16-10-2021 The Asian Independent

www.theasianindependent.co.uk
New Delhi : First the Taliban
destroyed the iconic 6th-century
Buddha statues in 2001, triggering outrage
across the globe. But now, with
international recognition nowhere in
sight, the Taliban now say they have
become saviours of Buddhist relics, that
would bring tourists to Bamiyan, the
province that is separated from the rest
of Afghanistan by the famous Salang
pass.
"As an Islamic Emirate’s official in
Bamiyan, I am trying my best to preserve
these priceless and historical monuments
of our province. Local and foreign
tourists can visit Bamiyan’s historical
sites and Buddhas," Mawlawi Saiful-Rahman
Mohammadi, Head of
Bamiyan’s Information and Culture
Directorate told the state-run Ariana
news.
But then, why did the Taliban destroy
the Bamiyan Buddhas in 2001.
Mohammadi justifies the previous
decision saying that they destroyed the
Buddhas based on religious ideology in
2001.
"The Islamic Emirate did not make a
hasty decision at that time [2001], it was
reviewed and researched based on
Islamic laws and then they destroyed
them," he said.
The 2001 destruction in Bamiyan is,
by far, the most spectacular attack
against the historical and cultural heritage
of Afghanistan ever committed
during the recent period of turmoil the
country has passed through-a period
that began with the Communist Coup of
NEWS
April 1978.
Ironically, Mullah Hasan Akhund,
who executed the order of the founder
of the Taliban- Mullah Omar, is now the
Prime Minister of the new Taliban government.
The same man is now promising
to safeguard all ancient heritage of
Afghanistan. During the fight for Kabul,
which ended on August 15, the group
had asked their fighters to "robustly protect,
monitor and preserve" relics, halt
illegal digs, and safeguard "all historic
sites." They have forbidden selling of
artefacts in the art market. Their statement
said: "No one should try to disturb
such sites or think about using them for
profit."
At the crossroads of Chinese, Indian,
and European civilizations, Afghanistan
was once better known for its wealth of
cultural history stretching back 3,000
years. Afghanistan is the destination
from where Buddhism spread to China,
and it is this hallowed ground,
Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Judaism,
and Hinduism flourished, both before
and after the advent of Islam in the 7th
Century AD.
In addition to the Buddhas of
Bamiyan, the entire Bamiyan Valley is
16-10-2021 to 31-10-2021
Once destroyers of Bamiyan Buddhas, brazen Taliban
now want to protect relics in the province
A Proud Moment: Faculty
Dr. Jagbir Singh has been appointed
Professor in Delhi University
It is a proud moment for Dr. Jagbir Singh and his family when he is appointed as
full Professor in University of Delhi. Internationally recognized
expert Prof. Jagbir Singh is teaching Geography
at Swami Shraddhanand College in the Department of
Geography. Previously, he worked as Professor cum
Director on Deputation basis in Haryana Government
(India), University of Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Chair
for Sustainable Development, Sonepat, and Haryana.
Prof. Jagbir Singh has specialization in Disaster
Management; Environment and Sustainable
Development & Spatial Information Technology .Prof.
Singh is the first Indian Research Scientist to complete a
Ph.D. on Ecological and Environmental Threats to the
Great Barrier Reef, Australia. He has also completed his MBA degree in Disaster
Management from IP Govt. University, New Delhi, India. Prof. Jagbir Singh has
completed three months course on Religion, Conflict and Peace from Harvard
University, USA and three months course on Community Based Disaster Risk
Management organized by World Bank. Prof. Jagbir Singh delivered a guest lecture
at Indiana State University, USA in 2012. He presented his paper at the International
Conference, held at Philadelphia, Winder University, USA. His book on Disaster
Management: A Data Analysis Approach was released by Her Excellency, the Head
of UN DRR, and Switzerland.
Prof. Jagbir Singh has convened thirty International Conferences-cum-workshops
and fifty National Conferences and workshops related to Disaster Management,
Environment and Sustainable Development. He has written fifteen research papers
in International and National Journals and ten books including Disaster
Management, Tsunami Disaster, Environment and Development and his new book
on Mass Disasters & Crisis Management Skills is under progress. Prof. Jagbir Singh
has visited USA, Canada, France, Australia, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Russia,
Singapore, Maldives, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Nepal, Fiji,
Bangladesh, and Switzerland. Being a member of International Association of
Hydrological sciences, Canada, Prof. Jagbir Singh contribution into this field is
commendable. Prof. Jagbir Singh is a great philanthropist. He has been engaged with
charitable foundations thereby helping the poor and needy people in India.
-Dr. Rahul Kumar,
Senior Correspondent, the Asian Independent, UK-
Gunshots during
army search
operation in
J&K's Poonch
Jammu : Gunshots were heard
on Thursday during the search and
cordon operation started by the
army in Surankote area of J&K’s
Poonch district, police said. Police
sources said the army started a cordon
and search operation involving
several villages adjacent to Dhera
Ki Gali in Surankote area.
"Gunshots were heard as the
cordon and search operation progressed
in the area", a source said.
Thursday’s operation was started
by the army three days after five
soldiers, including a JCO, were
killed by terrorists in the same area.
Self-studying is a
learning method
where students
direct their own
studying outside the
classroom and without
direct supervision.
Since students
are able to take control
of what and how
they are learning,
self-study can be a
very valuable way
for many students to
learn. Exploring a
topic on his or her
own encourages the
child to actively
engage with the
information. Self-studiers are able to
think about topics more deeply and
make connections between what they
are learning. And when students are
engaged (and excited) about what they
are learning, they re able to remember
it better. Self-study also helps build
study skills your child can use to
explore new topics. Self-study is all
about searching out new information on
a topic that child is interested in.
Seeking out this information themselves
gives students a chance to learn
more about that topic (rather than just
what they are taught in class).
As students do more self-study,
Harpreet Singh Brar
21
laden with ancient archaeological
remains, some of which were stolen by
Taliban fighters in August this year after
the fall of Kabul. The area is also the
heartland of the Hazaras, the Shia
minority persecuted by the Taliban. In
mid-August Taliban fighters blew up a
statue of Abdul Ali Mazari, a Hazara
leader they executed in 1995.
Now back in power, the Taliban are
promising to be a very different kind of
ruling authority. They have posted
guards outside the National Museum in
Kabul. But there are many other museums
throughout the country, as well as
sites such as the Old City of Herat.
While the words are fine, it is the
Taliban’s actions that will count. So far,
the Taliban has not been following
promises it made in Doha that includes
mainly preserving human rights,
women’s rights and education and inclusive
government.
Many Archaeologists and curators
responsible for preserving Afghanistan’s
national heritage have already left the
country. There is fear that the Taliban
government will not allow contemporary
artists to work. The world already
saw what happened in the last few
weeks: they enacted a music ban and
forced art galleries to close. Several
singers and artists have already left the
country. The Taliban has also destroyed
their galleries and their equipment following
their departure.
(The content is being carried under
an arrangement with
indianarrative.com)
The Benefits & Importance
of SELF-STUDY
many become more
confident learners.
They are able to see
themselves as an
independent person
who is able to learn
new things without
anyone helping
them. This can be a
major motivation
boost for students.
Self-study allows
students to take
learning at their own
pace, focusing on
areas they are most
interested in (or
want to understand a
bit better). This
helps reduce feelings of frustration,
anxiety, or boredom that students may
struggle with in a classroom setting.
Curiosity is one of the biggest (and
often overlooked) pieces of motivating
students to learn. When students aren t
engaged with what they are learning,
they absorb less of the information.
They study to memorize rather than
understand. Self-study allows students
to choose something they are interested
in and excited to learn about, leading to
a more effective learning experience.
MSW, B. Ed, PGDGC, DECE
Certified Counsellor
Main AFS road, Bathinda