Book on "India and Arms Trade Treaty" successfully launched in New Delhi
- Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network -

New Delhi, 17 April 2009

On Friday, 17th of April, 2009, after several years of research and hard work, Control Arms Foundation of India (CAFI) and India Habitat Centre came together to finally launch the book titled "India and the Arms Trade Treaty: Making Disarmament Meaningful to People's Lives" (Read Review on this book here ).

The book is edited by Ms. Binalakshmi Nepram and has a foreword by Ms Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Peace Laureate. The launch was attended by various emminent individuals from different walks of life.

Mr. B. Prakash, Ms. Nepram, Amb. A. Ghose, Lt. General B.S. Malik, Air Cmde P. Dikshit at the launch

India's former ambassador to United Nations, Ambassador Arundhati Ghose (retd) released the book. The welcome address was delivered by Lt. General (retd.) Dr. B. S. Malik, President, CAFI and also Executive Council member, IDSA.

Amb. Arundhati Ghose

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Arundhati Ghose stated, "The Arms Trade Treaty is an idea that which the government of India should continue to engage in". She called upon the international community on looking at the need to add "manufacturing" within framework of an ATT.

She mentioned that the work on ATT does divert attention from the United Nations Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

She concluded her address by mentioning that the book is an excellent collection of essays regarding the various aspects of proliferation of arms in India and urged upon the Government of India to work with the Indian civil society on addressing the issue of armed violence.

Ms. Kamala Bhasin, SANGAT

Ms. Kamla Bhasin of SANGAT stated that conflict and war have no future. She spoke of clash of civilisation which according to her is due to two P's - people and profit. Advocate Baban Prakash spoke of how the global principles of an Arms Trade Treaty reflect India's values and constitution.

Air Cmde. Prashant Dikshit (retd) stated, "Our country is facing a terrifying situation not only due to the uncontrolled illicit proliferation but also by uncontrolled illicit manufacture, production, and supply trade".

Vote of thanks was delivered by Ms. Reena Mutum, Coordinator, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network.

The book is a result of several years of research done on the subject by eminent scholars, former military personnel, lawyers and civil society. It is an analysis done on how an Arms Trade treaty can benefit India. An Arms Trade Treaty can save lives and help prevent attacks like the Mumbai terror attacks and hold countries responsible whose arms cause the death of innocents worldwide.

The contributors of the book are

• Prof. Anuradha Chenoy,
• Air Cmde. Prashant Dikshit ( retd.),
• Ms.Ashima Kaul,
• Mr Riju Raj Jamwal,
• Dr. Bibhu Routray,
• Mr. Baban Prakash,
• Ms. Binalakshmi Nepram,
• Ms Reena Mutum,
• Mr Deba Mohanty,
• Colonel Utkarsh Rathore,
• Ms Clare Da Silva,
• Dr Shubram Rajkhowa,
• Ms Vijayam Raghunathan,
• Dr Thokchom Meinya

Ms. Binalakshmi Nepram

The book is published by India Research Press and copies of the book can be had from Bahrisons, Khan Market, New Delhi.

Control Arms Foundation of India would like to thank all who came and supported us to make this launch possible.

For more information, please contact:

Binalakshmi Nepram & Team
Founder, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network
Secretary General, Control Arms Foundation of India
B 5 / 146, First Floor, Safdarjung Enclave,
New Delhi - 110 029, India

Landline : 011- 46018541

Website : www.cafi-online.org
Email: BNepram(at)cafi-online(dot)org

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This information is sent to e-pao.net by Binalakshmi Nepram (Founder, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network). She can be contacted at BNepram(at)cafi-online(dot)org
This PR was webcasted on 22nd April 2009 .
An article on Landmines by the same author is here.

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