Mixed parentage in Meghalaya and tax exemption

In a judgement that would have wider ramification, the High Court today directed the Income Tax (IT) department to issue notices to four persons having tribal and non-tribal parentage as to why they are liable to pay IT.

Although the judgement pertains to four persons – Lakman Kma, David Reid Syiemlieh, UPD Sawyan and Raju Jyrwa – the order would have wider implication on people having similar parentage.

Only Scheduled Tribes (ST) are exempted from paying IT under section 10 and sub section 26 of the IT Act and notified areas of the northeast part of India.Under the Indian Constitution, these tribes enjoy a wide range of benefits, apart from tax exemption, for their socio-economic uplift.

However, the four petitioners in three separate writ petitions have sought the Court’s intervention seeking exemption from paying IT claiming to be STs.

Earlier, the IT department issued an order to the North Eastern Hill University, where Syiemlieh is the pro-Vice Chancellor, asking it to deduct tax at source from the pro-Vice Chancellor’s bills. The order stated the petitioner’s father belonged to an “advanced community” and not a scheduled tribe.

The cases of the other three petitioners were identical and so the common judgement to all four petitioners was issued by Justice Anima Hazarika and BD Agarwal of the divisional bench of the Gauhati High Court.

Now, with the order, the IT department would be “at liberty to accept the explanation” of the petitioners or make further inquiries about their ST status.


The inquiries, legal experts said, would entail the IT department to determine if the petitioners are Khasis (tribe of Meghalaya) as defined under the Khasi Custom Act (KCA) enacted by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council. Khasis are enlisted as STs under the sixth schedule of the Constitution.

KCA has set guidelines for issuance of Scheduled caste certificates to prevent abuse of such certificates by people having “ulterior or oblique motives.”

Under the Act, a person claiming to be a Khasi must belong to one of the Khasi, Pnar, Bhoi, Jaintia, War, Synteng, Lyngngam tribe or one who is recognised under the prevailing Khasi custom or the Khasi Custom Act.

The person must be conversant with the language, practise the Khasi matrilineal system of lineage and other Khasi laws and customs.

Judgement through video conferencing

The Judges wrapped up their files dismissing a review petition after hearing a land dispute case. The counsels stood up and bowed their heads 100 kilometers away.

In one of the first such instances in the region, the Gauhati High today passed a judgement dismissing a review petition pertaining to a land dispute from 1976, all through video conferencing.

The hearing was held amidst the constant lazing whirls of a fan (possibly) in one of the courtrooms of the Gauhati High Court. Here in Shillong, the counsels sat huddled together with temperature dipping due to the incessant rain lashing the hills for the past 24 hours.

The counsel of the litigants – Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and Holy Mother Aurobindo Ashram (HMAA) – intermittently stood up and argued their case before a giant TV screen projecting, Justice Biplab Kumar Sharma and Arun Chandra Upadhyay, lending a patient ear from Guwahati.

Senior Advocate and counsel of HMAA, VK Jindal said, after YMCA’s review petition was rejected, that such video conferencing would help Meghalaya dispose off pending cases swiftly and save time and money. “It all seemed like a normal court proceeding. There is no difference,” he said when asked about the e-Court.

The video conferencing facility was introduced on June 1 here at the Shillong bench by Chief Justice Madan B Lokur, under a new initiative to dispose off cases with the help of technology. Agartala bench was the first to introduce the facility on May 2.

In fact, the Bombay High Court confirmed the death sentence of Ajmal Kasab on February 21 through video conferencing.

Today’s case relates to an old litigation from 1976 wherein the Meghalaya government allotted the ashram’s land to YMCA and Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) without approval.

The ashram challenged the arbitrary decision of the government. In 2009, the Gauhati High court set aside the allotment of land made by the state government to YMCA and YWCA. The government was ordered to renew the patta in favour of the Ashram, Jindal said.

However, the YMCA sought a review of the High Court’s decision which was dismissed today through video conferencing.

Voter Verifiable Paper Trail in five states in India

To put at rest allegations of election fraud, the Election Commission of India would conduct “simulated elections” with prototype Voter Verifiable Paper Trail (VVPT) systems at five centres across India, including Cheerapunjee, Meghalaya on July 24.

Apart from Cheerapunjee, the simulated elections would be held on the same date at Ladakh, Thiruvananthapuram, East Delhi District and Jaisalmer. The idea is to test the prototype in the harshest of weather conditions and based on the feedback of experts, poltical parties and civil societies the VVPT would be inducted for conduct of future polls in India.

The VVPT is a prototype of the present Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) fitted with a printing apparatus. Apart from registering votes electronically, the VVPT would also print out the ballot, which can be cast in a ballot box by the voter. In case of any controversy, the ballots can be counted and verified with the electronic votes registered in the EVMs.

Officials said, the decision to test the VVPT was taken after the Commission’s meeting with all political parties in October last year and repeated allegations that EVMs are being tampered to manipulate election results. The election commission then referred the matter to the Technical Expert Committee on EVM for further examination and recommendations.

The Expert Committee held several rounds of meetings with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) officials on this issue and then met the political parties and civil society members engaged with the Commission on the issue of EVMs.

On the direction of the Expert Committee, BEL and ECIL prepared a prototype of VVPAT system and demonstrated it before the Committee and the Commission. The Expert Committee has now recommended that the prototype should be tested in extreme environmental conditions to get an effective assessment. The trial would be held in a real election-like conditions.

“ The mock election would be held in 35 polling booths in Cheerapunjee. Poll personnel would be trained for the occasion,” Meghalaya's Chief Electoral Officer, Prashant Naik said.


Earlier, various political parties in the country, including the Asom Gana Parishad, in the state of Assam, have been demanding that the VVPT system be introduced for conduct of “free and fair elections” in the country. AGP has alleged that EVMs were tampered in the last Assam Assembly elections, which has resulted in Congress’ landslide victory.

The United Democratic Party, a state political party in Meghalaya, during the 7th Cegional Consultation on Electoral Reforms in Guwahati in June 12, said: “majority of people in India do not have faith in EVMs.” The party demanded that a “referendum in India on the use of EVMs could be conducted by the Election Commission so as to analyse the faith of the people on such paperless voting methods.”

Meanwhile, the election commission has said results of the simulated election would be declared on July 25 and also decided to request National and State Parties to extend necessary cooperation in the trial process and have a have a first hand experience of the system.

TRAFFIC LESSONS BY STUDENTS TO ERRANT DRIVERS

Concerned about the worsening traffic snarls in Shillong, some young college students zipped their reflector clothes and blew the basic of traffic rules into errant drivers with their whistles.

Some 14 odd college students took time off from their busy college lessons and then got themselves into the even busier police bazaar area this evening to give traffic lessons to errant drivers. They have dubbed this voluntary service of theirs as Project Shillong.

“They are doing it in style,” Herbert Lyngdoh Additional Superintendent of Police (traffic) said, while watching the college students managing the traffic with confidence.

The students, mostly from St. Anthony’s College went to Lyngdoh recently and accepted the offer from the traffic department to help manage the traffic. They even came out with a traffic management plan, which the traffic department is studying.

“We asked the students to help us in managing the traffic and they gladly accepted the offer. Everyday they would be managing the traffic for two hours in different areas of the city,” Lyngdoh said looking pleased.

The students went through their traffic management with great precision. They gathered passengers at different embankment points and then directed the drivers of that particular route to the passengers.

Jyotideep and Nayanjyoti Sharma from Guwahati studying Mass Communication at the college were one of the several volunteers happily blowing away their whistles and directing taxis.

“We have decided that everyday for two hours after college we would come and help the police. We are also encouraging other students from different colleges to join in Project Shillong,” Jyotideep said.

The students are also furthering their campaign through Facebook. “Not just traffic management, we would also try to take up other projects to help fellow citizens,” he added.

A passenger, when asked about the students, said, the traffic was never smoother than today. “This is a great evening and initiative taken by these kids. Normally it’s difficult to get into a cab in Police Bazar,” a woman passenger said.

Taxis form the lifeline of the communication system in Shillong. There are an estimated 5000 taxis plying in the city daily and added with private vehicles the traffic snarl has been a major concern blowing the wits out of the traffic department.

PRAYER MEETING TO SAVE MEGHALAYA

With Meghalaya Congress legislators habitually rushing to 10 Janpath to seek the blessings of “madam” Sonia Gandhi, the “Aam Admi” left with no option is seeking for divine intervention to save the state.

A three-day prayer meeting would be held at Nartiang, Jaintia Hills to seek “God’s help to save the state from the present political turmoil.”

Church and village elders together with NGO members in Nartiang would organise the prayer meeting from Monday next week at the local LP School there.

“We are organising the meeting so that our politicians might see sense and start working for the people of the state, instead of rushing to New Delhi for power,” president of Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (Nartiang circle), Damanmi Dkhar said today.

Urging other people to join the prayer meeting, he said, they can do so from their own homes and religious places.

Meghalaya’s state machinery is paralysed for the past few months due to infighting within the Congress party – the largest coalition in the Meghalaya United Alliance government.

18 Congress men are demanding a change of leadership in the Congress Legislature Party (CLP). Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, the CLP leader, and his loyalists are clinging on.

In the process, the politicians have vacuumed themselves out of the secretariat here to New Delhi. Sangma, who has rushed to New Delhi today, earlier, claimed he keeps tab of the state’s affair over the phone with his officers.

“Not even an agitation can work here in Meghalaya. So we are organising this prayer meeting as it’s our only option,” Dkhar said.

INDIAN ARMY'S NEW BATTLEFRONT

The Indian Army has for the first time entered the new war-zone of cut throat marketing and is trying to win over students to its ranks.

Here at the two-day Assam Tribune-organised Edufair that began on May 20 at the All Saint’s Hall, the Indian Army has set up stalls and homing in on youths from the region to guide them in joining the Armed forces.

“This is a new idea to get into education fairs. We are trying to encourage students from the Northeast to join the Indian Army, either after their 12th or Graduation,” Colonel MK Singh, officiating Director of Army’s recruiting head office of the Northeast region here, said.

Response from the student community has been upbeat on the first day. They have marched up to the stall, not just male, but equally joined by female students, and are inquiring about career prospects available in the armed forces.

“The female students are enquiring about the women entry scheme and also the Military Nursing Service. The male about the National Defence Academy (NDA),” Hawaldar, Nemji Kathal and Rajesh Rana, the Army career counsellors at the fair said.

Abhijit Das, a 12th pass student, said, he has not made up his mind on what courses to take up, but NDA to him seemed exciting and adventurous.

“I am not yet decided, but the NDA seems to be offering quite an exciting career. Besides, it would also qualify me as a graduate while making me an officer,” the lanky six-footer said, while figuring out his camouflaged career options.

Meanwhile, Col. Singh informed, there is a lot of vacancy in the Army, especially for the youths of the Northeast. “There are special concessions for the students from the northeast to join the Indian Army and we are therefore trying to create awareness on it,” the Army officer said.

Shillong is the northeast headquarters of the Army’s recruiting office. There are five other centres under this headquarter in Jorhat, Narangi, Rangapahar, Silchar and Aizwal.

However, the response of northeast youth in joining the armed forces has been lukewarm over the years. In Meghalaya, the most visible face of the Indian Army is Late Captain Clifford Nongrum of 12 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry. He sacrificed his life during the Kargil War and was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.

“If this experience of setting up stalls at education fair works, the idea would definitely be emulated in other parts of the region,” Col. Singh vowed.

BHAGWAT GITA IN KHASI

Kurukshetra, the epic battleground of the Mahabharata, is metaphorically within every individual trying to battle all evils, said Lesli Hardinge Pde, who has brought out the first Khasi translation of the Bhagwad Gita.

He said, every religion teaches righteousness in its own way and individuals try to follow the right path battling within against all forms of evil, in the same manner as the battle of Kurukshetra.

Pde, a multi-faceted personality, has earlier translated the Ramayana, the Upanishad, the Mahabharata and now the Bhagwad Gita, into Khasi literature.

Although a Catholic Christian by faith, Pde said he has translated the Bhagwad Gita into Khasi, titled, “Ka Jingruwai U Blei” or The Song of God, so that people in Meghalaya could read and understand its teachings.

In the Mahabharata, the Bhagwad Gita comprises of 18 chapters from the 24th through 42nd and is a collection of 700 verses. The first verse begins with a lamentation of the consequences of war.

The verses are spiritual discourses between Lord Krishna urging a confused Pandava prince Arjuna, to fight his evil cousins in the battle of Kurukshetra in Mahabharata. The spiritual conversations are intended to go beyond the scope of religion and benefit humanity.

“Every religious scriptures, be it the Bhagwad Gita, the Bible or the Koran, teaches about righteousness, truth and morality. These gives people inspiration, so I decided to translate some of these books,” he added.

Pde said he took almost four months to translate the Bhagwad Gita from the English editions written by Indian philosopher and monk of the Ramakrishna order, Swami Prabhavananda and British novelist, Christopher Isherwood.

Although Pde has many Khasi publications to his credit, he first began translating some of the epics on Hindu philosophy from 1986.

In 1986 he first translated the Ramayana and then the Mahabharata in 1988. Later in 1991 he translated the Upanishad.

“I am now working on Kalidas’ epic Abhijnana Shakulntalam and would be coming out with a Khasi version on it soon,” the Septuagenarian retired Meghalaya government official said.

Pde said he as a member of the Catholic Church has received encouragement to translate books from different languages into Khasi. Pde’s latest publication was financed by the Central Institute of Indian Languages, Ministry of Human Resource Development.

“The Sahitya Academy has stressed that as many books as possible maybe translated into Khasi to enrich the language. So I am trying to contribute in that direction in my own humble way,” Pde added.

INDIANS NOT THAT GOOD IN PHYSICALLY-DEMANDING SPORTS

Indians “for some strange reasons” are not good in sports that are physically demanding and therefore excel in cricket, archery and shooting, observed ace Indian footballer, Baichung Bhutia here today.

“For some strange reasons Indians do not fare very well in physically demanding sports like football and hockey and does well therefore in sports like cricket, archery, shooting etc. I can’t pin point the reasons why,” Bhutia, who is here participating for his team United Sikkim in the second division I-league football tournament, said.

He said players like Arjuna Ranatunga and Inzamam-ul-Haq can never be superstars in football like they are in cricket. “In cricket it’s mostly about technique and once that aspect is fulfilled, anyone like Arjuna Ranatunga or Imzamum-ul-Haq can be superstars.Bhutia's observation about Imzamum-ul-Haq brings back memories of the Pakistani batting superstar's brawl with the crowds in Toronto, Canada years ago.

The crowd constantly taunted Inzamam ul Haq during a Indo-Pak match calling him over the loudspeaker: ""O mote, sidha khara ho [O fatso, stand straight], mota aaloo, sara alloo [fat potato, rotten potato]."


“In a physically demanding sport like football or hockey for example, anyone who is not 100 per cent physically fit would not make the cut in a team, let alone becoming a superstar,” the former Indian football captain said while making his observation on physical fitness apart from technique.

Asked why Indian football has not been successful so far, Bhutia said the structure to develop and popularise football in India is archaic. “We are still following the football structure from the 1950s. Most of those at helm of affairs of football don’t know a thing about what they are doing,” Bhutia said critically.

He added Indian football can be developed if emphasis is shifted on youth development, especially those from the northeast, and better marketing. “The Indian football structure needs a drastic overhaul in terms of marketing and youth development programmes,” Bhutia suggested.

On his upcoming football academy, Bhutia promised it would be the best in India once the Sikkim government allots land for its development.

“I have applied for land and once the Sikkim government allots it, the academy would be the best in the country with the support of my well wishers,” he said.

Mémoire de l'eau homéopathie

l'eau tdoes de mémoire!? Peut-il effectivement rappeler circulant dans une carcasse remplie de rivière polluée? Faire son chemin vers un canal d'irrigation. Puis bu par une tuberculose-infection de la vache. Par la suite, a coulé à travers ses glandes finalement être libéré par la miction.


L'eau a toutes les chances de souffrir de démence sénile d'un tel séjour ardeur dégoûtant. Mais il est vrai que certains médicaments (par exemple) sont fabriqués à partir de substances extraites de 'une glande tuberculose d'une vache. "
Beaucoup de gens de prendre des médicaments Homéopathie donnerait une huée à ces questions et d'insinuations relatives à l'homéopathie.



Alors! Quel est le sujet fuzz?



Depuis des années, ces savoureux et facile à pop-sous forme de pilules enrobées de sucre prescrite par Homéopathes, sont codés avec certaines des questions les plus discutables quant à leur utilité.



L'homéopathie a lancé quelque 200 ans en arrière par le médecin allemand Samuel Hahnemann. Il défie la logique déconcertante; beaucoup prétendent.



Aspects qui homéopathie mystérieusement discutables sont ses deux principes sous-jacents: «comme le semblable guérit." Fondamentalement, cela signifie que les maladies pouvaient être guéries par l'administration de petites quantités de la substance provoquant les mêmes symptômes.
Pour le profane, cela signifie «prendre du poison pour guérir du poison!" Par exemple, la fièvre froide et Hay peut être guérie à l'oignon, qui a substances causant froide et rhume des foins.



En outre, de nombreux ingrédients homéopathiques sont toxiques. Certains vraiment bizarre comme: la tuberculose d'une glande produits Maladie de la vache,, Deadly Nightshade, Venom, etc
Étant donné que ces substances sont toxiques à l'état concentré, Homéopathes les diluer, de façon particulière. Cela conduit à la deuxième principe discutable de l'homéopathie.



Homéopathes pratique la méthode de dilution en série. Une goutte de la substance originale, si la glande la tuberculose d'une vache ou venin de serpent est ajoutée à 99 gouttes d'eau ou d'alcool. Il s'agit d'une solution 1C ou une partie de 100.



Dissolvant une solution dans un autre 1C 99 parties d'eau donne une solution 2C. La médecine est une partie sur 10.000. L'ensemble du processus est répété jusqu'à ce qu'il soit une solution 30C. Même dans 6C le médicament a été dilué d'un million de millions de fois.
A 12C c'est une goutte de la médecine dans l'océan Atlantique! Ainsi, 30 C est inimaginable. 30 C est équivalent à une baisse de la médecine dans tous les océans de la Terre et beaucoup plus dans l'Univers!



molécule d'un médicament, après l'interaction avec le corps, guérit une maladie. Avec cette dilution homéopathique, il ya moins de chance sur un milliard, pour une seule molécule d'un médicament de rester dans la solution. Après dilution, il est l'eau pure ou de l'alcool, affirme scientifique.



Donc, si il n'y a pas une seule molécule présente dans la solution de la question de son interaction avec le durcissement du corps et ultérieure d'une maladie ne se pose pas.
Homéopathes dire cette solution diluée astronomique combinés avec des pilules de sucre effectivement aider à guérir. Les scientifiques de la marque il charlatanisme comme pure et simple administré aux patients crédules.



Pendant les années 80, l'homéopathie littéralement reçu une balle dans le bras. Jacques Benveniste, chercheur français, ayant de nombreuses découvertes à son actif, est sorti avec une autre découverte étonnante.



Au cours de son expérience sur basophile, un type de cellules du sang et sa réaction allergique, il a fait une découverte ahurissante. Il avait une substance diluée au niveau homéopathiques et l'ont ajoutée à basophile. Cette activé le basophile; bizarrement!



Il y avait la sensation dans la communauté scientifique après ses conclusions a été publié en Juin 1988, dans le plus grand journal des découvertes scientifiques: Nature.
Benveniste appelle sa conclusion que la «mémoire de l'eau». De l'eau. Selon sa théorie, l'eau avait la capacité de se souvenir et de réagir avec la caractéristique naturelle d'une substance qu'il a été précédemment mélangé avec. Même si elle a été diluée à des niveaux astronomiques comme Homéopathes faire. Le monde de l'homéopathie était en extase à la conclusion.



Mais, alors l'éditeur de la Nature, Sir John Maddox avait convaincu Benveniste que sa découverte sera publiée si il a accueilli une équipe d'enquête de visiter son centre et il a effectué l'expérience encore une fois en leur présence. Ainsi, l'histoire vient de commencer et de même les histrionique de James Randi.



Randi un magicien et un adversaire de toutes les choses surnaturelles a été invité par Sir Maddok d'être dans l'équipe d'enquête avec d'autres scientifiques et busters fraude.



Le 4 Juillet 1988, la mission d'enquête est arrivée à Paris pour le test. Randi avec son souvent sarcastique des tours de magie, des choses popping out air mince, fait mal à l'aise les chercheurs.



Finalement, le test a été un échec à la grande consternation de Benveniste et de son équipe de chercheurs. La mémoire de la théorie de l'eau est tombé dans l'ignominie, mais pas pour trop longtemps.



Madeleine Ennis, un éminent professeur de pharmacologie, ont mené une expérience semblable à la chercheuse française utilisant le même type de cellules sanguines, quelques temps plus tard.



Elle fut étonnée de constater que l'histamine un produit chimique dilué à des niveaux homéopathiques activé les cellules.



A cette époque, James Randi avait déjà affiché dans son site Web une promesse publique difficulté à payer un million de dollars à quiconque pourra prouver quoi que ce soit scientifiquement impossible.



Progammme de la BBC, Horizon, contacté Randi et a décidé de mener sa propre expérience scientifique au moyen d'expériences Ennis à trouver si l'eau avait une mémoire.



Certains des meilleurs scientifiques de la Grande-Bretagne ont été recueillies. Parmi eux se trouvait le vice-président de la Royal Society, le professeur John Enderby.
Randi a été acheminé des États-Unis. Le grand spectacle a commencé. Aucun des expérimentateurs savaient que s'ils étaient des solutions de manutention homéopathiques ou l'eau pure, sur l'insistance de Randi.



Scientifique Rachel Pearson a commencé la série de dilution de l'histamine. Au 15 e s. elle a été diluée à un million de millions de millions de millions de millions de fois.
Certains sont pris à 18C! La solution diluée et de l'eau pure, chacun dans différents tubes à essai, ont été appliquées à la cellule. Certains autres solution n'a pas activé.



Finalement, le test est tombé à plat sur sa face. Il n'a pas prouvé que l'eau a une mémoire.



Les scientifiques ont conclu: la foi des gens sur le remède homéopathique est une question d'effet placebo, ou que Munnabhai serait probablement terme «chimique Lóchas» dans notre cerveau que faire semblant.



Homéopathes ordures une telle généralisation. Ils disent que l'homéopathie guérit les bébés et les médicaments affection des enfants. Quand ils ont le moins de connaissance de l'être administré avec le médicament.



Vétérinaires ont aussi utilisé des médicaments homéopathiques sur les animaux pour guérir des maux. Moutons, chèvres, vaches et autres animaux sauvages ont été traités avec des médicaments homéopathiques.



Malgré les revendications et les demandes reconventionnelles, certains des points saillants des médicaments homéopathiques sont de prescription d'un médicament pour une ou plusieurs maladies.
médecins allopathes, d'autre part peut vous prescrire un sirop contre la toux, comprimés multiples pour un cas de froid et de fièvre. Sans aucun doute, les médicaments homéopathiques sont donc rentables. Bien que beaucoup connaissent ces médicaments sont de peu de secours dans les situations d'urgence.



Néanmoins, qui peut oublier le goût délicieux des médicaments homéopathiques? Le sage douceur paternelle des praticiens (avec un peu de généralisation) d'atténuer une partie du problème - la physiologie - pendant le counseling et les séances de poser des questions complexes.



Ensuite, l'ambiance familiale de la Chambre avec placards caché avec une myriade de petites bouteilles de médicaments.



La partie classique est la préparation de la médecine; comme quelqu'un de mettre dans une bouffée de cette Masala et que tout discordants chutney maison préférée et la distribution de la recette secrète de la famille pour les générations futures.



Mais l'aspect le plus important est la foi de millions de personnes qui disent les médicaments homéopathiques ne travail. De riches vers les pauvres de l'influence à tous les héros méconnus foi repos sur cette branche deux-siècle de «la science médicale."



En fait, la médecine homéopathique a gagné en popularité après collecteur de mémoire la théorie de Benveniste de l'eau a échoué. L'homéopathie en médecine est donc un peu comme les Gaulois maraude les Romains puissants (lire médicaments allopathiques) avec l'aide de potions magiques de Panoramix dans la bande dessinée Astérix.



Beaucoup se sentent homéopathie n'a rien à perdre et tout à gagner, y compris le prix d'un million de James Randi.


(original) Does water have memory!? Can it actually recall flowing in a carcass-filled polluted River? Making its way to an irrigation canal. Then drank by a tuberculosis-infected Cow. Thereafter, flowed through its glands to be eventually liberated by urination.


Water has every chance to suffer from Senile Dementia from such an arduously disgusting sojourn. But it's true that some medicines (for example) are being made from substances extracted out of 'a Tuberculosis gland of a cow.'
Many people taking Homeopathy medicine would give a hoot to such questions and innuendoes relating to Homeopathy.



So! What is the fuzz about?



For years now, these tasty and easy-to-pop-in sugarcoated pills prescribed by Homeopaths, are encoded with some of the most debatable questions regarding their usefulness.



Homeopathy was pioneered some 200 years back by German physician Samuel Hahnemann. It bafflingly defies logic; many argue.



Aspects that make Homeopathy mysteriously debatable are its two underlining principles: 'like cures like.' Basically it means diseases could be cured by administrating small quantities of substance causing the same symptoms.
For the layman, it means 'take poison to cure poison!' For example, cold and Hay fever can be cured with Onion, which has substances causing Cold and Hay fever.



Besides, many homeopathic ingredients are poisonous. Some truly bizarre as: Tuberculosis gland of a Cow, Disease products, Deadly nightshade, Venom etc.
Since these substances are poisonous in its concentrated state, Homeopaths dilute them, in special ways. This leads to the second debatable principle of Homeopathy.



Homeopaths practice the serial dilution method. A drop of the original substance, whether its Tuberculosis gland of a Cow or Snake venom is added to 99 drops of water or alcohol. This is a 1C solution or one part in 100.



Dissolving one 1C solution in another 99 parts of water gives 2C solution. The medicine is one part in 10,000. The whole process is repeated till it is a 30C solution. Even in 6C the medicine has been diluted a million million times.
At 12C it is a drop of medicine in the Atlantic Ocean! So 30 C is unimaginable. 30 C is equivalent to one drop of medicine in all the Oceans on Earth and many more in the Universe!



A drug's molecule, after interacting with the body, cures an ailment. With such homeopathic dilution, there is less chance in a billion, for a single molecule of a medicine to remain in the solution. After such dilution, it is plain water or alcohol, scientist avers.



So if there isn't one single molecule present in the solution the question of its interaction with the body and subsequent curing of a disease doesn't arise.
Homeopaths say this astronomically diluted solution combined with sugar pills actually help cure diseases. Scientists brand it as plain and simple quackery administrated to gullible patients.



During the early 80s, Homeopathy literally received a shot in the arm. Jacques Benveniste, a French researcher, having many discoveries to his credit, came out with another stunning discovery.



During his experiment on Basophile, a type of blood cell and its allergic reaction, he made a startling finding. He had diluted a substance to homeopathic level and added it to Basophile. This activated the Basophile; bizarrely!



There was sensation in the scientific community after his findings was published in June 1988, in the greatest journal of scientific discoveries: Nature.
Benveniste termed his finding as the 'Memory of Water'. Water. According to his theory, water had the capacity to remember and react with the natural characteristic of a substance it was earlier mixed with. Even if it was diluted to astronomical levels like Homeopaths do. The world of homeopathy was ecstatic with the finding.



But, the then Editor of Nature, Sir John Maddox had convinced Benveniste that his discovery would be published if he allowed an investigation team to visit his centre and he carried out the experiment again in their presence. So the story had just begun and so too the histrionic of James Randi.



Randi a magician and an opponent of all things supernatural was invited by Sir Maddok to be in the investigation team together with other scientists and fraud busters.



On 4th July 1988 the investigative team arrived in Paris for the test. Randi with his often-sarcastic magic tricks, popping things out thin air, made the researchers uneasy.



Eventually, the test was a failure much to the dismay of Benveniste and his team of researchers. The Memory of Water theory fell into ignominy, but not for too long.



Madeleine Ennis, a reputed professor of Pharmacology, performed an experiment akin to the French researcher using the same kind of blood cell, some times later.



She was astonished to find that Histamine a chemical diluted down to homeopathic levels activated the cells.



At that time, James Randi had already posted in his Web site a public promise challenging to pay a million Dollars to anyone who could prove anything scientifically impossible.



The BBC's Progammme, Horizon, contacted Randi and decided to conduct its own scientific experiment using Ennis's experiments to find if water had memory.



Some of top scientists from Great Britain were gathered. Amongst them was the Vice-President of the Royal Society, Professor John Enderby.
Randi was flown from the United States. The grand show began. None of the experimenters knew if they were handling homeopathic solutions or pure water, on Randi's insistence.



Scientist Rachel Pearson started the serial dilution of Histamine. At 15C it was diluted to one million million million million million times.
Some were taken down, to 18C! The diluted solution and pure water, each in different test tubes, were applied to the cell. Some solution activated others didn't.



Eventually the test fell flat on its face. It failed to prove that water has a memory.



Scientists concluded: people's faith on homeopathic cure is all about Placebos effect, or as Munnabhai would probably term it as 'Chemical Lochas' in our brain that make-believe.



Homeopaths rubbish such generalization. They say Homeopathy medicines cures babies and children's ailment. When they have the least knowledge of being administrated with the medicine.



Vets too have used homeopathic medicines on animals to cure ailments. Sheep, Goats, Cows and other wild animals have been treated with homeopathic medicines.



Despite claims and counter claims, some of the highlights of homeopathic medicines are prescription of one medicine for one or more ailments.
Allopathic doctors on the other hand may prescribe a cough syrup, multiple tablets for a case of cold and fever. Undoubtedly, homeopathic medicines are therefore cost-effective. Although many know such medicines are of little assistance in emergency situations.



Nonetheless, who can forget the delicious taste of homeopathic medicines? The gentle fatherly demure of the practitioners (with a bit of generalization) alleviating some of the problem – physiology - during counseling and the elaborate questioner sessions.



Then the homely ambience of the Chamber with cupboards stashed with myriad small bottles of medicines.



The classic part is the preparation of the medicine; like someone putting in a whiff of this and that Masala while jarring that favourite homemade chutney and handing out the secret family recipe to future generations.



But the most important aspect is the faith of millions who say homeopathic medicines does work. From the rich to the poor from the influential to unsung heroes all repose faith on this two-century-old branch of 'medical science.'



In fact, Homeopathic medicine gained popularity manifold after Benveniste's theory Memory of Water failed. Homeopathy medicine therefore is somewhat like the Gauls marauding the mighty Romans (read Allopathic medicines) with the assistance of magic potions of Getafix in the Asterix comic.



Many feel Homeopathy has nothing to lose and everything to gain, including the one million prize of James Randi.

Le premier Superman, Hanuman

Hanuman s'est envolé pour Garo Hills, selon la légende, pour recueillir la vie-épargne Sanjeevani (plantes médicinales) après Lakshman a été blessé, a déclaré tribal de l'Inde et Doner ministre PR Kyndiah.

Lorsque Lakshman a été blessé par un coup de flèche empoisonnée par Meghdut fils de Ravana, il a été diagnostiqué, que seule la Sanjaveeni pourrait lui sauver la vie, comme par le Ramayana, le texte sacré de l'hindouisme.

Comme Lakshman prévues aux prises avec sa vie, Hanuman est allé chercher de l'herbe, le ministre a déclaré l'Union dans son discours inaugural lors de la 29 thIndian folklore Congrès de Shillong, la capitale du Meghalaya en Inde du nord.

Hanuman a volé des champs de bataille du Sri Lanka et est entré à l'Himalaya à la recherche de l'herbe. Du haut de l'Himalaya, il a aperçu un monticule et a procédé tout droit vers elle.

Ce lieu était d'ailleurs Balpakram parc national du Sud GaroHills, Meghalaya, Kyndiah dit raconter la légende. Hanuman ne pas pouvoir toidentify l'herbe tiré vers le haut de la colline entière et s'envola vers le champ de bataille.

Lakshman la vie a été sauvée après l'herbe a été appliquée à ses blessures. Kyndiah dit, bien que les chercheurs n'ont pas encore venu à une conclusion définitive si Hanuman est réellement venu à Balpakram mais, le lieu porte témoin signe d'un déracinement massif.

"L'endroit a un immense tunnel en forme de creux. De plus, la région est parsemée de vieux édifices religieux," Kyndiah déclaré lors du rassemblement. Il a ajouté dévots de l'Inde et du Bangladesh aussi visiter l'endroit. La région a également connu sous le nom des lieux Shivbari et les autres noms d'attribut des dieux et des déesses qui ajoute à ce mystère.

Balpakram parc national se trouve près de 3.000 pieds au-dessus niveau de la mer et couvre une superficie de 200 kilomètres carrés. Il s'agit d'un plateau et les plaines du Bangladesh peut être vu du parc atop.The est riche en flore et de faune rares. Il a une certaine topographie déconcertante, d'ailleurs, différents lieux mystiques encore le voile du Parc National.

(original) Hanuman flew to Garo Hills, according to legends, to collect the life-saving Sanjeevani (medicinal herb) after Lakshman was injured, said India's Tribal and DoNER minister PR Kyndiah.

When Lakshman was injured by a poisonous arrow shot by Ravana's son Meghdut, it was diagnosed, that only the Sanjaveeni could save his life, as per the Ramayana, the holy text of the Hindu.

As Lakshman laid battling with his life, Hanuman went in search of the herb, the Union Minister said in his inaugural address at the 29 thIndian Folklore Congress in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya in northeast India.

Hanuman flew from the battlefields of Sri Lanka and came to the Himalayas looking for the herb. From top of the Himalayas he sighted a hillock and proceeded straight towards it.

That place incidentally was Balpakram National Park in South GaroHills, Meghalaya, Kyndiah said narrating the legend. Hanuman not being able toidentify the herb pulled up the entire hillock and flew back to the battlefield.

Lakshman's life was saved after the herb was applied to his wounds. Kyndiah said, although scholars have not yet come to a definite conclusion whether Hanuman actually came to Balpakram but, the place bears tell tale sign of a massive uproot.

"The place has a huge tunnel shaped hollow. Moreover, the area is strewn with ancient religious shrines," Kyndiah told the gathering. He added devotees from India and also Bangladesh visit the place. The area also has places known as Shivbari and other names attribute to Gods and Goddesses which adds to it's the mystery.

Balpakram National Park stands nearly 3,000 feet above sea level and covers an area of 200 square kilometer. It is a tableland and the plains of Bangladesh can be seen from atop.The park is rich in rare flora and fauna. It has some baffling topography; moreover, various mystic places still veil the National Park.

CAR AMBASSADEUR, ROLLS ROYCE DE L'INDE

Les législateurs Meghalaya ont été invités à utiliser et à acheter le desi-Rolls Royce, l'ambassadeur, et Voyage en avion en classe économique.

"Si le Président, le Premier ministre de l'Inde et d'autres ministres peuvent Voyage dans le Amby blanche que pourquoi les législateurs ne peuvent pas ici», a demandé de conseiller économique auprès du Premier Ministre, Charles Pyngrope aujourd'hui, en annonçant les mesures d'austérité.

En Juin dernier, le Congrès Législature Party (CLP) a demandé à des hommes de parti de faire preuve de rigueur et aller véhicules du lèche-vitrine ou une utilisation rentable. Inclus dans cette liste de courses, est l'ambassadeur tenace.

«Nous pouvons sauver entre Rs 3 à 4 Crore chaque année en réduisant les dépenses inutiles. Ce montant peut être utilisé pour payer le salaire des enseignants ad hoc l'école», a déclaré Pyngrope.

Le chef actuel ministre J D Rymbai a un R. 15 vaut Lakh Octavia. Ancien ministre en chef JJ Lapang utilisé une voiture tout ce Sonata prix entre 12-14 Lakh.

D'autres législateurs ont aussi utilisé ces véhicules de luxe coûteux. "Seul le CM et le vice-CM peut utiliser des véhicules de luxe tels", a déclaré Pyngrope.

Avec ce changement soudain de coeur, la voiture Ambassadeur bon vieux temps, qui incarne la quête de l'Inde indépendante avec le progrès et le développement, semblent avoir mis sur la touche c'est plus rapide et swankier cousins ​​importés.

En fait, la «Vieille Dame», ces jours-ci lance le avec un puissant moteur de 1800cc Isuzu. Elle a d'abord frappé les routes indiennes en 1957 et incarné l'Inde
potentiel pour construire des véhicules autochtones.

(original) Meghalaya Legislators have been advised to use and buy the desi-Rolls Royce, the Ambassador, and travel in economy class airfare.

"If the President, Prime Minister of India and other ministers can travel in the white Amby than why can't legislators here," asked Economic advisor to the Chief Minister, Charles Pyngrope today, announcing the austerity measures.

In June last, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) had asked party men to show some austerity and go window-shopping or use cost-effective vehicles. Included in that shopping list, is the dogged Ambassador.

"We can save between Rs 3 to 4 Crore annually by slashing unnecessary expenditure. This amount can be used to pay salary of ad hoc school teachers," Pyngrope said.

The present Chief Minister J D Rymbai has a Rs. 15 Lakh worth Octavia. Former Chief Minister DD Lapang used a Sonata car priced anything between 12-14 Lakh.

Other legislators too have used such expensive luxury vehicles. "Only the CM and the Deputy CM may use such luxury vehicles," Pyngrope stated.

With this sudden change of heart, the good old Ambassador car, which epitomized Independent India's quest with progress and development, seem to have sidelined it's faster and swankier imported cousins.

In fact, the 'Old Lady', these days fires up the with a powerful 1800cc Isuzu engine. It first hit the Indian roads in 1957 and epitomised India's
potential to build indigenous vehicles.

Perdu dans un monde d'adultes

ILe enfant en eux, pour une fois, se balançait, a sauté sur Merry-go-rounds et gambadaient sur ​​balançoires aujourd'hui. Des circonstances par ailleurs fait en sorte que ces enfants assument le rôle des adultes.

La plupart de ces enfants d'un moindre Dieu, venant de familles brisées et certains vivent dans la rue se sont réunis pour célébrer avant Noël et peut-être aussi les joies d'être un enfant. Childline a organisé la pré-Noël se rassemblent à l'école Don Bosco ici dans cet état colline de Meghalaya en Inde du nord.


12-ans Ibalang (nom changé) a dit qu'elle travaille comme femme de ménage. Sa contribution à sa famille de sept frères et sœurs et mère célibataire est immense.


«Normalement, je n'ai pas le temps de jouer. Quand je rentre chez moi, je suis fatigué et aller au lit, dit-elle. Ibalang était ici aujourd'hui, au début des heures à jouer la plupart du temps, avec d'autres enfants avec l'espérance de d'un cadeau de Noël.


"Je veux une robe", at-elle ajouté avec une timidité feinte. Le frère aîné de Kordor (15) a été responsable en apportant son frère de 8 ans pour la célébration. Kordor est un vendeur de journaux.


Kordor amené son frère le long parce qu'il n'avait pas assisté à une célébration de Noël avant de leur famille de cinq frères et sœurs et mère célibataire.


Pour d'autres, comme M. Suresh (14) vivent dans la rue depuis des années, aujourd'hui a été une occasion rare d'attendre pour les dons d'une personne. Il balaye pour les chiffons et les vend et gagne à peine de sa nourriture quotidienne.


Demain, ces enfants seraient à nouveau perdu dans la foule des adultes laissant derrière eux leur innocence!


(original) The child in them, for once, swung, hopped on merry-go-rounds and frolicked on seesaws today. Circumstances otherwise have ensured that these children assume the role of adults.

Most of these children of a lesser God, coming from broken families and some living in the streets got together to celebrate pre-Christmas and also perhaps the joys of being a child. Childline organized the pre-Christmas get together at the Don Bosco School here in this hill state of Meghalaya in northeast India.


12-year-old Ibalang (names changed) said she works as a housemaid. Her contribution towards her family of seven siblings and single mother is immense.


"Normally I don't get time to play. When I get back home I am tired and go to bed," she said. Ibalang was here early hours today playing most of the time, with other children with the expectance of a Christmas gift.


"I want a dress," she added coyly. The elder brother in Kordor (15) was responsible in bringing his 8-year-old brother for the celebration. Kordor is a newspaper vendor.


Kordor brought his brother along because he had not witnessed a Christmas celebration before in their family of five siblings and single mother.


For others like Suresh (14) living on the street for years now, today was a rare opportunity to expect for gifts from someone. He scavenges for rags and sells them and earns barely for his daily food.


Tomorrow these kids would again be lost in the crowd of adults leaving behind their innocence!

Au pays des fantômes Radcliffe

Les chemins sans hâte brûlée par le soleil de ces villages poussiéreux semblent commencer et se terminer à un endroit inconnu, où le fantôme d'un gentleman anglais, Cyril Radcliff règne. Ces villages sont enceintes avec une pause. Temps semblent avoir cessé cochant ici à partir de 1947.

Toutefois, cela n'a pas empêché la vie à la force de la terre. Qu'il s'agisse de l'herbe verdoyante pleine de jus ou de narcisses sauvages se balançant avec l'air humide. Il ya aussi les plantes occasionnels Mimosa, en restant apparemment au secret, après plusieurs tentatives pour les atteindre. Ce sont quelques-uns des villages surnommé «en possession indésirables" (pour ce que cela signifie), près de Pyrdiwah le long de la frontière indo-Bangla dans le Meghalaya.

Voici la vache du Bangladesh ne pas hésiter à brouter (indienne) herbe. Elle lève la tête pour avoir un aperçu à l'approche des étrangers. Quelques secondes plus tard, elle reprend, avec nonchalance, son croquant. La région est également parsemée de «T, sous et les piliers de la frontière internationale». De loin, elles ressemblent à des taches d'encre causé par une plume en désordre sur une carte topographique. Le Azan de la mosquée lointaine Bangladesh flottait sur ces taches.

Témoigner de tout cela, il est facile de se perdre, et accidentellement la bande de roulement à l'intérieur du Bangladesh comme possédé par le fantôme Radcliff. Ici aussi, l'air humide se bloque, les plantes sont également Mimosa honte. Seule une faucille brandissant bangladais de charge à travers les rizières incultes peuvent ramener le point d'être dans un monde irréel.

"Amrare marte aiso ni?" (Avez-vous venir nous tuer "?) Avec ce soupçon, il rassemble ses semblables et les requêtes:" diya Bandook ki Korba ... Marba ni? (Que faites-vous avec des fusils ... veulent nous tuer "?), Pointant à la Force de sécurité des frontières (BSF) des gardes.

Pendant ce temps, un jardin serpent traversé la frontière avec la facilité. Le Border Security Force (BSF) n'a pas trop se soucier de l'infiltration. "Karega Apko kuch nahi ... yeh zaheerila Nehi hai» («il ne vous nuira pas ... il n'est pas toxique."), Fait l'écho des gardes-frontières à l'unisson de l'intrusion du Bangladesh.

Le trekking en outre sur la ligne zéro dans la partie indienne, la suspicion et la désinformation (probablement) se répandent comme une traînée de poudre à travers la frontière. Les enfants s'élancèrent comme le vent. Disparaître derrière des arbres et les plantations de bananes abondante noix de bétel. Ils ont laissé une traînée de poussière, le chaos et la tension dans l'air. Plus Bangladesh réunis et ont couru et marché parallèle à l'équipe indienne. Tout en criant à travers la frontière. Il a été pandémonium perceptible de l'autre côté.
Une femme dans la partie du Bangladesh, étant probablement mal informé de la visite des Indiens, lança le choicest jurons de son porte chaumière. Sa complainte entrecoupée de violations ont continué pendant au moins 20 minutes jusqu'à ce que l'équipe indienne trouvé (heureusement) la couverture naturelle des collines.

Enfin, dans le village de Lyngkhat (Lakhancherra au Bangladesh), les villageois se sont réunis. Les caméras et les trépieds intrigué hordes d'enfants ici. Les enfants du Bangladesh trop squatté et regardé avec émerveiller à travers la frontière internationale d'environ cinq pieds de distance. les femmes du Bangladesh baigné dans un sale ruisseau voisin. Il n'ya pas de clôtures ici, pas de paroles échangées, entre les deux voisins. Le BSF se vigilants. Le village est étiqueté "dans''possession adverse.

Il ya environ 52 ces terrains a ajouté «en possession indésirables" en Inde revendiquée par le Bangladesh. L'Inde soutient environ 49 pour ces terres en possession adversative du Bangladesh. Ces petits morceaux de terre varient en taille de 5 à 500 acres.

En outre, il est le plus délicat problème des enclaves. Il ya 111 enclaves indiennes (connu sous le nom jetons de au Bangladesh) mesure 17,258.24 acres au Bangladesh. De même, il ya 51 telles enclaves Bangladesh en territoire indien, couvrant 7,083.72 acres.

"Nous avons peur», a déclaré, Thomlin Khongthohrem, les sourcils froncés, l'un des anciens du village à village Lyngkhat. "L'année dernière, certains de nos gens ont été traînés au Bangladesh", se plaint-il. Ironiquement, il s'agit d'un commentaire d'un match de cricket entre le Bangladesh et le Kenya étant engueuler direct à la radio Bangladesh.

Après avoir été interrogé, si les enfants ont aimé le cricket et le nom du joueur de cricket indien, les enfants du village ont fait chou blanc. «Nous écoutons ce que nous obtenons à la radio», dit un gamin. «Nous aimons jouer au football", a déclaré un autre jeune enthousiaste.

Un exemple classique d'une gaffe Radcliff est le terrain de football du village. La moitié du champ est de l'Inde l'autre moitié au Bangladesh. Les joueurs effort de franchir la frontière internationale au cours de leurs jeux. Tous les joueurs de football sont ici, donc, de renommée internationale, littéralement parlant.
Vous sentez-vous en jouant bizarre simultanément dans deux pays dans un jeu de 90 minutes de football? «Non, dit l'un des jeunes joueurs de football. "Ne jamais senti la différence, c'est la même chose".

Ni ne Radcliff, il traça une ligne droite sur une carte topographique tragiquement divisant les rivières, les places de marché, etc Il a payé le moins d'attention aux réalités du terrain. Ce gentleman anglais a dirigé la Commission de la frontière à la partition Inde en 1947.

Le trekking de retour vers le village de Pyrdiwah, tout le monde redoutait de passer par le patch où les femmes du Bangladesh a lancé les abus. Mais, elle après la longue tirade avait probablement décidé de faire quelque chose de constructif ... peut-être ... se fait ses corvées.

L'après-midi a été d'être grillé par la chaleur avril, à Pyrdiwah. Simol Khonglah était d'une humeur gaillarde. Elle a été l'un des premiers villageois, qui a informé de l'incursion du Bangladesh en avril 2001. Puis, le village était assiégé, maison et cultures endommagés et pillés pendant des jours par les Bangladais.

Elle dit, les villageois sont ici «plus peur», avec le BSF se ré-exécution après l'incursion, à partir d'un peloton d'une société. Néanmoins, le fait demeure, le BSF est très insuffisant. La distance normale de la frontière des messages (BOP) est comprise entre 5 à 8 kms. La distance est grande par la norme internationale. Et avec de vastes étendues du total 4000 km de la frontière indo-Bangla reste non clôturée, la tâche du BSF est coupé.

Les observateurs se sent, New Delhi et Dhaka a pas fait assez pour exorciser le fantôme de Radcliff dans le secteur oriental. Il est à craindre et l'anxiété perceptible dans ces villages après toutes ces années. Ces lieux ont quelque peu irréel de vraies personnes avec la vie florissante de vie là-dedans, que les deux pays doivent reconnaître.

Ces craintes et une volonté de se battre sur sont probablement semblable à la vie au Bangladesh durant l'occupation du Pakistan de ce pays. Le célèbre poète du Bangladesh rebelles Nirmalendu Goon a écrit dans «arme à feu» son poème de cette occupation et le diktat militaire durant cette période:

Effrayé des citoyens, conformément aux directives militaires / déposent leur fusils de chasse, fusils, pistolets et des cartouches / comme des offrandes promis à un sanctuaire / seulement moi, désobéir à la directive militaire, a fermé les rebelles doux / Je suis ouvertement le retour à ma chambre, et encore avec moi repose une arme à feu terrible / mon cœur / Je ne l'ai pas remise.


(original) The unhurried sun-baked paths of these dusty villages seem to begin and end at some unknown place, where the ghost of one English gentleman, Cyril Radcliff reigns. These villages are pregnant with pause. Time seem to have stopped ticking here from 1947.

However, this has not inhibited life to force out of the earth. Be it the verdant grass full with juice or the wild daffodils swaying with the humid air. There are also the occasional Mimosa plants, remaining, seemingly incommunicado, after several attempts to reach them. These are some of the villages dubbed "in adverse possession" (for whatever it means) near Pyrdiwah along the Indo-Bangla border in Meghalaya.

Here the Bangladeshi cow does not hesitate to graze on (Indian) grass. She lifts her head to take a glimpse at the approaching strangers. Seconds later, she resumes, nonchalantly, her munching. The area is also dotted with 'T, sub and International boundary pillars'. From far off, they look like ink blots caused by a messy pen on a topographic map. The Azan from the distant Bangladeshi mosque wafted over these blotches.

Witnessing all these, it's easy to lose oneself, and accidentally tread inside Bangladeshi as if possessed by the Radcliff ghost. Here too the air hangs humid, the Mimosa plants are equally ashamed. Only a sickle-wielding Bangladeshi charging across the uncultivated paddy fields can bring home the point of being in an unreal world.

"Amrare marte aiso ni?" (Have you come to kill us"?) With this suspicion, he gathers his fellow men and queries: "Bandook diya ki korba… marba ni? (What are you doing with guns … want to kill us"?), pointing at the Border Security Force (BSF) Guards.

Meanwhile, a garden snake criss-crossed the border with ease. The Border Security Force (BSF) did not worry much about the infiltration. "Apko kuch nahi karega… yeh zaheerila nehi hai' ("it won't harm you… it is not poisonous."), echoed the border guards in unison of the Bangladeshi intrusion.

On further trekking upon the zero line in the Indian side, the suspicion and misinformation (probably) spread like wild fire across the border. Children dashed off like wind. Disappearing behind plentiful banana trees and Betel nut plantations. They left a trail of dust, chaos and tension in the air. More Bangladeshi gathered and ran and walked parallel to the Indian team. All the while shouting across the border. There was perceptible pandemonium on the other side.
A woman in the Bangladeshi side, being probably misinformed of the Indians visit, hurled the choicest expletives from her thatched hut doorstep. Her lament interspersed with abuses continued for at least 20 minutes until the Indian team found (thankfully) natural cover of the hills.

Finally, at Lyngkhat village (Lakhancherra in Bangladesh ), the villagers gathered. The cameras and tripods intrigued hoards of children here. The Bangladeshi children too squatted and watched with amaze from across the International border about five feet away. Bangladeshi women bathed in a soiled stream nearby. There are no fences here, no words exchanged, between the two neighbours. The BSF stood vigilant. The village is tagged "in adverse possession''.

There are about 52 such land tagged "in adverse possession" in India claimed by Bangladesh. India claims for about 49 such land 'in adverse possession' of Bangladesh. These small pieces of land vary in size from 5 to 500 acres.

Moreover, there is the trickier issue of Enclaves. There are 111 Indian Enclaves (known as Chits in Bangladesh) measuring 17,258.24 acres in Bangladesh. Similarly, there are 51 such Bangladesh enclaves in Indian Territory, covering 7,083.72 acres.

"We are scared," said, Thomlin Khongthohrem, with knitted brows, one of the village elders at Lyngkhat village. "Last year some of our people were dragged into Bangladesh", he laments. Ironically, there is a commentary of a cricket match between Bangladesh and Kenya being bawled live on Bangladesh radio.

On being queried, if the children enjoyed cricket and the names of Indian cricket player, the village kids drew a blank. "We listen to whatever we get on the radio," said one kid. "We love to play football," said another enthusiastic kid.

A classic example of a Radcliff goof up is the village football field. Half of the field is in India the other half in Bangladesh. The players effortlessly cross the International border during their games. All the football players here are, therefore, of International repute, literally speaking.
Does it feel weird playing simultaneously in two countries in a ninety minute game of football? "No," said one of the young football players. "Never felt the differences, it is the same".

Neither did Radcliff, he drew a straight line on a topographic map tragically dividing rivers, market places etc. He paid the least heed to the ground realities. This English gentleman headed the Boundary Commission to partition India in 1947.

On trekking back towards Pyrdiwah village, everyone dreaded to pass through the patch where the Bangladeshi women had hurled abuses. But, she after the long tirade had probably decided to do something constructive… perhaps… get her chores done.

The afternoon was being roasted by the April heat, at Pyrdiwah. Simol Khonglah was in a chirpy mood. She was one of the first villagers, who informed of the Bangladeshi incursion back in April 2001. Then, the village was besieged, house and crops damaged and looted for days by the Bangladeshis.

She says, the villagers here are 'not scared anymore', with the BSF re-enforcing itself after the incursion, from a Platoon to a Company. Nonetheless, the fact remains, the BSF is greatly understaffed. The normal distance of the Border out Posts (BOP) is between 5 to 8 kms. The distance is high by International standard. And with vast stretches of the total 4000 km of the Indo-Bangla border remaining unfenced, the BSF's task is cut out.

Observers feels, New Delhi and Dhaka has not done enough to exorcise the ghost of Radcliff in the eastern sector. There is perceptible fear and anxiety in these villages after all these years. These somewhat unreal places have real people thriving with life living in there, which both countries need to acknowledge.

These fears and a will to fight on are probably akin to the life in Bangladesh during Pakistan's occupation of that country. Famed Bangladeshi rebel poet Nirmalendu Goon wrote in his poem 'Firearm' of that occupation and the military diktat during that time:

Frightened citizens, in accordance with military directives/ are depositing their shotguns, rifles, pistols and cartridges/ like promised offerings at some holy shrine/only I, disobeying the military directive, turned a mild rebel/ I am openly returning to my room, and yet with me rests a terrible firearm/my heart / I didn't surrender it.