Arab spring hasn't failed, it has just begun: Tawakkul Karman

Agencies
July 9, 2019

Mainau Island, Jul 9: Days before Tawakkul Karman, then 32, was to become the face of Arab Spring -- a series of pro-democracy movements that swept much of the Middle East and North Africa in 2011, shaking some of the region's longest-standing governments -- she would often think of the safety of her children.

The mother of three who worked as a journalist in Yemen -- and went on to become one of the youngest recipients of the Nobel Prize for Peace -- had been organising protests since 2007 against the "authoritarian regime" of Ali Abdullah Saleh, but in 2011, as the movement gained traction, threats to her and her family poured in.

"They arrested me, threatened me and my family and tried to kill me. When they couldn't break me, they threatened to harm my kids. But I wasn't afraid as I thought about all the kids in Yemen and what future would they have. I thought that if I give up for the sake of my three kids, it would mean betraying all the others," Karman said while addressing a gathering of Nobel prize-winning scientists and young scientists from around the world during the 69th Lindau Nobel Nobel Laureates meeting.

The threats only made her stronger and her resolve to "fight for freedom" for all of Yemen earned her the epithet 'Mother of the Yemeni Revolution'.

When she urged protesters to march to the Presidential Palace in May 2011 in a peaceful and nonviolent protest, Saleh's military killed 13 protesters.

Karman was arrested but escaped the jaws of death after an outpouring of support through letters and protests prompted her release. The incident catapulted her onto international limelight and there was no stopping her after that.

"The Yemen that I was dreaming for while growing up is the same Yemen my father told me about - a happy one. It was people's dream too which is why they flooded the streets in protest. It is a dream I still have," said Karman, who co-founded Women Journalists without Chains in 2005 to promote human rights, particularly freedom of opinion and expression, and democratic rights.

Karman believes that Yemen will transform its image of a suffering country as the Arab Spring was still alive.

"Do you think people calling for change went to the streets for fun? It was the last option for people who had been suffering for decades under the dictatorship of Saleh.

"Their voice had been suppressed. And the call for freedom spread to other countries like Egypt, Tunisia and Libya and now Algeria and Sudan," she said.

"Those in the west who say that Arab Spring will die or fail, my question to them is: Do you think the democracies that you enjoy in your countries, be it Sweden, Germany or other European countries, and were achieved by being mere spectators? The Arab Spring hasn't failed. This is just the beginning. We are still in the battle of freedom,” Karman said.

She added, "we have removed a dictator and now we are facing a counter-revolution led by those countries whose interests have been harmed by this change. The counter-revolution is led by three countries which themselves are dictators, Saudi, Emirates and Iran.“

"But people in Sudan and Algeria have told them to shut up. They went to the streets to send out a clear message that people will not stop until they achieve freedom and democracy. We are telling the governments in the West, we will win our battle now with your help or later without you."

Karman said that the Nobel Prize win has been a boost to the protestors.

"Winning Nobel Prize was a big moment for me as a woman, for me as a leader, but also for our revolution since people were on the streets singing that 'we have won the Nobel prize'," said Karman.

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News Network
November 5,2024

Mangaluru: Pilikula Biological Park has welcomed several exotic species, including a six-year-old Asiatic lion, a wolf, two gharial crocodiles, and four rare birds (two silver pheasants and two yellow-golden pheasants), as part of an animal exchange programme with Nandankanan Zoological Park, Odisha. The exchange was approved by the Central Zoo Authority, marking a major addition to Pilikula Zoo's growing collection.

Animal Exchange Details

Park Director H Jayaprakash Bhandary provided insights into the exchange programme. In return for the new arrivals, Pilikula Zoo will send four dholes (wild dogs), four rare reticulated pythons, two Brahminy kites, three Asian palm civets, and two large egrets to Nandankanan Zoo. Notably, all animals sent from Pilikula were born in the zoo, showcasing the zoo's success in breeding rare species.

Purpose of the Exchange

The animal exchange programme serves multiple purposes, including providing companions for solitary animals and preserving pure bloodlines. Pilikula Zoo already houses three lions, and the new male Asiatic lion was introduced as a companion. Since the number of Asiatic male lions in Indian zoos is relatively low, the zoo sourced this lion from the distant Nandankanan Zoological Park.

Care During Transport

To ensure the animals' safety and well-being during the 2,000-kilometre journey — the longest distance covered in Pilikula’s animal exchange history — two veterinary officers and eight caretakers from Nandankanan accompanied the animals. Both zoos will share equal responsibility for the care of the exchanged animals.

Future Animal Additions and Revenue Boost

Pilikula Biological Park, home to approximately 1,200 animals, birds, and reptiles, is one of India’s 18 large zoos. Discussions are ongoing for future exchanges with other prominent zoos, including Chhatbir Zoo in Punjab, Byculla Zoo in Mumbai, and the Madras Crocodile Bank. The zoo also plans to introduce rare species like the Anaconda and the Humboldt penguin, for which special enclosures will be built, thanks to donor contributions.

The addition of these rare animals and birds is expected to boost the zoo’s revenue, helping it become self-sustaining, Bhandary said.

Quarantine and Public Display

Before being introduced to the public, the new arrivals will spend around 15 days in a quarantine ward to adapt to the local environment. They will receive necessary vaccinations and treatments during this period, after which they will be displayed to visitors.

Record-breaking Exchange

This animal exchange marks a significant achievement for Pilikula Zoo, with the animals being transported over approximately 2,000 kilometres from Nandankanan Zoological Park. This sets a new record, surpassing the previous longest exchange with Udaipur Zoo in Rajasthan, which was around 1,700 kilometres.

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News Network
November 13,2024

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Bengaluru: An estimated overall 10.14 per cent voter turnout was recorded during the first two hours, since the voting began for bypolls to three Assembly segments in Karnataka on Wednesday, election officials said.

The voting began at 7 am and will go on till 6 pm.

More than seven lakh voters are eligible to cast their votes in about 770 polling stations in Shiggaon, Sandur and Channapatna, where a total of 45 candidates are in the fray.

While Channapatna recorded 10.34 per cent voter turnout till 9 am, it was 10.08 per cent in Shiggaon, and 9.99 per cent in Sandur, election officials said.

Voters, including women and elderly were seen queuing up in front of polling booths in these segments.

By-polls for Sandur, Shiggaon, and Channapatna are necessitated, as the seats fell vacant following the election of their respective representatives -- E Tukaram of Congress, former CM Basavaraj Bommai of BJP, and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy of JD(S) -- to Lok Sabha in May elections.

As many as 31 candidates are in the fray from Channapatna, while Sandur and Shiggaon have six and eight contenders, respectively.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made in the three segments for the smooth conduct of the polls.

The by-polls will witness a straight fight between the ruling Congress and BJP in Sandur and Shiggaon segments, while in Channapatna, JD(S) which is part of the NDA alliance is in contest against the grand old party.

Among the three segments, Channapatna is considered to be a "high profile", where the contest is between C P Yogeeshwara, a five time MLA from the segment and former Minister, who joined the Congress quitting BJP ahead of nomination, and actor-turned -politician Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who is Kumaraswamy’s son and former PM H D Deve Gowda's grandson.

BJP's Bharath Bommai, son of Basavaraj Bommai, is fighting Congress Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan, who had faced defeat against the former Chief Minister in the 2023 Assembly polls, in Shiggaon.

Bharath Bommai and his father cast their vote at a polling booth in Shiggaon segment.

In Sandur, Bellary MP Tukaram's wife E Annapurna of Congress is contesting from the seat vacated by her husband, against, BJP ST Morcha president Bangaru Hanumanthu, who is considered close to party leader and former mining barron G Janardhan Reddy.

Annapurna, Tukaram and other family members cast their votes at a booth in the segment.

With Nikhil Kumaraswamy and Bharath Bommai contesting, the third generation of Gowda and Bommai families are in the fray in this by-poll. Both their fathers and grandfathers have served as Karnataka's Chief Ministers in the past.

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News Network
November 10,2024

tokkottudeath.jpg

Mangaluru: A tragic accident took place on Saturday at Chembugudde near Thokkottu, claiming the life of a 47-year-old woman after a tanker lorry ran over her. The victim, identified as Rahmat H Rashid, was riding pillion with her husband, Abdul Rashid G, on their scooter. 

The couple was traveling from Yenepoya Hospital to Bajpe when the scooter skidded on the poorly maintained road. Rahmat fell onto the road and was fatally struck by a tanker lorry that was coming from behind. Despite being rushed to the hospital, doctors declared her dead upon arrival.

The incident prompted a swift response from the DYFI Ullal Taluk Committee, which staged a protest on Saturday night, condemning the unsafe condition of the road. Nithin Kuthar, president of the committee, criticized MLA and Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khader for failing to ensure safe infrastructure, despite touting the road as toll-free. 

Kuthar demanded immediate repairs, warning that the committee would march to the MLA’s office with black flags if the road is not fixed within a week.

Former DYFI State President Sunil Kumar Bajal also voiced frustration over the deteriorating condition of Thokkottu market, highlighting the struggles people face while crossing roads riddled with dangerous potholes. In response to public outcry, temporary repairs were made to the road at Chembugudde on Sunday, though locals remain wary and demand a more permanent solution. 

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