The "Occupy Movement" in Canada

"Occupy Wall Street" cartoon

Cartoon courtesy: National Post (Toronto: Oct. 4, 2011)

The wind of the Arab Spring, that started early this year and still going on, is now blowing all over the world – in the East, West, North and South. Thanks to the social media like cellphones, computers, Facebook, Twitter and the like. 

The Arab Spring inspired another movement in the West, first in New York City, called “Occupy Wall Street.” The Wall Street occupiers are common people who have been protesting against the corporate greed, socio-economic injustices, an ever-increasing rich-poor divide, and politico-economic influence peddling. Now many other U.S. cities are following New York’s example. This “occupy movement” is going on in other countries like Britain, Belgium, France, Italy, Canada, Japan, Taiwan and others. The CBC report says that 1,500 cities in the world have its "occupy rallies."

The “Occupy Movement” in Toronto, Canada

Within Canada, the city of Toronto experienced its “Occupy Toronto” yesterday. More than two thousand people participated in it with slogans and speeches carrying placards and banners that, among others, said: “Stop the Hydro Plant,” “Stop the Mega Quarry,” “Stop Ignoring the Youth, We Are Your Tomorrow,” “Don’t Judge Us, Join Us,” “I am the child and I am the mother against the corporate greed.” One placard was interesting; it said on one side: “1989 The Wall Came Down,” – meaning the Berlin Wall, a powerful symbol of communism in Europe. The other side of the same placard said: “Karl Marx Was Wrong.” Fourteen other cities in Canada saw its own version of the "occupy movement."

The gathering of the “occupiers” started on the King and Bay Streets. Later they marched to St. James Park, near St. James Cathedral of the Anglican Church, on the King and Adelaide Streets. The marchers were about two hundred in the beginning, later they swelled to more than two thousand who symbolically occupied St. James Park. Their occupation will continue for days to come. 

Politicians, Businessmen, Industrialists Need to Heed to “Occupy Movement”

We see in the history that disgruntlement, if left alone, creates movements that can be fatal to the country and society. The industrial revolution in Europe in the 17^th and 18^th centuries had brought about an unprecedented impetus and wealth to industries and businesses but, at the same time, it created disgruntlement among the poor, marginalized, and low-paid labourers. Since the capitalism did not pay any heed to these people’s plight, the communism rode high on the shoulders of this disgruntlement and came to create havoc in societies – resulting in death and suffering of millions of people. 

Disgruntlement also caused insurgencies and wars in some societies. The latest example, among others, is the present situation in Libya.

The “occupy movement” may look like a little irritation only, but, if we think deeply, we will see that many of these people are not dumb but thinking people. They are working like a conscience, a kind of weather vane, drawing attention to the real problems in the society and country. 

If these legitimate demands are totally ignored, if these are put under the rug, we do not know what “ism” may rise in future creating more havoc in the societies. 

The Quotation of the Week (October 16-22, 2011)

A lily flower in a family garden

Photo (Toronto: July 4, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

Bangla (Bengali) Calligraphy: WE DEMAND AN EXPLANATION

_

The writing in the middle says "Bekkhya chai" -- meaning
"we demand an explanation." This is a common demand
in Bangladesh when someone in the government or otherwise
does or says something contrary to people's wishes or liking.

Calligraphy (Dhaka: February 7, 1991) © Jerome D'Costa

The Quotation of the Week (October 9 - 15, 2011)

A cement wall in Toronto

Photo (Toronto: December 31, 2010) © Jerome D'Costa

Computer Innovator and Visionary Steve Jobs Dies

_

Steve Jobs, the Apple, Inc., co-founder and CEO

Stephen Paul Jobs, popularly known as Steve Jobs, the co-founder and recently-retired CEO of the Apple, Inc., died on October 5 near San Francisco, California, of a rare pancreatic cancer first diagnosed in 1984. He was only 56 years old.

U.S. President Barack Obama in a message of tribute to this computer technology innovator and visionary said: “Steve was among the greatest of American innovators – brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.”

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said: “The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come. For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it’s been insanely great honour.”

Steve Jobs’ biological parents were Abdulfattah “John” Jandali, a Syrian Muslim immigrant and Joanne Shieble (later Simpson), an American. They were studying in the university when Steve Jobs was born in San Francisco out of wedlock on February 24, 1955.

This newborn child was immediately given up for adoption to Paul and Clara Jobs. The adoptive parents named the child ‘Stephen Paul Jobs.’

Steve Jobs graduated from Homestead High School in Cupertino, California, and joined Reed College in Portland, Oregon, in 1972. He found the classes boring and after a semester dropped out of the college never to return to any formal education. 

In 1996, with his friend Steve Wozniak, he started the Apple Computer Company. Their first venture Apple I computer was not successful. Their second venture, Apple II computer, in 1984, was successful because it was small in size and appropriate for home use. Before this, computers were quite large and heavy and were mainly used by professionals – business organizations and scientific and educational institutions.

The Apple III computer (1980) and Lisa computer (1983) were not well received in the market. Moreover, the company faced competition with IBM’s personal computers (PCs) and was losing money with its new models of computers. 

In 1998, the Apple marketed its elegantly designed iMac computers which were popular with customers. Gradually the company was turning around and making more money.

In 2001, this company introduced its ipod, an ultra-light and easily portable music player, that became extremely popular with the young people. 

In 2007, with the introduction of iPhone, a revolution came in cell phone system with multiple task possibility. 

In 2010, the Apple introduced iPad tablet computer that took the company to a new level.

Behind all these innovations, was the dynamic spirit of Steve Jobs. 

The following quotation taken from Steve Jobs’ commencement address to the graduating students of Standford University, California on June 12, 2005 is worth noting: “Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Bandura Holy Cross High School to Observe Its Centenary

_

 Former students of Bandura Holy Cross High School 
meet in Toronto on Sept. 25, 2011

with Mr. Akkas Uddin Mollah (seated, 3rd from left) and

Brother Prodip L. Rozario, CSC, ( seated, 4th from left)

(To view the enlarged version, click on the photo above)

Photo (Toronto: Sept. 25, 2011) by Mary D'Costa

Bandura Holy Cross High School, in the district of Dhaka, Bangladesh, is going to observe its 100^th year in coming January. The three-day celebration will be held on January 12-14 with about 4,000 participants, including present students and alumni of the school. 

Brother Chandon Benedict Gomes, C.S.C., headmaster and convenor of the Centenary Committee of the high school, in a letter to the alumni mentioned that he sent Brother Prodip L. Rozario, C.S.C. – former headmaster of the school and a member of the centenary finance committee – and Mr. Akkas Uddin Mollah --  a Dhaka businessman and convenor of the same finance committee – on a tour of France, England, Toronto (Canada), Maryland (USA) and New York (USA). These two representatives met with a number of former students of the school in these places and invited them to participate in the celebration of the centenary and sought their financial cooperation. 

On Sunday, September 25, under the chairmanship of Dr. David Henry Mazumdar, there was a gathering of more than two dozen Bandura high school alumni in Toronto. Participants gave a positive response to the high school’s invitation. Some of the alumni even formed an instant committee, to be headed by Mr.  Shekhar E. Gomes, to observe the centenary of the school in a small way in Toronto with an entertainment programme aiming at generating some funds.

The present headmaster also mentioned in his letter that the school has a plan to build in its premises an auditorium-cum-library and a computer lab costing about US$250,000. Funds would be required for this purpose, too.  

To know more about the centenary programme and for financial donation inquiries, one may email the headmaster at banduraholycrosshighschool@gmail.com and visit the school website: http://www.banduraholycross.com/

A Short Background of Bandura Holy Cross High School

The village of Bandura had a Catholic church since 1845. Three times cyclonic storms razed the church to the ground. For the fourth time the church was rebuilt in early 1898.

In 1909, the management board of Gobindapur High School proposed to Rt. Rev.  Peter Joseph Hurth, C.S.C., Bishop of the Diocese of Dhaka, to take over the school and run it under some conditions. Two of the conditions were: the school  could not be relocated elsewhere and its name could not be changed. The bishop left the diocese for his home country without any action on the petition. His successor Bishop Frederick Linneborn, C.S.C., visited the school in April of 1910 and placed his own conditions, some of which were: the school would be relocated, its name would be ‘Holy Cross Bandura-Gobindapur High School,’ and full governing power and ownership of the school should be vested upon the Bishop. After further negotiations the bishop won his case. 

First the church at Bandura was closed and relocated to Golla, a few miles from Bandura. Holy Cross Bandura-Gobindapur High School debuted on January 8, 1912 inside the church building at Bandura. Classes two through seven started with a total of 157 boys under the headmastership of Father John J. Hennessy, C.S.C.  Later classes were expanded to grade 10 and name of the school was changed to ‘Bandura Holy Cross High School.’ In 2011, this high school, from classes six to ten, has 1,550 students and 40 teachers. 

Bandura Holy Cross High School has been well-known for its educational, literary, cultural and sports achievements. When Brother Prodip L. Rozario, C.S.C., was the headmaster, this school received the national “best school award” in 2001 from the government of Bangladesh. 

_

Pigeons at a leisure in College Park

Photo (Toronto: November 4, 2010) © Jerome D'Costa