Lawyers protest bombings

Judicial work came to a standstill with lawyers in Uttar Pradesh, who appear to be the targets of the serial blasts, struck work today.

Courts in Lucknow, Faizabad and Varanasi, as well as other places have been affected.

Lawyers moved about in groups in the court compounds and raised slogans against terrorism. The government has tightened security arrangements in the courts throughout the state after the terror blasts.

On Friday, 13 people, including at least five lawyers, were killed and many more injured in the explosions that took place inside the premises of the courts.

The lawyers are observing 'Shok Divas' or day of mourning. Security is tight in Lucknow and other parts of the state in view of the strike.

A five-member committee, including two retired judges, has been set up to suggest ways and means for improving security in the courts.

Lawyers in at least six other states have joined the strike, these include Karnataka, Bihar and Himachal Pradesh.

On their part, Delhi lawyers have decided to strike against the UP serial blasts tomorrow.

Polio, Rotary and India in the news

Rotary and Gates Foundation donate $200 million to eradicate polio
By MARIA CHENG
AP Medical Writer

LONDON — The global campaign to wipe out polio is getting a $200 million donation from Rotary International and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, at a time when some worry the effort will fail in the final stages.

Monday's announcement by both organizations came after nearly two decades of work against polio, an infectious disease that can paralyze and sometimes kill.

"This investment is precisely the catalyst we need as we intensify the push to finish polio," Dr. Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization, said in a statement.

Though polio incidence has been slashed by more than 99 percent worldwide since the eradication effort began in 1988, the virus remains entrenched in Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan.

Two deadlines to eliminate polio have been missed: 2000 and 2005. More than $5 billion has been poured into the effort, and some experts worry that unless the job is finished soon, the world community's money and patience may run out.

"They're on a heroic task, but money is not the only problem," said Dr. Donald A. Henderson, who headed WHO's smallpox successful eradication campaign. "We've got to soldier on. We need more money. Look at all we've accomplished. But how do we get to the endpoint?"

Henderson and other experts worry that major obstacles to vaccinating children will be harder to overcome than filling a funding gap.

In countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia and Congo, where there are armed conflicts and weak health services, it has been extremely difficult to reach the high vaccination levels needed to wipe out polio. And in India, the vaccine is less effective, due to poor sanitation and the fact that children are often infected with intestinal viruses.

Experts are also concerned about the use of the oral vaccine, which contains live polio virus. In rare instances, the virus can mutate into a dangerous form capable of causing the disease.

The donation from Rotary International and the Gates Foundation, to be paid over three years, will largely go to immunization campaigns, surveillance and public education.

"This amount of money can make quite a big difference," said Nicholas Grassly, of Imperial College, London, who advises WHO on polio issues. "We can build on the gains that have been made this year."

WHO reports significant progress against polio in India and Nigeria, where 85 percent of the world's polio cases occur. Last year at this time, Nigeria had 958 polio cases. This year, only 226 were reported.

Still, the $200 million falls short of the $650 million that WHO says will be needed by 2009. Eradicating polio will ultimately cost $1 billion more, said Dr. David Heymann, WHO's top polio official.

Beneath a Marble Sky

I'm reading this wonderful book, a work of fiction by John Shors called "Beneath A Marble Sky." Its a tale, a love story actually (don't gush girls), about the construction of the Taj Mahal in Agra. I am fortunate that the people who will be hosting our travel group have arranged a visit here. I'm certain it would be an incredible experience in any context, but after reading this seemingly accurate depiction of the thought and labor behind the construction, the visit is sure to be a mesmerizing experience never to be forgotten. Here's an excerpt and a photo of the architectural wonder:

Sunrise over the Yamuna River has often prompted me to think of Paradise. From the broad shoulders of the waterway I have cherished the sights before me as I might the face of my lover. This morning's views are as inspiring as ever, especially after having been away in hiding for so long. To my right sprawls the magnificent Red Fort. Opposite, awash in the sun's blood, stands the Taj Mahal, neither soaring as a falcon might, nor cresting like the sea. Rather, the mausoleum arches upward, strong and noble, a gateway to the heavens. Knowing that the Taj Mahal was built for my mother is among my greatest joys, and my most profound sorrows.

Today, I am not alone. My guardian, Nizam, patiently rows our boat across the Yamuna. Behind our craft's bow sit my granddaughters, Gulbadan and Rurayya. No longer girls, each is a wondrous incarnation of my daughter. Looking at them, I think that time has moved too swiftly, that just yesterday I was stroking the soles of their diminutive, untested feet. My love for my granddaughters is even stronger now than it was then. When I see them I feel as if I'm moving forward into places harboring no regrets, no memories reminding me of my scars, those thick welts upon my mind and body.

Humble beginnings

This is a site dedicated to the pending month-long trip to north india, uttar pradesh, during which i will be traveling with with a business exchange group sponsored by rotary international. We will give presentations about who we are, where we live and how we live. We will meet with professionals in our respective fields -- journalism, music, justice and fashion design. We will visit Delhi, Varanasi, Allahabad and some other wildly interesting places, which escape my infant-like recollection of them. I've been studying with the group, and doing some reading and research (meaning youtube) and will share some of that here, as a matter of practice, before my trip. But when I hit the ground, watch out!