Viva

Simple art and simplicity of living*

2008-10-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

Author : Victoria Maravi

Location : Peru

“Cuando despertó, el dinosaurio todavía estaba allí.”

(When [s]he awoke, the dinosaur was still there)

Believe it or not, this is the shortest story ever written. The author is Guatemalan writer Augusto Monterroso and it is titled “The Dinosaur”. It has a beginning, a climax and a conclusion. Food for thought, don’t you think? We could analyse this in several manners, but I was thinking on an everyday practice than can help us achieve what we want.

How could Monterroso sum up all he wanted to say in only seven words?

Simplicity.

Simplicity is the key to diminishing stress, which usually hunts us in the shape of grades and social gatherings, among other issues. There are varied types of simplicity. To list a few we have:

-Simplicity of mind (the things that you should have said or done, what you have to do for tomorrow…)

-Simplicity of commitment (you promised you would do it and how have to, you have to participate in the group project…)

-Simplicity of work (as in, is taking 325781 extracurricular activities at high school or college worth it?)…

-Simplicity of space (oh my god, your work space is a mess…)

-Simplicity of goals (I want to write a book, I want to lose weight, I want to get good grades… What should I do first?!)

Basically, simplicity implies limiting ourselves to the essential and giving priority to our “needs”, consequently leaving behind our “wants”. Maybe this will not bring us never-ending happiness, but surely it will help us focus on what we want to achieve and help us attain clarity.Because, if we want to help the world change for the better, we should first focus on ourselves.

How should we attempt to minimise the amount of things we have to do or think about everyday? As it would be impossible to analyse all the possibilities there are, I will give you a link from my favourite Webpage that offers a few tips on how to do that:

http://zenhabits.net/2007/09/simple-living-simplified-10-things-you-can-do-today-to-simplify-your-life/

Enjoy!

The fragrance of bad attitude

2008-10-01T10:22:00.000-07:00

Author : Ashok Murthy

Location : India

3 blasts rock Agartala and this is what I am reading as I am trying to come up with this article. For the past several weeks, it has become a matter of daily reading. Bomb blasts in Delhi, bomb blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad and how this is just a warning sign of bigger things to come, blah blah blah. Then there is violence against Christians in coastal Karnataka and Kandhamal in Orissa. The lesson to be learnt from all this is that these terrorists are telling us something, that they can hit us anytime any place and there is nothing we can do about it.

It doesn’t matter who the fight is between, but at the end of the day it is the ordinary common man who bears the brunt of the impact. India is at a particularly difficult point of time at the moment. On one hand we have religious tensions flaring up in Orissa against Christians and while the government was doing quite a sad job containing that, fresh anti Christian violence erupted in Karnataka. Before one could come to grips with this, there were also terrorist attacks in Delhi to deal with. Why is it that we fail to recognize any way out other than violence to address our frustrations and anger? Why is it that everytime we don’t like something, we see only one way out of it, to focus on one particular group and make them the subject matter of violence?

One cannot help but wonder what it will take for voices of reasons like us to be heard. Time and again the rule of law is being made a mockery out of and yet the state watches around not helpless but simply unwilling to risk any bold action with elections around the corner. The people of this country on the other hand seek to be concerned during times of terrorist attacks only to the extent of their near and dear ones and once the safety of that social group is concerned, they are back to watching their favourite sop opera. Have they ever wondered perhaps, they are a party to this unfortunate situation?

It is sickening to note that ever since a child is born, all that he/she shall learn over the course of his/her life is how helpless he/she is against the world and how futile it would be to even try and do anything about it. For those who wish to take on issues without fear, they are constantly reminded of an Indian Oil Corporation officer who was shot dead trying to bring the oil mafia to his knees but is there one person in this country who can look at that incident and envy the man for having had the opportunity to take on the forces of corruption head on and die while trying. Of course the ordinary parent’s reaction to this is, the public won’t remember that poor fellow for too long, so what’s the point? It is time that we here in India recognized what the Bhagavat Gita tells us, make your best efforts and do not seek a result. Fear is our doom, fear is our sin and fear is the root cause of all our miseries.

The 1900’s were troubling times no doubt, but in that era we saw people come standing up for what was right even if it meant going against majority opinion. For every Hitler there was a Schindler and for every colonial power there was a Gandhi. It is perhaps time that we started wondering as to whether our present attitudes truly reflect the gratitude we owe to the people before us and whether they died in vain for making the future safe and secure for a bunch of people who are more dead than alive. Resilience in light of trouble should be exercised as a matter of proud choice and not as a matter of force. This is something that the ordinary Indian as well as the state machinery should realize and in it lies the first step towards combating the forces of communalism and terror.

As simple as a prayer !

2008-10-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

Author : Noor Al Zubaidy

Location : Oman

We keep on hearing about bomb blasts in different cities all around the world, we hear about cases of abduction, theft, rape, etc. And they are happening in different places. I mean we've become used to hearing about a bomb blast in Iraq, but when you hear about a bomb blast in Syria, it makes you worried. We can't count on the fact that our world is a safe place to live in. I'm not saying that because I think the world isn't safe, I'm saying that because I think the time for taking things for granted should end. We should be grateful for the fact that we are blessed to live in a place with a roof over our heads with the ones we love. Being grateful for that fact will make us feel for the less fortunate. We will understand their sorrow, and it will make us really feel for them enough to actually take a step forward to make our world a better place, and not only for our sake, but for the less fortune ones.

Feeling for others is very noble, and if we all searched deep down within we'll find compassion and sympathy. Imagine how rich your life would be if you thought about others, how they're sleeping at night not knowing whether they'll live to witness the dawn of the new day, whether they'll live to see their kids growing, whether they'll come a day that they'll feel safe and won't have to be up all night because of their fears. Let's help them, even if it's just by praying for them for a better life.

Your Own Way

2008-10-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

Author : Huda Al Zubaidy

Location : Oman

A bend will do to fix the look.

A special move to get you off the hook.

If you follow you might get noticed

in a way that you’ll have to toughen your fist.

You’ll have to keep that bracelet around your wrest.

You’ll have some nights without any rest.

You’ll have to be confident.

You’ll have to do all that and much more.

To be cool is a struggle,

because you’ll to give up so many things.

But it isn’t wrong to want to be cool,

you just have to find your own way

and then you’ll see that it only matters what you think

is cool.

Of Beijing Olympics & China going green !

2008-09-01T10:11:00.001-07:00

Author : Noor Al Zubaidy

The Beijing Olympics 2008 did get a lot of attention. First because of the situation in Tibet, and some people were in favor of boycotting them. And then because the Olympics usually get a lot of attention because the country who is hosting the games will be presenting the preparations for the public.

A lot of people were waiting for the Olympics, I'm sure about that. But for me, I'm not much of a sports fan, so I wasn't very much interested in the Olympics at first. Then when I heard how the Olympics have changed Beijing for the better, it made me happy that Beijing in hosting the Olympics while I know many people aren't because of what the Chinese authorities have done with the situation in Tibet. The reason why I'm happy that the Olympics are held in Beijing is because it's becoming greener because of the Olympics.

Athletes need fresh and clean air to perform their best and Beijing has a very alarming air pollution which is why they have been trying to make the Olympics greener for the athletes. They have been doing their best to reduce air pollution, and according to what I read, they have been quite successful. It's wonderful how the Olympics are helping our world! I always thought that people who want to play sports or exercise at the gym could do so in a much greener way by exercising in the great outdoors or walking in the park instead of walking in the gym and so on, but I never thought that sports can be of much help since they are trying to make a city's air less polluted. A city which millions of people live in will have less polluted air. Just thinking of what positive affect that could have is amazing. I really think it's wonderful news, and if these global events are greener, many people will be more aware of how important it is to try and live a greener life for the sake of our planet.

Leadrship 1 : Leaders

2008-09-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

Author : Waed Sweilmyeen

Location : Jordan

I won't be adding anything to anyone's knowledge when I say humans were always led ,neither will I be enriching it by saying that we need leadership in order to exist.

All communities , even animal's communities , need leadership to sustain there existence and arrange themselves in a way that allows them to prevail for the longest time possible .

A leader takes full responsibility of the herd he is leading.
He must provide the necessities of life provide security and defend those he is leading. But most importantly , a leader must not be imposed on those he is leading but chosen by them due to his leading character and excellence ! A leader simply rises above those who are to be led !

A leader was thought of as an eagle .
An eagle mates for life which stands for a leader's faithfulness !
Once a leader dedicates himself to his cause , he must never back off or else he is not a leader .

An eagle never settles and so does the leader. A leader soars up and rises with his people towards the better all through his life.

An eagle is known with his vision , and vision is one of a leader's many traits . A leader should be able to see beyond , to see further than anyone else.

An eagle never flies in a flock and leaders do not coexist ! There is only one leader per herd for if there were many , inevitable chaos will arise.

Now , why am I talking of leaders and will be talking of them in our next issue ?
It is because we are addressing future leaders with this newsletter , those who have it within themselves to rise above others and excel .

Do you see yourself as an eagle ?
If so , never listen to those who say ordinary kids can't lead because they don’t know that all our leaders were once kids and they too thought of themselves as eagles when they were growing up.
So until my next article , do look deep inside you and decide for yourself what are you going to be .

Public Interests and statutory monopolies- how to beat the predicament?

2008-09-01T09:52:00.000-07:00

Author : Ashok Murthy
Location : India

Human behaviour is somehow predisposed to recognize, identify with and respect only those elements that can be seen, felt, heard or recognized by the sense organs. Thus it comes as no surprise that the owners of intellectual property are having a tough time to not just protect their rights in the intangible but to actually ensure that the people learn to understand that a property, whether tangible or intangible represents something that needs to be respected.

Somewhere along the way, the blame cannot lie with the common man but rests with the often unsympathetic owners and the high prices that follows such statutory monoplies in the form of patents or trade marks or copyrights, as the case maybe. This article could perhaps prove to be a corollary for people who recognize the dilemma in not wanting to break the law but still not deny themselves the subject matter of the amazing human intellect.

Open Source :

Microsoft and other companies cannot deny the fact that the prices attached with their softwares and products cannot be reasonably expected to fall within the limits of affordability of the common man. While hardware prices continue to drop, the software prices haven’t followed in the same momentum. Thus piracy becomes the obvious choice for the consumer.

While Microsoft may cry foul at linux or ubuntu or other open source softwares, ultimately these softwares made by companies and released into the open source without any license fees or royalty attached has proved to be not only better softwares but a consumer’s dream because they can avail the softwares free of cost thanks to the open source nature of the licenses. My advise to consumers, search for open source substitutes to licensed software. Open office instead of Microsoft office and so on. This will reduce the scope of the piracy industry as well as force the IP owners to reduce prices in order to meet competition from open source players.

Compulsory licensing :

Key drugs covering life threatening ailments suffered by a good percentage of poor population, they have proved to be mankind’s greatest hope in the fight against these ailments. However when they fall within the patent protection system, the high prices that follow the monopolistic regime is every government’s nightmare and every poverty stricken family’s suffering. The answer to this lies in the patent system itself. Any member will be entitled to apply with the relevant patent office and ask the government to compulsorily license the patent protected drug. The descriptions and background information of such patented medicines is released in the hands of generic drug makers which presupposes the increased supply of the drugs in the market forcing the prices to fall. South Africa, Thailand and many other countries have successfully used this system to ensure better treatment of life threatening diseases like AIDS.

Anti Trust laws :

Very often agreements between two or more IP owners may involve terms and conditions ranging from ability to operate in markets, prices of products within the same domain, arrangements to give discounts at the cost of the competitor’s, etc. These practices eliminate competition, increase monoplies and invariably prices increase to the consumer’s detriment. Very often IP assets become playing fields for companies seeking market monoplies resulting in a very unfavourable environment for the ultimate consumer. While IP laws deal with monoplies, anti trust laws deal with preventing unlawful monoplies and encouraging competition. So it follows naturally that where monoplies are obtained unlawfully, anti trust laws can be used by the state as well as by any concerned member of the market, to bring in a complaint against such trends and seek such remedies necessary to promote a competitive environment conducive for the common consumer’s interests. Microsoft has incurred the wrath of the anti trust department with their insistence to reduce interoperability of softwares and intel has recently suffered huge fines for offering discounts to their customers in order to ensure that their competitor’s products are not purchased. One would very well want to file a complaint with the local department of justice or fair trade commission should one such shady deal come to their knowledge.

Communicate :

Not all IP owners are capitalistic monopoly hungry douche bags with an “I hate consumer interests” attitude. If there is an aggrievance with the high prices or whatever else that’s bothering you, communicate it to the IP owner, it may actually change things. Prepare petitions, signature campaigns. Encourage the open source movement. Market power fails when there is no market to cater too. If a product is too highly priced, donot buy it at all. When demand falls, profits does too, the companies will be forced to reduce prices.

But ultimately when one buys pirated products, it is not disputed that somewhere along the way the piracy industry is a customer to the IP owner too. A pirated copy of a movie or software can be made from an original copy bought legally. To make the IP owner realize his flaws, one has to protest and the protest follows the decision not to buy anything that involves his product. The economic version of non violent protest by Gandhi logically follows a will and a commitment to what is at the end of the day ethically and morally right. It is hard but what is easy may not be what is right.

This is the dilemma a legitimate consumer faces, but one he has to beat for somebody has to take the moral highground in the battle to ensure the balance between public interests

What is natural ?

2008-09-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

Author: Victoria Maravi
Location : Peru

Natural: Original; constituting the original substance of anything; as, native dust. --Milton. (Webster Dictionary)

Homosexual relationships go against the natural order of things; eating processed food is not natural; letting women acquire leadership roles is unnatural; living in a non-nuclear family will give you an unnatural, mutant child… Alright, I am exaggerating with the last remark, but haven’t we heard (or made) these allegations several times during the past few years? Everywhere in the world, people build up arguments based on what they consider as “natural”. However, I think we have been using this word in a thoughtless manner.

Let me start with processed food. Here we are confusing natural and organic. Processed or, roughly speaking, junk food is known to be unhealthy for our bodies in the long run because we are predisposed to eat food that takes longer to digest and does not contain chemicals. However, subsequent generations will probably not be able to digest organic products because people in the lower social strata are being fed with this processed food at cheaper prices and it is not likely this trend will change. Consequently, we will evolve and adapt to this processed food.

We can now focus on the argument against women in power. I believe this has more to do with social dynamics than genetic predisposition: hopefully everyone here agrees that we have lived in a patriarchal society for a very long time and women have been labelled as the weak or submissive gender. In the Stone Age, men hunted for food. Afterwards, men fought in medieval wars. This tendency continued until our time, when we have begun to focus our life on intellectual tasks. These do not demand brute force anymore. In these circumstances, men and women are equals. Only conservative people claim women cannot reach powerful positions. Maybe, in the future, the situation will be reverted and women will seize more power. However, this is something we cannot predict accurately.

I shall refrain myself from comments on homosexual relationships. Let’s just say I added this in the introduction for attraction drawing purposes!

Even if people are right, if it is true that I have made illogical arguments and organic food will always be eaten, women will never attain power and we will never consider non-heterosexual relationships proper… In the next few years, our society will develop so rapidly that we will end up on intergalactic trips, eating protein pills and bearing hermaphrodites on laboratories. Yes, this is probably the most artificial, “unnatural” environment ever.

So, frankly speaking, who cares what others do? What if it’s not natural for you? As long as we do not disrespect someone else, the world will be a fine place. Even if the future scenario I depicted never occurs as global warming may kill us all :).

Cheers!

"Photo courtesy of: Wesley* and sparktography (Flickr users)"

Women Empowerment In Lima

2008-08-01T11:56:00.001-07:00

Author: Victoria Maravi
Country: Peru

I live in Peru, yet another underdeveloped country in Latin America that struggles with poverty, a dreadful educational system, water scarcity and gender inequality, among other world issues. I must admit that I have not had to endure these problems everyday, as I am one of the few youths with countless commodities in Lima, grand urban capital of my country. However, this position has allowed me to study other aspects of this overly crowded and polluted city that others may not have acknowledged at the present.

One of these issues is the role of women in the middle class.I started my ‘research’ a couple of days ago, watching the sitcom “My Wife and Kids”. The husband, Michael, was with his wife, Jay, in counsel therapy because they were trying to find a solution for their household problems. I found a resemblance with many married women in my city, luckily not with my mother (for this I appreciate her liberal ways). A woman in Lima usually does not face extreme poverty and can afford a maid. Nevertheless, the luxuries she possesses hide the inevitable truth: that she is oppressed by her husband. It may not be visible for other people, as she may hide this with a care-free personality, an apparently successful job or her involvement in her children’s school life.

In my point of view, the main problem is the following: she never brings an income as high as her partner’s. Therefore, when it is time to decide how to spend the monthly budget, what to buy for her kids or where to go during those ‘lovely’ mid-year holidays, what she says is simply a suggestion; never the final word. We are all aware of the importance of money in our society nowadays.

Whether it will bring a positive future or not, it is now an obstacle for women in my country, and basically all around the world.I know this should be the woman’s personal choice and that she decides how to live her life. She may even be quite happy with the way she manages it all. But does this help the country improve? Let’s see: this woman is the main target for household products, food products, clothes, child commercials, fitness ads, talk shows… On the whole, we are all obsessed with what she does. And whatever this is, it is strengthening the sexist remarks she gets.Blame it on the propaganda, which tries to obsess her with whiter clothes and baby food. Blame it on politicians, who always seem short of female representatives. But do not blame it on her: she is the one that needs help in this revolution. She needs to receive positive input from the media so that she can start to depend on herself and not on somebody else.I am not asking for the world to change in one day. I most certainly do not suggest murdering all men (as this may seem a possible solution). I only wish to break her free from her chains. She is your equal, not a gadget that complements a man. This is why she deserves to be treated right. She does.

Selective contempt for stealing- implications

2008-08-01T11:53:00.000-07:00

Author: Ashok.G.V.
Country: India

Piracy, the movie industry sheds tears because of it, the music industry tears its hair apart due to its existence and software companies have nervous break downs trying to combat it even as copyleft societies have a field day in celebrating their success over the damage caused to the monoply mongering capitalist douche bags who have no respect for dissemination of knowledge. Among the youth downloading movies off the net without a license is, the IP theft is “cool” and people who buy original softwares, games or movies are “sissies” “wuss” or “whimps”.

Obviously the moral angle to the issue saying stealing the product of someone's hardwork, skill and labour is ethically despicable is not entirely appealing in its meaning or intention. Perhaps the more practical implications need to be looked into here.
Practical implications

Whats shooting the prices?
Inflation and price rise, who hasn't been affected by it these days? Soaring fuel prices combined with the rise in the prices of essential commodites have sent economies worldwide in the path to recession and depression. What could be fuelling this phenomenon? Inflation is simple, when demand exceeds to an extent where the supply is not able to meet it. The income from piracy simply speaking is illegal income, so it can't be accounted for which implicitly means that one can neither save nor invest the money made out of piracy. 60 billion dollars per year is the worth of the fake drugs industry alone (although the demands of fake drugs is nearly not half as big as is the case with pirated movies/softwares/games or counterfeit products). Money waiting to be spent to purchase something creating more demand which the supply can't meet. Inflation and price rise is the natural consequence of such a situation. But it doesn't matter as long as it is all “cool” right?

Birds of the same type flock together
40 bombs in Gujrat,18 exploded and the rest 22 unexploded. 9 bomb blasts in the city of Bangalore. Bomb blasts in turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq. Terrorists are having a field day bursting fire crackers worldwide. The question arises where is the money coming from? Previously it was opium trade, but the recapture of Afghanistan by the coalition forces have made the trade difficult than what it used to be. Plus countries like Malaysia carry the death sentence for drug trade rendering the prospect dangerous and not worth the risks. Piracy requires a internet connection, empty data storage mediums like DVD's or CD's and a corresponding writer/burner, things that are available easily and readily in the market.

The punishment for such an offence, if caught of course, can maximum involve a couple of days behind bars and some damages rendering the prospect very cost effective, relatively less risky and an obvious choice to generate funds. Terrorist groups based out of Pakistan have already managed to do it, what will stop the others from following suit? Maybe a sudden drop in demand for pirated movies, but that isn't happening especially considering its “cool”.

It is not rare or shocking to hear from an Intellectual Property Enforcement specialist about how a gun was pointed at him during a raid on a unit manufacturing counterfeit products. In the words of the joker from the “The Dark Knight”, one would be tempted to ask the unit owners, “Why so Serious?”. Its simply because counterfeiting products coupled with the software piracy/music piracy represents a major source of funding for the mafia and the mafia doesn't like it when somebody tries to prevent them from making money which they use for purposes ranging from investing in the human trafficking industry to pornography. Who knew fake Nike shoes were so dangerous?

Sense of right and wrong- does it even exist?
Think about it, somebody comes to the house you own tomorrow and tells you that they have been sold the house by somebody else? Would you be happy with it? I don't think so.

Intellectual Property is a property as is your house. When you buy something from somebody, it does not belong to, knowing fully well it does not belong to the person selling it, its not an offence per se (although stupidity would be a better word to describe the act itself), but indirectly you are encouraging the person to commit the offense of stealing someone's property over and over again. As long as a crime is profitable, criminals will exist.

The Land mafia invokes disgust, common thieves invoke contempt because they steal something that does not belong to them and yet when a theft of something that is intangible is made, its all okay.

A great philosopher on the theory of rights once said that the work of an author is an integral part of the author himself and neither can exist without the other. This forms one of the principle basis of Intellectual Property laws. Its object is to attach value and importance to the products of human intellect, not tangible but definitely there to add some kind of value to society. Practically or morally, stealing is wrong whether the subject matter of the theft is jewellery or an intangible. Maybe its time we stopped being hippocrats condemning the theft that occurred in the neighbour's house while buying articles which represent thefts of intellectual property themselves.

The Soul

2008-08-01T11:50:00.000-07:00

Author: Huda Said Al-Zubaidy

Country: Oman

UNIQUE
Everyone’s born unique.
We all have our different finger-prints.
We all have different handwritings.
We all have different voices.
These things help us to make our mark,
and to help us lift our spirits
and make us feel special when we start our jouney.
Then to truely satisfy the soul,
we’ve got to find some goals to achieve.
But first we’ve got to believe
in our selves.
Then to nurture the soul,
we’ve got to play our own role
in this life.
But to do so, we’ve got to fine our script.
Then we’ll start to know ourselves,
because some will draw their script,
some will buy it, write it, find it and some will improvise.
And it doesn’t have wise, because either ways it will help us rise.
And then we’ll know for sure we’re unique,
even though we were so from all along.
Then to let the soul do its part,
we needn’t be smart.
We’ve just got to live our lives.

Dead Bodies Don't Bleed

2008-08-01T11:47:00.000-07:00

Author: Waed Sweilmyeen

Country: Jordan

Enlightened, this is what I feel… enlightened, amazed, and disappointed actually is more specific…. It seems that the moments I leave this word in and sink inside my self, be lost within, are useful not only in loosing track of a boring conversation, try it! Do not pay attention to the blabber, chatter mouths around you, and just think of the universe! But also in finding answers to agitating questions that have been running through my mind for along time now!It struck me while I was listening to someone’s urgent and crucial story about the difficulty of finding high boots that match your dress, that the reason agony dwells in our world is really obvious and clear! It does not need an IQ of 190 to realize it. Any sane, is there anyone that is sane in this insane world? Is capable of being enlightened just as I am!Why am I being so selfish? Is there any one that isn’t selfish? I should spit this gem of wisdom out ! our world is torn apart like this because we don’t care , everyone of us is wrapped up in a cocoon of his own worries and burdens, everyone is drowning in an ocean of endless goals to achieve, endless needs to provide… hungry pores longing to be fed with money, fame and lust are who we are! …. The little flame inside us went out long ago… we are dead inside …and this is what led us to where we are , and what is going to lead us to worse places in the near future!How could we care if we are dead inside out?! Do dead bodies bleed?! Nay, I do not think they do….

Yes We Can!

2008-07-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

Author: Winmsn
Country: Canada

Robert Frost wrote the poem "The Road Not Taken" in 1916, in which the quote above is from. Frost is telling us that sometimes even though, there may be an "easy, more popular way out"; it pays off to take the harder, right road. Let's apply this in the context of Washington D.C. There are two roads leading to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave; one taken by all the politicians, the lobbyists, etc; and one deserted road that has not been used in a long time – until now.

His name is Barack Obama, and I am sorry to say that I have caught his message of hope and change. I first heard about Mr. Obama in 2004; when he gave that remarkable speech to the Democratic National Convention in which he says "There is no Liberal America. There is no Conservative America. There is THE United States of America." Soon after Bush won the 2nd election, people began to say "Obama '08! Obama '08!", however it was a minority of people.

Then in January of 2007, he launched his campaign; much to the delight of his supporters.
The media immediately declared Clinton the de-facto winner; I, myself, must admit that I believed them. How naive I was. I supported Obama, but didn't think he could win. I thought America would be divided by race, yet again. Then came the night of Iowa (the whitest of white states); surprising everyone he won and Clinton came 3rd. That win set the tone of this race. Many people (including me) immediately started to believe again.

Several months later, the race in the Democratic Party; is over, with Obama clinching a majority of the pledged delegates. Now, America faces a choice; a choice between the old (literally) politics and the new politics. A new politics that includes talking to your enemies, not backing down from what you believe in, making healthcare and post-secondary education affordable to everyone and a politics that includes not taking money from lobbyists. Now, that's change we can believe in.

"YES!... We'll survive, We'll definitely survive."

2008-07-01T11:02:00.001-07:00

Author: Aya.A.N.

Country: Egypt

The wars, the unbelievable high of the prices, the killings, etc. that is happening today. Well, i can tell you that this age group is exposed to many challenges and difficulties and yet we didn't know! What is that all about? I used to believe that the good is stronger than evil. BUT when i read the newspapers I'm surpised that the evil became much stronger! And I used to believe that the right is more powerful than wrong, but when i turn on the t.v, I'm surprised that there are new images of the right and the wrong!

The right must have guns to be strong! The right without power is just like nothing! NOW there are new beliefes. BUT why? I'm just asking why? Why do we search? Why should we suffer? I know the answer. I finally know it. The solution of all of that in one word. We're still searching because we forget OR we pretend ro forget all the parents and grand parents knew fron ages. It was not a big deal, but today now it is a big deal! I'm sorry that what I'm going to say won't please many, it's not the song you want to hear of how everything is great.

HAPPINESS is what I'm talking about! It's not a solute that can dissolve in water so easily that man can drink it and be happy! It needs the power of " LOVE ". Don't switch the page, don't lost hope or be disapointed of the solution, it is very easy. I promise that this medicine can make the Cheater give up cheating, and the bad actions in the world can be changed into good deeds! And all the worries will end, it is all about love!

Don't you get it people ?!?!?! LOVE is the solution and by love I mean loving humans, and believing in humanity.

YEAH, WE WILL SURVIVE. We definitely will survive!

What do we do to approve our world?

2008-07-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

Author: Travis Boddie
Country: The United States of America

In our civilization there are so problems that can be considered as main affects of the reasoning for issues within our society. Just for one second think about how in 2005 about 38,000 live in poverty which is also reasoning for people being homeless. Have we not realize that it is the duty of the people and our representative to do what is in the best interest of what we claim to be a great nation.

Not only 38,000 people just considered that 38% of that is children. Data from the U.S Bureau of the Census states that 17.6% for children under the age of 18 years of age are significantly higher that the poverty rate for any other age group. By the creation of this policy it will allow for us to offer assistance and trying in not just the advancement of individuals but the advancement of us as a nation.

How is someone placed in the poverty level, and what are the causes? It is caused by the decrease of available jobs, and the declining value and availability of public assistance. In order for someone to be victorious we need to create more jobs which will allow the advancement of the people. In order to achieve this we need to begin to utilize the governmental departments such as U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Education, and Department of Housing and Urban Development. It is the hopes of this policy that we not only provide assistance but we also provide a type of assistance in which it allows the family or in particular the individual to get on there feet and see change in their life. Where at one point in time the can leave the program and now face the day to day issues they face before with financials, jobs, and everything that comes with though issues. That way we can have on-going progress, It is the creation and the importance of this policy that maybe not allow for us to be equal but will begin to bring people from there current stage of poverty to being financially stable.

Bettering Tomorrow Families (BTF) PolicyThis BTF Policy creates a assistance to be around the United States. We will begin the testing of this policy in Connecticut where poverty and homeless rates are at utmost. The basic of the program is to provide them with a foundation, which will include an apartment so that they have a place to call “Home”. This apartment rent will be controlled by Government Officials in the Department of HUD. They will act in the best of the people residing in those facilities. The Department of Labor will assist in training the civilizations how to become successful in this society. Most of the programs will include resume, writing, job interviewing, and other essentials. The Department of Labor will help with providing job interviews upon completing successful training in the program. We will begin to utilize all Federal Government Departments, and there Sub-division assistance in the creation of internships, part-time, full-time, and other jobs for civilian’s in the program. All members within in the program creates a agreement which states that as long as you comply with the program policy and regulations we will assist them until they have got on there feet. The Department of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services already tries to improve the issue of homelessness and through there programs such as grants, research, resources, and the Interagency Council on Homelessness. The Department has coming to realize that ending homelessness requires housing combined with types of service support by HHS programs. The delivery of treatment and services to persons experiencing homelessness is included in the activities of the Department, both in five programs specifically targeted to homeless individuals. So based on this we have realize that there will be no changes made to their assistance and we will use there programs as is. What is Poverty and what are some of the causes of Poverty. How does poverty occur? Poverty in the United States refers to people living in poverty in the U.S. Within the U.S. the most common measure of poverty is the "poverty line" set by the U.S. government. While we are told that there are a variety of reasons for poverty the main issues are unfavorable economic conditions, mental and disability, lack of educational and skill, substance abuse, birth of a child, domestic abuse, natural or other disasters, crime, Tax levels Cross-Country data shows a correlation between tax levels as a share of GPD and child poverty.

In order for are program and or anything to become successful dealing with homelessness we must first deal with poverty because it believed that the cause of homelessness is poverty. Poverty in the United States is the results of issues that contributes to and sustain poverty, in particular low quality education from poorly funded inner-city schools which then causes to allow a few marketable skills which leads to minimum wage and then goes on to housing, food, clothing, medical care, and so on.As a result of this we will begin to utilize the U.S Department of Education as it main focus will be to assist in bettering inner-city schools trying to make it financially equal to suburban schools. For example comparing schools in New Haven such as James Hill House, and Wilbur Cross comparing to surrounding New Haven country schools like East Have, Danbury, North Haven, Ansonia, and many others, not only are they financially secure but they have more of an advantage What is homelessness and what are some of the causes of homelessness. How does homelessness occur? Homelessness is the condition and societal category of people who lack housing and food, usually because they cannot afford a regular, safe, and adequate shelter. There is a possibility that with this program we will allow the providing of food and the assistance in affording regular, safe. And adequate shelter that we may have the opportunity to work in helping them grow, imagine the hate crime against these people who do not deserve the abuse from this society it is unjust and just plainly wrong.

Assistance begins with the following: The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 100-77, July 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 482, 42 U.S.C. § 11301 et seq.) is a United States federal law that provides federal money for shelter programs. It was the first significant federal legislative response to homelessness, and was passed and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on July 22, 1987 . This program provide what called a Continuum of Care Program, the Supportive Housing Program, the Shelter Plus Care Program, and a variety of other programs while we will ask that this program for assistance we look at this plan and begin to try to assist in advancing our program with providing more of assistance pertaining to education because with the education and providing assistance for housing we will the begin to find resolutions. Not only is it that people who have begin to discriminate against these issues but it particular there as been cases filed in a few states trying to have the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1986 can assist with people in there states. The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty successfully litigated cases against the District of Columbia and the State of New York. See Lampkin v. District of Columbia, 27 F.3d 605 (D.C. Cir. 1993); remanded to trial at 879 F. Supp. 116 (D. D.C. 1995); Nat’l Law Ctr. on Homelessness and Poverty v. New York, 224 F.R.D. 314 (E.D.N.Y. 2004). (In Lampkin, the District initially rejected further federal money to avoid complying with the act. If solutions are trying to be made then why these places are trying to be made why they feel that this can’t be accomplishes. It is believed that many states and government officials don’t like to point on problems that needs change and in this case it one in particular which does not allow for grow of that state if they don’t offer assistance. It is also stated in the act that Homeless” children are entitled the protections of the McKinney-Vento Act. The Act defines homeless children as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” Therefore, as you can see that it time for a change and we have the capability to assist in the advancement of our society. With the BTF (Bettering Tomorrow Future) it will consist of growing the nation economically, educationally, and providing citizens to not just be a statistics of being unsuccessful but a statistics that sheds positive light. Let not be the states or the programs that over half solutions but does not have programs or the solution overall that can’t assist in the creation of a better place. While on one hand people make look at homelessness as a demeaning thing but just for one second we must begin to realize it not that a person wants to be homeless but when they don’t have the assistance and the requirements necessary then they there self can’t try to create a better life. Lastly, if we the people allow our government to go against them then how are the morally or ethically correct if there duty and obligation is to protect the people of this great nation.

The Internet Predicament

2008-07-01T10:58:00.000-07:00

Author: Ashok.G.V.
Country: India

The Internet as defined by wikipedia is a worldwide, publicly accessible series of inter connected computer networks that transmit data using Internet Protocol. It can be thus looked at as a network of networks.

One of the most momentous things to hit our generation would perhaps remain to be the internet. Personally, the internet has single handedly catapulted my career forward. My social life is on the net with my friends from around the world. I have had the proud privilege and honour of working with some of the finest organizations, law firms and individuals living thousands of miles away thanks to the internet. I have formed some amazing bonds with motivated, smart and hard working individuals, adults and youth alike, whose commitment to positive change in society is both inspiring and comforting. A sizable majority of my knowledge comes from the internet and it is the best way for me to write, express and publish my views for the world to read.

While my case represents the rosy side of the internet, it is none the less also a fact that a dark side presents to us yet another instance to show that there are good and bad aspects for new technologies and developments in the field of science.

To begin with Internet stalkers are doing the rounds. The person you could be chatting with, while at face value may seem your age and of like minded nature, the fact remains that it is impossible to categorically verify the details of the person on the other side of the chat window. But perhaps one of the greatest blots on the internet would be the ease at which pornography can be circulated using this network. All it requires is for a person to just click on a button certifying that he/she is 18 and then the industry that represents the single biggest client of illegal human trafficking is available in all its forms for the viewer to view. In ordinary circumstances, while it would be possible to enforce the minimum age bar for materials of such nature, through the internet the kid is vulnerable to come across things not appropriate for his/her age. Although web cameras do help us connect on a more personal level with our loved ones, they remain the single biggest mediums for pedophiles, child pornography perpetrators and stalkers to view their victims and subject them to crimes without ever having to meet the victims in person. The list of negative consequences of the internet goes out to credit card fraud, phishing scams, etc. People have lost a lot of their savings thanks to these kinds of frauds. Internet also presents itself as the single easiest way to steal intellectual property and to commit unauthorized copying, distribution and selling of proprietary data and content protected by intellectual property rights of individuals and companies alike. One of the greatest hurdles in the effectiveness of intellectual property rights protection remains the internet.

The internet presents to us, the power to connect and communicate. As long as we hold these lines of communication, we remain united and powerful. But at the end of the day power is not without its share of responsibilities. It is settled law that greater the power, greater the responsibility. For every person who becomes careless and makes mistakes, he/she is encouraging the perpetrator to go ahead and victimize more people and commit more crimes. While it is practically and at present impossible to prevent the birth of criminals in this society, it is possible for us to exercise our caution, stay vigilant and hold out in the back of our minds that perhaps it is safe to apply a margin of error to our judgment of a person with whom we are speaking to over the internet. Every time we prevent ourselves from being the subject matter of a crime, we are discouraging the criminals from expanding and diversifying to other potential victims. In our ability to exercise caution and maintain restraint while being sensible, we are ensuring the safety of thousands of children and adults worldwide. We cannot ignore the implications of our actions when so many lives are at stake, so let us be smart members of gtalk, yahoo messenger, msn messenger, etc. as the case maybe and help make the internet a safer place so that more people can connect and unite through the means of this marvelous technology.

A Viva special ! Enjoy being a woman !

2008-05-31T12:46:00.002-07:00

Author: Waed Sweilmyeen
Country: Jordan

Women's day passed by, mothers' day was celebrated on two different days around the globe , so you can all see it's been festive for women !

We the A2I! team feel obliged to pay a tribute to all women and to their achievements for they have come a long way !

We shall begin with the greatest ones of all , mothers !

Shamilla , our latest member to whom we say : Welcome aboard , has this to say about mothers on their day !

"On this occasion, I'd just like to pay homage to all the mothers of this world who deserve a place of pride atleast one day in a year, and I should even say that they should have a place of pride not just in that one day but each and every day that goes by. These mothers bring up their children with such tenderness and give them all the love and affection that they need. These mothers have a « mission » in their mind i.e., taking their children to all the steps of life and staying by them as long as possible. In short, these mothers have a heart of gold and we should respect and love them for all the love that they give to us everyday. We will never be able to repay our mothers for what they have given to us.

At the same time, I'd also like to pay homage to all the girls and women who deserve to be respected as human beings throughout the world "

Much have been said about the journey that women have willingly embarked upon seeking equal rights and better lives. Feminism , along many other factors helped a lot and our one and only Ashok has this to say about feminism :

" Women play an instrumental role in society and society's progress over the years. Although this is the truth, there is at the end of the day, a whole other school of thought that begs to differ on the important role women have in our lives. Feminism is perhaps the only way to change this school of thought. It is comforting and encouraging to note that from the team behind Viva to the CEO of Pepsico, the role of women have come to assume more importance and serve as an example of what a fine job they can do"

Ashok set the ladies of Viva as an example among many , and one of the ladies behind Viva begged to differ on this !

Our one and only Noor says : "I feel that if I praise women, I have to praise men as well. For we are equal creatures. I think the days of degrading women have passed away, so it is very shocking to hear or see women being treated unfairly for the mere reason of being women."
Another lady in our team , Victoria , thinks that : " society is evolving rapidly; women now are been treated the same way as men. It is not that we are more than men and it is not that men are more than us, we are simply the same, whether we talk about female football teams, working in the government, modeling, anything! We are the same."

Well, If every one thought like those 2 bright young ladies , we wouldn't be having this post in the first place !

***********

Noor chose not to praise women whereas I , Waed , think that applauding some of the great women would harm none …

I will say nothing but I will leave you with a video that queen Rania of Jordan introduced to the world through her "send me your stereotypes" campaign on YouTube !

Pornography-in an Indian context…

2008-05-31T12:44:00.000-07:00

Author: Sharanya Iyer
Country: India

“EVERY SECOND $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography, 28,258 Internet users are viewing pornography, 372 Internet users are typing adult search terms into search engines and every 39 minutes a new pornographic video is being created……”

Pornography is a word that is synonymous with sin in our society. To begin with its origin, Pornography stems from a Greek word meaning ‘writing about prostitutes’. It originated in Europe in the early 17th century when science was rapidly growing and gaining importance over religion, ideas of contraception and conception were coming in and revolutionary literature was surfacing. In Pagan culture, the beauty of sex was depicted via carvings and paintings. Erotic literature had a place in the mainstream. But, erotica is quite different from pornography. Erotica has an artistic purity, while pornography is purely commercial and totally meaningless. The bare truth about pornography is that far from being a liberating influence - as Rushdie and others claim - it is an instrument of abuse and imprisonment!!It brings out the poverty of our sexual imagination. So before moving on to look into its various aspects, it is important that it isn’t confused with erotica.

Today, globalization and the fast paced existence of people have shaken the very foundations of the wall separating erotica and pornography, making it very thin. According to the 2006 worldwide pornography revenues, around $97.04 billion is its transaction, with China dominating. Though India does not figure at the top, it is one of the major illegal importers of DVDs, VCDs, etc. The porn industry has penetrated all levels of society. Today, we can hardly find a movie without some form of porn in it.

India still being a developing country, with a majority of the village people living under the poverty line, there lives a class which is exploited and violated due to its ignorance or helplessness. If there is one thing India is famous for, it is the dignity and integrity with which it upholds its traditions and culture. So, taking advantage of such scenario, isn’t it a basic violation of human rights?

The roots of the whole issue of Pornography can safely be attributed to the lack of Sex Education in schools. Who says it is not in our Indian culture to talk about sex? Ancient Indian culture was very open about sex. But the misinformation that talking and learning about sex is against our Indian culture is being spread by prudish parents and teachers opposing the teaching of sex education in schools.

A quote from a news report reads,
“Most parents and teachers do not want sex education to be part of the curriculum because of ethical and academic reasons….they feel that there are chances of the children misinterpreting the information given…unlike other countries where sex education is openly taught in schools, we cannot do so as the structure of our society is different. Our culture and ethos do not permit us to discuss sex openly…we could end up corrupting our students…”

These people have to understand that children don’t become immoral because they learn about sex. If they do start sex activities earlier than they should, then it is more because of the influence of movies, television, pornography, etc. Not sex education! In fact sex education can explain to them the moral aspects of sex and also counter the ill effects of pornography, as it is a known fact that Indian parents neglect to do their duty when it comes to teaching their children about sex, as they feel it is ‘unnecessary’ or ‘embarrassing’ or ‘too early’…and the consequence is that kids turn to pornography.

Its time that we realized that the only way to fight online pornography is to arm our children with knowledge. We know that the knowledge will never be given in Indian homes because of extreme prudishness. So the education system has to take care of it. It is the only way to a mentally and physically healthy society.

Political Issues? No thanks!!!

2008-05-31T12:42:00.000-07:00

Author: Haris Stavridis
Country: Greece

One of the global and most important phenomena is that youths don't care about what's being done by their governments. They are disappointed of what politicians do and turn their backs to the problems. They choose to "close their eyes and do nothing", they simply accept it.Youths shouldn't have an attitude like this. We should care about what's happening in the political world, because in the nearest future we should vote for our representatives and for the suitable people to govern us. What really makes me feel sick, is that many youths don't really vote or choose their candidates according to what they support, but according to who is the most famous in school and so on. Unfortunately, the way we elect the "President of the School Council" will be the same, when we have to elect the Prime Minister of our country. The thing is that we don't understand this now, we don't understand how important this issue is and that's why we prefer not to get informed about what's happening in our country.We should wake up some day! Those people govern us. Their dicissions influence our lives and our choices.... Shouldn't we at least keep ourselves informed about their actions? Shouldn't we?

Race and society- Progress

2008-05-31T12:37:00.000-07:00

Author: Winmsn
Country: Canada

One spring day, I was listening to Homecoming (DM shall kill me); and I got into a talk with my friend via MSN about the song. This eventually led to me, telling her about what he did on NBC during a special for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He said "George Bush does not like black people". Now, I cannot say that is true or untrue; for I am not Mr. Bush. But it did raise an interesting question; is there still racism in our society? Some people believe that racism is non-existent nowadays. I beg to differ.

In every country, the majority benefits; and the minorities are treated somewhat unfairly. I cannot find a single country; that does treat the majority and minorities equally. In Sri Lanka, a civil war is raging due to the chauvinistic principals of both the Tamils and the Sinhalese. In China, the Uyghur people face scrutiny and horrible conditions from the government. In many Arab countries; non-Arabs are not treated fairly and in Israel; Arabs are second class citizens. In these countries, the majority holds the power, the jobs, and the good life. The minority may have to work a little bit harder for it. Of course, there are always exceptions. So, society has a large part to do with it.

We see the 2008 Presidential campaign raging on; Barack Obama has to explain all his actions and associations to the media, for example: whether he is patriotic, because he does not wear a lapel pin. To say that race has nothing to do with the campaign would be naive. Why do you think he has to answer all these questions? Why doesn't John McCain face these "guilt by association" questions about his controversial pastor?

Let's take America for example now; and the stereotypes facing the two major minority groups. Some people view African-Americans as gangsters, others view Latinos as "drug dealers or border hoppers". These stereotypes are rampant here, and this is an example of subtle racism, even though we do not like to admit it. Why do we have less successful African-Americans and Latinos, why do more of them live under the poverty line? America can fix these common problems for all of its people; though the government does not seem to be willing to. This however does not suggest the government is racist. You noticed that I said 'fix the problems for ALL of its people'; many white Americans live underneath the poverty line and face the same problems getting jobs.

People may talk to people of other races; but when it comes to mingling with them, they draw the line. Racism does exist and it will continue to exist for many years to come.

One spring day, I was listening to Homecoming (DM shall kill me); and I got into a talk with my friend via MSN about the song. This eventually led to me, telling her about what he did on NBC during a special for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He said "George Bush does not like black people". Now, I cannot say that is true or untrue; for I am not Mr. Bush. But it did raise an interesting question; is there still racism in our society? Some people believe that racism is non-existent nowadays. I beg to differ.

In every country, the majority benefits; and the minorities are treated somewhat
unfairly. I cannot find a single country; that does treat the majority and minorities equally. In Sri Lanka, a civil war is raging due to the chauvinistic principals of both the Tamils and the Sinhalese. In China, the Uyghur people face scrutiny and horrible conditions from the government. In many Arab countries; non-Arabs are not treated fairly and in Israel; Arabs are second class citizens. In these countries, the majority holds the power, the jobs, and the good life. The minority may have to work a little bit harder for it. Of course, there are always exceptions. So, society has a large part to do with it.
We see the 2008 Presidential campaign raging on; Barack Obama has to explain all his actions and associations to the media, for example: whether he is patriotic, because he does not wear a lapel pin. To say that race has nothing to do with the campaign would be naive. Why do you think he has to answer all these questions? Why doesn't John McCain face these "guilt by association" questions about his controversial pastor?

Let's take America for example now; and the stereotypes facing the two major minority groups. Some people view African-Americans as gangsters, others view Latinos as "drug dealers or border hoppers". These stereotypes are rampant here, and this is an example of subtle racism, even though we do not like to admit it. Why do we have less successful African-Americans and Latinos, why do more of them live under the poverty line? America can fix these common problems for all of its people; though the government does not seem to be willing to. This however does not suggest the government is racist. You noticed that I said 'fix the problems for ALL of its people'; many white Americans live underneath the poverty line and face the same problems getting jobs.

People may talk to people of other races; but when it comes to mingling with them, they draw the line. Racism does exist and it will continue to exist for many years to come. One spring day, I was listening to Homecoming (DM shall kill me); and I got into a talk with my friend via MSN about the song. This eventually led to me, telling her about what he did on NBC during a special for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He said "George Bush does not like black people". Now, I cannot say that is true or untrue; for I am not Mr. Bush. But it did raise an interesting question; is there still racism in our society? Some people believe that racism is non-existent nowadays. I beg to differ.

In every country, the majority benefits; and the minorities are treated somewhat unfairly. I cannot find a single country; that does treat the majority and minorities equally. In Sri Lanka, a civil war is raging due to the chauvinistic principals of both the Tamils and the Sinhalese. In China, the Uyghur people face scrutiny and horrible conditions from the government. In many Arab countries; non-Arabs are not treated fairly and in Israel; Arabs are second class citizens. In these countries, the majority holds the power, the jobs, and the good life. The minority may have to work a little bit harder for it. Of course, there are always exceptions. So, society has a large part to do with it.

We see the 2008 Presidential campaign raging on; Barack Obama has to explain all his actions and associations to the media, for example: whether he is patriotic, because he does not wear a lapel pin. To say that race has nothing to do with the campaign would be naive. Why do you think he has to answer all these questions? Why doesn't John McCain face these "guilt by association" questions about his controversial pastor?

Let's take America for example now; and the stereotypes facing the two major minority groups. Some people view African-Americans as gangsters, others view Latinos as "drug dealers or border hoppers". These stereotypes are rampant here, and this is an example of subtle racism, even though we do not like to admit it. Why do we have less successful African-Americans and Latinos, why do more of them live under the poverty line? America can fix these common problems for all of its people; though the government does not seem to be willing to. This however does not suggest the government is racist. You noticed that I said 'fix the problems for ALL of its people'; many white Americans live underneath the poverty line and face the same problems getting jobs.

People may talk to people of other races; but when it comes to mingling with them, they draw the line. Racism does exist and it will continue to exist for many years to come.

Friendship

2008-05-01T00:35:00.000-07:00

Author: Zainab Al-Tamimi

Country: Oman

"Friendship... is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven'tlearned anything."

-Muhammad Ali

Friendship is an essential relationship for any person. A real friend maybe closer to you than the members of your family. It has been said that a friend is a sibling that has not been born by you mother.

To be a good friend we need to be supportive, respective, protective as well as to keep all secrets of our close friends. It is essential also that any one of us should be careful with selecting our friends because consciously or unconsciously there maybe a positive or negative impact of our friends' personalities, behavior and attitude in ours. So a good friend is an asset and definitely well be helpful during happiness and sadness. Friends help you get through tough times in your life, and they add joy and happiness when you're down.

I think friends are the most important thing to have in this world, so I hope that you will find a real friend.

The lost earthly heaven

2008-05-01T00:19:00.000-07:00

Author: Aya A.N.
Country: Egypt

Does it need a complete change? Because it seems for me very strange

I cannot see it very clear, although it is so near
oh human what have you done ?

You have to know that the war is not just a word that you write on poems , OR study

It is a word that means suffering to others, sadness , tears and blood

Oh my great God!

when i was young like 7 or 8 i used to think that there are evil people and good people. And good people must fight the evil ones. That was the aim of my life then i was giving myself the right to fight these evil people simply because i thought there were just evil and need to suffer.
I used to think how can we fight them? I cannot go to the streets and ask people are you evil so you should die. I felt very unable to help others.

NOW , I am thinking why people choose to be evil? And believe me they choose their way. Like in wars, people's lives are taken. Why do they choose to take a right they don't have? Is envy and hate the answer? Maybe and maybe not, well we have to admit that war is not something new at all. There were wars from old ages, but is that an excuse to continue starting them? "They started it so why don't we finish it?" Is that how they think?

I know we are so young to make these kind of decisions but we are not young to choose our way either . So let us plan for some kind of challenge, how can one make another believe that if he ever started a war in anyplace he will be that evil person who is corrupting our world. People don't make a difference in the world by starting a war! Just burry a war or help lessen it's affect and all people will see the good difference you're making.

War does not necessarily mean the kind of war in Iraq, it means any simple fight between two people or groups and believe me it starts with a simple fight and end up as a distruction.

They're mistakes that make us perfect

2008-05-01T00:07:00.000-07:00

Author: Abdel Rahman Ahmed

Country: Egypt

Last week, I was checking my portofolio where I used to put all my stories, my certificates, my school stuff and everything, I had this one since SO long, I guess from fifth grade, Everytime I wrote something or got some certificate, I put them there.

Anyways, I crossed a lot of stories and essays I've written since fourth grade, seeing myself developing and growing year after year, my vision became more clear about alot of things. I just remember every English class when I stood up and narrate a story or discussed a topic I wrote, I very much remember My teacher's smile! Although I checked it many times but this time was very different, I saw how many grammar, vocabulary and spelling mistakes were there!

They were countless! The funny thing was that I was laughing, I couldn't believe that I had all these mistakes, I kept picking a really HUGE number of mistakes.

I checked essay after another and I observed how much I grew in every stage in my life! till now! I felt PROUD, very PROUD! I didn't feel afraid from failing that time, I kept going and going, although I didn't have a certain vision where exactly I'm going, but it was the echo in me that made me feel I'm going on the right track!

I just concluded something from this:

"When we develop from stage to another and when we take a step forward, the backward steps seem very little and very easy to get even though It was very hard to be achieved in that time, we may laugh at ourselves when we see our mistakes, we may forget them because they seem as a blur BUT the only things that last with us are the lessons that made us STRONGER, PROUD and PERFECT."

I respect the lessons I've learnt from each step, from the experience I had from every failure and the mistakes that will make me PERFECT maybe not today, maybe not tommorow but It will someday!

Corruption (a man-made evil)

2008-05-01T00:02:00.000-07:00

Author: Joshua Dinakar
Country:India

The corruption of the best is the worst. [Lat., Corruptio optimi pessima.]
- Latin proverb

Corruption has crept in every system crossing cultural and geographical boundaries. It is literally under every stone you turn. It is also in every alley you turn into, every nook and cranny you might care to peep into. Corruption happens as much in broad daylight as it does behind closed doors. It is as much a part of my life as it is of yours. Corruption includes taking or giving bribe, lack of transparency in system. This world has become worst by corrupt humans. Who- by very their nature are destroying the ethical and moral values present in society or individuals.

For a person who is taking bribe – it's an opportunity, and for the person who is giving the bribe – it's need. Person who demands bribe wants to encash the opportunity. The idea of getting benefited or profited by helping the person who is in need is itself evil. It's like playing with conscience of weaker party. A person in power shows his willingness to help if you grease his palm. Is that a help at all? Corrupt officer is not helping the weak by Love or courtesy but, helping for some money. How strange it is to be sold for some amount of money our humanity and love!! People are forgetting that love to help others can be done unselfishly.

When I believe both the giver and taker of the bribe to be equally guilty of corruption. By giving bribe we are guiltier than the person who is taking it. If we straight forwardly fight for justice and don't bribe... He learns a lesson of not asking bribe.

"If there is corruption in society, each one of us is responsible. It is wrong to blame the system. Why do we separate ourselves from the system? Don't we vote the corrupt to power? Don't we endlessly suffer from all deprivations and refuse to raise our voice? And then when it becomes too much, we crib."

When a question is asked to an officer who is responsible for this corruption? He answers "I don't think the common man is responsible. I don't blame the man who shells out money so that he doesn't have to spend half his day in a queue at the municipal office. Is it not more pertinent to ask how these serpentine queues are created? Are we short of staff in an overpopulated country with a large section educated but unemployed? This theory that people feed the monster of corruption is eyewash."

Another person who stuck by his ideals even when the going got tough was Khairnar [1]. Of his lifelong crusade against corruption, he says: "It is possible to be honest in a world rampant with corruption. Possible, but very, very difficult. Colleagues deprived of their share of ill-earned booty, make life difficult in the office. The honest officer also earns the ire of superiors who are themselves under tremendous pressure from political bosses. Memos may be sent. Inquiry committees bent on vindication may be ordered against the erring official and transfers may be affected. The officer may also find himself framed in a legal trap. Life becomes difficult. Thus hated, isolated, and beaten, an honest man feels lonely and confused. What makes it a hard battle and an unfair one is the honest man's inability to pay his legal bills. His scrupulous honesty pits him against powerful vested interests. He has to fight on his own."

He sums up his life in one sentence: "Today one does not have to be a revolutionary to create a storm. Being honest is enough." But I say honesty and fear of God can stop the spread of this evil called corruption.

What makes these people virtually corruptible? What gives them the conviction that we lack the strength to swim against the tide? The answer is "WE" who encourage the greed of money. "We" are making people virtually corrupted by bribing and not fighting against corruption. And "We" make an impression that we lack the strength to swim against tide and go along with many and silently encourage corruption. The solution to end this problem also lies "Within US" (When we react and to fight against corruption)

If we don't fight against this evil of corruption we'll be the greatest promoter of this evil. Don't be silent….Take a stand at personal level…Voice out….Fight against corruption...If you don't who will?

[1] MR. G. R. KHAIRNAR, a senior official in a mismanaged Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. Khairnar is undoubtedly an honest man. http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/jun/14nandy.htm

A Eulogy for 1.2 Million

2008-04-01T04:42:00.000-07:00

Author: Dhrid Ramesh

Country: USA

1.2 million. A number that hardly takes a second to say represents the number of Tibetans that have been slaughtered by the Chinese Government over the past fifty-eight years. Countless others have fled their homes and sought refuge in neighboring countries, and others rot away in jail for indefinite amounts of time. I'm sure Tibet has been on many people's minds after the protests and rioting that started on March 10th. However, before this wave of violence swept through Tibet, this problem lay dormant in our thoughts for too long.

For years monks, nuns, and everyday Tibetan people have been protesting the Chinese government's occupation of the area. Even those who believe that Tibet would do fine as part of China cannot deny the crimes against humanity happening there. Not only are people being killed and imprisoned but Buddhist Monasteries have been destroyed, and Ethnic Chinese have been moved into the area to take jobs that should by right go to Tibetans.

And what is the worst part of this situation? WE, as a human race are responsible for this. Had the international community intervened fifty eight years ago, during the invasion of Tibet, this would not even be an issue now. Fifty eight years later we have yet to take action and make a firm stance on this issue, an issue that affects millions of people. And why haven't we taken a stand? Mostly because governments are afraid of rubbing the wrong person the wrong way, and upsetting the fragile balance currently existing in international relations. In the end, we have to ask ourselves, can we just ignore the big issues like this because of fear? Can we just let millions of people suffer because we're scared that making a stance might drive up the cost of living? Can we just put this at the back of our brains for the sake of convenience? The answer should be no. So take a stance in any way you can, not just about Tibet but about any issue that you consider important.

What makes you tick?

2008-04-01T04:29:00.000-07:00

Author: Victoria Maravi

Country: Peru

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” –Mark Twain.

I must admit that I do not follow our friend Mark’s advice as often as I would like to. You probably don’t, either. In your short life, how many times have you found yourself alone, unwilling to grab a book, do the dishes or your homework, and alternatively zapped TV channels all day? Maybe you were exhausted and needed some rest, but sometimes it is pure laziness.

If you are not suffering from any psychological disorders (just checking), then you are probably afraid of commitment. This means that there is some degree of anxiety to commit to something, such as your school subjects, work schedule or desire to be fit.

This is not uncommon, it is a problem that is affecting the whole generation we belong to. Zooming out from our individual problems, when was the last time that the world was shaken by an amazing scientific discovery? After the icons of the Second World War and peace leaders such as Gandhi and MLK passed away, when have we seen someone that was actually able to change the world with such strength? It is as if the world has entered a lethargic stage.

Oh problemo. Which could be the solution to this? In my perspective, and I do not know if you will agree, it is quite simple: finding motivation. Going for the impossible instead of staying indoors all day while complaining about life’s miseries. It is easier and safer, I even do it from time to time, but it will not get the world moving.

You could sit for a few minutes to consider your life purpose, and then plan small achievable goals that lead you there. It should be flexible, of course –at our age, not many things remain the same, even our life purpose. It could be crazy, too (except, well, trying to fly with a cape). Going from straight C’s to A’s? You can do it. Working for four hours instead of eight? It is possible. Saving children from AIDS? It can be done, it just takes time.

Gather all the information you think is necessary, ignore derogatory comments from others and just do it! It may take years, but it is possible. We need more leaders that will ‘shake things up’ in this world, do not be afraid to take charge!

A Question that Questions you to Think and Probe

2008-04-01T04:20:00.000-07:00

Author: Saiqua Rahaman

Country: India

I came across an interesting story that was forwarded to me by a friend.It just made an impact and has compelled me to probe deeper in my heart, as I read it a few more times with its philosophically deep meaning. Here it is again for all of you to enjoy. Mind you this story was anonymously written:

Brian was parked in front of the mall wiping off his car. He had just come from the car wash and was waiting for his wife to get out of work. Coming his way from across the parking lot, he saw a fat man, arguably one of the homeless street dwellers or in plain language was what the society would consider to be a 'BUM'. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes and no money. There were times when one would feel generous and there are other times that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those 'don't want to be bothered times' for Brian. He hoped the Man doesn't ask for any money. He didn't. He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop, but he did not look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus. After a few minutes he spoke. "That's a very pretty car", he said. He was ragged but had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blond beard kept more than his face warm. Brian said, "Thanks" and continued wiping off his car. He sat there quietly as he worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between them widened something inside said 'Brian, ask him if he needs any help'. he was sure that the ragged man would say 'Yes', but Brian held true to his inner voice. 'Do you need any help?', he asked. The Man answered in three simple but profound words.

We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. Brian expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. Instead, he spoke the three words that shook him down to the roots. "Don't we all?", he asked.

Here Brian was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words hit him like a twelve gauge shot gun. DON"T WE ALL? Yes we do! Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep or even to wipe the car, but is that all one is seeking for? He reached for his wallet and gave the Man not only enough for bus fare but enough to get a warm meal, and a shelter for the day.

Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help. Even if it is just a compliment, you can give that. You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from the daily chaos. Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that! Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in himself. Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him up like a bum, then said, 'Go minister to that man cleaning the car. That man needs help !!"

Waiting for the dawn of a new day

2008-04-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

Author: Hassen Mnani

Country: Tunisia

In our lives,there are many bad things like poverty, illiteracy, and exploitation that make children suffer and degrade their moral natural.

Miserable children are obliged to work in bad conditions in an early age doing cruel tasks, some of their employers make them steal, cheat, and so on. Some of them have to steal or cheat in order to provide for their families. So some of them turn to these ways. And so they run away from school, because they lack money to pay for their education and because they need that money for their families.

These children face hunger, they have to eat unhealthy food, drink polluted water. It might make them suffer from diseases like HIV or cancer.

Children are deprived of the simple joy and the simple happy childhood. I think these children have the right to lead a good life without fear and without diseases.

They feel obliged to provide for their families, when they should be provided for. They take responsibility from their early age and so their lives become very hard.

I feel very sad when I see these children or hear about their stories, and I believe that we should do whatever we can to help them.

A message from A2I!

2008-02-29T14:13:00.000-08:00

The Idea might seem surreal !

Youngsters scattered here and there , day dreaming of making a difference and being the change....

High spirited , thinking big and dreamers, we might be !
And ,pray, we know the world is full of those !

You , reading this , might be one as well !!!

"Man was born free and wherever he goes , he is in chains "
Nonsense !

Dreams are one place in which you can be more than free !

Dream , Think of Dreaming and then Dream some more !

Dream and try to make your dreams a reality !

Just give out your best and let life handle the rest !

Aspire a dream !

Conspire to make that Dream !

Then Inspire this Dream !

The Aspire2Inspire Team !

Stolen Childhood!

2008-02-29T14:08:00.000-08:00

Author : Noor Al Zubaydi
Location : Oman

Have you ever heard that some people become troubled because they didn't have healthy
childhoods? I have.

Now children are being deprived of their childhood through wars and poverty. Wars may make children leave their schools, become orphans, and can make them learn violence.

I was very much shocked when I was watching T.V. that a terrorist group has been taking little children and making soldiers of them in Iraq. I used to hear about this happening in Africa, but never have I thought it may occur here in the middle-east. Yes, there is poverty here, and yes there are wars here. But the concept that child-soldiers exist here never passed my mind.
And what is ironic about the news when I watched it was that they said it was because this terrorist group (which I failed to get the name of) was lacking means to train elder men. It reminded me of how low these people can get.

Young kids who will follow what they're told because they don't know any better. A bunch of 10/11 years old children whose only wants are to play with their friends and enjoy themselves. Now they're being subjected to violence.

Stealing away their childhood!
I understand the world we live in needs change, but if children do not have healthy childhoods, how are we to stop this?
I have not given up hope, but on hearing such news one can't help but think of humanity and where the world is now.

Yes, we can change things.

Empower our children and always have hope for a better brighter future ahead of us.

Fictional Sceario!

2008-02-29T13:46:00.000-08:00

Author : Waed Sweilmyeen
Location : Jordan

Hello !
I am a 15 year old girl from Thailand !
I live with my family! We are 2 girls and a boy! I am the oldest !
We are not rich , dad says ! He and my mom work in the field , I work with them as well but my siblings are way too young to work!

One day my father's friend came to us and whispered something in myfather's ears ! My mother quarrelled with them but I couldn't hearwhat they were saying!

A few minutes later my mother forced me to bathe , dressed me nicelyand made me go with my father's friend who in turn gave my fathermoney ! More money than he ever had !My father's friend pushed me into the back seat of his car to sit next to a fine man! He must be European , that's what I thought then ! The man stared at me then put his hands on my breasts , I clasped my handson my chest and moved as far as the seat allowed me ! He came closerand put his hands on my thighs ,I wanted to get out of the car but wewere going really fast !

My father's friend looked at me through the mirror and said it was ok!
That man was my husband!
The man said yes , his fingers touching my lips and messing my hair !
" We agreed with your father about it and we paid the bride price , Ithink you saw that ! You are poor people and If you leave now we willtake the money back leaving your family to starve , besides thisgentleman will leave you with your family after some time ..He willvisit you whenever he is in the country but he will never take youaway from your family , he will take you to visit his country ,whatever makes you happy ! " said my father's friend !

On hearing that I was more tolerant of the man touching me .I stayed with him for a week in one of the finest hotels , not that Isaw many before, and then he left ! He left and I never heard of himever again !

I was prostituted by a man I trusted and sold by my own father and my mother !
The hotel was a whore house and I was locked up in there!!
What happened to that husband of mine ? I will never know !
Where we even married in the first place?
Was it worth it to be sold in that way?
Was the money enough?
How am I to get out of here?
I have never been outside of my village and leaving this hell hole is not possible!
How long will I give my body to a dozen of men per day?
Will I ever get over this?
Will my body pay for my freedom?
Will I ever see my family ever again?
Is it worth seeing them in the first place? they were the ones whogave me away in the first place!
A year later and all these questions rest , unanswered !

**********************

That was totally fiction but it has some truth to it !Human trafficking still happens , this is only one scenario !

Activism- a critical review

2008-02-29T13:30:00.000-08:00

Author : Ashok.G.V.
Location : India

Contrary to what the title may suggest, this is neither an attack on idealism among the youth nor is it an attempt to root out the causes of substance abuse. This is quite simply an observation of what in most cases causes the demise of the passion to bring in a wave of refreshing change, to do something to repay the motherland or speaking as a global citizen repay the society in general.

Acknowledging the complexity of the problem at hand
A mere use of the keywords Human Rights Abuses on the search engine of the official website of Human Rights Watch brings out an enormous amount of results and each and every report is compelling and convincing. But the fact is that these reports have had little or no effect for the people because of whom the report is needed in the first place, the victims. When have these reports translated into tangible result yielding action plan formulation and implementation?

On rare occasions yes, but is it a matter of daily occurrence? The Answer to this question is that it is a rarity and most certainly not a matter of daily occurrence.

The fact that we need to understand here is, sending out letters to local leaders, campaigning for signatures for petitions, signing and submitting petitions by themselves are merely a part of the process. In reality, the purpose a majority of these efforts bring about is to help people like me and you realize that we have better lives and we need to be thankful for that.

When the long and laborious efforts put into these signature campaigns and letters to local leaders go unnoticed, the logical conclusion is disappointment. More often than not, intellectuals among the youth who fervently involve themselves in these efforts end up sad beyond measure and turn to substance abuse to help them through. It is important to understand the complexity of the problem and that the solution is a long, tedious process which will yield result, but will take time.

What is irresponsible activism?
“For evil to triumph, all it takes is for good men to do nothing.”-Edmund Burke

Doing nothing to stop evil is a measure of supporting it in the words of Edmund Burke.

In many instances we see people making donations to organizations sometimes within the boundaries of one’s own locality, city and nation and in other instances to organizations abroad. The feel good factor after having made the donation is visible on the faces of these philanthropists. But how many of us actually follow up on these donations and verify if these donations are being utilized in the best interests of the intended recipients?

In India for example, quite often orphanages, destitute homes, shelter for women, refugee rehabilitation centres, etc. are centers of exploitation. The donations which the wonderful people of society make are often siphoned off to the personal treasury of the management of these organizations. Many a times the residents of these centres are the victims of abuse in the form of beatings, sexual assault and starvation. Basic amenties like comfortable sanitary facilities, sleeping quarters, electricity and cooking gas are absent even though on a count of the receipts present with the donors, one would see donations to the tune of several hundreds of thousands of dollars coming into these organizations. Why are the management of such dens of exploitation continuing with their illegal activities? Well it is simply because it is profitable to do so considering the funds they get from innocent donors not aware of what happens to their donations.

Irresponsible activism is being the philanthropist in the scenario discussed above. If one does not have the time or the resources to actually ensure that one’s donations are being put to good use and does not act as motivation for exploiters to continue to exploit the exploited, then it would be doing more service to society by not giving charity at all. Let us not abet the people who grow their fortunes by virtue of the problems that plague our world.

It is important to understand the cause one wishes to support. More importantly it is important to know the organization one wishes to involve with and its credibility before deciding to support it. Without understanding the cause, the solution or the organization and still supporting it is the measure of irresponsible activism which as we would all agree causes more damage than good to society.

Conclusion:-
The role of activism in today’s world is priceless and most certainly the need of the hour. But without a conscious and smart approach to issues, activists would perhaps be doing more bad than good to society. It is important that we understand activism not as an leisurely activity but a serious approach towards ensuring the continuity of the human race with peace, prosperity and happiness as companions. Patience is the mark of a responsible activist, embrace it and learn from failures and incorporate the lessons in the next attempt to bring success. It is important to rise to the occasion as smart citizens and not as ignorant simpletons to ensure that the noble thoughts and gestures have positive meaning for the beings that need our help. One does not have the right to call oneself an activist without understanding this simple fact first.

Think and Feel

2008-02-09T23:58:00.000-08:00

We have chosen this poem for your enjoyment:

Their children scream and scream
No joy only fear
They know that they're so dear
but their end can be near
if the government keeps sitting on the chair
The situation will be more unfair
Their enemies are poverty, ignorance and people
If one could stand and help
a lot will follow but where's that one?
The big sin we make
isn't not being able to help
because help can be with a smile
and it won't cost a thing
but the sin is pretending to be deaf or blind
God gave us all ears and eyes
so we can hear and see what's there
but some people are too lazy to use them
so will people think
and use what God blessed them with?
When you see a person cry
you feel like crying too
but if you see a child cry
Will you cry or will you try?
Will you lift them up and help?
It's a smile, a word will make them better
so if you want the better just
let your heart think a little
and let your brain feel a little too

Author: Huda Al-Zubaidy
Country: Oman

Notification

2008-02-09T12:00:00.000-08:00

Due to some internal policy change and restructuring, the next issue will be out on the first of March.

In the mean time we would like to ask you to take a look at our previous issues and leave your thoughts there, in order for us to know what you think about them.
We welcome articles at: viva_a2i@yahoo.com

So if you want to voice your opinion, send us your article with your full name and the name of your country.

Thankyou

The Viva Team

Feel the power within....

2008-01-26T14:41:00.000-08:00

Author: Laura Kerol Fernandez

Country: Spain

I do think we are so special and blessed. We have inner powers. We’re able to feel everything. The essence of life, of every little thing alive. Like nature, we can feel its beauty, lightening all around her. Its colours, bright, alive, happy, have the power to make a person comforted and give one strength to go on, not to give up.
And like wise the millions of other pieces of existence. Birds, butterflies, the sun, the sky, the stars… all that is around us is tied to us. I have faith in that. To prove it, I can say that when we’re feeling sad or unhappy, and we decide to go somewhere quiet, sunny, surrounded by flowers, gardens and the sound of birds, we realize that we can feel the way we want except sad or unhappy.
We are witnesses of how our spirits find a little bit of light and so feel understood. That is because we have returned to our inner soul, the place where we come from, our nature. It does not have any other explanation. I think we all have the power within us, the power of feeling the essence of the world. We just do not develop it, because of the environment we are used to.

That being said , I can truly say that I believe in all of us. I once heard: “You are me, and I am you”. Back then I thought that it was nonsense, but now I couldn’t agree more with that.
We all are one. We are all united by the essence of the universe. Isn’t that beautiful? If we could develop the “inner" us I don’t know where we might reach. I know believe that we have been given existence to complete the circle.
Nature, animals, humanity and energy.
Could that be the circle? Who knows? Why not?
We were created to provide energy to the rest of the circle. Every piece of it owes its existence to the other pieces! We are meant to help each other in suffering. Not only does humans have to help humans, but also humans have to help nature, nature has to humans, humans have to help animals and animals have to help humans… and so on. This might sound like nonsense, but believe me, it is not. You just have to think about it deeply, and realize how all fits unbelievably well.

I know there are a lot of people in the world that believe this, or have built their own philosophy on this. Let us just not forget that this world has not lost its beauty thanks to those people, and nature, animals and the energy which still fight to make us, humans, aware of what we are. They have not given up.
The rest of us have the power within us. What power, one may ask? The power to feel everything, to be aware of the world’s beauty and also the need to be improved. We just have to believe in it, fully.

Technology or Compassion???

2008-01-26T14:35:00.000-08:00

Author: Haris Stavridis

Country: Greece

Some choose the first…..

There is a Net-Cafe near my neighborhood… Every day there are plenty of people in there, playing their favorite Pc game that often makes them look like “zombies”. It may seem funny, but this issue is really important and serious, as many youths often live in a Virtual Reality. Unfortunately, many youths die in front of a computer or do not even go to drink water or to eat something, although they are thirsty and hungry….
No matter what’s happening around them, their only concern is their favorite hero, who is going to be destroyed because of another hero…. And it is a vicious circle of violence and cruelty with some special effects and virtual faces.I do not believe that we should ban those games or even close Net-Cafes, I simply support that we should take some precautions, by being strict with ourselves. Did you even consider that Humans created technology and improve it year by year in order to help themselves and not allow this technology to rule their lives??
Who created which and for what?Did you even consider that?There are so many problems in the world, environmental ones, violence, AIDS/HIV, poor children, vulnerable women with no or little protection, and children on streets. Before you turn on the computer to play a game, please consider how many good things you could do for you and for your community. Before you play your favorite PC game, please do consider that you are not alone and that you should not spend hours playing with it harming yourself.

Once again, I am not against PC games; I am for our ability to handle technology and ourselves as well !

Intellectual Property Rights- do we really need it?

2008-01-13T08:36:00.000-08:00

Author name: Ashok.G.V.
Age: 18 years
Country: India

In a recent survey, it was found that only 34% of Student population relate to the concept of Intellectual Property Rights. Many may wonder what Intellectual Property Rights are? Quite simply put Intellectual Property Rights are the rights associated with the intangible property more specifically products of human intellect. As would be the case with Tangible property, an Intellectual Property Right holder too is entitled to certain rights over his Intellectual Property. This paper aims to present a brief perspective about why perhaps, Intellectual Property Rights are not that bad after all and why we need to respect them.

Let us take a look at some of the things that really appeals to us. We all love branded goods; sure! they are costly as hell but what does a brand signify say for example in the case of cereals. Taking the example of Kellogs®, it simply the assurance of quality; of the dedication the company has towards ensuring that their customers get to eat good quality nutritious breakfast in the form of cereal. This would involve investment into research and development, quality control, standards setting and compliance, etc. Now a small company in China or India or any other infringing company affixes the same brand “Kellogs” on their cereal, without permission from the actual Kellogs, how can the consumers be assured of the same quality. For all you know it may be lead contaminated and the consumer unaware of it being a counterfeit product may die as a result of such poor quality. An actual shoe from addidas® with reasonable care and precaution would last a longer time than fake or counterfeit products of the same brand because the brand signifies quality and commitment to customer satisfaction.

We all know Harry Potter. Danielle Radcliff swept more than just a few young ladies of their feet. Behind the movie franchise and the books lies a lady whose imagination brought entertainment to the minds of millions. Sure copyright protection made the books a lot costlier, but how can we put a smaller price on human creativity and if not for the incentive of good returns and a more comfortable living would authors and publishing companies still invest into bringing out books and novels with the same zeal and enthusiasm?

The incentive of monopoly over new drugs and technologies could lead many companies pharmaceutical and otherwise to come up with new drugs to combat HIV AIDS, to clean up our atmosphere of the carbon dioxide and dispose of plastic in a neat and clean way. If the implications of such new technologies be so positive in nature, patents are but an incentive to ensure the process of innovation continues and does not stall due to lack of proper returns.
It is true knowledge should be freely available to one and all but have we considered a situation where the knowledge doesn’t get created at all? Wouldn’t that be a lot more unfortunate? While copyleft societies continue to press for the abolition of intellectual property rights, let us try and understand all sides to the story before we take a stand on the issue.

Shed some light....

2008-01-13T08:34:00.000-08:00

Author Name: Harsha.G.V.
Age: 24 years
Country: Currently in Canada

I was returning home from office. It was a late Friday evening and it was fully dark in Toronto. The bus in Toronto does not stop in front of the bus shelter but stops at a distance from it. But still I went inside the bus shelter just to keep myself warm. There were 2 blacks in the same bus shelter and that made me somewhat uncomfortable. The bus shelter is just 5 feet long and 8 feed wide.

If it was summer I would have never gone inside. I know it is not right to form opinion about any community but somehow, there is an instinctive fear for the blacks. Especially, the blacks in Toronto are a socially backward group. Their areas are constantly in the news for shootouts. But still, I had to make the decision. There was just a probability that the blacks would harm me, but the cold would harm me for sure. Therefore much against my wishes, I went inside the bus shelter.

There were 2 blacks and one was an elderly person. That made me somewhat comfortable. The feeling had no logic, but I thought I could handle an old black even though my physique was nothing compared to his.

Then the other one was just like the typical demon of a nightmare. I was praying for the bus to reach soon, when the elderly black said good evening. I returned the pleasantry with an unwilling smile. I found him to be unusually friendly and that only increased my fear. All the while I kept on sporting the same horrible smile. After some time, he started complaining about the Toronto weather. He said that this was not the case in South Carolina. That was when I realized that they are from US and not from Canada.

Now, the other demon asked me for some directions. I am myself new to Toronto, but I did not want to show that I was new. I wanted to show off as a native. So I gave them some vague directions to get to the place and started to talk about the city. I told them that how the weather is good in summer and other things which I myself had not experienced. Whatever I had heard from others, I passed it on as mine. I basically did not want to tell them that I was a foreigner. I was again scared that they may rob me if they came to know I was new.

I think I am good at giving speeches and convincing people. The 2 of them were convinced that I was a subject matter expert on Toronto and Canada. They thanked me for all the wonderful tips I gave. Then the elderly man gave me his business card. I now came to know that they both were Jazz musicians and they had come here to attend an international jazz conference. I was so happy because, now I was convinced that they were harmless people. Also they had the saxophone case with them which was proof of authenticity.

The bus had still not come and now we three were in a full fledged chat. I was again giving speeches, this time on Hindusthani music. I had my laptop with me, and so transferred lots of instrumental, flute and sitar on to their pen drive. They also gave me some jazz files and they are good.

The bus finally came and we got into the bus. We three sat together in the bus and continued the discussion. I began to see the positive aspects in them. The second person whom I initially described as a demon was such a lively person. He heard the instrumental of "Vaishnava Jana To" and said that this music was so divine. I could not believe that he uttered the word "Divine". Then he asked if I had any vocal music. I told him that I did not give him vocal because he would not understand the lyrics. To this he said that "music is universal and it has no language". I must admit that I was bowled over.

In all this, I noticed that another passenger was keenly observing us. By appearance he looked like and Indian. I pulled him into the discussion by asking if he was from India. As guessed, he was a Gujju from Mumbai.

5 minutes later, the jazz musicians got off the bus and only I and Gujju were left for the rest of the journey. Music was out of discussion now. Then this Gujju started off by cursing all the Maharashtrians of both India and Canada telling how they were opportunistic and how they hated the Gujjus. He went at length singing praises of one Maharasthrian "so called friend" he knew in Toronto.

He seemed to me an interesting character and I was listening to him all ears. He told me that he was initially working in Ghana and before that he was working in Nairobi. He told me that there were 5 Malayalis in Ghana with him and how he was harassed by them for being the only non Malayali.

Then he asked me where I was staying. So I told him that I stayed near xyz. He asked me for the street name. Even he was new to Canada. He had come just 3 months back. So I asked him if he knew abc. To that he straight away said whether I was staying at house no 424. I was taken aback with this question. Now, he told me that he had stayed at the same house just after landing in Canada and one month down the line he had fled as he could not tolerate the owner. To this I started laughing because even I am vacating after one month of stay. Also I was so surprised that in the whole of Toronto I had found this person. Such a coincidence!!

Then he told me about how all other PGs over there were bad and how they had conspired against him. I felt that the problem was with this guy as I had not found anything seriously wrong with others.

I had come to the end of my journey. So I got down from the bus saying good bye to the Gujju. As a parting note he advised me not to give any dues to the owner before leaving. He told me that this PG business is illegal and said "if they ask you for remaining dues, you threaten them with lodging a complaint with the police".

From the bus stop it takes 15 mins to walk to my home. So while walking, I began to think about what all strange things had happened on the bus. I realized that the black, whom I initially thought to be a rowdy, was actually a musician and he talked such wonderful things. On the contrary our own Desi guy, whom I was so happy to meet in this foreign land, was in fact such a miserable person. As I have been saying, I am still thinking……

Homosexuality.. and the rest of the world

2007-12-30T11:44:00.000-08:00

Author: Zach Komes
Country: USA

This is a sensitive topic for most of us. Some of us say it’s against our religion. Some say it’s against all morals. Some even say it’s against mankind. But the question isn’t if it exists; it’s what we should do about it. Should we respect our fellow peers, or shun them just because they act different than us?

I am not gay, but I believe that gay people have feelings too. They are human, and humans have the right to express themselves freely. I thought everyone was created equal; no matter what race, gender, religion, opinion, personality; doesn’t that include sexual orientation? Aren’t we taught to love everyone, even our enemies?

Did you know that the word “queer” (which used to be “weird”), is now another word for being homosexual? Did you know that these days most hate crimes are against gay people? Society has obviously turned against people who are homosexual; but it’s up to us, straight and homosexual alike, who want to take a stand to change their minds. We must hold demonstrations, protests, create websites, hold study groups; anything that will help change what people think. We need to be that generation that took a stand on different issues, not only this one.

Hopefully this will make you think about the way you treat gay people; or maybe people in general.

Source: Teaching Tolerance

Does Racial, ethnic, or religious profiling make the world more secure?

2007-12-30T11:34:00.000-08:00

Author: Lina Imran
Country: Ethiopia

In my opinion I say Racial, ethnic or religious profiling doesn’t make the world more secure. This is because of the lesson we have experienced in history and by noticing the current situations in our world. Regardless of your race, religion or so on, you will follow your dreams and goals your own way.

Every country in this world has common values to share with the people. For instance, the air that we breathe, globalization, migration and refugee issues, environmental protection, mutual Corporation, regional economic communities, nuclear disarmament, etc.
These issues are of every country in this world and it concerns all equally. This profiling of people increases violation among ethnic and cultural groups of societies.

It's true that every person has ethnical, religious and racial origin and of course every one has the right to enjoy its natural identity. My main concern here is the will, the economy, political and social aspect of the people shouldn’t construct on racial, ethnic and religious basis. It is supposed to be with the common beliefs and guidance of the people in general.

Though we have different identity, our country and world is our common property. While that remains as it is we don’t need permission from other people to exercise our human rights.

If we share our common values together in a peaceful way, I think that’s going to help our world. In the mean time what we should know is to recognize and tolerate personal beliefs and identity, no one stands for violation and prejudice if we approve human and democratic rights.

To mention a simple example, we don’t have a clear and defined meaning of terrorism. There is still a contradiction between terrorists and freedom fighters.
Every country defines it with its national interest and respective condition. In addition to that, there is still a problem on drug trafficking among nations and also the issue of child and women trafficking in which single nation can’t stop unless there is a strong mutual cooperation among its states.

Moreover, the narrow thinking of some individuals found in leading position has added fuel to the national conscious of the people which derive them to think there are the superior nations.
When the internal movement exploded and blew out its changes to see wars and internal and external aggressions at the first and second world wars.
Though, there are many causes, for the first and Second World War ethnic and racial thinking is also responsible for the death and uncountable destruction of human and material wealth.

Presently racial, ethnic and religious profiling is rare. It is becoming 17th and 18th century of history; however it’s true that religious, ethnic extremism can be seen in some parts of the world, as usual innocent peoples are becoming the core target and victim. Countries by forming international laws by their mutual consent would be setting it straight what their people stands for and they will know how to deal with extremism best.

At last, I would like to say for our world to be a better and peaceful place to live in, the nature of our world must be built on international view. This could create a strong bond between nations. And our personal beliefs and identities remain in our group of people and place, keeping the fact that every one has self-principles.
We can make our diversity a beauty and a source for our mutual corporation and work for common development by eradicating crucial problems faced by our world. Let’s just contribute our best in course of building the world for the better.

The choice is yours

2007-12-16T11:22:00.000-08:00

Author: Saiqua Rahaman
Country: India

This is a very simple story that I read somewhere. In today's busy schedule we actually have little time to spare a thought for the values that lie underneath a simple story or a message. We only appreciate it with some kind words and move on... Hope you not only enjoy this piece of abstract as much as I did but spare some moments in some honest thoughts to smile after you read this....

How often in life do you wonder, why in life others seem to be more at an advantage? Little do we realize that with every moment of thoughtless wonder we lose another extra moment of life that could be truly ours. It is the attitude that matters. Change that to positive, life will smile back at you. We could take the example of Jerry, for instance…..

Jerry is the manager of a restaurant a man of great spirit and attitude. When someone would ask him, how he was doing, he would reply. "If I was any better I would be twins!" Many of the waiters in the restaurant quit their jobs when he changed jobs, so they could follow him around from restaurant to restaurant. Why?... Jerry was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was always there, to cheer him up with his usual energy and spirit. His attitude got many curious.
One day his friend and colleague Max asked him, "I do not get it! No one can be a positive person all the time. How do you do it?" Jerry replied "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, I have two choices today. I can choose to be in a good mood or I can choose to be in a bad mood. I always choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I always choose to learn from it. I choose growth."
"It cannot always be that easy," Max protested. "Yes it is"… Jerry replied, "Life is all about choices. You choose how you react to situation. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. It's your choice how you live your life." Several years later Max received terrible news… Jerry accidentally did something ….or was it a blunder? He left the back door of his restaurant open….and then? In the morning, as he was the first to check in, he was robbed by three men. They wanted all that was in the safe. While Jerry was trying to open the safe, the combination slipped off and fell from his hand. The robbers panicked and shot him. Jerry was really lucky to be spotted quickly by others who came in and rushed him to the hospital. After eighteen hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital. When Max went to see Jerry he has still not recovered completely. When he asked him, how he was, Jerry replied… "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Want to see my scars?" Max refrained from seeing his scars, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place?"
"The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door"… said Jerry…. "then after they shot me and I lay on the floor, I remembered, I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live."
"Weren't you scared?" Max asked. Jerry continued..."The paramedics were great. The doctors kept telling me I was going to be fine, but as they wheeled me into the emergency room, I saw the expression on the faces of the doctors and nurses. I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, I was a dead man! I knew I needed to take action."
"What did you do?"…Max asked. "Well there was a nurse shouting questions at me," said Jerry….. "She asked, if I was allergic to anything?" "Yes"… I said. The doctors and the nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled.... "Bullets!" Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Please operate on me as if I am alive, not dead." Jerry lived, thanks to the skills of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude.

Everyday you have a choice to make that is completely yours…no one has control to take from you your attitude, if you can take care of that, everything else in life changes, indeed, for the better. Now you have two choices! You can ignore this message or you can learn from it values. It's your life…either you choose to love your life or hate it! The choice is yours…you choose!

Nam the Price

2007-12-16T11:21:00.000-08:00

Author: Anoir Pudin
Country: France

The phoenix is an apt symbol for Vietnam, it signifies beauty and a gutsy determination to rise above the devastating effects of a long, drawn out war.

“Two dollar, two dollar,” the voice is like a singsong pleading. “OK! one dollar! One dollar, OK?” The T-shirts jiggle encouragingly in front of my eyes.

“Why you no buy from me?” Her eyes, shaded by the ubiquitous non, that conical bamboo hat worn everywhere here in Vietnam, become mock-angry, her lip drawing down into pout.

She wants to sell me a T-shirt, five sizes smaller than my own, in a style that I would never wear, and a color and pattern I dislike but she just cannot understand why I am resisting her sales pitch.

“Two dollars,” she insists, “I give you two. Very ‘sheap’.” Neither she nor any of her colleagues touting nons, postcards, or Lonely Planet guides to Vietnam can understand the Western mind. If the price is right, how can you NOT buy?

These vendors do it tough. One chased us for blocks offering just two items: a zip down cabin bag and a green and yellow nylon hammock. I hated both and tried to make this clear to him – kindly – but materialized at every turn, ever hopeful.

You have to admire these people who just a few decades ago lost millions in the war. The Vietnamese revere the phoenix, and its shape appears on many pictures and designs. They say it symbolizes beauty – particularly womanly beauty. To us, it also speaks of rising from destruction, resilience and gutsy determination. This war-torn country embraces both.

The beauty of course lies everywhere: in elegant handicrafts and fashion, the flowing lines of the so-called ao dai, the national dress, magnificent galleries filled with paintings and craft, and the women themselves, slender and dignified.

The re-growth is apparent too, from the modern glass and concrete buildings to schools spilling out white uniformed youngsters at the end of either the morning or afternoon classes.

There are glitches of course, inevitable in a country grappling with the modernity, playing catch-up with the Western world. It was only in 1994 that the US lifted its trade embargo and there is much lost ground to make up for.

Traffic in this city with population of eight million is horrendous too. Thousands of motorbikes and bicycles and the odd car or truck or bus interweave as if practicing of a demolition derby. You have to have nerves of steel to cross through all of this.

“Just walk slowly,” I am told. “They will work their way around you.” Of course they do, and I discover yet another metaphor for this surprising country.
Vietnam may appear a little chaotic, but this is sense to it and the locals know what they are doing. Slowly, steadily it’s coming together, and I was happy to have seen it at this point before cars replace motor cycles, before the effects of the Western world dull its authenticity, and while there is still time to haggle with these street vendors and maybe come away with a deal that suits us.

Attention all members

2007-12-02T11:09:00.001-08:00

We at A2I are pleased to announce that we are now proud partners with the United Youth Committee For the World (UYCW for short). An email was sent out a week ago announcing the offer for partnership we received from Mr. Harris, a representative of UYCW, requesting the vote from our members regarding the same.

Some members voiced certain concerns about the organisation and how much of time and resources will be required from A2I and rest assured that the organisation is a very promising one, full of opportunities and is very dynamic in its approach towards its goals. After the relevant clarifications were made the vote ended with a majority being in favour of accepting the offer for partnership.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank one and all for their vote and also thank Mr. Harris who was kind enough to make this offer to us. We look forward to a long term and mutually beneficial partnership with UYCW.

World AIDS day- Compulsory licensing and HIV, a perspective

2007-12-02T10:47:00.000-08:00

Author : Ashok Murthy
Country : India
Age : 18 years

The first of december symbolises the fight against one of the most symbolic threats to human society. In a new study, the number of HIV+ youth has increased considerably in the United States of America and also in Europe. At the centre of the fight against HIV AIDS lies the fundamental hurdle of patent protected medicines needed for Anti retrovial treatment required to help HIV affected patients. This issue is discussed summarily as under.

1.Patents
To put it in simple words, a patent is a contract between the government and the inventor of a new medicine and to benefit our case, we shall assume it to be a pharmaceutical company. The terms and conditions of the contract are quite simple. The pharmaceutical company comes up with an innovative new drug and reveals the background and other details of this new drug to the government and lists out all the innovative characteristics of the drug. The government analyses the description given by the company and conducts investigation on its own. Finally the government awards a monoply to the inventor (company) over all the new innovative aspects of the drug. Except that particular company, it would be illegal for other companies to manufacture or sell this particular drug without a license from the monoply holder or the patent holder.

This may at the outset seem ridiculously unreasonable. But at the end of the day pharmaceutical companies will not invest into R&D to come up with new drugs unless they have an incentive to do so. The incentive is the patent protection and the accompanying monoply. With the signing of the Trade related aspects of intellectual property agreement (TRIPS for short), practically every nation's patent system essentially runs on the same model.

The Issue
Monoply means the drugs are very highly priced. At the same time with increasing number of HIV patients, these patented medicines are needed and are needed cheap. So the government excercises an option under the TRIPS called compulsory licensing. In other words it orders the patent holder (the pharmaceutical company) to compulsoraily allow other companies to manufacture and sell the generic versions of the drug to reduce prices and ensure that everyone has access to the drug at cheap prices.

Thailand and Indonesia have both excercised the option of compulsory licensing lately and South Africa has done it too. Although this is a good option, there is one very serious potential consequence from such actions. The pharmaceutical companies undertake efforts to come out with the new drug only because they can enjoy the monoply.

If it will become certain that these drugs will have to be forcefully licensed out, they may not reveal the details of the drug to the government at all. Instead they may prefer to maintain it as a trade secret which would virtually wipe out any chances of compulsory licensing and easy access to healthcare. Alternatively the company may not bother coming up with new and innovative drugs at all.

The need of the hour is to review the entire concept of patent laws and other Intellectual Property Laws. The present IPR laws take their basis from principles and theories that date back to as early as the 15th and the 16th century. Times have changed and it is important that the law changes too. The concept of awarding monoply as an incentive for inventors to disclose their invention is an age old practise that does not quite fit modern day needs especially in the context of drugs required for Anti Retrovial treatment.

Conclusion
On this world AIDS day, while fighting discrimination against HIV patients should indeed be a top priority, considerable discussion, debate and thoughts must be given to the economics involved behind HIV AIDS related drugs to ensure that both the pharmaceutical companies as well as the HIV affected people are benefitted.

What can we hope for now?

2007-11-18T01:16:00.000-08:00

Author: Victoria Maravi
Country: Peru

Growth and personal commodities have become a symbol for ultimate happiness for our society in general. Our generation has been raised with a consumerist ideology with which most of us can only think about growing, whether in regards of age, financial success, house size or any other material possessions. Many teens nowadays can recognise thousands of major labels in the media but only a few plant and animal species in the world. Clearly contradictory, right?

I can tell you that we are endangering our species every minute due to the careless attitude we have towards our environment and the next minute be complaining about how I cannot find a date for my prom party. On a more external note, when I went to the cinema to match “An Inconvenient Truth”, Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie about climate change, I went to the fanciest district here and, supposedly, the one that should show more concern to issues of that sort. It had premiered the day before and only eight people were there. It is funny, but also humiliating as it shows people’s indifference to global problems.

We are being raised with a dual and selfish attitude that reveals a flaw in the apparent master plan we call “human development”. What can we do to change the level of awareness of the people around us? Can we hope for a peaceful, non-pollutant world instead of a flee to space a few years from now due to excessive radioactivity on our Earth for wars? I certainly hope to at least have a decent generation that is not so interested in money and is concerned about external problems around the world.

And maybe climate change is not the most risky issue nowadays. Maybe it is poverty and lack of quality education that forces the vast majority of the world population to not know a thing about global warming or anything more than the house they live in. I am clueless on what I should do now to address this, but maybe you can think of some good ideas –ideas we as young people can take– on how to tackle the situation. That way we can inspire the world to change.

A message that must be conveyed

2007-11-18T01:03:00.000-08:00

Author: Saiqua Rahaman
Country: India

This is an incredible piece of message I would like to share with you and wish that you make the most of this wonderful message....

It was a sports stadium. Eight Children were standing on the track to participate in the running event. * Ready! * Steady! * Bang!!! With the sound of Toy pistol, all eight girls started running. Hardly have they covered ten to fifteen steps, one of the smaller girls slipped and fell down, due to bruises and pain she started crying. When the other seven girls heard her cries, they stopped running, stood for a while and turned back, they all ran back to the place where the girl fell down. One among them bent, picked and kissed the girl gently and enquired 'Now pain must have reduced?' All seven girls lifted the fallen girl, pacified her, two of them held the girl firmly and they all, the seven of them, joined hands and walked together to reach the winning post.

Officials were shocked. Clapping of thousands of spectators filled the stadium. Many eyes were filled with tears and perhaps it had reached GOD even! YES! This happened in Hyderabad . The sport was conducted by National Institute of Mental Health. All these special girls had come to participate in this event and they are spastic children. Yes, they were mentally retarded. What did they teach this world? Teamwork? Humanity? Equality among all?????

Successful people help others who are slow in learning so that they don't feel far behind.

Corporal Punishment at school- A First hand experience

2007-11-04T02:46:00.000-08:00

Author: Ashok Murthy
Country: India

“Spare the rod and spoil the child”, how many million times did our society use this popular quotation to justify the beating up for a poor, unarmed and dependent tiny kid, all in the name of discipline.

Going to school was never an enjoyable experience for me. I attended only two days of lower kindergarten class and didn’t write an exam to pass. This was how my first year was spent.

The experience started in the Upper Kindergarten class. As a rule, whenever a child spoke or whenever the class was noisy, it used to first start with making us stand on the bench and hold up our hands. While we stood in this position, holding both hands straight up, the teacher patiently went about doing her work. After two hours of painful standing, the teacher issued the command to lower our hands. We all breathed a sigh of relief. Then she asked us to fold our palms and make a knuckle out of it and hold out straight out horizontally. She grabbed a wooden cane and with utmost care and precision went about whipping our knuckles with the wooden cane, two whips per person. If one tried to retract, it would be four whips. At the end of the day it was going home with bruised knuckles. From my part, I used to end up crying almost all the time while going to school in the morning and while coming back from school in the afternoon.

During my course at that school, punishment most commonly involved hitting the student with wooden scales, canes and in other cases making the student take off his shirt and sit on the cold cement floor.

In high school, it involved kneeling down on rough surfaces and walking for twenty minutes or more holding the ears with both the hands for talking in the line, not polishing one’s shoes or for not having a hair cut. The physical training teachers often used to kick us if we couldn’t march like seasoned armymen. One of my classmates almost lost his hearing because of one misguided cane hitting him on the ear instead of the ribs.

Under the circumstances it was but natural for me to not want to go to school. This was usually met by ridicule by family members saying I was too pampered because my own parents never laid a hand on me.

More often than not, if a victim of the beating was consoled by some other classmate, that particular classmate would be singled out at the end of the hour and beaten up again. During PUC (11th and 12th) it was less beating up and more humiliation. Genuinely sick people used to be called liars for coughing and we used to get a whack on our heads by the disciplinary co-ordinator if we were found talking to our classmates during free hours.

From my part, I felt the most pure and genuine hatred for those teachers who indulged in this act. In instances I would fantasize beating them back until they turned blue. While this thought brought a smile on my face, while I was still in the line during P.T class, it followed up with a beating. That is right, we got hit even for smiling.

The effects, well, during my primary school days, my confidence took a serious hit and I was very quiet and hardly talked to people. For most part, I was frustrated because being so small and tiny and unarmed, I couldn’t do anything. But mostly it was anger and hatred.

Today if any child were to face what I or my elder brother had to face, I would not bother talking to the concerned lecturer or teacher. I would end up at the college with a legal notice and take the teachers to the court.

The common mistakes parents of such victims make is that they don't even confront the concerned teacher. It is normally the fear that subsequent to the confrontation, their child will be singled out unnecessarily. In the process several other children end up facing the same treatment.

Edmund Burke once remarked that all it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. Generations have had to deal with physical abuse at school and in many instances, children have dropped out of school because of the fear of such teachers.

Some of the recent events have included a teacher gouging out a student’s eyes with a pen for not doing his homework, a boy being beaten unconscious for talking during class and a girl being forced to strip in class for not doing her homework. While teachers once symbolised guides and parents outside the home, today they are more commonly associated with unruly and uncivilised actions. While literacy is our country’s top priority, such teachers often are a detriment to the cause of education and act more in contravention of the rules than in imbibing a sense of responsibility to the students. Let us not encourage such people by staying quiet. If your child or your ward is a subject of such abuse, at least be responsible enough to take action and lodge a complaint. You could prevent another student from losing his eyes for not doing his or her homework. The law supports you, exercise your rights and help save a childhood.

Conquer the world

2007-11-04T02:39:00.000-08:00

Author: Waed Sweilmyeen
Country: Jordan

On top of the world, like nothing is missing….
You think you have it all….
You have done the impossible….
Yet you can't let go of me….
You keep running back to me….
No matter how far you go, I am the home you long to see….

You are sad, angry, frustrated but when I am at your finger tips every thing changes….
You blow the sadness, the anger, the frustration into me….

You are happy, thrilled, almost floating….
Almost!
But when I am at your finger tips this changes….
You think you are truly, completely floating.

I am a part of your experience, a part of every thing you do and feel!!

You are a conqueror!
You think you are… You think you conquered the world.
But you keep forgetting that I conquer the conqueror within you….

I, the thin wrapped paper of tobacco, conquered most of you, surprisingly with your consent; you so called strong conquerors…

A cigarette forced so many to follow it no matter what….
It is time for those "so many" to get rid of the pack and restore authority over themselves once again….

Poverty

2007-10-21T03:41:00.000-07:00

Author: Joshua Dinakar
Country: India

“Money is root of all evils”. If you agree with this proverb then you also have to agree with George Bernard Shaw who said that “Lack of money is root of all the evils.”
Poverty is the main contributor of all sorts of evils like crime, prostitution, hunger, etc. But where does poverty come from? Who is responsible for poverty? Is there an invisible poverty factory?

Answering these questions would be very difficult and complex. Some were born in poverty, many live with it and die with it….Some like the rich don't know what is poverty and middle class are equidistant to poverty line but they keep on struggling to maintain balance between rich and poor. Some think it is their fate to born Poor. Some think poverty is a curse on them. There many factors which lead to poverty. Blaming government for failure of implementing plans would be one of the factors. People are always blaming their circumstances or others (government) for their poverty. Let’s leave the job of debating Economists and concentrate on what we can do to eradicate poverty. Not as country or government…But, as individual how can we eradicate poverty?

If you think that the world has the wealth and means to end poverty. It is surprising to know that the three richest men in the world are wealthier than the 48 poorest countries combined. Suppose if these three richest men would distribute their wealth to poor countries things would be different.
My question is that why do we always have to think that rich people has to help the poor? Why can’t we? Instead of pointing others or shrugging our shoulders we need to change. There should be change in our attitude and our thinking. The only person you can really correct and change is yourself and not others.

Just think once, how many times we might have ignored poor when have enough money in our pocket to help them? My question is why we don’t feel that it’s our responsibility to help and uplift the poor. But, instead we think it is others duty / job. We need to have heart for poor and help them personally. We can be held responsible for creating yet another criminal if we wait for the government or others to help the poor, rather we need to go in forefront and help the poor.

Poverty cannot be eradicated if we close our fists with an unwillin heart to help. Rather we need to open our hearts to receive the poor and help them handfully. It doesn’t matter how much money you have to help the poor. But, what matters is your heart and willingness to help, though you may have a little more than them. Your help may not be counted as great philanthropist but it can bring some change in lives of poor.
"Don't wait. The time will never be just right." There is nothing like right time or people to help, what matters the most is your sensitivity towards the poor. In poverty many people die physically and spiritually. And if you are insensitive to the poor there is even greater disease than leprosy in you. So, be first to help the poor and don’t wait for anybody. You can eradicate poverty not fully but to an extent. And if everybody join their hands helping poor individually there will be no poverty and no crimes / evils. I can mark that day as “great day” on News papers when there would be nothing listed on crimes, thefts, rapes, murders, kidnaps, wars. We can look forward to that day when there is end to poverty.
If poverty is root of all evils then let’s put an end to poverty which is source of all evils. With an end to poverty we can experience heaven on earth and divine peace.

Confessions

2007-10-21T03:10:00.000-07:00

Author: Huda Al Zubaidy
Country: Oman

I used to be careless about issues that are highly important and I used to not care about what is happening to the world and I'm not saying that now I'm a true activist or an activist at all!
But if I stayed the way I was, then I would make fun of activists and those who care and I would probably say: "Why should I care? I'm too young! and I have many problems of my own"
I used to feel while viewing websites about changing the world that it's not the thing for me but for those who are actually making a difference, but then I came to the conclusion that it is a place for all people who are interested in making a difference no matter who you are, and what matters is that you care!

I admit that I may not be making the greatest change in this world, but at least I care. People sometimes forget that there are people who are unfortunate and don't have the money to have a decent life.
Some don't even know how many people who are living in terrible situations.
Knowing that you care, donating a small amount of money, smiling to someone, being optimistic or just saying your opinion and be heard and those small things will make a difference.
If people did one of those things, then we'd have hope to change this world.
We do need someone in every society to have the activist spirit in him/her and I'm sure people will join and help. I believe that we are born good, we just have to find our path in life and make it straight.
It is a sin to pretend that we're deaf or blind when we know what is happening out there, we all have ears and eyes, still some of us act like they're helpless and say that the solution is in the power of the government!
And if you cried, to make your conscience relieved and carried on with your life, it won't change a thing, you just lost few tears which won't mean a thing if you didn't at least try to do something.
It's sad to know that some people (including children), sleep and think that no one cares about them and maybe they won't lose hope, that someone cares out there in that world, but they won't know that you care unless you act and even in that small attempt, it can make some happy, so the fact that some people think that they're alone in this world, and they live situations that can't even be described, makes the toughest hearts soften a bit.

So now I'm not ashamed of caring about this, it's those people who don't care who should be ashamed of themselves.
I know a lot of people who care, and who are involved, and I just want to say that we need more people like them, because they're leading us all to a better world, so we all need to take their lead and do what is in our power.

AIDS: Why does it still exist in Developed Countries?

2007-10-07T02:17:00.000-07:00

Author: Haris Stavridis
Country: Greece

As we all know, AIDS is a disease caused by the virus HIV. I am sure, that you are informed about the causes of AIDS, what AIDS does and so on. I don't want to write a tiring article, so I am not going to refer to the causes and the results of AIDS. But, I want you to consider this, why do we still have victims in Developed Countries?

In Developed Countries, many -non governmental- organizations and many governmental ones spend a lot of money in informing people, especially the youth, about this Disease. They publish books, design brochures, organize seminars and even give free condoms! Unfortunately, Aids does still exist in those countries and the number of infected people is steadly increasing.

Some of them say that sex withought condom is better and some others believe that their partner is a non-infected person.
These are two reasons that cause many many people to infected by the virus. When you have sex with someone else you don't know whether he or she had plenty relationships in the past or whether he or she is a carrier of HIV. When you don't take precautions, you are in danger, I believe that's true.

Are we so foolish? Are people so clueless? With all the awareness campaigns that are held to spread awareness about AIDS, the numbers of infected people is still increasing.
Scientist know about what's going on, they have many statistics. But we don't care. That's the harsh reality. We belive that this is not going to happen to us or to the one we love.
I don't want to terrify you, I just want to know why don't we care about ourselves, and if we do, why don't we care about the others around us?
What more can we do?
Please, when you are alone at home, sit down and think of these questions, try to find answers. I've tried to find answers, but I couldn't.

Wait a minute-I have a face?

2007-10-07T02:04:00.000-07:00

Author: Amy de Salvo
Country: Ireland

My friends and I have recently noticed that no matter where we go, there has been almost always some crude comment made about us, by young boys to men who are ten years older than us. My friends are usually happy to let it float over their heads, and ignore it, but it feels like I'm betraying myself and what my true feelings are if I don't turn and ask them "Do you have something to say to me?" and send them into a ripple of shock that I can speak up for myself. The most recent case that we have been subjected to was from children, ranging from five to ten, shouting "hey hotties," and wolf whistling at us-it is like we're robots without feelings, without a care what people like them say to us. I turned on my heel, it was as if for the first time they had noticed I had a face.
The boy who had evidently said this to me, was immediatly frightened and stammered something about him not saying it, that it was his friend. I shook my head and walked off, I didn't need to say anything. It wasn't that they had called at me like that, it was that people think it's socially acceptable. That people can shout from their cars at young girls, they think that it's okay for people to do that. It's like we have no face, no personailty, that we are just walking dolls or something.
I don't really care about men ten years older than me yelling at me in the streets, it shows their poor upbringing and lack of manners, but it frightens me to think that young children are starting to do the exact same, like a ripple effect, it's cool if their brothers do it right?
I've always been told it's because they like you, that they do this, but I personally think it's for attention, maybe I shouldn't give it to them by turning to ask them what they wanted, but it's something that I get pleasure out of to see the look on their face, the look that reads something along the lines of "Oh my god, bad idea," I think that it should be reinforced everywhere, that you turn and ask what they want, it shocks them that maybe, just maybe you have a brain and have a life other than them shouting at you.
The last thing is, I think that any male who shouts at a woman should know that it doesn't make us like you, it doesn't make you look great in front of your friends and it most definitly doesn't make you more eligible to date. It just upsets people, like my friends and I, who are just trying to do what you're doing, calling to see if a friend can come outside, buying a chocolate bar or renting a video. I resent the difference between a male going out with their friends and a girl going out with their friends, it's not fair that we have to put up with wolf-whistles and not many of them do. I Can't wait until the day that I can go somewhere without being shouted at by children or older teens who just haven't grown up.

Earthquake in Peru

2007-09-23T02:31:00.000-07:00

Author: Victoria Maravi
Country: Peru

On Wednesday 15th August, the Peruvian cities of Ica, Chincha and Pisco were hit by a tremendous 7.9 - magnitude earthquake that lasted more than two minutes and killed more than 500 people.

The earthquake’s massiveness even reached the capital city of Lima, just when I had been alone at a friend’s house doing homework, but the impact was far less severe than on the southern cities. Many aftershocks kept coming on Thursday and Friday while people there tried to rescue others from the ruins and take them to the semi-collapsed hospitals that till now are full and cannot attend all the people necessary.

There were men buried in demolished churches, agonising in their shattered houses and sick ones that were left on the streets in these cold winter days due to lack of infrastructure shocked not only citizens of Lima, but people from all over the world. The UN sent at least $1 million and other international organisations shared some amount of money for our case. An infinite amount of supplies was sent daily since Friday 17th to help them, especially with winter clothes, tuna fish and milk cartons.

I have heard stories of citizens being afraid of going to buy food alone due to the possibility of their neighbours stealing their supplies, and even the mayor keeping all the charity surplus and not organising it adequately.

However, there have also been stories of minor heroes rescuing children from the ruins and paying for their medicine in hospitals, and almost everyone in Lima has given some of their material possessions to their Southern brothers, I believe. This has caught my interest, indeed. I cannot say that I am the most patriotic lady you will ever meet because, honestly, I do not like it here; I even preferred to read BBC News about the earthquake instead of a Peruvian newspaper. Still, these acts of unity that have been caused by this devastating natural accident have given me hope. I remember the poem “Mass”, written by Peruvian poet César Vallejo, that says the following:

“...Twenty, a hundred, a thousand, five hundred
thousand ran up to him, crying out:
'So much love and no way of countering death!’
But the corpse, alas! went on dying.

Millions of individuals stood round him,
with a common plea: ‘Stay here brother!’
But the corpse, alas! went on dying.

Then all the men on earth stood round him;
the sad corpse saw them, with emotion;
he got up slowly, embraced the first man;
began to walk…”

Ica, Pisco and Chincha have been this corpse. They have began to walk again, step by step, with the help of people from all around the world. We are a mass –as a matter of fact, the mass Vallejo writes about– and, although some may try, we cannot create acts of solidarity individually; we need all the men on earth. I believe the Communist Manifesto wanted to reflect this global comradeship that could provide our population with never-ending strength (of course, I am not saying that I am a Communist or that I support everything the Manifesto states).

To conclude with this article I must say that, even though many people have passed away, their deaths have brought unity to this conflictive world, and I celebrate that with a smile.

Image credit: www.bbc.co.uk

Freedom of Speech

2007-09-23T02:14:00.000-07:00

Author: Zach Komes
Country: USA

"In a free state, tongues too should be free." ~Erasmus (1516)
Freedom of Speech is a heavily debated topic, which Erasmus says best. But what exactly does 'free' mean?
On dictionary.com, there are 49 definitions of the word. The simplest way to describe it is “able to do something at will”.
Freedom of Speech is a complex subject, and I hope I’ll make you think about your own opinion on it.

Until the 1980s, when the internet started getting popular, freedom of speech was simply 'expressing oneself’s opinion'. But when every person on the planet had access to articluate, the government starts to frenzy.
Shouldn’t there be rules on what you can and can’t do?
That’s exactly what they wanted. They wanted to limit what the public had access to, to read what everyone was saying, and even hurt people who had different views than the government itself.

Freedom of speech is one of the rights people died, and die, for today. In China, journalist Shi Tao remains in prison for sharing information with a U.S.-based website using his Yahoo! Email account. With information supplied to government authorities by Yahoo!, Shi Tao was convicted and received a ten-year sentence. Nguyen Vu Binh was jailed in Vietnam in 2002 for writing and posting articles about democracy on the Internet and campaigning for human rights. Even prominent heroes like Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela were all jailed because they stood up for what they believed in.

In my opinion, Freedom of Speech is something everyone on earth should have access to. I think there should not be any rules about it except one; you should not hurt anyone with a different opinion than your's.

But what can we do to make sure that our Freedom of Speech rights are not violated?
Keep blogging your ideas on human rights and other global issues. You can also support Amnesty International. Make sure to visit EFF.org, a campaign to secure our digital rights. At the website, you can join the Blue Ribbon Campaign, a campaign to supports blogger rights. I hope you’ll continue to think about others, and support the idea of the freedom of expression.

“Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too.” ~Voltaire

Image Credit: www.fontcraft.com
Sources: Wikipedia, Dictionary.com, Quote Garden, Amnesty International, and EFF.org

A small change , A big difference !

2007-09-08T12:30:00.000-07:00

Author : Noor Al Zubaidy
Location: Oman
We've never been so many, and we've never been so alone

These words were screaming in my head as our car passed a lady who was walking on the road. First, I only managed to take a glance at her. Her looks were casual and I wouldn't have looked at her twice but since I had nothing else to do, I watched her as she walked by us. Surprisingly she was wiping her tears away steadily. She was crying, and she was in solitude. From then I lost sight of her. I don't wish to begin speculating reasons that would make her cry so helplessly. There must be a lot of other people like her. It just made me think, why didn't she have a comforting shoulder to lean on? And why is there a strong feeling within that what I saw wasn't something unusual? Maybe there are a lot of cases similar to the one I saw. Crying might be a common method.
I wanted to do something to comfort her. Alas, I couldn't.
What if she needed to pour her heart out with tears, she felt she needed to get rid of something sad for good? Here I am falling for my speculations. Since I started, what if the only thing she needed was someone to be there for her? Her son? Her daughter? Her husband? What if she had none? What if there was no one that could stand by her side? Then what?
I will let this matter rest, I can continue guessing reasons, I know deep down inside it won't change a thing. I have one firm belief on this. It'd have made all the difference in the world if she had someone by her side at that moment. What we need is just to try and truly listen to others. Sometimes we feel that we can't afford to hear about more problems that others have. We have enough of our own. Try it one time though, mostly people only seek someone to care and to listen. They don't need you to solve their problems. They could figure out the solution to their problems by just telling them to you. They might feel hope. They might be happy that although their problem is not gone, they do indeed have someone who cares.
If you could accomplish such a thing, you've made a difference. There's just one last thing, is it that hard to do something to change the world we live in?
You decide the answer to that question.

One single smile, a helping hand, It's not that hard to be a friend

Understand, Comprehend, Analyse and Act....

2007-09-08T12:27:00.000-07:00

Author : Ashok Murthy
Location : India

It is the 9th of September, 2007. We are seven years into the current millennium. This is the age of science, where logic and sensibility determines the credibility of people. Yet in the face of such theoretical perception of the 21st century, lies a reality that is quite amusing, yet worrying none the less.

A couple of weeks back, in a well known mosque in south Asia. Hundreds of people under the leadership of a disillusioned religious head, who was known for his support for the Taliban, refused to surrender to that country’s army even after repeated warnings. In the end, hundreds of lives of policemen as well as those people who had refused to surrender were lost. One man’s continued support for the forces of tyranny and oppression and his utter lack of concern for human life, brought death to hundreds of lives, only because these people trusted him.

In another part of south Asia, a holy man has exploited generations of women of various families, married and unmarried with their express consent, while these women think that they are blessed for being subjected to the exploitation. A married 21 year old woman would have been one more victim, had she not detected that her own mother-in-law was leading her into a trap when she was asked to spend some at the holy man's ashram. The mother-in-law was a willing victim herself and was only happy to be in the divine service of this holy man.

Both the cases presented above are as real as they can get. Who do we blame? These cases are not in isolation but only the tip of the ice berg.

People like that religious head and the holy man are guilty but not in entirety. Throughout the course of history, they have capitalised on some people’s contempt for logic, rationale and self respect. Words are not enough to describe, how unfortunate our society is, which continues to place forces unseen and unheard, only preached about by such exploiters, above their own sense of logic, rationale, sensibility and self confidence.

A terrorist promises to end the deaths by his organisations if Americans converted to his religion. If this sounds disillusioned, roughly 200,000 people or more are ready to blow themselves up in the service of this intelligent man.

Let us not allow these insults to human intellect continue. We are biological beings capable of drawing distinctions between good and evil, gifted with a brain whose abilities transcend beyond the scope of the term extraordinary. We are blessed with intellects far superior than any other beings known to us. Let us not allow others from the same species make a mockery of the spiritual, analytical and logical intellect which we hold as our positive trait. Let us not allow people to exploit those whose innocence is a good quality and not a medium for exploitation. Let us not be a party to the evil deeds of these people. Let us understand, comprehend, analyse and act.

Life, learning and evolving

2007-08-25T13:31:00.000-07:00

Author: Laura Kerol Fernandez
Country: Spain

God, I don’t even know where to begin from.
I think no matter what you have to go through, life is a gift. We have to be thankful we’re here, being a part of this world. We always take everything for granted, and that’s not good. There were moments of my life when I’ve asked myself if I really am a part of this existence, this reality. Sometimes I start thinking how wonderful life is, and about the two faces of the world.
We could say that the world is divided in two parts: the one that’s beautiful, good, intense, the one that makes you feel alive and make you love life (surrounded by nature, living creatures, the blue sky, the beach, the mountains, etc…).
But then there’s the unfair, tragic, violent, unbalanced, mad part. The best of everything is that we are a part of these two sides, more of the second side. If people wanted it enough, there wouldn’t be violence, war, murder, poverty. But we want all of this, we have chosen it.
Better said, we’re not part of that second side, it is a part of us. Now I think we all have, within us, the same nature, we’re all created the same way. But as time goes on, we grow up and create ourselves in a world that was not planned at all, and that is changing us completely: if things go on this way, every next generation will become more violent, alone, with lower ideals, desires and dreams, without personality.
That’s why every time I see things clearer, like we’re going the wrong direction. But how to stop it? People of this century only want to make money and invent more and more material things. From a human point of view, people evolve, the human race evolve. Evolve in the sense of creating new things that make our lives more comfortable and make what we have less boring. What would happen if we enjoyed what the world is offering us without having the necessity of creating more and more? Maybe everything would be better, but then we can't say that “men” have evolved. We would ask ourselves: what have “ men “ evolved in? I guess creating things to cover the main necessities, we have reached that limit and we haven’t learned how to say “no, I’m taking what I have because I’m happy with it. I don’t need anything else.” I guess we’ve started a circle that won't let us even speculate the end of all of this.
We’re destroying nature and the environment. That’s already a bad sign, isn’t it? A sign that something is not going like it’s supposed to. That we have to fix some things. But how? People don’t know how to stop anymore. We’ve reached a point where it is almost impossible to go back. And most people don’t realize a thing about it. There’s some who do. At the same time, I’m even impressed that there are so many good people who care about the world with so many good purposes and concerns about our heath and humanity.
How will we do it to rebuild all that the human race has destroyed?
No, life wouldn’t be boring if we’d be satisfied with what we have. Everybody would be the way they want to be, and we’d have different ideals for life. We would help each other and people would be more focused on their lives and be happy instead of worrying so much that they're the only people who are trying to save the world. We would be the same, but without violence, destruction and modernity that makes people forget the values of their lives. Values that we're all born with, but are forgotten on the way as a consequence of the place that we live in.

Secularism... Solution or revolution?

2007-08-25T13:19:00.000-07:00

Author: Abdul Rahman Ahmad
Country: Egypt

It would seem weird amongst all the political issues in which we are stuck in nowadays, both globally and locally, if someone bombed an issue called "Secularism"!
For me I don't like to call it that way, I like calling it: "Self-independence", and by "Self" I mean everything related to everybody's character, personal guarantees, Religion and nationality...
Before going further with this issue, I am a Muslim and I am proud to be one!
I am just thinking of what is the reason behind me being a Muslim!
The answer is simply because my parents are Muslims but why are my parents so? Because my grand father was so, and so on to the level that I find all humans running in a circle called "Following and followers"!
We did not choose to be ourselves; the fact keeps going through my mind!

There are restricted areas and issues that we should not speak of and why?? Not to be called "weird" or to be rejected by others.
What I am saying is: I did not choose to be Muslim just like He did not choose to be Christian although we both think that our religion is the best, and our messenger is the greatest of all! Weird, isn't it?
To me it is not opening one's mind to differences.
Neither Muslims go to churches to know truly about Coptic nor do Christians go to mosques to know about Islam and Jews do not go to either place to know about either one of both religions!
We just see each other's religion by our eyes and our perspectives, not by the other's eyes!
What I have to say that we, as youth, have to raise our voices, we do not have to be followers!

I wanted to call this "followers......No more" but I thought the title was into the point!
This is a concept I already have; I do not believe at all that our religion should be stamped on our IDs unless we have a total knowledge and awareness of this religion and only when we choose this religion as our way with complete content and pride!!
Every one of us has to have this concept: "Follower.... No more" not only in religion but in our school, home, etc... We have to choose our way in everything even if it involved restricted areas!!

It comes from the heart ....

2007-08-11T13:34:00.000-07:00

Author : Maryam Zanjir
Location: UAE

From the heart, comes love. When we love, all we do, is we try to keep that love.
When you love your family or friends, you help them through their hard times and try to bring them what they need
But did you know that starting with your heart you can take the first step towards a world without poverty?
It is simple, we only need to love.
How about that?
If we love poor homeless ones, a "will" will be born to keep this love, protect it and to answer to those you love, since you love those poor lost homeless ones, do what is within your power to help them and answer their hopes and crisis…

Help them get out of grief and bring their smiles back….
Stop their tears, make them happy and glad…
End their fears; reclaim what belongs to them ….
And if there is a will, there is a way!
Food can reach every human being in this world.
Yes we can make a change! First, we need to change our selves, we need to share and give others a little bit of what we have.

We still feel like helping, sharing, equality, peace, altruism and giving. What has been planted in us since childhood go away! Seeds of change are there in your heart, they only need sun and care! In our hearts, there is place for those whom we love, but why not to add a place for the other world, for poor lost homeless children and people?!
Today we are living and working, tomorrow it is our children! The sun will keep on shining day by day. This fact can not be changed. The dream to stop hunger in all nations will never die.
Look at our world, we once changed it to the worse. So let us change it back… to the better this time …
Let us promise to change our world and end poverty.
The will is in our hearts, no rock of nature can crash it.
It is easy to be wise after it is late, but what is the use?
It is time we were wise before it was too late!!
Everything is as clear as sunlight!

Each day when the sun rises, it shines on two different worlds; your world and the poor needy one’s world.
On one earth.
We all belong to one land.
We all belong to one man.
We are equal! Are we not?!
All dreams of a better future!
A future where nations are united as one.
A future where every one is happy!
A future that gives every child childhood!
A future that has a place for peace, love and freedom.
To have the future that we long for, let’s realize we must unite as one, and work to achieve it. Let's believe that we can change the world and make poverty history.
http://www.maroo0ooma.piczo.com/?cr=7&rfm=y

Humane....

2007-08-11T13:29:00.000-07:00

Author:Waed Sweilmyeen
Country:Jordan

Humane!
A word by which we describe medicine and pharmacy! We use this word reluctantly thinking it is not suitable, bellow standards!!!
Dear reader , consider the use of this word again for it is a fact that 30-50 per cent of medications in developing countries are fake, useless precisely!

The trade of such adulterated medications is not new ; however it is the rapid growth of this horrifying trade that made me write…

It is estimated that the profits of this trade will have reached 75 billion US dollars by 2010, a fact that led American researchers to conclude that this epidemic trade is a vicious competitor to this of drugs!

The countries affiliated to this trade the most are the US and China and lately some European countries such as France are joining the league of notorious producers of these toxic "medications"! And it is the developing countries such as Nigeria, Vietnam and many African countries which are affected the most!! It is said that 64% of malaria vaccines in Vietnam lack the active ingredient needed to treat this disease! Another example can be seen in my beloved little country, Jordan, where lately the concerned authorities have discovered the entry of JD 250, 000 worth of such medications! Medications for the treatment of diabetes and cancer precisely! and I feel needless to tell you , dear reader, that diabetics or those suffering of cancerous tumors are in no need of further manipulation with their already ill health!

Targeted medications for adulteration are those expensive, rare ones that need to be prescribed by a doctor such as Hormones and treatments of cancer, neurological disorders , especially in developed countries , infertility at a large scale and recently bird flue!!!!
Such medications are produced either by using low concentrations of the active ingredients , ones below the average concentrations used in the original medications or by using completely different chemicals! Some producers did actually use starch, white cement and chalk powder! Salt and water were used as well for drops and ampoules!

One cannot help but wonder why on earth such thing is done! Let me answer your question, oh curios one!
As I have already mentioned, the victims of this trade are those who live in developing countries and poverty tormented cities! Places where people sustain on practically nothing! Now this "nothing" is supposed to pay for food, clothing, rents, bells, education and health care!
I know that you might be thinking of governmental health insurances for a proper coverage to health care but in such countries such care is really poor and hardly sufficient!
One will stand in line to get to the clinic and then a doctor would prescribe a sort of medication , an imported one, that is not available in the clinic's pharmacy but surprisingly always available outside for considerable prices!!
To a person who works non stop for a living that we hardly think of as opulent, any cheap substitute to the expensive one will do perfectly fine!
And it is in those substitutes that tragedies lie!
Kidney's failure, respiratory problems, strokes, heart attacks, Paralyzation and occasional deaths just because a poor one wanted to save some dimes and a greedy one wanted to collect them!!!

And amidst all this we stand !
Probably ignorant of this heinous practice! All that is being done is having strict laws when it comes to importing medicine , frequent check ups on pharmacies and few unseen attempts to raise awareness in the matter!

It is for awareness that my pen wrote and it is for awareness that I ask you , gracefully , to spread the news! As it might be me, you or any dear beloved of yours that is being literally killed for following a doctor's advice and taking medicine regularly !!

Are you a human?

2007-07-28T23:27:00.000-07:00

Author : Saudamini Deo
Country : India

Human Rights...what are they? There have been and will be many definitions but as we have reached the 70th anniversary of declaration of human rights, we don't need to define the rights---we need to define the term "human"!! What is a human? Is it just a creature evolved into a homo sapiens or a bit more than that...a person living with reasonable dignity and intelligence. As we see that 5th article of the charter of Human rights guarantees that "no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”, we also see that these rights are innate to human but the point here arises that the violation of human rights can be seen by two perspectives

1). If a human right is violated then the person has degraded from being a human! That is because these rights are necessary to live a life of human---so does that mean we can continue the violation?

2).Or, the people with poor background are not taken as humans!

It is very paradoxical but still as far as the logic goes the latter seems the reason.

As the history did and will hold, poverty and human rights cannot go together. Both are contradictory. While human rights make humans and humanity, poverty does exactly the opposite. But ironically, poverty is not an uncommon site, here we may also rethink on poverty, it is not just the lack of economic resources to fulfill your basic needs but also lack of means to achieve economic independence; it is made up of lesser quality of life. Today the picture of the world is very disturbing and turning a deaf ear isn’t going to help. A poor person, as the definition crudely puts, is a person sustaining on less than $1 a day. Less than a dollar a day!!!!! A poor person has to go through a lot of turmoil and, has to tolerate the degradation of his own personality---being humiliated and confronted.

As we have many instances here in the third world countries. How poor people are not aware of their rights, let alone the violation of those. There have been many reported cases of Human rights but the statistics just doesn't present the real picture. It is actually much worse than that. How about having come to be known of a case in Orissa where a woman was imprisoned for 20 years in a cage made for animals. And when she was released she couldn’t behave like humans? And the case of young men of Kashmir who are paid Rs 50 for throwing a hand-grenade and then labeled as terrorists just because they are poor??? This is what is happening...not just here but all over...people are violating human rights without any fear of consequences...they are exploiting poor people--it doesn't harm them---it harms the society, it harms the faith in humanity and it does harm the faith in human rights!

Poverty makes a person incapable of defending his/her rights and again, the world is very cruel; rights are violated of those who cannot defend it. It is a vicious circle! But then again, we, you and I and everyone else can make things better.

Losing faith in humanity and humans is an insult to human rights. Development cannot foster in isolation; education, awareness and the understanding the law of market--demand and supply--has to be there for removal of poverty. Why not we all take on the responsibility of making at least one person know their rights, the human rights and then handing over our duty to them?

One thing we all have to know that the causes that will remove poverty will be the ones that will implement human rights. Let us, as responsible people of a civilised society take it upon us to be a part of this implementation and see to it that our name goes down in history as those who made a difference, as those who aspired to bring a change for the better.

Do we really value our children?

2007-07-28T23:15:00.000-07:00

Author : Sharanya Iyer
Country : India

“Mom, Mom,……… somehow no matter how much I shout it doesn’t quite seem to have any effect. I can’t remember how much time I have spent here. Every effort I make to climb up ends up in vain. There is hardly any space for me to move. I want water more badly than ever. I can barely see the light above. Maybe I should just rest for some time………In a few minutes I will be free from this place and my mother will be hugging me, comforting me and everything will be over……… I smile and close my eyes.....”

“IN A TRAGIC CULMINATION OF A 50-HOUR ORDEAL, A SIX-YEAR-OLD BOY, WHO FELL INTO A BORE WELL WHILE PLAYING AT A VILLAGE 35 KM FROM JAIPUR, WAS PULLED OUT ON FRIDAY NIGHT, BUT WAS LATER DECLARED DEAD.

RESCUERS FROM THE ARMY AND CIVIL ADMINISTRATION PULLED OUT THE BOY SURAJ BANZARA FROM INSIDE A 13-FEET PIECE OF RUSTED IRON PIPE OF EIGHT INCH DIAMETER WHERE HE HAD REMAINED STUCK EVER SINCE FALLING INTO THE BOREWELL IN NIMEEDA VILLAGE ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.”

This piece of news has been among the top stories of every channel here in

India

since last week. People all over our country prayed for the young lad over those two days, but in vain. By the time a parallel bore well could be dug and the boy removed, it was too late.

What is most shocking is that this is not the first incident of children falling into a bore-well. There have been SIX similar cases of death in the year 2007 alone. In spite of repeated incidents the concerned authorities who are in charge of digging the bore well have not learnt any lesson. It is high time that the government take strict action. This is the time to lay some rules and regulations for borewell construction. Bylaws should make it mandatory to fill the hole after the tube well is installed and the owner should be made responsible for it.

Any further loss of such innocent and young lives will only shatter the faith our people have in the Government. Ours being a democratic country, it is the Government’s binding duty to serve its people first and foremost, failing which it loses its very meaning.

Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Indian prime minister saw the children of the country, as future citizens whose guidance and contributions would make India sail through the next century as a superpower and yet it is sad that we have not yet learnt to respect the value of human life-especially when it comes to our children.

In my grandma's living room, there I fell deep in thought…..

2007-07-07T23:51:00.000-07:00

Author : Waed Sweilmyeen,
Country: Jordan..

In my grandmother's living room so many people could be seen all day long…. The old woman loves being visited and I certainly enjoy her whining about how many people visited that day and how they annoyed her with how much they talked though she can't hear properly and a conversation with her means a speech that the entire neighborhood would enjoy and listen to unintentionally!!!

Amongst those visiting that day , were my family and I , my aunt and an Iraqi woman…she wasn't actually a visitor…grandma called her to come ….she wanted the lady to evacuate the apartment she has rented from us because its owner, my uncle, is returning home and he and his family needed their place back……

I was deep in thought , looking at the woman , the cheep night gown she came down wearing , the fact that she is renting the flat with almost 100 dollars a month in this old building….. they all asked her to look for another place to live and they actually made few suggestions….. the woman could only say that she has been looking for over a week now but she couldn't find any…..

I know really well that she might have found many but none as cheap as this one…. Real estates' prices whether bought or rented, here in Amman have gone up dramatically and are still rising especially after the scourge of war broke in Iraq….
Many Iraqis have come to Jordan and those who came are two kinds….there are those simple people who left everything behind and came with nothing but their selves ; on the other hand there are those who stole Iraq and came with loads of money in their bank accounts!!!

The second type people are capable of leading normal lives in the fanciest places in Amman spending millions on real estate and so on whereas the others can barley find jobs though Iraqis are really intelligent, highly educated people, they can barely find houses and no matter how hard they tried to live normally there is still a huge difference between their previous lives and the ones they are trying to lead here with honor and integrity……

As to what could be done….. Legal intervention to ease things is nowhere to be seen…..my country welcomes any one at any time but being a small country with limited resources and a budget of 2 billions or so it can hardly offer anything….. Compared to Palestinian refugees, Iraqis do not have Jordanian citizenship and frankly it is not the government as much as it is other work agencies and relief agencies that look after them …..

I couldn't ask my grandmother to let her son stay on the street nor could I help that woman!!!! But I could only hope that something is done to help all these people as it isn't their fault that some people took benefit of what is going on to gain wealth…
All what we can do is hope and work for a better Iraq and a better future to its people…

Forsaking Innocence- The Strength of Beliefs

2007-07-07T22:28:00.000-07:00

Author : Medha Patki

Country : Canada

Lily stood at the entrance of the forest, her dark eyes glancing fondly at the green canopy, watching the sunlight struggle to penetrate through the leaves. She smiled as wind billowed around her, her dark hair brushed gently as if being caressed. The wind carried innocence with it, its freedom going wherever it wanted to make it feel somewhat like a little child who was careening about without a care in the world. The sweet scent of the river made Lily take deep breaths, appreciating the serenity of it all. The soft sound from the gushing water of the river relaxed her.

“Come here, child,” a melodious voice called out to her.

Lily turned around and smiled warmly at the familiar sight. A small person, about half of Lily’s size, was fluttering around with rainbow wings, not unlike those of butterflies’, flapping slowly. The colours of the wings interwove with each other, the rhythmic movements gave them a radiating effect, and young Lily was almost hypnotized. She walked toward the faerie, smiling excitedly. Although she had seen the faeries plenty a time before, she felt a jolt of excitement rushing through her veins. She was a child, after all.

All of a sudden, gentle breezes blew about, and silent whispers filled the air. It was as though the forest had come to life, and indeed, it had.

Ever since she could walk on her own, Lily visited the woods to run among the grasses, to play with the tame rabbits that ran around and to build ‘houses’ out of twigs. It was there that she found she had a gift. Young as she was, she had an extraordinary gift that gave her many companions, and enough friends to last her a lifetime. The gift she had was the ability to talk to the creatures of the forest, be it the strong, motherly trees, the gentle, swirling winds, or the winding, rippling streams.

The faerie that had beckoned to her was Glyphys, the queen of the rainbow clan. She and her fellow faeries lived in these woods, their woods. They had brought the barren land to life, they told her, thousands of years ago, and had lived in peace for as many years. Their quest to remain undiscovered by the humans was a incessant effort, and they depended on the young girl to keep their secret. As legend stated, the clans each had to have a secret keeper, a young human that still believed in fairy tales, a child that was strong enough to hold the future of the clan in their tiny hands.

And that was how she was chosen. Her innocence shone from her when she first entered the forest. Her strength was shown in her eyes, as she toddled through the well-worn pathways along with her grandfather. Her care for the rabbit that had one leg snapped off by a snare was quite evident, and even though she was only a child, her concern touched the creatures of the forest. It was then the gift was bestowed upon her, through the collective efforts and powers of the faeries. When she returned to the forest the next time, the concern and the innocence was still there, and it assured the clan that they had made the right choice.

As the girl grew, her interest in fairytales grew. Although most girls of her age were now more interested in other things such as boys and shopping and music, she was still invested in her interest, her secret keeping her going. She knew that if she stopped believing, she would lose all her friends, and her days would be filled with boredom. No more stories from the all-knowing trees. No more playing hide-and-seek with the very hard-to-find young animals. All the lessons about the vast forests and everything that grew in them from the young faeries would cease to exist. That was something she was not prepared to deal with yet.

* * *

“Lily, doll, why don’t you go out to the mall? Jessica’s asking for you on the phone,” Her mother suggested once, peeking into her small room. She was drawing again, the same pictures of dense forests and surprisingly vivid drawings of very realistic fairies. The girl shook her head fervently, hands deftly producing what could be a masterpiece. Her mother sorrowfully shook her head as she watched her daughter. She absolutely loved fairies, and the like. Everything in Lily’s room was fairies: her bedspread, her wallpaper, and her clothes. It was borderline obsessive, was what her mother often thought. Why couldn’t her daughter be like other girls and just like to spend money on clothes and be obsessed with music, boys, and celebrities? Why did she have to have the oddest taste and be the laughing stock of the entire neighbourhood?

That night, when her daughter was asleep, Mrs. Blythe and her husband quietly took all of Lily’s fairy related things away, hoping that she would learn to live without it. They had tried talking to her, it hadn’t worked. They had tried introducing her to other hobbies, and that didn’t work either. She refused to give anything else even a single thought.

The next day, Lily woke up to a practically empty room, all her beloved faerie decorations gone. She knew very well that if she lost her innocence – her ability to believe – she could lose her gift, her friends, everything. Constructing an excuse about wanting to collect flowers, she raced to the forest, her heart racing, terrified of what she would find.

As she reached there, she skidded to a halt, eyes and ears wide open, ready to hear the voices that brought her up, taught her all the lessons she needed to learn. Slowly, the trees came to life, talking animatedly, their branches moving expressively. The clumps of flowers spoke in high-pitched tones, apparently spreading gossip, and the grass chatted among each other like little children.

With a satisfied smile, she walked among the trees, politely greeting all the older ones, and discussing in length the effect of sunlight on the colour of their leaves (as it was quite evident that leaf colour was a status symbol). She was glad she hadn’t lost her gift, and even though all her things were taken away, she knew her belief was strong enough that even her parents couldn’t change it. She spent the rest of the morning there, any concern for mundane things such as eating nonexistent.

She returned home, assured that she would not be friendless yet, and that she was still a child, although she was only a few months away from turning thirteen. Since all the girls around her started had drifted away from fairytales, Lily was expected to do the same. However, she had learned that being a kid was fun and that dealing with ‘the world’ was much more complicated than playing with toys. She was absolutely unprepared, despite what she was told, and how smart her mother claimed she was, and despite the excellent aptitude her teachers declared she had. She just didn’t want to grow up this quickly, and the forest was only part of the reason.

Over the next few weeks, Lily visited her beloved forest and friends daily, appreciating greatly the amount of trust that was placed in her. Occasionally, she wished she was a faerie herself, and often imagined a pair of glistening, delicate wings adorning her body. She was told by the younger faeries that humans could not ever become the beautiful creatures, because as they grew up, their ability to believe would diminish and they would expose all the clans of the world, there by upsetting the balance of supernatural and the natural. This saddened her immensely, and she began to wonder whether her ‘obsession’, as her mother called it, was worth all the burdens placed upon her weak shoulders.

Slowly, the lustrous river became a stream of muddy water, unworthy of her attention. The injured animals became nuisances, little flea-carrying scumbags. The wise old trees became wrinkly and old, and suddenly seemed unnecessary. Her fascination with the never-ending woods slowly decreased, and she hardly visited anymore. Outside of the woods, she had taken to hanging out with her friends, going shopping lots, and did not miss her faerie decorations anymore. She even started spelling the word ‘faerie’ as ‘fairy’. Glyphys was disappointed; she had hoped her protégé would hold up longer, that she would not be defeated by the humans’ illusion of reality. She and her clan went about searching for a new secret-keeper.

When her gift was fading away, Lily did not realize it. She was bored one day, and decided to take a walk in the woods. As she reached there, she heard the loud voices of men, and the intense sounds that accompanied heavy machinery. She stood at what was once the entrance of the forest, only to see that more than half the forest was cut down, and the rest was in the process of being cleared. She heard a familiar voice say, “You stopped believing, dear. You stopped believing. Look at what has happened!” She turned, expecting to see Glyphys, but only saw some golden dust float to the ground, and she closed her eyes as tears threatened to spill. A lone tear followed the dust, and dripped onto the floor. She sank to her knees, and sobbed quietly until the end of the day, when one of the workers asked her to leave as they were leaving for the night as well.

Viva

2007-06-24T09:38:00.001-07:00

"Words offer the means to meaning and for those who listen the enunciation of truth."

I will never forget those words from V for Vendetta. The ability to speak out, the right to speech is indicative of the progress mankind has made intellectually and otherwise.

Today through the Internet, an opportunity presents itself to us, an opportunity to make people hear us, to listen to us and God willing think about what we have to say. The spirit of questioning they say is a inherent quality in man, the most fundamental aspect that makes us Superior intellectually over other beings. The spirit of questioning brought Europe its Renaissance; it brought India her independence and it made one man travelling in a train question the discrimination of blacks by the whites. A life spent without questioning is a life spent worthlessly more as a ordinary creature and less as a human being.

A government only becomes an oppressor when the subjects are taken for granted. Soon the subjects are unhappy with the government and before we know what hit us there is anarchy and political instability. A government without the support of the people will perish. A society that questions will be a society that will be respected. The people will be respected and they will not be taken for granted. Thus at a deeper insight into all this, the stability and peace which we want and which we hope for depends on the type of questions we ask, the frequency at which we ask such questions and how determined we will be in getting answers.

Let us waste no more time in asking questions that don't matter and seeking answers that make no impact. Let us in fact ask the right questions, the ones that force people to think and wonder if maybe; JUST MAYBE something is wrong somewhere and we need to find answers soon. Let us spend our life as people asking the right questions and getting those answers that make an impact, leave a better world for the future generations.

It is in this context that the idea behind "Viva", our newsletter originated. It is in this direction that we hope to continue and it is in this field that we need support.

Members of A2I

Gonu Cyclone

2007-06-23T23:18:00.000-07:00

'Gonu cyclone is to hit Oman in 30 hours' was what we heard from the news on the 4th of June. The media was updating us regularly on the progress of the cyclone and ways to stay safe. At first we thought it would pass without any damages, hence life continued as it usually did in Nizwa. All it took to get us alarmed was the actual cyclone hitting Muscat, Sur, the Island of Musaiyra and a few other cities. They officially announced four days off. Exams were delayed for students. It hit on Thursday, Nizwa only witnessed a light rain in the morning while other coastal cities suffered from heavy rain storms and angry sea waves.

Only land lines were working, electricity went off for some time but these outcomes are now fixed, only running water is still a problem since till this moment some areas suffer from lack of water.

7000 people were evacuated immediately, they were given shelters in safe schools and were forced for the heat of the situation to leave their houses not knowing if they were ever to come back. The Sultan's armed forces spread along the coast. They created special hot-lines for people to call if they needed anything. As I have mentioned before the media's role in all of this was extremely vital, they answered calls from concerned citizen. Oman's national broadcasting channel aired all day long a show to update people on the cyclone, and so they were receiving complaints from people. Many called to assure us that people were safe, I remember listening to a call from a person whose house collapsed, a person who was trapped in his house with his children. Roads were filled with water. Cars were buried somewhere down or drown in water. Bridges collapsed. But most importantly 49 people died and some are still missing. Nothing can be compared to the loss of a living soul.

Nevertheless it was only obvious that the damages could have been much worse if it wasn't for the collaboration between people, media and the official authorities. Oman refused the offers that it received by many countries to help, and said that they would accept the help if they needed it. At first I thought that it wasn't such a smart move, but looking at how they handled the situation I think they had all the right to make such a statement.

After the cyclone left Oman, people started volunteering to gather food supplies, water, and so on for those who were left homeless. Buses from all over Oman carried all of this to the damaged cities.This cyclone left severe damages that were only noticed as the cyclone ended. Also mobile companies donated thousands of mobiles, recharged for their users.

It has changed lives of many people, ended some of those lives, made some lives grateful for still being alive.It might have made some souls leave this earth but it certainly brought those who are still alive together to control the damages.

Noor Said Al-Zubaidy
15 years
Oman

Opinions that should be heard

2007-06-23T23:05:00.000-07:00

I can't remember a time when Iraq was in a good situation even though I haven't lived there for a long time but still, Saddam ruled the country for more than 35 years, and that is a long time to mess the country up.And then America came in and got rid of Saddam for Iraqis, and people say: Why didn't Iraqis make a revolution to get rid of him?

As an Iraqi, I would smile and maybe answer them, it's a shame that Saddam oppressed people and didn't let anything that happened in Iraq outside, so people didn't know anything -still some of them don't know what he has done-, he was going by the saying: "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas"

Now the USA liked being in Iraq, and convinced itself and its people that they can't get out of Iraq. They say that they can't leave the Iraqi police alone in this situation, they say they're not ready yet, which they'll never be if the USA stayed there.One thing to not just led to another, it led to a lot of things like Terrorism, a sectarian division, weak government, etc.

But from my point of view there isn't really a sectarian division, terrorists started it and the media promoted it and now everybody thinks that sunnas hate shias and vice versa .
The 'weak government' isn't weak, I mean they're controlled by the USA, terrorists, and people are demanding so much from the government. I'm not giving excuses for the government but I'm saying how things are, and yes they should do much more.

Media is only focusing on the bad things and the killing that is in Iraq, so by that they're only sending a message to people that Iraq will never have peace and that this way will stay forever and maybe get worse.As I said terrorists created sectarian division.

They are mass murdering people for no apparent reason, first it was because of the USA but they weren't killing American people, they were killing innocent Iraqis, and every day we hear the police captured terrorists, but they're just increasing every day.Now I'll get to the 'future of Iraq' from the point of view of my family, there are 2 opinions:

1- Iraq won't get better any time soon, and the government isn't doing anything at all.

2- Iraq will get better and we'll go back there and settle there for good.

My father has this great hope and expectations for Iraq that I highly support and I feel the same and he doesn't want to hear any of us saying that our home isn't one anymore.

Heated arguments happen often when our family gets together and we only disagree about the future of Iraq, I can only be optimistic when it comes to this.

I understand why some people lose hope and faith in any good thing that might happen to Iraq but still that's all what's left for us, I feel that it's the least we can do because Iraq doesn't deserve any of what's happening to it, neither do the Iraqis.

Huda Said Al-Zubaidy

Oman