A number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have flayed the stance of the Indian Government on the Tibetan issue.At a press conference held here today, about 25 intellectuals and representatives of various NGOs, some of whom were faculty members of IITs and IIMs, said they condemned the statement made by minister of external affairs Pranab Mukherjee calling upon the Dalai Lama not to indulge in political activity.Pawan Kumar Gupta from Mussoorie said, “The views expressed by the minister do not represent the opinion of all Indians. Tibetans and the Dalai Lama have lived in forced exile in India for over 50 years. Our government’s decision to deny them the right to non-violent political activity amounts to violation of basic human rights.”Chittaranjan Kaul from Bangalore said citizens of India were with Tibetans in their cause. “The Tibetans are demanding autonomous region in China and right to protect their way of living. The Indian government is not representing the majority sentiment prevailing among its citizens on the issue. It is just displaying cowardice by bowing to the diktats from the Chinese government,” he added.Representatives of NGOs called for a nationwide dialogue to determine whether the Olympic torch should pass through India. They called upon those chosen to carry the torch to keep the repression being let loose by the Chinese government in mind.When asked if the NGOs or intellectuals would protest the carrying of Olympic torch through India, they said they had not chalked out any such programme so far.
--The vigilance sleuths have confiscated typewriters, logbook and vehicle of former chairman B.R. Rahi and other material from the office of Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBSE).The sources available here said the confiscated office material pertained to the case of fake certificate of former minister Singhi Ram’s daughter.The vigilance officials have confiscated the typewriters on the apprehension that they were used in the education board office for preparing the fake certificate of the former minister’s daughter.The sources available here that the register in which the mark sheet in question was noted down has also been confiscated by the vigilance officials. The mark sheet according to entries in register was issued for destruction in the year 2005. However, it was allegedly used for making fake certificate of the former minister’s daughter. The vigilance officials have been camping here for the past few days. During their stay here, they have questioned the board officials and confiscated material related with the case.The sources further said, the board officials had informed the vigilance officials that the topper of 10 plus 2 batch in the year 2005 had scored 414 marks. However, as per the fake certificate of the former minister’s daughter, she scored more marks than the topper.The secretary of the education board admitted that the vigilance officials had confiscated the said material. He, however, refused to divulge further details.While the vigilance is collecting evidence to nail the former chairman of the education board and close confidant of the former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh B. R. Rahi, many local organisations have demanded stringent action in the matter.