Mon coeur va aux victimes à Paris

November 13, 2015,  another heinous crime committed on innocent public with simultaneous shootings on different neighborhood of Paris. Why?  Are we moving towards another World War?
It is high time for the World leaders to put aside their difference of opinions and to act in unison to curb terrorism.

It is a shocking reality that the terrorists managed to infiltrate into the city with an organized plan.
It is a crime committed to the whole humanity.  Just like the twin tower attacks, this was not a random shooting.  My heart goes out to the victims families and all the people in France.

PEACE ON EARTH

All content copyright © by Sobana Iyengar.

Earthquake.....Nature......Nepal.....

It is sad that the recent earthquake took toll of many lives in Nepal.  Earthquakes are known phenomenon across the World. Nature has no distinction between whether it is Chile, USA, Nepal or Japan.  But, whenever and wherever there is an agonizing human loss and suffering we feel sad and helpless before the colossal laws of nature.

We are now concentrating on the study of core earth more than before and the environmental impact of constant mining, and groundwater depletion that impact the core. More research should be done on minimal impact building structures and education on handling the earthquake scenarios and aftermath. 

Help Nepal.

https://www.redcross.org/donate/ps0215-d?donationProdId=prod10001&flow=oc1&pgver=psearch&scode=RSG00000E017&subcode=grantdonationsgeneral&gclid=CITJieeMlMUCFXQV7Aod8SIAUA

https://secure2.oxfamamerica.org/page/content/nepal_earthquake/?gclid=CKzA_r2MlMUCFRHl7AodpSkAoA

http://www.nycmedics.org/?gclid=CLX4rdmMlMUCFY09gQod14MAsw

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/indian-armys-aid-to-quake-hit-nepal-named-operation-maitri/articleshow/47056645.cms

PEACE ON EARTH

All content copyright © by Sobana Iyengar.

Tears.....Faith.....Je Suis Charlie.....

My Prayers to the families who lost their loved ones in this act of terrorism. We all need to stand up for freedom, democracy and liberty. There is always a non-violence means to reconcile the differences or express opinions than killing.  

"You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty".

Mahatma Gandhi

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Mandela..........Homage...........Peace........

Dear Mr. Mandela, we love you.  

PEACE ON EARTH

  

All content copyright © by Sobana Iyengar.

Revolution.....Resolution.......Reinvention.....

The year 2011 is at the last lap waiting to touch the finish line.  Revolutions are the headline news. In Tunisia, Egypt, Kuwait, Yemen, Libya, Syria the people surged against the oppressive regimes. Media has described the revolutions in many names, "people's", "inciting", "parliamentary" to name a few.  Internet and technology played a major role in communication and organizing protests and marches. Violence and bloodshed has left an indelible mark. The resolution to have a democratic election and government was not achieved everywhere. The journey is long and the road need to be built not by the fundamentalist or radicals but by the people who are oriented towards democracy and peace.

When one part of the World is going thru the revolutionary process,  the other half of the World is rallying to reinvent itself by questioning the financial structure and market economy.  Media is calling these as social unrest and protest. In Russia it is "election unrest".  In the USA it is "occupying Wall Street". World leaders are meeting in summits, blaming each other and arguing why economic theories did not work.  European Union and the pan euro concept has increased the animosity between the core and the peripheral EU countries. In the USA, we are waking up to reality that in a global market structure, competition can lead to power shift if the own resources and internal issues are not taken care of.

Yet with all the unrest, protest, uncertainty, confusion, there is always hope.  A democratic election, a non-violent protest,  an entrepreneur creating jobs,  actions towards protecting the environment, a thought that comes even occasionally to leave a cleaner earth for the future generations, an action plan to uplift the oppressed from poverty, a statement showing solidarity to help the abused children, building a school in a remote village, a medical research that save lives -  if these small steps are extended exponentially will there be a need for painful revolutions.....

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! PEACE ON EARTH!

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Damascus...Dare....Democracy....

The fertile crescent is witnessing its people who dared to dream for democracy and their cry for change. 

Syria, the cradle of civilization has been seeing  inventions and invasions as part of its history. The extensive irrigation system and the writing are their gift to humanity. Actually the Semitic languages Phoenician, Aramaic, Hebrew and Arabic came from the language of the Akkadians. 

Its continuous history begins from 9000 BC. The Bronze age followed by invasions of the the Akkadians, Hittites, Canaanites, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantine, various Islamic caliphates, Mameluke's, Ottoman empire, British and French, and finally in 1918 the land was divided between France and British with the French Mandate.  Syria  gained independence from the French in 1945. During these periods, the original inhabitants fought, died, stayed, migrated, adopted different cultures and nationals, religion, above all survived. What a fascinating history!                                          
 The current unrest to overthrow the Baath party and President Assad proves that people will not accept totalitarian regime anymore. The land that taught the World to write with clay tablets is now using digital technology to send messages across the World about their love for their country and their cry for democracy.

The crisis, unrest, violence and the killing of civilians bring sadness and at the same time admiration for the people who are willing to sacrifice for a brighter tomorrow. I have not been to Syria yet and I am positive that one day we can walk on the cobbled stone streets of old Damascus city and sip mint tea in a democratic Syria.

Peace on Earth

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Libya....Liberate.....Live.....

Libya - another beautiful nation in North Africa is on fire.  Genocide is the price that Libyans are paying for their cause. Their quest for freedom and democracy is just and genuine. It is time that Gaddafi must step back from rhetoric, anger, ego and selfish desire to cling to power and let Libya to liberate from the clutches of his autocrat regime.

It was quite moving to watch the speech of Libyan Ambassador to UN at the Security Council meeting in Geneva. Shaigham said,  "Please UN, save Libya. No to Bloodshed! No to killing the innocents. We want a decisive, rapid and a courageous resolution from you".

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2011/02/25/libya.amb.hugging.untv

Thanks to social media we are able to know what is exactly happening in countries that are standing up for freedom, liberty and peace.  Let us hope for the best and Libya liberates ending the brutalities and a civil war. Let this beautiful country on the Mediterranean coast regain normalcy and peace.

The Arch of Marcus Aurelius in Tripoli

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Regime...Resist...Revive...

Another disturbing news from Egypt. Another episode in human history that autocratic regimes will collapse by its own burden. Another drama unfolds in front of our eyes where people get killed yet valiantly stand up for freedom. Yes, Egypt the cradle of civilization is in the cross roads of history again.

When I visited Egypt in December 2009 it was relatively peaceful except for a bomb exploded in a church on Christmas day in Luxor.  One cannot miss Mubarak's house on the way from airport to the city with its numerous barricades and armed personnel around.  Egypt looked like a volcano ready to explode at any time.  The great gap between the affluent of Cairo and the people who live literally in the tombs for lack of residence,  a small percentage of middle class entangled in a weak economy cannot sustain for a long time. Autocratic regime cannot provide a solution to bring harmony and progress. Its means of force and corruption are like a molatov cocktail!.  My heart goes out for those people, be it the artisans in the small village of Sakkara, the camel men in Giza, the wonderful staff at the Hilton,  the patient guide from the Cairo Museum or the archaeologist who showed us the great treasures of Luxor.  I hope peace prevails soon.

The autocratic regime must be replaced by an elected democratic government. The resistance must use non violence methods. Sure there will be revival if there is a secular agenda with freedom of speech, worship, free press and a determination to move away from corruption. Can it all be done? Why not?

All content copyright © by Sobana Iyengar.

Tunis....WSIS....Crisis....

This weekend there are news reports about the state of emergency in Tunisia. Watching the news,  I remembered the days I spent there in 2005 when I attended the WSIS conference as a panelist and also as a tourist. President Ben Ali (then!), hosted the UN sponsored WSIS summit with world class arrangements. I had the opportunity to discuss with professional Tunisian women on the constraints and opportunities they have in ICT. I was quite impressed by the freedom enjoyed by the women in this Islamic North African country compared to other Islamic countries. My impression was Tunisia could become a role model for other African countries especially for women educators, entrepreneurs and ICT professionals to deploy Information technology for economic growth and development. http://www.itrealms.com.ng/2005_08_01_archive.html

Now coming to the travels-  being a WSIS delegate I was given an ID and I had a reliable taxi arranged by the hotel. With all set for my adventure, I started off with the visit to Carthage. It is now a city with archaeological remains and one cannot wonder imagining the lost splendors of this great city. My driver cum guide pointed out an ancient form of Swastika symbol which was later copied by Hitler and became a symbol associated with his heinous crimes. Another important place to visit is the Murals Museum which has the largest collection of murals.

Tunis unfolds its history from the Phoenicians, to Romans, Greeks, and later Islamic caliphates. The Roman aqueducts, byzantine churches that are converted into museums, mosques, modern buildings and cobbled stone streets of the inner city (Medina) indeed are living pages of history. Some are tattered though!                                
The oldest mosque in North Africa is located in the Medina Area or the Islamic quarter of the old city. The bazaars spews out aroma of spices and vendors selling jewellery and crafts. I walked into the Mosque wearing the scarf but without knowing almost entered into the prayer hall! The kind guard graciously explained that women were not allowed inside and I can take pictures outside. He even offered to take a picture with the Imam!

A visit to Tunis is not complete without sipping a nice hot cup of Mint tea in the city cafe of this Mediterranean city and the beaches in Sidi Bou Said. This is now a UNESCO heritage site.
 The houses are painted with the beautiful turquoise blue and white reminding the Hellenistic roots. In the city center the palace was converted as a museum and one can marvel the beautiful tiles, murals and overall the architecture of the palace itself with its gorgeous hand crafted furniture and the decorated doors and windows.

After spending sometime in the beach and drank lots of mint tea and pastries made with almonds and dates I started my journey back to Tunis. My driver started telling me about the yonder desert and the Berber people, his village, oppression, poverty, life in Tunis and the unique culture. The beaches and the land played hide and seek. Mediterranean sea looked calm knowing all the secrets of rise and fall of the authority in all political and social forms and the tenacity of human beings to fight or fit and move on. Yes, this current crisis in Tunis will also pass!.

All content copyright © by Sobana Iyengar.