Home



News

"If we take the full meaning of the term society into consideration, it will be seen that till now human beings have not been able to form a real society. If India builds a society for only Indians, Pakistan for only Pakistanis, and England for only the English, then these three separate societies will exist, but we cannot look upon them as the society of humanity. Because humanity is divided into groups, one society will naturally try to thrive by exploiting the vitality of others. �You will notice that efforts are being made to establish so-called societies in some particular part of the world, for some particular section of the people, and based on some particular 'ism" or faith. A social consciousness based on such divisions lies latent in the minds of the people, whether they are Indian, Pakistani or English, so they remain absorbed in thoughts of their smaller groups." - Shrii Prabhat R. Sarkar


Subscribe to WPANews

"Human beings have still not been able to form a human society, and have still not learned to move with the spirit of a pilgrim. Although many small groups, motivated by self-interest, work together in particular situations, not even a small fraction of their work is done with a broader social motive. By strict definition, shall we have to declare that each small family unit is a society in itself? If going ahead in mutual adjustment only out of narrow self-interest or momentary self-seeking is called society, then in such a society, no provision can be made for the disabled, the diseased or the helpless, because in most cases nobody can benefit from them in any way... in that case there always remains the possibility of some people getting isolated from the collective. All human beings must attach themselves to others by the common bond of love and march forward hand in hand; then only will I proclaim it a society." - Shrii Prabhat R. Sarkar

"Power concedes nothing without a demand.' The struggle for justice must never be adjourned. The forces of injustice do not take vacations. Societies are not static in this regard. They await the political and civic energies of individuals who engage the arenas of power, multiply their numbers and emblazon in deeds and institutions the immortal principle that "Here the People Rule." - Ralph Nader

Bolivia to spend 6.8B to fight poverty


Bolivian President Evo Morales‘ leftist government says it will fight poverty, hunger and homelessness in South America‘s poorest nation by investing $6.8 billion through 2010, much of it with ambitious public works projects. The development plan, announced Friday, would significantly boost the state‘s role in the economy, creating jobs and delivering more basic public services such as subsidized meals for school children and greater access to potable water. Although Villegas didn‘t mention Venezuela by name, many of the social projects he mentioned are similar to programs created by that country‘s leftist president, Hugo Chavez. - Fiona Smith

Staff and agencies
17 June, 2006

By FIONA SMITH, Associated Press Writer

LA PAZ, Bolivia - Bolivian President Evo Morales‘ leftist government says it will fight poverty, hunger and homelessness in South America‘s poorest nation by investing $6.8 billion through 2010, much of it with ambitious public works projects.

The development plan, announced Friday, would significantly boost the state‘s role in the economy, creating jobs and delivering more basic public services such as subsidized meals for school children and greater access to potable water.

Although Villegas didn‘t mention Venezuela by name, many of the social projects he mentioned are similar to programs created by that country‘s leftist president, Hugo Chavez.

The rest would come from international lenders, said Villegas, who are to convene jointly with the government in the last quarter of 2006 to work out details.

Foreign diplomats said much would depend on Bolivia‘s gas revenues. The vice minister of planning and development, Noel Aguirre, said the plan was also predicated on gas sale revenues from Paraguay.

With the heavy public investment, the government hopes to create 90,000 jobs per year and cut the current 8.4 percent unemployment rate by more than half by 2011.

Currently, the top 10 percent of Bolivians earn 25 times what the bottom 10 percent. The government seeks to reduce that to 21 times by 2011.

"We need to get into more depth to know whether we‘d support this or not," said Roberto Mustafa, president of The Association of Private Business Leaders of Bolivia, one of the country‘s biggest industry groups.

Business leaders have been critical of Morales‘ economics, especially after he said he would "never" negotiate a free trade agreement with the United States, instead signing an alternative "people‘s" trade pact with his close allies Venezuela and Cuba.

While the export of raw materials such as minerals and timber are important to Bolivia‘s economy, it depends most on its vast natural gas reserves.

Morales nationalized Bolivia‘s natural sector on May 1, giving the state energy company majority control over all operations and telling foreign companies operating in Bolivia they had six months to negotiate new contracts or leave.

In the mining sector, Villegas reiterated earlier statements that the government would be looking to boost revenues by raising mining taxes and would revert unused mines back to state control.
__________________________________________
Associated Press Writer Frank Bajak contributed to this report

Last Updated June 20, 2006 8:15 AM

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and
do not necessarily reflect those of the World Prout Assembly.

The World Prout Assembly is a non-profit organization affiliated with
Proutist Universal Global Headquarters, Kolkata, India.