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Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Chakma Buddhists claims second majority in Mizoram

Aizawl, Monday, July 02, 2012 (PTI): More than 70 thousand Buddhists live in Christian-dominated Mizoram and they constitute the second largest religious group in the state, Statistical Abstract of Mizoram, 2011 said.

Recently approved by the Centre, the report says that a total of 70,494 Buddhists live in Mizoram.
State Economics and Statistics department officials said that Buddhists were mainly Chakmas inhabiting the western belt of the state.

They mostly live in the south western part of the state where Chakmas were given a separate Autonomous District Council in 1972, sources said.

The population was based on the Census 2001 in which the number of Christians was placed at 7,72,809.

Buddhist community was followed by Hindus at 31,562 and by Muslims at 19,326, the report said.
There were 326 Sikhs, and 179 people following Jainism and 3,105 classified as others.

Friday, June 29, 2012

A MOTHERLY DEED BY ARUNACHAL's GOVERNMENT:: The 185 Chakmas have been rescued

Compiled by Suman Chakma

ITANAGAR, Jun 28: An Indian Air Force(IAF) team rescued 185 chakma villagers from Bijoypur I and III today. Additional deputy commissioner K Riba,  WRD Executive Engineer BK Karki and Kishore Kumar Chakma assisted the IAF team, which came in a Chopper, in safely airlifting all the stranded villagers to the relief camp.Changlang Deputy Commissioner Opak Gao was constantly monitoring the situation from Bordumsa and Bijoypur.

Meanwhile, ADC Riba, who has pulled up his sleeve to work out the post flood management strategies like control of gastro intestinal diseases etc, informed that the Noa Dehing river has started to recede gradually. Medical team has been positioned round the clock in the relief camp to look after the sick flood victims with sufficient medicines.
The Dharmapur area of Kharsang circle remained cut off from rest of the world. There have been reports of extensive damages to flood control structures. Meanwhile rains over the past couple of days and the devastating rainfall on June 20 midnight have caused flashflood and landslide at many locations of Tuting sub-division washing away roads of Tuting town. Torrential rains-triggered landslide and flashflood swept almost all corners of the sub-division damaging public and private properties. Surface communication between Migging and Gelling village is completely cut off.
The torrential rains has caused extensive damages to Sipo and Sikut hydel project and water supply etc. To the worst, it completely swept away the farm lands of the sub-division.
Even thought departmental men and machineries are making all possible efforts to restore the damaged road, incessant rains is giving them a tough challenge. The restoration work may take many days.
However, with the initiatives of  Tuting ADC, social services are being conducted by the Govt. staff, Meenakshi Hydro Power Private Ltd. and public for the temporary restoration of water and electricity supply.Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today demanded the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to depute a central team to the state to assess the damage caused by flood.
The flood, caused by incessant rain, damaged roads and property in several districts.

Source: http://www.arunachaltimes.in/28/6/12

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Baneswar Chakma: An Unsung Hero

Compiled by Suman Chakma

Baneswar Chakma, son of Phaireia Chakma was born on 12th June 1929 at a village called Kakparyya under police station Longudu in CHT in then undivided India (now in Bangladesh). He passed the 9th standard but could not complete his 10th class. In those days, majority Chakmas used to be illiterate and people who studied 3rd standards were considered to be qualified enough to grab lucrative government jobs. But Baneswar Chakma chose a path to serve the country and his community in particular. He took active part, at local levels, in the freedom movement of India. He worked with freedom fighters like Smt Kalpana Dutta (who is famous for her active role in armed resistance movement led by Surya Sen which carried out the Chittagong armoury raid in 1930) and Loke Nath. Baneswar Chakma was one of the jewels who fought to bring the Chittagong Hill Tracts under the territory of India.

In 1947, he represented along with Sneha Kumar Chakma (in Tripura) and Ganeshyam Dewan (in Bangaladesh) demanding inclusion of CHT into India. Unfortunately, the Boundary Commission headed by Cyril Redcliff gave away CHT, the Chakma kingdom, to Pakistan. Chakma leaders continued to fight for CHT’s inclusion into India. In 1957, Baneswar Chakma was the Secretary of the Tribal Union (Regional Party) which demanded CHT’s inclusion in India. In 1967, he was one of the representatives which met Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in Delhi on the CHT issue.In 1959, Baneswar Chakma taught as a teacher at the Primary School at Ugudasury (near Haulong Sora), Mizoram. Baneswar Chakma had a long and luminous leadership. The first political delegation to Shillong, then capital of Assam, demanding Chakma Regional Council in Mizoram was made by the Chakmas in 1952. The first delegation to Shillong was
led by Kristo Mohan Chakma, and the other member was Gura Nitai Chakma. They met Assam Chief Minister Bishnu Ram Medhi in Shillong, which was then under Assam in 1952. That was when Mizo District Council (1952) and the Pawi-Lakher Regional Council (1953) were being created. Subsequently, three other delegations to Shillong were made by Kristo Mohan Chakma who was accompanied by Hari Kristo Chakma, Satya Priya Dewan and Baneswar Chakma in the second, third and fourth delegation respectively. They demanded Chakma Regional Council with headquarters at Demagiri. Baneswar Chakma was appointed as Presiding Officer in Tablabagh Village Council Election in 1963; served as the General Secretary, Block Congress Committee, Demagiri in 1967-1972 at the time of Lushai Hill District Council; as
President, Chakma District Congress Committee in 1983; and as Senior Adviser, BJP, CADC in 1999.
He served as Senior Judicial Officer in CADC during 1974-1977. He was Secretary to the Honorary Organiser,

Chakma Affairs, Demagiri in 1970-1997:
As a community leader, Baneswar Chakma tirelessly fought for the rights of the Chakmas and against injustice. He was part of the delegation that met Rajiv Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India demanding adequate compensation for the Chakma families evicted from the Dampa Wildlife Sanctuary in Mamit district of Mizoram in 1989-90. It is undeniable that Baneswar Chakma has done so much for us, but what have we done for him in return? Today, he remains unknown, unsung and uncared for. He lives not very far away from the political capital of CADC, but no leader has ever visited to take stock of his situation. Indeed, it is high time we recognized his contributions for the society. Perhaps, he is the only Chakma who has fought for the freedom of India to be alive today. Yet, it is apparent that we Chakmas have deserted him and are not willing to give due recognition to this great leader. Today, it is tragic that he lives a forlorn life. The Mizoram Chakma Development Forum (MCDF) takes this opportunity to salute this great leader who has devoted his life to translate the tears of the Chakmas into happiness.

For his details refers to http://www.mcdf.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/baneswar-chakma:-an-unknown-hero-at-our-backyard.pdf

Thursday, August 25, 2011

IN MY DREAM, A Poem by S Chakma

By Suman Chakma

"Every secret has its reason"

Oh Lord!Oh Lord! You graced me
You console me,by giving her me
She looks like an angel and washed-away my grief
With furry,soft hands patted my chest

I looked into her eyes,they magnet me more
Like I received all from thee,Oh Lord!
I lost myself on her lap,I lost my pals too
When I woke-up,I find myself deserted,

Lonely and melancholy,I realised she used me
She left me,with raw-cut on my chest;
I got other one more attractive than her
Alas!Oh Lord! I woke-up,I found again it was nothing but a dreamt dream.


                                                              Suman Chakma, Borapansury
                                                      Chakma Autonomous District Council
                                                                            Mizoram  

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

SOME FACTS ON THE CHAKMA COMMUNITY IN MIZORAM - A Critical Study of their Problems

Compiled by: Suman Chakma


                                                                 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
      At the most, I would like to thanks the Editorial Board of North-East India Chakma Students and Youth Federation (NEICSYF),which was established in the year 1995 under the leadership of Dangu S.Jiban Chakma. H.Q: Silchar, Cachar, Assam. Who has published this article in its first Annual Magazine named "SAWJAG" which literally means "Awareness". However, the organization is now unrecognized due to some delinquency.
    I am obliged to Dangu L.B. Chakma, the writer of this article who has made every efforts to provide us in details in a nutshell about the problems of the Chakmas in Mizoram. Who was the then Art & Cultural Officer, Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), Kamalanagar, Mizoram.



'The bigger fishes swallowed the small fishes' is the term used to describe the attitude of a  major community on the smaller communities; when the major community try to annihilate the smaller communities-politically, culturally, economically or religiously. The term is going to fit perfectly on the chakma community in Mizoram for the treatment being given to them by the major communty, the Mizos.

    The present political scenario in Mizoram is seen to revolve around the peace loving ethnic Chakmas. They have now become a delicate subject of politics. Every Mizo politician, leaders and organisations now use the Chakmas as their weapon to gain popularity and power. The only political issue which suits the Mizos seems to be only the 'Chakma Issue'. The politicians and leaderships are keeping no stone unturned to prove the Chakmas as illegal infiltrators and foreigners in every newspapers, magazines and other correspondence the Chakmas are now branded as 'Foreigners' and 'Illegal Infiltrators'. Every efforts are active to stripe the Chakmas even from their fundamental right of citizenship. Their names are being deleted from the Electoral rolls to show them as 'Foreigners'. They have become poorest of all communities in Mizoram and the developmental and family oriented schemes practically reached them very few. An administrative conspiracy is being going on to deprive them from their rights and privileges.

      All the administrative offices are occupied by mizo officials in Mizoram and it is very easy for them to give effect to any conspiracy against the Chakmas. The representation of the Chakma community in the form of job holders is almost NIL. There is only one Gazetted officer and two UDCs in the whole Mizoram Civil Administration. There is also no reservation of job or seats for higher and technical education like MBBS, engineering etc. for the Chakma community.

       The fact that there is not a single bank, treasury or sub-post office in the Chakma inhabited area is a best example to show how the Chakmas are deprived from facilities and privileges. After its existence or the last twenty seven years, there is no any post-office, bank, treasury or metal road in the whole Chakma Autonomous District Council area. Perhaps Chawngte Sub-Division (Chakma Autonomous District Council Area) is the only civil sub-division in India where there is no bank, treasury, post-office or other facilities. The head quarters of the Chakma Autonomous District Council, Kamalanagar always remain cut off during the Rainy Season for not having any bridge or metal road. A policy of deprivation of the Chakmas is always active in Mizoram.


          CAUSES OF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CHAKMAS AND THE MIZOS


   The present situation of Chakmas hatred by the Mizos did not exist earlier. The Mizo people were very kind and loving on the Chakmas. They helped them liberally whenever their assistance was in need. There are many instances where the Mizos helped and guided the Chakmas for community welfare, pursuance of Govt. facilities. They also helped the Chakmas on natural calamities, accidents etc. without any communal feelings. The Chakmas also extended their love and friendship with their traditional hospitality and affection.

    The relation between the Mizos and the Chakmas started to sour after the Mizo uprising in 1966. In the 1966 Mizo uprising the Chakmas helped the security forces with supply of porters and guides. The Mizo blame the Chakmas for not taking part in their fight for a independent Mizoram. Many Mizos still blame the Chakmas for their role on the torture caused by the security forces for extraction of hide out of MNF. It is also a fact that the Mizos never took the Chakmas in their confidence for the fight for a independence Mizoram. It is also a fact that many Mizos still remember with gratitude for the help extended by the Chakma guides in freeing them from the custody of security forces.

     There are also instances where the MNF killed Chakmas and burnt their houses at Gorosora and other places. Some Chakma criminals also killed one pastor and his companions in 1966 near Dibblibagh.

    The main causes of differences between the Chakmas and the Mizos is believed to be the differences in religious beliefs. The Chakmas are traditional followers of Buddhism whereas the Mizos are cent percent Christian since 1905. The Mizo Christian are aggressive and they always try to convert others by any means. On the other hand the Chakmas are very conservative in their beliefs and seldom convert to other religions. The Mizo Christian missionery have been trying their level best to convert the Chakmas into Christianity. But they are not successful after so many years of persuation, and lure of job and other facilities. Very few Chakmas have converted to Christianity and those few converts are also not from elite families but from the poorer section of the society. There are also instances of reconversion into the original faith Buddhism. The Chakmas even hesitate to send their children in the Missionary Schools due to the religious teachings. It is also a fact that the Chakmas are suspicious of the Christian Mizos after the killing of Chigonya Chakma, (the first Christian Chakma in the Lushai Hills) along with two of his colleagues in 1966 by the MNF at Kauduar when they went to fetch their belongings from their village, Betbonya.

    The acceptance of Bengali language by the Chakmas in their schools as medium of instruction is also believed to be another cause of differences. Some Mizo leaders and educationist believe that the people of Mizoram should learn the state language, Mizo. They still blame G.N.Chatterjee, the First Education Director in Mizoram for approving the Bengali language in Mizoram. But the acceptance of Bengali by the Chakmas is not for the hatred of Mizo language. It is rather for the closer relation between Bengali and 'Changhma (Chakma)' since there is seventy to eighty percent similarity in wording. Further Bengali is a developed language and the Chakmas have accepted it during British period.

    The Chakma issue came into limelight immediately after the collapse of Brig. T. Sailo's Peoples Conference Government in 1978 at the withdrawal of support by the then independent Chakma MLA Dangu Kristo Mohan Chakma. He withdrew his support from the Peoples Conference Govt. in favour of Congress party. Being a minority community, the Chakmas always support the political parties of the Central Govt. with the psychological belief to get closer relation with the Central leadership and to acquire their sympathy and protection from any oppression, suppression and any nefarious activities from any hostile corner. Brig. T. Sailo and his colleagues of People Conference Party could not tolerate such withdrawal and started propaganda against the Chakmas alleging them as Foreigners and Illegal infiltrators. They also withdrew the privileges like job reservation, seat reservation etc. from the Chakmas and tried to drive them away from their villages by making the Chakmas inhabited areas as Wild Life Sanctuary at Tuipuibari and Puankhai area and Riverine Forest Reserve.

   The Chakmas Issue also got promonance after the report clashes between the underground MNF out fits and the underground Shanti Bahinis (now known as PCJSS) in Bangladesh. The MNF and the MNF symphatisers started propaganda against the Chakmas of Mizoram as a relation against the Shanti Bahinis, who are mostly Chakmas. And the Chakmas of Mizoram become the target of the Fundamentalist Mizos.

   The communal Mizos started propaganda against the Chakmas to raise the Mizo sentiment and started spreading also and malicious propaganda against the Chakmas. They published fabricated stories in news papers and magazines to the extend of a dreamt story, a rumour and of news from unknown source. The state authority was also found to be silent spectator as no one dare to go against the 'Mizo sentiment' and to be branded as 'Takam (Chakma) symphatiser'. Now the propagandas are very successful in their nefarious schemes and they could raise the 'Mizo Sentiment' especially in the young section.

   The communal and fundamentalist Mizos started to show a false Census Report on the Chakmas from 1901.They have utilised this alleged Census Report in their Memorandum to the Central Govt. and in other official records and correspondences, they have also widely published the said report in every news papers and magazines in Mizoram. On the basis of the above false Census figure, now the politicians and the young activists are vomiting fires against the Chakmas in their public addresses, meetings, articles and other correspondences. Now the situation have become so grave that there is every chances of rising a communal riot against the peace loving Chakmas at a slightest pretext.

    The creator of that false Census Report is Pu F. Lianchhinga of Serkawn, Lunglei. In his book - 'PHEICHHAMMAN CHAKMA-TE' published in 1992, he stated at page 45. (please read the whole book if available in stock)

Friday, May 13, 2011

BUDDHIST TRIBALS SEEK JUSTICE,The Shillong Times,June 27,1981/July 30,2009

By The Shillong Times

     The Indian Buddhist council has urged the centre to stop "repressive measure" against the Buddhist tribal minorities in north-eastern region.It express concerned concern at the centre's apathy towards Buddhist tribal's plight.
     The Central Executive Committee of the Indian Buddhist Council which met recently in New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Justice Mr. R. R. Bho'e, M. P. discussed at length the social sevil and religious disabilities and difficulties faced by the Ahom,Chakma and Mogh Buddhist tribal communities of Northeast and asked the Government to initiate special schemes to eradicate the economic exploitation and political persecution meted out to these Buddhist ethnic tribals.
      The Committee regretted that the Chakma Buddhist tribal were subjected to "all forms of persecution's in Arunachal Pradesh and they were even deprived of the equal rights and privileges as citizens of the country.It demanded that the Chakma Buddhist tribal settled and rehabilitated in the Union Territory be given citizenship rights,due protection and "share of development".
              The Committee said the Ahom Buddhist tribal Section was in all respect qualified to be classified as scheduled tribe in view of their pristine tribal customs and characteristics and of their struggle with an under developed tribal economy being deprived of their due benefits under tribal schemes.The Committee described this as a clear case of "segregation and perpetuated discrimination" againstnthe community and urged upon the Centre to intervene in their problems in the national interest and enact Suitable legislation to treat the Ahom Buddhist tribal section scheduled tribe of Assam for their around protection and development.
       It brought to Centre's attention that the Mogh Buddhist tribal of Tripura were familiar with only the Burmese-oriented educational system and they remained socially and educationally backward so long for not being provided with such facility.
      The Committee therefore pleaded for introducing the Burmese system of education for Mogh Buddhist tribal students.
       Meanwhile,three Buddhist tribal leaders,namely  Mr. B Gogoi (Assam), Mr S. K. Chakma (Tripura) and Mr A. M. Chakma (Arunachal Pradesh) met Dr. Gopal Singh,Chairman of the High Power penel on Minorities,Scheduled Castes,Scheduled Tribes and other Weaker Sections in New Delhi and submitted representations reiterating the earlier demands of the Buddhist tribals of the Northeast region.
      Later,Mr. S. K. Chakma conveyor of the Buddhist Minorities Protection Committee said the Buddhist ethnic tribals were so long considered "unnecessary elements" in the country.
      Mr. Chakma hoped the Centre would render "parental duty " to protect the them from further onslaught of the "reactionary politics".

Saturday, April 23, 2011

BORAPANSURY: A Glimpse




View here

Borapansury Primary Health Centre (PHC)
Overview: Borapansury is a village located in Chawngte Block in Lawngtlai District of Mizoram State, India. It is located 116 KM towards west from District head quarters Lawngtlai. 30.04 KM from Chawngte. 288 KM from State capital Aizawl. Borapansury village has been divided into two parts. The northern part is called Borapansury I and the southern part is called Borapansury II. Both villages lies on the border with Bangladesh. 

There are 288 House Holds in Borapansury I. The population in Borapansury I village is 1,367 of which 726 (53%) are males while 641 (47%) are females. And in Borapansury II There are 265 House Holds.  The population in Borapansury II is 1,262 of which 644 (51%) are males while 618 (49%) are females as per the survey of census during 2011 by Indian Government.

Scheduled Cast in Borapansury I are 0 (0%)  and in Borapansury II are 2 (0%) . Therefore, total Scheduled Tribe in Borapansury I are 1,327 (97% ) and in Borapansury II are 1,246 (99% ).


In Borapansury I village population of children with age 0-6 is 202 which makes up 14.78 % of total population of village and in Borapansury II is 205 which makes up 16.24 % of total population of village. Average Sex Ratio of Borapansury I village is 883 and in Borapansury II is 960 which is lower than Mizoram state average of 976. Child Sex Ratio for the Borapansury I as per census is 1040 and for Borapansury II is 1050, higher than Mizoram average of 970. 


Borapansury I and Borapansury II villages have lower literacy rate compared to Mizoram. In 2011, literacy rate of Borapansury I village was 55.19 % and of Borapansury II 69.63 % compared to 91.33 % of Mizoram. In Borapansury I Male literacy stands at 70.49 % and in Borapansury II at at 86.21 % while female literacy rate was 37.36 % and 52.05 % respectively


As per constitution of India and Panchyati Raaj Act, Borapansury I and II villages are administrated by Sarpanch (Head of Village) who is elected representative of village. 


Caste Factor
In Borapansury I and II villages, most of the village population is from Schedule Tribe (ST). Schedule Tribe (ST) constitutes 97.07 % of total population in Borapansury I village and in II constitutes 98.73 %. There is no population of Schedule Caste (SC) in Borapansury I village  of Lawngtlai while 0.16 % of total population were in Borapansury II

Work Profile
In Borapansury I village out of total population, 586 were engaged in work activities. 67.92 % of workers describe their work as Main Work (Employment or Earning more than 6 Months) while 32.08 % were involved in Marginal activity providing livelihood for less than 6 months. Of 586 workers engaged in Main Work, 233 were cultivators (owner or co-owner) while 2 were Agricultural labourer.

Meanwhile, In Borapansury II village out of total population, 485 were engaged in work activities. 93.20 % of workers describe their work as Main Work (Employment or Earning more than 6 Months) while 6.80 % were involved in Marginal activity providing livelihood for less than 6 months. Of 485 workers engaged in Main Work, 273 were cultivators (owner or co-owner) while 14 were Agricultural labourer.

Population of Borapansury I and II in table (1 and 2) according to census 2011:
                                                                      
                                                                                           Table 1
Total No. of Houses                      288                   -                             -
Population                      1,367                726                                641
Child (0-6)                      202                 99                           103
Schedule Caste                      0                 0                            0
Schedule Tribe                      1,327                 686                            641
Literacy                      55.19 %                 70.49 %                         37.36 %
Total Workers                      586                 387                           199
Main Worker                      398                 0                            0
Marginal Worker                      188                 0                            0

                                                                                          Table 2

Total No. of Houses                     265                           -                                     -
Population                                    1,262                     644                                 618
Child (0-6)                                    205                        100                                 105
Schedule Caste                             2                              1                                     1
Schedule Tribe                             1,246                     632                                  614
Literacy                                        69.63 %                86.21 %                         52.05 %
Total Workers                              485                       317                                 168
Main Worker                                452                         0                                     0
Marginal Worker                          33                           0                                     0


"Every person whether temporary or permanent need an address. So am I,where I was born and did my primary studies. I shall be talking merely about this place besides my personal instincts. I love my homeland and shall be always haunted by the affection of this land and its people. The environment of this particular place is quite different from rest of the places of its kind as I did observed."

                                                                        
Borapansury, as we can recall, the first Head Quarter of Chakma Autonomous District Council  (aka CADC). I better not to refer why the Head Quarter was shifted to present Kamalanagar as it makes me sentimental. Borapansury with its unique geographical topography is situated at the extreme south-western part of Mizoram, a small state in United India. It is flanked by Bangladesh in the western part whereas it is flanked by Lunglei District in the Eastern part. The map of CADC where Borapansury is within looks like a long battle sword-shaped. Its area is so much small that it is the smallest Autonomous District Council (ADC) comprised in Mizoram.The CADC was formed on 29th April in the year 1972 when Mizoram was upgraded from the then Union Territory to independent State.


Borapanury Govt. High School (at present) is shown above here
Borapansury is now the second Head Quarters of CADC and with highest literacy percentage. It is geographically situated on the bank of locally famous river Pansury, from where its name originated after the river. As the Chakma peoples love to live on the bank of river. This place is also situated on the bank of the river. The houses are concentrated equally on both the banks of the river. About seven to eight hundreds house holds are there, which means around 2,000-2,5000 populations.They are traditionally bond and thus the most eldest one is being highly respected in the family in particular and in the village in general. And also they are faithful in God. The Chakma peoples are originally Buddhist and are believe to be descendant of the Lord Buddha. Most of the successful person in CADC today is from this particular place. However, the peoples of this place is more influenced by politics which is one of the principle reason that the people of today vary from the very past.



Jagat Jyoti Buddha Vihar at Borapansury


Below in pictures is given the only Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Borapansury which has been laying idle for last 20 years:





To know more about Borapansury Primary Health Centre (PHC) please follow links below :

http://mcdf.wordpress.com/2012/08/08/borapansury-phc-campaign-banner-in-kamala-nagar/?relatedposts_exclude=633

Media coverage:

http://mcdf.wordpress.com/2012/08/04/prez-intervenes-to-open-phc-lying-defunct-for-20-years/


Link: http://suman-chakma.blogspot.in/2011/04/about-barapansury-only.html


Monday, January 3, 2011

Let us live on it

By Suman Chakma

With the very beginning of the new year 2011,we pray to the God to pour us his eternal bless that is 'humanity' would remain inside us forever.There are thousands and thousands of communities,tribes,clan and so on and also several numbers of religion which is the principle reason for which the world now is.It is filled with corruption and violation of laws.One nation oppose the other especially with the neighboring one,competing for the same thing but with bad intentions.

Lets erase all the evil ideas and bring up the new world 'A Peaceful One'.