In the News
| Privacy concerns of Brazil and Mexico over data spying by U.S. Edward Snowden’s revelations have given rise to criticism of the governments of many countries. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff expressed her concerns over individual and state privacy in her recent speech to the U.N. General Assembly saying, “In the absence of the right to privacy, there can be no true freedom of expression and opinion, and therefore no effective democracy. In the absence of the respect for sovereignty, there is no basis for the relationship among Nations.” On the other hand, non-governmental organisations are urging the United Nations Human Rights Council to demand explanations from the Mexican state for the weak protection it provided its citizens from large-scale spying by the United States. In March, Privacy International (PI), a UK-based registered charity that defends and promotes the right to privacy across the world, presented the report “The Right to Privacy in Mexico”, warning of the risks of government meddling in this country’s electronic communications. Source: IPS, Slate |
 |
Is communication via Blackberry a promise of security anymore?
Indian government will soon begin lawful interception of Blackberry services which include BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) and BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) email. BlackBerry had set up the server in April 2012 to let law enforcement agencies in India access data. Official sources said that a lawful interception company may also be engaged for ensuring a solution for location-based servers (LBS), which give real-time position of caller. But the government appears to have dropped its demand for accessing BlackBerry's corporate e-mail service rendered through the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. Before India, countries like RSA and UAE have already set up interception servers and many other countries are in the process of exploring the feasibility and implementation of the same. Source: BusinessToday |
| Developments like these and the prevailing sense of being in a highly unsecured and monitored environment, calls for the development and implementation of a secure communication means preserving individual, diplomatic and political right to privacy. | ||
Festivals
Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami, Dasara, or Dashain) is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. Many people of the Hindu faith observe Dussehra through special prayer meetings and food offerings to the Gods at home or in temples throughout India. They also hold outdoor fairs and large parades with effigies of Ravana (a mythical king of ancient Sri Lanka). The effigies are burnt on bonfires in the evening. Many Hindus also believe that it is lucky to start a new venture, project or journey on Dussehra.
Bakr-Id/Eid-ul-Adha (October 16, 2013)Id-ul-Zuha (Bakr-Id), which is also known as Eid al-Adha or Id-ul-Adha, is a festival that many Muslims celebrate with special prayers, greetings and gifts. Id-ul-Zuha is a festival that is celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety in India and the world. Many Muslims wear new clothes and attend an open-air prayer meeting during Id-ul-Zuha.
Diwali (November 2-3, 2013)The time of Diwali is one of the most festive and beautiful times of the year. Diwali literally means a "Row of Lights." It is a time filled with light and love; a time when Indians all over the world rejoice. Diwali celebrates Lord Rama's glorious and long-awaited return to his Kingdom of Ayodhya after his fourteen long years of exile in the forests. It is the holy time in which we offer our prayers to Goddess Maha Lakshmi and we worship Her with piety and devotion. Maha Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, bestowing these abundantly upon her devotees.
