man be > punished for the failure of the government to properly utilise available > resources and let awesome amounts go waste due to faulty planning and > corruption? Why should the common man forced to fund for projects which > directly goes against his interests? > > On the one hand there is no job or income security, and on the other hand we > are forced to part with our hard earned earnings. > > In Hindu prophecies it is clearly written that towards the end of the Kali > Yuga the burden of taxes on the common man will be too difficult to bear. It > is also written that India will suffer horribly under a woman Prime Minister > who will be a widow. As per the political pundits the stage is all set to > replace Dr Manmohan Singh. > > We are in for tough times ahead. > > Regards, > Jagannath. > > --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], Manoj Gupta > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > Dear Friends, > > > > The Govt. is planning another attack on salaried middle class community > by scrapping tax exemptions. It may cost Rs 30000/- in year to everybody!!! > Are you ready to loose Rs 2500/- more everymonth on the top of existing > taxes, for our corrupt politicians? > > > > If yes, God may bless you. > > > > If NO, please write an email to "[EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; > [EMAIL PROTECTED]" immediately. My email to them is pasted below. > > > > Please goto following link of the ET and post your comments: > > > http://o3.indiatimes.com/et_blog/archive/2006/05/17/689726.aspx > > > > Please send this email to everybody you know before we Govt. decides > against us. > > > > Whether you are paying income tax today or not, please oppose this move > of Govt. It is going to harm everybody. > > > > > > > ************************************************************************************************* > > Brief of the issue: > > > > The Congress government is planning to scrap tax exemptions on various > policies like LIC, NSC, HRA, Mutual Funds & Other section 80C benefits > (Exemptions Upto 1 lakh). > > > > What does that mean: > > - You cannot get tax exemptions on your HRA, i.e. No business of showing > House rent agreement & receipts. You will be taxed on the whole HRA. > > - You cannot claim tax exemptions by showing LIC Policies or by having NSC > Bonds. > > - You wouldn't be able to get tax exemptions on Housing loans. > > - No Tax benefits on Mutual/Infrastructure bonds. > > > > What does government wants: > > Government is targeting the salaried people and is making sure that no tax > exemptions can be availed and thereby collecting as much tax as possible > from our salaries. > > > > What does government wants us to do: > > This is in discussion and government wants people to provide their > feedback on these future decisions and will thereby decide by the number of > feedbacks received. > > > > ** Your feedback is important and will decide how much of our Hard earned > money is going to government. ** > > > > Please refer > http://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/archive/ListofexemptionsunderI.T.Act1961.doc > for complete details. > > > > > > Regards > > Manoj > > Bangalore > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > > From: Manoj Kumar Gupta > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Sent: Monday, May 29, 2006 6:17 PM > > Subject: Please continue tax exemptions and deductions under the Income > Tax Act, 1961. > > > > > > > > Dear Sir, > > In reference to your notice > (http://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/archive/ListofexemptionsunderI.T.Act1961.doc), > I request you to please continue tax exemptions and deductions under the > Income Tax Act, 1961. > > Please do not burden the middle class, we are the honest tax payers. Why > doesn't the government question people with crores of rupees who don't pay > tax??? We pay tax on tax on tax ...? > > I request that the existing tax benefit policy should be increased up > from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 2 Lakh. After all Govt. is greatest beneficiary of > this saving. > > Thanks & Regards > > Manoj Kumar Gupta > > Technical Lead > > McAfee, Inc. > > > > > > > > > "Our ideal is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquest > of life by the power of the spirit." - Aurobindo. > > > ________________________________ > Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ > countries) for 2¢/min or less. > > > > > ============================================================================== TOPIC: Integrity http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion/browse_thread/thread/a5ba096859823ca2 ============================================================================== == 1 of 2 == Date: Tues, May 30 2006 8:39 pm From: "sunit tandon" Dear members, jai hind. I have two concerns for BM group. 1) How to ensure fund supply without compromising our ideals. 2) How to make sure that wrong\corrupt people do not find entry in the group OR How to ensure that the rules are stringent so that anybody can be shown the door if he or she indulges in objectionable or corrupt activities. == 2 of 2 == Date: Tues, May 30 2006 8:57 pm From: "Abhijit K" Excellent queries brother Sunit. I would like to advocate the principle of "More than expected" transparency in all our financial matters. Lets a) Have available all details - in, out, by whom, for what, etc - details of each transaction on the website!.. We should just not keep receitpts.. but have our records available for scrutiny by anyone, anytime b) In future, when we have formal presence, ALL those doing transactions for BM must declare the details of their property .. and not only details of what, but HOW they aquired them, what was the source of income in details etc and MUST keep it updated all the time, in public domain, like on a website. The info should include details like, all movable/ immovable property, info about all bank accounts, investment details, etc. - inclusive of source of income for all of them. c) Anyone should be able to point out any possible discrepancy at any time, publicly and we must ensure that all of them are answered. regards, Abhijit k, bm_mumbai On 5/30/06, sunit tandon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Dear members, > jai hind. > I have two concerns for BM group. > > 1) How to ensure fund supply without compromising our ideals. > > 2) How to make sure that wrong\corrupt people do not find entry in the > group OR > How to ensure that the rules are stringent so that anybody can be shown > the door if he or she indulges in objectionable or corrupt activities. > > > > -- Abhijit K www.geocities.com/abhijit1303 www.bharatudaymission.org ============================================================================== TOPIC: What is BM's Official Stand on Reservation? http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion/browse_thread/thread/4d35367097c48e67 ============================================================================== == 1 of 1 == Date: Tues, May 30 2006 2:38 pm From: "Abhijit K" Please read these interesting articles: food for thought: http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2006052202261100.htm&date=2006/05/22/&prd=th&; http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2006052305841100.htm&date=2006/05/23/&prd=th&; ============================================================================== TOPIC: Another view on Reservation http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion/browse_thread/thread/cf3c4dc1228ce567 ============================================================================== == 1 of 1 == Date: Tues, May 30 2006 2:39 pm From: "Abhijit K" Please read these interesting articles: food for thought: http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2006052202261100.htm&date=2006/05/22/&prd=th&; http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2006052305841100.htm&date=2006/05/23/&prd=th&; ============================================================================== TOPIC: UN Convention Recognises GM Tree Threat. http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion/browse_thread/thread/639ad5d531a1d9e ============================================================================== == 1 of 1 == Date: Tues, May 30 2006 7:22 am From: Jagannath Chatterjee ISIS Press Release 30/05/06 UN Convention Recognises GM Tree Threat Why there should be a moratorium on GM trees Sam Burcher A fully referenced version of this article is posted on ISIS members’ website. Details here The threat of GM trees recognised The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) passed a formal declaration at its Eighth Conference of the Parties (COP-8) in Curitiba, Brazil on 31 March 2006 to recognize the threats posed by genetically modified (GM) (same as genetically engineered (GE)) trees, and urging all countries to approach the technology with caution [1]. This important declaration came in support of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) call for an international framework to assess the safety of GM trees in 2005 [2]. Many groups are hoping that the UN involvement will finally address the environmental and socio-economic impact of GM trees on global forest diversity, and on local and indigenous communities. Pierre Sigaud, FAO expert in forest genetics, warned against rushing to commercialise GM trees before conducting environmental risk assessments in accordance with national and international biosafety protocols. He said, “The issue goes beyond country level since pollen flow and seed dispersal do not take account of national boundaries and wood is a global commodity.” To counteract the contamination of native stands by GMtrees, a robust framework to govern research and application is essential, Sigaud added. Moratorium backed by developing countries The increasing use of biotechnology in the forestry sector has led to the spread of GM treeplanting in at least thirty-five countries. According to the FAO, most research is confined to the laboratories, but many millions of GM trees have already been released in open field trials in China, North America, Australia, Europe, and India, and to a lesser extent, South America and Africa [3]. Nine developing countries supported calls for a moratorium on GM trees proposed by government representatives of Iran and Ghana [4]. Among these countries are Ecuador, Egypt, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal and Madagascar, and Malawi, some of whom are home to the richest, most biodiverse forests on Earth. The motion was opposed only by Canada and Australia, both governments having vested interests in biotechnology. But they too agreed that a detailed investigation into the impact of GM trees is needed. Contamination from GM pollen drift The latest evidence suggests that pollen can travel up to 1 200 km in North America. Concerns about contamination from GM pollen and seed drift, and the impact on local/indigenous communities are shared by many forestry experts and civil society organisations around the world, such as the World Rainforest Movement, the Union of Ecoforesty, the Global Justice Ecology Project, Via Campesina, the Independent Science Panel (see “Save our Forests” series SIS 26) and the International Forum on Biodiversity. Delegates from these organisationshad lobbied hard at international meetings leading up to the latest CBD declaration, which is part of a wider commitment to a road map that significantly reduces the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010, in line with the 2002 World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD). Women destroy GM seedlings Feelings are running high in developing countries. On 8 March 2006, 2 000 Brazilian women destroyed an estimated eight million low- lignin eucalyptus seedlings destined for plantations and the greenhouse of the world’s largest pulp producer, Aracruz Cellulose. Another company ArborGen has targeted Brazil as an important site to develop huge plantations of GM eucalyptus, and International Paper owns 200 000 hectares in Brazil. The Brazilian Network Against the Green Desert and their partner the Latin American Network Against Monoculture Tree Plantations have designated 21 September as National Tree Day since 2004 in support of rural communities that have been displaced, destroyed or exploited by monoculture plantations. In Chile, around one hundred indigenous Mapuche Indians face trial and imprisonment, due to their actions against forestry company plantations. Too little, too late? The UN interventions may be too late, but better late than never! In 2002, China became the first country to release GM trees commercially (See “GM trees lost in China’s forests” SiS 25)[5]. The Chinese State Forestry Bureau is unable to trace the 1.4 million GM poplars (Populus nigra) planted so far. Nine smaller field trials are underway with Poplar –12 and Poplar –741, engineered with a Bt toxin (from soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis) to be pest resistant. There is sufficient evidence to argue that engineered sterility cannot contain the spread of GE material [6] and that Bt toxin cause allergic reactions in humans and non-target pests and that Bt toxin cause allergic reactions in humans and non-target pests [7]. Plans to increase GM tree plantations in China are being considered [8], and the Chinese delegation kept a low profile at the CBD meeting in Brazil. On the big Island of Hawaii, contamination of organic papaya stocks by GM papayas is already at fifty percent [9]. Organic produce needs to be restocked with certified non-GM seeds. Who leads in GM trees? The US Department of Energy was first to sequence the whole genome of the poplar tree. Three other GM tree species dominate forestry biotechnology research: pine, eucalyptus, and spruce (Picea). These too have been widely planted in open trials. Applications to field test GM trees in the US have risen by over 70 percent in fifteen years. ArborGen leads the research and development of GM trees. It states its primary aim as a “commitment to sustainability” on the company’s website [10]. It receives funding from three corporate partners – International Paper, MeadWestvaco, and Rubicon [11]. This perspective of “sustainability” is clearly not something that indigenous communities in Chile and Brazil are happy about. A day of protest will be held 8 May, 2006 outside International Paper’s headquarters highlighting the dangers of GM trees (see “A silent forest”, this series) and to scrap their research and development programme in time for their next annual shareholders meeting in 2007. Nanotech-engineered GM trees The Institute of Paper Science and Technology collaborated with the US Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge laboratory in their latest genetic engineering project that uses carbon nanofibres to inject synthetic DNA into plant cells [12]. Carbon nanofibres and nanotubes are molecular scale particles; one nanometre is a billionth of a metre; and one grain of sand is a million nanometres across. This technique usesmillions of carbon nanofibres grown sticking out from silicon chips, on which strands of DNA are attached. Living cells are then thrown against them and pierced by the fibres, injecting DNA into the cells. Following this process, the synthetic DNA can then express new proteins and traits. There has been a rush to commercialise carbon nanotubes since their invention in 1991, but very few safety assessments have been carried out until quite recently, when they were found in laboratory experiments to be highly toxic, producing inflammation of the lungs of mice [13]. (See also “Nanotubes highly toxic”, SiS 22; “Nanotoxicity a new discipline”, SiS 28 [14]). A Royal Society report in conjunction with the Royal Academy of Engineers stated in July 2004 that there are uncertainties about the potential effects on human health and the environment from manufactured ultrafine nanoparticles if they are released [15]. Professor Ann Dowling, who chaired of the working group that produced the report, said of nanoparticles, “…it is vital that we determine both the positive and negative effects they might have.” Effects of nanofibres similar to asbestos A 2004 EU Nanoforum report likens the shapes of nanofibres to asbestos fibres, and by implication to the morbid effects of asbestos on human health [16]. A NASA study [17] reported inflammation of lungs to be more severe than in cases of silicosis, a respiratory disease caused by breathing in silica dust. A European Commission report chronicles the hazards of nanotechnology in detail assisted by ISP toxicologist Dr Vyvyan Howard [18] (see also “Nanotox”, SiS 21 [19]). Mapping out Nano Risks, explicitly recommends that genetic modification using nano-technology should be limited to microorganisms, “for which containment is possible.” Dr Richard Smalley, a Nobel laureate and chairman of Carbon Nanotechnology Inc, has ignored these early warnings and is adamant that his technique poses no threat to health [20]. He said, “We are confident there will prove out to be no heath hazards but this [toxicology] work continues.” Micropropagation produce clones Researchers in India use “micropropagation” to clone plants from tiny pieces of tissues [3]. Micropropagation is a method of in vitro vegetative multiplication that bypasses sexual reproduction and allows selected individuals to be precisely replicated in vast numbers. The production of millions of identical genetically engineered plants constitutes the largest area (34 percent) of experimental biotechnology activities in forestry throughout sixty-four countries. The ultimate goal of this research is to produce patented manufactured seeds from clones of “model species” that will enable the quick and easy global delivery of GM tree products. Such cloned trees are genetically identical and will be completely wiped out in case of disease or pests, as past experience has demonstrated so clearly. No future for GM trees The FAO surveyed 65 countries involved in forest biotechtology, and their responsesgave undue emphasis to the perceived benefits and future of GM trees. Of over four hundred questionnaires sent out, forty-nine responded, of which twenty-three had conducted research on GM trees. Respondents felt that the cost of GM tree trials, intellectual property rights, and regulations were significant obstacles to their future Consumer rejection and unease with GM products was also cited as problems. The benefits of GM trees were perceived as providing easier pulping and reduced use of chemicals for the timber industry, pest and disease resistance, phyto-remediation of mercury in soil, secondary compounds to pharmaceuticals, and thepotential to withstand extreme environmental conditions such as drought and heat. All of these perceived benefits are not without problems and require many years of careful biological and environmental assessment before commercialisation could be justified (see box). Benefits to human health scored lowest of all. Why not GM trees? ·Break with the Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety – the first international law to control transportation of Living Modified Organisms (LMO’s) across national boundaries. And under the Forest Biological Diversity Decision in Brazil 2006 UNEP/CBD/COP8/WG.1/L3 ·Disrupt ecosystems and pose similar environmental, health and economic risks as GM crops, but on a larger scale Replace and threaten natural biodiverse forests that are crucial to stabilising climate and regulating rainfall Produce faster growing trees that speed up the return of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and use up much more water ·When used to phyto-remediate land actually re-locate soil mercury from contaminated sites in the south and deposit them in the north. And return expelled mercury to the soil in its original toxic state Manipulate synthetic genes and toxins to alter seed and flowering production posing threats to human and animal health, as well as natural biodiversity Increase productivity for timber and pulp in monoculture plantations that destroy natural habitats and rural communities which depend on native forests for food and a multiplicity of other uses Less fibrous content of trees (lignin) reduces strength, resistance to pests, and disease. Increased lignin leads to a build-up of undigested plant material in the soil. Source: Save our Forests series, Science in Society 2005, 26, p 14- 24 The FAO’s proposed framework to assess the safety of GM trees therefore must acknowledge the megadiversity of existing forests and theincreasing trend towards recognizing the benefits of multiple uses of forests that preserves that diversity (“Multiple uses of forests”, SiS 25) [21]. The declaration of the UN CBD to take a precautionary approach to GM trees is a helpful step towards the proposed moratorium on GM trees. --------------------------------- This article can be found on the I-SIS website at http://www.i- sis.org.uk/UNCRGETT.php If you like this original article from the Institute of Science in Society, and would like to continue receiving articles of this calibre, please consider making a donation or purchase on our website. ISIS is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing critical public information on cutting edge science, and to promoting social accountability and ecological sustainability in science. "Our ideal is not the spirituality that withdraws from life but the conquest of life by the power of the spirit." - Aurobindo. --------------------------------- Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min. ============================================================================== TOPIC: About fund raising http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion/browse_thread/thread/708a14a3112ca0b7 ============================================================================== == 1 of 1 == Date: Tues, May 30 2006 11:39 am From: "Amits" Its a very nice idea Ashish. I suggest lets set up a business of printing "Greeting cards" on lines of Archies, hallmark etc. It will bear the name and website address of BM at the back and will be a way of propagating BM. We can bring out a whole new range of cards based on various emotions and carrying poetic languages. For this we can take help from Poets and creative persons. - Amit Goel IITK ashish roy wrote: > Hi, > > In our last BM Delhi meeting tomorrow, we had a discussion on the need to > raise fund if we want to achieve what we aspire to - be it for social service > or forming a political party. We all were on the same page as far as the > importance of fund is concerned for our mission. But the problem was in > getting answer to one question - how to raise fund? > > We don't want to raise fund from corporates because then we will have to > take care of their interests. Raising fund from people may be a short term > solution but not a sustainable solution. > > Today I was thinking very hard on finding a viable way of raising funds. A > thought crossed my mind. I don't know if it could be possible. I want to > discuss with you all. Also, please discuss this in the coming national > meeting of chapter coordanitors. > > Why don't we start a business and use the earnings to support ourselves and > the party? We can deal in a product that may be used by the majority of > people in India. This way not only will we be able to raise fund but also > reach more people. This will also help us start our mission at the earliest > and realise our dreams earlier than we thought. > > Please discuss this thought seriously. > > > "We have only one passion, > The rise of a Great Nation." > - Bharat Uday Mission > > Visit Bharat Uday Mission at http://bharatudaymission.org/ > > Jai Hind > > --------------------------------- > How should a woman equip herself to travel safe even when she's unescorted? > Share your knowledge with real people on Yahoo! India Answers > Send free SMS to your Friends on Mobile from your Yahoo! Messenger Download > now > --0-1726191661-1148891612=:4408 > Content-Type: text/html; charset=iso-8859-1 > Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit > X-Google-AttachSize: 1999 > > <div>Hi,</div> <div> </div> <div>In our last BM Delhi meeting > tomorrow, we had a discussion on the need to raise fund if we want to achieve > what we aspire to - be it for social service or forming a political party. We > all were on the same page as far as the importance of fund is concerned for > our mission. But the problem was in getting answer to one question - how to > raise fund? </div> <div> </div> <div>We don't want to raise fund from > corporates because then we will have to take care of their interests. Raising > fund from people may be a short term solution but not a sustainable > solution.</div> <div> </div> <div>Today I was thinking very hard on > finding a viable way of raising funds. A thought crossed my mind. I don't > know if it could be possible. I want to discuss with you all. Also, please > discuss this in the coming national meeting of chapter coordanitors.</div> > <div> </div> <div>Why don't we start a business and use the earnings to > support > ourselves and the party? We can deal in a product that may be used by the > majority of people in India. This way not only will we be able to raise fund > but also reach more people. This will also help us start our mission at the > earliest and realise our dreams earlier than we thought. </div> > <div> </div> <div>Please discuss this thought > seriously.</div><BR><BR>"We have only one passion,<br>The rise of a Great > Nation." <br> - Bharat Uday Mission<br><br>Visit Bharat Uday Mission at > http://bharatudaymission.org/<br><br>Jai Hind<p> > > > > <hr size=1></hr> > How should a woman equip herself to travel safe even when she's unescorted? > Share your knowledge with real people on <a > href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/mail/in/mailanswerswomen/*http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=1006052527925";>Yahoo! > India Answers</a><br> > Send free SMS to your Friends on Mobile from your Yahoo! Messenger <a > href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/mail/in/freesms/*http://messenger.yahoo.com/download.php";>Download > now</a> > --0-1726191661-1148891612=:4408-- ============================================================================== You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "BM_discussion" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] or visit http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To change the way you get mail from this group, visit: http://groups.google.com/group/BM_discussion/subscribe To report abuse, send email explaining the problem to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ============================================================================== Google Groups: http://groups.google.com
