INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE

INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE & ILLICIT TRAFFICKING

(26 June)

     The United Nations’ (UN) International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking falls on June 26 each year to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society. This day is supported by individuals, communities and various organizations all over the world.  Teenagers and young adults are particularly vulnerable to using illicit drugs. The prevalence of drug use among young people is more than twice as high as that among the general population. At this age, peer pressure to experiment with illicit drugs can be strong and self-esteem is often low. Also, those who take drugs tend to be either misinformed or insufficiently aware of the health risks involved.

     The UNODC campaign reaches out to young people, who often talk about the "highs" induced by illicit drugs but may not be aware of the many "lows". Illicit drug use is a concern because it poses a threat to their health. Negative effects vary depending on the type of drug consumed, the doses taken and the frequency of use. All illicit drugs have immediate physical effects, but they can also severely hinder psychological and emotional development, especially among young people. Leading a healthy lifestyle requires making choices that are respectful of body and mind. To make these choices, young people need guidance from role models and need to get the facts about drug use. The international campaign provides young people and others with tools to educate themselves about the health risks associated with illicit drug use.

      The UNODC campaign focuses only on drugs under international control. These are drugs Member States have decided to limit exclusively to medical and scientific purposes, given the adverse effects their abuse and trafficking have on health and society. These illicit drugs include amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), coca/cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, opiates, and sedative hypnotics. The United Nations’ (UN) International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking falls on June 26 each year to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society. This day is supported by individuals, communities and various organizations all over the world.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has, over the years, been actively involved in launching campaigns to mobilize support for drug control. The UNODC often teams up with other organizations and encourages people in society to actively take part in these campaigns. Governments, organizations and individuals in many countries, including Vietnam, Borneo and Thailand, have actively participated in promotional events and larger scale activities, such as public rallies and mass media involvement, to promote the awareness of dangers associated with illicit drugs. According to the UNODC, nearly 200 million people are using illicit drugs such as cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, opiates and sedative hypnotics worldwide. In December 1987 the UN General Assembly decided to observe June 26 as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The UN was determined to help create an international society free of drug abuse. This resolution recommended further action with regard to the report and conclusions of the 1987 International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Following the resolution, the years 1991 to 2000 were heralded as the “United Nations Decade Against Drug Abuse”. In 1998 the UN General Assembly adopted a political declaration to address the global drug problem. The declaration expresses UN members’ commitment to fighting the problem. The United Nations’ logo is often associated with marketing and promotional material for this event. It features a projection of a world map (less Antarctica) centered on the North Pole, enclosed by olive branches. The olive branches are a symbol for peace, and the world map represents all the people of the world. It has been featured in colors such as white against a blue background or gold against a light purple background.

   Kottarakara based Kurakar Cultural Forum conducted a seminar on 26^th June, 2011 at Kottarakara Kurakar Town Center. Prof John Kurakar delivered talks on drug abuse. Mr Sam Kurakar, Mr Bobby Kurakar, Prof Varghese John, Dr Soman Pillai, Mr P.K Varghese, Mr Manu Kurakar Dr Rajjev ,Mr Simson John  were spoke on the subject.

      NCC Cadets of the Thiruvananthapuram group organized various activities from June 26 to 28,2011 at different locations in connection with International Day Against Drug Abuse and illict Trafficking observed on Sunday,26^th June,2011.

                                                                      Prof. John Kurakar

HOMAGE TO PONKUNNAM VARKEY

                               HOMAGE TO PONKUNNAM VARKEY


  Ponkunnam Varkey was a crusader in Malayalam Literature who never betrayed his conscience by succumbing to the pressures of mainstream society. Poet D Vinayachandran inaugurated the birth centenary celebrations of the late writer and activist Ponkunnam Varkey.
    Ponkunnam Varkey a writer who had always ubheld social relevance in his works. He combated against many evils that existed in our society during his days. His empathy towards the pains faced by mankind is evident in his works. His words always sought to high light the burden faced by the common man. He is also remembered for promoting the idea of nationalism among the public during the freedom struggle.

   Ponkunnam Varkey's short story" Sabhikkunna Kalappa" has been incorporated as a subject of study in many universities both in India and elsewhere.Mr Varkey had defied the British rule and rebelled with such  ferocity that was seen in very few Literary figures. Although he had never renounced spirituality completely, he publically opposed the gradual decay of values in beliefs

                                                                      Prof. John Kurakar

HUMAN BRAIN

                                                    HUMAN BRAIN

    Human brain developed 80,000 years ago. 200000 years ago, small groups of people wandered across Africa, looking like us anatomically but not thinking the way we do today. Studies of fossils and the  rate of mutations in DNA show that the human species to which we all  belong- Homo sapiens has existed for 200,000 years. But the archaeological research of recent years has shown that, even though the most ancient traces of modern humans are 200000 years old, the development of modern cognitive behavior is probably much younger. In the next issue of the well renowned journal of Human Evolution. They present their new findings on the early modern humans that existed in what is now south Africa approximately 80000 years ago.
   The findings show that people at that time used advanced technology for the production of spearheads and that the complicated crafting process developed the working memory and social life of humans.
  The technology led to increased social interaction within and across the generations. This happened because the crafting of stone spearheads took a long time to learn and required a lot of knowledge,both theoretical and practical. Producing a stone spearhead also required the ability to plan in several stages. This social learning contributed to the subsequent development of early modern humans cognitive ability to express symbolism and abstract thoughts through their material culture, for example in the form of decorated objects. The excavations have been carried out in a small cave, the location we have studied is called Hollow Rock Shelter and lies 250 km north of Cape Town.

                                                                                          Prof. John Kurakar

SUU KYI WANTS INDIA TO MORE SUPPORT DEMOCRACY IN MYANMAR

Suu Kyi wants India

To do more to support democracy in Myanmar

          Myanmar's pro-democracy icon and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi today said India should do more to support the democratic movement in her country instead of putting its trade and strategic interests in the forefront. In a discussion after delivering the previously recorded Reith Lecture titled 'Securing freedom,' 66-year-old Suu Kyi old a BBC Radio 4 audience that she expected India to be committed to democratic principles for which it was known, and to do more to support the democracy movement in Burma. Asked by political writer Timothy Garden Ash if she expected 'the country of Gandhi' to do more to support the non-violent movement, Suu Kyi said: 'Oh certainly, I think so, and I say that ad nauseum.

       'I say that they should be firmly rooted in the democratic principles instead of putting trade and strategic interests at the forefront.' The second part of her lecture will be broadcast next Tuesday. The annual Reith Lectures are named after the BBC's first director-general, Lord John Reith. In the lecture, Suu Kyi reflected on her own experience nder house arrest in Myanmar, and explored the universal human aspiration to be free and the spirit which drives people to dissent. She also commented on the Arab Spring, comparing the event that triggered last December's revolution in Tunisia with the death of a student during a protest in Myanmar in 1988. Replying to another question, she said that India has 'a lot more to do with the government (in Myanmar) than we would wish them 

                                                                                                Prof. John Kurakar

SITTING RAISES RISK OF DEATH

Prolonged sitting raises risk of death

   People who sit for extended periods are more likely to die early than those who spend less time sitting. It raises the risk by 40 percent in women and 20 percent in men, a study has found. Sitting down for extended periods increases the risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression and obesity, according to American Cancer Society researchers who looked at 123,000 people's health over 14 years. The finding, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, puts sitting down for extended periods of time in the same bracket as smoking, Daily Mail reported quoting the study Saturday,25^th,June,2011. Diabetes experts point out that sitting is not bad for us in moderation but can be addictive and harmful in the long-run.

   The American Cancer Society is concerned that public health guidelines do not say enough about time spent sitting down.Government exercise recommendations suggest at least 30 minutes on five days per week of 'moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity'.They also say 20 minutes of 'vigorous-intensity' activity for at least 20 minutes on three days per week would produce similar benefits, according to the Mail.

                                                                    Prof. John Kurakar

UNESCO ADDED 25 SITES TO WORLD HERITAGE LIST

Unesco

 Added 25 sites to world heritage list

       Twenty-five new sites have been added to the Unesco World Heritage List on Tuesday,28^th June,2011 The World Heritage Committee, responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, adds new sites to the list every year.The list now has 936 properties, including 183 natural, 725 cultural and 28 mixed sites.

    This year, a total of 35 nominations, including natural, cultural and mixed properties have been reviewed by the committee during its 10-day meeting from June 19.Indonesia's Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra and Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve in Honduras were added to the World Heritage List in Danger, while India's Manas wildlife sanctuary was removed from that list.

                                                                                                          Prof. John Kurakar

UAE CONSULATE TO OPEN IN KERALA

UAE consulate to open in Kerala

(29^th June, 2011)

 The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is opening a consulate in Kerala, a move sure to help the thousands from the state working in the Gulf country. An informed source said a meeting on this issue was held in New Delhi.'The UAE consulate is opening in Kerala. Its location will be decided by the UAE ambassador to India,' said the source. Kerala Minister for Non-Resident Keralites K.C. Joseph told IANS this was 'happy news'.

'This is going to be a great source of help to Keralites. UAE is the place where the maximum number of the Kerala diaspora is settled,' he said.The UAE is home to more than a million Keralites. Currently all those proceeding to the UAE from Kerala have to get their educational certificates certified by the UAE embassy or consulate in New Delhi or Mumbai.

                                                         Prof. John Kurakar

MILITANT COMMITS SUICIDE INSIDE MOSQUE IN NORTH KASHMIR

Militant commits suicide

 Inside mosque in north Kashmir

    A militant committed suicide on Wednesday ,29^th  June,2011,by shooting himself inside a mosque in Sopore town of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district after he was surrounded by security forces.  Tamir Ahmad Khuroo alias Junaid opened fire on a CRPF bunker at Arampora in Sopore, 55 kms from here at 11.50 am.  When a CRPF party led by Sub-Inspector Badloo Ram chased the militant, he took refuge inside a mosque. As security forces cordoned off the mosque, the militant shot himself in his head, the spokesman said.

“A local resident, Mohammad Akbar Sofi, entered the mosque and confirmed that a body along with a pistol was lying inside the mosque. The body was removed with the help of two other civilians and some (Muslim) police personnel,” he said.  A pistol with magazine, three empty cartridges and a live round were recovered from the mosque, he said. Officials had earlier said that the militant was killed in an encounter with security forces.  According to the spokesman, the militant was involved in stone pelting incidents and several cases were registered against him. Khuroo had previously worked in the shop of Ubaid Tariq Untoo, who was involved in firing on a police station in Sopore recently. Four AK 47 magazines were recovered from that shop. For the last three months, Khuroo was working in the clinic of Dr Mohammad Ramzan Sofi where two militants of LeT - Kalimullah and Wasim Ganai - were killed on March 12, he added.

                                                                                 Prof. John Kurakar

DIESEL PRICE HIKE

DIESEL PRICE HIKE

(Kerala gives up levy on diesel price hike)

         In a relief to common man, UDF Government in Kerala t decided on 27^th June,2011, to forgo the state tax to be accrued by way of the recent increase on diesel price.This was announced by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in the state assembly while replying to an adjournment notice givenby opposition LDF on the issue.  Diesel price would come down by 75 paise due to the decision. The state exchequer would lose Rs 142.2 crore by
giving up the tax, he said.Kerala had given up the tax when petrol price was hiked by the Centre last month.  Meanwhile, the first session of the newly-elected Kerala assembly began on a stormy note with the opposition Left walking out after the speaker disallowed their demand for a discussion on the recent hike in fuel prices.

    Seeking leave for an adjournment motion, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) legislator and former state finance minister Thomas Issac said the latest hikes in prices of diesel, kerosene and cooking gas were a cruel blow to the people.'Had the centre taken cognisance of the huge corruption in the 2G scam, S-band and other corruption cases, that money could have been used to settle the so-called deficit of Rs.1.22 lakh crore of the various oil companies,' Issac said. Replying to the opposition charges, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said his government sympathised with the the people of the state.'We have decided to forgo the tax portion that the state government would have got on account of the increased price of Rs.3 per litre of diesel. As a result, diesel will now cost Rs.0.75 less,' said Chandy.

                                                                                     Prof. John Kurakar