Penelope Gan | Photo Blog just some cl!cks by me …
Posts Tagged ‘Politics’
The Halal Meat Butcher
Although the term halal (حلال ḥalāl) and haraam are applied to many facets of life; and one of the most common uses of these terms is in reference to meat products, in particular the slaughtering method used. Whilst the prescribed method of Ḏabīḥah (ذَبِيْحَة) has been applied for centuries, debate on if its inhumane continues today despite scientific evidences suggesting otherwise. With labeling applied to provide consumers the choice, Jewish and Muslims across the globe continues to seek and provide halal and kosher meat.
Reflections: Yamuna River
Despite it’s “clear blue” coloration, the Yamuna is one of the most polluted rivers in the world, especially around New Delhi, which dumps about 58% of its waste into the river. With nearly 57 million people dependent on the Yamuna waters which accounts for 70% of Delhi’s water supply, the government has spend nearly $500 million on clean up efforts and over Rs 1,700 crore to control pollution since the 1990s with little success.
Taj Mahal, the Crown Palace
The Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world that was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his dear wife – queen Mumtaz Mahal. Completed in 1648 C.E. at a cost of 32 Million Rupees, the Taj is an “elegy in marble” or some say an expression of a “dream.”
Miracle Healer or Merciless Killer
Endangered species from Africa’s forests are laid out for local buyers seeking sex boosters, spiritual and physical cures and exotic food while skins of jungle cats and reptiles are to Western buyers in UNESCO enlisted Djemaa el Fna. Can a membership with CITES curb illegal wildlife trade in Morocco? Or will culture, spiritual practices of the medicine man prevail?
Strokes of Hope
Be it traditional tantric influenced, middle-of-the-road, or avant garde art, Tibetan artist are fiercely express their identities breaking away from ‘mystics’ and ‘ethnic’ works. External influences – social, pyschological and economic changes in the world – seems to be the driving force for most, but in some cases its purely individual expression.
Save Tibet
The Tibetan Autonomous Region is the poorest Chinese region with annual per capita income of less than USD 100. Where central subsidies and investments are channelled only to the Chinese administrators and settlers, couple with fierce discrimination and oppression, Tibetans have imposed self ‘exile’ to harsh, arid and rural areas defending for themselves, their freedom, culture and religion.
Jama Masjid + Feathered Friends
Whilst the pigeons in Jama Masjid are free, a stark reality occurs just hundreds of meters away at the Jama Masjid bird market and across the road behind the Red Fort at INA Market; feathered species of all kinds are cooped up waiting for an exchange of swabs of rupees for their lives and freedom. Although the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972 exist, enforcement is lacking.
Suryavarman II Sacred Angkor Wat
Built in the early 12th C as King Suryavarman II’s temple state and capital city, Angkor Wat was neglected after the 16th C only to be discovered by French explorer – Henri Mouhot – in the mid-19th C. Restoration begun in the 20th C and continues today by foreign parties despite the establishment of the Angkor World Heritage Site that provides funds to the Cambodian government.
The Tibetan Diaspora – 50 years on
The first exodus into India took place in 1959 in the wake of the failure of the Lhasa Uprising. Today, approximately 220,000 Tibetans are dispersed globally and Tibetan Buddhism has a following of more than the population of Tibet despite accusations of charlatanism, commercialism, power-politicking, immoral behaviour and radically different teaching across the four schools.
Hashish Children of Kullu
Raking in Rs900 crore p.a., locals alongside a nexus of expats and international smugglers have cashed in on the charas resulting in stronger enforcements from the Indian police and the Narcotics Control Bureau. Those that face the greatest lost are the children in this valley; forced into the cartels’ trap, removed from the officials’ radar.
14th Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama is 572 years old by the Gelugpa Buddhist reckoning of reincarnation of his predecessors. An inspiration for 6 million Tibetans, and 100,000 impoverished Tibetan refugees in India and Nepal who followed his lead into exile, photos and newspaper cutting of him are found around the TRSHC.