World This Week:A Generation on Halt
A Generation on Halt
From years, Syrian people have been witnessing cold war between Syrian Government and anti-government defiant. The crisis is being claimed to be the “most damaging conflict for children in the region's recent history. In a recent report by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Syria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a child. About 5.5 million Syrian children have been affected by a brutal, three-year conflict; 2.8 million Children are no longer in school and more than 1 million are living as refugees in neighboring countries. For these children, what's at stake isn't politics. It's their future.
The parents in the region face barriers to register their children born in exile because of which these refugee children then face the increased risk of exposure to violence, abuse and exploitation.
UNICEF has been on the ground since the conflict began, helping to mobilise the largest humanitarian operation in history. UNICEF is working closely to immunize more than 20 million children in the region following a polio outbreak; has provided 10 million people safe drinking water; and has taken steps to deliver education, physical protection and psychological support to refugee children.
The need of the hour is to stand up for the children of Syria to prevent the loss of a generation. As Syria readies to face presidential elections on June 3, the new government has a task ahead to do something for the betterment of these children whose fortune is in danger. The world too should come together to save a generation traumatised, isolated and and suffering violence from this catastrophe.
Ukraine New Elect President Vows to Bring Peace
“The first steps that we will take at beginning of presidential office should be focused on stopping the war, to put an end to this chaos and bring peace to a united Ukraine”, this was the statement of the new Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko, known as ‘Chocolate King’ after the exit polls were announced.
Ukrainians polled on May 25 to elect their new president after months of hue and cry in the country. Earlier, the election was scheduled on March 29 but because of the escalating tensions going on in Ukraine, the date of poll shifted to May 25.
A total of 21 candidates took part in the elections- seven were nominated by political parties and 15 were self-nominee but finally, the people of Ukrain chose ‘Chocolate king’ as their new king.
During the elections, armed pro-Russian separatists barred people from voting, seized election offices and intimidated election officials and voters in two eastern provinces. An Italian Journalist was also reported to be killed in a clash between the rebels and government troops.
Separatists reportedly seek military aid from Putin, who in recent weeks has been referring to east Ukraine as 'New Russia.'
As Petro Poroshenko replaces Vladimir Putin ally, Viktor Yanukovych who was toppled in a violent coup that triggered Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the people of Ukraine are now eagerly look forward for their country to emerge from the crisis. After the turmoil of the past six months, Ukranians are hopeful that their new president will be able to pull their country of 45 million people back from the verge of bankruptcy, dismemberment and Civil war.
In his victory news conference, Poroshenko promised to invigorate the government's stalled “anti-terrorist” campaign, saying it ought to be able to put down the revolt within hours, rather than months. He also said there could be no negotiations with rebels he compared to terrorists, bandits and pirates.
Ukraine's future is hanging in the balance since Putin responded to the overthrow of a pro-Russian president in Kiev in February by declaring that Russia had the right to defend Russian speakers and swiftly annexing Ukraine's Crimea peninsula.
Moscow's consistent message has been that the government in Kiev, which took power after President Viktor Yanukovich fled an uprising by pro-European demonstrators, which was illegitame and because of Russian speakers were in danger. But that argument was undermined by the victory of Poroshenko, who served in cabinets under both Yanukovich and his anti-Russian predecessors.
If the election leads to stability in Ukraine, it will resolve a tense confrontation between the west and Russia that has raised fears of a new cold war. Now, Ukranians want to live in a democracy where they can determine their own future free of violence and intimidation.
Indian Origin Designs Automatic Cradle
Parents in the present world are busy in their professional life, so they do not get sufficient time to take care of their babies. Looking at all the aspects, an Indian origin automobile mechanic Rajesh Madhavan, in Oman has designed a cradle that will swing automatically and sense movements of the infant by using sound sensors. The designed system is economical and user friendly and very useful for working parents. The automatic cradle designed by him can swing automatically according to the preset timings and sense baby's movements. It is a device that is designed to minimize and ease the burden for the parents when sleeping their baby.
“The cradle will only need the same power as required by a fan,” said Rajesh Madhavan. He also told that he bought some parts of the automatic cradle from India. “Many a times, I have seen busy mothers worried over swinging the cradle manually. It made me think about designing an automatic cradle for them. As I am an automobile mechanic, it took me five years of research to make this cradle. I am working on designs to make it more comfortable and attractive for kids,” he said.
Rajesh hails from Kerala and has been working in Muscat, capital of Oman for the last four years.
Four Indians win Awards at Harvard Competition
Four Indians are among the winners of a Harvard Business School competition that awards prizes worth $ 300,000 to ‘new and innovative business and social impact start-ups’conceptualised by the US institution’s students and alumni. Amrita Siagal, Saurabh Mahajan, Mira Mehta and Pritar Kumar won the prestigious awards in various categories. Amrita Siagal won the grand prize in ‘social enterprise’ category at the 18th Harvard Business School New Venture Competition for her venture ‘Saathi’, which she co-founded with Oracle engineer Kristin Kagestu. The winner in the business track category was the start-up ‘Alfred’, being launched by Saurabh Mahajan, Marcela Sapone and Jess Beck. The runner-up in the social enterprise track was ‘Tomato Jos’ founded by MBA students Mira Mehta and Mike Lawrence. In the business category, ‘Booya Fitness’ founded by MBA student Pritam Kumar won the runner-up award and a $25,000 cash prize.
Courtesy: Antar Rashtriya Sahayog Parishad Bulletin
US Senate Confirms Manish Shah as Federal Judge
Indian-American Manish Shah, after confirmation from the US Senate, has become the first South Asian Federal Judge of Illinois which is the 5th most populous state of America. 40 year old Manish shah’s appointment was ratified unanimously by US Senate with 95-0 votes.
Illinois senator Mark Kirk in his statement confirming Shah’s appointment said,” His experience as a prosecutor and in various leadership positions at Chicago’s US Attorney’s office will ensure new direction. Shah is a knowledgeable jurist who will provide a fair forum for the resolution of civil disputes and the prosecution of alleged crimes.” Shah has worked as an assistant US attorney in the northern district of Illinois since 2001. He currently serves as chief of the Criminal division.
