06/18/2010 2:00PM - 3:30PM
Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 628
Address: Constitution Avenue and 1st Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
Senator Byron Dorgan, Chairman and Representative Sander Levin, Cochairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China invite you to a roundtable discussion on “China's Policies Toward Spiritual Movements.”
At this CECC Roundtable, panelists will examine the Chinese government's policies toward spiritual movements and the factors that drive its treatment of members of spiritual groups. The Chinese government has allowed space for some spiritual movements to operate in China, but has banned other groups, such as Falun Gong. Authorities have subjected members of Falun Gong and other banned groups to strict surveillance, and in some cases, imprisonment, detention outside the legal system, and other abuses. Why does the Chinese government consider some spiritual movements a threat? What challenges and prospects do Falun Gong practitioners face in China that adherents of other groups do not? What does the Chinese government's treatment of spiritual movements mean for the future of religious freedom in China?
Panelists:
James Tong, Professor, UCLA Department of Political Science
Ethan Gutmann, Adjunct Fellow, Foundation for Defense of Democracies
Mark Shan, Program in Philosophy, Theology and Ethics, Boston University
CECC Roundtables are open to the public. No RSVP is necessary.
Visit the Commission's Web site at www.cecc.gov for analysis of recent developments and other resources related to the development of the rule of law and human rights in China.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Buddha Bones in China Buddhist Temple
Press Trust Of India
China, June 12, 2010
Precious relics believed to be part of the skull of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, found three years ago, were enshrined on Saturday at Qixia Temple in Jiangsu province in China.
The relics were sent to the country by the great Indian Emperor Ashoka and buried beneath a Chinese temple over 1000 years ago.
The significance of the enshrining ceremony, attended by scores of Buddhist monks from across China including Tibet, Macau, Hong Kong as well as Taiwan, was that for the first time after the Communist takeover of the country the event was allowed to beamed live by television channels.
The casket, in which the relics known as "sarirars" (parts of the body of Buddha) were preserved in two different boxes, was opened amid chanting of hymns by the monks.
CTV which commissioned Indian and Buddhist scholars to elucidate on the history and importance of Buddhism announced that the relics represented the evidence of "Buddha's enlightenment and spiritual purity".
The casket, containing small size stupa of Emperor Ashoka in which the relics were preserved, is the largest and finest ever found in China.
"Its complicated techniques are rarely seen as it was made 1000 years ago" and it was discovered during excavations of the temple three years ago, according to one Buddhist scholar.
The casket made of gold, silver and sandalwood was found among scattered objects in an underground chamber. The relics were kept carefully in a small box made of gold, which also contained a bottle of perfume. Its objects which displayed to the public were closely scrutinised by magnifying cameras.
According to Buddhist scriptures, Emperor Ashoka collected all of Sakyamuni's sarira, stored them in pagoda-shaped shrines, before sending them to different parts of the world.
China is believed to have received 19 of them. Search is on for the rest. These caskets were not opened fearing bad luck.
Buddhism came to China in 68 AD when first Buddhist temple called White Horse temple was built in Luoyang by Chinese Monk Xuanzang after a 17-year-long voyage to India.
Luoyang was in news recently when President Pratibha Patil inaugurated an Indian style Buddhist temple which was built in association with India to revive the age old spiritual links between the two countries.
Buddhism flourished in China with patronage from successive ruling dynasties and dominant spiritual forces until the Communist take over in 1949 after which it was brought under state control.
During the cultural revolution in 1960s and 70s some its temples were destroyed and vandalised. In recent years, however, Buddhism steadily staged a come back as more and more Chinese beginning to rediscover their religious roots.
Officially, China has over 10 million Buddhists.
China, June 12, 2010
Precious relics believed to be part of the skull of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, found three years ago, were enshrined on Saturday at Qixia Temple in Jiangsu province in China.
The relics were sent to the country by the great Indian Emperor Ashoka and buried beneath a Chinese temple over 1000 years ago.
The significance of the enshrining ceremony, attended by scores of Buddhist monks from across China including Tibet, Macau, Hong Kong as well as Taiwan, was that for the first time after the Communist takeover of the country the event was allowed to beamed live by television channels.
The casket, in which the relics known as "sarirars" (parts of the body of Buddha) were preserved in two different boxes, was opened amid chanting of hymns by the monks.
CTV which commissioned Indian and Buddhist scholars to elucidate on the history and importance of Buddhism announced that the relics represented the evidence of "Buddha's enlightenment and spiritual purity".
The casket, containing small size stupa of Emperor Ashoka in which the relics were preserved, is the largest and finest ever found in China.
"Its complicated techniques are rarely seen as it was made 1000 years ago" and it was discovered during excavations of the temple three years ago, according to one Buddhist scholar.
The casket made of gold, silver and sandalwood was found among scattered objects in an underground chamber. The relics were kept carefully in a small box made of gold, which also contained a bottle of perfume. Its objects which displayed to the public were closely scrutinised by magnifying cameras.
According to Buddhist scriptures, Emperor Ashoka collected all of Sakyamuni's sarira, stored them in pagoda-shaped shrines, before sending them to different parts of the world.
China is believed to have received 19 of them. Search is on for the rest. These caskets were not opened fearing bad luck.
Buddhism came to China in 68 AD when first Buddhist temple called White Horse temple was built in Luoyang by Chinese Monk Xuanzang after a 17-year-long voyage to India.
Luoyang was in news recently when President Pratibha Patil inaugurated an Indian style Buddhist temple which was built in association with India to revive the age old spiritual links between the two countries.
Buddhism flourished in China with patronage from successive ruling dynasties and dominant spiritual forces until the Communist take over in 1949 after which it was brought under state control.
During the cultural revolution in 1960s and 70s some its temples were destroyed and vandalised. In recent years, however, Buddhism steadily staged a come back as more and more Chinese beginning to rediscover their religious roots.
Officially, China has over 10 million Buddhists.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
It's All Spirit at the World Cup
By NESHA STARCEVIC (AP) – 21 hours ago
ERASMIA, South Africa — Germany has arrived in South Africa with the second youngest team in its World Cup history, the average age under 25 years old.
Captain Philipp Lahm believes its the best team he's ever been part of despite its youth.
The young players have brought flair and unpredictability to the traditional German strengths of power and speed. The teams of the past rarely outplayed opponents with dazzling dribbling, instead outrunning and outmuscling them on the way to three World Cup titles.
Now, the German team includes 11 players of immigrant background, from Ghana to Turkey, who have added an element of skill rarely seen before.
Lahm, who has played in one World Cup and two European championships, is excited about the talent that can be found on his team.
"This young team has a lot of quality and exuberance in it," he said ahead of Germany's opener Sunday against Australia. "Of course we want to start with a win because this would give us even more confidence. We are convinced that we have a good team."
Mesut Oezil, whose parents are Turkish, murmurs Koranic verses before games, then makes unpredictable runs into the penalty box and has an eye for the unexpected pass to the free man.
Marko Marin, a Bosnian Serb by birth who plays alongside Oezil in Werder Bremen's midfield, likes nothing better than to take on a defender and dribble past him.
Sami Khedira, whose father is Tunisian, will take over some of the midfield duties of the injured Michael Ballack, normally the leader of the team.
Six of Germany's players won the under-21 European title last year, and assistant coach Hansi Flick said the youngsters have brought a more carefree spirit to the side.
"I find it good how they communicate with each other," Flick said.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, who at 25 is one of the senior players, said he is very confident.
"We know from experience how such a tournament runs. We will pass this on to the young players, who are very much looking forward to the games," Schweinsteiger said.
Germany still may not have the flair of Brazil, but Loew has been insisting on an attacking style. His predecessor, Juergen Klinsmann, began the trend and Loew has further developed it, intentionally bringing up young players with a certain profile and dropping some veterans.
The Germans will not neglect the qualities that have made them a soccer power, though. This team will be just as fit as any previous and ready to run any opponent into the ground.
"They show a lot of joy in their game," coach Joachim Loew said. "They are always moving and they are very enthusiastic."
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
ERASMIA, South Africa — Germany has arrived in South Africa with the second youngest team in its World Cup history, the average age under 25 years old.
Captain Philipp Lahm believes its the best team he's ever been part of despite its youth.
The young players have brought flair and unpredictability to the traditional German strengths of power and speed. The teams of the past rarely outplayed opponents with dazzling dribbling, instead outrunning and outmuscling them on the way to three World Cup titles.
Now, the German team includes 11 players of immigrant background, from Ghana to Turkey, who have added an element of skill rarely seen before.
Lahm, who has played in one World Cup and two European championships, is excited about the talent that can be found on his team.
"This young team has a lot of quality and exuberance in it," he said ahead of Germany's opener Sunday against Australia. "Of course we want to start with a win because this would give us even more confidence. We are convinced that we have a good team."
Mesut Oezil, whose parents are Turkish, murmurs Koranic verses before games, then makes unpredictable runs into the penalty box and has an eye for the unexpected pass to the free man.
Marko Marin, a Bosnian Serb by birth who plays alongside Oezil in Werder Bremen's midfield, likes nothing better than to take on a defender and dribble past him.
Sami Khedira, whose father is Tunisian, will take over some of the midfield duties of the injured Michael Ballack, normally the leader of the team.
Six of Germany's players won the under-21 European title last year, and assistant coach Hansi Flick said the youngsters have brought a more carefree spirit to the side.
"I find it good how they communicate with each other," Flick said.
Bastian Schweinsteiger, who at 25 is one of the senior players, said he is very confident.
"We know from experience how such a tournament runs. We will pass this on to the young players, who are very much looking forward to the games," Schweinsteiger said.
Germany still may not have the flair of Brazil, but Loew has been insisting on an attacking style. His predecessor, Juergen Klinsmann, began the trend and Loew has further developed it, intentionally bringing up young players with a certain profile and dropping some veterans.
The Germans will not neglect the qualities that have made them a soccer power, though. This team will be just as fit as any previous and ready to run any opponent into the ground.
"They show a lot of joy in their game," coach Joachim Loew said. "They are always moving and they are very enthusiastic."
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Sunday School for Autistic Kids
For the moment, there is only one Sunday school pupil in Room 120 at State Street Baptist Church, a 19-year-old man who loves puzzles and songs and has painstakingly memorized the books of the Bible.
John Stack’s autism and halted mental development set him apart. But his parents, Tim and Ann Stack, don’t believe that should limit their son’s access to Sunday school and the spiritual lessons that have been so important to him through his life.
The Stacks have developed a class for teenagers and young adults like John Stack, people with special needs who require routine and repetition but who have “aged out” of traditional Sunday school classes.
They hope that soon John will have classmates joining him in Bible study.
“We had been thinking about this for several years,” Ann Stack said. “He really towered over the other children, because they were third- and fourth-graders. Mentally he fit, but physically he didn’t.”
John Stack always had enjoyed Sunday School and church. For years, a church volunteer, Kathy Collins, served as his “shadow,” attending classes with him and helping him follow the Bible lessons and craft instructions.
But the Stacks knew that John no longer belonged at the little tables.
“We just felt that it was time for him to move on, and there wasn’t another place for him to go,” his mother, a retired school teacher, said. “We wanted him to continue to grow spiritually and in the church, and we just didn’t see that that would happen there.”
The “A” Word
As a baby, John Stack developed normally until about 10 months of age, when he suffered a massive seizure.
He continued having small seizures, and at about 1 year of age was diagnosed with epilepsy, his parents said. At 18 months, his intellectual abilities started to slide.
“We went through all the available medications at that time,” Ann Stack said, “and that is how we got on the surgery track.”
Eventually, after examination at the Medical College of Georgia, Emory University and the Scripps Institute in California, John underwent the first of several surgeries at age 4 to remove parts of the brain that triggered the seizures.
Then, at age 6, doctors told the Stacks that John was autistic.
“It was the first time we had heard the ‘A’ word,” Ann Stack said.
They adjusted their lives — and their dreams — to accommodate their son’s needs, and worked to keep him at home.
“In 2001, he was so mentally unstable we didn’t know if we could keep him,” Ann Stack said. But eventually, their son’s physicians were able to prescribe medications that stabilized their son.
“We wouldn’t trade him for anything,” she said. “So many people have regrets and don’t live the life God gave them. We feel like that they are God’s gifts and we can learn from them.”
God as your next-door neighbor
The couple researched curriculum and attended special needs classes at congregations to prepare for the kind of class that would appeal to mentally and physically challenged young people like their son.
Several large congregations, including First Baptist Church in downtown Columbia, have developed such programs.
They attended classes at Mount Horeb United Methodist Church in Lexington, which not only offers a weekly Sunday school class but also a special needs Vacation Bible School and basketball league.
The Stacks also sought counsel from Steve Cannon, whose late father founded a successful special education class in 1967 at Spartanburg’s Bethel United Methodist Church. Jack Cannon developed the class because his daughter, Suzanne, was mentally and physically challenged, his son said.
“We have been going strong for 42 years,” said Cannon, who took over as director of the class after his father’s death in 1996. The Spartanburg class averages about 30 to 35 students weekly, all mentally challenged and some autistic. It has been an ecumenical outreach, Steve Cannon said, drawing Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Greek Orthodox and Mormons among the membership.
“You don’t know exactly what gets in their heads,” Cannon said. “You have to present God as if he was your next-door neighbor.”
He predicted that once word spreads about the Stacks’ class, families will avail themselves of the spiritual opportunity.
“If they build it, they will come,” he said.
The Stacks already knew that repetition and routine worked for John in his daily life, and they were determined to keep that orderly approach as they worked on their lesson plans, just as Cannon and others recommended.
“We really copied a lot of his format,” said Tim Stack. “You really can’t go deep. You have to stay on the surface.”
God and family
On a recent Sunday, the lesson came from 1 Timothy 5:4: “But if any widow has children or children’s children, let these see that it is right to take care of their family and their fathers and mothers: for this is pleasing in the eyes of God.”
For special needs students, that Biblical complexity is reduced to one simple phrase: “Take care of your family.”
But first, John participated in his every Sunday routine: singing “America the Beautiful,” and reciting three pledges: the Pledge of Allegiance, the Christian Pledge of Allegiance, and the Pledge to the Bible. He then recited familiar Bible verses including John 3:16 and Psalm 23 and sang some favorite songs.
John followed along on a television set linked to a computer. Cayce police officer Tim Shealy, a member of the State Street congregation, arranged for the donation of the equipment from a Cayce civic club.
John then read a simple version of the Old Testament story of Joseph, who reunited with and forgave the brothers who sold him into slavery in Egypt.
Tim Stack asked simple questions to make sure John understands the story: “Where did Joseph live?” “How can we show that we love and care for our family?”
And this: “Who is in your family?”
John looked from one parent to the other: “Mommy, Daddy and John.”
After a prayer, the lesson ended right on time, and John prepared for his snack.
But not before he turned and hugged his mother.
Reach Click at (803) 771-8386.
John Stack’s autism and halted mental development set him apart. But his parents, Tim and Ann Stack, don’t believe that should limit their son’s access to Sunday school and the spiritual lessons that have been so important to him through his life.
The Stacks have developed a class for teenagers and young adults like John Stack, people with special needs who require routine and repetition but who have “aged out” of traditional Sunday school classes.
They hope that soon John will have classmates joining him in Bible study.
“We had been thinking about this for several years,” Ann Stack said. “He really towered over the other children, because they were third- and fourth-graders. Mentally he fit, but physically he didn’t.”
John Stack always had enjoyed Sunday School and church. For years, a church volunteer, Kathy Collins, served as his “shadow,” attending classes with him and helping him follow the Bible lessons and craft instructions.
But the Stacks knew that John no longer belonged at the little tables.
“We just felt that it was time for him to move on, and there wasn’t another place for him to go,” his mother, a retired school teacher, said. “We wanted him to continue to grow spiritually and in the church, and we just didn’t see that that would happen there.”
The “A” Word
As a baby, John Stack developed normally until about 10 months of age, when he suffered a massive seizure.
He continued having small seizures, and at about 1 year of age was diagnosed with epilepsy, his parents said. At 18 months, his intellectual abilities started to slide.
“We went through all the available medications at that time,” Ann Stack said, “and that is how we got on the surgery track.”
Eventually, after examination at the Medical College of Georgia, Emory University and the Scripps Institute in California, John underwent the first of several surgeries at age 4 to remove parts of the brain that triggered the seizures.
Then, at age 6, doctors told the Stacks that John was autistic.
“It was the first time we had heard the ‘A’ word,” Ann Stack said.
They adjusted their lives — and their dreams — to accommodate their son’s needs, and worked to keep him at home.
“In 2001, he was so mentally unstable we didn’t know if we could keep him,” Ann Stack said. But eventually, their son’s physicians were able to prescribe medications that stabilized their son.
“We wouldn’t trade him for anything,” she said. “So many people have regrets and don’t live the life God gave them. We feel like that they are God’s gifts and we can learn from them.”
God as your next-door neighbor
The couple researched curriculum and attended special needs classes at congregations to prepare for the kind of class that would appeal to mentally and physically challenged young people like their son.
Several large congregations, including First Baptist Church in downtown Columbia, have developed such programs.
They attended classes at Mount Horeb United Methodist Church in Lexington, which not only offers a weekly Sunday school class but also a special needs Vacation Bible School and basketball league.
The Stacks also sought counsel from Steve Cannon, whose late father founded a successful special education class in 1967 at Spartanburg’s Bethel United Methodist Church. Jack Cannon developed the class because his daughter, Suzanne, was mentally and physically challenged, his son said.
“We have been going strong for 42 years,” said Cannon, who took over as director of the class after his father’s death in 1996. The Spartanburg class averages about 30 to 35 students weekly, all mentally challenged and some autistic. It has been an ecumenical outreach, Steve Cannon said, drawing Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Greek Orthodox and Mormons among the membership.
“You don’t know exactly what gets in their heads,” Cannon said. “You have to present God as if he was your next-door neighbor.”
He predicted that once word spreads about the Stacks’ class, families will avail themselves of the spiritual opportunity.
“If they build it, they will come,” he said.
The Stacks already knew that repetition and routine worked for John in his daily life, and they were determined to keep that orderly approach as they worked on their lesson plans, just as Cannon and others recommended.
“We really copied a lot of his format,” said Tim Stack. “You really can’t go deep. You have to stay on the surface.”
God and family
On a recent Sunday, the lesson came from 1 Timothy 5:4: “But if any widow has children or children’s children, let these see that it is right to take care of their family and their fathers and mothers: for this is pleasing in the eyes of God.”
For special needs students, that Biblical complexity is reduced to one simple phrase: “Take care of your family.”
But first, John participated in his every Sunday routine: singing “America the Beautiful,” and reciting three pledges: the Pledge of Allegiance, the Christian Pledge of Allegiance, and the Pledge to the Bible. He then recited familiar Bible verses including John 3:16 and Psalm 23 and sang some favorite songs.
John followed along on a television set linked to a computer. Cayce police officer Tim Shealy, a member of the State Street congregation, arranged for the donation of the equipment from a Cayce civic club.
John then read a simple version of the Old Testament story of Joseph, who reunited with and forgave the brothers who sold him into slavery in Egypt.
Tim Stack asked simple questions to make sure John understands the story: “Where did Joseph live?” “How can we show that we love and care for our family?”
And this: “Who is in your family?”
John looked from one parent to the other: “Mommy, Daddy and John.”
After a prayer, the lesson ended right on time, and John prepared for his snack.
But not before he turned and hugged his mother.
Reach Click at (803) 771-8386.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Swami Against Caste Based Census in India
2010-06-10 18:10:00
A group of concerned citizens from various walks of life have come together to build pressure on the government against a caste-based census.
The eminent citizens including former civil servants, politicians, scientists, artists, industralists and journalists have decided to form a group, `Sabal Bharat' (strong India), to mobilise the people against the caste based census.
'We will use online petition and other modes of technology to reach out to people to mobilise opinion against the highly divisive move,' J. C. Sharma, a former secretary in the external affairs ministry and a member of the coordination committee of Sabal Bharat, told IANS.
He said a few citizens got together after the government showed it might consider a caste-based census after political pressure from the Yadav trio - Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Prasad and Sharad Yadav.
'The government almost announced that it was going for caste-based census on the last day of budget session. We felt that the concerned citizens must raise their voice. The move (caste-based census) has strong divisive potential. It is not good for the country,' Sharma said.
He said former Lok Sabha secretary general Subash Kashyap, columnist Ved Pratap Vaidik, industralist Sanjay Dalmia, senior journalist Shravan Garg, theatre artists Gopal Sharman and Jalabala Vaidya, filmaker Loveleen Thadani and social activist Alka Madhok were among those who took part in the initial meetings of the group.
The group has received support from senior politicians across the political spectrum including former speaker Balram Jakhar and former union ministers Jagmohan, Vasant Sathe, Ram Jethmalani and Arif Mohammad Khan. Cultural historian Kapila Vatsyayan, MP, eminent scientist M. G. K. Menon, senior journalist Dileep Padgaonkar and eminent dancer Sonal Man Singh have also come out in support, he said.
Sharma said that spiritual leaders such as Swami Ramdev, Satya Narayan Goenka and Pranav Pandya have also assured them of their support.
'The caste-based census negates the vision of the founding fathers of the constitution. It is a retrograde step which will take India backwards,' he said.
The group of eminent citizens has opened an office on Barkhamba Road and has scheduled a press conference Friday.
Sharma said they will give copies of their memoranda to the Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee which is looking into the issue of caste-based census.
The government had referred the contentious issue of caste-based census to the GoM following lack of consensus on the issue in the cabinet.
Indo-Asian News Service
ps/tb/ps
A group of concerned citizens from various walks of life have come together to build pressure on the government against a caste-based census.
The eminent citizens including former civil servants, politicians, scientists, artists, industralists and journalists have decided to form a group, `Sabal Bharat' (strong India), to mobilise the people against the caste based census.
'We will use online petition and other modes of technology to reach out to people to mobilise opinion against the highly divisive move,' J. C. Sharma, a former secretary in the external affairs ministry and a member of the coordination committee of Sabal Bharat, told IANS.
He said a few citizens got together after the government showed it might consider a caste-based census after political pressure from the Yadav trio - Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Prasad and Sharad Yadav.
'The government almost announced that it was going for caste-based census on the last day of budget session. We felt that the concerned citizens must raise their voice. The move (caste-based census) has strong divisive potential. It is not good for the country,' Sharma said.
He said former Lok Sabha secretary general Subash Kashyap, columnist Ved Pratap Vaidik, industralist Sanjay Dalmia, senior journalist Shravan Garg, theatre artists Gopal Sharman and Jalabala Vaidya, filmaker Loveleen Thadani and social activist Alka Madhok were among those who took part in the initial meetings of the group.
The group has received support from senior politicians across the political spectrum including former speaker Balram Jakhar and former union ministers Jagmohan, Vasant Sathe, Ram Jethmalani and Arif Mohammad Khan. Cultural historian Kapila Vatsyayan, MP, eminent scientist M. G. K. Menon, senior journalist Dileep Padgaonkar and eminent dancer Sonal Man Singh have also come out in support, he said.
Sharma said that spiritual leaders such as Swami Ramdev, Satya Narayan Goenka and Pranav Pandya have also assured them of their support.
'The caste-based census negates the vision of the founding fathers of the constitution. It is a retrograde step which will take India backwards,' he said.
The group of eminent citizens has opened an office on Barkhamba Road and has scheduled a press conference Friday.
Sharma said they will give copies of their memoranda to the Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee which is looking into the issue of caste-based census.
The government had referred the contentious issue of caste-based census to the GoM following lack of consensus on the issue in the cabinet.
Indo-Asian News Service
ps/tb/ps
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Sri Lanka Assures India on Displaced People
2010-06-09 21:40:00
Sri Lanka on Wednesday assured India of expediting the rehabilitation of remaining internally displaced persons (IDPs).
"During their meet, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was apprised about the measures taken by the Sri Lankan Government to bring about a rapid and sustainable resettlement of the bulk of the IDPs. It was stated that the process of resettling the limited number still remaining in the transit facilities would be further expedited," a joint statement said after bilateral talks held between India and Sri Lanka today.
"Both leaders agreed on the urgent need for the resettlement of the remaining IDPs, along with speedy rehabilitation, reconstruction and development in the North and the East of Sri Lanka. They agreed to work closely towards this end," the statement added.
Sri Lanka, in this context, greatly appreciated India's assistance to rebuild infrastructure, including railway infrastructure and set up several Vocational Training Centres.
Besides, it also appreciated Indian assistance in repairing and constructing schools, houses, stadium and recreational facilities, supplying much-needed inputs for agricultural regeneration and undertaking several other projects.
President Rajapaksa warmly welcomed the offer of Indian support for this programme.
Earlier, Prime Minister Dr. Singh congratulated President Rajapaksa on his recent electoral victories and conveyed that the recent elections, together with the cessation of hostilities in Sri Lanka in May 2009, provided a historic opportunity for the country's leaders to address all outstanding issues in a spirit of understanding and mutual accommodation and to work towards genuine national reconciliation.
Dr. Singh emphasised that a meaningful devolution package, building upon the 13th Amendment, would create the necessary conditions for a lasting political settlement.
President Rajapaksa reiterated his determination to evolve a political settlement acceptable to all communities that would act as a catalyst to create the necessary conditions in which all the people of Sri Lanka could lead their lives in an atmosphere of peace, justice and dignity, consistent with democracy, pluralism, equal opportunity and respect for human rights.
Dr. Singh expressed India's constructive support for efforts that build peace and reconciliation among all communities in Sri Lanka.
President Rajapaksa during his meet with the Indian PM appreciated India's substantial and generous assistance including through a grant of Rupees 500 crore for the humanitarian relief, rehabilitation and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
"The steps taken by India for humanitarian assistance, including supply of family packs of food and clothing, medicines, setting up of a field hospital and an artificial limb fitment camp and for the resettlement of IDPs, including provision of shelter material, cement bags and agricultural implements and deployment of de-mining teams, were important and timely," President Rajapaksa noted. (ANI)
Sri Lanka on Wednesday assured India of expediting the rehabilitation of remaining internally displaced persons (IDPs).
"During their meet, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was apprised about the measures taken by the Sri Lankan Government to bring about a rapid and sustainable resettlement of the bulk of the IDPs. It was stated that the process of resettling the limited number still remaining in the transit facilities would be further expedited," a joint statement said after bilateral talks held between India and Sri Lanka today.
"Both leaders agreed on the urgent need for the resettlement of the remaining IDPs, along with speedy rehabilitation, reconstruction and development in the North and the East of Sri Lanka. They agreed to work closely towards this end," the statement added.
Sri Lanka, in this context, greatly appreciated India's assistance to rebuild infrastructure, including railway infrastructure and set up several Vocational Training Centres.
Besides, it also appreciated Indian assistance in repairing and constructing schools, houses, stadium and recreational facilities, supplying much-needed inputs for agricultural regeneration and undertaking several other projects.
President Rajapaksa warmly welcomed the offer of Indian support for this programme.
Earlier, Prime Minister Dr. Singh congratulated President Rajapaksa on his recent electoral victories and conveyed that the recent elections, together with the cessation of hostilities in Sri Lanka in May 2009, provided a historic opportunity for the country's leaders to address all outstanding issues in a spirit of understanding and mutual accommodation and to work towards genuine national reconciliation.
Dr. Singh emphasised that a meaningful devolution package, building upon the 13th Amendment, would create the necessary conditions for a lasting political settlement.
President Rajapaksa reiterated his determination to evolve a political settlement acceptable to all communities that would act as a catalyst to create the necessary conditions in which all the people of Sri Lanka could lead their lives in an atmosphere of peace, justice and dignity, consistent with democracy, pluralism, equal opportunity and respect for human rights.
Dr. Singh expressed India's constructive support for efforts that build peace and reconciliation among all communities in Sri Lanka.
President Rajapaksa during his meet with the Indian PM appreciated India's substantial and generous assistance including through a grant of Rupees 500 crore for the humanitarian relief, rehabilitation and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
"The steps taken by India for humanitarian assistance, including supply of family packs of food and clothing, medicines, setting up of a field hospital and an artificial limb fitment camp and for the resettlement of IDPs, including provision of shelter material, cement bags and agricultural implements and deployment of de-mining teams, were important and timely," President Rajapaksa noted. (ANI)
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Pope Tells Youth "Let The Spirit Guide You"
Let the Spirit Guide You, Pope Tells Youth
VATICAN CITY, MAY 19, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI today noted the Novena of Pentecost that began last Friday, and encouraged young people to be docile to the Holy Spirit's work.
The Pope made this recommendation today at the traditional conclusion of the general audience, in his greeting to youth, the sick and newlyweds.
"I invite you, dear young people, to be docile to the action of the Holy Spirit, given to believers in the sacraments of baptism and confirmation," he said.
The Pontiff noted the Spirit's role in comforting those who suffer, inviting the sick "to receive the Consoling Spirit, so that he will assist you in difficulties and help you to transform suffering into a pleasing offering for the good of your brothers."
Finally, he wished for newlyweds "that the life of your family is always nourished by the fire of the Spirit, who is the Love itself of God."
VATICAN CITY, MAY 19, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI today noted the Novena of Pentecost that began last Friday, and encouraged young people to be docile to the Holy Spirit's work.
The Pope made this recommendation today at the traditional conclusion of the general audience, in his greeting to youth, the sick and newlyweds.
"I invite you, dear young people, to be docile to the action of the Holy Spirit, given to believers in the sacraments of baptism and confirmation," he said.
The Pontiff noted the Spirit's role in comforting those who suffer, inviting the sick "to receive the Consoling Spirit, so that he will assist you in difficulties and help you to transform suffering into a pleasing offering for the good of your brothers."
Finally, he wished for newlyweds "that the life of your family is always nourished by the fire of the Spirit, who is the Love itself of God."
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