Common Man Theatre Festival 11th September to 26th September

Street plays are a major part of this festival. Theatre actors are going to present many street plays in this festival raising current issues related to common man. Dilemma of street vendors, crises of domestic help are the major concern of our street shows.Asmita Theatre Group presents Common Man Theatre Festival from 11th September to 26th September 2010 at various venues of Delhi. This includes proscenium as well as street performances on socio political issues related to common man.Common Man Theatre Festival’s premier show is Ramkali starring well known Personality Mallika Sarabhai directed by veteran theatre activist Arvind Gaur.This festival is showcasing well known Indian and International playwright’s works like Mahesh Dattani, Swadesh Deepak, Dario Fo, Bertolt Brecht, Ashok Lal, Munshi Premchand, G P Deshpande, Harsh Mander.These Plays are contemporary, socio-political and raise the voice of common man Thereby addressing their issues. The festival is unique and different in its nature.Some of the milestone productions of Indian theatre will be part of this festival like Court Martial, Final Solutions, Ek Mamooli aadmi, Operation Three Star, Ramkali -The most popular plays among Indian audience.

	Time Today at 7:00pm - September 26 at 9:00pm Location Sri ram centre,IHC,Muktadhara & Alliance Francaise Mandi House,Lodhi Road,Maxmuller Marg,Gole Market New Delhi, India Created By ASMITA THEATRE GROUP ( ASMITA ART GROUP, Delhi )
	11th & 12th Sept Opening with " Ramkali " staring Mallika Sarabhai at Sri Ram Centre, 7pm. Adaptaion by Amitabha Srivastava, lyrics-Piyush Mishra, Music by Sangeeta Gaur 17th Sept- based on Harsh Mandar’s book " Unsuni "Scripting by Malika Sarabhai at Muktadhara,Gole Market at 7pm. 19th Sept - Mahesh Dattani's " Final Solutions " at 3.30pm Translation by Shahid Anwar & Ashok Lal's Ek Mamooli Aadmi " at 7 pm at Sri ram Centre, Mandi House. 24th Sept- " Mote Ram ka Satyagrha "Based on Munsi Premchand's story ,Adaptaion by Habib Tanvir & Safdar Hashmi at 7.3opm at India Habitat Centre, Amphi theatre. 25th Sept- G.P. Despande's " Raaste " at 3.30pm & Swadesh Deepak's " Court Martial "at 7pm at Sri ram Centre. 26th Sept- Dario Fo's " Operation Three Star " based on accidental death of an anarchist , Adaptaion by Amitabha Srivastava lyrics Piyush Mishra at 7pm at Alliance Francaise. All Plays Directed By Arvind Gaur For details pls contact- 9711188856, 9999692525,9540656537 ,9958793683 9899650509 (Arvind Gaur) asmitatheatre@gmail.com __________________________________________ http://indiantheatre.blogspot.com/ Asmita Theatre- Celebrating 18th year of theatre movement

Family Matters Blog: Blogger Remembers the Tragedy of 9/11

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:21:00 -0500



By Heather Forsgren Weaver of American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON : Heather Forsgren Weaver of American Forces Press Service is a regular contributor to Family Matters. Heather's been heavily involved in this blog from the start. She edits, helps write and posts content on a daily basis.

Firefighters work to put out the flames moments after a hijacked jetliner crashed into the Pentagon, Sept. 11, 2001. DoD photo by U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jason Ingersoll  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

In this blog, Heather remembers Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists flew planes into the Pentagon, the World Trade Center in New York and heroes on Flight 93 crashed their plane rather than risk it being flown into the United States Capitol.
The Sky Was So Blue
I'll always remember how blue the sky was that September morning. The pictures on TV don't do it justice.
I was a reporter covering the mobile-phone industry and there was a big press conference on Capitol Hill about funding 9-1-1 service, timed for Sept. 11 – 9-1-1. About midway through the press conference, all of the lawmakers' cell phones started ringing. Everyone laughed and the phones were quickly turned off. It would be another 30 minutes before we would be evacuated and told that planes had hit the World Trade Center in New York.
Arriving outside, it was chaos, with rumors circulating wildly: a bomb had gone off at the State Department, a bomb had gone off in nearby Crystal City, Va., and a plane had hit the Pentagon.
Unfortunately, that last one was true, and I still remember the shock of seeing the smoke, which I would later learn was from the Pentagon as I – and several others – started to walk downtown
I remember the rest of the day in slow motion – walking a mile to my office only to be told that the National Press Building had also been evacuated, riding a Metro train that changed destinations three times and finally ended up at the stop closest to my house, and waiting for my husband to walk the seven miles from Crystal City to our home because although no bomb had exploded, no one was allowed to get their cars out of the garage.
Last year, Elaine Wilson blogged in "Taking Time to Remember" about how the events of 9/11 changed the direction of her life.
I can't say the same, but as the days, weeks, months and now years have passed, I have often been reminded of that day, when more people lost their lives at the Pentagon than had been killed in the Oklahoma City bombing.
Reading the stories of those who were killed that day, I remember feeling a sense of loss that I would never get to meet these people.
Since then, I have walked on the hill in Arlington Cemetery overlooking the Pentagon and said a prayer for those lost. And I have visited the Pentagon 9/11 memorial and grieved anew for the loss of that seemingly perfect day when the sky was so beautiful and it looked as if nothing bad could happen.
I remember gaping at the hole in the Pentagon during a Unity Walk a few weeks after the attacks and celebrating less than a year later when repairs were completed.
Now, I take time to personally thank every servicemember I see in uniform and I pray for those currently serving to keep us safe.
I'm also mindful that since I was on Capitol Hill that dreadful day, the heroes of Flight 93 probably saved my life. How do you repay such a sacrifice?
My neighborhood has its own 9/11 Memorial Garden. I will visit it tomorrow and remember knowing that whatever I do, it will never be enough.(Issued on :

Sept. 10, 2010) 

J I P Condemns Torture to Journalist Omer Cheema

Journalists For International Peace Condemns Torture to Journalist Omer Cheema. A letter to this purpose has been sent as under.

Most Urgent

Mr Asif Ali Zardari
President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan
President’s Secritariat
Islamabad, Pakistan

Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani
Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Prime Minister’s Secretariat
Islamabad, Pakistan

NO: 786/A-2/OPS
Dated: 5 Sep 2010

Subject: Kidnapping and torture to Journalist Omer Cheema

I hope that letter of mine will find you in the best of health and prosperity. I expressed with grave concern that an investigative journalist , Omer Cheema was, reportedly, kidnapped by some personnel of intelligence agency from I/8 sector , Islamabad. He was allegedly taken a secret place. Cheema was resorted to severe torture and third degree methods were applied on him. It Is believed that some of Omer Cheema’s blatant reports , have infuriated and attracted the anger of some state institution. Journalists For International Peace strongly condemned the kidnapping and severe torture to the working journalist of Daily The News.
Mr President and Mr Prime Minister , Journalists For International appreciated the prompt reaction of the government , especially Federal Minister for Information,Mr Qamar uz Zaman Kaira, in which he pledged to identify the criminals and ensure exemplary punishment , as a “TEST CASE’.
Pakistan is considered as one of the most dangerous country for the working journalists , more than 40 journalists are killed in the recent past years. The alleged involvement of any state agency in kidnapping and torture of media people , tarnishes the image of that country in the international circles. The countries , where Freedom of expression is curtailed by force, can never grow economically and their progress is checked. It is observed that intolerance against Media and journalists in the present government is increased manifold . Media has strong reservations about federal and provincial governments. Such incident of harassment and torture may remain unchecked , if any practical step is not undertaken to curb the menace.
I think that Parliament may take stern action against the culprits. Three chiefs :ISI, MI and IB may be called infront of the parliament under the aegis of the Chief of Army Staff , General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kiyani. They may be directed to identify the criminals from their ranks, if the torture is conducted by the intelligence personnel. It is also believed that such torture incident is aimed at tarnish the positive role of Pak Army, which is deployed in flood affected areas to rescue and provide immediate relief to wretched people of Pakistan. The whole nation supported General Kiyani in the war against the terrorists , in Swat and Waziristan . To open war against own journalists, by a state or segment of state machinery, may always prove counter productive. Omer Cheema maintained that there is a possibility that the incident is provoke by his news report on Military Commandos, who refused to attack Lal Masjid and subjected to be court-marshaled , without giving any right of appeal.
It is in the national interest, to take immediate action against the culprits, to avoid a permanent tussle between state institutions. It is also proposed that respective intelligence agencies or their spokesman, may start briefing sessions for the journalists on variety of such matters which are taken as secret under the garb of national security. I hope that both the leaders may take strict punitive action against the culprits, to save the sanctity of Freedom of Expression, which is a constitutional obligation too.

Regards
Iftikhar Chaudri
President
Journalists For International Peace
Islamabad, Pakistan
president@j4http://www.facebook.com/l/d7797S2RZudBnrOQFu3-zU5Q7PA;ip.org

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Afghanistan Gains Come at High Price, General Says

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:44:00 -0500

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden  American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON:  U.S. and coalition troops in southwestern Afghanistan have made significant gains in recent months, but not without sacrifice, the commander of NATO’s regional command southwest there said today. Video "None of these advances have come easy. A steep price has been paid in coalition blood – not only in U.S. and U.K. blood, but in the blood of all of our coalition partners," Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Richard P. Mills told Pentagon reporters here during a video news conference from his headquarters in Afghanistan. Mills highlighted security improvements, increased capabilities of Afghan security forces, and the disdain local Afghans show for the Taliban and other extremists. Troops from 47 nations make up NATO's International Security Assistance Force. Nearly 100,000 U.S. troops are operating in Afghanistan, including almost all of the additional 30,000 troops President Barack Obama ordered in December 2009. Coalition contributions are just short of 50,000. This year, Mills said, is panning out to be the deadliest for international forces in Afghanistan. There have been 493 coalition deaths through today - 30 fewer than last year's total, he said. U.S. troops, he added, accounted for 326 deaths this year in Afghanistan, nine more than the previous year. The Afghan populace also has paid a heavy price, Mills said. Afghan civilians, he said, have been caught in between coalition and militant crossfire. Taliban and other insurgent forces in Helmand province, he added, have planted roadside bombs and launched attacks without regard for potential civilian deaths or injuries. "That takes a large, tragic toll on [the Afghan population], on the innocent children, the innocent women and the innocent men who live here in the province." However, morale among Mill's troops and the population seems to be on the rise, he said. Today, bazaars, markets, schools and other projects are operational in towns throughout Helmand province, Mills said, as increased security has fanned the Afghan populace's distain for Taliban edicts and criminal activity. Only months ago, he said, many of the province's cities were hotbeds for the drug trade and weapons trafficking. Meanwhile, Afghan soldiers and police are becoming more capable each day, Mills said, and coalition troops are noticing signs of wear and tear among the Taliban. Months of hard work and patience are paying off in Marja and Helmand province, he noted. "I can tell you that the morale of the troops remains high," Mills said. "They remain focused on the mission. They remain committed to the task at hand. "[But] I'd be remiss not to recognize the sacrifice of our Afghan partners as well," he continued. "Their security forces pay a high price each day, but each day they become more capable and more skilled and more ready to take on the security responsibilities for themselves in the months ahead." (Issued on:Sept.02, 2010)

Biographies: Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Richard P. Mills  Related Sites: 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Forward NATO International Security Assistance Force NATO

Border Mission 'Not Unique' for Guardsmen

By Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke of American Forces Press Service

Border Patrol agents observe an unnamed Arizona National Guard soldier training for Operation Copper Cactus at an undisclosed location on Aug. 25, 2010. Operation Copper Condor is the Arizona National Guard's contribution to the up to 1,200 National Guard troops being deployed to support the Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in four Southwest border states. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

ARLINGTON, Va. :  Almost 1,100 National Guard members are on duty on the Southwest border performing a mission that is very familiar to many of them, a Guard official said today.

"This [mission] is not really unique," Jack Harrison, the director of communications for the National Guard Bureau here, said during a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable. "The National Guard has been involved at the Southwest border for two decades."

During that time, he said, National Guard members have worked in the counter-drug program in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

Almost 6,000 Guard members from around the country were deployed in support of Operation Jump Start, a two-year mission that ended in 2008. "So, this is not new," Harrison said. Many of the Guard members, who have volunteered for the current border mission, also have overseas deployment experience. "And yes, those experiences are certainly useful for this mission," Harrison said. The Guard, he said, will act as "extra eyes and ears" for Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during the one-year mission. And, they’ll also provide entry identification and criminal analysis support to these agencies, he added. The Guard’s mission along the southwest border primarily involves surveillance and it doesn’t perform law enforcement activities, Harrison said. "They will be armed,” he said, “but that will be more for self-protection than anything else." Of the 1,100 troops on duty, there are about 975 Army Guard members and 100 Air Guard members. Harrison said the Guard members volunteered for this mission and were not called up as part of a unit. Each state, he said, is employing volunteers to man the border mission. "There are no units or individuals from outside those four states being called in to help in those four states," Harrison said. The incremental deployment of Guard members began on July 1, Harrison said, noting the one-year mission includes training time, "boots on the ground" time and the ramp down at the end of the mission. The training can take from two to three weeks, he said, and it focuses on the agencies' tactics and procedures, as well as any equipment that may be used during the mission. Harrison said this is a federally funded mission, but it’s not federally commanded. "The governor and the adjutant general in each of these four states maintain command and control over each person on duty," he said. "They control the flow of the forces and the numbers of forces on duty ... and they will maintain that level of control throughout the mission." Harrison said the total amount authorized for the border mission for up to 1,200 Guardsmen for up to one year is $135 million. Of the almost 1,100 Guard members currently on border duty, there are about 300 in California, 450 in Arizona, 90 in New Mexico and 225 in Texas. "We take this mission very seriously," Harrison said. "The president has asked us to support this mission, while CBP and ICE hire new agents. “Everything is going as we expected it to go,” he added, “and we are on track for up to 1,200 people." (Issued on:Sept. 3, 2010}

Related Sites: National Guard Bureau "DoD Live" Bloggers Roundtable