Saravanan's Blog

Repro (Article)By Sai SilpMay 28, 2007 Researchers say there may be as many as 200,000 North Korean refugees living illegally in China, Laos and Burma, and many of them are waiting for an opportunity to enter Thailand to seek political asylum. Tomoharu Ebihara, a Japanese lecturer at Payap University in Chiang Mai who is a volunteer with a Tokyo-based aid group, Life Funds for North Korean Refugees, says there is no way to know for certain how many refugees have fled North Korea, but Thailand is a destination of choice, because of its humane treatment of all political refugees. He said that a typical North Korean refugee will live in China for three or four years in order to earn enough money to make the crossing into Thailand. In 2006, about 900 North Koreans were arrested for illegal entry into Thailand and are now in custody. Most entered through Chiang Rai Province or the northeast. Almost all will be sent to South Korea. Thailand is a favorite destination because of its commitmen...

World Book and Copyright Day is being celebrated on 23 April to give due importance to books. It is United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation's (UNESCO) aim to promote reading and copyright laws. But in the Indian context, it seems withering, with the 'pirates' unscrupulously invading the industry by 'dumping' pirated books and siphoning off revenues meant for the original publishers. In connection with the World Book Day, News Today spoke to Gandhi Kannadasan, president of the Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India (BAPASI), on various issues related to books and importance of copyright for writers and publishers. Kannadasan said, 'First of all, for bookworms and any serious readers, every day is Book Day. Books are as good as our father's and mother's, who nurture good values in us with their guidance so also, books which nourish us with good thoughts'. Seeking celebrations for the day, Kannadasan says, 'For...