International Day against Racial Discrimination

Tomorrow, 21 March is the International Day against Racial Discrimination that is observed annually all over the world. This year’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial discrimination is dedicated to the fight against racial discrimination in sports. It is in view of Football World Cup being held in South Africa, first time ever in the African continent. The United Nations has called upon all nations to carry out tough policies and legislation against racial discrimination and punish those who resort to racial discrimination and violence.

In the year 1960, on 21 March, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa. The demonstration was against racial discrimination called ‘apartheid’ that was being practised by the white-majority government against the coloured people of South Africa. In 1966 the United Nations declared the day as the International Day against Racial Discrimination and urged all countries in the world to increase their efforts towards the complete elimination of racial discrimination.

International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination under the watchful eyes of the United Nations came into force on 4 January 1969. All signatory nations have to take adequate steps to make sure that racial discrimination is eliminated to the fullest in their nation.

Though racial discrimination is not that prevalent today as it was in the past, it still exists in different parts of the world taking different forms. Recent spate of violence against Indians in Australia is a manifestation of racial discrimination and racial violence. Racial discrimination is also widespread in the conflict-struck nations of the African continent. Reverse racism is a present day problem in South Africa where discrimination is noticeable against the white minority. Racist violence is prevalent in all countries in the world and is a matter of grave concern for democratic governments and human rights organisations all around the world.

The spread of racism and xenophobia in the online community through social media networks is one of the foremost challenges we face. Human rights watchdog agencies have recommended governments all over the world to review existing legislations and to take adequate steps to control the spread of racist views in the online community. We all need to be vigilant against the spread of racist ideas, racial discrimination and racism related violence around us and should voice our protests against it.

Centenary International Women's Day 2010

Today is Centenary International Women's Day and it is a day for the global celebration of the social, political and economic achievements of women. It is also a day to celebrate the contributions she has given our individual lives.

She has blissfully touched your life and my life - all our lives as mother, sister, wife, daughter and/or friend. As a mother her blessed affection made you strong to face any challenge in your life; as an elder sister she cared for you as only a mother could have otherwise; as a younger sister she made you understand how great it feels to be trustworthy; as a wife she always existed as a beacon that showed the paths of love, hope and righteousness; as a daughter she made you proud and happy with her sense of familial responsibility; as a friend she always walked with you and encouraged you to take the right steps and stopped you whenever you wrongly decided to tread through erroneous roads.

Despite her greatness, she is constantly under siege all around the world. Women and girls suffer appallingly from violence during times of peace and war alike from individuals as well as the state. Women's empowerment and their liberation from poverty and injustice are prerequisites for peace, stability and sustainable development. Therefore there is a need to strengthen efforts of the global community in the empowerment of women. On this occasion of the International Women's Day we all need to take a pledge that we willl make our modest contributions to this international effort.

The mother is everything - she is our consolation in sorrow, our hope in misery, and our strength in weakness. She is the source of love, mercy, sympathy, and forgiveness. He who loses his mother loses a pure soul who blesses and guards him constantly - Kahlil Gibran in Broken Wings.


Image Courtesy: Official Website of United Nations

Re-Publishing My Blog Post on SSLC Exams

Yet another March has come, with it bringing the ever-interesting carnival of SSLC exams. Tension of exam-writing-children will increase and so will the blood pressure of the parents. Though the frantic air of SSLC exams has dwindled following the introduction of grading system, the dubious sheen on the exams still exist as remnants of a ‘glorious’ past. On this occasion I would like to re-publish my article on SSLC exams, “SSLC Exams - Why This Much Fuss About It.” Please click on the title of the article in the above sentence or click on the below mentioned link to find the article.

http://candidminds.blogspot.com/2008/03/sslc-exams-why-this-much-of-fuss-about.html