Anokhi Madhavji

One step closer to making forced marriages a thing of the past...

2012-06-08T17:37:00.002+01:00

Everyone has the right to choose when they get married and to whom...yet, so many young people, especially girls, do not get that freedom.

More needs to be done to make this a thing of past. Almost 600 people have come forward in the past five months to raise the alarm over fears that they are about to be forced to marry against their will.

Mr Cameron and Theresa May, the Home Secretary, announced today that forced marriage is a crime, after rejecting claims that banning the practice would simply drive it underground.

The strongest sanctions available at the moment are “Forced Marriage Orders”, a form of civil court order which operate like a restraining order against the girl’s family but do not carry criminal punishments for those who breach them.

Which is nothing really right. To be honest, I think it's generally not taken as seriously as it should be as it's seen as 'cultural practice' -but it isn't at all. I mean nobody should have to go through that.

IT IS A CRIME!!!

After visiting the cross-departmental Forced Marriage Unit, Mr Cameron said: "It is necessary to make this a crime because it is an absolutely abhorrent practice. It is, frankly, little short of slavery.

"You are taking 15, 16-year-old British citizens, taking them off to another country against their will, marrying them with someone against their will. That is a crime and it should be a crime.

"For too long in this country we have thought 'well, it's a cultural practice and we just have to run with it'. We don't. It's a crime.

"Listen to the stories of these women and what they've been through and how painful and difficult it was to be rescued and you know this should be a crime and treated as such by this country." He added: "I think there should be tough punishments.

"Think what we are considering here: this is a 15-year-old girl, whipped out of school, flown to the other side of the world, introduced to the person they are going to be forced into marrying and their whole life being ruined.

"That's what we are talking about and as far as I'm concerned if you commit that sort of offence you get a very, very tough punishment." [The Independent]

It is a step closer to making forced marriages a thing of the past, however, more will need to be done. The thing with this however, is that there is a risk that it will deter victims from coming forward.

The new law will distinguish between forced marriages, where there is no consent, and arranged marriages where "both parties have consented to the union but can still refuse to marry if they choose to".

Every year hundreds of young people are at risk of being taken abroad by their parents and forced to marry against their will.
The majority of cases involve families from South Asia, particularly Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

Forced marriage is a crime - nobody should feel like they can't speak up - cultural concerns is NOT an excuse. . .

Much love,
Anokhi

Syria: 108 massacred, including 50 children... Enough is Enough!!!

2012-05-31T14:58:00.000+01:00

‘How much blood must we pay before the world helps?’ - Abu Suhaib, a Syrian hospitalised in Jordan.

The village of Taldou, near the town of Houla in Syria's Homs province was the scene of one of the worst massacres in the country's 14-month-long uprising on Friday.

United Nations observers on the ground have confirmed that at least 108 people were killed, including 49 children and 34 women. Some were killed by shell fire, but the majority appear to have been shot or stabbed at close range.

Syria Massacre - photo from The Telegraph: AP

But at whose hands they died remains a matter of contention...

Anti-government activists, eyewitnesses and human rights groups - including the UN's high commissioner for human rights - point the finger at the Syrian army and the shabiha, a sectarian civilian militia that supports the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

The government however denies all responsibility, saying its soldiers were attacked and armed terrorists went on to shoot and knife civilians.

This latest atrocity has shocked many, and brought condemnation from the UN Security Council.

Is condemnation enough though? Urgent action needs to be taken to stop the killing of innocent men, women and children.

Amnesty International reports that they have the names of over 9,750 people killed since the crackdown on largely peaceful protests began in March 2011. Many more have been injured.

On 27 March 2012 the Syrian government accepted a ‘six-point plan’ by Kofi Annan and a ceasefire was agreed on 12 April. A UN observer mission entered the country two days later but the violence continues to rage - more than 1,300 people have been killed since.

Amnesty was one of the first organisations to recognise the actions of the Syrian authorities in response to the peaceful protests that began in March 2011 as what they were: crimes against humanity.

Call on Russia to support Syria’s referral to the International Criminal Court

And yet as the UN Security Council fails to take decisive action, blocked from action by veto wielding member Russia, more family homes have been bombed and more civilians massacred.

The bloodshed must be stopped and the people responsible for killing civilians must be held to account.

Tell Russia to stop obstructing UN Security Council action!!

It is time for Russia to stand up against this brutality and call on the Syrian government to stop the bloodshed and fulfill its obligations under the ‘six-point plan’.

Let's all #prayforsyria

Much love,

Anokhi

UTALA: Making a difference with style...

2011-10-24T23:25:00.000+01:00

It has been a long time since I lasted posted...but this is definitely worth blogging about. When a friend of mine told me that her friend was launching a website that will sell fair trade and eco friendly gifts, I just had to spread the word.

UTALA, the new online shop offering fair trade and eco-friendly gifts is to launch on November 8th 2011.

This inspiring idea was thought up by Uta Hesterberg, whilst meditating on the beach in Vietnam.

Uta has worked in more than ten countries around the world and wanted to do more to help make a direct change to the world - in a more creative way. With her large network of artistic friends situated all over the world, her years of travelling to some of the most remote areas, and her admiration of the skills of Asian and African crafts, Uta was inspired and decided to create a business to sell beautiful things that would also make a positive difference.

Uta quit her job to make the idea a reality. She wanted to be able to make a change by combining her passion for well-made things with the ability to make a direct impact to people’s lives. Uta wanted to do something different and this was the perfect opportunity to get in touch with her creative side.

What Uta also told me was that another reason for the start of this business – a reason which makes this business that much more closer to her heart is the fact that her previous job involved working closely with people facing hardships – she felt she needed a little break from working in such an environment. She said that when you are constantly confronted with issues such as climate change, over-population, environmental destruction and animal cruelty, it can eventually take its toll on you and you start to feel like you have to tackle it all – which of course is not possible.

She wanted to start with little changes – changes that are positive – changes that you can feel – the aim of UTALA is to make that little difference to the person who has made the product whilst also putting a smile on the person who has bought the product.

What a touching thought...We can all learn something from Uta and I completely agree with her views – I have always believed that everyone can make a little difference – whatever you do – however small – change is change. . .

How the gifts are made:

UTALA was set-up to make a positive contribution to this world. Anything that is bought for the production of UTALA gifts are either recycled, fair trade certified, proven to be ethically sourced, or come from local young designers.

Many of their products fit more than one of these criteria and what is even more exciting is that they are always looking for people who make things that are meant to make a difference to the environment and in turn a positive contribution to people’s lives. So if this sounds like you – get in touch now! info@utala.co.uk / www.utala.co.uk

What makes UTALA extra special is that all their market stalls are transported by bicycle and they recycle all their packaging material. All deliveries in central London are made by bicycle rather than post – saving the cost of packaging and fuel – amazing!!

What I find extremely touching is the fact that many of UTALA’s products come from small family cooperatives or NGOs. It means that they are providing income for artists and artisans – many of which are struggling financially – it really is truly remarkable and I really admire what Uta and her friends have set up!

It is most definitely reassuring that these products are not being produced unethically as a result of slave labour or anything along those lines but are the fruit of collaborations with European designers and artists in developing countries.

You can find out more about the hard-working team who work alongside Uta on their website here.

Currently UTALA sells around 40 gifts and home accessories in four lines and has even bigger plans for UTALA:

1) Funky - Berlin Berlin: This features urban cool products made from recycled materials.

2) Rustic charm: This selection features natural, refined items.

3) Forever young: This colourful vibrant selection is for people that defy growing old and love colour and playfulness in their house.

4) Wooden toys: These fantastically finished toys are produced by an artisan’s cooperative in India and are made with entirely natural materials: sustainable hale wood, spice colours and lacquer from natural resin.

Preview of some of the products – visit www.utala.co.uk to see the entire range.

Launching just in time for Christmas...

If you are struggling with Christmas presents this year, here is the perfect opportunity for you to purchase gifts that are not only unique, but also contribute to making the world a better place – what more can you ask for?

Spread the word everyone – the UTALA launch party will be taking place on Tuesday 8th November (see below for details) and make sure you visit www.utala.co.uk to see the beautiful range of products on sale.

Thank you for reading.

Much love,

Anokhi

Justice is what love looks like in public: The battle against human trafficking !

2011-06-18T21:56:00.000+01:00

Human Trafficking is the movement of individuals with the primary purpose of forced servitude or sexual slavery.

In Greece, prostitution is very much legal. So sex trafficking is very difficult to prosecute.

It is the fear that leaves girls with no hope and no way out. . .

The A21 Campaign stands for "abolishing injustice in the 21st century" and focuses on sex trafficking in Southeastern Europe.

In Thessaloniki, Greece, brothels are marked with white lights. Girls are taken, stolen, brutally raped and then often sold into brothels and forced to service up to 35 or 40 men a day!

LIFE FOR A SEX TRAFFICKING VICTIM

After a trafficking journey that typically involves deception, rape, beatings, and constant threats, victims are often forced to live in confining and unsanitary conditions.

Malnutrition, sleep deprivation, as well as emotional and physical abuse become day-to-day normalities. In addition, forced abortions and the contraction of STI's, Hepatitis B & C, and AIDS are ever looming probabilities. Life for a victim of sex trafficking is hell on earth. This injustice is the reason The A21 Campaign exists.

Whilst human trafficking is a global issue, the growth of trafficking of women from Eastern and Southern Europe (the former Soviet Bloc) into Western Europe over the past 20 years has been unparalleled anywhere else on the globe23. This trend has developed due to a specific combination of factors:

--Fall of Communism:

--Impact of Poverty on Women:

--EU Immigration Restrictions:

--International Organized Crime:

--Demand for Prostitutes

Human Trafficking is an organised criminal industry that affects every nation.

Whilst the statistics can seem overwhelming, it is important to remember that every number represents the life of a victim. The A21 Campaign has recognised a significant need in the region of Europe, and is committed to combating this injustice through rescuing one life at a time.

"When confronted with the horrific statistics surrounding human trafficking, it is easy to agree on the fact that "someone should do something." The A21 Campaign was born when the decision was made to put our hand up and be that "someone". It was a decision of ordinary people who decided to take responsibility regarding the issue of human trafficking. So with little knowledge, and a lot of passion, in 2007 we set out to make a difference.
After extensive research, planning, fundraising, more research, relationship building, a lot of learning, and a great leap of faith, we opened our first shelter for victims of human trafficking at the end of 2008."

'Nepal's Stolen Children'

NEPAL’S STOLEN CHILDREN: A CNN Freedom Project Documentary

Actress Demi Moore partners with CNN Freedom Project for a compelling documentary. A passionate advocate for victims of human trafficking herself, Moore travels to Nepal to meet 2010 CNN Hero of the Year Anuradha Koirala and some of the thousands of women and girls Koirala’s organisation has rescued from forced prostitution. How were they taken and where were they sent? Hear the emotional, first-hand experiences of these young survivors. And follow along with Moore as she searches for answers in the fight to end this form of modern-day slavery !

WORLD PREMIERE: Sunday, June 26

Hong Kong 20:00

London 20:00

Berlin/Johannesburg 20:00

Abu Dhabi 22:00

New York/Miami 8 PM

Mexico City 7 PM

Los Angeles 8 PM

The CNN Freedom Project: http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/

The battle against human trafficking cannot be fought by one person, but requires all of us to come together as one and stand for justice. Together, we can make a difference.

Anokhi

A lifeline for hundreds of thousands of carers across the UK: The BBC Lifeline Appeal

2011-06-18T19:45:00.000+01:00

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers will be featured on the BBC Lifeline Appeal BBC One on Sunday 19th June. Tune in at 4:45 pm in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and at 5:15 pm in Scotland.

For over twenty years, BBC Lifeline has helped raise money and increase the profile of hundreds of charities across the UK and abroad.

The appeal will be a unique opportunity to tell people about the work of The Trust and why they need more support for the UK's unpaid Carers. www.carers.org / www.youngcarers.net

Marking Carers Week 2011, actress Pam Ferris (Matilda, Rosemary and Thyme) makes an impassioned appeal to raise funds for The Princess Royal Trust for Carers. Speaking from personal experience, Pam Ferris describes the isolation and lack of support carers can face, having been one herself for the last years of her mother's life. The film features an exclusive interview with The Trust's president, HRH Princess Anne.

One in 10 people in the UK are carers - looking after a loved-one who is sick, disabled, suffering from a mental health problem or an addiction - some carers are as young as five years old. What carers have in common is the selflessness to put their family members' needs before their own, but they face an on-going life of isolation, ill-health and poverty.

A lifeline for hundreds of thousands of carers across the UK.

For 20 years, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers has been fighting to provide carers with the support they so desperately need. The Trust understands that few of us plan to become carers, so when a caring role starts, every carer needs an expert to guide them through the maze of services, rules and entitlements. For a carer, this can make the difference between keeping and losing their job, or between staying healthy and collapsing under the stress.

At the heart of The Trust is a unique network of 144 independently-managed Carers' Centres, 89 young carers' services and interactive websites (www.carers.org and www.youngcarers.net) which deliver around the clock support to over 424,000 carers and approximately 25,000 young carers. Today we are the largest provider of carer support in the UK offering unique and innovative services.

How you can care for the carers?

With an ageing population, the UK will need more care from families and friends in the future. This is an issue that will touch everyone’s life at some point and The Trust aims to be there for every carer.

The Trust relies almost exclusively on voluntary donations to sustain their work. This is why your support is vital. They need you to help them to provide services like www.youngcarers.net, support their local Carers' Centres and develop new services, so that they continue to reach many more of the UK’s unpaid, unsupported and often unidentified carers.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers

Please tune in tomorrow (Sunday 19th June, 2011) at 4.45pm (England) - BBC One.

Thousands of carers out there need your support. . .

Thank you.

CarersBlog

Channel 4 lead the way to “Positive Journalism": Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields. THE TRUTH REVEALED!

2011-06-15T15:20:00.003+01:00

Sri Lanka's civil war ended in 2009, as the Colombo government claimed victory over the insurgents after a bloody military operation that killed thousands of people and displaced many more.

Last night, UK broadcaster Channel 4 aired ‘Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields’, a traumatic documentary exposing shocking new evidence of war crimes committed during the closing days of Sri Lanka’s civil war in 2009.

The footage screened ranks among the most horrific yet shown on British television.

Sri Lanka Killing Field

Britain has renewed calls for Sri Lanka to investigate allegations of war crimes after video footage apparently showing the summary execution of naked and bound prisoners was broadcast on UK television.

A fantastic editorial in today’s Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jun/15/sri-lanka-evidence-that-wont-be-buried

“Naked prisoners shot in the head; the dead bodies of women who had been raped, dumped on a truck; the immediate aftermath of a shell landing on a hospital – images caught on mobile phones of the atrocities committed by government soldiers in the final months of Sri Lanka's brutal civil war. The story of what happened two years ago when government forces corralled hundreds of thousands of Tamils in horrific conditions into an ever-shrinking space, as they closed in the defeated Tigers, is well known. A UN panel last month found credible allegations of war crimes committed both by the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE. But the pictures of the shootings are new and Channel 4 has done what human rights organisations should have been doing in compiling and sifting through it.”

Absolutely disturbing...! The cowardice, the lies, the brutality, the hate, the absolute disregard for the life of fellow human beings is hard to accept (no matter how many times we watch this).

Captured on mobile phones, both by Tamils under attack and government soldiers as war trophies, the disturbing footage shows: the extra-judicial executions of prisoners; the aftermath of targeted shelling of civilian camps; and dead female Tamil fighters who appear to have been raped or sexually assaulted, abused and murdered.

How can people inflict this amount of suffering on other people??

Just a bunch of extremely dangerous and powerful psychopaths!

The common definition of a “psychopath” - formally referred to a personality disorder characterised by the inability to form human attachment and an abnormal lack of empathy, masked by an ability to appear outwardly normal.

Could we really define these people?!

A complete exposé... thanks to Channel 4 and John Snow. Yet, the all-mighty UN remains silent and the influence of the International Community powerless.

Who will bring peace to all the innocent civilians killed? We can only hope that one day this can be achieved.

According to Amnesty International, the importance of a film like this in terms of pushing the human rights agenda is great. The film reinforces the findings of the UN panel – namely that both sides committed war crimes and crimes against humanity.

It contains very graphic footage in a long format documentary that lasts one hour and therefore has more impact on the public than a written report.
The film has been hugely important; making it impossible for diplomats to ignore that gross human rights violations took place.
Amnesty International calls for an independent international investigation into the extent of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Amnesty International has repeatedly called for the Secretary General to launch such an independent inquiry and has urged UN member states to support it.

Q&A: SRI LANKA’S KILLING FIELDS

Justice can only be served and healing delivered if the international community launches an international, independent investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Sri Lanka. This historic opportunity must be seized, or the price for us all will be intolerably high.

“Channel 4 is lifting its normal commercial access restrictions to allow the film to be freely seen by anyone anywhere in the world. Additionally, it is bound to go viral via Youtube."

"This is not my normal kind of Snowblog. I end by asking you to watch this film. It could well prove a kind of a watershed, a moment when humanity, confronted with the evidence, cries ‘no more’. In our century of war – as the 21st Century is already beginning to feel – this could provide a moment when the perpetrators of war crimes meet the law courtesy of global disgust and pressure."

"You will see that the film had to be, as it is, horrifically true to the facts of what happened. I hope you will spare 50 minutes, it could be that it will make a difference.”

John Snow, Presenter
SnowBlog: http://blogs.channel4.com/snowblog/sri-lankas-killing-fields-project-affect-history/15457

Sri Lanka is trying to pretend these events are history. . .

They are not. . .

For more background on Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields, please visit, http://www.channel4.com/programmes/sri-lankas-killing-fields/articles/background-information

Help and Support: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/sri-lankas-killing-fields/articles/help-support

Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields is available to watch on 4oD

This evidence cannot be buried !!!

Much love,

Anokhi

International Day of the Midwife

2011-05-05T22:20:00.001+01:00

Many people consider the day their child was born the happiest day in their life. In the world's wealthier countries, that is. In poorer countries, the day a child is born is all too often the day its mother dies. The lifetime risk of dying in pregnancy and childbirth in Africa is 1 in 22, while it is 1 in 120 in Asia and 1 in 7,300 in developed countries.

Today, 5th May, is International Day of the Midwife and one of the most appropriate days to highlight that over 340,000 women and over 5 million infants around the world die each year as a result of preventable pregnancy and childbirth complications.

The world needs midwives now more than ever.

The World Health Organisation, UN agencies and other global partners have identified that midwives are the key to achieving reductions in maternal and newborn deaths and disabilities globally.

A global shortage of midwives is reducing the chances of countries hitting millennium development goal 5 (MDG 5) to reduce by three-quarters the maternal mortality rate.

What is the MDG 5?

Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG 5) aims to reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio by 2015 and to universalise the access to sexual and reproductive health.

Reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio.
Achieve, by 2015, universal access to reproductive health.

Quick Facts:

Every year, 536,000 women and girls die as a result of complications during pregnancy, childbirth or the six weeks following delivery.
99% of these deaths occur in developing countries, half of them in sub-Saharan Africa and one third in South Asia.
A further nine million women suffer complications that can result in life long pain, disability and socio-economic exclusion.
Around 215 millions couples per year do not have access to modern contraception methods.

http://www.actionforglobalhealth.eu/index.php?id=101

The direct causes of maternal deaths are haemorrhage, infection, obstructed labour, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, and complications of unsafe abortion. A majority of these deaths and disabilities are preventable, being mainly due to insufficient care during pregnancy and delivery. Around 20 million women have unsafe abortions each year, and 3 million of the estimated 8.5 million who need care for subsequent health complications do not receive it. About 15 % of pregnancies and childbirths need emergency obstetric care because of complications that are difficult to predict.

Investing in maternal and sexual health can have a great impact on the other Development Goals. Greater use of condoms for contraception would reduce the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Reducing unplanned births and family size would result in savings on public-sector spending for health, water, sanitation and social services and reduce pressure on scarce natural resources, making social and economic development goals easier to achieve. Amongst other benefits, reducing unplanned pregnancies, particularly among adolescents, would improve educational and employment opportunities for women, which would in turn contribute to improving the status of women, increasing family savings, reducing poverty and spurring economic growth.

The real question is – Can the MDG 5 be achieved by 2015?

A global shortage of midwives means many women around the world are giving birth without a trained professional, increasing the risk to women's health and reducing the chances of countries hitting millennium development goal 5 to cut maternal mortality rates.

Today is the International Day Of The Midwife, and is used to bring awareness of the importance of midwives' work, and recognise the care they provide to child bearing families.

Happy healthy babies are the best reason of all to celebrate International Day of the Midwife today.

Who says fairy-tale endings don’t exist?!

2011-05-02T19:50:00.000+01:00

Well, it sure has been one hell of a fairy tale week.

On Friday 29th April 2011, one of the biggest days in British history, Prince William and Miss Catherine “Kate” Middleton were declared man and wife at London's Westminster Abbey, in front of a congregation of around 1,900 and a worldwide television audience estimated at as many as 2 billion.

Wearing an ivory and white satin dress designed by Sarah Burton, a closely guarded secret until minutes before the service began; Kate accepted a wedding ring of Welsh gold, given to William by the Queen soon after the couple were engaged. The bride also wore a diamond-studded halo tiara which was loaned to her by the Queen.

In a marriage ceremony led by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, Kate promised William that she would "love him, comfort him, honour him, and keep him," and he offered the same pledge. Like William's mother Princess Diana at her own 1981 wedding to Prince Charles, Kate struck a modern note by omitting the traditional vow to "obey" her husband.

Kate, 29, the daughter of creators of a successful party-planning business, becomes the first commoner in line to be queen in modern times. She'll now be known officially as Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, though the public will know her as Princess Catherine. William becomes the Duke of Cambridge.

AWW! And what a wedding it was. Proud moment for the British and everyone had a fabulous day overall as millions joined in with the Royal celebrations worldwide.

So, the Prince gets married and lives happily ever after. . .

This morning, I woke up to the news that the most wanted man...leader of the al-Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden was dead!!

I was almost shocked as I didn't think I would ever hear those words and the first thing I thought was, finally, some closure. Extremely curious as to how it all went down, I turned on BBC News and I was glued to the TV for a good few hours.

Osama became known to the world as the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks in 2001, but intelligence services had been concerned about him since the early 1990s.

He was found and killed at a fortified compound on the outskirts of Abbottabad in north-west Pakistan.The compound is a few hundred metres from the Pakistan Military Academy, an elite military training centre, which is being described as Pakistan's equivalent to Britain's Sandhurst or the West Point academny in the US.

US President Barack Obama has hailed the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden as a "good day for America," saying the world is now a safer and a better place.

He is believed to have ordered the attacks on New York and Washington on 11 September 2001, as well as a number of other deadly bombings.

He topped the US "most wanted" list.

But his details on the list have now been updated with a simple banner indicating his current status: "Deceased".

DNA tests carried out after the operation indicated with "99.9%" certainty that the man shot dead was Osama Bin Laden, US officials said.

He was buried at sea after a Muslim funeral on board an aircraft carrier in the north Arabian Sea, Pentagon officials said.

According to an article I read on the Metro website, "American authorities said that Osama bin Laden's body had been buried at sea, without giving further details. After Bin Laden was killed in the raid by US forces, officials insisted the body would be handled in accordance with Islamic practice and tradition. This practice requires the body to be buried within 24 hours.
A US official said that a country would find it difficult to accept the remains of the world's most wanted terrorist, so it was decided to bury him at an undisclosed location in the sea.
Burying Bin Laden's body at sea could also prevent his final resting place from becoming a shrine and a place of pilgrimage for his followers."

Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/862130-osama-bin-laden-buried-at-sea-after-being-killed-in-us-raid-in-pakistan#ixzz1LDd4lz7m

From Times Square to Ground Zero to the White House, the familiar chant of "USA , USA" resonated as citizens learned that the Osama bin Laden was dead.
The announcement sparked immediate jubilation. In Time Square, people gathered around giant news tickers to see the latest updates.

It is indeed a day of celebration around the world, however, we have all been warned...this is most certainly not the end.

Ed Miliband MP, UK opposition leader, says: "Osama Bin Laden committed one of history's most appalling acts of terrorism and the world is a safer place because he will no longer be able to command or encourage acts of terror. For the victims of 9/11 and their families, nothing can take away the pain of what happened but this will provide an important sense of justice. Despite the death of Osama Bin Laden, our vigilance against the perpetrators of terrorism must and will continue."

The BBC's Matt Frei, at Ground Zero in New York, says: "The atmosphere which was jubilant in the middle of the night has become somewhat more restrained... there is no real sense of closure, because people are expecting the threats to continue. There is a fine balance between relief and holding your guard."

Regardless, it is a start, a victory, and President Barack Obama and US Officials have done a great job!

US President Barack Obama, speaking from the White House, in Washington, says: "Our country has kept its commitment that justice is done. Today, we are reminded that, as a nation, there is nothing we can't do when we remember the sense of unity that defines us."

So there we have it...a fairy tale ending...a prince gets married and lives happily ever after...and a terrorist, the bad guy/villan, gets killed. . .

. . .just the way it should be . . . :-)

Much love,

Anokhi

2011-04-13T23:01:00.001+01:00

Imagine being thrown in prison because you had the courage to leave a man who beats you. Imagine being jailed because you refuse to marry a man who raped you...

If you live in Afghanistan, these scenarios are not imaginary at all...

Today, the US State Department confirms 920 women, 760 girls between the age of 12 and 17, and 291 children are currently behind bars in Afghanistan. 95% are convicted of moral crimes.

I have come across a few articles on the topic of ‘honour killing’ and have somewhat been aware of this ‘issue’, but it has always been something I could not quite understand.

‘Honour killing’ is the killing of a member of a family or social group by other members, due to the belief of the perpetrators (and potentially the wider community) that the victim has brought dishonour upon the family or community. Honour killings are directed mostly against women and girls.

The perceived dishonour is normally the result of one of the following behaviours, or the suspicion of such behaviours:

(a) Dressing in a manner unacceptable to the family or community

(b) Wanting to terminate or prevent an arranged marriage or desiring to marry by own choice

(c) Engaging in heterosexual sexual acts outside marriage, or even due to a non-sexual relationship perceived as inappropriate

(d) Engaging in homosexual acts.

Women and girls are killed at a much higher rate than men.

In Afghanistan, an ancient code of Islamic honour called Shuria, proclaims any two men can accuse a woman of a crime. Case closed. No burden of proof or defence. A group of male elders, the local jirga, serves as jury and judge. The accused and her children are unquestionably shamed by the entire community and sentenced to prison—or death.

The fall of the Taliban initiated new political, legal and educational freedoms for women in Afghanistan, but centuries of patrilineal tradition cannot be eradicated by bombs or in one decade.

Billions of dollars have been spent on military efforts and infrastructure building, yet Afghan women lack the most basic equal rights. Last year, President Karzai signed the "Shia Personal Status Law", requiring women to ask permission before leaving their homes.

Women are considered the property of fathers, husbands and brothers—often abused, traded and enslaved to repay family debt and even forced to commit self-immolation – or setting themselves on fire.

One of the most notorious "honour" killings of recent years occurred in April 1999, when Samia Imran, a young married woman, "was shot in the office of a lawyer helping her to seek a divorce which her family could never countenance." According to Suzanne Goldenberg,

Samia, 28, arrived at the Lahore law offices of Hina Jilani and Asma Jahangir, who are sisters, on April 6. She had engaged Jilani a few days earlier, because she wanted a divorce from her violent husband. Samia settled on a chair across the desk from the lawyer. Sultana, Samia's mother, entered five minutes later with a male companion. Samia half-rose in greeting. The man, Habib-ur-Rhemna, grabbed Samia and put a pistol to her head. The first bullet entered near Samia's eye and she fell. "There was no scream. There was dead silence. I don't even think she knew what was happening," Jilani said. The killer stood over Samia's body, and fired again. Jilani reached for the alarm button as the gunman and Sultana left. "She never even bothered to look whether the girl was dead."

The aftermath of the murder was equally revealing: "Members of Pakistan's upper house demanded punishment for the two women [lawyers] and none of Pakistan's political leaders condemned the attack. ... The clergy in Peshawar want the lawyers to be put to death" for trying to help Imran. (Suzanne Goldenberg, "A Question of Honor," The Guardian (UK), May 27, 1999.)

Lately, we've all seen the breaking news about the gorgeous young Harry Potter star Afshan Azad, whose father and brother are accused of an attempted honour killing. All because the young girl's family is Muslim, but she is in love with a Hindu boy. The men accused beat her with closed fists, dragged around her home, and tossed her about like a rag doll. It is reported that as Afshan was struggling to breathe, they threatened her with death.

All for what - loving a boy of a different religion?? I have always found such attitudes within families preposterous and to this day I still have discussions about these types of situations with my parents and still question how any family could put their darling daughters through any of it, let alone such extremes.

I quote Sophia Bush here because I agree with her 100% and she has literally expressed everything I believe in and what my parents have taught me:

“Love is love. No matter your faith, race, sexual orientation, size, shape, or socioeconomic background. Maybe I feel that so strongly because I grew up on classic fairy tales. But I also grew up in karate classes, riding horses, and on the general notion that women kick ass; we can be our own knights in our own shining armor; we can ride our own damn horse. If the man of your dreams wants to ride along side you, fabulous! If he wants to stay home with the babies while you bring home the bacon, fabulous! And if you want to stay home with the babies and let him "Hi Ho!" off to work every day ... you guessed it ... fabulous! We are independent, strong, and capable of living with or without a man. Or a woman for that matter. If you yearn to get married then do it. If you want to be single forever, do it. If you and your girlfriend choose to get married (hopefully in any state soon) and have babies, do it! Ladies, we have options. We get to be whomever we choose, and we have the right to make new versions of those choices whenever we so desire.” (Sophia Bush, www.sophiabush.com).

Here are a few more articles worth reading on the subject:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-l-esposito/violence-against-women-a_b_705797.html

http://www.gendercide.org/case_honour.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marcia-g-yerman/quest-for-honor-stop-the_b_696207.html

Imagine being thrown in prison because you had the courage to leave a man who beats you. Imagine being jailed because you refuse to marry a man who raped you...

Ladies, just think for one minute about how you are lucky enough to be empowered, yet these women go to jail for merely standing up for themselves. It is just appalling that such practices still exist in the world.

WOMEN ARE NOT THE PROBLEM. THEY ARE THE SOLUTION...ALONG WITH MEN!

The best way to fight poverty and extremism is to educate and empower women and girls.
http://www.halftheskymovement.org/

Life is Life...Fight for it!

2011-02-26T21:33:00.000+00:00

Do we determine each moment of our life based on the decisions we make, the actions we take and the choices we face?

Do you sometimes wonder whether or not things would be different if we had done something differently?

I don't have any regrets and I believe that no-one should...however, sometimes I can't help but ponder over what could have been or where I'd be if a particular thing didn't happen or if something had gone differently.

So many things have happened for the best, yet some things haven't. What happened to having a plan and sticking to it? How do we know whether what we are doing is right?

I know the answer is that we just can't. Life is for living, to learn, to pass, to fail, to laugh, cry and make mistakes. To make decisions and then live with the consequences of these actions, be it good or bad.

Is it really easy to lose yourself if you don't pay attention to what life throws your way?

Hansel said to Gretel, let us drop these breadcrumbs…so that together we can find our way home, because losing our way would be the most cruel of things.

Losing your way on a journey is unfortunate...but, losing your reason for the journey…is a fate more cruel. And once you lose yourself, you have two choices: either find the person you used to be, or lose that person completely.

Because, sometimes, you have to step outside of the person you’ve been.

And remember the person you were meant to be. The person you wanted to be. . .

I just can't help thinking about what I have done, where I am right now and how I got here. What does the future hold for me?

Over the past year, it has been one hell of a hurdle - graduating and entering the real world (work) and facing the pressure to figure out your life, your career and ambitions.

I have undergone many changes and don't know whether it's purely because I didn't have the will power and strength to follow through, or maybe I didn't really know what I wanted and it was just what I thought I wanted. I am not even sure I have figured any of it out yet. . .

When I was in high-school, I loved science...I was passionate and I always wanted to be able to help people...(at least that hasn't changed) and I used to dream about being a doctor 'when I grew up' !

But then, I got to college and something changed - I came home with totally different subjects which had replaced Chemistry and Biology and I ended up taking Economics, Mathematics and Psychology.

I did think about it carefully and although later on, for the teeniest amount of time, I did regret it...I never questioned my decisions. When I went to uni to study Economics, Finance and Management, I never once felt like I was making a mistake - I knew I loved the subject and I thoroughly enjoyed my degree, well, most of it. I am a strong believer of the saying "Everything happens for a reason" and I truly feel that it does.

I just can't bring myself to understand it sometimes...and I have started wondering whether it is actually circumstances and opportunity that helps in changing our mind and influencing certain actions - or merely just assisting us in finding our path?!

Throughout my degree, I thought it was a Finance career I wanted. I loved most of the finance modules at uni and I was actually good at them, so, it was finance graduate schemes I was applying to. I didn't have much luck with it - I am partly blaming the economy and the tough times we are facing - or at least it was worse when I was at uni last year, however, I also began to realise that maybe finance wasn't for me. I have always loved the theory and I still do, I love solving problems and when it comes to maths, I love that challenge!

Anyway, I still gave it a chance and was willing to find out whether it really was for me, in practice anyway.

I went back to The Trust to continue volunteering with the Finance Team and the Director of Finance has always supported me, in fact she still does and I will always be grateful to her - an amazing woman and a true inspiration.

One month in, and I was given the opportunity to try out within Communications. I took it, because I was looking for a job and all I wanted was to gain some experience. Soon after, I was asked to interview for a position that opened up and I was offered a fixed term contract. I can't say I ever saw myself within Communications and PR, but did I see myself within Finance? All I can say is, I can't thank The Trust and everyone I work with enough for the opportunity. During my time with The Trust, I have learnt a great deal and the people will always remain close to my heart. A perfect first job and I am most definitely a different person - I have developed skills I never thought I had and I have realised my potential. I have learnt to express my views and passions and more importantly, I have discovered a career path which I hope I will be good at.

So, I can't help but wonder that if I wasn't given that opportunity 8 months ago, where would I be right now? Would I be working in Finance? Would I have ever discovered Public Relations/Communications? I can't guarantee that this is the way it will go, neither can I predict my future...

My contract with The Trust ends soon and although I am extremely saddened by the thought, I am trying really hard to see it all as a positive. A new chance, a new opportunity and a chance to discover myself. I think most people I know can agree with how competitive jobs are these days and how utterly depressing it is, but, I know that we can do it...because we are amazing and we just need to be patient. Somebody will discover us soon enough and we have the rest of our lives ahead of us!! ;-)

Whatever happens, it's all part of the fun.

Life is a long long journey. There will be difficulties, there will be a lot of happiness as well as a lot of sadness, but we need to live it how we want to, and regardless of how we get to where we are, we should just embrace every opportunity. Live life to fullest and one day I hope that we all find our way and become who we truly wish to be.

Albert Einstein once said: "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning."

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realise it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.

(Mother Teresa)

Much Love,

Anokhi

2011-02-18T16:30:00.013+00:00

The government confirmed yesterday that they are totally scrapping the forest sell-off. The phoney consultation has been cancelled. The sinister legal changes to pave the way for privatisation have been dropped. – This is absolutely fabulous news!!

Caroline Spelman, the environment secretary, has issued an unequivocal apology to the House of Commons after taking personal responsibility for the "wrong" decision to change the ownership of 258,000 hectares of state-owned woodland.

Spelman, who agreed with David Cameron to bring forward the announcement of her U-turn by 24 hours to allow MPs to be informed before their half-term break, opened with a simple statement. "I would first like to say that I take full responsibility for the situation that brings me before the house today," she said.

Tory MPs, who had been warning Downing Street of a backlash across the country against the sell-off plans, sat mostly in silence as Spelman offered an apology.

"I am sorry, we got this one wrong, but we have listened to people's concerns," Spelman said. "I would like to thank colleagues for their support through what has been a difficult time. I now want to move forward in step with the public."

The power of people has done it again!

Next time someone tries to tell any of you that signing petitions or emailing our MPs doesn’t work, you’ll know exactly what to say:“People power does work. Just look at the Save Our Forests campaign”.
38 Degrees members voted to start this campaign. They knew that making forests safe for future generations was something worth fighting for. So they signed the petition, emailed our MPs, put up posters in our local woodlands, organised local events, and chipped in for a people-powered opinion poll and national newspaper ads.

Local groups joined in, as did national organisations like the National Trust, Friends of the Earth, and Greenpeace, and celebrities who spoke out in the press. “Together we stopped the sell-off plans.”
38 Degrees isn't funded by big business, government or political parties - winning campaigns relies on thousands of us chipping in. To help keep us campaigning on the issues that matter to you, you can chip in by making a:
Direct Debit donation:http://www.38degrees.org.uk/Direct-Debit

One-off donation: http://www.38degrees.org.uk/we-saved-our-forests

Highlights of the campaign:

Thousands of 38 Degrees members voted to launch the Save Our Forests campaign in October 2010 when the government first announced their plans
Over 500,000 38 Degrees members signed the “Save Our Forests” petition
Over 100,000 38 Degrees members emailed or called their MPs urging them to stop the forest sell off
Hundreds of 38 Degrees members donated to fund a people-powered YouGov poll which found that 84% of the public wanted the forests kept in public hands
Thousands of 38 Degrees members chipped in nearly £60,000 to pay for ads in national newspapers to highlight that 84% of the British public opposed the forest sale
Over 30 local groups around the country sprung up to campaign to stop the sell-off
Over 220,000 38 Degrees members shared the campaign on Facebook.

ADORABLE: ‘Rare’ Twinnies born in the wild…

2011-02-10T22:22:00.000+00:00

Did you know that the Eastern gorilla is the world's largest living primate?

Twin mountain gorillas have been born in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

Fewer than 800 mountain gorillas are thought to remain in the wild, though numbers are thought to be increasing.

The twins are both boys. CUTE!

The pair are thought to be the first Gorilla twins born in the African country since 2004 - and only the fifth pair to be born there ever.

Mum Kabatwa gave birth to the pair on 3 February 2011 in the Virunga Massif National Park

There are thought to be less than 800 mountain gorillas left in the wild

The Virunga Massif is so big it spreads into three countries in Africa, and although numbers of mountain gorillas are low they are thought be increasing.

Saving apes

Ape Alliance, an organisation that work to try and save apes, said: "Gorilla mothers usually have only one baby every four years or so - which is one reason why they are so vulnerable - so twins give a rare double gain in one birth."

T-Mobile US are giving Away phones for Valentine’s Day: FREE!

2011-02-10T22:05:00.000+00:00

What’s the catch?

Perhaps Cupid shot T-Mobile’s PR department in the backside?

Haha, whatever happened, T-Mobile have decided to make all of their phones free for February 11 and 12, as part of a Valentine’s Day deal. The offer applies to all phones, even their fastest 4G smartphones.

Wondering what the catch is? Too right, because T-Mobile would have to be crazy to give away smartphones and get nothing in return. The catch, quite simply, is that you must ink a 2-year deal with the wireless carrier, which is something most smartphone buyers do anyway.
The goal of the promotion is to reach a larger market with their data plans. Often, people may be able to afford the monthly fee but cannot afford the initial cost of the phone.
This could however, backfire, as people who can afford neither may opt for the free phone but may be unable to make the monthly payments.

T-Mobile is a German mobile wireless carrier and the 10th largest in the world. Its smartphone offerings include the Android-powered T-Mobile G2, T-Mobile myTouch 4G, and Samsung Vibrant, the BlackBerry Curve, the HTC HD7, and many others.

Will you spread the love this year by getting your ‘free’ phone?!

If you want to share the love with T-Mobile on Valentine’s Day, you will have to marry them first.

MUBARAK NEEDS TO RESIGN. . . however, he still hangs on to power!!

2011-02-10T21:52:00.001+00:00

After just hearing Mubarak's speech, I couldn't help but scream at my laptop while I watched..

What on earth was he saying?

As Mubarak continued to talk, it became very clear that he would not be announcing his departure from power. He will stay on until September elections. This news has not gone down well with the crowds gathered in Tahrir Square as well as the millions watching LIVE right now!

Reports say Mr Mubarak is delegating power to his vice-president. It seems he is not stepping down, but he is handing some responsibilities to his deputy.

Egyptian academic Mamoun Fandy says Mr Mubarak's words "will not wash". He says: "These young people are too smart. I don't know whether the disaster will start tonight or tomorrow, but we're in for a huge confrontation. Whoever wrote that speech is living in a bubble."

Mubarak said: "I was a young man as well when I joined the military and pledged to the nation and sacrificed to the nation. I spent my life defending Egypt's life and sovereignty. The best days of my life were when I raised the flag of Egypt over the Sinai and when I flew plans in Addis Ababa. There was no day when I was affected or gave in to foreign pressure."

"I believe that the majority of Egyptians know who Hosni Mubarak is and it pains me what has been expressed by some people from my own country. I am aware of the dangers facing us and out of my belief that Egypt is going through a very significant phase in its history, this compels us all to put the interests of the nation first and put Egypt above any consideration."

Maybe a few days ago his offer would have been accepted...however, now it is merely too late! HE IS JUST A SYMBOL OF CORRUPTION and his words are most definitely not going down well with the people. There will be protests for sure.

Mr Mubarak, 82, had previously said he would leave office only after presidential elections due to be held in September.

Negotiations between the government and opposition groups have made little progress, with protesters disillusioned at plans for reform put forward by Mr Mubarak's government.

In recent days, the US government had stepped up its call for the protesters' concerns to be addressed.

Full quote from Mr Suleiman: "The 25 January movement has succeeded in making a change in the party of democracy, history has begun. Constitutional decisions have been taken, commissions were formed to implement what the president decided in terms of directives in his 1 February speech. What the president announced today stresses once again his national feeling and his siding with the legitimate demands of the people and his commitment to the many pledges he made in the past. It also proves his awareness of the seriousness of the situation that Egypt is going through. The president had put the supreme interests of the people above everything else."

Chowraha: What Egypt Taught Me: People plus Media is equal to Power - an amazing read.

It's doubtful anyone in Tahrir Square just heard Mr Suleiman's speech - the noise of chants and horns is deafening.

The Valentines Effect

2011-02-06T18:31:00.000+00:00

Ah, Valentine's Day. Some say it's the most romantic day of the year. Others dismiss it as merely a commercial boondoggle. Some find themselves dateless and depressed. For those of you in the last category, it could always be worse. You could be retaining a divorce lawyer. . .

While many people have been shopping online for Valentine's Day gifts to delight their other half, others hit the Internet for something less romantic...a divorce lawyer!

San Francisco-based LegalMatch, which bills itself as the largest Internet legal-matching service in the U.S, claims that the number of people seeking divorce attorneys, as well as attorneys to help with annulments and prenuptial agreements, increases significantly around Valentine's Day.

The term “Valentine’s Effect” was coined by a San Francisco-based law firm, which discovered that the number of Americans seeking divorce increases significantly around Valentine’s Day.

Twenga certainly knows how to capitalise on an "anti-trend".

Twenga offers thousands of products for everyone who is anti-Valentine's Day this year, whether single or in a relationship.

A gift for each kind of anti-Valentine

One, tormented by happier days before a betrayal, seeks sweet revenge thanks to Voodoo dolls.
Another dreads the evening alone, but secretly knows a foot massager beats most men.
Some don’t know whether to bother showing up for dinner or just stay at home with their hot water bottle and sleeping mask set.
Others will forget Valentine’s past or present and seek refuge in a luxurious box of chocolates.

About Twenga

Twenga, the new-generation search engine, enables millions of shoppers throughout the world to find what they want, at the best price, from the online store of their choice. Thanks to its proprietary technology, Twenga automatically gathers offers from online merchants and displays them in one searchable interface. As a result, Twenga has the most comprehensive listing of online shops. Its search results are objective and not biased by commercial relationships.

Founded in 2006 by Bastien Duclaux and Cedric Anes, Twenga runs 15 sites, including the United States, the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Brazil, Russia, Australia, India and China, displaying 300 million product offerings from more than 140,000 online shops. Twenga's sites received 45 million visits in November 2010. Twenga won the Red Herring 100 Global Award, the Company of the Future Award for the Paris Metropolitan area, the France Young Technology Leader Award and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award - Company of the Future Category, for France in 2010.

Website: http://www.twenga.com

SUPERBOWL XLV...If you don't deliver you really bomb!

2011-02-06T14:51:00.000+00:00

The Super Bowl: always the ultimate marketing opportunity, with sales boosting better than around Christmas time... The 45th annual edition of the Super Bowl in American football that sees the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Green Bay Packers fighting for the title of NFL champion for the 2010 season is today, February 6, 2011.

In the past, the main media covering the event was traditional media, with random mentions online, and advertisers pumping cash in print, TV and radio commercials and marketing programs. However, now...social media has changed the trend.

I came across an article on the Guardian website that read:

"Super Bowl advertisers likely to pay $100,000 a second"

This being an equivalent of £62,000 a second. AMAZING!!!

Revenue from commercials during the game is expected to top $210m, according to Jon Swallen of Kantar Media, with the audience likely to smash last year's record of 106.5 million. Companies will be paying $3m for a 30-second spot. Prices dipped in 2010 but are now back at the 2009 peak. (Guardian)

"People watch for the commercials. It's the biggest opportunity to build awareness but if you don't deliver, you really bomb." (Swallen)

Check out Super Bowl: great moments in television advertising

The fans look forward to Super Bowl commercials almost as much as the game itself. This year brings some of the hottest names in show biz on screen: Justin Bieber, Ozzy Osbourne, Kim Kardashian… Yes, Kim Kardashian, recently the subject of another “nudity and fame” editorial, strips again, this time not for “W” magazine, but for Sketchers’ Super Bowl ad.

The Super Bowl commercial that wins in the category “top banned Super Bowl commercials” is without any doubt PETA’s Veggie Love – a 2009 production that makes the headlines again. It is that time of the year, when all advertisements produced for America’s largest national celebration win, no matter how lame, obscure, or kinky.

“Veggie Love” isn’t the first PETA video banned from the airwaves. PETA has a long list of ads “too hot” for TV, including Casey Affleck’s “Go Vegetarian” public service announcement; Alicia Silverstone in PETA’s first-ever naked veggie testimonial; the Kentucky Fried Cruelty: The Movie; and many others.
This year’s “Veggie Love” by PETA pales by comparison. The video is viral, but it’s unprofessional, and cheap.

Today's big winner might have the best game plan for tweets, links, likes and texts. It's not just about football anymore.

The companies that have forked over about $3 million for every 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl XLV telecast are also using social media more than ever as they seek more bang for their buck.

Long before the game began, big league brands like Pepsi, Doritos, Audi, Chevrolet and Mercedes-Benz kicked off Super Bowl campaigns that leveraged the consumer networking power of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Their goal is to create relationships with viewers that will continue long after the final gun sounds. That has turned the game, as the industry publication Advertising Age labelled it, into the "Social Bowl."

"Marketers are looking for ways to not just hit consumers over the head, but get people involved in the story line," said Mike Parker, president of the San Francisco Bay Area Interactive Group, an organisation for employees of local digital ad agencies and tech companies. "They're saying, 'Here's the start of the conversation. Now come and join in the discussion.' It's not just 30 seconds and out."

The whole of the US is caught up in the 2011 Super Bowl and it certainly means different things to different people. Some will be looking for Super Bowl food ideas: including Super Bowl appetisers, Super Bowl snacks, and other Super Bowl recipes to spice up the weekend. Others will be more interested in the game itself, and others will be watching purely for the adverts!

Kick-off time will be approximately 6:25 pm on the East Coast; 5:25 pm Central; 4:25 pm Mountain; and 3:25 pm Pacific which is around 11.25pm here in the UK.

MLK Sales Day: Marketing, the lowest of the low?

2011-01-19T13:08:00.000+00:00

A 'marketing guru' at Kmart knew that Monday (17th Jan) was universally celebrated in the name of the man who once had a dream of freedom. They thought that the best way to honour Martin Luther King was to make an online sale in his name – in other words, to make money using his reputation. Patriotic??! I'll say!

Thalia Surf Shop in Laguna Beach was forced to apologise Tuesday after it received complaints for an online ad it posted offering a 20% discount on all black products in honor of Monday’s holiday.

"Respect. MLK Sale 20% Off All Black Products," read the advertisement, which originally included a picture of Dr. King’s head superimposed on the body of a surfer.

The outlet has been criticised for the inane use of Dr King’s image in an advertisement, especially on a national holiday honouring his influential beliefs, with commentators saying the promotion showed 'bad taste' and was 'wildly inappropriate'.

The store’s promotion, initially titled ‘Proud to be Black’ but later changed to the ‘Respect Sale’, offered 20 per cent of all black products sold by the shop on January 17, in honour of Martin Luther King Jr Day.

"It's our slow time of the year, so we're always getting creative," owner Nick Cocores told the Register. "We knew it was going to attract some attention."

The store’s Facebook page was quickly flooded with both supportive and critical messages about the ad campaign. Some called it creative and brilliant, while others were appalled, deriding the ad for being offensive and insensitive.

BLACK. . .

2011-01-15T23:20:00.001+00:00

I watched a Bollywood movie today, while I was feeling under the weather and frankly feeling sorry for myself. A film that was released over 5 years ago – a film I saw back then, that I never forgot.

I decided to watch this movie again as an article I read previously, triggered some thought on the subject.

A story about Michelle McNally, the eldest child of an Anglo Indian family who lived in Shimla, India.

The story is about Michelle and her teacher – a story about two people left incomplete by God, who fought a battle with fate and made the impossible, possible.

The world in her story is different...where sound transcends into silence...and light into darkness. In her world, where nothing can be seen nor heard – there is only one name for her world. . . BLACK!

It was directed by Sanjay Leela Bansali and the first half of the film is an adaptation of Helen Keller’s autobiography, The story of my life.
Helen Adams Keller (1880-1968), was an American Author, Political Activist and a lecturer. She was the first deafblind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. The story of how Keller’s teacher, Anne Sullivan, broke through the isolation imposed by a near complete lack of language, allowing the girl to blossom as she learned to communicate.

I have read a tiny part of Helen Keller’s autobiography during University and I would really like to read it all one day.

The film Black was absolutely amazing. In fact, there are no words to describe how well the actress Rani Mukerji played the role of Michelle. A true inspiration.

The film just got me thinking – even though I know that it is just a film, it is based on a true story and there are people out there who are just like Michelle and Helen. Although, technology and medicine itself are much more advanced now then it was...it just goes to show you that if so much could be achieved back then...impossible is nothing!!

The true story of Helen for example, she was successful because she had determination. If you believe in yourself, nothing can stop you from achieving what you wish to achieve. Right?

“Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It is courage that counts” ~ Winston Churchill.

Anything is possible if you put your heart and soul into it. I think we all need a bit of inspiration at some point, it helps push us in the right direction.

While there are times where one can have too much optimism, or too much self efficacy, we often also experience the reverse. We talk ourselves out of opportunities we could have taken and we convince ourselves we aren’t good enough to take big challenges, and we stop short rather than launching ourselves forward risking failure.

Developing a habit of expecting the best and pushing yourself towards it, almost guarantees that you will experience more spectacular failures. But, it also guarantees some spectacular success.

I read a Psychology article on the train the other day on the awesome power of belief:

Four Things You Can Do

Here are four constructive steps you can take:

Be mindful and stay present. Know that you have worked hard to this point and are willing to work even harder. Mindfulness helps you avoid the downward spiral.
Believe in yourself. Even if you don't fully believe, act as if you do. Actions 'speak louder than words.' They speak louder than thoughts, too.
Above all else, refrain from struggling with those self-critical thoughts - just let them occur. Trying to suppress or eliminate them only adds to their power.
Then, refocus your attention on the trading task-at-hand and do what matters most for your trade and for yourself as a trader.

This can be easier said than done – most definitely! However, like everything worthwhile in your life, you have to work at it – it will be hard but it is not impossible.

‘A trading psychology edge occurs when we start to shift from our old patterns of thinking to constructive ones.’

Believe you can do it – and YOU WILL!

Remember one more thing – BE YOURSELF, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, AND BE HAPPY. . .

Much love,

Anokhi

Ban of female education lifted?!

2011-01-14T19:57:00.000+00:00

How were women treated by the Taliban?

While in power in Afghanistan, the Taliban became dishonorable internationally for their treatment of women.

From the age of eight, women were not allowed to be in direct contact with men, other than a close blood relative, husband, or in-law.
Other restrictions were:

Women should not appear in the streets without a blood relative and without wearing a Burkha.
Women should not wear high-heeled shoes as no man should hear a woman’s footsteps, to avoid ‘exciting’ men.
Women must not speak loudly in public as no stranger should hear a woman's voice.
All ground and first floor residential windows should be painted over or screened to prevent women being visible from the street.
The photographing or filming of women was banned as was displaying pictures of females in newspapers, books, shops or the home.
The modification of any place names that included the word "women." For example, "women's garden" was renamed "springtime garden^.
Women were forbidden to appear on the balconies of their apartments or houses.
Ban on women's presence on radio, television or at public gatherings of any kind.

The Taliban claimed to recognise their Islamic duty to offer education to both boys and girls, yet a decree was passed that banned girls above the age of 8 from receiving instruction.
This was only meant to be temporary and females would return to school and work once facilities and street security were adapted to prevent cross-gender contact.

The Guardian today has covered the ‘female education ban’ in more depth.

“Afghanistan minister claims leadership has undergone 'cultural change' and no longer opposes female education.”

The Taliban's leadership is prepared to drop its ban on girls' schools, one of Afghanistan's most influential cabinet ministers has claimed.

According to Farooq Wardak, the country's education minister, the movement has decided to scrap the ban on female education that helped earn the movement worldwide infamy in the 1990s.
Wardak said the Taliban's leadership had undergone a profound change since losing power after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

"It is attitudinal change, it is behavioural change, it is cultural change," he told the Times Educational Supplement.

"What I am hearing at the very upper policy level of the Taliban is that they are no more opposing education and also girls' education."

Female MPs greeted with disbelief the Taliban's supposed softening of stance on schooling for girls.
Marman Gulhar, MP for the north-eastern province of Kunar, was also sceptical. "This is not true and it will never happen," she told the BBC. "The Taliban will never be ready for that [girls' education].
"In fact they are fighting against that. The girls' schools are closed and still are closed."

Government and private schools across Swat are unlikely to reopen when the winter vacations end after a Taliban deadline expired on Thursday – with around 80,000 female students facing a year without classes.

Last month, the Taliban threatened to kill any girl attending classes after January 15, and to blow up any schools where girls are enrolled.
The expiry of the deadline – which did not apply to girls below grade five – has been followed by the closure of around 400 schools in Swat, leaving the education of around 80,000 female students and the careers of about 8,000 female teachers in jeopardy.
Residents are complaining that the government has not responded to the situation. They say the closure of schools has left some parents with no option but to migrate, but the majority cannot afford such a move.

District education officials also said the government had not yet come up with a solution.
The district administration had asked private schools to continue classes, but the request has been turned down. A spokesman for an association of private schools told AFP the resumption of classes was in doubt. “The government has assured us it will provide security, but it is a question of the lives of the students … we cannot take a risk.” The Swat Taliban have already destroyed 122 girls’ schools.

Should India still receive UK tax payers' money?

2011-01-13T22:01:00.001+00:00

India has been receiving more British aid since 1998, than any other country - That is a staggering total of £1.5bn in the last 5 years!

AID: What is it for?
Who should get it?
What should they use it for?

On one hand, here is a country which, as Andrew Mitchell, the UK secretary for international development, puts it, "is roaring out of poverty". It is the 11th largest economy in the world - spending $31.5bn on its defence budget and $1.25bn on a space programme. . .
So why, in these difficult economic times is the British Government giving aid to India?

On the other hand, India is counted as one the 22 UK priority countries in its aid programmes. Conservatives class India as a prime example for their "charity begins and ends at home" approach.

When Mitchell came to office, he made a great fuss about cutting aid programmes to China and Russia. India was to be added to the list, but No. 10 prevailed.

India is still regarded by the UK public as a poor country, despite its recent economic growth and global power.
Is this perception correct? Maybe so - I mean, a third of the world's poor live in India - more than those in Sub-Saharan Africa. Shockingly, half of all Indian children are malnourished. So, if aid is about relieving poverty, UK aid to India is justified?!

However, India is now so prosperous that it has in fact started a significant overseas aid programme of its own. India is actually thinking of refusing our aid.
India "seems to have become increasingly tired of being cast in the role of recipient."
There has been some speculation in India that the UK deliberations could be short circuited by India itself deciding it no longer wants British aid - refusing and delivering all which is conditional on things such as government reform.

Should this mean that this 'unwanted' aid could be put to use elsewhere?

In Haiti for example - this devastating earthquake that struck a year ago, that killed more than 230,000 and abolished an already fragile infrastructure.

I am not at all implying that we have not given aid and supported Haiti - we most certainly have! In fact, the UK Government has spent £20m to support the people of Haiti.

This issue will be considered by the UK Parliament's select committee on international development this week. This should be a straightforward issue - but it is most definitely isn't!!

The Guardian reported that one key expert admitted that they change their minds from backing to ending aid to India every other day - Well, a lot of money is at stake. . .

Size Zero + Kenneth Tong = A Twitter Storm

2011-01-12T22:10:00.007+00:00

Women should “get thin or die trying” and you can “never start too young”.

It is better for a girl to “risk [her] life dieting than be sub-par by being a plus-size”.

Remember: “Hunger hurts but starving works.”

RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Former Big Brother contestant, Kenneth Tong started tweeting these statements and worse, over two weeks ago, and a storm broke out on Twitter. And rightly so – did anyone expect any less?

When I first saw these tweets and then heard about this I was completely appalled !

In case you are wondering, Kenneth Tong is, a 27-year-old who was born in Toronto to an extremely wealthy family and raised in Hong Kong. Their cash comes from his Chinese grandfather, who made an important innovation in plastic injection molding, and the family has lived off the proceeds ever since. Tong says his father was “a renowned playboy” who “really didn't do much”, and his mother was barely present during his childhood: “I raised myself.” He was dispatched to a series of boarding schools, all of which he “hated”. (London Evening Standard)

Some more of what he tweeted:

“Don’t listen to them. They’re all trying to make fatter. You’re a mess as is. Throw the food away. You’ll be so much happier then.”

“The words lunch, breakfast, and dinner should now mean nothing to you, you have eaten enough for a lifetime. Stop. You are disgusting.”

“If everyone is beautiful inside & out, why did the size zero model skip the queue whilst you waited in the cold, and got knocked back after.”

“Wake up. Your [sic] disgusting. Your so fat you don’t deserve sleep. Go look in the mirror & hate yourself. I don’t want you eating today.”

“Inner beauty is a myth. You are just fat. You are unloved. People look at you & are pleasant cause they feel sorry for you. Size Zero…”

“Inner beauty is as practical as a photo of oxygen to a drowning man.”

“There is curvy, then there is you: the rule, not the exception.”

The Kenneth Tong Twitter argument brings up larger issues than body weight and extreme diets. Using just Twitter, a series of shocking and insulting posts, publicly picking fights with celebrities and joyfully retweeting celebrity denouncements, Tong has generated infinitely more buzz than any formal ad campaign could provide — for free. A Google search for the keywords “kenneth tong size zero pill” shows over 2,500 results; most are from the past few days.

Tong’s so-called idea of ‘managed anorexia’ ... is this a message that should be sent out to teenagers and impressionable young women?

Aren't we already exposed to enough pressure?

Can I just say, who on earth is he to preach about what women should or shouldn't look like? How can a man – who is most definitely FAR from being a sex symbol decide any of it?

He might as well be handing a suicidal person a loaded gun !!!!!!!

What kind of example is HE setting to the youth of today – as a Z List Celebrity - endorsing the idea of eating disorders, because let’s face it, that’s what anorexia is.

It has most certainty caused havoc and many out there including the celebs were and are furious!

@MrKennethTong . . . What the Twitterati wrote

Gordon Ramsay
Just want to make it clear to everyone that I do not support kenneth tong's campaign. Thank you for all your messages x

Lily Allen
@twitter many of my followers seem very upset by this
@Kennethtong person. Can we please be rid of him?
Lily Allen
@twitter SHUT HIM DOWN. I know you get jumpy about freedom of speech but I think you should make an example of him.

Rochelle of The Saturdays
@MrKennethTong Your tweets are upsetting a lot of people, including myself! It's very vile! Twitter isn't meant for people like you!!

Rihanna
Girls are dying all over the world because of ignorant individuals like this@MrKennethTong

Sophia Bush
Dear @MrKennethTong, you're a model for self-hate.

James Corden
That Kenneth guy. Methinks it's probably best if we all ignore him for a while. Bless his lovely skinny socks x

Caitlin Moran
Kenneth Tong — what an eye-rolling waste of space. I liked it better in the old days, where people drew attention to themselves by being fired at the Moon.

Rihanna said; “This is exactly why girls are doing everything to destroy their bodies!” whilst Cowell tweeted: “Just been informed about Mr Kenneth Tong. Twitter has a new village idiot. In fact he doesn’t even deserve the village. He’s an idiot. Mr Kenneth Tong you keep telling people to lose weight. The only weight people should lose is you. You’re not worth my time.”

Ladies! This is disgraceful. I hope none of you will stand for being told such a thing, in such a way. Being healthy, eating right, and staying active is one thing. Being told to starve yourselves – TOTALLY NOT COOL!!!

Whilst it is easy for many women to ignore his twisted ideas of how women should live their lives, there are going to be some who succumb to his desire to control them and really believe that; “Nothing tastes as good as thin feels.”

To those women (and men) out there…. I suggest you have some YUMMY CHEESECAKE!

:-)

Much love,

Anokhi

Facebookalypse Rumour: Did you fall for it?

2011-01-11T20:22:00.000+00:00

Over the weekend, the rumour was that ‘Facebook will end on March 15th.’

OH DEAR LORD!!!

What would you do without Facebook?

Worry not though, this in fact was just a rumour and Facebook is not shutting down!

“Facebook has dismissed rumours that the social networking site is shutting down, after millions of its users got panicked.”

This was initially instigated by a website, Weekly World News.

According to their story, the social media giant would shut down in March because Mark Zuckerberg was getting too stressed out.

“Facebook has gotten out of control,” said Zuckerberg in a press conference outside his Palo Alto office, “and the stress of managing this company has ruined my life. I need to put an end to all the madness.”

“After March 15th the whole website shuts down,” said Avrat Humarthi, Vice President of Technical Affairs at Facebook. “So if you ever want to see your pictures again, I recommend you take them off the internet. You won’t be able to get them back once Facebook goes out of business.”

As expected, this hoax spread like fire and got everyone into a panic! The phrase "Is Facebook shutting down" was the 14th most searched for on Google on Saturday and the 10th most as of Sunday morning.

Groups on Facebook appeared protesting against the shut down and Twitter users were tweeting about the concern of their pictures.

"We didn't get the memo about shutting down, so we'll keep working away. We aren't going anywhere; we're just getting started," the New York Daily News quoted Facebook as tweeting.

What baffled me was, a website estimated at being worth over $50 billion, why on earth would anyone even think of suddenly shutting it down???

As sad as it sounds…let’s face it, our lives would end if Facebook or Twitter or even the internet was taken away from us! This is what the world has come to. . .

A small action can go a long long way. . .

2011-01-07T21:58:00.000+00:00

Happy New Year everyone!

A new year with new beginnings and new adventures!

I received an email from Amnesty International a few days ago which read:

Dear Anokhi,

Back in December, you took action to prevent the forced eviction of thousands of people living by the railway in Accra, Ghana. We only had a few days to gather names yet over 32,000 Amnesty supporters from around the world signed our petition, which we handed in to Ghana’s Minister of Transport.

We are delighted to let you know that the proposed eviction did not take place, and is not expected to take place in the near future.

Our colleagues at Amnesty Ghana believe that it was pressure from people like you that stopped the authorities from going ahead with the demolition, sparing families from homelessness and destitution. They believe the authorities now plan to engage local communities in discussion about any future plans for redevelopment.

Thank you once again for your speedy response. This is a great start to the year, and we hope you will continue to take action throughout 2011 to prevent forced evictions and the human rights abuses that go with them.

I was extremely thrilled! Amnesty International are doing a wonderful job with supporting Human Rights - however, I just wanted to emphasise how much a single moment of your time, be it for anything, can make a huge difference.

A forced eviction is the removal of people against their will from the homes or land they occupy without legal protections and other safeguards.

Evictions may be carried out only as a last resort, once all other feasible alternatives have been explored and only after appropriate procedural and legal safeguards are in place.

These include:

genuine consultation with the affected people
prior adequate and reasonable notice
adequate alternative housing and compensation for all losses
safeguards on how evictions are carried out
access to legal remedies and procedures, including access to legal aid where necessary

Governments are also required to ensure no one is rendered homeless or vulnerable to other human rights violations as a consequence of an eviction.

On 26 November 2010, the Government of Ghana signed a US$6 billion contract with a Chinese company for the construction and expansion of railway infrastructure in Ghana.

People living in slums experience a staggering number of human rights violations. They are routinely denied their right to adequate housing, safe water, sanitation and drainage, electricity, health and education, and face the constant threat of police, gang violence, and forced eviction.

Amnesty International has urged the Ghanaian authorities to halt the imminent eviction of thousands of people living next to railway lines in the capital, Accra.

Known as the Railway Dwellers, the men, women and children who live and work next to the lines in the Agbogbloshie area of Accra face homelessness after local authorities gave them two weeks to leave the area on 1 December 2010.

I am just so glad that the evictions did not take place and that these innocent people will not lose their homes and their livelihoods. Wherever they may be living and regardless of how - everyone deserves a life!

Good news and a great start to the New Year!

My last post of 2010...

2010-12-31T00:38:00.001+00:00

As the year is coming to an end, I thought I would write a post before we all go off to celebrate and welcome the New Year!!

2010 has been a great year for me (growing up wise) and like every year, I've learnt a lot. It has definitely had its moments - good and bad! I have graduated, turned 21 and started my first official job. Wowza!

I hope that 2011 can be an even better year; a chance for me to discover myself and my passion and to begin this new decade with the aspirations to succeed and create a life for myself now that I have completed University.

I have many things that I wish to do this year, as I am sure you all do and you may have already thought of your New Year Resolutions or will do so at some point in the next 24 hours.

To name a few, I want to skydive in the summer and raise money for a good cause or several - these are yet to be confirmed. I didn't get a chance to do so right after I graduated, but I also plan to do a bit of travelling once my contract with The Trust ends - volunteering in India as well spending time with my family. There is so much that can be learnt whilst travelling. Plus, I haven't actually had much of a break since finishing uni and entering the world of work so I am hoping that I follow through with this plan and stick to it! :-)

Another resolution is to find myself a permanent job whilst also trying to figure out my career ambition and what I would actually be good at as well as enjoy! Working within Communications and at The Trust in general has taught me a lot and I have been extremely lucky to have a wonderful Team and colleagues who have been extremely supportive as well as ensuring that my experience is worthwhile. My manager has taken out time to provide me with training sessions and I am so grateful for this. I am most definitely enjoying myself as well as taking away every moment that will no doubt help me better myself.

I am beginning to see that these are more 'plans' rather than resolutions but again, things I have only thought up in my head and hope to pursue!

One other thing - more of a resolution that I really hope I stick to, is to resume the activities that used to be a part of my life as well as to make sure that I keep fit - swimming and dancing. I have become quite lazy over the years, using the excuse of 'no time' and have not continued with swimming regularly. Therefore, one of my New Year Resolutions will to be go swimming- let us start with weekends for now.

I can't think of any more at the minute but you get the gist. What are yours? Are you usually good at keeping them? I tend to set very realistic ones so that I can stick to them...but there have been times where I just haven't stuck to any. Maybe 2011 will be the year ey!

Well, whether you intend to set yourselves goals for the upcoming year or not, I hope that you all have a fantastic year, filled with happiness, success and fulfilment.

Let us welcome the New Year with a bang and I would just like to thank each and every one of you for reading my blog - and here is to many more posts and many more readers!!!

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

The chorus from an amazing song...let's take away these words and begin the year right!

Reaching for something in the distance

So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

The rest is still unwritten. . .

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! Have a FAB one and I shall catch you in Jan 2011!

Much love,

Anokhi

Charity begins at the ATM?! Another Coalition Government disaster or could this actually work??

2010-12-29T18:53:00.000+00:00

Cash point users will be encouraged to donate to charity every time they withdraw money, under Government plans to encourage a more 'giving' society.

Shoppers could also be asked to make donations whenever they make a purchase, on the High Street or online. The proposals were published yesterday as part of a Government consultation designed to encourage us to give more time and money to charitable causes, and remind us of the 'warm glow' that helping others can produce.

A study by the Charities Aid Foundation published earlier this month found that about 56 percent of British adults regularly give to charity, donating an estimated 10.6 billion pounds each year.

However, while the British public are among the most generous in Europe, the country lags far behind the United States, where people donate the equivalent of 1.7 percent of gross domestic product. In the UK, the public gives the equivalent of 0.7 percent of the country's GDP.

Ministers said they hope to encourage more people to give money regularly, and greater numbers to offer their time to help charities and organisations carrying out work in local communities.

While Britons are generous with their money compared with those in almost all other countries, they rank only 29th for volunteering – spending 17 times more hours watching TV. That is quite shocking guys!

John Low, chief executive of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: "Britain is a generous nation with a long history of supporting those most in need.

"This Green Paper is welcome as it seeks to kickstart some new initiatives which will make it easy to give and to build up existing ones.

"However, there is more that could be done to make it easier to take advantage of tax incentives, including reforming the Gift Aid system, improving access to Give As You Earn and encouraging all types of tax-effective giving.

"Every year around £750 million is lost in unclaimed Gift Aid alone and a third of UK adults don't know that they can give to charity tax-effectively.

"Many countries use Britain as an aspirational role model when developing their charity sectors but there are still lessons our Government can learn from the likes of the US, where tax relief is no more generous than ours but much simpler to understand, resulting in a higher up-take level."

They do mean well and we can't argue with that...although, I do agree that there could be better ways to go about this. The Government needs to be more encouraging and I think that they need to set an example first.

I am strong believer in giving to Charity (as you may have guessed), but when you are able. I think more and more people find that they are able to give more when they know they can afford to do so and over the past few years, despite the recession, more people are giving.

A prompt occasionally is a good thing; however, when people are feeling the financial pinch, giving to charity is bound to drop? Right?

There are many opinions on this and once again Cameron could find that he is digging an even bigger hole; people could take this is as positive encouragement to do something or they could just react negatively. Especially because it can be seen as unfair in terms of pushing people into giving rather than leaving it to people's own discretion.

I have spoken to a few people I know who already give monthly donations and support various Charities and their views are quite interesting; many are actually discouraged by this 'Charity Plan' as they don't like being told what to do by Politicians. Hmm!

What are your views?

Could this work?

Much love,

Anokhi