UK
Asian Voice - Saturday 30th June 2012
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Values of Democracy and Tibet C.R. Parekh Lecture by the Dalai Lama Dibyesh Anand In contemporary world, there are very few figures who cut across the boundaries of nations, states, religions and political divide. The Fourteenth Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso is one of them. He is the leader of the oppressed Tibetan people. He is the spirit of the Tibetan nation. He is the embodiment of Avalokitesvara, the boddhisatva of compassion. He is a global icon who prioritises compassion and inter-faith dialogue. He is a religious leader who strongly espouses secular ethics. The Dalai Lama has steadfastly maintained his commitment to seeking genuine autonomy for Tibet within People’s Republic of China even as he proudly reminds the world that he is like a ‘son of India’ and the Tibetan people’s relation with Indians is akin to that of ‘chela’ (disciple) to a guru. The University of Westminster was privileged to host His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 19th June to deliver the C R Parekh Lecture on the ‘Values of Democracy and Tibet’. The video of the event is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esn5 qKNLWOA. The event was organised by myself with the support of my Department of Politics and International Relations and the Nirman Foundation. He was welcomed by Professor Geoffrey Petts, the Vice Chancellor and Professor Roland Dannreuther, the Head of the Department. Lord Bhikhu Parekh gave a very warm vote of thanks at the end. I have met the Dalai Lama a few times since my research is on Tibet and ChinaIndia relations. Being an atheist and a critical scholar, my interest is neither affected by interest in Buddhism nor by what I call ‘exotica Tibet’. Yet, the Dalai Lama always strikes me as an astute political figure and a genuinely warm person. And during the event at my University he left a similar impression on the audience. The Dalai Lama reminded the students of the virtues of democracy and
well as after the exile in 1959 that India will not tolerate pro-independence, hence anti-China, activities on a large scale within India. For a leader whose people were betrayed by India - India was the first country to sign off a treaty in 1954 where international identity of traditional Tibetan state was extinguished - the Dalai Lama is remarkably understanding and even appreciative. A dominant strand of his lecture was an admiration of secular and democratic The grace and dignity of a real Guru India. He exhorted the ethics. While accepting that national audience to see Indian secular democracy identity is important, he urged for a nonas a model for the entire world without chauvinist and an inclusive idea of identibeing blind to its flaws such as corruption ty that has at its heart concern for the and short-sighted mode of development wider humanity and respect for individuthat destroys environment. Is the Dalai als. Education and the search for a secuLama starry-eyed about India? lar ethics that is respectful of all religious Not many Indians realise this, but the believers as well as non-believers should Dalai Lama is the biggest spokesperson be a priority, he said. The Dalai Lama for India in the world stage. To host a may be a rare national leader who reiterremarkable global icon who combines ates his belief in the humanity of the peoreligion, politics, nationalism, individualple and even government of the occupyity, and humanity in a unique way is ing force. Actually, he sees Chinese peoIndia’s fortune. While Tibetans in general ple as an ally of Tibetan people if only the and the Dalai Lama in particular never system in China becomes more open, fail to express their gratitude to India for more democratic. giving them refuge, Indians also need to In response to a question after the forbe more aware and appreciative of contrimal lecture, the Dalai Lama argued that butions made by Tibetans to India’s culindependence is not a practical goal for ture, religious landscape, economy, and the Tibetans and his stance of ‘middle security. After all it is Chinese controlled way’ to strive for genuine autonomy withTibet and not China that is India’s neighin China was the only option. Dalai bour. Many people inhabiting Indian Lama, the politician with a particular Himalayan borderlands are followers of view of what the future of Tibetans Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetans play a crushould be, revealed that both the Indian cial role in Indian military. And yet, government and the United States would Indians are mostly unaware of Tibetan restrict Tibetans in exile if Tibetans start issue. demanding independence. Providing a If India really deserves the praise rare insight into the thinking of India, the bestowed to it by the Dalai Lama, it needs Dalai Lama said that Pandit Jawaharlal to be genuinely secular and robustly demNehru had made it clear to him in 1956 as ocratic. Not a faux-democracy that
Plans for O-level-style exams to replace GCSEs England's exam system needs further changes, Education Secretary Michael Gove has told MPs, amid reports of plans to return to O-level style exams. Mr Gove is reported to be preparing to replace GCSEs for England from autumn 2014 and also to bring in a simpler exam for less academic teenagers. He was summoned to the Commons to answer urgent questions after details were leaked to the Daily Mail. The Liberal Democrats are angry they were not told about the plans. A senior figure told journalists: "We are very, very hostile to something that looks like it is going to return to the two-tier system of the past." Mr Gove did not confirm the plans directly with MPs but praised many of the ideas, saying action was needed because the current exam system was letting children down. "Children are working harder than ever
but we are hearing that the system is not working for them," he said. "We want to tackle the culture of competitive dumbing down." He said rigour needed to be restored to the system if England was to keep pace with educational improvements in some other countries. Documents setting out the proposals for change were leaked to the Daily Mail and government sources told the BBC they were broadly correct. The ideas, if introduced, would amount to the biggest change to the exams system for a generation. They are going to be put out for consultation. The plan is for students to begin studying what the leaked document says will be "tougher" Olevel style exams in English, maths and the sciences from September 2014. They would take their exams in 2016. Less academic pupils would sit a different "more straightforward" exam, like the old
CSE. Labour's education spokesman Kevin Brennan told Mr Gove such a move would take the exam system "back to the 1950s". "GCSEs may well need improving, but a two-tier exam system which divides children into winners and losers at 14 is not the answer," he said. The Liberal Democrats said the plans appeared to set too low an aspiration for young people. And a senior figure said changing the secondary exams system within two years could "lead to massive upheaval". GCSEs replaced O-levels and CSEs in the mid1980s. Under the previous system, the more academic teenagers took O-levels while others took CSEs (Certificates of Secondary Education). News of the plans come as tens of thousands of teenagers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland finish taking their GCSE and Alevel exams.
accepts corporatised development that impoverishes millions while enriching a few or lets majoritarianism trump minority rights. Democracy is not only a geographically bounded electoral system but a spirit. A spirit that balances between majority rule and minority rights, that accepts the right to dissent without fear and crucially supports the rights of the other oppressed people. A genuinely democratic India cannot be smug about the political system within the country while lackadaisical about the fate of peoples in the neighbourhood. India’s foreign policy has in fact been rather anti-democratic as it shows no qualms in doing business with all sorts of tyrants and dictatorships all in the name of ‘non-interference’. A good illustration of this is Indian attitude toward the plight of their Tibetan neighbours living under Chinese occupation. In his vote of thanks Lord Parekh said that his father would have been thrilled that His Holiness had delivered a lecture in his memory. His father had followed the Dalai Lama’s life and struggle closely and greatly admired his wisdom and commitment to his people. Lord Parekh said that the Dalai Lama had shown how to combine religion and politics without corrupting either and how to fight against injustice without damaging one’s own or one’s opponent’s humanity. Since the Dalai Lama is fond of children, Lord Parekh invited Marcus Raj Parekh and Sophie Nitin Parekh, his grandchildren and aged 15 and 14 respectively, to offer flowers and a box of chocolates to His Holiness. The Dalai Lama said he respected Lord Parekh, called him ‘Guruji’ and asked his blessings. Lord Parekh was taken aback by his extraordinary generosity. He told His Holiness that he was the real Guru and that it was he who sought and needed the Dalai Lama’s blessings. Dibyesh Anand is an Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of Westminster and an expert on Tibet and China-India relations.
Exhibition on Southall Broadway changes A new 20 mile per hour speed limit, wider pavements and new central islands to make crossing the road easier are among proposals to completely redesign the layout of Southall Broadway. Residents will be able to view the plans and give their opinions on proposals to radically improve the layout of Southall Broadway at a public exhibition on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 June. The Southall Broadway Boulevard project is part of
Southall’s Big Plan which will see more than £11million of investment in the town centre to tackle traffic problems, make walking easier and safer, regenerate the area and create more job and training opportunities. Proposed changes to the layout of the Broadway between Stanley Road and South Road include: l More loading bays l Widening pavements l Reducing the speed limit to 20 miles per hour and building central islands to
help pedestrians cross the road l Removing signalled pedestrian crossings and allowing pedestrians to cross at more locations l Removing the bus lane between Tudor Road and Greenford Avenue l Better street lighting and more trees The exhibition takes place at Southall Town Hall, 1 High Street, Southall, Middlesex UB1 3HA on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 June between 10am and 4pm.
Rogue traders operating in the Borough are being warned they will be investigated and tackled if they're not operating within the law. The warning comes after five separate investigations were launched in Redbridge to look into possible rogue trader incidents that occurred in May alone. The Council will prosecute if traders provide false or misleading infor-
mation or operate contrary to regulations and has recently successfully prosecuted two traders. In May, building company Shields Installations Limited, was fined £5000 plus costs after it failed to supply the correct paper work when Trading Standards launched an investigation following concerns from a resident who felt they were being overcharged. At the beginning of
June, another trader, Prikunj Shah, operating under a number of names that abbreviated to NDC, was prosecuted after falsely claiming he was registered with National House Building Council when contacting residents about building works. The trader was fined £8000 and ordered to pay more than £22,000 compensation to residents and costs to the Council.
Rogue traders warned to stay out of the Redbridge or risk prosecution