21.10.09: Leading Bihar NGO Tara Foundation is part of the national campaign to oppose GM Foods in India. These days, the campaign is targetted against the clearance of Bt Brinjal by the government-appointed Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC).
Kodhihalli Chandrashekar (first from left)
To formulate their joint strategy and time-framed action plan, activists from all over India met today at the USO House in New Delhi. Their fighting spirit impressed me, particularly that of Kodihalli Chandrashekar, President, Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha & Green Brigade.
Also met a fellow journalist, a fine, courteous, young photographer from ‘Down To Earth’ magazine, Meeta Ahlawat, at the press meet there. And later in the evening when another journalist Smita Prakash twitted on the subject, I smiled. Here’s what she sprinkled: “Dont we have enough baingans already? Do we really need this damn BT sheety?”
♣ ♣ ♣
12.10.09: Stumbled upon a tarot card reader the other day. It was a free card reading session. So there wasn’t any hesitation. Plus, there were many friends picking up random cards and putting questions. Some said it’s no nonsense. I wasn’t impressed, though. Not impressed with this science. Well, you can share your tarot reading experience with me.
♣ ♣ ♣
11.10.09: After many twists and turns (and there are more to come), the elections for the Press Club of India has been scheduled on October 24. I had filed nomination for one of the 16 posts of Managing Committee. However, it has been rejected, may be because of some omission on my part! Cannot blame the election officials; they remain unquestionable!! In any case, I was not very keen this time and had anyway planned to withdraw from the race. God saved my energy and time.
♣ ♣ ♣
21.09.09: 
This Dusshera, I will be at my hometown – Muzaffarpur. During this period, and also because of travel beginning 23rd September, I may not be able to update blog / status / news / readers’ comments etc. Please bear. Happy Dusshera to you all.
♣ ♣ ♣
20.08.09: I am happy to have helped resolve one of the most difficult situations in the history of Indian news agency Press Trust of India (PTI).
Shashidhar Khan
In this case, one of my comrades Shashidhar Khan was alleged to have assaulted PTI CEO M.K.Razdan in December 2004, a charge vehemently denied by Khan.
The case, every now and then, was taking different, difficult shapes and it had become a very complicated affair. I was more concerned being the General Secretary of the PTI Employees’ Union.
Above all, the long drawn-out ugly battle, tricky taunts and unwanted jibes were making my colleague Khan’s life tortuous. He’s without any gainful employment all these years.
Hence, an honorable settlement was discussed and realised in Delhi High Court, before Justice S.N.Agarwal on Aug.18, 2009, where the writ petition no.7352 of 2009 was pending. An order was passed, accordingly. Read the order here.
My best wishes to Khan and his family. Hope they’ll appreciate the effort made. However, I can’t say anything on behalf of PTI or its CEO Razdan, particularly when we don’t have best of relations.
♣ ♣ ♣
Then Union Labour Minister offering juice to help break my hunger strike at Jantar Mantar
It has been over five years since I challenged PTI management’s disciplinary action against me for my bonafide trade union activities. Many people had upset stomach as I sat on a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi in October 2002. I have been contesting this legal dispute with patience, and sadly without much cooperation from the opposite side, which instead has been trying to delay the trial by putting rods in the progress of the case.
Thank God! Now, the argument starts. I’m prepared, but cautious as I know PTI counsels very well. I have been handling their somersaults, turn-arounds, false ’sweet-talks’, offers and counter offers for long. Let’s see who has the last laugh. I know truth will prevail.
♣ ♣ ♣
Taking the Union-Management dialogue forward, I have communicated the positive aspects of the talks to the Courts, Counsels, PTI people and Friends. This August will decide the course of my action, depending upon the attitude of the management.
♣ ♣ ♣
I had two rounds of talks with PTI management – on 18th and 28th July. But I am not sure where this dialogue would lead to, though it is good that we talked - the least we could do in the last seven years during which we have been fighting.
♣ ♣ ♣
It’s neerajbhushan.com - You don’t need to type neerajbhushan.wordpress.com in the address bar, now. Overnight, it has become simpler. Just type neerajbhushan.com to reach me or to visit Greater Voice. Thank you.
♣ ♣ ♣
New Features: This blog – Greater Voice - has some interesting new features now. Visitors can rate its pages & the comments. ’Ask Me’ page can be shown Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down, as its query and answer mode becomes visitor friendly. Soon, this blog will be independently hosted.
♣ ♣ ♣
BPC HOME PAGE – Professional Web Developer Found. Developing ’Bhushan Publications & Co.’ Home Page. It is under construction & may be visited at BHUSHAN PUBLICATIONS. Hope to see you soon, there.
Bhushan Publications & Co. LOGO - I have a new logo now at BPC. I’m now in search of a professional web developer to help me start an exclusive www page for the company. Meanwhile, Raisina Hills (see announcement below) is doing good. You are welcome with your feedback.
♣ ♣ ♣
BPC : As promised on November 27 last, the first anniversary of my blogging, I’m pleased to share with you my new initiative - RAISINA HILLS. Experience exclusive content and be a part of the changing world at Raisina Hills. Let’s join hands to grow together. Cheers!
♣ ♣ ♣
Clearing Backlog
The entire May and first week of June consumed much of my time and energy in addressing arguments before various courts in the Indian capital New Delhi. As a result, lots of work were neglected, engagements postponed and family-friends ignored. Rest of June will see me clearing the backlog, meeting people, visiting relatives and friends, chalking new strategies, formulating workplan for the next three months, during which I hope to make some new beginnings. Cheers!
♣ ♣ ♣
Addressing Final Arguments till May end
I will be addressing various courts this May, advancing final arguments in several cases.
In case you are looking for websites of Delhi courts, please visit:
http://supremecourtofindia.nic.in/
Visiting Shirdi: Friends, I will be visiting Shirdi from April 9-11. Going for the darshan for the first time.
♣ ♣ ♣
Travelling to Home Town from Mar 9-16: I will be travelling to my native place in eastern Indian state Bihar, on the occasion of colour festival Holi between March 9 – 16. My home city Muzaffarpur is very close to my heart. My mother, elder brother, his wife and their son ‘Om’ live at our ancestral house, a big single floor complex which doesn’t require air-conditioner. To know more about my home city, you may visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muzaffarpur and also click http://muzaffarpur.bih.nic.in/
♣ ♣ ♣
PTI Emp Union AGM, polls on March 3 : The Annual General Body Meeting and Elections of Press Trust of India Employees’ Union, Delhi for the year 2009 will be held on March 3, 2009 at the Indian Women Press Corps, 5, Windsor Place, Near Le Meridien Hotel, between 1-5 p.m. Lunch (vegetarian) will be served at 2.30.
♣ ♣ ♣
