CounterCurrents: Two And Half Minutes To Midnight

Dear Friend,

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If you don't mind, and if you think the content of this news letter is critical for the dignified living and survival of humanity and other species on earth, please forward it to your friends and spread the word. It's time for humanity to come together as one family! You can subscribe to our news letter here http://www.countercurrents.org/news-letter/. 

In Solidarity

Binu Mathew

Editor

www.countercurrents.org

Solidarity With Earth And Humanity

by David Sparenberg 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/25/solidarity-with-earth-and-humanity/

I believe we are in an early stage of every goodness human beings every dared believe in and which have nurtured and inspired the phoenix of humanity to rise again and again from ashes of the anti-human is in gravest danger.

Two And Half Minutes To Midnight

by Dr Arshad M Khan

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/25/two-and-half-minutes-to-midnight/

There is a disturbing, discordant dissonance in the world. It is an uncomfortable feeling that something really bad is about to happen. Events unfold almost daily each of which would have been cause for shock and alarm once upon a time.

We Don’t Want It! Don’t You Get It?

by Sally Dugman 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/25/we-dont-want-it-dont-you-get-it/

Is the whole world sacred or, if you’re personally not religious enough to use the term “sacred,” worthwhile and NECESSARY to salvage? Are other life forms other than humans worthy to preserve? Do we need the holistic unity of us all to collectively survive, ourselves, as a species in addition to maintaining the world around us?

Dismayed And Demeaned In Abu Dhabi

by Fazal M. Kamal  

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/25/dismayed-and-demeaned-in-abu-dhabi/

This story is about a friend’s experience while traveling intercontinentally in the eminent Times of Trump. Let’s call him, for the sake of convenience, Max. And also note that he is a US citizen. But I’m getting ahead of myself here because for clarity I must record two facts that Max had mentioned. (Meanwhile another perilous aspect has been added to world history with the discovery of “black holes” in Yemen operated by UAE security elements.)

Claiming Urban Space For The Poor: Eviction Stories From Navi Mumbai

by Ankit Jha 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/25/claiming-urban-space-for-the-poor-eviction-stories-from-navi-mumbai/

“There has been no demolition in past 2 decades or so, but in last 4 months they have come thrice and tried to evict us. There has been 3 demolitions, the first where (March 18, 2017) they gave us a notice, but in previous two instances (April 18 and June 7) there was none. They came with 2 Bulldozers, 3 policemen also consisting of women officers and CIDCO watchmen on June 7th, 2017. They demolished almost everything, if anyone resisted they dragged and beat them.”

CARICOM Deals A Blow To US Plans For Regime Change In Venezuela

by Gerald A Perreira 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/25/caricom-deals-a-blow-to-us-plans-for-regime-change-in-venezuela/

So said, so done. Last week, the US Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway, spewed the US false narrative regarding Venezuela in our local newspapers. US ambassadors in a number of other Caribbean countries did the same. It was a coordinated attempt to mislead the people of Guyana and the region about what is really happening in Venezuela, and to apply pressure on members of CARICOM (Caribbean Community) and the OAS (Organization of American States) to succumb to US calls for intervention,with the aim of overthrowing the democratically elected government of President Nicolas Maduro.

Which Interests Will Benefit From The Beef Ban?

by Manali Chakrabarti 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/25/which-interests-will-benefit-from-the-beef-ban/

Amid all this noise, let us try to make sense of this decision of the Government. We will start with understanding the legality of the notification and its immediate implication for the trade in cattle. Then we would analyse the impact of the notification on various sectors of the economy and the people engaged in them. And finally we would try to explore the possible reason(s) for the notification by the ruling party, which by all accounts would not only further rip the already damaged secular fabric of the country, but also severely harm the economic life of the people. Or, in other words, we would attempt to figure out who stands to gain from the notification. 

The Ministry Of Utmost Happiness Gives Voice To The “Other” India

by Gurpreet Singh 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/25/the-ministry-of-utmost-happiness-gives-voice-to-the-other-india/

Arundhati Roy’s latest novel gives voice to the most condemned groups in the world’s so called largest secular democracy.

Cricket Nationalism

by T Navin 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/25/cricket-nationalism/

In the changed conditions too, cricket is used as a means of spreading national chauvinism and minority hatred. For decades, cricket has been used as a means for spreading hatred against Muslims and Pakistan by communal sections in the country. 

Open Letter From An Indian Muslim

by Syed Junaid Hashmi 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/25/open-letter-from-an-indian-muslim/

train-lynching-incident

I am appalled as to why a war has been declared on me? From television studios to the national highways to the lanes and by-lanes, lynch mobs are out to sniff life out of me. They want me dead for being anti-national, anti-animal, anti-cow, anti-India, pro-Pakistan and an ISIS-inspired Muslim zealot.

Hunger

by Bhuwan Thapaliya 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/25/hunger/

empty, naked

hungry and cold,

their figures are like

the edge of the world

an embarkation

point of hope.

CounterCurrents: Why we resist the beef ban - Explained

Dear Friend,

Some may be wondering, especially readers from the west, why we are obsessed in our stand against the new rule in India against the slaughter of cattle.  In this age of climate change, when most conscious people are moving to vegetarianism why the hell in India people are demanding beef, is a legitimate question. 

Here are some clarifications.  Most of the beef produced in India are reared by homestead farmers unlike industrial scale beef factories in the west. Just imagine the way the West used to eat meat 100-150 years ago before industrial farming became the order of the day. In India beef is the main source of protein for the poorest of the poor. 

Just at look at these figures.. Livestock controls close to a quarter of the agriculture gross domestic product (GDP). In 2010-11, it generated outputs worth Rs 3, 40,500 crore (at current prices). This was 28 per cent of the agriculture GDP and about 5 per cent of the country’s GDP.    Beef Ban will kill 5 % of GDP! Look how ridiculous it is! It will impoverish the lowest of the low in Indian economic ladder and push millions of farmers into suicide.

To put things into perspective,  in 1933 Hitler outlawed kosher slaughter in Germany. The current government in India by Bharatiya Janata Party and their parent organisation openly draw inspiration from Hitler and Mussolini. 

I hope you get the point. 

If you don't mind, and if you think the content of this news letter is critical for the dignified living and survival of humanity and other species on earth, please forward it to your friends and spread the word. It's time for humanity to come together as one family! You can subscribe to our news letter here http://www.countercurrents.org/news-letter/. 

In Solidarity

Binu Mathew

Editor

www.countercurrents.org

Climate: Limits And Opportunities For The New Economies

by Ilaria Perissi 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/03/climate-limits-and-opportunities-for-the-new-economies/

Changing our economy implies to face these climate diversities, maybe now more than in the past, to image a future more equitable civilization as it is described in the vision of a Degrowth Economy, or another new desirable more equitable Economy, that I think, we need so much precisely ‘now’.

Trump Administration Announces US Withdrawal From Paris Climate Agreement

by Daniel de Vries 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/03/trump-administration-announces-us-withdrawal-from-paris-climate-agreement/

President Trump announced Thursday that the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate change agreement. The move, which repudiates even the most modest and nonbinding targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions, takes place amidst growing conflicts between the major capitalist powers and a raging political crisis within the US itself.

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court To Revive Muslim Travel Ban

by Abdus Sattar Ghazali 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/03/trump-administration-asks-supreme-court-to-revive-muslim-travel-ban/

The Trump administration on Thursday (June 1) asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revive his controversial Muslim travel ban executive order which was blocked by lower courts that found it discriminatory.

We Need Their Voices Today: William Blake

by John Scales Avery 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/03/we-need-their-voices-today-william-blake/

William Blake, sublime visionary poet and artist, voice of the poor. Voice of nature, we need your voice today!

The U-Turn Queen: Theresa May in Action

by Dr Binoy Kampmark 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/03/the-u-turn-queen-theresa-may-in-action/

As ever, the pollster community can no longer be said to be a uniform gaggle, having been pummelled by the remorseless wheels of history. One has decided to buck the trend:  should current trends continue as they are, the May government could face a hung parliament, and the distinctly anti-British turn of negotiating with minor parties.  The Corbynistas, it seems, were gaining.

Question Deleted

by Rima Najjar 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/03/question-deleted/

For some time now, the discourse on Israel has been shifting from a place where Israeli “hasbara” disinformation had the upper hand no matter where one turned, to a place where Israeli criminal policies are more frankly discussed and the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS), which is now championed by some academic associations, church groups and labor unions in the United States and elsewhere.

Afghanistan: From Soviet Occupation To American ‘Liberation’

by Nauman Sadiq 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/03/afghanistan-from-soviet-occupation-to-american-liberation/

Now, the “steady hands” of the American deep state, the Secretary of Defense James Mattis and the National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, have advised the Trump Administration to further escalate the conflict in Afghanistan by deploying 3,000 to 5,000 additional troops to a contingent of 8,500 US troops already stationed in Afghanistan as “trainers and advisors.”

The Chinese-Indian New Cold War – Southeast and South Asia

by Andrew Korybko 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/03/the-chinese-indian-new-cold-war-southeast-and-south-asia/

This is the second part of The Chinese-Indian New Cold War series from Andrew Korybko, looking at the region of Southeast and South Asia

Wake Up: India Is Changing Faster Than We Can Imagine

by Neha Saigal 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/03/wake-up-india-is-changing-faster-than-we-can-imagine/

The cattle slaughter rule or the celibacy of the peacock statement which needs our attention, asks Neha Saigal

Dreamers Of The Third Kind

by K P Sasi 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/03/dreamers-of-the-third-kind/

A Brief Sketch of Alternative Films: Making, Screening and Orgnising People’s Film Festivals in India

Envisioning A World Where Women Inherit Property, Not Poverty

by Moin Qazi 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/03/envisioning-a-world-where-women-inherit-property-not-poverty/

The Indian women farmer, almost never publicly acknowledged, reviled by superstition and patriarchy, and increasingly troubled by entrenched social and cultural mores and taboos bears the real burden of farm labour. Nearly 98 million Indian women have agricultural jobs, but around 63% of them, or 61.6 million women, are agricultural labourers, dependent on the farms of others, according to 2011 Census data. There has been a 24% increase in the number of female agricultural labourers, from 49.5 million in 2001 to 61.6 million in 2011. Reflecting growing distress in Indian agriculture, millions of women have gone from being land owners and cultivators to becoming labourers over a decade

Sermons

by Sheshu Babu 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/03/sermons/

Brothers ! Sisters ! Listen !

Unite and hasten

To counter cow vigilantes

Forced religious conversions

Voice right to dissent

And rights of women empowerment

Release of illegal detainees

Without speedy trial and justice

Higher Education In India: License To Loot

by Vicdan Azabi 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/03/higher-education-in-india-license-to-loot/

In the nutshell, the present policy level changes seek to further accelerate the process in Indian education sector that is giving the private institutions a ‘license to loot’. What it means for the burgeoning youth population and their aspirations is an easy guess. The UGC has invited feedback from the public till 15th June. This period should be used to build strong opinion against this policy offensive. However, the real test for those who want to defend the public education and the interests of the millions of people of this country will be on the streets. The situation demands strong movement of students, teachers and karmacharis as was witnessed during the NDA-1 regime.

CounterCurrents: The Reason That I, A US Citizen, Stand Against The India Beef Ban

Dear Friend,

Sally Dugman from USA writes another article on India's beef ban. She writes, "The reason that I care about this food issue, although I personally can eat beef any day of the week that I may please since I live in the USA, is really simple. It ultimately goes back to the underlying theme of Martin Niemöller's poem: Fascism" 

We are honored to serialize the new book by John Scales Avery “We Need Their Voices Today!”. We are publishing the Preface of the book today. The chapters will be published in the coming days.

If you don't mind, and if you think the content of this news letter is critical for the dignified living and survival of humanity and other species on earth, please forward it to your friends and spread the word. It's time for humanity to come together as one family! You can subscribe to our news letter here http://www.countercurrents.org/news-letter/. 

In Solidarity

Binu Mathew

Editor

www.countercurrents.org

The Reason That I, A US Citizen, Stand Against The India Beef Ban

by Sally Dugman 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/01/the-reason-that-i-a-us-citizen-stand-against-the-india-beef-ban/

"The reason that I care about this food issue, although I personally can eat beef any day of the week that I may please since I live in the USA, is really simple. It ultimately goes back to the underlying theme of Martin Niemöller's poem: Fascism".... Writes Sally Dugman from USA

Brutal Attack On IIT Madras Students Protesting Beef Ban 

by Ambedkar-Periyar Study Circle 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/01/brutal-attack-on-iit-madras-students-protesting-beef-ban/

Sooraj was attacked in the mess. Another student accompanying him was also attacked. The mob followed Sooraj and the other student to the  hospital, where they continued their threats. Since the injury in the eye seemed serious, Sooraj was taken to Sankara Nethralaya.

CPDR Condemns Attack On A Scholar Of IIT Madras

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/01/cpdr-condemns-attack-on-a-scholar-of-iit-madras/

In Madras IIT, the right-wing students have brutally thrashed one Ph D scholar in the Department of Aerospace, R Sooraj, associated with the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle, for participating in the Beef fest. As seen from his photograph, his eye is severely bruised and he is taken to Sankara Nethralaya, Nungambakkam. We condemn this ghastly attack and wish Sooraj fast recovery.

We Need Their Voices Today!

by John Scales Avery 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/01/we-need-their-voices-today/

We are honored to serialize the new book by John Scales Avery “We Need Their Voices Today!”. We are publishing the Preface of the book today. The chapters will be published in the coming days.

Climate Criminal Trump America Contributes 20% Of World’s Annual Carbon Debt Increase

by Dr Gideon Polya 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/01/climate-criminal-trump-america-contributes-20-of-worlds-annual-carbon-debt-increase/

Man’s greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution goes into the one common atmosphere and one common ocean of all countries on earth. Each year the world adds 66 billion tonnes CO2-equivalent to its inescapable Carbon Debt that in dollar terms  is increasing at $13.2 trillion per year.  Trump America that threatens to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement has 4.4% of the world’s population but contributes a disproportionate $2.7 trillion or  20% of the world’s  annual Carbon Debt increase.

To Avoid Straining Ties With Iran Pakistan May Quit Command Of Saudi-Led Muslim Military Alliance

by Abdus Sattar Ghazali 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/01/to-avoid-straining-ties-with-iran-pakistan-may-quit-command-of-saudi-led-muslim-military-alliance/

Pakistan is reconsidering its position on the so-called 41-nation Islamic military alliance, led by Saudi Arabia, to avoid straining its relationship with neighboring Iran, according to Pakistan media reports. The military alliance was to be commanded by General Raheel Sharif, the former commander-in-chief of Pakistan army who retired from the Pak army last year.

Saharanpur Stalls Gorakhpur

by T Navin 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/01/saharanpur-stalls-gorakhpur/

The Hindutva winds of Gorakhpur are being stopped by Dalit walls in Saharanpur. The wind had attained significant force through installation of Yogi Adityanath as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. This is being stalled by Dalit led Bhim Army at Saharanpur.

Service Brat, Identity And Nationalism

by Lalita Ramdas 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/01/service-brat-identity-and-nationalism/

I firmly believe that the fundamental responsibility of a Citizen of this country should be to ensure the well being of the last woman, man or child – be she a dalit, adivasi, Kashmiri or North easterner, and to keep our elected governments and ALL arms of the government, including the Police, the Armed forces and other such organs of state power, under scrutiny and ensure that they are acting with integrity and accountablity.

Vietnam War Memories Revived!

by Mohammad Ashraf 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/01/vietnam-war-memories-revived/

The photograph of human shield and the subsequent award to the perpetrator of human rights violation have put the Army as well as the country in a very poor light!

Toxic Relations: Stop Colluding With Monsanto And The Agrochemical Industry!  

by Colin Todhunter 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/01/toxic-relations-stop-colluding-with-monsanto-and-the-agrochemical-industry/

Environmental campaigner Dr Rosemary Mason has just written to the UK’s Policy Advisor Nigel Chadwick at the Chemicals Regulation Directorate of Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Narmada Valley On High Alert

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/01/narmada-valley-on-high-alert/

At least 40,000 policemen and women, if needed the army, is on alert and will be pulled in for forcible eviction of thousands of families whose list is announced through the extraordinary gazette notification issued by the Government of M.P., dated 27.05.2017, which is in the public domain, listing the names of 18,346 families. Various government officials are continuously moving in the villages threatening and intimidating the villagers and asking them to leave at whatever cost, mentioning different dates.

Indian Peasants Cry For Justice

by Moin Qazi 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/01/indian-peasants-cry-for-justice/

India is now the world’s fastest-growing major economy, but years of drought and a failure to create jobs for a burgeoning young population has left millions of rural Indians struggling. India’s    120 million farmers are considered the backbone of the country’s food security but disillusionment runs through almost entire rural India. Farming remains the country’s dark spot and a woeful symbol of its abiding distress.

Tobacco Endgame Is Critical ‘Cog In The Wheel’ For Sustainable Development

by Bobby Ramakant 

http://www.countercurrents.org/2017/06/01/tobacco-endgame-is-critical-cog-in-the-wheel-for-sustainable-development/

Although governments have promised sustainable development by 2030 by adopting UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but tobacco triggered pandemics threaten to stall or even reverse the progress made.