In a first,  Relief Organisation (Migrant) Jammu and Kashmir are providing Electors Photo Identification Cards (EPICs) to the Kashmiri migrant voters at Jammu who filled their voter forms during the Special Summary Revision held in the month of September 2022. Continuing with the Campaign, EPICs were distributed among the Kashmiri migrant voters today at the migrant Camp Jagti where a large number of migrant voters availed this facility and collected their EPICs, a press statement read. The Relief Organisation, in collaboration with the office of Chief Electoral, J&K, in a first-of-its-kind initiative, is facilitating the distribution of "EPICs" to Kashmiri migrant voters at their convenience and for the purpose, a Special Campaign has been launched from June 19 to July 1 in migrant camps and non-camp areas in Jammu. Before this, the EPICs, after final printing, were placed at the disposal of local Block Level Officers of Kashmir Valley for further distribution, it said. Kashmiri Migrants being out of the valley were not able to collect their EPICs owing to the fact that they are residing at various places in Jammu and other parts of the country, it added. Source: The Economic Times

It was the time of Assembly Elections in Assam. Bishnu Rabha, the revolutionary who need not require any introduction, even then, had already lost his first elections by a narrow margin. But, this time, Rabha’s victory was almost certain. However, with contemporary politics of 2023, when the parliamentary discussions result in quitting sessions in between with democracy almost becoming a myth, this incident between Rabha and his contender Bijoy Sarma from the Congress can never fade away. Bijoy Sarma and Bishnu Rabha had acted together in plays at the historic Ban Theatre in Tezpur. While campaigning in an ambassador car one day, Bishnu Rabha and Phani Sarma noticed a car with the Congress flag approaching from the opposite direction. It turned out to be Bijoy Sarma’s car. Rabha asked the driver, Bijit Saikia, to stop, and he and Phani Sarma got out to greet their fellow artist. Rabha asked, “How is your campaign going, Bijoy?” to which Sharma replied, “It’s progressing well, Bishnu da. I believe you will win this time.” Rabha, in his usual straightforward manner, concluded by saying, “As for me, I would rather see you succeed. Regardless of who wins, they should not betray the poorest and most neglected members of society. They have blessed us, and we must not squander it. You should know that my best wishes are always with you.” Bijoy Sarma offered betel leaves to his mentors and engaged in a conversation with them for almost thirty minutes. The camaraderie between these political rivals left the spectators bewildered and they stood there in astonishment. Bishnu Prasad Rabha was an extraordinary figure whose artistic brilliance and unwavering revolutionary spirit left an indelible mark on Assam’s cultural landscape. Through his multifaceted genius, Rabha reshaped the world of arts, challenging societal norms and advocating for social justice. As a visionary artist and revolutionary comrade, his contributions to literature, theatre, music, and activism continue to inspire generations, weaving a tapestry of revolution and literary genius. Rabha’s artistic brilliance transcended conventional boundaries, encapsulating diverse forms such as painting, music, dance, literature, and theatre. His paintings were vibrant tapestries, merging traditional motifs with modern techniques, depicting the rich heritage and folklore of Assam. Through his brushstrokes, Rabha breathed life into his canvases, capturing the essence of the oppressed, the marginalised, and the unheard. And among the different arts that Rabha made, the one that Assamese society can never look beyond is his portrayal of their Gurujona– Srimanta Sankaradeva. As a musician, Rabha’s compositions were an ode to the soulful melodies of Assam’s folk music. His heartfelt lyrics resonated with universal themes of humanity, telling the stories of the common people and transcending language barriers. Rabha’s music carried the weight of their struggles, offering solace and igniting sparks of resistance in the hearts of listeners. Of different songs that Rabha wrote and sung, the fact that Rabha Dibas of recent years have majorly played, ‘Parajanamar Subha logonot’ seems a lot unlikely to the identity Rabha carried and the identity, people, today, are bound to remember Rabha as. Beneath Rabha’s artistic creations thrived a profound revolutionary spirit that defied societal norms. He saw art as a powerful medium to challenge the established order, advocating for social justice and amplifying the voices of the oppressed. Through his art, Rabha became a beacon of hope, urging the masses to question existing power structures and strive for a more equitable world. His quote on the British Rule- “Raijye ase duiti patha, ekti kalo ekti sada rajyer jodi mongol chao, duiti patha boli dao” (There are two exploiters of the country, one is white and the other is brown. For the betterment of the country, we must destroy them both), was not merely critical of the British but also, of the then Feudal Lords in India) Theatre became Rabha’s platform for social commentary. His thought-provoking plays unmasked the hypocrisies of society, provoking introspection and inspiring action. His plays served as revolutionary manifestos, propelling the audience towards liberation. He was also the President of the Indian People Theatre’s Association (IPTA) Rabha’s commitment to the welfare of the masses extended beyond his artistic endeavours. Inspired by socialist ideologies, he actively participated in the struggle against colonialism and fought for the rights of the working class. Through his political activism, Rabha established organisations that championed the cause of the marginalised. He fought for land rights, education, and cultural preservation, recognising the interconnectedness between art and social progress. Rabha merged his artistic brilliance with his revolutionary spirit, becoming a vanguard of change and empowering the marginalised to reclaim their rightful place in society. Rabha also has to credit, the development of the film industry in the state. Being a member of the legendary trio of Jyotiprasad Agarwalla, Phani Sharma and Bishnu Prasad Rabha, his role in Joymoti, not only marked the introduction of Rabha in Films, but films, as a whole, to the people of Assam. Source: www.eastmojo.com

Brazilian soccer player Vinicius Junior has agreed to join a new task force to tackle racism in football. The Real Madrid star was recently racially abused during a La Liga match with Valencia. Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior will play a "prominent role" in a new anti-racism task force, the world football governing body, FIFA, said on Thursday. FIFA "would set up a task force to make specific recommendations, with Vinicius Junior taking a prominent role," the governing body said in a statement. Racial incidents: Next time we must stop the match says FIFA Vinicius, who is Black, was racially abused by Valencia fans in May in an incident which provoked worldwide outrage. "It's very important not just to talk about racism and discrimination, but to take action in a decisive and convincing manner — zero tolerance," FIFA president Gianni Infantino wrote in an Instagram post. "FIFA is together with the Brazilian Football Confederation and with all the players in this fight. It's important to introduce sporting sanctions and I congratulate CBF for having done so already." "There is no football if there is racism!" the FIFA president continued. "So let’s stop the games. The referees have this opportunity in FIFA competitions as we have this process for stopping the game, and actions have to be taken at every level, at national level as well. Everyone has to understand this and we will go, together, until the end." Vinicius has been subjected to racial abuse on numerous occasions over the last two years, with little to no action being taken. It was only after the 10th reported incident of racist abuse aimed at the wide player since 2021, during last month's La Liga match between Valencia and Real Madrid at the Mestalla stadium, that Spanish football and the country finally decided to take action. Seven arrests were made by police in wake of the incident and Spain’s football federation (RFEF) launched an anti-racism campaign while ordering the partial closure of Valencia’s stadium. Vinicius speaks up Vinicius spoke to reporters for the first time since he was racially abused in Valencia last month. He thanked everyone who supported him. "Everyone has been giving me strength so I can continue in this battle," he said. "Infantino came today to show his support and asked me for advice on which players I think should be on the committee FIFA is creating. I think it's important and necessary, I embrace it," Vinicius added. Supporters found guilty of abusing Vinicius were issued stadium bans and fines by Spanish authorities last week. Worldwide problem Infantino stressed that measures should be taken globally to eradicate racial  discrimination in football. "Unfortunately, racism is not a problem that exists only in Spain. It exists in many, many other countries. That is why we need to take collective measures to fight against it all over the world," Infantino said. FIFA already created an anti-racism task force in 2013 after a notorious incident of abuse suffered in Italy by AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, who is Black. Boateng worked with the task force which FIFA shut down in 2016, months after Infantino was elected. FIFA said then the task force had "completely fulfilled its temporary mission."

Kabra Altaf (25) grew up in the Nishat area of central Kashmir’s Srinagar city, with a desire to be called a sportsperson. She didn’t know which sport would be the best fit, but she wanted to belong there. Her father, who had been her role model since childhood, had taught her different techniques of self-defence and some throwing techniques. He always talked about the mental and physical strength required to be a sportsperson, and Kabra was captivated by it. In 2010, Kabra and her father visited the Sher-e-Kashmir Indoor Sports Complex in Wazir Bagh, Srinagar, to inquire about different sports. They learned about Judo and other kicking games. Kabra asked them what Judo was about, and her father explained that it involved throwing techniques. Kabra decided to give it a try, and it was love at first throw. “Kabra’s passion, dedication, and love for Judo made her stick to the sport even when it was hard. She always felt like she belonged in Judo, and it made her feel special. Her dream of becoming the nation’s best sportsperson also motivated her. Kabra was selected for the national only three months after starting Judo training. She played her first school national and got an opportunity from the Bhopal Academy to train there. Winning the first national medal for J&K followed by selection in the India camp was the most inspiring thing for her,” Kabra’s father said. “Kabra won medals in several weight categories, which was a rare feat. Most players try to play in one weight category and may even fail to win a single fight, but Kabra changed this norm. Despite being a national medallist in skiing, she chose Judo because she found her calling in it,” he added. “Judo is not just a sport for Kabra; it’s an art. It provides a code of ethics and a way of living. Besides being an Olympic sport, Judo helps people develop physical fitness in many ways. Judo has a number of benefits that can foster good mental health. Kabra sees Judo as a way of living,” he said. He further said that Judo training involves a full-body workout, improved cardiovascular fitness, endurance, strength, flexibility, agility, speed, dynamic and static balance, explosive power, and endurance development. “Her passion for Judo makes winter roadwork manageable. When her clock rings for practice time, she doesn’t feel the cold,” he said. Kabra’s father had been her initial inspiration, but she gets inspired by all sportspersons who play with proper sportsmanship and follow the code of ethics of the sport they are involved in. There is no specific athlete who inspires her. Judo provides some amazing moves that can be used by MMA athletes, such as locking, choking, and throwing. Judo is beneficial in so many ways; it gives a true fighting spirit, improves clinch work exponentially, and most importantly, it gives the player a way of living. Kabra’s journey in Judo was not just a matter of talent and physical gifts; it took recognition and the right decisions at the right time with capable people around to assist and an array of intangibles to tackle. Kabra’s passion and dedication to Judo have made her a force to reckon with in the field. She is one of the few people who can be good at anything they try. When they work on their talent and physical gifts, they develop skills that make them a force in any field. Kabra Altaf is a testament to that. 

Junta forces have launched airstrikes targeting armed opposition in central Myanmar.  On Tuesday, April 11, at least 50 people were killed in the attack.  BBC Burmese, Radio Free Asia (RFA) and The Irrawaddy news portal reported 50 to 100 people, including civilians, killed in the airstrikes, citing residents of the Sagaing region.  However, Myanmar authority did not comment on this issue.

Popular actor Abdul Aziz has been admitted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital (BIRDEM) in the capital after suffering a massive heart attack. Director's Guild General Secretary Kamruzzaman Sagar confirmed the matter on Saturday night. He said, director's guild esteemed member, actor and producer Abdul Aziz fell ill at around 8 pm on saturday. He was immediately taken to BIRDEM Hospital where it was found that he had suffered a massive heart attack. He is currently undergoing treatment in the CCU of the hospital. Abdul Aziz asked for prayers from everyone.

Tibet’s ecology and natural resources have frequently been exploited. Since the Chinese government invaded Tibet illegally in the 1950s, the once-independent country’s peace and harmony have rapidly declined. In a world where the environment is currently the most dangerous problem, Tibet is also experiencing significant environmental problems, but instead of receiving the necessary attention, the problems are written off as a simple territorial dispute.   The authoritarian rule of China in Tibet and their portrayal of Tibet as a part of themselves have caused the world to ignore the environmental degradation that has occurred there as well as the fact that Tibetans lack the rights to even speak out against issues affecting their own land and way of life. Tibet is currently on the verge of confronting significant environmental problems.   A Tibetan natural reserve that was controversially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site five years ago is called for to have its status reviewed in the most recent World Heritage Watch Report by the International Campaign for Tibet.   The Hoh Xil (Achen Gangyap) nature reserve, which the Chinese government wrongly claimed to be a “no-land” man’s despite Tibetan nomads using the area, was designated a World Heritage Site in 2017. Since then, the reserve’s status has not been reassessed. Hoh Xil is situated in the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the Qinghai Province.   The October edition of the 2022 World Heritage Watch report has an analysis from ICT regarding the nature reserve and how, according to the new deadlines set for UNESCO’s Third Cycle of Periodic Reporting, China is not required to submit a periodic review of Hoh Xil until 2024.   The management of infrastructure projects, tourism, and climate change continue to raise severe problems, as does the displacement of local populations. Because of increased censorship of even environmental information coming from Tibet and increased surveillance, it is becoming more challenging to keep tabs on the situation there. A thorough evaluation of the site’s management is therefore necessary.   The historical and culturally Tibetan Hoh Xil Nature Reserve is a territory the size of Switzerland that is situated in Yushu County, Qinghai Province. Its extraordinary level of endemism and natural beauty earned the site recognition as a natural heritage site. All of the plant-eating mammals in Hoh Xil, along with more than one-third of the plant species, are unique to the plateau and cannot be found anywhere else on Earth.    The wild yak, Tibetan ass, Tibetan gazelle, and Tibetan antelope are just a few of the unusual creatures. The land is essential to the survival of up to 50% of the wild yak and 40% of the Tibetan antelope in the world. Additionally, the park preserves the habitats and biological cycles that make up the Tibetan antelope’s whole life cycle. The Changtang natural reserve and Sanjiangyuan (three rivers source) national park, two bigger and better-known protected areas, are wedged between the Hoh Xil nature reserve. China announced plans to create a new national park network in 2017 that would be run by the government.   A number of protected zones have also been established on the Tibetan Plateau. Although these territories have not been unified under the national government, it appears that plans exist to establish a so-called “Third Pole National Park” made up of initially five national parks that will turn Tibet into a protected location for conservation and tourism. At least a third of the Tibetan Plateau is currently covered by protected areas inside Tibet.   The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) highlighted climate change, infrastructure and tourism, fencing, and pest management as risks to the heritage site at the time of Hoh Xil’s inscription. The site’s universal importance is currently under serious threat, according to the advisory group’s most recent assessment of the site’s conservation outlook for 2020.   Fencing, Pika species poisoning, and the effects of climate change on habitat were all mentioned in the IUCN evaluation’s assessment of current high-level risks.   With increasing average temperatures and precipitation resulting in additional rivers, lakes, and marshlands, climate change is specifically changing the habitat. By obstructing migration routes and calving grounds, as well as by generating new types of dust and salt pollution, these environmental changes are having an impact on animals.   Limiting traffic on the Qinghai-Tibet railway and highway corridor or evaluating alternate routes can also help to offset other concerns, such as infrastructure development and increased tourism along the Tibetan antelope’s migration route. The IUCN experts have noted that the highway has more significant effects than previously thought and significantly alters the Tibetan antelope’s migration path to and from the calving grounds.   Tourism, and the subsequent rise of traffic through the natural reserve, is a reasonable worry. It is not new for China to exploit tourism to commercialise Tibetan culture and marginalise Tibetans in their own country. In the ancient Town of Lhasa, where the UNESCO-listed Historical Ensemble of the Potala Palace has been updated and made to look more Chinese in order to serve political and commercial objectives, such tactics have been effectively used.   The site’s cultural and global worth has been lost as a result of the absence of active engagement and dialogue from local Tibetans. Given that China presently has 60 sites on the provisional list of world heritage sites, of which four are in Tibet, this trend of leveraging UNESCO’s global reputation to boost tourism in Tibet is expected to continue.   The Chinese government provided assurances that “The Chinese government has not, is not, and will not in the future perform any forceful evictions in the Hoh Xil nominated area” in response to concerns expressed by civil society groups during the inscription of the Hoh Xil site.   However, given data that suggests resettlement is a well-established practise in national parks throughout the Tibetan region, such assurances cannot be easily trusted. Pastoralists in the Hoh Xil site are gradually forced to leave their grazing lands by limiting their sources of income.   The UNESCO historic designation must not be used to support environmental policies that take land from local communities, step up population control and monitoring, and obliterate local cultures in the name of politics and profit. China has previously promoted its concept of environmental dictatorship through the UNESCO heritage designation.   This is risky since China’s authoritarian environmental governance system lacks participatory governance. Because there is minimal room for participation in policymaking, it forces individuals to accept judgments made by others and imposes uniformity over variation.   Tibet’s ecology and natural resources have frequently been exploited. Since the Chinese government invaded Tibet illegally in the 1950s, the once-independent country’s peace and harmony have rapidly declined. In a world where the environment is currently the most dangerous problem, Tibet is also experiencing significant environmental problems, but instead of receiving the necessary attention, the problems are written off as a simple territorial dispute.   The authoritarian rule of China in Tibet and their portrayal of Tibet as a part of themselves have caused the world to ignore the environmental degradation that has occurred there as well as the fact that Tibetans lack the rights to even speak out against issues affecting their own land and way of life. Tibet is currently on the verge of confronting significant environmental problems.   A Tibetan natural reserve that was controversially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site five years ago is called for to have its status reviewed in the most recent World Heritage Watch Report by the International Campaign for Tibet. The Hoh Xil (Achen Gangyap) nature reserve, which the Chinese government wrongly claimed to be a “no-land” man’s despite Tibetan nomads using the area, was designated a World Heritage Site in 2017.   Since then, the reserve’s status has not been reassessed. Hoh Xil is situated in the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the Qinghai Province. The October edition of the 2022 World Heritage Watch report has an analysis from ICT regarding the nature reserve and how, according to the new deadlines set for UNESCO’s Third Cycle of Periodic Reporting, China is not required to submit a periodic review of Hoh Xil until 2024. The management of infrastructure projects, tourism, and climate change continue to raise severe problems, as does the displacement of local populations.   Because of increased censorship of even environmental information coming from Tibet and increased surveillance, it is becoming more challenging to keep tabs on the situation there. A thorough evaluation of the site’s management is therefore necessary. The historical and culturally Tibetan Hoh Xil Nature Reserve is a territory the size of Switzerland that is situated in Yushu County, Qinghai Province.   Its extraordinary level of endemism and natural beauty earned the site recognition as a natural heritage site. All of the plant-eating mammals in Hoh Xil, along with more than one-third of the plant species, are unique to the plateau and cannot be found anywhere else on Earth.   The wild yak, Tibetan ass, Tibetan gazelle, and Tibetan antelope are just a few of the unusual creatures. The land is essential to the survival of up to 50% of the wild yak and 40% of the Tibetan antelope in the world. Additionally, the park preserves the habitats and biological cycles that make up the Tibetan antelope’s whole life cycle. The Changtang natural reserve and Sanjiangyuan (three rivers source) national park, two bigger and better-known protected areas, are wedged between the Hoh Xil nature reserve.   China announced plans to create a new national park network in 2017 that would be run by the government. A number of protected zones have also been established on the Tibetan Plateau. Although these territories have not been unified under the national government, it appears that plans exist to establish a so-called “Third Pole National Park” made up of initially five national parks that will turn Tibet into a protected location for conservation and tourism. At least a third of the Tibetan Plateau is currently covered by protected areas inside Tibet.   The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) highlighted climate change, infrastructure and tourism, fencing, and pest management as risks to the heritage site at the time of Hoh Xil’s inscription. The site’s universal importance is currently under serious threat, according to the advisory group’s most recent assessment of the site’s conservation outlook for 2020. Fencing, Pika species poisoning, and the effects of climate change on habitat were all mentioned in the IUCN evaluation’s assessment of current high-level risks.   With increasing average temperatures and precipitation resulting in additional rivers, lakes, and marshlands, climate change is specifically changing the habitat. By obstructing migration routes and calving grounds, as well as by generating new types of dust and salt pollution, these environmental changes are having an impact on animals.   Limiting traffic on the Qinghai-Tibet railway and highway corridor or evaluating alternate routes can also help to offset other concerns, such as infrastructure development and increased tourism along the Tibetan antelope’s migration route.   The IUCN experts have noted that the highway has more significant effects than previously thought and significantly alters the Tibetan antelope’s migration path to and from the calving grounds. Tourism, and the subsequent rise of traffic through the natural reserve, is a reasonable worry. It is not new for China to exploit tourism to commercialise Tibetan culture and marginalise Tibetans in their own country.   In the ancient Town of Lhasa, where the UNESCO-listed Historical Ensemble of the Potala Palace has been updated and made to look more Chinese in order to serve political and commercial objectives, such tactics have been effectively used. The site’s cultural and global worth has been lost as a result of the absence of active engagement and dialogue from local Tibetans.   Given that China presently has 60 sites on the provisional list of world heritage sites, of which four are in Tibet, this trend of leveraging UNESCO’s global reputation to boost tourism in Tibet is expected to continue. The Chinese government provided assurances that “The Chinese government has not, is not, and will not in the future perform any forceful evictions in the Hoh Xil nominated area” in response to concerns expressed by civil society groups during the inscription of the Hoh Xil site.   However, given data that suggests resettlement is a well-established practise in national parks throughout the Tibetan region, such assurances cannot be easily trusted. Pastoralists in the Hoh Xil site are gradually forced to leave their grazing lands by limiting their sources of income. The UNESCO historic designation must not be used to support environmental policies that take land from local communities, step up population control and monitoring, and obliterate local cultures in the name of politics and profit. China has previously promoted its concept of environmental dictatorship through the UNESCO heritage designation.   This is risky since China’s authoritarian environmental governance system lacks participatory governance. Because there is minimal room for participation in policymaking, it forces individuals to accept judgments made by others and imposes uniformity over variation.   Source: Tibet Press