CounterCurrents: Farmlands ‘Developed’ A Bit More Into Farmer Graveyards In 2015

Dear Friend,

Colin Todhunter writes on demonetisation "regardless of the large-scale human suffering imposed as a result of demonetisation, it could kill two birds with one stone: 1) securing the interests of international capital, including the eventual displacement of the informal (i.e. self-organised) economy; and 2) acting as another deliberate nail in the coffin of Indian farmers, driving even more of them out of the sector. The US’s game plan remains well and truly on course."

Samar of Asian Human Rights Commission writes that India saw 42 % spike in farmer's suicide. 

Another country going through a major crisis is Venezuela where the Catholic Church stepped in to give support to the forces trying to unseat President Maduro. 

And also more stories from around the world. 

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In Solidarity

Binu Mathew
Editor
www.countercurrents.org





Holiness’ “Holy” Act: An Archbishop, Reportedly, Initiates Onslaught On The “Sinful” Venezuela
by Farooque Chowdhury 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/01/05/holiness-holy-act-an-archbishop-reportedly-initiates-onslaught-on-the-sinful-venezuela/

“On New Year’s Day, priests across Venezuela reportedly were instructed by Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino, the archbishop of Caracas, to read […] a text during the homily encouraging parishioners to take a stand for democracy and not be intimidated by the socialist rule of Nicolas Maduro.”






From Agriculture To Demonetisation: Not ‘Make in India’ But Made In Washington
by Colin Todhunter 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/01/05/from-agriculture-to-demonetisation-not-make-in-india-but-made-in-washington/

Regardless of the large-scale human suffering imposed as a result of demonetisation, it could kill two birds with one stone: 1) securing the interests of international capital, including the eventual displacement of the informal (i.e. self-organised) economy; and 2) acting as another deliberate nail in the coffin of Indian farmers, driving even more of them out of the sector. The US’s game plan remains well and truly on course.






Farmlands ‘Developed’ A Bit More Into Farmer Graveyards In 2015
by Samar 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/01/05/farmlands-developed-a-bit-more-into-farmer-graveyards-in-2015/

How does one deal with a 42% spike in suicides by farmers/cultivators in a country where “development” has been the buzzword for the last couple of years? If the question isn’t creepy enough to send a shiver down one’s spine, consider that “Bankruptcy or Indebtedness” and “Farming Related Issues”, i.e. non-personal reasons, account for 58.2% of these suicides. No pretensions would be enough to hide the fact that the agricultural crisis has in fact deepened in the middle of all the brouhaha over India’s superpower dreams






Notes On Modern Day Capitalism
by B.C.Mehta 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/01/05/notes-on-modern-day-capitalism/

While, the side of revolution has been unable to handle even one crisis (the collapse of socialist block), it is confused, it is not clear about the ideology, the policy and  tactics consequently wasting energy in in-fighting and hair-splitting. When the need for revolution is so great and urgent the forces of revolution are weak, confused and scattered or are nowhere to be seen. Workers are not imbued with the proletarian ideology hence are divided and unorganized and the middle class which was the natural ally of labour in the past has been brainwashed and co-opted by the capitalist class.





Scarce Minerals Are Running Out: Mining Quotas Are Needed
by Theo Henckens 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/01/05/scarce-minerals-are-running-out-mining-quotas-are-needed/

To ensure that sufficient zinc, molybdenum and antimony are available for our greatgrandchildren’s generation, we need an international mineral resources agreement.






3 Ways To Recognize An Emergency In 2017
by Mickey Z 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/01/05/3-ways-to-recognize-an-emergency-in-2017/

We humans are typically on point when it comes to stepping up during an emergency. The trick, it appears, is actually recognizing an emergency when we encounter one. 





A Blessing In Disguise?  The Trump Presidency And Palestine
by Dr Ramzy Baroud 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/01/05/a-blessing-in-disguise-the-trump-presidency-and-palestine/

Bad will no longer be good, wrong is not right, and warmongering is not peacemaking. In fact, Trump is set to expose American foreign policy for what it truly is, and has been for decades. His presidency is likely to give all parties a stark choice regarding where they stand on peace, justice and human rights.






Aping Washington: Tony Abbott, Israel And Australian Foreign Policy
by Dr Binoy Kampmark 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/01/05/aping-washington-tony-abbott-israel-and-australian-foreign-policy/

Abbott’s most recent effort, conveyed publicly by a piece in the Australian version of The Spectator, have centred on a similar theme, suggesting with religious intensity that Australia relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.





Hacking or Leak And Expelling Diplomats
by Dr Arshad M Khan

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/01/05/hacking-or-leak-and-expelling-diplomats/

In the U.S., the big news lately has been the expulsion last week of 35 Russian diplomats in retaliation for alleged Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee that revealed a corrupt leadership. The claimed hacking was on May 16, 2016 and the information released just prior to the Democratic Convention held July 25 – 28, 2016. How it interfered with the November election would require a mystic to explain.







The Fear Of Bhangar: A Case Against Power Grid And High Voltage Transmission Line
by Nisha Biswas 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/01/05/the-fear-of-bhangar-a-case-against-power-grid-and-high-voltage-transmission-line/

On December 22, 2016 they brought Kolkata roads to a standstill in a massive rally. Braving the threats and intimidations more than 10,000 people came to Kolkata to force the state government to listen to their woes and to hand over a memorandum to the Governor of West Bengal. Governor, though agreeing to meet, finally did not meet them, but the people of Kolkata were made aware by taking out a massive rally that Kolkata has not seen for last ten years.






Dangal: An Overrated Movie Of Ideals
by P Victor Vijay Kumar 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/01/05/dangal-an-overrated-movie-of-ideals/

Dangal is a good movie but not the best in its spirit and message. Dangal is desirable but significantly insufficient. Dangal technicalities are one of the best but the thematic presentationis average.Dangal highlights the penchant pursuit of a passion by girls but it excessively overshadows those characters with a dominant male benevolent father character.





Understanding Kashmiri Aspirations
by Mohammad Ashraf 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/01/05/understanding-kashmiri-aspirations/

The motivators of various initiatives to bring peace to Kashmir first need to understand the sentiments and the aspirations of Kashmiris