Mullen Delivers Pep Talk to Air Force Falcon Football Team

By John J. Kruzel 
American Forces Press Service

FORT WORTH, Texas : Doing his best Knute Rockne impression, the nation's top military officer yesterday delivered a pep talk here to members of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Falcons football team ahead of their bowl game today against the University of Houston.


College football prognosticators of the matchup, which pits Air Force's No. 1 passing defense against Houston's top-ranked passing offense, give Houston a slight edge. But Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Air Force footballers to consider their achievements thus far.

"You are an exclusive group that gets to go to college, go to a bowl game and represent your institution [and country] as you will tomorrow. You are an extraordinarily capable and motivated group," Mullen said during dinner with the Air Force squad.

As the team digested their beef sirloin, salmon filet and potato dinner at the Omni Hotel, Mullen touched on themes of national service that extend beyond the Falcons' season and the world of sports in general.

The Chairman shared an anecdote about meeting a former Falcon's center who had planned to conclude his Air Force service after his stint at the academy and once his mandatory service obligation was complete. But that player, now an Air Force captain who Mullen met during his recent trip to Iraq and Afghanistan, decided to take another look at the military as a career, he said.

"He said, 'I got commissioned, and it's probably something I'm going to do for a career,'" Mullen said, recalling his conversation with the young airman in Afghanistan. He added that it's not uncommon for troops to attend a service academy for one reason, and then remain in the military for another.

Mullen himself was one such case. "I actually made the decision to go to the service academy without a long-term vision," the admiral said of his decision to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. "Initially I was only going to be there two years ... of course, it worked out a little differently."

Falcons' Head Coach Troy Calhoun, a 1989 graduate of the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colo., thanked Mullen for making an appearance before the team.

"Admiral, thank you for taking time out to get with our guys," Calhoun said. "More than anything else, we're grateful for your tremendous leadership."

As a token of thanks for his appearance at today's Armed Forces Bowl game, where the Air Force team will play a rematch of last year's defeat at the hands of Houston, Falcons' defensive lineman Ben Garland shared the team spirit with Mullen.

"From all of us on the Air Force Falcons, as a token of our appreciation, we wanted to give you this for coming to talk to us," said Garland, a hulking nose tackle, who gave Mullen a hat featuring the Falcons' logo, which the admiral donned to the pleasure of the players.

"Good luck!" Mullen said. "Go kill 'em tomorrow."

Mullen also passed out coins featuring his Chairman's logo as team members swarmed him, shaking hands.

The admiral identified the team's 15 seniors, expressing praise for their leadership.

"The team gets here because it's well led," Mullen said. "It's not just coaching; a lot of that has to do with leadership 'within the wing.'" 

U.S. Air Force Medical Personnel Train Iraqi Counterparts

By Air Force Airman 1st Class Allison Boehm  Special to American Forces Press Service JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq : Members of the U.S. Air Force Theater Hospital here are training Iraqi defense ministry medical personnel as part of the new American-Iraqi Air Medical Evacuation and Medical Provider Training Course. The training enables Iraqis to study burn care as well as to observe and practice proper medical evacuation techniques. Classes are scheduled every two weeks. Topics vary to achieve the goal of helping the Iraqi Ministry of Defense strengthen its military medical program. "The ultimate goal of this military-military medical capacity-building program is to help establish an Iraqi military air medical evacuation program with trained flight surgeons, flight nurses and medevac technicians," said Air Force Capt. Elizabeth Hoettels, a 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group civil-military operations officer. The training program was requested by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense surgeon general. It supports the overall effort to responsibly drawdown U.S. forces from Iraq. The two-day course began Dec. 21, 2009, at the al-Muthana Military Hospital, where four Iraqi medical evacuation technicians loaded a patient with a simulated fractured leg bone. The group of medical professionals traveled to the U.S. military hospital at Balad. At Joint Base Balad's hospital, the Iraqis received educational briefings and took part in some hands-on medical training. Eleven Iraqi medical personnel observed real burn victims and watched as an occupational therapist demonstrated how to properly splint a burn fracture. The purpose of the training program is to enable Iraqi military health care providers to obtain "medical sovereignty," said Air Force Col. Andy Marchiando, commander of the 332nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron. The Iraqis will be able to take the information they learn "and carry it on once we leave," Marchiando said. (Air Force Airman 1st Class Allison Boehm serves with 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs.)

Face of Defense: Civilian Turns Computer Parts into Artwork

By Air Force Capt. Larry van der Oord
Special to American Forces Press Service

SOUTHWEST ASIA :  A civilian administrator working for the Air Force here transforms worn out computer parts into unique works of art.

When computer hard drives go bad, airmen from the 386th Expeditionary Communications Squadron here typically remove all of the pertinent data and send them to the local disposal unit for destruction. However, Miguel Rivera has been using some old hard drives and other discarded computer parts to create a collection of distinctive sculptures. So far he has constructed two different cars, a motorcycle and a robot. "I just started making them just a few months ago," said Rivera, who has worked with the squadron for the past five years. "We had a growing pile of hard drives just lying around the shop," Rivera explained. "One day I decided to take one apart, since I'd never looked at the 'guts' up close before. That's pretty much how it all started." His first sculpture, a car-like vehicle, was built over one full weekend from standard 3.5-inch hard drives. It took a total of 33 hard drives to make. "The first one wasn't really difficult to put together, since I didn't have to modify much other than the cover," Rivera said. "Everything else just screwed on." Rivera's second sculpture was another miniature car. His third piece of art, a motorcycle, was a bit more difficult to construct. "I just couldn't get parts to mix well at first to reflect the look I wanted," Rivera said. "It took many hours of taking apart pieces and putting them back together to get it right." Rivera's favorite sculpture is the robot he built. "In fact, I'm not sure I can out-do this one," Rivera said of his robot sculpture. "Building it went surprisingly smooth; it took me about two full weeks to make." Rivera's creations are displayed on his office desk. And, his handiwork is drawing outside attention. All four sculptures were recently featured on "Wired" magazine's Web site. Rivera "applies the same creativity in solving communication challenges as he applies in creating his very unique sculptures," said Air Force Maj. Roy Rockwell, 386th ECS commander. Meanwhile, Rivera is working on a fifth sculpture and plans to unveil his "Hard-drive Helicopter" within the next few weeks. (Air Force Capt. Larry van der Oord serves with 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs.)

Amnesty International says Lithuania admits existence of secret prison

Washington, DC : For the first time a European government has admitted that a secret “Black Site” existed on its territory, Amnesty International said today after a Lithuanian parliamentary committee concluded that a CIA secret prison operated in Lithuania during the US-led “war on terror”.

“Confirmation of the existence of a secret prison in Lithuania marks a modern low point for human rights protection in Europe,” said Julia Hall, Amnesty International’s expert on counter-terrorism in Europe. “But the Lithuanian inquiry signals a turning point in the quest for the truth about what role European states played in helping the United States in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Other European governments should take note and commit to full investigations of similar serious allegations.”

The Lithuanian Parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defense issued a report, which stated that officials from the Lithuanian State Security Department assisted in constructing a secret prison for terrorist suspects on the country’s territory. Many detainees held at such secret sites were victims of enforced disappearance, torture and other ill-treatment by U.S. agents, often with the cooperation and assistance of foreign governments.

The committee concluded that CIA airplanes had landed in Lithuania without border checks and claimed that Lithuanian State Security Department officials had failed to notify the president or the prime minister in violation of Lithuanian law.

“The Lithuanian government should have known what its own agencies were doing and is ultimately responsible for the secret prison and any human rights violations that may have taken place there.”

“The inquiry’s findings are only a first step toward accountability,” said Hall. “The investigation in Lithuania should continue and those persons responsible for any involvement in the secret site must be identified and prosecuted.”

Poland and Romania have also been named by the European Parliament and the Council of Europe as allegedly having hosted secret detention facilities for the CIA.

“It is high time that European governments review and tighten civilian control over intelligence and security agencies. It is not enough for governments to claim that they did not know what their security apparatus was up to,” said Hall. 

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 2.2 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.

For more information, please go to www.amnestyusa.org

DOD Announces Afghanistan Force Deployment

               The Department of Defense (DoD) today announced the deployment of approximately 6,000 additional forces to Afghanistan, part of the 30,000 troops authorized by President Barack Obama on Nov. 30. The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky., will deploy approximately 3,400 soldiers during early summer 2010.

              According to the U.S. Department of Defense deployment of this brigade will increase the capabilities of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Secretary of Defense Robert Gates also approved the deployment of approximately 2,600 support forces, which will deploy at various times through spring 2010. This immediate news item has been released by the office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) 

              

             The DoD will continue to announce major unit deployments as they are approved. For additional information on the Brigade Combat Team, contact Army Public Affairs at 703-614-2487.

I would not be alive today without Amnesty International--Rebia Kadeer China

A Letter from Rebia Kadeer to Rector Kathuria


Dear Rector, 


Ten years ago I was arrested on my way to a human rights meeting with U.S. Congressional staff visiting China. Tried for "leaking state secrets," I was condemned to eight years in a Chinese prison — the closest thing to hell on earth. I spent two of those years in solitary confinement.



Here's the truth: I was a passionate defender of women's rights and of the rights of my community — the Uighurs in China.

Throughout my struggle I faced repeated arrests and imprisonment. Chinese authorities threatened my family. I witnessed the brutal beatings and murders of men, women and children as they stood in peaceful protest against a government that silenced them with bloody violence.

But there was a force not even prison walls could withstand — you.

You joined Amnesty members from around the world to write letters and bring international attention to my case. You helped spare me the brutal torture that many of my fellow inmates suffered.

Thanks to the unwavering commitment of Amnesty and its allies, I was released early and reunited with my family in the United States.

My freedom is a testament to the idea that no government is immune to persistent pressure from dedicated human rights activists worldwide.

Your gift to Amnesty today will help keep this idea alive.

We have proven that ordinary people armed with the truth and acting together have the power to make a difference. Keep this global rights movement strong. Make your donation to Amnesty today.

Sincerely,

Rebiya Kadeer


President, World Uyghur Congress


Note: Don't forget to know the Whole Story ....--Rector Kathuria

Face of Defense: Third-generation Paratrooper Deploys

By Army Spc. Michael J. MacLeod 
Special to American Forces Press Service

CAMP RAMADI, Iraq : In the dew-laden predawn darkness of June 6, 1944, Everton Bushnell jumped into Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France, with the two-year-old 82nd Airborne Division. Twenty-five years later, his son, Ellsworth Bushnell, fought with the "All Americans" in Vietnam and spent six months as a prisoner of war.



And in September of this year, Army Sgt. 1st Class John Bushnell became the third generation of Bushnells to wear the All American patch to a war zone when he deployed to Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade.

For the military intelligence electronic repair specialist, it has been the golden chalice of his 13-year Army career. Its attainment marked the fulfillment of a family tradition that at times seemed like the prize of an Indiana Jones saga.

Bushnell knows what it's like to part of a small unit, cut off from the main body.

"It's called recruiting," he joked.

"Where I spent the last 45 months on recruiting duty, most people had never seen an active-duty soldier in their lives. In the Army, they teach you how to work with people during seven weeks of recruiting training, but when you get out there on your own and are no longer surrounded by other soldiers, it's completely different," he said. 

........Read full story (Army Spc. Michael J. MacLeod serves in the Multinational Force West with the 82nd Airborne Division's  1st Brigade public affairs office.)

Violent Assault on West Texas Sikh---The Coalition is taking action

A Sikh graduate student was thrown into a swimming pool and brutally assaulted in West Texas. The young man (identity withheld for his protection) held a part-time job delivering pizzas to ease the burden of his college expenses.  He brought pizzas into a home on a delivery and four men took the pizza. Without paying, they began eating, while at the same time hurling racial epithets at the Sikh man and threatening him. 
"I'm going to **** you up in Iraq, I'm going to **** you up in Afghanistan, I'm going to **** you up over here."
Swimming For His Life
    The men then grabbed the Sikh student and threw him into a swimming pool. 
    The four attackers surrounded the pool, kicking him in the head and body. Every time he tried to escape, they would stomp or hit at him. For 20 minutes, he swam for his life trying to escape. He eventually seized an opportunity to flee and barely made it to his car with two men in pursuit. The Sikh man went to the hospital to address his injuries the next day. He is now doing better physically, but is still emotionally scarred because his attackers have been roaming free.
Local Police Do Little
   Though the local police were called shortly after the attack, they failed to respond adequately. The police classified the incident as a misdemeanor, which means that the attackers may not have to serve any jail time.
  The attackers' behavior put this young man's life at risk. To our knowledge local charges have still not been filed. The Sikh Coalition and the victim are appalled at this lack of action by local police.
 The local police also did not file the incident as a hate crime. It is clear from the attackers' references to 'bin Laden' and 'Go back to Afghanistan' and the fact that they kicked off his turban that this assault targeted not only him as an individual, but his Sikh identity.

Coalition Takes Action
Harsimran Kaur, the Sikh Coalition's Legal Director, contacted the local police department demanding the men be charged with hate crimes. Although the local police department refused to prosecute the perpetrators, the Sikh Coalition did not give up. We immediately contacted the Department of Justice (DOJ). We are pleased that the DOJ is currently investigating the matter as a possible federal hate crime.
"I was terrified that I would die that night," the victim said. "No one should have to endure something like this just because of their religion, ethnicity or appearance. I am grateful that the Sikh Coalition intervened or else I surely would have not gotten any serious response from any of the law enforcement agencies."
Moving Forward
Because criminal charges have not been brought against this young Sikh's attackers, they remain free to live in the town where he was attacked.  The student has received numerous death threats over the past few months. He recently fled the town and has moved into a new home. The young man intends to continue his education at another university.
The Sikh Coalition will keep the community informed as the criminal matter moves forward. Due to the sensitive nature of the case we have been asked not to release personal information at this time.

The Coalition continues to encourage all Sikhs to fearlessly practice their faith and stand up for their rights.

Doctors Perform Groundbreaking Surgery at Walter Reed

By Kristin Ellis Special to American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON,  - Doctors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center here and the University of Miami collaborated to perform the first pancreas islet cell transplant Thanksgiving Day on an airman whose pancreas was injured so severely in Afghanistan that it had to be removed.


While serving with an Army unit in Afghanistan, 21-year-old Air Force Senior Airman Tre Porfirio was shot three times in the back by an insurgent Nov. 21. Seventy-two hours and 8,000 miles later, Porfirio was at Walter Reed with injuries so extensive it would require 11 surgeries to reconstruct his abdomen.

Porfirio was taken to the operating room where Army Col. (Dr.) Craig D. Shriver, chief of general surgery, found the pancreas damaged to the point it was leaking dangerous enzymes that were causing blood vessels and tissue to break down.

"The only possible course of action at the time was to remove the remainder of his pancreas, which would predictably lead to a severe form of life-threatening and lifestyle-limiting diabetes," Shriver explained to reporters at a Dec. 15 news conference.

Risks for this type of diabetes include blindness, kidney failure, amputations and strokes, as well as daily insulin injections for the rest of his life.

Over the last eight years of war, doctors at Walter Reed have seen only 28 pancreatic injuries, and only one of this devastating nature, officials said. The surgical team called the University of Miami and put together a plan to ship the damaged pancreas to Florida to harvest the cells that produce insulin -- called islet cells -- and immediately ship them back to Walter Reed to be transplanted into Porfirio's liver.

All of this had to be done overnight, the day before Thanksgiving.

"I knew who the main players were in this case," said Dr. Rahul Jindal, transplant surgeon. "I picked up the phone and called [Dr. Camillo Ricordi, chief of cellular transplantation, University of Miami] and, without hesitation, he said, 'For a wounded warrior, I'll bring my whole team.'"

"Being able to serve a wounded warrior who risked his life to defend us all, I can think of no better way to spend Thanksgiving," Ricordi said.

In islet cell transplantation, the insulin-producing islets are isolated from the donor pancreas and then re-infused in a patient's liver, where they begin to produce insulin, doctors explained.

"You turn the liver into a double organ as it takes on the function of the pancreas," Ricordi said. "Normally, when similar procedures are done for Type 1 diabetes, the cells come from another person, so you need immunosuppressant drugs to keep them alive. Since we were able to use his own cells, he won't need to be on anti-rejection drugs."

The University of Miami team spent six hours isolating the islet cells before they were suspended in a specialized cold solution and flown back to Walter Reed. Ricordi helped to coordinate the transplant with the surgeons through an Internet connection, and on Thanksgiving Day, Porfirio's own cells were successfully injected into a vein to his liver.

Porfirio's blood tests show his harvested islet cells are functioning well, and he is gaining back his strength every day, doctors said.

"For anyone within a six-hour flight range of Miami, there is no reason any pancreas should ever be thrown away," Ricordi said. (Issued on: Dec. 17, 2009)


(Kristin Ellis is a staff writer for Stripe, a civilian enterprise online publication serving Walter Reed Army Medical Center.) 

The Maoists have announced a loan waiver......

Farmers in West Midnapore district of West Bengal may not have to repay their crop loans. The Maoists have announced a waiver. This is the first time the rebel group has announced such a decision. “Several peasants who took crop loans over the last two years have suffered losses. So, we have decided that they don’t have to pay back their loans,” said Koteshwar Rao, alias Kishenji, member of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist)....Read full story

America cannot afford a war--says petition

Today morning two more news related to Afghanistan were in my inbox. One was from Kabul. According to this news item combined Afghan and international security forces detained several militants today in three operations around Afghanistan. This news item was based on a news release issued by an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command. American Forces Press Service also released a news in this regard which tells some detail.
Quoting the military officials report says that combined force detained several suspected militants near the village of Payandegi in the Zurmat district of Paktia province while pursuing a Taliban commander believed responsible for weapons trafficking and several attacks in the area. They recovered assault rifles, chest racks, grenades, blasting caps and other bomb-making materials.
Near the village of Duzalakheyl in the Hesarak district of Nangarhar province, a combined force detained a Taliban militant and other insurgents. The militant is believed responsible for supplying bomb-making materials to others in the area.
In a third operation, a combined force detained a suspected militant in Wardak province while pursuing a Taliban commander suspected of being heavily involved with bombing activity in the area.No shots were fired and no one was harmed in these operations, officials said.


Another report also related to Afghan issue but it is different. this report talks about those veterans who want to end the war in Afghanistan. According to the associate editor of the People's World   Ms Susan Webb  Veterans and others opposed to the U.S. military escalation in Afghanistan announced on Capitol Hill today (December 15,2009) that they have collected 100,000 signatures on a petition calling for an end to the war.  The Petition notes that the decision to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan will cost more than $100 billion a year. "America cannot afford a war that does not make us safer, and Congress has the power to stop the escalation," it tells lawmakers. "Vote NO on any spending bill that would send more troops to Afghanistan." Veterans for Rethinking Afghanistan members had traveled to Washington this spring to oppose additional war funding and urge Congress to turn to non-military solutions for Afghanistan and Pakistan.  In a series of  harrowing videos  posted online, the veterans describe their war experiences and the lessons they learned.--Rector Kathuria

It is a betrayal---Friends of the Earth

Today Morning I was checking my mail. I saw a letter from Friends of Earth. On Wednesday, December 16, Friends of the Earth delegates from across the world arrived at the Bella Center in Copenhagen to keep fighting for a strong and just climate deal. This letter state that the Friends of the Earth and other civil society groups play a key role at the conference in advocating for climate justice and supporting under-resourced negotiators from poor countries -- who are literally fighting for their survival as they push for strong climate actions.


 Limiting the access of civil society to these negotiations is not only a betrayal of the guiding United Nations principle of participation, it profoundly hinders the capacity of poor countries to achieve a just outcome. Watch the full detail of this letter and send your comments. 

Here's also An Video documenting how the day Democracy Now caught up with Nnimmo Bassey, chair of Friends of the Earth International as he was being kicked out of the climate conference center. Members of Friends of the Earth groups from around the world arrived at the Bella Center this morning to take part as official observers in the climate negotiations taking place in Copenhagen -- only to be told that their badges were no longer valid, despite all of them having the proper accreditation and the required secondary badges.

Other civil society organizations have rallied in support of our team and Avaaz, whose representatives were also locked out of the talks. Climate Action Network (CAN) International, with over 500 member groups, sent a letter to Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, president of the climate conference, and Mr. Yvo de Boer, who heads up the UNFCCC, to urge that Friends of the Earth and Avaaz be reinstated and that the rights of civil society to participate in the climate conference be respected, in line with UN principles.

One of the key roles Friends of the Earth has played at the conference has been to advocate for climate justice and the interests of the poor countries that have done the least to cause the climate crisis but will feel some of its strongest impacts. UN's decision to exclude us will leave tremendously under-resourced negotiators from poor countries with even less support inside the Bella Center to fight for a fair agreement.The photo to the right (credit: Friends of the Earth International) shows Friends of the Earth campaigners staging a sit-in at the Bella Center to protest the limitations put on their access. They're holding up the badges that prove they had all of the proper accreditation to enter.Our exclusion and the sit-in we staged in protest in the lobby of the Center were covered by media outlets like the Guardian, Solve Climate and the New York Times.

Also, check out these articles in the Los Angeles Times and U.S. News & World Report where Erich and Nick help frame the discussion on the dynamics of developing and developed in Copenhagen and what is needed for an equitable agreement to be reached.

News from Afganistan, Iraq and..........

Women's Police in Afghanistan


NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan : The first exclusive Afghan National Police Women's Police Corps Training Center was established in the heart of Jalalabad here Dec. 5.

The opening ceremony for the center was held in honor of Lt. Col. Malalai Kakar of the Afghan National Police, who some say was a martyr for the Afghan women's rights movement when she was assassinated by the Taliban as she left her home to go to her job as Kandahar's deputy police commander.


The father and sister of assassinated Afghan National Police Lt. Col. Malalai Kakar, the first female deputy commander of the Kandahar Afghan National Police, listen as dignitaries from throughout Afghanistan applaud Kakar's bravery during opening ceremonies for the first female-exclusive Afghan National Police training center in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Dec. 5, 2009. The new facility was dedicated to Kakar, who was assassinated by the Taliban in 2008

The ceremony celebrated Kakar's bravery and applauded the women who answered the call to do more in rebuilding Afghanistan.

"She was our sister and a martyr in the police forces," said Margun, a new recruit at the center. "[Kakar] was the example for us all, and I hope to recruit as well as serve as honorably for the future of my people.".......Read full story  

Face of Defense: Vietnam Vet Serves in Iraq

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq : From the battle at Belleau Wood, where Marines earned the name "Devil Dog," to the iconic image of the flag-raising at Iwo Jima, Marine Corps history is embedded in every Marine from initial training at boot camp, and it continues to provide inspiration to those who serve.
Some veterans of past wars not only hold on to the memories of their service, but also are making new ones while they serve in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Viriato B. Sena, first sergeant for Transportation Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 46, is one of the few Vietnam veterans still serving in the Marines....Read full story

Mullen Tours Bases, Outposts in Afghanistan

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, : The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff met with U.S, NATO and Afghan forces based throughout Afghanistan's Regional Command East on Wednesday Dec. 15, 2009.

According to AFPS Navy Adm. Mike Mullen's first stop was with U.S. and French forces at Task Force Lafayette, outside Kabul. The chairman spoke with French soldiers and their U.S. liaisons during the visit. He thanked the French forces for their contributions to the Afghan people and the coalition....Read More

Prisoners of Conscience

"Prisoners of conscience" are men, women or children imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression of their beliefs or because of their race, gender or other personal characteristics. Many have never been charged with a crime. Amnesty seeks the immediate release of all prisoners of conscience.

Natalia Estemirova, one of the leading human rights defenders who worked in the North Caucasus region, was abducted in Grozny, Chechnya on July 15th on her way to work. She was dragged into a car by several men and driven off in an unknown direction. According to witnesses, Natalia Estemirova managed to shout out that she was being abducted. Her body was found several hours later in the neighboring Republic of Ingushetia with gunshot wounds to the head and chest. For more information don't forget to click on  More Detail


Brad Will US Video journalist:

On 27 October 2006, US video journalist Brad Will was shot and killed in Oaxaca City, southern Mexico as he filmed a clash between members of a local protest movement (Asamblea Popular del Pueblo de Oaxaca, APPO) and supporters and officials of the local governing party.

Three years later,  Amnesty International believes that the truth about Brad Will's death has still not come out. Juan Manuel Mart�nez, anAPPO sympathiser, has been detained pending trial since October 2008 for Will's murder. However, Amnesty International believes the evidence against him is flawed and he is a being used as a scapegoat.


US Video journalis Brad Will was in Mexico to film the widespread protests and political violence that started in Oaxaca City in June 2006 and continued into 2007. At least twelve other people were killed in Oaxaca City during the violence and scores more were illegally detained and ill-treated.

Investigations carried out by the Offices of the Oaxaca State Attorney General and the Federal Attorney General insist that Brad Will was shot at close range and that a witness saw Juan Manuel Mart�nez near him at the time of the shooting.

Sikhs at Parliament of the World's Religions

More than 200 Sikhs from all over the world (including India, United States of America, Canada, Europe, and Australia) participated in the Parliament of the World’s Religions held December 3-9, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. About 5,000 persons from more than 200 faiths from 80 countries across the world attended the event.

The theme of the parliament was Make a World of Difference: Hearing Each Other, Healing the Earth.
It was organized by the  Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions (CPWR). Representatives of diverse world religions addressed the conference on the problems of the world like poverty, ignorance, crisis of ethics, and environmental concerns. for more detail click on: Sikhs at Parliament of the World's Religions

Seven months baby doing the simran Waheguru Waheguru

.....Another item  I saw was related to a 

Seven months old baby  doing simran. it was very surprising for me. I don't know it is a training result or God gifted ? if you want to see and 

listen then ckick  the Waheguru Waheguru

Power of Remembrance with Yoga and Simran

Daljit Singh and Guruka Singh explain that Naam Simran semantically means meditation. They also say simran means remembrance of God. According to them  Remembrance (yaad) is gradually converted into a state of no-thought, i.e. total merger. Here, the disciple is detached from all worldly directions and is merged with the Immortal Being. His super-thought (surat) is detached from the visible world and is totally merged in the Invisible Power. As Yogi Bhajan said: “Every thing will happen when Sadhana is instituted and you will come out as a winner; you will come out victorious.” The one who does sadhana builds himself such a powerful personality that he can automatically conquer everything. Guru Nanak Dev Ji says: “Man Jeetai Jag Jeet.” Master your own mind and you will conquer the world.Do you want to to know more or learn to simran and yoga  if so then click on Remembrance.

Valarie Kaur's film Divided We Fall

Nearly  3,000 people were murdered when al-Qaeda operatives hijacked four airplanes and crashed them into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in a field outside of Philadelphia.   
*During the hate backlash the turban-wearing Sikh Balbir Singh  Sodhi was gunned down on Sept. 15, 2001 in Mesa, Arizona.  He was killed outside his gas station. 
*Another victim was Waqar Hasan of Dallas, Texas the 46-year-old Pakistani. He was also murdered on Sept. 15, 2001. , was shot to death in a convenience store he owned. 
*Vasudev Patel also murdered days later in nearby Mesquite, Texas.
*Ali Almansoop, an American citizen and father of four was murdered six days later on Sept. 21, 2001 at his Detroit, Michigan home.
*Swaran Kaur Bhullar, a Sikh woman, was stabbed in the head at a traffic light in early October 2001. The attackers fled.
All these incidents shaken the Valarie Kaur and she decided to do some thing....ultimately she came with her film...Devided We Fall. She  is the creator, writer and producer of the film. 

Brought to you by New Moon Productions, Divided We Fall: Americans in the Aftermathis the first feature-length independent documentary film about hate violence in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. 

Divided We Fall follows the journey of 20-year-old college student Valarie Kaur as she documents hate violence against Sikhs and Muslims in the immediate aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001 and examines the larger question of “who counts” as American.  On a two-year international tour, the film has won more than a dozen awards and reached 150 campuses and communities in 90 cities across the United States.

Valarie Kaur was a 20-year-old college student when she set out across America in the aftermath of 9/11, camera in hand, to document hate violence against her community.  From the still-shocked streets of Ground Zero to the desert towns of the American west, her epic journey confronts the forces unleashed in a time of national crisis – racism and religion, fear and forgiveness – until she finds the heart of America… halfway around the world. 

The journey to make the film began when 20-year old college student Valarie Kaur drove across the country in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, documenting stories in the Sikh, Muslim, and Arab American communities.  Over the next five years, Valarie Kaur's journey unfolded into a larger exploration of 'who counts' as American. 
he journey to make the film began when 20-year old college student Valarie Kaur drove across the country in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, documenting stories in the Sikh, Muslim, and Arab American communities.  Over the next five years, Valarie Kaur's journey unfolded into a larger exploration of 'who counts' as American. In 2005, award-winning director  Sharat Raju   and his      film crew  joined Valarie as she retraced her steps across the country, revisiting her original interviewees and interviewing scholars, lawyers, and legislators about race, religion, and security in post-9/11 America.
 
The film Divided We Fall based on facts and remind us that Sikh men with turbans have been most affected by post 9/11 hate crimes. Post September 11 backlash violence has been primarily directed at those perceived to resemble the enemy – a turbaned and bearded Osama bin Laden, Al-Qaeda leader. Nearly all people who wear turbans in the United States are Sikh, members of the world’s fifth largest religion who trace their heritage to the Punjab region of India. On September 15, 2001 in Mesa, Arizona, Balbir Singh Sodhi, a Sikh man, became the first person murdered in the hate epidemic. Out of the estimated nineteen people murdered in the immediate aftermath, four were turbaned Sikh men. Many hate crimes and incidents have gone unreported. 
The federal government officially reported a 1700% increase in ‘anti-Muslim’ hate crimes, from 28 in 2000 to 481 in 2001. This only includes crimes both reported to and recorded by police departments. Community and civil rights organizations have reported thousands of hate incidents in the year following 9/11, including at least nineteen murders. 


Divided We Fall made its world premiere on September 14, 2006 in Phoenix, Arizona to commemorate the five-year memorial of the first American killed in a post-9/11 hate crime, Balbir Sodhi.  The film has been recognized by the State of California and film festivals, including Best International Documentary at the ReelWorld Film Festival of Toronto, Best Documentary - Audience Choice at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, and Best Documentary at the New Jersey Independent South Asian Ciné Fest.

Since its world premiere, the award-winning film has been now on  international tour, premiering in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and India. At more than sixty different American cities, the film has been met with standing ovations, glowing audience reviews, and critical praise.  The filmmakers have been featured in major media outlets including NPR, BBC, CNN, and the Religion News Service.

The Healing Megic of Pulse Reading

Due to hearing problem I avoid to participate any discussions, meetings, or functions but on that day it was not possible because it was a sad family function as a first death anniversary of a close relative. After making my presence visible to all concerned I slipped and went to a nearest park. I was feeling high Blood Pressure so I sat down and closed the eyes.            

Moments with the departed person were moving before me like a movie. Suddenly mobile phone vibrated in my pocket. Number was unknown but I switched it on. It was my younger cousin Kanwal Sethi who makes the films on sensitive global issues. He told me from Shatabadi Express that he came from Germany early morning and now on the way to Amaritsar. He insisted me to join him on a special visit to Dharamshala in HP.

By the late evening I was also at Amaritsar. During dinner he briefed me about the visit. Next day early morning we were going to Dharamshala. After Pathankot hilly area started. In the way we noted the excesses of Himachal traffic police. After reaching the destination we saw a small Tibet in the Dharamshala. Peoples of all ages and  classes were healthy, smiling and cooperative.  We went to museum and then to see the Tibetan Medicine Center  and The Men-Tsee-Khang.

        Before the presentation of few facts about the Tibetan Medicines and its healing system I want to explain that like Tibetans I also strongly believe in the law of relativity, cause and action.  I came to this land suddenly without any plan...but if came....then I should must do some thing for this land and for the peoples of this land.

        Due to these Karmic relations I feel if I was born in a Sikh family so I should must go to the World and cover its pain and report to the rest of the World to fulfill the Sikh Spirit Sarbatt Da Bhala (welfare of all). I also want to mention that many followers of Sri Guru Nanak Dev are known as Lama Sikhs.  So it is my humble effort to convey the Tibetan Medical Skill which is still improving even in the time of crises..,time of political shelter..... The information given below is based on meetings, journals, news-letters and many other different sources.

                                   --Rector Kathuria

The Tibetan medical system is one of the world's oldest known medical traditions. It is an integral part of Tibetan culture and has been developed through many centuries. This medical science also based on astronomy and astrology. To promote and practice Tibetan system of medicine, astronomy and astrology  a charitable, cultural and educational institute of His Holiness  The Dalai Lama. Re-established in 1961 in India, with Dr Yeshi Dhonden and Ven Lodoe Gyatso as heads of Medical and Astrological sections, respectively. Headquarters in Himachal Pradesh oversees 42 branch clinics' operations in India, Nepal and three residential doctors abroad. Operates from Delhi. Exports products to over 50 countries worldwide. 
Tibetan Astrology:

Tibetan Elemental Astrology, 'Byung-rTsis, is based on the five elements, the twelve-year cycle, eight par-kha or trigrams, and nine sme-wa or magic square numbers. Tibetan astrologers use these to calculate horoscopes along with four major themes: one's life span, physical condition, economic and political power, and overall luck in business and work.
The Tibetan system of Astronomy, sKar-rTsis, draws from the Shri Kalachakra Tantra and the Arising Vowel System, dByangs-'Char, which assigns a different vowel in each day of the month, and calculates its effect on individuals and nations. There are parallels between Tibetan and Vedic astrology in their calculation of calendars and planetary movement.

Tibetan medical theory states that everything in the universe is made up of the five proto-elements:

1. sa ( Earth )
2. chu ( Water )
3. me ( Fire )
4. rLung ( Wind )
5. Nam-mkha ( Space )

Although all five proto-elements are responsible for the formation of each tissue cell, each element has a specific influence:1. sa exerts a greater influence over the formation of muscle cells, bones, the nose and the sense of smell

2. chu is responsible for the formation of blood, body fluids, tongue and the sense of taste
3. me is responsible for body temperature, complexion, the eyes and the sense of sight
4. rLung is responsible for breathing, skin and the sense of touch and
5. nam-mkha is responsible for body cavities, the ears and the sense of hearing

In fact this is the base of Tibetan medical science. According to the experts of this science the Tibetan medicine is not only a science it is an art and philosophy also that provides a holistic approach to health care and society. experts explain that it is a science because its principles are enumerated in a systematic and logical framework based on an understanding of the body and its relationship to the environment.  They further say that it is an art because it uses diagnostic techniques based on the creativity, insight, subtlety and compassion of the medical practitioner. Talking about the philosophy factor they say that  it is a philosophy also  because it embraces the key Buddhist principles of altruism, karma and ethics. 

The diagnostic techniques include visual observation, touch and interrogation along with pulse reading.

Visual Observation

This involves checking a patient's skin complexion, the colour and texture of his/her blood, nails, sputum, faeces, and other general conditions. Special attention is paid to the condition of the patient's tongue and urine.
i. Disorders of Tongue:
In wind disorder, the tongue will red, dry and rough. In bile disorder, the tongue will be covered by a thick, pale yellow coating of phlegm. In phlegm disorder, the tongue will have a pale, thick coating of phlegm and dull, smCTAh and moist texture.
ii. Urine Disorder: 
The doctor advises the patient, how and when to collect the urine sample. It is essential that patient avoid taking too much of tea, buttermilk or wine etc. which otherwise would cause discoloration of the urine sample. They are also suggested to have a sound and sufficient sleep, refrain from mental and emotional stress and desist irregular activities. It is best to satisfy these conditions a night before the examination. The urine in Wind disorder looks like water and has large bubbles when stirred. In Bile, the urine is reddish yellow and malodorous with much steam. In Phlegm, the urine is whitish with little odour or steam. 

Touch 

Pulse reading forms the most important touching method employed in Tibetan medicine. Only after ensuring an important set of preconditions, the physician proceeds with a pulse diagnosis.
This involves placing the index finger, middle finger and ring finger of a doctor at patient's radial arteries. The fingers must be held in a line close to one another yet not touching each other. The index finger must not put too much pressure on the skin; more pressure should be applied by the middle and ring fingers.

Left hand of patient examined by the right hand of the doctor: 

A. The tip of the index finger on the right side detects heart diseases and on the left intestinal diseases 

B. The tip of the middle finger on the right side detects diseases affecting the spleen, and on the left stomach diseases
C. The tip of the ring finger on the right side detects kidney diseases and on the left diseases affecting the seminal vessel

Right hand of patient examined by the left hand of the doctor :
D. The right tip of the index finger detects lung diseases, the left tip diseases affecting the guts 

E. The right tip of the middle finger detects liver diseases, the left tip diseases due to unbalanced bile
F. The right tip of the ring finger detects kidney diseases, and the left tip diseases affecting the urinary bladder.

The right hand pulse should be examined first in the case of female patients, and the left hand one in the case of males. The reason for this is that the tip of the female heart is tilted towards the right and vice versa with males. Interrogation Interrogation forms the most important clinical aspect of the diagnosis. There are three main elements to a medical interrogation: G. Determining the causative factors H. Determining the site of the illness I. Studying the signs and symptoms - this involves the doctor asking the patient about the sort of food and drink s/he has been consuming, and what kind of physical and mental behaviour s/he has been experiencing

After my  pulse reading of both sides for few minutes Dr. Dawa who is the Director of  The Men Tsee Khang told me about my body problems, my blood pressure and my back pain etc....then he prescribed me. Medicine taking process may be tough but it looks reliable.
Tibetan Medicines

Tibetan medicines take various forms, from decoctions, powders, general pills, precious pills, and syrups are prescribed in small doses -- another fact that reflects the emphasis Tibetan medicine places on gentle treatment.
This science has magic power to heal for ever. The persons who want to know more about this system may contact the institution directly to attend  The 2nd national conference cum workshop on Tibetan medicine