Clipmarks | arifsali's 'india' clips

The Waste-Pickers of Delhi

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:53:39 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: The original Delhi recyclers have turned garbage into cash for decades. Now, a carbon-credit-generating incinerator may put them out of business.

Clip Source: www.motherjones.com

India's waste-pickers—often women and children—join free-ranging cows and other less sacred animals in a daily forage through the garbage of the streets. They've been recycling trash for decades, since long before recycling became fashionable in the West, and in Delhi, a 13-million-person metropolis, the waste-pickers number in the tens of thousands. For slum-dwellers, such recycling of plastic, paper, and metals—anything that can be turned into cash—is often the only source of income.

Bharati Chaturvedi, the director and cofounder of Chintan, a small Indian NGO that provides education to waste-pickers, claims that more than 1 percent of Delhi's population sifts through garbage, recycling as much as 59 percent of the city's waste. "These waste-pickers are providing a public service—for free," she says.

Tags: india, recycle, environment

Women of Cover

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 05:22:15 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: Interesting blog post

Clip Source: www.paulstravelblog.com

In our travels thus far through the Middle East, we've seen a variety of different styles of cover for women, and I thought that it would be interesting to compare them. Please note that this is intended to be something of a fashion post, rather than a post debating the hejab (Islamic dress code) itself. [Note: None of the individuals pictured was a source of any information for this or any post.]

Young women in Syria. In Syria, the scarf is very much a fashion accessory in addition to a religious and customary expectation. In the big cities, many women choose to go without.

Ladies' police uniforms, Bahrain

Television personality, Bahrain

Trendy mother and daughter, Iran

We never confirmed this, but this style of headscarf must be required in schools and certain jobs, as they are quite common in Iran.

Getting away with showing a lot of hair, Iran

Kuwait. Kuwaiti women all seem to wear their hair in huge buns.

Bahrain

A bedouin woman, looking quite stylish in Aleppo, Syria

India

Tags: women

Ditching laissez-faire, India plans a city

Fri, 11 May 2007 04:24:17 GMT

clipped by: arifsali

Clip Source: iht.com

But in a social experiment highly unusual for this most unplanned of countries, the Indian government has handpicked Nagpur to be fattened and primped into an international metropolis.

Lush parks and smooth roads have been lain, and malls and multiplex cinemas have sprouted. A drastically renovated airport is to become the cargo hub of India, with a terminal that is 100 times larger than the existing one and is to handle at least 100 jets at a time instead of the current five. An ecofriendly mass-transit system is being planned to absorb an expected surge in road traffic, years before the average Nagpurian owns a car. The government is building a special economic zone with tax breaks and ready-to-use water, electricity and fiber optic cable, in the hope of attracting 100,000 technology jobs to a city long dominated by coal mining.

Tags: india, city, economy, technology

"Untouchable" boy caned to death by teacher for writing a love poem

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:56:46 GMT

clipped by: arifsali

Clip Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

UNA: A 16-year-old Dalit boy died after he was thrashed in front of other students by an upper caste teacher in a rural higher secondary school of this Himachal district for writing a verse in appreciation of an upper caste girl.

Surjit Singh was beaten up on Tuesday by a teacher in the Nangal Kalan Government High school in public, said the Dalit sarpanch of the village Gyan Kaur. His two classmates said, "When the teacher came to know about the Surjit's love poem, he caned him till he almost dropped dead."

That was not the end of his ordeal; he was again beaten up by the family members of the girl the next day, Wednesday. Surjit was later found semi-conscious and taken to the hospital but succumbed to injuries.

Local leaders have sought an inquiry into the incident as the police appear to be siding with the upper caste girl's family and the teacher.

Tags: india, discrimination

Treasures From the Mughal Empire

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:17:35 GMT

clipped by: arifsali

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

An Emperors’ Art: Small, Refined, Jewel Toned

WASHINGTON — Muraqqa is the Persian term for a patched garment traditionally worn by Sufi mystics as a sign of poverty and humility. Yet it is also the word for a gilded and lavishly calligraphed album. This type of muraqqa, a luxury object from the Mughal empire in India, is a patchwork of imagery: portraits of emperors and courtiers, Eastern mystics and Western religious figures; examples of plant and animal life.

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

"Akbar Fights with Raja Man Singh," from a copy of the Akbarnama. (circa 1600-03)

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

"Mu'in al-Din Chishti Holding a Globe"

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

"The Women at the Well of Kanchinpur,"

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

"Raja Udai Singh (Mota Raja) in a Gold, Flowered Jama"

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

"Majnun in the Wilderness"

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

The young Jahangir also commissioned an album called the “Shikarnama,” or “Hunting Book.”

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

"A Garden Gathering with a Prince in a Green Jama"

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

"Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan with their Ministers,"

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

Tags: india, mughal

Taboos About Sex Hinder Efforts to Fight AIDS in Pakistan, Study Says

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:48:33 GMT

clipped by: arifsali

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

In Pakistan, seven times as many men as women are reported to be infected with the AIDS virus, but the country’s taboos about sex make it very difficult to even address the epidemic, researchers are reporting this week.

The findings, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, are by researchers at two Pakistani universities, who said India and Bangladesh, with similarly conservative Muslim cultures, had addressed the issues more openly.

Pakistan has at least 85,000 citizens infected with the virus, according to Unaids, the United Nations AIDS agency.

Islamic law forbids sex outside marriage, and many Pakistanis believe the disease is not a threat in Muslim countries, the authors said. As a result, safe-sex education is rare.

In Pakistan as in many other countries, gay relationships and networks of male sex workers exist.

Tags: aids, sex, pakistan

Islam and Hinduism's blurred lines

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 05:16:50 GMT

clipped by: arifsali

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Mr Singh is a member of the Kathat community in Rajasthan and follows what his community believes is a pledge undertaken by their forefathers.

Legend has it that the Mehrat, Kathat and Cheeta communities - with a combined total of one million people in four districts of central Rajasthan - are the descendants of the Hindu ruler of the warrior caste, Prithviraj Chauhan.

The three communities also have strong Islamic connections, because many centuries ago, their forefathers undertook a pledge to follow three Muslim practices.

These include the circumcision for the newborn male children in the community, eating halal meat and burying their dead.

That is the tradition many have followed, keeping the word of their ancestors. But it has also led to them facing something of a faith-based identity crisis.

A majority of them are poor and illiterate. They are people with a mixed Hindu-Muslim identity.

"We don't care about being Hindu or Muslim. It is sheer politics," he says.

Tags: islam, hinduism, india, culture, religion

Now, an Indian film on Apostle Thomas

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:22:25 GMT

clipped by: arifsali

Clip Source: in.news.yahoo.com

The Rs.500-million ($12 million) project is being supported by the St. Thomas Apostle of India Trust, set up by the Catholic Archdiocese of Mylapore.

Biblical stories identify Thomas as the disciple who doubted the resurrection of Christ. According to several edicts, Kushan king Vasudeva sent Thomas' remains to Syria in 232 AD.

The Roman Catholic and Anglican calendars honour Thomas July 3, the day on which his relics are believed taken from Mylapore, on India's east coast, to Edessa, Syria, where his remains are worshipped as that of the Apostle of India. Then it was taken to the Greek island of Chios in 1258 AD and then to Ortona, Italy, where it rests now.

In the 'Acts of Thomas', written in 200 AD, the original key text to identify St. Thomas with India, historians agree that two people, followers of Jesus Christ, arrived first in Sandaruk (one of the ancient Alexandrias) in Balochistan.

Tags: india, christianity

World is home to more than 10 million millionaires

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:49:24 GMT

clipped by: arifsali

Clip Source: www.cnn.com

NEW YORK (AP) -- Add an extra zero to the ranks of the millionaires club.

The number of people around the world with at least $1 million in assets passed 10 million for the first time last year, according to a report. And their bank accounts are growing even faster.

The combined wealth of the globe's millionaires grew to nearly $41 trillion last year, an increase of 9 percent from a year before, Merrill Lynch & Co. and consulting firm Capgemini Group said Tuesday.

That means their average wealth was more than $4 million, the highest it's ever been. Home values were not included in asset totals.

"The growth of their wealth is outpacing the growth of their population, and that's a trend that's going to continue in coming years," said Ileana Van Der Linde, a principal with Capgemini.

The ranks of the wealthy are growing fastest in the developing economies of India, China and Brazil. The number of millionaires in India grew by about 23 percent.

Tags: rich, world

Ten Most Amazing Temples

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 21:19:19 GMT

clipped by: anthonyo
clipper's remarks: Wow, Some of these are really breathtaking.

Clip Source: www.neatorama.com

10 Most Amazing Temples in the World

Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Wat Rong Khun

Prambanan

Shwedagon Pagoda

Temple of Heaven

Chion-in Temple

Borobudur

Golden Temple

Vishnu Temple of Srirangam

Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon

Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple

Tags: ten, temples, amazing, beautiful, pictures, pics, bhudda, thailand, india, asia

Bollywood goes Hollywood

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:41:53 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: What a world we live in now!

Clip Source: www.iht.com

NEW DELHI: Hollywood loves to show outside investors just how the movie business really works. But some of the people behind Bollywood in India believe they have something to teach Hollywood about making movies.

Reliance Entertainment, part of an Indian conglomerate controlled by the telecommunications and finance mogul Anil Ambani, is in talks to finance Steven Spielberg and David Geffen in a new venture. The company has also recently signed production deals with several Hollywood directors like Jay Roach and Chris Columbus and stars like Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Jim Carrey.

Unlike other foreign investors who have stepped toward Hollywood - and taken some grief for their efforts - Reliance has deep experience in the film business. Ambani is a relative newcomer to the movie game, but his wife, Tina Munim, is a former Bollywood star.

have laid out ambitious plans that include creating a $10 billion entertainment company that would be one of the world's largest.

Tags: entertainment, hollywood, india

Sacred Sex Frozen In Stone

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 13:49:00 GMT

clipped by: BartendingBear
clipper's remarks: The best pictures I've ever seen of these sacred temples.

Clip Source: you.presscue.com

Located in the fertile Gangetic plains of Madhya Pradesh, the sprawling Khajuraho temple complex is a fascinating monument to the sanctity of human sexuality. The central theme of the temples is the celebration of womankind, her form, for her beauty and her temperament.

The complex, built by the Chandela rulers between 950 and 1050, is a one of the finest example of Indo-Aryan architecture. It was built during a period of peace and prosperity, where creativity flourished under royal patronage. The Chandelas commissioned 85 temples, but only 22 are remaining today.

Khajuraho, or Khajur-vahika, derives its name from the golden date palms (khajur) that ones adorned the gate of the great city. The engravings were not built merely for aesthetic value, as they also served to teach young virgins all they needed to know about sexuality.

listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, and the The Archeological Survey of India is entrusted with preserving these temples

Afghanistan’s international donors

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:37:09 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: This is a good break down of what people have committed and have delivered, I would click on the source to see it in color to make some sense. You may also find recent news at the source on the conference which was held with all the top statesmen of the world.

Clip Source: ismailimail.wordpress.com

Reuters - Afghanistan will ask international donors at a Paris conference on Thursday for $50 billion over five years to bolster its economy.

Following is a breakdown of the nearly $25 billion donated for Afghanistan’s reconstruction since 2001

DONOR AID DISBURSED / AID COMMITTED BUT NOT DISBURSED

United States 5022.9 5377
Japan 1393.52 16.9
United Kingdom 16.3 188.87
European Commission 1074.1 646.68
World Bank 852.72 750.72
Germany 767.84 458.2
Canada 730.71 48.12
Asian Development Bank 547.8 1009.7
Italy 424.41 0
Netherlands 407.1 85.5
Norway 277 122.3
Sweden 217.26 41.15
Iran 213.87 13.89
ECHO* 207.68 2.23
India 204.26 650.85
Australia 194.81 0
U.N. agencies** 171 0
Denmark 152.79 59.38
Russia 139 0
Aga Khan Foundation 119.3 0
France 79.93 29.47
Saudi Arabia 76.9 30
Finland 64.06 29.92
Switzerland 51.55 43.96
China 41 20.35
Spain 25.6 37.15
Turkey 20.8 22.82

Tags: afghanistan, aid

Mystical India

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:12:40 GMT

clipped by: arifsali

Clip Source: www.linkinn.com

Tags: india, photographs

Indian widow parties for spot in heaven

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:18:02 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: I almost thought she would have to be the most dumbest women on earth....until I read the last sentence of the story. I guess that makes sense, a person with money and insecurity even in the next world to come.

Clip Source: www.abc.net.au

A rich 80-year-old Indian widow has spent thousands of dollars on a feast for 100,000 people in the hope it would please the gods and open the doors of heaven for her, local officials said.

People from surrounding villages and towns were fed lunch over two consecutive days by Phuljharia Kunwar, who lives in the eastern state of Bihar and has no family or relatives.

Ms Kunwar spent $US37,500 on the the feast. Local officials said she spent lavishly on the meal because she had no one to bequeath her property.

"She told us she could now begin her final journey and her soul could rest in peace in heaven," Ajay Kumar Bulganin, a local lawmaker who attended the feast, held over Wednesday and Thursday, said.

"She was worried that no one would care about throwing a feast after her death."

Tags: india, weird