Funakoshi Cup Karate Championship

World Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Championship, Recognised by Govt. of India and Indian Olympic Association, organized the Funakoshi Cup Karate Championship, an International Karate Championship at Priyadarshni Sports Complex, P. K. Road, Mulund, Mumbai -80 on Sunday 22^nd February 2009. It was an International Level Championship. Around 2000 participants from Iran, UAE, South Africa & all around the world took part in the championship.

Naman Singh Sapra, 9, who turned 9 incidentally on the same day of the Championship, was very exicted. “The Medals are my biggest Gift as it is my Birthday Today” says the 9 years old sapra. Sapra won a Gold in Kumite & a Bronze in Kata.Naman Singh Sapra started learning karate at the tender age of 4. And since then he never turned back. Earlier also he has bagged many medals including Gold, Silver & bronze. His coach Om Prakash Kanojia says that Sapra is very punctual & tries never to miss his classes and also is very enthusiastic.

lecture-cum-discussion on “Israel's War Against Hamas Terror Network in Gaza”

PRESS NOTE

VPM’s Centre for International Studies organized a lecture-cum-discussion on “Israel's War Against Hamas Terror Network in Gaza” led by Mrs. Orna Sagiv, Consul General of Israel, Mumbai on February 9^th, 2009 at 4.00 p.m. at the Centre’s Conference Room, 2^nd floor of VPM’s R.Z. Shah College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mithagar Rd, Mulund (East), Mumbai 81.

Hon. Director, Prof P.M. Kamath introducing the topic said that Hamas won the elections in June 2007 and became a governing party in Gaza. However, its long standing terrorist moorings did not vanish, it continued to hit at Israeli cities. Can a governing party conduct the terrorist attacks? That is on of the issues. Secondly, Israeli counter- attack against Hamas almost coincided with Pakistan based Lashkar-e-Toiba on Mumbai on 26/11. Obviously there was inescapable comparison between Indian response to terrorism and Israel response.

Consul General made it clear that Israel wants peace and want to avoid conflict. However, its counter-attack against Hamas was in self-defence. It is necessary she said to know the smallness of the Israeli territory that leads to instant impact of rocket attacks launched by Hamas, without leaving civilians any time to move for self-protection. Israeli citizens have lived under constant fear not knowing when the rockets would hit. Hamas has used hospitals, schools, as a hiding place for attacking Israeli cities. It is this factor that provoked Israel to retaliate.

Chairman, Shri N.B.H.Kulkarni presided over the lecture and Dr. R.G. Gidadhubli proposed the vote of Thanks.