The report also reveals ongoing challenges. Although most people continue to live in the country where they were born,Ā an estimated 281 million people worldwide are international migrants, or roughly 3.6 per cent of the global population.Ā Of this number, 117 million are displaced – the highest level yet.
Dhaka, Bangladesh. Money sent home by migrants abroad has surpassed foreign direct investment in boosting the gross domestic product (GDP) of developing countries, UN migration agency IOM said in the latest edition of its flagship report, released on Tuesday.
World Migration Report 2024 reveals a significant shift in global migration patterns, including a record number of people displaced due to conflict, violence, natural and other disasters.
Speaking at the launch in Dhaka, Bangladesh, IOM Director General Amy Pope said the report aims to ādemystify the complexity of human mobility through evidence-based data and analysisā.
Driving development and growth
International migration remains a driver of human development and economic growth, as highlighted by a more than 650 per cent increase in international remittances from 2000 to 2022, rising from $128 billion to $831 billion.
Growth continued despite predictions that remittances would decrease substantially due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most of the money, $647 billion, was sent to low and middle-income countries, constituting a significant portion of their GDP ā that is, the amount of money earned from the sale of all goods and services.
Globally, these remittances now surpass foreign direct investment in those countries.
Record displacement
The report also reveals ongoing challenges. Although most people continue to live in the country where they were born, an estimated 281 million people worldwide are international migrants, or roughly 3.6 per cent of the global population. Of this number, 117 million are displaced – the highest level yet.
IOM said migration is an intrinsic part of human history, but it is often overshadowed by sensationalized narratives and headlines that belie the reality on the ground.
āMost migration is regular, safe, and regionally focused, directly linked to opportunities and livelihoods,ā the UN agency affirmed. āYet, misinformation and politicisation have clouded public discourse, necessitating a clear and accurate portrayal of migration dynamics.ā
Spotlight on Bangladesh
IOM chose Dhaka as the site for the reportās launch to both highlight Bangladeshās efforts to support vulnerable migrants and promote pathways to regular migration and to recognize the countryās important role in shaping global migration discourse and policy.
As a champion of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, adopted in December 2018, Bangladesh has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing migration issues and implementing policies that safeguard migrants’ rights, IOM said.
The countryās Foreign Minister, Dr. Hasan Mahmud, said āBangladesh will not only continue to act upon the pledges it has made for its domestic context but would also take up emerging issues and challenges pertaining to migration and development for informed deliberations at the international level.ā
In the United States, where the right to publicly criticize the government and the right to assemble to protest its policies are both enshrined in the Constitution, the dispersal of protests is a sensitive subject. But while federal law guarantees freedom of speech, that freedom is not unfettered.
Washington, D.C. In the weeks since protests against Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip began on U.S. college campuses, the number of people facing arrest has soared into the thousands.
Police from New York City to Los Angeles have been breaking up protest encampments, sometimes violently, and rounding up demonstrators.
FILE – The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., right, accompanied by Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy, center, is booked by city police Lt. D.H. Lackey in Montgomery, Alabama, on Feb. 23, 1956.
Choosing civil disobedience
Over the centuries, federal courts have established that some restrictions on speech, particularly related to the “time, place and manner” in which it is delivered, are legally permissible.
Dating to at least the Civil Rights Movement, members of protest movements in the U.S. have often knowingly and purposefully violated those restrictions, engaging in what is commonly known as civil disobedience.
In states across the country, protesters demonstrating against the war in Gaza have faced a variety of charges, including trespassing and unlawful assembly. Many of those arrested may face jail time, an appearance before a judge and possible legal sanctions. Student protesters may also face internal discipline from universities.
First Amendment binds government
The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees Americans’ right to free speech and assembly. It reads, “Congress shall make no law ā¦ abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
However, it is important to note that the First Amendment only binds the federal and state governments, not private individuals and institutions.
“At a public university, the First Amendment will regulate what that institution can do with respect to protesters,” Vera Eidelman, a staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, told VOA. By contrast, private universities are free to establish their own rules about permissible speech.
“The government can impose content neutral rules, meaning they can’t be based on the message that is being expressed by the protesters that reasonably get at the time, place or manner of the protest,” Eidelman said.
In practice, that often means limits on things such as using amplified speech late at night and camping out in public spaces.
“Rules like that, that are content neutral and are reasonable and are not aimed at suppressing a message, are generally available for the government to apply,” she said.
Not all neutral
Civil liberties advocates have pointed out that some of the enforcement actions being taken against protests appear to be examples of the government acting to shut down particular kinds of speech, which is not permitted under the First Amendment.
In Texas, which has a state law that protects the right of students to protest on campus, Governor Greg Abbott nevertheless preemptively announced that pro-Palestinian protests at the University of Texas at Austin would not be allowed to take place and sent in law enforcement officers to prevent protesters from assembling.
Abbott said he was blocking the protest because it would be “antisemitic” ā a claim that civil rights advocates said does not justify suppressing speech.
“We were very concerned about what we saw at UT Austin,” Alex Morey, vice president for campus advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, told VOA.
“We took huge objection to that, because we said, ‘This is not you breaking up civil disobedience or keeping the campus safe from violence. You’re preempting peaceful protest, and you’re saying that it’s viewpoint based,'” she said.
Impact of arrests
For the thousands of protesters who have faced arrest over the past few weeks, the consequences can range widely.
In Austin, for example, most of the dozens of protesters taken into custody during Abbott’s preemptive raid had their charges dropped almost immediately. They were quickly released from custody after prosecutors found little basis for pressing charges.
However, according to Trisha Trigilio, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Criminal Law Reform Project, the impact on other protesters could well be more severe.
In the U.S., police can legally hold a person in custody for 48 hours before they are brought before a judge and formally charged with illegal activity.
“The arrest can be quite violent, and the next few days after arrest when people are held in jail can also be really harmful,” Trigilio told VOA. “Protesters could miss work and lose their jobs. There’s a lot of students arrested, and they miss important deadlines leading up to finals and graduation. People were arrested towards the end of the month, and rent was due at the time that many people were jailed.
“You’ll hear folks in law enforcement talk about being jailed for ‘just a few days,’ but it’s actually really serious,” Trigilio said. “These arrests can have really lasting effects.”
Various charges
The kinds of charges protesters face vary significantly. Some are relatively minor, with the maximum penalty consisting of a fine. Others, however, face much more serious consequences, including for some of the students arrested at Columbia University, who broke into and occupied a campus building before being removed by police.
“We’ve seen people charged with felonies,” Trigilio said. “Here in New York, people were charged with burglary. It’s very common, when you have this kind of emotional back and forth between police and protesters, for police to charge people with resisting arrest or assaulting an officer. Your charges like assault and burglary can be elevated to felonies depending on the jurisdiction you’re in.”
In the U.S., conviction for a felony can be a serious burden. In some states, felons are deprived of the right to vote, and in many cases, a felony will complicate a person’s employment prospects.
But even simply being charged with a felony can be damaging, with many jurisdictions requiring the accused to post cash bail before they are released from custody.
“A recent study showed that most Americans cannot afford a $400 emergency expense,” Trigilio said. “And it’s very common for cash bail to require payments that are greater than that in order for people to get out of jail.”
In the heart of Madrid, where the pulse of culture and intellect beats strongly, there exists a man whose literary prowess and global perspective have captivated audiences around the world.
New York, N.Y. Mario Vargas Llosa, acclaimed author, intellectual heavyweight, and unwavering advocate for freedom and democracy, stands as a towering figure in the realm of literature and beyond.A decade ago, amidst the refined ambiance of The Americas Society on Park Avenue in NYC, I had the distinct honor of meeting Mario Vargas Llosaāan encounter that left an indelible mark on my soul and reinforced my commitment to championing the ideals of thought leadership and global citizenship through my writing.
Mario Vargas, one of the worldās most important novelists, explains a finer point to me. From: Mario Vargas Llosa on the end of the Incan Empire at the Americas Society, NYC.
Meeting Vargas Llosa was not just a meeting of minds, but a convergence of literary legaciesāan encounter that underscored the universality of the human experience and the transcendent power of literature to bridge divides and foster understanding. In Vargas Llosa‘s work, I find echoes of the themes and motifs that have long captivated me in Japanese and French literature.
From Peru to the Global Stage
From the cobblestone streets of his native Peru to the hallowed halls of academia and the global stage, Mario Vargas Llosa’s journey is one of literary brilliance and unwavering conviction. Born into a world of political turmoil and social upheaval, he emerged as a voice of reason and enlightenment, using his pen as a mighty sword to challenge oppression, confront injustice, and champion the power of individual freedom and human dignity.
A Literary Oeuvre of Depth and Diversity
Vargas Llosa’s literary oeuvreis as vast and diverse as the landscapes that inspire it. From the lush jungles of the Amazon to the bustling streets of Lima, his novels transport readers to worlds both familiar and fantastical, weaving intricate tales of love, power, and the human condition. Through works such as The Feast of the Goat, Conversation in the Cathedral, and the seminalThe War of the End of the World, he invites readers to confront the complexities of history, politics, and morality, urging us to question, to reflect, and to dare to imagine a better world.
A Thought Leader and Global Citizen
But Vargas Llosa‘s influence extends far beyond the realm of literature. As a thought leader and public intellectual, he has dedicated
his life to advancing the cause of freedom, democracy, and human rights on a global scale. From his outspoken criticism of authoritarian regimes to his unwavering support for marginalized communities and oppressed individuals, he embodies the principles of solidarity and compassion that lie at the heart of true global citizenship.
An Encounter with a Literary Giant
At The Americas Society on Park Avenue in Manhattan a decade ago, I witnessed firsthand the depth of Vargas Llosa’s intellect and the breadth of his vision. In conversation, he exuded a rare combination of humility and intellectual rigor, engaging with topics ranging from the future of democracy to the role of art in society with equal parts passion and insight. It was clear that here was a man who not only understood the world in all its complexity but who was also determined to shape its future for the better.
A Guiding Light in Uncertain Times
As I reflect on that momentous encounter, I am reminded of the impact Mario Vargas Llosa has had on my own journey as a writer and advocate. His unwavering commitment to the principles of freedom, democracy, and human rights serves as a guiding light in an often tumultuous world, inspiring me to use my voice and my pen to amplify the voices of the marginalized, challenge the powerful, and champion the cause of justice and equality.
In an era defined by uncertainty and upheaval, Mario Vargas Llosa stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us of the enduring power of literature, the importance of intellectual engagement, and the imperative of global citizenship. As we navigate the challenges of the 21st century, let us look to Vargas Llosa not only as a literary luminary but as a steadfast ally in the quest for a more just, equitable, and compassionate world.
Using visual cues from the paintings of Caravaggio, Indian filmmaker Bedabrata Pain has produced a triumphant film, that screened in New York last week.
New York, N.Y. Using visual cues from the paintings of Caravaggio, Indian filmmaker Bedabrata Pain has produced a triumphant film, Chittagong, that screened in New York last week. It is based upon a little-known episode leading to Indian Independence: a group of schoolboys who, with the help of their teacher, temporarily toppled the British a decade before the Union Jack was removed permanently.
Although independence was gained in 1947 through Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violence (Satyagraha), growing up hearing stories of the American Revolution I could certainly understand the desire to raise arms against colonial rule. The film tells this story brilliantly. Riveting and spectacular, Chittagong is the Gandhi for our age.
A trailer for the film is available online. Image: www.chittagongthefilm.com.
Chittagong is only the first film of producer, director and main writer Bedabrata Pain. The film opened the 12th annual New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) sponsored by the Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC). Bedabrata stated in the Q&A following the screening at Manhattan’s Paris Theater last week:
This story had to be told: Kids standing up to the British Empire and its army. Although the story had to be told, I was left with how best to tell it. We needed character development — the kids.
The main protagonist was a 14-year-old named Jhunku. We interviewed him on what turned out to be his death bed in a nursing home in Calcutta. He passed away two weeks after we filmed him. He was so pleased his story had finally been recorded.
Jhunku was the least likely candidate to lead a revolt: his father was an attorney for the Crown and he was bound for Oxford under the tutelage of the local British commander.
I spoke with Bedabrata after his film’s opening, as well as throughout the festival, and found him to be as pleasant as he is talented.
Chittagong’s producer, director and main writer Bedabrata Pain with Aroon Shivdasani, director of Indo-American Arts Council. Photo courtesy of Archana Desai.
After the festival, I spoke with the New York Indian Film Festival’s director Aseem Chhabra at the Light of India Awards at the Taj Pierre Hotel. Aseem explained to me:https://bb646c8aa066fedb10f95e6fba22f27e.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html?n=0
The film deals with the facet of Indian Independence — an unforgettable story — that had never been told to a broad audience before. In telling it, Bedabrata created an epic. I liked the fact that it was such a bold plan: children almost toppled British rule. It was very fantastic, and the film captured it so well.
This beautiful film was shot mostly during morning hours. The resulting lighting, coupled with the director’s use of shallow, depth-of-field perspective creates a stunning, historical tableau. Composed over just five days, the musical soundtrack for the film is sad and romantic and adds to the film’s layers.
Focus on the Chittagong Uprising of 1930. Graphic: New York Indian Film Festival.
I chatted at length with the filmmaker Dev Bengal about Chittagong. He told me:
It’s like watching a painting in motion. Bedo has the eye of a Renaissance artist. You’d never imagine this is his first film. Wow, what a debut. He directs like a master. Add to that, the courage and madness in taking on a political story of resistance and making it ring true to us today. Bedo’s film stayed with me days after I had seen it.
Bedabrata Pain with Aroon Shivdasani whose Indo-American Arts Council runs the New York Indian Film Festival. Photo courtesy of Archana Desai.
After the festival I followed up with filmmaker Bedabrata Pain. We discussed how not only was Chittagong historically significant, but the message that ordinary people can generate social change resonates in this moment of Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street. He told me:
Chittagong is a film about celebration of human spirit — a spirit that refuses to give in the face of injustice and adversity, and triumphs at the end. Today, when there’s a striving for change all over the world — from Greece to Wall Street, from Africa to Asia — I hope my film reminds everybody that David can win the battle against Goliath.
The reason for the uprising’s initial success was due to its leader Masterda Surya Sen’s brilliant and audacious strategy to capture the two main armories and then destroy the telegraph and telephone office and railroad line. They also planned to capture the British Raj officials in the European Club and raid the local armories for weapons, however these two plans went awry. Retreating to the countryside, it was only a matter of days for several thousand troops to surround them. By the end, over 80 British troops and 12 of the revolutionaries lay dead. The number of dead may have been as high as 150 as their bodies were actually thrown in the Bay of Bengal to prevent an accurate count. Surya Sen was eventually betrayed, arrested, and hung — but for a good three years he eluded capture, protected by Muslim peasants, even though he was of Hindu religion. But there temporary victory lay the groundwork for India’s independence.https://bb646c8aa066fedb10f95e6fba22f27e.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html?n=0
As Bedabrata Pain told me, “Most of the revolutionaries survived and went on to lead mass uprisings — something that is integral to the narrative of Chittagong. These uprisings played no small a role in the struggle for India’s independence.”
The film Chittagong is a brilliant, poignant action-drama, made more so by the fact that it is true. I thank Bedabrata Pain for bringing such an import, little-known story to global attention. If this is only his first film, we can only imagine what his next films will be like. I await them eagerly.
Graphic courtesy of the New York Indian Film Festival.
Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC) The oldest and largest Indian arts organization outside India, it was founded by Aroon Shivdasani in New York City.https://bb646c8aa066fedb10f95e6fba22f27e.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html?n=0
New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) A project of the Indo-American Arts Council, NYIFF is the oldest and largest Indian film festival outside India. 2012 is its twelfth year.
The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation (www.lucefoundation.org) is the umbrella organization under which Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW) is organized. If supporting young global leadership is important to you, subscribe to J. Luce Foundation updates here.
New York, N.Y. I’ve always considered myself fortunate to meet the people who are doing big things– positively impacting lives in meaningful ways. Recently I met a kindred spirit, Jonathan Hollander, founder and director of Battery Dance Company. His lower Manhattan-based dance company demonstrates the tremendous public good that the arts can contribute to society. He has done it now for almost four decades.
With a budget just under $1 million, Battery Dance Company organizes the city’s longest running dance festival, operates in six public schools per year, manages international programs in 10 to 12 countries, produces at least one new production each year, and operates a low cost studio share program that serves over 300 choreographers. This puts him in the realm of great NYC arts masters such as Susan Wadsworth, Aroon Shivdasani, and Marie-Monique Steckel.
Battery Dance Company in “Shell Games” choreographed by Jonathan Hollander, 3LD Art + Technology Center, New York, May, 2013. Photo by Darial Sneed.
Battery Dance Company is perhaps best known for its wonderful performances at New York’s premier venues and on the world’s major stages. Many around New York City also know Jonathan as the artistic director and organizer of the Downtown Dance Festival, which recently held its 32nd annual event.
But many are unaware of Battery Dance Company’s involvement in public schools–at a time when school art programs have been slashed or altogether eliminated. For 38 years, the dance company has brilliantly filled the gaps. Battery Dance Company Portrait. Photo: Battery Dance Company.
“Social relevance has always been an important piece of what we do,” Jonathan underscored in our conversation. “Not every New York City public school child has access to the arts. It’s a matter of chance as to whether he or she lives in a zone where there are arts classes.”
Also, few people know about the company’s impressive cultural diplomacy program: Dancing to Connect. Battery Dance Company created this initiative to engage youth in creativity and team building through modern dance. Since 2006, the company has implemented the program in 38 countries and plans on expanding to 50 by 2015. Jonathan Hollander in 1976, the same year he formed Battery Dance Company. He was a dancer and choreographer at the time. Photo: Ed Robbins.
Dancing to Connect is an intensive 20-hour program that brings together a diverse group of 100 students, most with little or no dance experience. Under the instruction and guidance of five Battery Dance Company teaching artists, the students learn how to express themselves through dance and create an original choreographed piece that they perform on a big stage.
For some of these students, learning dance can be therapeutic. Jonathan recalled the company’s experience in Thailand where some of those students were rescued sex workers who experienced many horrors in their young lives. Having written about such kids in Southeast Asia (story), I was really impressed. Dancing to Connect rehearsal, Potsdam, Germany Theme: “Inclusion/Exclusion” Program sponsored by HeinrichBoell-Stiftung-Brandenburg, Federal Ministry of Education, U.S. Embassy Berlin. Photo: Battery Dance Company.
The program also builds bridges. For example, Israeli, Palestinian and German teens learned to overcome distrust and work together. Amazing. In Iraq, a Dancing to Connect program was held recently in Erbil, a Kurdish region of the country. The U.S. State Department facilitated the participation of Kurdish, Shia and Sunni students–groups with simmering tensions against each other. Fantastic.
At the beginning, there is often friction, but at the end, the students hold each other’s hands and lean on each other, he noted to me. “You can’t dance with somebody you distrust,” Jonathan commented. “It’s impossible.” Aboriginal Taiwanese Dancing to Connect participants with Jonathan Hollander in Taichung, 2008. Photo: Battery Dance Company. To measure its success and ultimately improve its program, the dance company tracks the opinions of participants before and after Dancing to Connect workshops. The detailed survey asks the participants to identify “the other” and how he or she feels about them. The Democratic Republic of Congo has been one of the most challenging locations. “You can’t walk anywhere in Kinshasa without being concerned for your safety,” Jonathan said. In addition to the dangers, the students live in extreme poverty in shantytowns, and many of the facilities for dance are decrepit. “Yet our program in the DRC is one of the most fulfilling ever,” he added. Despite the challenges, students showed up each day, dressed immaculately and ready to practice. Dancing to Connect participants in Erbil, Iraq, 2012 Jonathan Hollander is one of the most accomplished artists I’ve met. Some of his accolades include a Choreography Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, two Fulbright awards, the Silver Mask of the Silesian Dance Theatre (Poland) and the USable Award (Germany). He has been a guest speaker for the Aspen Institute, India Foundation for the Arts, and keynote speaker for the 2011 Asia-Pacific International Dance Conference. As a philanthropist and writer, I’m always curious about what motivates other people to do big things. I was not surprised to learn from Jonathan that, like me, the fruit didn’t fall far from the tree. Both of Jonathan’s parents were on the boards of directors of NGOs and nurtured an ethos of giving in the family. Dancing to Connect participants with immigrant backgrounds in Offenbach, Germany As a 16-year-old high school student, Jonathan lived in India for three months as an exchange student. “That experience jump-started my international outlook,” he told me. The Indian family he lived with was a leader in business and arts, yet they lived a humble life and cared a great deal about providing social services for the poor. My start in global thinking came from being a high school exchange student to Germany with AFS. Reared in the wealthy suburbs of Chevy Chase, Md., he also spent time tutoring inner city schoolchildren in Washington, D.C. He spent the summer following his high school senior year at Junior Village in D.C., which he recalled as “a rundown facility for homeless children.” He encountered talented children who, if given the opportunity, would excel in life. Ironically, those children, who had experienced so much, enriched Jonathan’s life. Dancing to Connect Workshop sponsored by the U.S. Embassy Madrid and Centro de Danza Canal. Given all that Jonathan has accomplished, he said achieving sustainability for Battery Dance Company is his major accomplishment. “During the last 38 years we’ve seen a lot of dance companies come and go,” he noted. Jonathan said, “We glued ourselves to a community at the very beginning.” There was a lack of art in lower Manhattan at that time. Downtown workers spent all day crunching numbers or erecting scaffoldings and needed some balance. “That gave us a unique reason for being among the hundreds of other dance companies that already existed in New York. There was a territory that needed us and that gave us a sense of purpose right from the beginning,” he added. Battery Dance Company founder Jonathan Hollander. Photo by Richard Termine As the dance company expands at home and overseas, Jonathan wisely plans to grow by engaging and becoming a part of the communities where his company plants its roots. I encourage you to do whatever you can to support the Battery Dance Company and its founder Jonathan Hollander. The company is unrivaled in its scope, its vital mission dedicated to using the arts to bridge differences around the world, and its founder a true thought leader and global citizen. Edited by Nigel Roberts of The Stewardship Report. Battery Dance Company 380 Broadway, 5th floor, New York, NY 10013 | (212) 219-3910 www.batterydance.org, Twitter: @batterydance Facebook/batterydancecompany
The media shapes the way most people understand a protest movement and the politics around it. But as coverage of the protests across universities has shown, often the focus is on the spectacle rather than the substance.
By Danielle K. Brown Michigan State University
Protest movements can look very different depending on where you stand, both literally and figuratively.
For protesters, demonstrations are usually the result of meticulous planning by advocacy groups and leaders aimed at getting a message out to a wider world or to specific institutional targets. To outside onlookers, however, protests can seem disorganized and disruptive, and it can be difficult to see the depth of the effort or their aims.
Where does this disconnect come from? Most people donāt participate in on-the-streets protests or experience any of the disruption that they cause. Rather they rely on the media to give a full picture of the protests.
For over a decade, my research has extensively explored trends in how the media shapes narratives around different kinds of demonstrations. Reporting on the campus encampments by large parts of the media fits a general pattern of protest coverage that focuses more on the drama of the disruption rather than the underlying reasons behind it ā and that can leave audiences uninformed about the nuances of the protests and the movements behind them.
Covering drama over demands
Protests ā from small silent sit-ins and mass marches to the current student-led encampments ā share similar components.
They require a degree of planning, focus on a perceived injustice and seek reforms or solutions. Protests also, by their very nature, engage in varying degrees of disruptive actions that exist in confrontation with something or someone, and utilize strategies that attract the attention of news media and others.
These core elements ā grievances, demands, disruption, confrontation and spectacle ā are present in nearly all protests.
But to the media, some elements are more newsworthy than others, with confrontation and spectacle often topping the list. As a result, these elements tend to be covered more often than others.
In research focusing on social movements like Black Lives Matter, the 2017 Womenās March and others, I have found that time and again, coverage tends to headline the parts of the protest that are sensational and disruptive.
And this neglects the political substance of the protests. The grievances, demands and agendas are often left in the shadows. For example, analysis of the 2020 protests following the murder of George Floyd conducted by myself and colleague Rachel MourĆ£o found the Associated Press and cable news headlines were more likely to focus on disruption and chaos than police violence or protester demands.
This pattern is referred to as the protest paradigm. While there are many factors that can make this paradigm fluctuate, like the timing of stories and the location of a news organization, movements that seek to disrupt the status quo are the most likely to receive initial coverage that frames protesters as criminal, irrelevant, trivial or illegitimate components of the political system.
When the media takes notice
This pattern can be seen in the initial coverage of protests against the war in Gaza at U.S.-based universities. These protests began in 2023 and only escalated into the campus encampments seen today after months of campaigning.
In the months leading up to the encampments, many students who were engaged in advocacy efforts over the Israeli campaign in Gaza demanded, among other things, that their universities divest from businesses connected to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
Little of this made it into mainstream news reports compared to late April, when an uptick in coverage corresponded with students organizing encampments at universities and university official began to respond. Those universities that asked police to enforce the dispersion of protesters amplified the intensity of confrontation, and, in turn, amplified the news coverage.
And rather than focusing on the grievance of protesters ā that is, concerns about the deaths, injuries and looming famine affecting Palestinians ā in reports of the campus encampments it has been the confrontations between protesters and police that have become central to the news media coverage.
As with all trends, there are always deviations and outliers. Not all reported pieces align with the protest paradigm. In the research examining news coverage after the murder of George Floyd, we found that when reports in major news outlets deviate from the protest paradigm, it was often in work produced by journalists who have engaged deeply and frequently with a community.
In the current campus protests, it is student journalism that has emerged as an outlier in this respect. Take, for example, an article from the Indiana Daily Student published during the peak of the unrest, which explains the lesser-known last-minute administrative policy changes that ultimately disrupted protest planning logic and contributed to the arrests and temporary bans of faculty and student protesters.
Who gets quoted, who doesnāt
There are commercial reasons why some newsrooms focus on the spectacle and confrontation ā the old journalism adage of āif it bleeds, it leadsā still prevails in many newsroom decisions. For the initial weeks of the campus protests, this penchant for sensationalism has shown up in the focus on chaos, clashes and arrests.
But it is a decision that delegitimizes protest aims.
This delegitimization is aided by the sourcing routines journalists often fall back on to tell stories quickly and without legal consequence. In breaking news situations, journalists tend to gravitate toward ā and directly quote ā sources that hold status, like government and university officials. This is because reporters may already have an established relationship with such officials, who often have dedicated media relations teams. And in the case of campus protests, in particular, reporters have faced difficulty connecting with protest participants directly.
And because readers and viewers are unlikely to be on the ground to gauge Abbottās characterizations of protesters for themselves, the coverage can shape how a protest movement and the politics around it are understood.
The media shapes the way most people understand them. But as coverage of the protests across universities has shown, often the focus is on the spectacle rather than the substance.
Julian Schnabel and Rula Jabreal on location. Photo: Weinstein Company.
I lined up outside the United Nations with some apprehension. I was about to view the opening of the acclaimed Israeli-Palestinian film Miral. Since I had rsvpād to view the film, the Israeli government, as well as prominent U.S.-based Jewish groups including the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League, had protested the showing ā and I did not wish to participate in an anti-Israeli event.
New York, N.Y.The great U.N. General Assembly hall quickly filled to capacity ā 1200 people sat through perhaps the first Palestinian-Israeli epic. I was delighted that the film was not anti-Israeli in the least ā it was rather an extremely moving narrative of an orphaned girl, Israeli-Palestinian, set during the 1987 Palestinian uprising. It showed the horror of her childhood ā from atrocities committed by both Palestinians and Israelis ā and random acts of kindness from both that kept her alive.
Freida Pinto plays Rula Jabreal in āMiral.ā Photo courtesy of Weinstein Company.
The film, directed by Julian Schnabel and shot in Jerusalem and the West Bank, was deeply disturbing, thought-provoking, and incredibly poignant. Based on Julianās filmBasquiat, the biopic on the Haitian-American painter, Jean-Michel Basquiat (1996) whose life ended too soon, I had believed it would be. Miralis distributed by the Weinstein Company, who recently brought us another moving film, The Kingās Speech.
Julian, raised in a Jewish family in Brooklyn by a mother that belonged to Hadassah, stated:
“I love the State of Israel. I believe in it, and my film is about preserving it, not hurting it. Understanding is part of the Jewish way and Jewish people are supposed to be good listeners. But, if we donāt listen to the other side, we can never have peace. Instead of saying āno,ā I ask the A.J.C. to say āyes,ā see ‘Miral’ and join the discussion.
Vanessa Redgrave, Hiam Abbass, and Willem Dafoe in Miral. Photo courtesy of Weinstein Company.
Julian is, in addition to a brilliant film director, an accomplished painter and sculptor. During his remarks at the General Assembly, he mused:
“I never thought a Jewish guy would be the one to tell this story, but I need to, to allow myself to heal. If we listen to the other side, there might be a possibility of advancing peace.
“I was particularly impressed with the President of the General Assembly, the Hon. Joseph Deiss of Switzerland, whom I wrote to compliment for his courage to host this cry for peace in Mideast from the eyes of Israeli-Palestinian orphan. It is obvious that 63 years of political diplomacy have not brought the world closer to a much-needed two-state solution. Perhaps the film Miral will have more influence than all of the diplomatic resolutions combined.
Julian Schnabel and Freida Pinto as Miral on location. Photo: Weinstein Company.
As founder of Orphans International Worldwide (OIW), I have worked closely with former presidents of the General Assembly, including Father Miguel dāEscoto Brockman and H.E. Haya Rashed Al, but I had not yet dealt with the current General Assembly president, Joseph Deiss. I found the current president Joseph Deiss to be a man of extreme integrity.
The gorgeous Rula Jabreal wrote the book the film is based on. Photo: John Lee.
The focus of the film is the childhood of a real woman, Rula Jebrealas, who attended the screening. She escaped a challenging upbringing on a scholarship to Italy, where she lives today. Rula said:
“Miral is a story about human beings — Palestinian, Israeli, Muslim, Jewish and Christian — and it explores how we all react differently to the violence around us, whether physical, emotional, political, or otherwise. It is a film about love, education, understanding, and peace. That seems like a good thing to show at the United Nations.
Rulaās character was played brilliantly by Freida Pinto, known for her inspirational acting in Slumdog Millionaire.
Freida Pinto stars in Julian Schnabelās Miral. Courtesy of the Weinstein Company.
According to Rebecca Sacks in Vanity Fair:
Schnabel first met Jebreal at a party in 2007, when Schnabel was still married to his second wife, Olatz Lopez Garmendia. He was so impressed with the book (and its stunning author) that he was inspired to make the film. Schnabel and Jebreal promptly fell in love, and now live together at Palazzo Chupi, Schnabelās famed pink-stucco Italo-condo in New Yorkās West Village.
The film Mirabel seems to be a Rorschach test for the viewer ā if you are pro-Israel or pro-Palestine, you see the film from your own perspective. If you support both, as I do, you see it as a cry for peace in a land divided.
The atrocities portrayed are vivid and remain with the viewer, searing oneās consciousness: a Palestinian young woman being beaten by an Israeli prison guard, a Palestinian girlraped by her step-father, and the Israeli army demolishing a Palestinian home as the elderly residents weep.
Author with with Miralās director Julian Schnabel following the screening. Photo John Lee.
Author Rula Jabreal explained her vision and hopes to Vanity Fair:
“Jebreal is passionate on the topic of the filmās rating, explaining how Miral could be a tool for education, showing young women what itās like to grow up amidst violence and fear. āInfotainment,ā as Jebreal calls it. Miral is also being protested by some as anti-Israeli. āI simply wanted to tell my story and the story of my family. Itās not an accusation; itās a love letter to my country and for many girls — Israeli and Palestinian,ā Jebreal says. āEducation saved my life. Iām promoting peace and education.ā
The film opening attracted a plethora of Hollywood humanitarians, including Sean Penn, Robert De Niro, Vanessa Redgrave, Steve Buscemi, Harvey Weinstein, and Josh Brolin. One of my heroes, Dan Rather, MCād the Q&A that followed the screening.
Dan Rather moderated the panel following the screening. Photo: John Lee.
Dan Rather, one of the preeminent television newscasters of our times, told me following the screening:
“This is an incredibly moving film. It is a true story told in a medium that brings history to the screen. It is a hot-button issue film, as were Philadelphia and My Left Foot.”
The panel discussion featured the director, the author, Rabbi Irwin Kula, journalist Mona Eltahawy, and Yonatan Shapira, co-founder of Combatants for Peaceand was a former captain in the Israeli Air Force Reserves. Yonatan organized a group of pilots who refused to fly attack missions on Palestinian territories in 2003. Rabbi Irwin Kula, president of Clal, the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, called the film a new form of peacemaking. āThis is a meditation on empathy,ā said this eighth-generation rabbi.
Rula Jabrealās book and now the film Miral concerns the vitality of education. An uneducated woman in Palestine has limited options, Rula believes, and either becomes a prostitute, or even worse, a suicide bomber. Education contains the seeds of rebellion. Miral, Julian Schnabel believes, could be a Tibetan, a Chechen, a Kurd, a Tutsi, or a Hutu.
Julian believes everyone has a story. āWe need to hear these small, human stories more than we need to hear about the conflicts that surround them. We need to find empathy, for you cannot make peace without empathy,ā he said.
Freida Pinto as Miral with Alexander Siddig as her father. Photo: Weinstein Company.
From what I have seen of the world, I could not agree more strongly. The film is a mirror of evil in the world that can be overcome by education and tolerance. Rula Jabreal and Julian Schnabel are not anti-Israeli, but rather pro-humanity. They are true thought leaders and global citizens whose vision should inspire us all.
Miral was directed by Julian Schnabel; written by Rula Jabreal, based on her novel; director of photography, Eric Gautier; edited by Juliette Welfling; production design by Yoel Herzberg; produced by Jon Kilik; released by the Weinstein Company. Running time: 1 hour 52 minutes. With Hiam Abbass (Hind Husseini), Freida Pinto (Miral), Alexander Siddig (Jamal), Omar Metwally (Hani), Yasmine Al Massri (Nadia), Ruba Blal (Fatima), Willem Dafoe (Eddie), Vanessa Redgrave (Berta) and Stella Schnabel (Lisa).
Although thought of as the world’s most popular tourist destination, I am thinking of “retiring” here.
Bangkok. Welcome to Bangkok, where the old and the new seamlessly blend, creating a vibrant tapestry of culture, commerce, and tradition. As I navigate through this gigantic city with a heart, I can’t help but be enchanted by its rich history and its forward-looking spirit.
The Chao Phraya River, the lifeblood of Bangkok, winds its way through the city, connecting its past to its present. From the majestic Grand Palace to the bustling commercial district of Sam Peng, every corner tells a story of resilience and adaptation.
Wat Arun temple in Bangkok overlooking boat traffic on the Chao Phraya River.
In the heart of the city, you’ll find the traditional areas where the Grand Palace once stood as a testament to the city’s royal heritage. Today, the streets are lined with shop-houses that have evolved over the centuries, offering a glimpse into Bangkok‘s vibrant commercial past.
But Bangkok is not just about its ancient roots. Modernity has made its mark, with skyscrapers dominating the skyline and the bustling financial district of Silom Road pulsating with energy. The city’s transportation system has evolved, from the maze of canals that once earned it the nickname “Venice of the East” to the efficient Skytrain that now connects its sprawling neighborhoods.
Metro Rapid Transit Skytrain Blue Line crossing Chao Phraya River. Photo: MRT Bangkok Metro.
As I explore the city, I can’t help but be struck by its diversity. From the ethnic Thai majority to the vibrant Chinese and expatriate communities, Bangkok is a melting pot of cultures and traditions. It’s a place where the past coexists with the present, where ancient temples stand side by side with modern condominiums.
The Rama VIII Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge crossing the Chao Phraya River. Built between Opened in 2002, it was built to alleviate traffic on the nearby Phra Pinklao Bridge.
But amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life, there’s a sense of serenity that permeates the city. Whether you’re wandering through the tranquil gardens of the King Rama IX Royal Park or taking in a traditional Thai performance at the Silapakorn National Theatre, there’s always a moment of peace to be found in Bangkok.
Author on balcony of the Jim Thompson Museum, highly recommended, is built on one of the city’s many canals.
The Jim Thompson Museum is one such quiet spot. Jim Thompsonās Thai House, named for the U.S. entrepreneur and devotee of Thai culture, a graduate of Princeton and member of the precursor tot he CIA, the compound houses several traditional Thai mansions; it contains the countryās largest collection of 17th-century Thai religious paintings.
Author in front of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC).
The Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC) is another quiet place. This arts center a hub for the city’s contemporary art, design, music, theater, and film, and hosts exhibitions and performances in its spaces. The center also has cafes, art galleries, bookshops, craft shops, and an art library.
Modern medical facilities exist throughout the city. Here, my partner Bxx gets a dental check-up.
And let’s not forget about the food. From the tantalizing aromas of street food stalls to the gourmet delights of Michelin-starred restaurants, Bangkok is a paradise for food lovers. Whether you’re craving spicy tom yum soup or indulging in a decadent plate of pad Thai, the city’s culinary scene is sure to delight your taste buds.
In Bangkok, there’s always something new to discover, whether it’s a hidden temple tucked away down a narrow alley or a trendy rooftop bar offering panoramic views of the city.
It’s a place where East meets West, where tradition meets innovation, and where the past and the future converge in a vibrant tapestry of sights, sounds, and flavors. So come along and explore Bangkok, the city that truly bridges the gap between East and West.
Gigantic Bangkok, old and new, bridges East and West, with ancient bridges as well as super-modern ones such as this.
After 50 years in New York City, I will eventually want to “retire” – close to the countries we have worked in for the last 25 years such as India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. As well as near the countries I studied in, Japan and Germany. Gigantic Bangkok, both old and new, bridging East and West, seems to be the perfect hub.
Jim Luce has traveled to Havana multiple times, both to explore and to speak at conferencesāeach journey requiring a circuitous route through Panama due to U.S. travel restrictions. His encounters with Mariela Castro, first at the United Nations and later in Cuba, left a lasting impression, revealing her as a progressive thought leader and global citizen. Luce admires Cubaās achievements in education and healthcare, acknowledging its imperfections while recognizing its resilience against decades of U.S. pressure. In todayās political climate, he reflects on the challenges of critiquing other nations, particularly under the Trump administrationās policies. Through his writing, Luce offers nuanced perspectives on Cuba and its diaspora.
Chatting with Mira Nair at the Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council (MIAAC) Film Festival in New York City. Photo: John Lee.
“I want my films to work in multi-cultures. To play in Calcutta and New York. I want it all ā and I want my films to work in both India and the U.S.
New York, N.Y. I braved freezing weather recently to hear Mira Nair speak at the Presidentās Forum at the Upper East Sideās Asia Society (video). It crossed my mind that I could write a story on her work.
I failed to grasp her work ā as both a humanitarian and a filmmaker ā was so vast it would become a three-part series, to run across my columns in the Huffington Post (her life), Daily Kos (film reviews), and the Stewardship Report (her film school in Uganda).
Mira Nair spoke at President Vishakha Desaiās Forum Asia Society in New York.
In her spare time she directed a short film in New York, I Love You, a romantic-drama anthology of love stories set in New York, and a 12-minute movie on AIDS awareness titled Migration ā and funded by the Gates Foundation.
She often works with longtime creative collaborator, screenwriter Sooni Taraporevala, whom she met at Harvard.
Vishakha Desai, the Asia Societyās president, asked Mira pointedly why her just-released biographical film on the iconic Amelia Earhart garnered such negative reviews. Mira had made the movie with funding from Gateway founder Ted Wyatt.
Interestingly, when Mira produces “ethnic” films, she is usually acclaimed. However, when she steps into “non-Indian” films, she garners far less praise. I will let readers judge that themselves.
Her work ā as both a humanitarian and filmmaker ā is so vast it I must write a series.
“There was a great degree of territorialism with Amelia. A non-American had taken on the movie of an American hero,” Mira reflected.
“The Bagvadhgita states that our work is to serve and then let go. As a filmmaker, this is what I must do,” Mira shared with the audience. “I donāt read the reviews.”
Mira has several pending projects, including the big-budget Shantaram which is now owned by Johnny Depp.
“The Reluctant Fundamentalist is an incredible tale. Truth is stranger than fiction,” Mira said.
Mira and Vishakha discussed the differences between studio films and independent films. “Everything changes,” Mira said, “when a studio enters the picture. They are the gatekeepers to commerce ā they make major decisions which impact the movie.”
“With Indian films I have complete freedom, but with non-Indian films I must deal with other forces,” Mira said. And yet, two of her films available in the U.S. are banned in India, which she sees as a travesty.
In her dialogue with Vishakha and the audience, Mira related.
“There is a dance between the film maker and the distributer. I believe in a sacred frame. The visual aspect is so important.
“The intimacy of my vision, the beauty of the film. This all has to be negotiated with the distributor.
“I never want to repeat myself. What is the point? I want to be continuously challenging myself.
“I want my films to work in multi-cultures. To play in Calcutta and New York. I want it all ā and I want my films to work in both India and the U.S.
“But Mississippi Marsala was not made for an Indian audience. They just wouldnāt get it. I am fascinated to hear American audiences respond to this film.
As Idi Amin threw Asians out of Uganda in 1972, many went (believe it or not) to Mississippi ā and opened hotels. “Mississippi, the birthplace of the Civil Rights movement,” Mira explained to the Asia Society audience.
In Mississippi Marsala, an Indian woman from Uganda who knows Africa well falls in love with an Afro-American (Denzel Washington) who knows virtually nothing about his own roots. Thus, a comedy of cultural disconnections.
I was highly amused to hear Mira explain, “Afro-Americans laugh at some parts, Indo-Americans at others. Sometime Caucasians are confused, wondering why either group is laughing.”
“In the 1980ās, when I arrived in the U.S., you had to spell out for Americans the word āIndia.ā No one here had any idea. I had people say to me, āIn your (Indian) film I saw running water ā do they have that there?ā”
Mira has won countless awards. The Golden Camera (Cannes Film Festival, 1988), The Golden Athena (Athens International Film Festival, 1988), The Golden Osella (Venice Film Festival, 1991), UNESCO Award (Venice Film Festival, 2002), and The Pride of India (Bollywood Film Awards, 2007).
She is close friends with the Asia Societyās president, Dr. Vishakha Desai, who I was privileged to interview last spring here. Her social circle also includes PepsiCoās Chair and CEO, Indra Nooyi.
Mira was born in Orissa, on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. Her father was a civil servant and her mother a social worker and activist. Mira credits her momās influence for her own social conscience.
“Film is such a populist medium,” Mira said. “It reaches millions. I have been constantly energized to find cinematic truths. The idea is making a difference. It is a super-idealistic question: Can art change the world?”
For her AIDS film, Mira said she wants to reach a very wide audience ā specifically rural and marginalized audiences in India.
“I have enjoyed working without expectations, because when we let go the alchemy becomes bigger than ourselves.”
“I love Indian classical music. I love to capture what I have grown up with.” I wanted to ask her about Ustad Amjad Ali Khan played the, whose feet I sat at in absolute wonderment last fall and then wrote about here.
“We are now dealing with 5,000 street kids in 17 centers in Bombay and Delhi,” Mira said. As founder of Orphans International Worldwide (OIW), I know that there is no harder population to reach than street children.
Mira was a visionary when she used proceeds from her film depicting social injustices to address their root causes. Now she has taken on what may be her lifeās greatest triumph.
She is building the film school ā Maisha ā to help build an entire film culture for the continent of Africa!
“When I see Hollywood films about “Africa,” I often do not even recognize the continent. It is their idea of what Africa is. We need to train our own, African directors.”
To mentor a new generation of Afro-centric film makers. To create an oasis for artists and thinkers. To have a boot camp for the continentās best and the brightest.
My God, what incredible dreams. Luckily, she is a strong enough woman to bring her dreams into reality.
“India is a paradoxical place. But there are and have been women in great leadership positions. I always assumed I could do anything.” Strikingly, there are far more female film makers in India than the U.S.
“One needs the skin of an elephant and the heart of a poet to deal with it all,” she confided.
I will write a much larger story on Maisha for the Stewardship Reportnext month. The BBC and Aljazeera are already filming the progress of this amazing film school and its founder.
Mira wants to raise $1 million to finish building her film school in Uganda.
She lives much of the time in Ugandaās capital Kampala, where Maisha is located. But she has the same basic questions as other world citizens. Who am I? Where am I?
“I am happy and relieved to be from India. I am inspired when I am there. But I have lived in Kampala since 1989. And I teach at Columbia, where my son is in high school. Where is my home? Where will I grow old?”
“When I arrived in Uganda I felt like the daughter-in-law of that continent, Africa. But now I feel like a daughter. New York City has also been home to me. There is an egalitarianism her I love.”
“I do need three homes – in India, in Uganda, and here in the U.S.,” she confided.
Today, her cinematic work, from low-budget documentaries to independent films and big-budget studio movies, stretch over several decades:
Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996). This controversial film made it in India by special Tuesday night “women-only” screenings.
Mississippi Masala(1991). A profile of a family of displaced Ugandan-Indians living and working in Mississippi, starring Denzel Washington and Sarita Choudhury.
The Perez Family (1995).
Monsoon Wedding (2001). A chaotic Punjabi Indian wedding with screenplay by Sabrina Dhawan. This film may soon be produced on Broadway
Hysterical Blindness & September 11 (Segment – “India”) (both 2002).
Vanity Fair(2004). Her version of Thackeray’s novel, starring Reese Witherspoon.
“Filmmaking is a disease and you have to be sick. To be possessed. You just have to do it, and be prepared to be rejected by the entire world. It is an obsession, a masochism.” I could relate.
“To achieve anything you must first invest 10,000 hours. Ten years of work to begin to make a difference. Itās really not normal. You need a slight madness.”
Mira lives near Columbia University in New York where she is an adjunct professor in the Film Division of the School of Arts, and where her husband, Professor Mahmood Mamdani, also teaches. They first met in 1988, when she went to Uganda for the first time to research for the film Mississippi Masala.
“He is such an amazing man,” Mira told the Asia Society president. What a wonderfully nourishing time we have at home. I believe I also seek his approval.”
Mira spoke enthusiastically about yoga. She has been a practitioner for decades. She told her audience that, when making a film, she has the cast and crew both start the day with a yoga session.
Mira has one son, Zohran Mamdani, now 18 years old and currently attending the Bronx High School of Science in New York.
Mira Nair is an outstanding Thought Leader and Global Citizen. The artistic and social impact she has had ā and will continue to have ā in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas is beyond compare.
While not many Manhattan-oriented diners frequently travel to the outer boroughs to engage in their favorite pastime, some culinary experiences are well worth the trip. Serving amazing Thai cuisine since June of 2009, Green Curry is clearly one of those culinary experiences.
By Elizabeth Perea, edited by Jim Luce.
New York, N.Y. Not far off the beaten path of Manhattan in Astoria, Green Curry is a Thai restaurant that easily rivals any of your inner-city favorites, but hold on. The cuisine isn’t the only thing that will make you smile.
With lunch specials priced at $8.00 and dinner specials priced at $10 ($12 for shrimp), the total bill elicits almost as much joy as the authentic flavors and beautiful plate presentation.
With 14 appetizers and 45 main course dishes, Green Curry rules Astoria.
The appetizer selection promises to provide something that will appeal to any true lover of Thai cuisine with traditional dishes such as Thai Steamed Chicken Dumplings prepared with water chestnuts, mushrooms, and carrots wrapped in wonton skin.
Green Curry prepares Thai Steamed Chicken Dumplings with chopped water chestnuts, mushrooms, and carrots wrapped in wonton skin.
Traditional yes, but made uniquely true to Green Curry by being served with titillating soy, vinaigrette, cilantro sauce, truly a mix of flavors that will pleasantly surprise you.
One distinctive element of Green Curry is that all sauces are homemade and awaken a blending and layering of flavors uncommon in any other Thai experience.
Another appetizer on the menu, the Golden Taro, is an excellent example of the chef’s unique ability to create an experience that will please even the most traditional of Thai diners, while engaging the most adventurous of foodies.
The crispy shredded taro, wrapped in tofu skin and served with homemade tamarind sauce is truly an experience in both flavor and texture.
Taro, according to Wikipedia, is a tropical plant grown primarily as a vegetable food for its edible corm, and secondarily as a leaf vegetable. It is considered a staple in Oceanic cultures. Good to know!
I particularly enjoyed the flavor and texture of the crispy shredded taro, wrapped in tofu skin and served with homemade tamarind sauce.
Green Curry also features two āYums,ā or authentic Thai spicy salads.
Cooked in coconut milk and served with fresh lime juice and chili pepper, the Tom Kha Gai soup with mixed vegetables, chicken, squid, and shrimp in chicken broth was wonderful.
The Tom Kha Gai soup is cooked in coconut milk and served with fresh lime juice and chili pepper, with mixed vegetables, chicken, squid, shrimp in chicken broth.
Nam Sod which is a well cooked ground pork salad marinated with roasted chili, peanut, fresh lime juice and shredded ginger ($9) and Yum Goon Chieng, Chinese sausage salad marinated with fresh lime juice, chili pepper, tomato, cucumber and red onion ($9).
Both were like nothing we had ever tasted before, but that we would most definitely order again.
Also, worthy of note, particularly for vegetarians was an exquisite spicy vegetarian āduckā salad, the vegetarian duck is made from wheat flour.
All dishes can customized in terms of their cooking method ā from steaming to stir fried, and the curry can be paired with any variety of meat, seafood, and/or vegetables listed on the menu.
While the appetizers and salads may fill you up, the entrees at Green Curry are not to be missed, so leave room.
We can only guess that the distinguishing factor was the homemade sauce.
Deep-fried red snapper topped with a unique sweet and spicy tamarind chili sauce.
The fish dishes were also outstanding. If you’re a fan of red snapper, Green Curry gives you three fabulous dishes from which to choose:
The Pla Lard Prik, deep-fried red snapper topped with a unique sweet and spicy tamarind chili sauce;
The Pla Jiean, or deep-fried red snapper topped with a combination sauce made of ginger, mushroom, and ground pork; and
The Pla Chu Chee, a hearty, aromatic herbal curry fish dish of deep-fried red snapper with red curry sauce, coconut milk, and kaffir lime leaves.
Each of these dishes will introduce you to a layer of flavors about which you will tell your friends and neighbors.
Pad Priew Wan. Thai sweet & sour sauce with pineapple, tomato, onion, and cucumber.
Pad Kraung Keang. ed curry sauce with onion, chili, and fresh sweet basil.
Pad Khing. Black bean sauce with shredded ginger, mushroom, chili pepper, and scallion.
Another unusual aspect of Green Curry is that the non-related staff seems to be a family. The owner takes great pride in treating her employees as family, and it is reflected well in the bright and energetic service they bring to each table.
Keep in mind that the owners and operators of Green Curry once ran the successful Pearl River (Rockland County) restaurant, āRoyal Siam,ā which was open 12 years. Customers would drive as far away as from Queens to eat there.
Now New Yorkers from every borough need only to travel as far as Astoria to experience authentic Thai cuisine; a combination of Chinese, Indian, and Malay traditions, in a gorgeous setting with a wonderful and attentive staff. As we, said earlier, it’s worth the trip.
Check out their Facebook page ā I recommend Green Curry to all my Manhattan friends! With 14 appetizers and 45 main course dishes, I know each and every one of them will find something to love.
Jim Luce visits the kitchen with the owners and his friend Paat Sinsuwan.
Green Curry Information and Directions: 35-13 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria, Queens, N.Y. 11105 Take the āNā or āWā subway to the last stop – Ditmars Blvd. ā walk 3 blocks. Tel. (718) 777-7013
The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is one of the four holy sites related to the life of the Lord Buddha, and particularly to the attainment of Enlightenment. The first temple was built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century B.C., and the present temple dates from the 5th or 6th centuries. It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick, still standing in India, from the late Gupta period.
Where Buddha Obtained EnlightenmentĀ
The Mahabodhi Temple Complex, Bodh Gaya lies 115 km south of the state capital of Bihar, Patna and 16 km from the district headquarters at Gaya, in Eastern India. It is one of the four holy sites related to the life of the Lord Buddha, and particularly to the attainment of Enlightenment. The property encompasses the greatest remains of the 5th-6th century A.D in the Indian sub-continent belonging to this period of antiquity. The property has a total area of 4.8600 ha.
The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is the first temple built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century B.C., and the present temple dates from the 5thā6th centuries. It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick, still standing, from the late Gupta period and it is considered to have had significant influence in the development of brick architecture over the centuries. The present Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya comprises the 50 m high grand Temple, the Vajrasana, sacred Bodhi Tree and other six sacred sites of Buddha’s enlightenment, surrounded by numerous ancient Votive stupas, well maintained and protected by inner, middle and outer circular boundaries. A seventh sacred place, the Lotus Pond, is located outside the enclosure to the south. Both the temple area and the Lotus Pond are surrounded by circulating passages at two or three levels and the area of the ensemble is 5 m below the level of the surrounding land.
It is also a unique property of archaeological significance in respect of the events associated with the time Lord Buddha spent there, as well as documenting the evolving worship, particularly since the 3rd century, when Emperor Asoka built the first temple, the balustrades and the memorial column and the subsequent evolution of the ancient city with the building of sanctuaries and monasteries by foreign kings over the centuries.The Main Temple wall has an average height of 11 m and it is built in the classical style of Indian temple architecture. It has entrances from the east and from the north and has a low basement with mouldings decorated with honeysuckle and geese design. Above this is a series of niches containing images of the Buddha. Further above there are mouldings and chaitya niches, and then the curvilinear shikhara or tower of the temple surmounted by amalaka and kalasha (architectural features in the tradition of Indian temples). At the four corners of the parapet of the temple are four statues of the Buddha in small shrine chambers. A small tower is built above each of these shrines. The temple faces east and consists of a small forecourt in the east with niches on either side containing statues of the Buddha. A doorway leads into a small hall, beyond which lies the sanctum, which contains a gilded statue of the seated Buddha (over 5ft high) holding earth as witness to his achieved Enlightenment. Above the sanctum is the main hall with a shrine containing a statue of Buddha, where senior monks gather to meditate.
From the east, a flight of steps leads down through a long central path to the main temple and the surrounding area. Along this path there are significant places associated with events that immediately followed the Buddhaās Enlightment, together with votive stupas and shrines. The most important of the sacred places is the giant Bodhi Tree, to the west of the main temple, a supposed direct descendant of the original Bodhi Tree under which Buddha spent his First Week and had his enlightment. To the north of the central path, on a raised area, is the Animeshlochan Chaitya (prayer hall) where Buddha is believed to have spent the Second Week. Buddha spent the Third Week walking eighteen paces back and forth in an area called Ratnachakrama (the Jewelled Ambulatory), which lies near the north wall of the main temple. Raised stone lotuses carved on a platform mark his steps. The spot where he spent the Fourth Week is Ratnaghar Chaitya, located to the north-east near the enclosure wall. Immediately after the steps of the east entrance on the central path there is a pillar which marks the site of the Ajapala Nigrodh Tree, under which Buddha meditated during his Fifth Week, answering the queries of Brahmans. He spent the Sixth Week next to the Lotus Pond to the south of the enclosure, and the Seventh Week was spent under the Rajyatana Tree, to the south-east of the main temple, currently marked by a tree]
Next to the Bodhi Tree there is a platform attached to the main temple made of polished sandstone known as Vajrasana (the Diamond Throne), originally installed by Emperor Asoka to mark the spot where Buddha sat and meditated. A sandstone balustrade once encircled this site under the Bodhi Tree, but only a few of the original pillars of the balustrade are still in situ; they contain carvings of sculpted human faces, animals, and decorative details. Further up the central path towards the main temple to the south is a small shrine with a standing Buddha in the back and with the footprints (Padas) of the Buddha carved on black stone, dating from the 3rd century BC when Emperor Asoka declared Buddhism to be the official religion of the state and installed thousands of such footprint stones all over his kingdom. The gateway to the Temple, which is on the central path, was also originally built by this Emperor, but was later rebuilt. Further on the path towards the main temple is a building housing several statues of Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Opposite is a memorial to a Hindu Mahant who had lived on this site during the 15th and 16th centuries. To the south of the pathway is a cluster of votive stupas built by kings, princes, noblemen and lay people. They vary in shape and size, from the simplest to the most sumptuous ones.
In the context of philosophical and cultural history, Mahabodhi Temple Complex is of great relevance as it marks the most important event in the life of Lord Buddha, the moment when Prince Siddhartha attained Enlightenment and became Buddha, an event that shaped human thought and belief. This property is now revered as the holiest place of Buddhist pilgrimage in the world and is considered the cradle of Buddhism in the history of mankind.
Criterion (i):Ā The grand 50m high Mahabodhi Temple of the 5th-6th centuries is of immense importance, being one of the earliest temple constructions existing in the Indian sub-continent. It is one of the few representations of the architectural genius of the Indian people in constructing fully developed brick temples.
Criterion (ii):Ā The Mahabodhi Temple, one of the few surviving examples of early brick structures in India, has had significant influence in the development of architecture over the centuries.
Criterion (iii):Ā The site of the Mahabodhi Temple provides exceptional records for the events associated with the life of Buddha and subsequent worship, particularly since Emperor Asoka built the first temple, the balustrades, and the memorial column.
Criterion (iv):Ā The present Temple is one of the earliest and most imposing structures built entirely in brick from the late Gupta period. The sculpted stone balustrades are an outstanding early example of sculptural reliefs in stone.
Criterion (vi):Ā The Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodh Gaya has direct association with the life of the Lord Buddha, being the place where He attained the supreme and perfect insight.
Integrity
The inscribed property contains all the attributes necessary to convey its outstanding universal value. The historical evidences and texts reveal that the parts of present Temple Complex date from different periods. The main Temple, the Vajrasana, the seat of Buddha’s enlightenment was preserved by Emperor Asoka and the Bodhi Tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment witnessed through the ages, the site’s glory, decline and revival since middle of 19th century A.D onwards is unchanged and complete.
The main part of the temple is recorded from about the 5th – 6th century A.D. But, it has undergone various repairs and renovation works since then. Having suffered from long abandonment (13th -18th century A.D) it was extensively restored in the 19th century, A.D and more works were carried out in the second half of the 20th century A.D. Nevertheless, the temple is considered to be the oldest and best preserved example of brick architecture in India from this particular period. Even though the structure has suffered from neglect and repairs in various periods, it has retained its essential features intact.
Authenticity
The belief that Buddha had attained Enlightenment in this particular place has been confirmed by tradition and is now called Bodh Gaya, this is of supreme value to the world. It has been documented since the time of Emperor Asoka who built the first temple in 260 BCE when he came to this place to worship the Bodhi Tree, which still stands as witness to the event, along with the attributes of the property (the Vajrasana, etc). Buddhist texts of both Theravadhan and Mahayanan traditions have clear reference of this event of Buddha’s enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. Buddhists from all over the world today venerate Bodh Gaya as the holiest place of Buddhist pilgrimage in the world. This confirms the use, function, location and setting of the complex/property. The outstanding universal value of the property is truthfully expressed through the attributes present today. The architecture of the Temple has remained essentially unaltered and follows the original form and design. The Mahabodhi Temple Complex has continuous visitation by pilgrims from all over the world to offer prayers, perform religious ceremonies and meditate.
Requirements for protection and management
The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is the property of the State Government of Bihar. On the basis of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act of 1949, the State Government is responsible for the management and protection of the property through Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) and Advisory Board. The Committee meets once in every three or four months and reviews the progress and position of the maintenance and conservation works of the property and also manages the flow of pilgrims and tourists visit. The Committee is equipped with 85 regular staff members and over 45 casual workers to attend to the Temple duty as office staff, security guards, gardeners and sweepers. Further consideration is still warranted on the possible designation of the property under national legislation to ensure the protection of its outstanding universal value as well as its authenticity and integrity of the property. Given the significant development pressures in the broader urban and rural setting, the definition of an appropriate buffer zone and the establishment of regulations for its protection is a priority. Options, such as extending the property to include related sites, need to be explored to ensure the conservation of the setting and landscape of the property associated with the life and wanderings of Buddha. The protection of these elements is particularly relevant to sustaining the religious character of the property that substantiates criterion (vi).
All developmental activities within the premises of this World Heritage property and at Bodhgaya are guided by the rules and regulations of the Site Management Plan framed by the Government of Bihar. All conservation / restoration works relating to the Temple Complex are taken up under the expert guidance of Archaeological Survey of India. The main source of finance for the property is through the donation from Devotees. The sustained operation of the management system allows for the Temple Complex to be well maintained and flow of visitors managed adequately
As the site is being visited by pilgrims/tourists (national/international) in large numbers, a need to develop infrastructure and public amenities is anticipated. Proposals will need to be preceded by Heritage Impact Assessments and a particular challenge will be to continuously monitor the impact that potential developments of the area as a whole, including the town, may have on the religious and spiritual significance of the place.
The Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee also seeks to undertake a sustainable approach to the maintenance of the property for example utilization of solar energy, pollution free environment, etc
Peace is possible even in the face of senseless violence. Young global leadership embraces nonviolent conflict resolution
New York, N.Y. The collective efforts of Orphans International and the J. Luce Foundation have empowered youth and enriched communities globally, as well as here in New York City, raising over two million dollars and impacting the lives of over two thousand young individuals.
The evening will be a commemoration of the nations the family charities have collaborated with, including Bangladesh, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Malawi, Nepal, Palestine, the Philippines, Peru, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Ukraine.
The theme of this 25th anniversary evening will be āPeace is possible even in the face of senseless violence. Young global leadership embraces nonviolent conflict resolution.ā Highlighting the event will be the presentation of the prestigious Claire Boothe Luce Award for Public Service, alongside the Luce 24 Under 24 Recognition Awards.
The Silver Anniversary Reception will take place in the Luce Penthouse of the Asia Society, situated on Park Avenue at 70th Street, New York City.
A 30-second spot (below) has been created to publicize the event, courtesy of Triumph Communications. National attire is encouraged for the occasion.
As the climate warms, heat waves are lasting longer and reaching greater peaks as average temperatures rise. In turn, government authorities and public health experts around the world are grappling with whether to keep students learning in hot classrooms or encourage them to stay home and keep cool.
Hena Khan, a ninth-grade student in Dhaka, Bangladesh, has struggled to focus on her studies this week as temperatures surpassed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in the capital city.
“There is no real education in schools in this punishing heat,” she said. “Teachers can’t teach, students can’t concentrate. Rather, our lives are at risk.”
Khan is one of more than 40 million students who have been shut out of classrooms in recent weeks as heat waves have forced school closures in parts of Asia and North Africa.
Either decision has consequences. About 17% of the world’s school-aged children are already out of school, according to United Nations data, but the proportion is much larger in developing countries, with nearly a third of sub-Saharan Africa’s children out of school compared to just 3% in North America. Children’s test scores in the developing world also lag far behind developed countries.
Heat could make that worse, widening learning gaps between tropical developing nations and developed countries, experts told Reuters, and even between rich and poor districts in wealthy countries. But sending children to overheated schools could make them sick.
High temperatures prompt closures
South Sudan shuttered its schools to some 2.2 million students in late March when temperatures soared to 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit). Thousands of schools in the Philippines and in India followed suit in late April.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh continues to waver between opening and closing schools for about 33 million students amid pressure to prepare pupils for exams ā even as temperatures climb to dangerous levels.
Many of the country’s schools “don’t have fans, the ventilation is not good, and they might have tin roofing, which does not provide good insulation,” said Shumon Sengupta, Bangladesh country director for nonprofit Save the Children.
On Monday, one day after reopening schools that had been closed last week because of the heat, Bangladeshi authorities again closed all primary schools and educational institutions in nearly half of all districts as temperatures reached 43C (109F).
Heat slows cognitive functions
Even if students continue attending classes during heat waves, their education is likely to suffer.
High temperatures slow the brain’s cognitive functions, lowering pupils’ ability to retain and process information.
U.S. high schoolers, one May 2020 study found, performed worse on standardized tests if they were exposed to higher temperatures in the year leading up to the exam.
The research, published in the American Economic Journal, found that a 0.55C (1F) warmer school year reduced that year’s learning by 1%.
Much of that impact disappeared in schools that had air conditioning, said study co-author Josh Goodman, an economist at Boston University.
Somewhere between 40% and 60% of U.S. schools are thought to have at least partial air conditioning, according to various surveys.
Schools that do not are typically found in lower income districts that already lag behind their wealthier counterparts academically. In the U.S. the average performance of the lowest income students is about four years behind the highest-income students, according to a 2019 study in the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Goodman and his colleagues found a similar learning pattern when they looked at standardized test data in other countries.
“When [students in] these places experience a year with more heat, they appear to have learned less,” he said.
That is worrying, Goodman added, because as the world warms hot countries moving to an extremely hot climate will suffer more than temperate countries.
“Climate change will widen the learning gaps between hot and cool countries,” Goodman said.
The number of days that schools are closed for extreme heat have been ticking up in the U.S., but few countries track such data.
U.S. schools are now canceling class for an average of six to seven school days each year for heat, compared with about three to four days a decade ago, said Paul Chinowsky, a civil engineer who led a 2021 study on schools and rising temperatures for the firm Resilient Analytics, which consults for governments and NGOs.
In Bangladesh, “last year, schools were closed for six to seven days,” said Save the Children’s Sengupta. “But this year, they are saying it might be closed for three to four weeks.”
May is generally the warmest month of the year in South Asia.
More closures worry him, Sengupta said. When children are not in school, they are more vulnerable to child labor and child marriage, according to NGO reports.
Bangladesh Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury said on Tuesday that schools would be kept open on weekends if needed to complete the curriculum.
Decisions on school closures, he added, will no longer be a national directive but are to be made at the district level.
New York, N.Y. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights on TuesdayĀ said he was troubledĀ by āa series of heavy-handed stepsā taken by some universities in the United States to disperse and dismantle Gaza war protests.
In recent days, demonstrations unfolding through tented encampments on school grounds ā sparked by students at New Yorkās prestigious Columbia University who are demanding authorities divest from Israel due to its occupation and military assault on Gaza ā have spread nationwide.
University authorities from the west to east coast have taken different approaches, ranging from Columbiaās initial response to authorize police to clear protests by force to continuing negotiations and allowing the encampments to remain.
Columbia protests intensify
Columbiaās protesters ignored an ultimatum from the university to leave the camp or risk suspension on Monday. Early on Tuesday morning, students took over historic Hamilton Hall on campus, barricading themselves inside.
The building was one of those occupied in civil rights and Viet Nam war protests by students in 1968.
The university president announced earlier on Monday that dialogue with protesters had failed, and the institution would not bow to demands to divest from Israel.
Universities should ‘properly manage’ protest response: Guterres
āFirst of all I think it is essential in all circumstances to guarantee the freedom of expression and the freedom of peaceful demonstration but at the same time it is obvious that hate speech is unacceptableā, he said.
It should be left up to university authorities themselves to āproperly manageā the situation and decide on the appropriate response to the protests, he added.
Right to protest is āfundamentalā
In his statement on Tuesday, U.N. rights chief Volker TĆ¼rk said that freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly were āfundamental to societyā, particularly when there is sharp disagreement on major issues as there is in relation to the conflict in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel.
He noted that in recent weeks, thousands of university students in the US have been protesting the war, and many demonstrations have taken place without incident.
But, there have also been hundreds of arrests following interventions on some campuses by security forces. Many have subsequently been released while others still face charges or academic sanctions.
Action taken by authorities and law enforcement officials to restrict such expression needs to be carefully scrutinised to ensure they do not go beyond what is demonstrably necessary to protect the rights and freedoms of others or for another legitimate aim, such as the maintenance of public health or order, Mr. TĆ¼rk said.
Incitement to violence āmust be strongly repudiatedā
āI am concerned that some of law enforcement actions across a series of universities appear disproportionate in their impacts,ā he stressed.
The rights chief emphasized that any clearly anti-Semitic conduct and speech was totally unacceptable and deeply disturbing. Anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian conduct and speech are equally reprehensible, he said.
āIncitement to violence or hatred on grounds of identity or viewpoints ā whether real or assumed ā must be strongly repudiated,ā he continued. āWe have already seen such dangerous rhetoric can quickly lead to real violence.ā
He said any violent conduct should be addressed on a case-by-case basis rather than through sweeping measures āthat impute to all members of a protest the unacceptable viewpoints of a fewā.
A message of thanks to students around the world protesting events in Gaza is displayed on a tent in the south of the enclave. UN News/Ziad Taleb
Human rights law
āHere, as elsewhere, responses by universities and law enforcement need to be guided by human rights law, allowing vibrant debate and protecting safe spaces for all.ā
The High Commissioner emphasised that any restrictions to fundamental freedoms of expression must be guided by ālegality, necessity and proportionalityā and applied without discrimination.
āUS universities have a strong, historic tradition of student activism, strident debate and freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,ā Mr. TĆ¼rk said.
āIt must be clear that legitimate exercises of the freedom of expression cannot be conflated with incitement to violence and hatred.ā
Protesters demonstrate outside the Columbia University campus in New York City. UN Photo/Evan Schneider
In a time of heightened tensions and polarized rhetoric surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, New York State Senator Liz Krueger‘s recent Facebook post stands out as a beacon of reason and nuance. As a representative of the people of the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island, Senator Krueger has demonstrated a thoughtful and balanced approach to this complex and emotionally charged issue.
Condemning Extremism and Upholding Human Rights
New York, N.Y. In her Facebook post, Senator Krueger unequivocally condemns antisemitism, Islamophobia, and the use of violence by any party involved in the conflict. This is a crucial stance, as the spread of hatred and extremism only serves to further entrench divisions and hinder the path to a lasting peace. By rejecting the rhetoric and actions of groups like Hamas, as well as the policies of leaders like Benjamin Netanyahu, Senator Krueger shows a clear commitment to upholding the fundamental human rights of all people, regardless of their religious or ethnic background.
Recognizing the Legitimate Concerns of Both Sides
Notably, Senator Krueger’s post also acknowledges the valid concerns and aspirations of both the Israeli and Palestinian people. She affirms Israel’s right to exist, while also recognizing the Palestinians’ right to self-determination. This balanced perspective is essential in addressing a conflict that has long been characterized by entrenched positions and a failure to understand the other side’s perspective.
Calling for Immediate Action to Protect Civilians
The senator’s call for the immediate release of all hostages, the cessation of civilian casualties, and the provision of urgent humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza is particularly commendable. The suffering of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire of this conflict is a tragic reality that must be addressed with the utmost urgency. By demanding these actions, Senator Krueger demonstrates a deep concern for the well-being of all people affected by the violence, regardless of their national or religious affiliation.
Defending the Right to Peaceful Protest
Furthermore, Senator Krueger‘s support for the right to protest peacefully is a crucial safeguard of democratic principles. In a time when the suppression of dissent and the intimidation of peaceful demonstrators have become all too common, her stance sends a clear message that the fundamental freedoms of expression and assembly must be protected.
A Balanced and Principled Approach
In a political landscape often dominated by partisan rhetoric and the temptation to take hardline stances, Senator Krueger‘s Facebook post stands out as a refreshing and principled approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By condemning extremism, upholding human rights, recognizing the legitimate concerns of both sides, and defending the right to peaceful protest, she has demonstrated a level of nuance and thoughtfulness that is sorely needed in this debate.
Representing the Diverse Constituents of the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island
As the representative of the people of the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island, Senator Krueger‘s balanced stance on this issue is particularly significant. These communities are home to a diverse array of individuals, including Jewish, Muslim, and other minority groups, all of whom have a stake in the outcome of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By taking a measured and inclusive approach, Senator Krueger has shown that she is capable of representing the interests of all her constituents, regardless of their background or political affiliation.
Conclusion: A Beacon of Hope in Troubled Times
In a world that often seems to be teetering on the brink of conflict, Senator Liz Krueger’s Facebook post offers a glimmer of hope. By rejecting extremism, upholding human rights, and calling for immediate action to protect civilians, she has demonstrated a level of leadership and moral clarity that is sorely needed in these turbulent times. As the representative of the diverse communities of the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island, Senator Krueger‘s balanced and principled stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict serves as a model for how elected officials can navigate complex and divisive issues with wisdom, empathy, and a steadfast commitment to the well-being of all people.
The day honors the 16 million volunteers and staff operating in over 192 countries. āTheir neutrality and impartiality save lives daily,ā stated ICRC PresidentĀ Mirjana Spoljaric, addressing a ceremony in Geneva. Recent efforts include aiding displaced families inĀ Ukraine,Ā Sudan, andĀ Gaza, while supporting flood relief inĀ KenyaĀ andĀ Bangladesh.
Challenges in Modern Humanitarian Work
Escalating conflicts and climate emergencies strain resources.Ā Francesco Rocca, President of theĀ International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), noted a 25% rise in climate-related disasters since 2020. āFunding gaps and politicization of aid hinder our reach,ā he emphasized. InĀ Haiti, gang violence has disrupted medical supply chains, while attacks on healthcare workers inĀ MyanmarĀ andĀ SyriaĀ violate international law.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS).
Grassroots Impact: Voices from the Field
InĀ New York, volunteerĀ Maria GonzalezĀ shared her experience deploying toĀ Puerto RicoĀ after Hurricane Fiona.
āRebuilding homes isnāt just physicalāitās restoring hope,ā she said. Similarly,Ā Ahmed Al-Mansoori, aĀ Emirates Red CrescentĀ worker, described delivering food to famine-stricken villages inĀ Somalia:
āEvery smile reminds us why we serve.ā Local chapters also launched blood drives and first-aid workshops, reinforcing community resilience.
Calls for Solidarity and Support
U.N. Secretary-GeneralĀ AntĆ³nio GuterresĀ urged governments to āprotect humanitarian spacesā amid rising geopolitical tensions. TheĀ American Red CrossĀ echoed this, advocating for increased donations and policy reforms to streamline crisis responses. Digital campaigns like #HumanitarianHeroes amplified volunteer stories, while partnerships with tech firms improved disaster mapping inĀ PhilippinesĀ andĀ Chile.
#HumanitarianHeroes #RedCrossDay
Tags: International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, volunteerism, global health
Support your localĀ Red CrossĀ orĀ Red CrescentĀ chapter by donating, volunteering, or advocating for humanitarian policies.
Social Media
X (Twitter): Global Communities Honor Humanitarian Efforts on World Red Cross & Red Crescent Day. #HumanitarianHeroes #RedCrossDay. Learn more: bit.ly/RedCrossDay2024
Bluesky: Today, we recognize the millions aiding crises worldwide. Global Communities Honor Humanitarian Efforts on World Red Cross & Red Crescent Day. #RedCrossDay #HumanitarianWork. Dive into their stories: bit.ly/RedCrossDay2024
LinkedIn: World Red Cross & Red Crescent Day 2024 underscores the societal impact of humanitarian workers in conflict and climate crises. With 16 million volunteers globally, their neutrality saves lives amid funding and logistical challenges. Professionals can support through partnerships or advocacy. #HumanitarianAid #Leadership. Full story: www.stewardshipreport.org/world-red-cross-day-2024
Truth Social: Global Communities Honor Humanitarian Efforts on World Red Cross & Red Crescent Day. Recognizing volunteers in crisis zones worldwide. #RedCrossDay. Details: bit.ly/RedCrossDay2024
Mastodon: This World Red Cross & Red Crescent Day, meet the volunteers bridging hope in disaster-stricken regions. Their stories highlight resilience and community solidarity. #HumanitarianHeroes. Explore more: bit.ly/RedCrossDay2024
Instagram: 👏 Today, we celebrate the heroes behind the emblems. Swipe to see how Red Cross volunteers are changing lives globally. 🌍❤️ #HumanitarianHeroes #RedCrossDay #VolunteerLife Link in bio for full story ➡️
Facebook: From conflict zones to climate disasters, millions of Red Cross volunteers work tirelessly to save lives. This World Red Cross & Red Crescent Day, learn how you can support their mission. #HumanitarianHeroes #RedCrossDay. Full article: www.stewardshipreport.org/world-red-cross-day-2024
Reddit: How can global communities better address the challenges faced by humanitarian workers? Explore the impact of World Red Cross & Red Crescent Day 2024 and join the discussion. #RedCrossDay. Link: bit.ly/RedCrossDay2024
The author finds a newfound appreciation for the symbiotic relationship between humans and animals, and the boundless possibilities that arise when tradition meets innovation.
Bihar, India. Retirement often leads individuals down unexpected paths, and for one engineer and owner of private colleges, it meant venturing into the world of dairy farming with a unique twist.
Sri Radha Krishna Vaidic GoshalaFarm, nestled in the countryside of Bihar, a herd of 150-plus Gyr cattle whose milk, urine, and dung are all transformed into health supplements.
Bihar lies in the river plains of the basin of the river Ganges. As a result, its land contains fertile alluvial soil and groundwater resources. This makes the agriculture of Bihar rich and diverse.
The author with Brajendra Choubay, owner of the amazing Sri Radha Krishna Vaidic GoshalaFarm.
During my recent visit to Sri Radha Krishna Vaidic GoshalaFarm, I was welcomed with warm hospitality and treated to liquid supplements made from calf urine, setting the tone for an eye-opening tour of the facility.
Before delving into the barn, I had the opportunity to sample the raw ingredients of an herbal supplement, highlighting the farm’s commitment to holistic health practices. This included tamarind and sesame.
Originating from the Gyr Hills of Gujarat, Gyr cattle are renowned for their hardiness and tolerance to tropical conditions, making them ideal for the farm‘s unique endeavor. These cattle are considered to be the first in the world and each cow at Sri Radha Krishna Vaidic GoshalaFarm is meticulously cared for, with their pedigree and astronomical birth chart meticulously documented bythe owner, Brajendra Choubay.
Gyr bulls are used on all kinds of soil to pull heavy loads. In general, they are very gentle and polite, and love to be with people. The Gyr cattle are very gregarious and form a very close circle at night with their calves sleeping under their heads.
Gyr cattle have an average lifespan is around 12-15 years. And during their lifetime, a cow develops 10-12 calves. On average, Gyr bulls weigh 1400 pounds and stand over six feet tall. They have long ears and tails with large horns bent back. They have a high hump reminiscent of buffalo that differs from other cow breeds. Gyr cows fall into either dairy (exclusive for milk) or dual (milk-and-work-keeping) category. The cattle of Sri Radha Krishna Vaidic GoshalaFarm are solely used for dairy production.
In Ayurveda, Gyr cow‘s milk, ghee, curd, urine and dung together is known as āPanchgavya.ā Ayurveda is an alternative medicine system with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. It is heavily practiced in India and Nepal, where around 80% of the population report using ayurveda. Panchgavya is said to be very useful to fight and cure many human and animal diseases.
Of course, cow dung acts as a natural fertilizer and used as raw manure. Regular consumption of cow urine is thought to destroy the cancer virus. Many Indians swear that Gyr urine helps purify the body and keep the mind calm.
Farmer Choubayās cows are normally milked at 3:30 in the morning as sacred Hindi music waft over the barn sound system. In New York we have a dozen Shih Tzu who listen to classical music, so I felt right at home.
The dairy’s cows produce a much more expensive milk that ordinary cows, as well as ghee (a cross between grease and butter), in addition to dung and urine.
A specialty of this dairy farm is warm baths made with milk, urine and dried dung. There is no odor and this mud-bath-like process is surprisingly relaxing.
As I navigated the stalls, feeding the cattle mulched sugar cane and witnessing the diligent efforts of the barn hands in managing cow dung, I gained insight into the intricate workings of the farm.
From milking a nursing mama cow to experiencing the rejuvenating effects of warm baths made with cow products, every aspect of the farm left a lasting impression. The milking process was extremely intimate and I did not feel like I knew the mother well enough to violate her privacy with her son standing by, but i gave an embarrassed college try.
After carefully washing my hands, we sat down for more tea and then were offered calf urine and honey eye drops which stung but I swear my vision was sharper afterward.
One of the farm’s specialties lies in harnessing the power of cow dung, which is utilized in a variety of applications, including biogasproduction and earthworm mulch. Additionally, the farm produces high-quality milk and ghee, contributing to its reputation for premium dairy products.
Perhaps the most intriguing experience was testing the strength-enhancing properties of dry dung, a testament to the farm’s innovative approach to holistic wellness.
As I marveled at the transformation of cow products into health supplements, I couldn’t help but appreciate the harmonious blend of tradition and innovation that defines Sri Radha Krishna Vaidic GoshalaFarm,‘s ethos.
In a world where health and wellness are paramount, Sri Radha Krishna Vaidic GoshalaFarm, stands out as a beacon of ingenuity, showcasing the transformative potential of nature’s bounty in promoting holistic well-being.
As I bid farewell to the serene countryside of Bihar, I left with a newfound appreciation for the symbiotic relationship between humans and animals, and the boundless possibilities that arise when tradition meets innovation.
To visit Sri Radha Krishna Vaidic GoshalaFarm, contact Mr. Brajendra Choubay directly by mobile at 91-9946-7600.
From the civil rights movement to the fight against apartheid, from anti-war protests to environmental activism, students have consistently stood at the forefront of movements for social justice, driving progress and challenging the status quo.
New York, N.Y. Over the past century, students have emerged as the driving force behind numerous social revolutions, catalyzing change, and shaping the course of history. Students have been the catalysts for change, igniting movements that have reshaped societies and advanced the cause of justice around the world.
The Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights movement in the U.S. during the 1950s and 1960s stands as one of the most significant social revolutions in modern history. At its core were young students, inspired by leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and fueled by a desire to end racial segregation and discrimination. The pivotal moment came with the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, sparked by the arrest of Rosa Parks, a black woman who refused to give up her seat to a white passenger. Students, including many from historically black colleges and universities, organized protests, sit-ins, and marches, demanding an end to segregation and the enforcement of civil rights legislation.
The student-led sit-ins at Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1960, spread like wildfire across the South, galvanizing support for the civil rights movement and putting pressure on businesses to desegregate. The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), comprised mainly of young activists, played a key role in organizing these protests and mobilizing students across the country. Their dedication and determination helped to dismantle Jim Crow laws and pave the way for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which transformed American society and expanded civil rights for all citizens.
Anti-War Protests
During the Vietnam War era, students once again took to the streets to protest against government policies and military intervention. Fueled by opposition to the draft and the horrors of war, young people across the United States mobilized in unprecedented numbers, staging massive demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience. The student-led protest movement reached its peak in 1970 with the Kent State shootings, where four students were killed by National Guard troops during a peaceful protest against the war.
The images of student protesters facing off against armed forces shocked the nation and galvanized public opinion against the war. Students played a crucial role in turning the tide of public opinion, pressuring policymakers to end the conflict and bring American troops home. Their activism helped to shape a generation’s perspective on war and peace, and their legacy continues to influence political discourse and activism to this day.
Anti-Apartheid Movement
In South Africa, students were at the forefront of the struggle against apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination. The Soweto Uprising of 1976, led by black students protesting against the imposition of Afrikaans as the language of instruction in schools, marked a turning point in the anti-apartheid movement. The brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters by the apartheid regime sparked international outrage and led to widespread condemnation of South Africa’s racist policies.
Students played a central role in organizing boycotts, strikes, and protests, both domestically and internationally, putting pressure on the apartheid government and its supporters to dismantle the system of racial oppression. The global divestment campaign, led by students on college campuses around the world, played a significant role in isolating the South African regime and hastening its downfall. In 1994, South Africa held its first democratic elections, and Nelson Mandela, a former political prisoner and leader of the African National Congress, became the country’s first black president, marking the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era of freedom and equality.
Environmental Activism
In recent years, students have once again emerged as leaders in the fight for environmental justice and sustainability. The youth-led climate strikes, inspired by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, have mobilized millions of students around the world, demanding urgent action to address the climate crisis. From organizing school walkouts to participating in international climate summits, students have been at the forefront of the movement, calling attention to the existential threat posed by climate change and demanding bold solutions from world leaders.
The youth-led Sunrise Movement in the United States has been instrumental in pushing for ambitious climate policies like the Green New Deal, which seeks to transition to renewable energy and create millions of jobs in the process. Students have also been at the forefront of campaigns to divest from fossil fuels and hold corporations and governments accountable for their role in exacerbating the climate crisis. Their activism has helped to elevate the issue of climate change to the top of the political agenda and galvanized support for bold action to address this urgent threat to humanity’s future.
Throughout history, students have been the driving force behind some of the most significant social revolutions of our time, challenging injustice, and oppression and demanding a more just and equitable world. From the civil rights movement to the fight against apartheid, from anti-war protests to environmental activism, students have consistently demonstrated courage, resilience, and determination in the face of adversity. Their legacy serves as a reminder of the power of collective action and the enduring importance of youth engagement in the pursuit of social justice and equality. As we look to the future, it is clear that students will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the course of history and advancing the cause of justice for generations to come.
Let us be clear: anti-Semitism, in any form, is abhorrent and must be unequivocally condemned. However, conflating legitimate criticism of Israel’s policies with anti-Semitism not only muddles the discourse but also serves to shield the Israeli government from scrutiny and accountability for its actions. The suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza cannot be dismissed or silenced under the guise of combating anti-Semitism.
New York, N.Y. In the wake of the recent Gaza crisis, the world once again finds itself grappling with the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As casualties mount and the devastation deepens, a crucial debate emerges: Is criticism of Israel’s actions tantamount to anti-Semitism? The answer must be a resounding no. Criticizing Israel’s invasion and overreaction in Gaza is not an attack on Jewish identity; it is a moral imperative, a call against genocide, and a demand for accountability.
The statistics speak volumes: over 30,000 women and children dead, and another 70,000 maimed. These are not mere numbers; they are human lives, families torn apart, futures shattered. To remain silent in the face of such atrocities is to be complicit in the perpetuation of violence and injustice. Criticism of Israel’s disproportionate use of force and disregard for civilian lives is not an attack on Judaism or Jewish people; it is a defense of universal human rights and a plea for justice.
Moreover, framing legitimate criticism of Israel as anti-Semitism undermines the struggle against genuine instances of anti-Jewish hatred. By conflating the two, we risk diluting the severity of actual anti-Semitic acts and detracting from efforts to combat them effectively. We must reject this false dichotomy and recognize that it is possible to support the Jewish people while also holding the Israeli government accountable for its actions.
The notion that criticizing Israel’s policies equates to anti-Semitism is not only intellectually dishonest but also morally bankrupt. It erases the voices of Palestinians who have been subjected to decades of occupation, discrimination, and violence. It silences dissent and perpetuates a narrative of impunity for Israeli authorities. It is a disservice to all those who yearn for peace, justice, and equality in the region.
To criticize Israel’s actions in Gaza is not to delegitimize the state or its right to exist; it is to demand that it uphold the values of democracy, human rights, and international law. It is to stand in solidarity with the countless Palestinians who have suffered and continue to suffer under occupation and siege. It is to acknowledge the humanity and dignity of all people, regardless of their ethnicity or religion.
As we bear witness to the horrors unfolding in Gaza, let us not be swayed by attempts to stifle dissent or silence criticism. Let us recognize that holding Israel accountable for its actions is not only necessary but also a moral imperative. Let us stand together in condemning violence, promoting dialogue, and working towards a just and lasting peace for all peoples in the region. Criticism of Israel is not anti-Semitism; it is a call for humanity, empathy, and justice in the face of injustice and suffering.
TAGS: Anti-Jewish hatred, Anti-Semitism, Call Against Genocide, Call for empathy, Call for humanity, Call for justice, Combating anti-Semitism, Condemn violence, Criticism of Israel, Criticizing Israel invasion, Demand for accountability, Development, Disaster, Discrimination, Disproportionate use of force, Disregard for civilian lives, Equality, Ethnicity, Gaza Crisis, Holding Israel accountable, Horrors unfolding in Gaza, Humanity and dignity of all people, Injustice, Intellectually dishonest, Israeli actions in Gaza, Israeli government, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Jewish identity, Jewish people, Justice, Mideast, Moral imperative, Morally bankrupt, New York City, Not Anti-Semitism, Occupation, Overreaction in Gaza, Palestinians who suffer under occupation, Peace, Perpetuates narrative of impunity for Israel, Plea for justice, Promoting dialogue, Religion, Silences dissent, Stand in solidarity with Palestine, Suffering, Suffering in Gaza, Suffering of Palestinian people, Theology, Universal human rights, Uphold value of democracy, Uphold value of human rights, Uphold value of international law, Viewpoint, Violence, Voices of Palestinians, Work towards lasting peace
Save the Children has been providing support to Palestinian children in Gaza since 1953, and has had a permanent presence in the occupied Palestinian territory since 1973. As of April 5, 2024, Save the Children and its partners have reached almost 338,000 people, including 174,000 children.
New York, N.Y. Save The Children, the worldās leading NGO dealing with childhood, announced today their campaign, “”Stop Sending Arms.” Save the Children states, “Today the world sends a clear message toĀ #StopSendingArmsĀ to protect civilians amid a humanitarian catastrophe inĀ #Gaza.”
The organization asks, “How many more innocent lives need to be lost before world leaders take action and agree on a definitiveĀ #CeasefireNOW?”
Transforming the way emergency care is delivered, putting world-class health professionals to work for children in crisis anywhere in the world within 72 hours.
Workong in the United States, helping more children get ready for kindergarten than any other nonprofit and as the national leader in protecting children in emergencies.
Living with partners from the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, I have been immersed in cultural practices that ranged from cooking traditional dishes to participating in community festivals.
New York, N.Y. Living in a diverse community, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month has always held a special place in my heart.
Every May, it feels like the world pauses to acknowledge and celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures that Asian Pacific Americans contribute to our society.
This month is not just about reflecting on the past; itās about recognizing the present and inspiring the future.
It’s a time when our friends and family honor their roots, embrace their identity, and share their stories.
My journey begins with my blended family, a blend of traditions and modernity.
Living with partners from the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, I have been immersed in cultural practices that ranged from cooking traditional dishes to participating in community festivals. These experiences were my first lessons in understanding the importance of heritage and identity.
This year, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month feels particularly poignant.
In light of recent events and the growing awareness of the contributions and challenges faced by Asian Pacific Americans, there is a renewed sense of unity and purpose. The celebrations in my community have taken on a deeper significance, serving as both a reminder of our history and a beacon of hope for the future.
One of the highlights of the month is the annual heritage festival, a vibrant event that showcases the diversity of Asian Pacific cultures. From traditional dances and music performances to food stalls offering a taste of home, the festival is a sensory feast.
This year, I volunteered to help organize the event, hoping to give back to the community that has given me so much. Working alongside others who share a common goal of promoting and preserving our heritage has been incredibly rewarding.
The festival day arrives with the smell of incense and the sound of drums filling the air. The stage is set for performances ranging from the graceful movements of Filipino tinikling dancers to the powerful beats of Japanese taiko drummers.
Each performance is a testament to the rich cultural heritage that we celebrate this month. I find myself lost in the rhythms and colors, each moment a reminder of the beauty and diversity of our collective heritage.
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month image created by Johnsen Del Rosario.
But the festival is more than just entertainment; itās an educational experience.
Workshops on traditional crafts, language classes, and historical exhibits offer a deeper understanding of the various cultures within the Asian Pacific American community.
I attend a calligraphy workshop, where an elderly Chinese artist patiently teaches us the art of brush strokes. As I struggle to replicate his elegant characters, I realize that this practice is not just about writing; itās about connecting with a centuries-old tradition.
Another significant aspect of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is the recognition of contributions made by individuals in our community. From scientists and artists to activists and entrepreneurs, the achievements of Asian Pacific Americans are vast and varied.
This month, our local library hosted a series of talks featuring notable figures who shared their journeys and insights. Listening to their stories, I felt a deep sense of pride and motivation. Their successes remind us that while our heritage is rooted in the past, our contributions shape the future.
Social media also plays a crucial role in the celebration.
Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook are flooded with posts celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Hashtags like #APAHM and #HeritageCelebration connect people across the country, fostering a sense of community and solidarity.
I join in, sharing photos from the festival, stories of my grandparents, and reflections on what this month means to me. Each post is a small but meaningful contribution to the larger narrative of our heritage.
As the month draws to a close, I reflect on the celebrations, the stories shared, and the lessons learned. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is a time of celebration, but it is also a call to action. It reminds us to honor roots, embrace identity, and continue to fight for recognition and equality.
It is a celebration of diversity and a reaffirmation of the place of Asian Americans in the broader American tapestry.
In the end, celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month from my perspective is about more than just honoring the heritage of my friends and family; itās about celebrating the resilience, contributions, and vibrant cultures that make up the Asian American community. Itās a reminder that stories are powerful, voices are important, and heritage is something to be cherished and celebrated every day.
The organization asks, “How many more innocent lives need to be lost before world leaders take action and agree on a definitiveĀ 
