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How was the Raj transformed from the jewel in Britain's imperial crown to the independent nations of India and Pakistan?1858: Beginning of the RajIn 1858, British Crown rule was established in India, ending a century of control by the East India Company. The life and death struggle that preceded this formalisation of British control lasted nearly two years, cost £36 million, and is variously referred to as the 'Great Rebellion', the 'Indian Mutiny' or the 'First War of Indian Independence'. Inevitably, the consequences of this bloody rupture marked the nature of political, social and economic rule that the British established in its wake. It is important to note that the Raj (in Hindi meaning 'to rule' or 'kingdom') never encompassed the entire land mass of the sub-continent. Two-fifths of the sub-continent continued to be independently governed by over 560 large and small principalities, some of whose rulers had fought the British during the 'Great Rebellion', but with whom the Raj now entered into treaties of mutual cooperation. 'The 'Great Rebellion' helped create a racial chasm between ordinary Indians and Britons.'Indeed the conservative elites of princely India and big landholders were to prove increasingly useful allies, who would lend critical monetary and military support during the two World Wars. Hyderabad for example was the size of England and Wales combined, and its ruler, the Nizam, was the richest man in the world. They would also serve as political bulwarks in the nationalist storms that gathered momentum from the late 19th century and broke with insistent ferocity over the first half of the 20th century. But the 'Great Rebellion' did more to create a racial chasm between ordinary Indians and Britons. This was a social segregation which would endure until the end of the Raj, graphically captured in EM Forster's 'A Passage to India'.While the British criticised the divisions of the Hindu caste system, they themselves lived a life ruled by precedence and class, deeply divided within itself. Rudyard Kipling reflected this position in his novels. His books also exposed the gulf between the 'white' community and the 'Anglo-Indians', whose mixed race caused them to be considered racially 'impure'. Please see: (http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/modern/independence1947_01.shtml) for the next seven pages.
Hendrix's popularity eventually saw him headline the Woodstock music festival on August 18, 1969. Bad weather and logistical problems caused long delays, so that Hendrix did not appear on stage until Monday morning. By this time, the audience (which had peaked at over 500,000 people) had been reduced to, at most, 180,000, many of whom merely waited to catch a glimpse of Hendrix before leaving. Festival MC Chip Monck introduced the band as "The Jimi Hendrix Experience", but Hendrix quickly corrected this to "Gypsy Sun and Rainbows" and launched into a two hour set, the longest of his career. As as well as the two percussionists, the performance notably featured Larry Lee performing three songs and Lee sometimes soloing while Hendrix played rhythm in places, most of this has been edited out of the officially released recordings, including Lee's three songs, reducing the sound to basically a three piece.The concert was relatively free of the technical difficulties that frequently plagued Hendrix's performances, although one of his guitar strings snapped while performing Red House (he kept playing regardless). The band, unused to playing large audiences and exhausted after being up all night, could not always keep up with Hendrix's pace, but in spite of this the guitarist managed to deliver a memorable performance, climaxing with his highly-regarded rendition of the The Star-Spangled Banner,[80] a solo improvisation which is now regarded as a special symbol of the 1960s era.[81]The band did not last long. After the Woodstock festival they appeared on only two more occasions. The first was a street benefit in Harlem where, in a scenario similar to the festival, most of the audience had left and only a fraction remained by the time Hendrix took the stage. Within seconds of Hendrix arriving at the site two youths had stolen his guitar from the back seat of his car, although it was later recovered. The band's only other appearance was at the Salvation club in Greenwich Village, New York. After some studio recordings, Hendrix disbanded the group. Some of this band's recordings can be heard on the MCA Records box set The Jimi Hendrix Experience and on South Saturn Delta. Their final work together was a session on 6th September[82]. Hendrix's 9th September appearance on TV's Dick Cavett Show, backed by Cox, Mitchell and Juma Sultan, was credited as the "Jimi Hendrix Experience"[83].
What is Gu Chu Sum?The Gu-Chu-Sum (9-10-3) Movement of Tibet was established on September 27, 1991 in Dharamsala, India by ex-political prisoners of the Tibetan freedom movement. Initially organised by monks, nuns, and lay people, the Gu-Chu-Sum Movement grew out of the earnest, heartfelt wish to help the suffering Tibetans remaining in prisons in Tibet and to provide needed support to ex-political prisoners who have journeyed into exile. Gu-Chu-Sum is endorsed by His Holiness The Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Government-In-Exile, and the Indian Government. All 430 members of Gu-Chu-Sum are former political prisoners.The Gu-Chu-Sum Movement of Tibet was named according to the months in which major demonstrations occurred in Lhasa. "Gu" is for September 27, 1987, "Chu" is for October 1, 1987, and "Sum" is for March 5, 1988. On these dates major demonstrations were carried out by the three main monasteries in Lhasa, and the monks who participated were suppressed mercilessly by the Chinese Army. These monks were imprisoned for their efforts to regain Tibetan freedom and were brutally tortured, physically maimed, and often forced to do back-breaking labour while being fed starvation rations. Many of those tortured succumbed to their injuries and either died in prison or were released so that their families would have to deal with their relative's deaths. Currently, more than 130 prisoners of conscience are suffering torture, cold and starvation in Chinese prisons in Tibet.Our ActivitiesWe aim to follow the main agenda discussed during the general body meeting and administer the following daily activities:-• Informing the international community of the facts about Tibet and how many Tibetans are suffering under Chinese rule• Supporting political prisoners in Tibet• Supporting ex-political prisoners in exile• Collaboration with other NGOs• Organising talks and meetings with ex-political prisoners• Maintaining an extensive database on political prisoners and their treatment in Tibet• Publishing an annual magazine 'Tibetan Envoy' (Phonya) and 'Tibetan Envoy Newsletter' quarterly in both Tibetan and English languages• Publishing autobiographies of ex-political prisoners• Holding photographic exhibitions in different locations• Helping obtain healthcare for former political prisoners• Organising campaigns for the release of political prisoners• Providing a one-year computer and language course to our students along with residential accommodation at GuChuSum• Generating income for our activities by running a Tailoring Shop creating handmade Tibetan clothingInforming the international community of the facts about Tibet and how many Tibetans are suffering under Chinese rule:Throughout the year we report on new developments in Tibet, especially news about political prisoners. We organise talks led by ex-political prisoners so as to make more people aware of the suffering and anguish of Tibetans. We also publish the magazine 'Tibetan Envoy' once a year in both Tibetan and English. We have published a biography of nine ex-political prisoners in Tibetan and intend to translate them into English soon. We would also like to publish more biographies of ex-political prisoners. To provide accurate information on these various subjects, we are constantly updating our extensive database.Supporting political prisoners in Tibet:GuChuSum provides much needed assistance to political prisoners who continue to suffer in Chinese prisons within Tibet. We provide financial and moral support for these prisoners as well as to their families and organise campaigns working for their release.Supporting ex-political prisoners in exile:We provide the basic needs to the recently arrived former prisoners including housing, employment, medical care, education, job training, and economic assistance. Our goal is to meet the immediate needs while fostering ultimate self-sufficiency and self-reliance. At our new premises, Lung-ta House, we can accommodate about fifty people and we aim to give work experience to as many ex-political prisoners as possible.We have a library for use by the office staff and students. Nearby members can also use the library.Our cafeteria facility is used for the staff, trainees, and students, as well as for the members who come for treatment. All the members who come from the outside can have free food. During Monlam and other important teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, all the members who live outside Dharamsala can stay and have food at GuChuSum. Daily we have around eighty people who use our cafeteria facility.Collaboration with other NGOs:There are eight Tibetan NGOs in Dharamsala. Several times a year we organise, in collaboration with other NGOs, events such as peace marches, processions, letter writing campaigns, candle light vigils and hunger strikes. We also exchange information as much as possible so that we can all stay in touch with what is really happening in Tibet.Organising talks and meetings with ex-political prisoners:We regularly hold talks by ex-political prisoners at various places in Dharamsala and various educational centres and Tibetan settlements in India. These talks give a very vivid and human picture of prison life in Tibet and help to inform people about the atrocities occurring in Tibet under Chinese rule.Maintaining an extensive database on political prisoners and their treatment in Tibet:GuChuSum collects and releases information about political prisoners. It maintains a database on current and former political prisoners and also documents the death cases. We also collect testimonies from political prisoners who have escaped into exile. Through its networks in Tibet, Gu-Chu-Sum receives and disseminates information on political prisoners in Tibet and the conditions of those just released.Publishing an annual magazine 'Tibetan Envoy' (Phonya) and 'Tibetan Envoy Newsletter' quarterly in both Tibetan and English languages:Every year we publish the 'Tibetan Envoy,' an annual magazine which highlights the atrocities that are happening in prisons in Tibet today. So far we have published 9 volumes. 'Tibetan Envoy' in published in both English and Tibetan. The magazine contains the latest news about current and released political prisoners. It also contains a frequently updated report on current prisoners in Tibet and other information regarding GuChuSum activities.Since September 2004, we have published the 'Tibetan Envoy Newsletter' every three months in both Tibetan and English. We have also published special reports on certain issues like, 'The Tragic Fate of Bangri Rinpoche' and 'Gyatso Orphanage School.'Publishing autobiographies of ex-political prisoners:1. Life experience of Reting Tenpa Tsering2. Freedom and Tears - Phuntsok Wangchuk3. Ceaseless Tears and Blood - Drapchi Prison (description of Drapchi Prison)4. Life, In Search of Truth - Tenpa Phulchung5. The Path Crossed by Our Ancestors - Kunsang Rinzin6. The Courage to Rebel against Oppressors - Lobsang Tenzin7. Discussing the Vicissitudes of My Long Life - Ven. Thupten Tsering8. Struggle of Three Generations - Sonam Choedon9. The compiled works of Professor Lobsang Wangchuk10. I and My Brother - Tsering Sonam11. A Farmer's Diary - Rigzin Choenyi12. True Story of an Oldwoman - Dolma Choezom13. Lhaimie Yuloe Ngulthig - Yulo Trulku Dawa Tsering14. The Son of Mount Everest - Dingri Ngawang Holding photographic exhibitions in different locations:We have organized photo exhibitions and talks in different locations all over India. In the past few years, we have organised exhibitions in Bodhgaya, Hamirpur, and Chandigarh. These exhibitions depict the pain and agony of the Tibetan people, destruction of the Tibetan environment, as well as instruments used for torture, and others.We have conference hall cum photo-exhibition room on the third floor of our building. There are more than 200 rare photo collections depicting the 1980s demonstrations, wounded protestors, torture instruments, deforestation and His Holiness' journey into exile.Helping obtain healthcare for former political prisoners:GuChuSum looks after the healthcare of political prisoners both in exile and Tibet. We advise them on where to get proper medical treatment, send helpers with them when necessary, and reimburse medical and travel expenses. The helpers assist in communicating with medical staff in Hindi, as well as helping to take care of the patient's general needs.Organising campaigns for the release of political prisoners:Throughout the year, we organise several campaigns for the release of political prisoners through petition letters, campaign post cards and other media.Providing a one-year computer and language course to our students along with residential accommodation at GuChuSum:The most important way to assist refugees is to provide education in accordance with the new environment. We provide language proficiency, basic computer skills, employment skills, and self-confidence to assist in their reintegration into the community, as well as to encourage their self-reliance.Since April 2000, our school has been conducting a one-year course for former political prisoners and their family members. We teach basic computer skills, English, and Tibetan. The school has the capacity to accommodate 20 students and all students stay as boarders. After completing one year of schooling, many of our students become employed in various offices in our community.Generating income for our activities by running a Tailoring Centre & Shop, producing quality handmade Tibetan clothing:Tailoring Centre:The GuChuSum tailoring centre was established in 1991 to provide job training and employment to ex-political prisoners. In the beginning, it employed only a few tailors, but at present, it employs around twenty tailors, most of them being women. Currently, there are two tailoring centres with one in Mcleod Ganj and one on the premises of GuChuSum. These tailors can create monk's robes, Tibetan traditional clothes, bags, and various gift items, like small pouches, etc. We also take bulk orders according to your samples, make prayers flags, Tibetan national flags, etc.Lungta Restaurant: Lungta Japanese Restaurant, a popular Japanese restaurant in Mcleod Ganj serves traditional Japanese vegetarian cuisine from a part of Lung-Ta house. Several former political prisoners are trained in Japanese cuisine and are employed as chefs. Here they learn the art of Japanese cooking as well as communication skills. This is one way many ex political prisoners are able to sustain themselves by doing something productive. Part of the proceeds from the restaurant go to the care and running of GuChuSum. People who helped us along the wayOur thanks to the local Indian community and local government, volunteers, Tibetan friends and the Japanese charity Lungta.
A group of 15 Palestinian, Israeli and international activists have blocked the entrance to Karmei Zur Settlement today.
The entrance to the Karmei Tzur settlement, which is built on the lands of the Palestinian villages Halhul and Beit Umar, was blocked by a group of about 15 Palestinian, Israeli and international activists. To block the road activists chose to symbolically use razor wire that was taken from the fence that circles the settlement, and prevents Palestinians from accessing their land.
A sign reading "Mortal Danger-Military Zone. Any person who passes or damages the fence endangers his life", which was taken from the wall in the area, was hung on the razor wire
Flyers that were left on the road, reminded settlers that while their freedom of movement is being shortly and symbolically interrupted, the daily Palestinian reality, greatly to settlers convenience, is such of checkpoints, roadblocks, fences, apartheid roads and military occupation. http://www.awalls.org/the_entrance_to_karmei_tzur_settlement_blocked_with_razor_wire
One person was killed and another 16 injured in a protest against the Israeli blockade of the Karni cargo crossing.
The following letter was written by a resident of Lhasa, who wishes to remain anonymous. It gives a personal account of the current situation and the tense atmosphere in the city: Yesterday it was quite hot outside and the soldiers guarding one of the petrol stations had a big umbrella to protect them from the intense sunlight. Today it’s the opposite: cold, cloudy and even light snowfall as storm-fronts hover over the mountains and sometimes close in on the valley. Like the weather here in Lhasa the rules are quickly changing too. One day you can go nearly everywhere, the next, military checkpoints won’t let you pass. At the beginning of last week it seemed life was getting back to normal. Guards at the checkpoints relaxed and they seemed not as serious anymore, and overall, there was less military on the streets. But then suddenly heavy military presence was back. A few days ago, in the evening, I walked up Beijing Road. As I did, many military trucks passed me and there were patrols everywhere, only a few cars were to be seen driving around, and the streets were near empty of civilian people. The atmosphere was tense and made the young, normally childish looking soldiers, suddenly look scary. It is difficult to describe Lhasa these days, because you can only see a fraction of what is really going on. If you quickly glance at the city it may seem normal except for the old Tibetan centre, east of the Potala Palace. In the centre, the military has occupied every intersection and stand on every side street, diligently checking your identity card. Even the tiniest of alleyways have at least four military personnel, of whom at least one has a bayonet and all of them a shield, a baton and a helmet. The bigger intersections have more military, and people have to line up in order to get checked. Ethnic Chinese can pass these checkpoints much easier than local Tibetans. Tibetans living at Tromsikhang and the Barkhor area need a special permit, issued by the police, in order to be allowed to go in and out the immediate area surrounding their homes. The square in front of the holiest Tibetan Temple, the Jokhang, normally a sea of people, prostrating, circumambulating and socialising, is now completely empty. In front of the square two military-men in blue uniforms strictly ensure nobody walks on the square. As back up, in case they miss a person, military-men in green suddenly appear out of nowhere to apprehend and push back person’s entering these normally public areas. The round pedestrian street circling the Jokhang is empty too. Only people living in this area are allowed to pass, but everyone is forbidden to do religious Koras around the Jokhang. Instead on the normally bustling retail and religious lanes you can only find small children playing football and other games, trying to get on with life, behind the military guards on these silent streets. On Beijing Road and Sera Road the government has initiated road works. Sections of road are being dug up and replaced where cars were burnt during the March 14 protests leaving burned tarmac. Sidewalks on Beijing Road are being repaved as well after protesters used the pavement stones to throw and break shop windows. As you walk through Lhasa, you can still see many burnt or damaged shops. On Beijing Road alone, there are around 16 shops or shopping complexes burnt out, one of them being the Bank of China and one a jewellery store. Not only are roads and shops getting rebuilt, but also some old, traditional Tibetan houses. If you look casually around you may not think there is a heavy military presence anymore. However, if you look inside hotels and the courtyards of building, and walled grounds, you see trucks, tents and often companies of soldiers exercising. Wherever there is space, you find the military. They are hidden in any empty building, behind buildings and even in the hospital courtyard of Lhasa City Peoples Hospital. Walking the streets of Lhasa, seeing big tea houses unusually empty and many shops still closed, makes you aware of how scared people are these days. Very few people stop on the street when they meet friends, because every gathering of people is cause for suspicion. A lot of people still stay at home because they are scared they will get arrested for no reason if they go out. When you finally find someone not too scared to talk to you, you hear consistent, dramatic, disturbing and daunting stories that give you nightmares. But since they don’t have proof of what happened, it is difficult to inform the media. From the 14th of March 2008, there has been a heavy military presence throughout the city. But people are scared to take photographs because of the many security cameras which monitor the city. People were too scared to take photographs of the tanks in front of the Jokhang Temple and elsewhere in town. And since all the dead bodies got immediately carried away by the military or taken from people’s home during nightly military raids, nobody could prove their brother, relative or friend died. All they could do was confirm that this person had disappeared. All you hear are rumours about the death toll and the number of arrested people. These are anxiously passed on from person to person. Yesterday I talked to a Tibetan man who was speaking for himself and his friends who want the world to know what is going on here. He asked me if I could pass all the information he has to foreign media, so people here could get help and don’t have to be so scared anymore. By talking to me he risked being arrested and being tortured in prison, but he seemed desperate enough not to care about that. In order to protect him, his family and friends and also myself, I will not mention details about the place we met, his age or job. This is what he told me: “On March 14th in the afternoon we heard that there were demonstrations going on in front of Ramoche Temple. Later we saw four people dragging a person who was shot dead in front of the Jokhang and that was when we became really scared. Normally the government should use gas or water against protesters, but here they shoot them. So we went home as fast as possible. In the evening my wife went to pick up our child from school around 6p.m. At that time the military was already on Jiangsu Road were the school was. The military was shooting at the locals who went to pick up their children. One woman got shot in her leg and one man was hit in the head or neck and he died. Later his brother wanted to get his body from the hospital, but the hospital didn’t want to give it to him. Finally the brother became so desperate that he threatened to burn himself and the hospital if they didn’t give his dead brother to his family. The hospital finally gave him his brother’s body, but just a few hours after that the military came and took the dead body away. After March 14th whenever somebody died, you had to get three different papers in order to be allowed to bring the dead body to the sky burial place. If you didn’t have these papers you got pushed back inside your house with the dead body by the army; a very bad omen in Tibetan culture. These three papers one needed were from the local police, the hospital and a lawyer. The reason for this was that with this rule the government made sure that everybody who didn’t die under normal circumstances was found and taken away from the family, so nobody can take photographs and show them to friends or journalists outside Tibet. The problem for the people was that all the offices were closed during these days and therefore nobody could bring their dead family members to the sky burial place on the days they should have according to Tibetan astrology. On March 14, 15 and 16 the military came around midnight to check the homes in our area for pictures of the Dalai Lama, and took everybody with them who didn’t have an identity card. They also had with them pictures of people who were in the demonstrations and they compared them with our faces. About 50 military men with guns came to our home and searched everything. We stayed at home for three days, only going out to go to the toilet and we only had tsampa to eat, and people whose home ran out of gas couldn’t even boil water. The gate to our house complex was closed and there were soldiers posted in front of it. If you went out, you got beaten up quite badly by them. After three days everybody who worked for the government got a phone call and had to go back to work. Without this working permit we were still not allowed to go out. I know at least seven people who got arrested and one who got shot for going out without a working permit. When the foreign journalists were in Lhasa, I think it was from 27th to 29th of March, the military suddenly disappeared from the streets. Instead of wearing their military uniform they changed into traffic police uniforms, gatekeeper uniforms or civil dress and they were hiding inside buildings and behind corners where the journalists couldn’t see them. We were suddenly allowed to go everywhere; there were no checkpoints for those three days. When the journalists were allowed to walk around by themselves, officials in normal clothes or traditional dress followed them, answered their questions and took photographs of individuals who talked to the press. We wanted to tell the press what is going on here in reality, behind the show that was being performed for them, but we didn’t have any chance to get close to them without being punished for that later. When we finally heard that the Jokhang monks told them the truth we were very happy. The pilgrims inside the Jokhang temple at the time were all elderly officials who were forced to go there for pilgrimage on those three day. Normally these people are not allowed to engage in any religious activities, but on those days they had to go. A lot of the other officials were given leave from their office and were told to go to the Barkhor and the Potala, if possible with their families, so that it looked like there was a lot of freedom in Lhasa. After the journalists left the military immediately came back in strength, and we heard that the Jokhang monks got arrested for their statements to the foreign media and foreign officials two days later. Between 17th and 20th of April most of the monks were taken away from Sera to an unknown place. Sera Monastery normally has over 300 monks but now there is only a handful left who care for the chapels. Around midnight about fifteen to twenty military trucks came and detained the monks. We have this information from inside the monastery and also from an abutting (?) owner. But we don’t know what is happening in Drepung and Ganden, two of the biggest monastic centres around Lhasa, but we have heard that monks have been arrested and taken out of Lhasa. From the monasteries around Lhasa a lot of monks and nuns got taken away too and the ones who are still at their monastery are under house arrest. We think the government is worried that when the Olympic flame is in Lhasa there will be new protests by the monks and nuns. That’s why they detain them. They took all of them, no matter if they protested on March 10th and the following days or not, Only chapel custodians, drivers and a few other monastery workers are allowed to stay in the monasteries. Lately there are only a few monks to be seen on the streets. It is dangerous for them, because on the Tibetan TV channel they said that for every suspicious person you report to the police you will get RMB20,000. In reality you only get about RMB2000 but still some people call when they see monk or nuns. Since last week all Tibetans who are not from Lhasa have been ordered to go back to their home districts, except students and teachers studying at government schools. Now the police come to your residence and make you leave Lhasa if you are not from this city. When the Olympic Torch will be in Lhasa only local people and Chinese will be allowed to be here. They did something like this a few years ago at the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet. There is a big problem in the jails now. There is not enough food, not enough water and not enough blankets. The prisoners have to sleep on the ground and sometimes they only get one cup of water a day and nothing else. This way they get health problems, their bodies get really weak and they sometimes die, either in prison or after they are released. The prisoners get beaten very badly. They especially hit prisoners in the kidney, liver and gall-bladder region so prisoners get internal injuries and die slowly. I know this from three friends who were just released from prison. We are so worried about our friends and family members who are in prison. We need to help them, but we don’t know what to do. That’s why we have to tell the foreigners so the world will get to know and help us. The situation is controlled very tightly here in Lhasa. Without ID cards you cannot go out and if you live at Tromsikhang or Barkhor you need a special paper. Wherever there is a gathering or argument people get arrested. At the schools and in the offices people have to write reports and confessions about the 14th of March and they have to speak ill of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. When they write about the Dalai Lama they are only allowed to write Dalai, and not Lama. Otherwise they have to write it again. My child already had to write such reports three times. We are scared and worried about the prisoners. After the demonstrations, I saw some military vehicles like they use in the Iraq war, the same vehicles I saw in the news about Iraq. (probably tanks or armoured troop carriers. ed) but they were in our city. I thought these vehicles are only allowed in war between two countries. On the Tibetan TV News one presenter said that the military did a very good job since this was their first experience with something like war and a good opportunity for them to practise how to shoot and how to kill people. Now they are starting the preparations for the Olympic Flame to come here. They are putting up decorations on the Potala and Jokhang Square. Big Olympic Rings were set up in front of Jokhang and removed again yesterday evening”. What this man told me, I have also heard from other people not connected to him in any way. I have no doubt the Chinese government will forbid foreign tourists from visiting here for the next few months. Tibetans want a chance to tell their side of the story; they try to tell you what happened to them. They know they need help from outside and therefore I believe, by preventing tourism, the government has a way of controlling, censoring and suppressing the situation here. What has happened and continues to happen in Lhasa is extremely sad and scary. Never before have I heard monks talking about methods of torture used in local prisons and different gun types that were used by military during this year’s demonstrations in Lhasa. And never before have I seen Tibetan people so desperate and angry that they do things they know they will die for, or be put in prison for a long time. With the up coming Labour Day Celebrations and Torch Relay in May anxiety has increased in Lhasa and fear of citywide house arrest has resulted in the stockpiling of food. Every day you see people arguing with soldiers at checkpoints. A father and daughter wanted to pass a checkpoint however the military personnel told the man he was permitted but his daughter, who is not old enough to have an identity card, was refused access due to not having one. But even in this difficult time you still see brave and good action. Yesterday I saw a little boy, around one or two years old; that I believed displayed a good example of Tibetan spirit. The baby looked as if he had just learnt how to walk and was out with his grandmother and her little dog. They were standing in front of the Jokhang Square where soldiers in blue uniforms ensured that nobody crossed the square. The baby walked up the three steps to the square and started to make prostrations towards the Jokhang while his grandmother also prayed but her frail body prevented her from prostrating as well. When the boy finished he looked at the guards, then at his grandmother, and then started to walk closer to the temple. The guards looked at the baby, not knowing what to do. After about ten meters the baby boy stopped and prostrated again, then turned around, walked back to one of the guards and took his hand to say goodbye. Seeing this reminded me that all Tibetan people want religious freedom and the right to preserve their culture. They are tired of writing papers against the Dalai Lama, of patriotic re-education and all the rules and regulations that make their life so difficult. Lhasa, 27.04.2008
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<param name='flashvars' value='width=350&height=290&enablejs=true&file=http://canvasopedia.mediaworks.rs/seyretfiles/cache/pro/localfile/5363967d6ad40984e97e96eb1928fb90.xml?random=dr1cw&image=http://canvasopedia.mediaworks.rs/seyretfiles/uploads/thumbnails/user_73/user_73_tk9hwemul34bog_4.jpg&autostart=false&logo=http://canvasopedia.mediaworks.rs/components/com_seyret/localplayer/logo.png&skin=http://canvasopedia.mediaworks.rs/components/com_seyret/localplayer/skins/nacht.swf&repeat=false&fullscreen=true' /> <embed id='seyretp' name='seyretp' src='http://canvasopedia.mediaworks.rs/components/com_seyret/localplayer/player.swf' 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<param name='flashvars' value='width=350&height=290&enablejs=true&file=http://canvasopedia.mediaworks.rs/seyretfiles/cache/pro/localfile/06c3c9e904019bbbb498c3ca8eb2dec0.xml?random=wtxk6&image=http://canvasopedia.mediaworks.rs/seyretfiles/uploads/thumbnails/user_73/user_73_tjy72l1irkzdsh_1.jpg&autostart=false&logo=http://canvasopedia.mediaworks.rs/components/com_seyret/localplayer/logo.png&skin=http://canvasopedia.mediaworks.rs/components/com_seyret/localplayer/skins/nacht.swf&repeat=false&fullscreen=true' /> <embed id='seyretp' name='seyretp' src='http://canvasopedia.mediaworks.rs/components/com_seyret/localplayer/player.swf' flashvars='width=350&height=290&enablejs=true&file=http://canvasopedia.mediaworks.rs/seyretfiles/cache/pro/localfile/06c3c9e904019bbbb498c3ca8eb2dec0.xml?random=wtxk6&image=http://canvasopedia.mediaworks.rs/seyretfiles/uploads/thumbnails/user_73/user_73_tjy72l1irkzdsh_1.jpg&autostart=false&logo=http://canvasopedia.mediaworks.rs/components/com_seyret/localplayer/logo.png&skin=http://canvasopedia.mediaworks.rs/components/com_seyret/localplayer/skins/nacht.swf&repeat=false&fullscreen=true' width=350 height=290 allowfullscreen='true' allowscriptaccess='always' wmode='transparent' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' /></object> Beograd - The political situation in Serbia has not changed much yet. There has been passed a special law in the Serbian parliament about accepting the results of election - which was the main cause for beginning the protests. Now the opposition and the people are waiting to see if the law will be promptly implemented, in the meantime : Huge crowds are on the streets of Belgrade, celebrating what appears to be the overthrow of President Milosevic after a day of mass protests.The new political situation appeared to be confirmed shortly before midnight local time (2200 GMT) when Vojislav Kostunica appeared on state television described as the new president.
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