Article | Via Ramayana We Can Re-established Environmental Ram-Rajya | Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh | Central Chronicle

Article

Via Ramayana We Can Re-established Environmental Ram-Rajya

          -    Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh

Writer, Author & Social Activist

Blogger - "Climate Diary Of Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh"

        

       We know that people were happy in Ramrajya. But why? Because at that time, the environmental Ram-Rajya was also.  Maharishi Valmiki, the author of 'Ramayana', explained that "Nothing can be preserved without the balance of nature because nature is the basis of the existence of this entire world." Life is void in the absence of environmental protection. Therefore, balance among the elements of nature is necessary. Of course, we read 'Ramayana', praise the character of Shri Ram but we do not pay attention to this important thing of this epic. If we understand this then natural Ram-Rajya can be re-established.       

          We know by the Vadas, Puranas and Epics that aquatic animals and plants, all the natural dimensions and stages of the earth, animals, water sources, air elements etc. and all the horizontal and aerial natural resources, all these are under nature. The Shivatva of human beings is also a gift of nature. Yagya rituals performed by humans and all the works to keep nature healthy, which enhance the natural wealth. This is also counted among the catalytic elements of nature. Food items and grains, natural gas, natural energy, solar energy, water resources of streams, lakes, seas etc., all such elements are notable as parts of nature.

In today's materialistic era, the problem of the environment is becoming increasingly serious, which is a big threat to the existence of this entire creation. To face such a situation which is selfish, dangerous for our civilization, culture and the entire environment, our governments will have to wake up and take some meaningful initiatives and apart from this, it is the responsibility of the society. That they too should play their active role in eradicating this problem and then what cannot be achieved by doing so, all that is needed is dedication, hard work and a feeling of unity.

In Ramayana, measures were taken by the government to protect the environment and make it virtuous and beneficial for more and more living beings. These measures were to purify and protect both the external and internal environment. In Ramayana, efforts were made by the state government to ensure that the natural environment in the state remained balanced. Maharishi Valmiki believed that "Without balance in nature, nothing can be preserved because nature is the basis of the existence of this entire world."

In the kingdoms of the Ramayana period, there is rich evidence of groves of trees in cities and on highways. Bharat built a highway up to the banks of Ganga to reach Chitrakoot and also planted trees with flowers on its banks. Gardens and gardens have been mentioned many times in the description of Ayodhyapuri. That city was decorated with sacred gardens. Probably these gardens would have been protected by the state and established for public use. The garden situated in Ujjiha Nagari was rich in Kadamba trees. Who received state protection. While describing Mithila state, Upatan situated there has been mentioned. During the Ramayana period, Lankapuri was also full of forest gardens. The gardens there were square, peaceful, beautiful, huge and spacious. The beautiful decoration of gardens and gardens of Lankapuri had made the environment there picturesque.

The forests and groves of Kishkindha city were decorated with flowers. Examples of this are found in Ramayana, among which Ashok Vanika located in Ayodhya, Madhuvan located in Kishkindha and Ashok Vatika located in Lanka etc. are prominent. Ashok Vanika in Ayodhya Puri is known as Chandan, Agaru, Mango, Tung, Kaleyak, Devdaru, Champa, Ashok, Punnag, Jackfruit, Mahua, Asan, Parijat, Lodhra, Kadamba, Arjun, Nagkeshar, Chhitvan, Atimuktak, Mandar, Kadali, Priyangu, There is description of Dhuli Kadamba, Vakul, Jamun, Pomegranate, Kovidar, Itiya trees. The sapphire colored grass was adorning that garden. Madhuvan, protected by Sugriva, was filled with hundreds of trees. This was the personal garden of the royal family, that is why the monkeys had given permission to Prince Angad to drink the honey from the trees of Madhuvan. The poet has described Ashok Vatika at many places. The description of an artificial reservoir filled with cool water along with golden and silver colored trees of different species is also available in Ramayana. Seeing the open plains, mountain springs and golden trees, the description of a more beautiful garden than Ashok Vatika is not found anywhere else in Ramayana. It was the duty of the king to protect and manage the natural environment. Narmada river used to flow under Mahishmati Puri and that river had clear water.

Measures were also taken by the state government or kings to ensure that the environment is filled with pure and pollution-free air. In Ramayana, morning Havan, Agnihotra etc. were mandatory among the daily rituals. Among the yagyas performed by the kings in Ramayana, the enumeration of the Yagyas performed by King Dasharatha, Ashvamedha Yagya, Trishanku, Ambarish, Bali, Shri Ramayan is available in Ramayana. There were various forest groves to absorb harmful gasses in the atmosphere.

In Ramayana, natural rules were followed everywhere, due to which there was no fear of untimely death, snakes etc. or diseases in Ram's kingdom. In Ramayana, proper efforts and measures were taken to conserve and improve the natural environment, which were necessary to make the then environment pure and pleasant.

The contribution of the population of any nation is of utmost importance in its happiness, prosperity and progress. Even in India during the Ramayana period, the work done by the government and the society to preserve the environment was carried out with mutual cooperation. This can be easily estimated considering the improvement in the natural, moral and cultural environment of that time. That it could not be agreed without the cooperation of the people. In India during the Ramayana period, the environment had not only state protection but also social protection. In a democracy, it is the duty of every citizen that if he wants to achieve Ram-Rajya, he will first have to take steps for the establishment of environmental Ramrajya.

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 (07.01.2024)

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Article | Few Goals In New Year For Healthy Climate | Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh | Central Chronicle

Article

Few Goals In New Year For Healthy Climate

          -    Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh

Writer, Author & Social Activist

Blogger - "Climate Diary Of Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh"

        We know that climate change is the most worrying topic in the times we are going through. Rapid changes in climate are now becoming visible to us in the form of changes in seasons. Somewhere there is drought, somewhere there is flood, somewhere there is forest fire or tsunami, and many serious consequences are coming to the fore. But it's not too late. The whole world is making efforts in this direction. If we also set some few goals in the New Year by which the pace of climate change can be slowed down, then it will be good for our future and our earth. So let us decide some goals which we can adopt in our daily life and achieve them easily.         

According to leading scientists the world could see another record-breaking warm year in 2024 as global temperatures are on a path to continue rising due to increase in emissions and the impact of the El Nino weather phenomenon that peaks in winter and pushes up global mean temperatures to their peak. Actually, the global climate system is made up of 5 parts: the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and biosphere. Global climate is influenced by many factors, including the sun, Earth's position in space relative to the sun, and human-made factors such as greenhouse gas emissions. To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C – as called for in the Paris Agreement – emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. While the effects of human activities on Earth's climate to date are irreversible on the timescale of humans alive today, every little bit of avoided future temperature increases results in less warming that would otherwise persist for essentially forever. So the Climate Pledge is a commitment to reach net-zero carbon by 2040.

These efforts seem to be of a very large scale but in reality our small individual efforts can play an important role in implementing them. How is that? Let's see.

First of all we should refuse to use plastic bags and bottles. In fact, the use of plastic has become an integral part of our life and to get rid of this harmful part, we have to change our habits. Plastic is cheap and durable and has revolutionized human activity. Modern life is addicted to and dependent on this versatile substance, which is found in everything from computers to medical equipment to food packaging. Unfortunately, an estimated more than 8.5 million metric tons of plastic waste dumped up in our oceans every year. Oceanographers have warned that if we keep dumping plastic waste in the sea like this, by the year 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish by weight. This will be harmful to marine life. Coral reefs in particular will suffer the most. The question arises that without going near the ocean, how are we filling it with plastic waste? The simple answer is that we are not doing it directly but the garbage dumpers are dumping the garbage thrown by us which cannot be disposed illegally in the rivers, ponds and oceans. Plastic waste gives rise to pollution not only in water but also on the ground, which is affecting the climate. This is the reason that now the weather pattern is not the same as before. This year 2023 summer was started in the month of February itself. The faster the weather is changing its pattern, the faster we cannot correct it. However, we can slow down the pace of this change if we make our lifestyle eco-friendly. Let us reduce the use of those things which are harming the climate. Reducing the use of plastic would be the most meaningful step in this direction. Of course, we have started trying to reduce the use of plastic, but the pace is slow. We have to accelerate our efforts so that the damage caused by plastic waste can be minimized.

Food-related emissions are also having a negative impact on the climate. Our food is becoming our enemy. How can food-related emissions are reduced? Indeed, reducing emissions from the food sector requires changes at all stages, from producers to consumers. By including more and more vegetarian foods in our diet, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Consuming higher amounts of low-emitting substances—beans, chickpeas, lentils, nuts, and grains—as opposed to high-emitting substances—meat and dairy products such as butter, milk, cheese, meat, coconut oil, and palm oil. We can significantly reduce our environmental impact by making small changes in our eating habits. This change will be beneficial for both health and climate from every point of view. In the last decade, the trend towards being vegetarian has increased in developed western countries like America and Britain. There is no religious reason behind this but the desire to reduce the carbon footprint. That is why even those people who have been eating meat for generations are becoming vegan. Such efforts make a lot of sense towards reducing the carbon footprint in the climate. Therefore, we should also pay attention to the behavior of our food so that we too leave at least a carbon footprint.

we should take steps to reduce pollution in our daily life. How is it possible? No big deal, only a few steps can reduce the pollution. Best ways to reduce pollution are using public transports, turn off the lights when not in use, recycle and reuse, say 'no' to plastic bags, reduction of forest fires and smoking, use of fans instead of air conditioner, prefer the renewable energy as air, water, solar, thermal, biomass energy. Remember that every human being needs breathable pure air and not everyone can afford an air purifier.  That's why it is important to keep the air clean! Every human being needs to drink pure drinking water and not everyone can afford a water purifier. That's why it is important to keep the water clean! So, it is important that we change our habits against pollution and adopt cleanliness in daily life. Only by adopting and meeting these goals can we slow down the pace of climate change, and thus give a healthy climate to our future and our planet.

If we see in summary, our goals for the New Year should be - pollution-free, possible reduction in the use of fossil fuels, healthy changes in our eating habits, protecting forests and greenery, loving nature and minimalizing our needs so that we reduce our carbon footprint. Do water conservation too. It is more necessary. Only by adopting and meeting these goals can we slow down the pace of climate change, and thus give a healthy climate to our future and our planet.

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 (31.12.2023)

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Article | Nairobi Global Summit 2024 For Disaster Risk Reduction | Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh | Central Chronicle

Article

Nairobi Global Summit 2024 For Disaster Risk Reduction

         -    Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh

Writer, Author & Social Activist

Blogger - "Climate Diary Of Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh"

 

    Disaster meaning a sudden calamitous event bringing great damage, loss, or destruction. Natural disasters are the same. Actually natural disaster, any calamitous occurrence generated by the effects of natural, rather than human-driven, phenomena that produces great loss of human life or destruction of the natural environment, private property, or public infrastructure. But we humans cannot give ourselves a clean chit for natural disasters. To some extent, we humans are responsible for such disasters. For this, we can remember the water logging on the roads of Mumbai and the floods in Bangalore. That is why the increasing number of natural disasters and their causes will be considered at the Global Summit to be held in Nairobi in January 2024. 

A Natural disaster is an unforeseen occurrence of an event that causes harm to society. There are many Natural disasters that damage the environment and the people living in it. Some of them are earthquakes, cyclones, floods, Tsunami, landslides, volcanic eruption, and avalanches. Spatial extent measures the degree or severity of the disaster. Levels of Disaster, the severity or degree of damage can be further divided into three categories: Small Scale Disasters: Small scale disasters are those that extend from 50 Kms. to 100 Kms. So this kind of disasters does not cause much damage. Medium-scale disasters: Medium Scale disasters extend from 100 Kms to 500 Kms. These cause more damage than a small scale disaster. Moreover, they can cause greater damage if they occur in colonial states. Large Scale Disasters: These disasters cover an area of more than 1000 Kms. These cause the most severe damage to the environment. Furthermore, these disasters can even take over a country if the degree is high. For instance, the wiping out of the dinosaurs was because of a large scale natural disaster.

Lets think about types of Disasters. An earthquake is the shaking or vibrating of the earth. An earthquake can range in sizes. As a result, some are so weak that they go unnoticed. But some are so strong that they can even destroy the whole city. Earthquakes can cause disruption of ground. Moreover, the can also cause landslides, avalanches, and Tsunami. However, the center of an earthquake falls mostly offshore. These can cause of releasing of the energy. This release is from the core of the earth. Furthermore, the release of energy causes seismic waves. Rupturing of geological faults causes earthquakes. But other events like volcanic eruptions, landslides mine blasts can also cause it. Landslides is the moving of big boulders of rocks or debris down a slope. As a result, landslides occur on mountains and hilly areas. Moreover, landslides can cause destruction to man-made things in many ways. Gravitational pull, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes can cause landslides. Moreover, soil erosion due to deforestation is also a cause of landslides. Avalanches are like landslides. But instead of rocks thousand tons of snow falls down the slope. Moreover, this causes extreme damage to anything that comes in its way. People who live in snowy mountains always have fear of it. Avalanches takes places when there is a large accumulation of snow on the mountains. Moreover, they can also occur from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Furthermore, the chances of surviving an avalanche are very less. This is because people die of hypothermia in it. Tsunami is the production of very high waves in oceans and seas. Moreover, the displacement of the ground causes these high waves. A tsunami can cause floods if it occurs near shores. A Tsunami can consist of multiple waves. Moreover, these waves have a high current. Therefore it can reach coastlines within minutes. The main threat of a tsunami is if a person sees a Tsunami he cannot outrun it. Tsunami is unlike normal eaves that occur due to the wind. But Tsunami is waves that occur by ground displacement. Thus earthquakes are the main causes of Tsunamis.

The Global Summit for Disaster Risk Reduction will take place in Nairobi, Kenya on 20-22 February 2024. The three-day agenda will be packed with a wide variety of sessions with speakers from over 30 countries. After inaugural session discussion will be on  'Partnerships and collaboration for building resilience'. It will be explored how can be cross sectoral collaboration and multi stakeholder partnerships are effective in addressing the interconnectedness of risks for building effective community resilience.  Second topic will be how the inclusion of local knowledge and indigenous practices in DRR actions can become effective and efficient means to build community resilience. A session will be on the critical role played by communities in ensuring well rounded resilience building efforts at the front lines. Explored will be the approaches and best practices to ensure underlying and potential risks inform development processes. A discussion will be on global marketplace for participants to showcase their work and network with one another.

Opening session of day two of the Global Summit 2024 where all participants will come together to understand the current context on operate and deliver action. Explored effective ways will be to share data and information between stakeholders to enable effective resilience building. A session will be  to demonstrate the need for resilient infrastructure and the built environment to reduce disaster risks, including the role communities can play. A roundtables will be held on networking and collaboration between Africa, Asia & Pacific, Europe, Americas & Caribbean. Videos and presentations will be by GNDR members to showcase the risks faced by communities on the front lines and actions being taken to build resilience. 

In third day agenda will be understand how to adopt global framework on local action, including the challenges faced and the means to overcome them. A discussion will be on understand the importance of early warning for all and how to put it into practise at the local level. A session will on community-led, participatory and collaborative efforts to integrate disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) into development actions. A session also will be to explore the interlinkages between CCA and risk-informed development, and approaches to consider climate risks while undertaking development planning. A plenary discussion wlii be with key stakeholders on how to translate words into actions at the local level. In the end of summit will be the closing remarks from the Global Summit 2024 and the next steps for our collective action.

So, it can be hoped that the Global Summit on Climate Change to be held in Nairobi in January 2024 will yield some important paths for the future.

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 (24.12.2023)

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Article | Climate change Literacy Is Now Necessary | Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh | Central Chronicle

Article
Climate change Literacy Is Now Necessary
      -    Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh
Writer, Author & Social Activist
Blogger - "Climate Diary Of Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh"

          Irregularities in weather, spread of new diseases, adverse effects of changing seasonal cycles on grain production, changes in mental and physical health of humans etc. are some of the signs that are warning about the dangers of the impact of climate change on human life. At the same time, the common citizen still does not even think about climate change because he does not have enough knowledge about climate change and its dangerous effects. Therefore, it is important to ensure climate change  literacy to common citizens.

Among all the parts of the environment, climate affects human life the most. Because climate has a deep impact on human clothing, eating habits, lifestyle and public health. Agriculture in India is the pivot of the nation's economy and is most affected by climatic variations. Climate affects almost every aspect of our lives, from our food sources to our transportation infrastructure, to what clothes we wear, to where we go on vacation. This has a huge impact on our livelihood, our health and our future. Climate is the long-term pattern of weather conditions in a particular location. Apart from this, climate directly and indirectly affects many human activities like industry, business, transportation and communication system etc.

Climate change has such power that it can both destroy and improve people's lives. Many predictions have been made from time to time about its effects. A 2018 report on the United Nations' Sustainable Goals also states that climate change is a major cause of hunger and displacement. The World Health Organization estimates that the number of deaths will increase between 2030 and 2050 due to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea and increasing heat caused by climate change. Many corporate institutions, research and educational institutions, non-governmental organizations etc. have taken up the initiative to develop understanding among people about climate change. Despite all this, work is not being done at the speed with which it should be done. Poverty alleviation, cleanliness, health and human rights are being given prominence in government efforts. The lack of efforts related to climate change resulted in the floods in Kerala. There is no doubt that the adverse effects of climate change will be greater on many developing countries including India. The World Bank estimates that climate change will reduce India's gross domestic product by 2.8 percent over the next thirty years, and will lead to a decline in the living standards of almost half of the country's population. In this context, the question naturally arises whether the people who are likely to be affected by climate change are aware of its ill effects? Do they know how this change is going to affect their health, livelihood, the lives of their families and communities?
This is a challenging task but it is not completely impossible. Global warming can be stopped when joint efforts are made. For this, both individuals and governments will have to take steps towards achieving this. We must start with greenhouse gas reduction. Furthermore, they need to keep an eye on gasoline consumption. Switch to a hybrid car and reduce carbon dioxide releases. Additionally, citizens can choose to take public transportation or carpool together. Subsequently, recycling should also be encouraged. For example, when you go shopping, carry your own clothes bag. Another step you can take is to limit electricity usage which will prevent the release of carbon dioxide. On the part of the government, they should control industrial wastes and prevent them from emitting harmful gases into the air. Deforestation should be stopped immediately and planting of trees should be encouraged. In short, we all should realize the fact that our earth is not well. It needs to be treated and we can help fix it. The present generation should take the responsibility of stopping global warming to prevent the suffering of future generations. Therefore, every small step, no matter how small, weighs a lot and is quite important in stopping global warming.
However, our country has always taken initiative at the global level by showing awareness towards climate change. India launched a movement called LiFE in partnership with multiple UN agencies with the aim of promoting climate-resilient behavior-change solutions among people and communities by promoting international, national and local best practices. For this, people, universities, thinkers, non-profit organizations etc. were invited to present climate-related, traditional and innovative best practices and solutions to promote climate-friendly production and employment generation. Meanwhile, the ‘LIFE Global Call for Ideas and Papers’ was also launched, inviting individuals, universities, think tanks, non-profits and others from around the world to submit excellent climate-friendly behavior change solutions.
This idea of LiFE campaign was presented by the Prime Minister of India during the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) held in Glasgow in 2021. In this, measures will be expanded to promote environmentally conscious lifestyle and focus on 'careful and judicious use' instead of 'mindless resource expenditure and wastage'.
On this occasion, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had said, “The vision of LiFE is to adopt a lifestyle that is in harmony with our planet and does not harm it. Those who live such a lifestyle are given the status of "planet-friendly people."
    Prime Minister had said that "Mission LiFE focuses on the future by taking inspiration from the past, taking action in the present. 'Reduce, Reuse & Recycle' are core concepts of our lives. The circular economy is central to our culture and India's forest cover is increasing and so are the populations of lions, tigers, leopards, elephants and rhinos. He said up to 40% of the installed power capacity could come from non-fossil fuel based sources. India's commitment to reach the destination has been achieved nine years ahead of schedule."
Certainly these efforts are being made successfully but what is still lacking is to bring sufficient awareness among the common people. Unless every citizen is literate about climate protection, the pace of all efforts will remain slow. Now the time has come when the common people should know that if the glaciers at the poles melt rapidly, it affects every person, every animal and every plant.
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(17.12.2023)
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Article | Climate Change Is Fast But We Are Very Slow | Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh | Central Chronicle

Article
Climate Change Is Fast But We Are Very Slow
     -    Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh
Writer, Author & Social Activist
Blogger - "Climate Diary Of Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh"

         The impacts of climate change are already being felt around the world - from more frequent and severe storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires - threatening our cities, communities, crops, water, and wildlife. Climate change poses a fundamental threat to nature, species, and people – but it’s not too late to take collective action. Unfortunately climate change is fast but we are slow. We are now beginning to understand the danger of climate change, yet our efforts to slow down or stop it are very slow. Whereas climate change is not a threat to any one caste, religion, community or country but to the entire earth on which not only humans but all living beings live.   

It is true that I am aware of the dangers of climate change. I continuously write articles about these dangers and the efforts to slow down the pace of climate change, and try to bring awareness through my speeches, but recently I deeply felt the slow pace of the efforts. The serious problem of climate change has arisen due to the burning of fossil fuels and excessive exploitation of natural resources. If climate change is not stopped in time, millions of people will become victims of disasters like starvation, water crisis and floods. This crisis will affect the entire world. Although climate change will have the greatest impact on poor countries. Along with this, those countries which are least responsible for climate change will suffer its biggest impact. Backward and developing countries will be at greater risk of problems arising from climate change. Climate change is affecting the Arctic region, Africa and small islands more. The North Pole (Arctic) is warming at twice the rate of the rest of the world. On the basis of data received from satellites, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has said that the Indian sea is rising at the rate of 2.5 mm annually. It is being estimated from a study that if this trend of rising sea level near the Indian border continues, then by the year 2050 the sea level may rise by 15 to 36 centimeters.
I want us to hand over a healthy and safe earth to our next generation, so that there can be continuity of life on earth. Indian culture is based on the ideology of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” i.e. the whole earth is our family. I always try to remind  by selecting those cultural values from our ancient texts which mention environmental protection and climate protection. Our Indian culture has been more thoughtful towards nature than other civilizations of the world. Even today, India is ready to lead the world in warning of the dangers of climate change. But there is a difference between "being eager" and "being ready". In other words, we want to do everything right but are not able to do it right. Let me give you an example of this in the form of one of my decisions. I felt sad while taking this decision but I was helpless. Then I assured myself that I would change my decision when I got an opportunity. Still, there is a tension left in the mind.
What happened was that I decided to buy a scooter. I wanted to buy an electric scooter. In this way I could avoid wasting fossil fuels and could also save the environment from fossil fuel pollution. When I started inquiring about electric scooties, I came to know that while petrol-powered scooties were available for up to Rs 1 lakh, electric scooties were starting from Rs 1.5 lakh. If the battery used in an electric scooter of a good company has to be replaced after five years, it will cost Rs 25-30 thousand. The good thing was that the cost of electricity was going to be less than the cost of petrol. But there are no charging stations in my city. If I forget to charge the car at home and get a low-charging signal midway, then where will I go and how will I charge? Do I have to knock on someone's door and request them to let me charge my car? Or else I will have to make arrangements to load the vehicle from there to the ground on another vehicle. This is a very practical thing. eBay sellers never like to talk about this. If we still talk to them about this, they laugh and say that this is a small town, it is the distance that will be a problem here. No such problem will ever arise. Of course it will not come if the car is left fully charged before leaving home. It is not necessary to remain so alert all the time. Here I do not want to blame any EV manufacturer, any EV agency or its salespeople. There is no fault of his. They are also in favor of EVs so that pollution free vehicles run on the roads. If there is any fault then it is the slow pace of our systems. Charging stations have not been built at the same speed with which EV vehicles have been launched in the market. There are no charging stations in small towns like my town. There is still a lot of time to set up charging stations in villages.
I thought practically and bought a petrol-powered scooter for myself. While buying it, I felt as if I was breaking my principles. Like I'm committing a crime. But I had no other option. No matter what the vehicle is, it may be needed at any time of the day or night. When a single woman or girl comes out of the house for some work after evening, how can she quickly check how much is the charging? Then what will she do if she misses the charge on the way? If there are charging points within a certain distance in the city then she will not face any problem but what will she do if there are no charging points or charging stations? When petrol suddenly runs out in a petrol vehicle, some driver passing by, as a humanitarian gesture, provides enough petrol so that the person in trouble can reach a petrol pump. But no one can help on the way in an EV vehicle even if one wants to.
All this is to say that we are not trying to keep up our efforts with the speed at which climate change is happening and the eagerness with which we wish to slow down the pace of climate change. Therefore, there is a need to accelerate practically our efforts to reduce the risks of climate change.
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(03.12.2023)
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Article | Carefully Read ! Puranas Says Save Environment | Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh | Central Chronicle

Article
Carefully Read ! Puranas Says Save Environment
        -    Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh
Writer, Author & Social Activist
Blogger - "Climate Diary Of Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh"

We all want a good healthy life and to get it we do yoga, exercises and eat vitamin pills. We try our best to control our diet. We have understood that our modern lifestyle has started having a negative impact on our health. Unfortunately, we forget that these efforts are not enough to keep us healthy. If one wants to remain healthy then one has to keep the environmental elements like air, water, soil etc. clean. This is what has been explained in the Puranas. We read the Puranas as religious texts but do not try to understand their messages.

      Our Indian civilization and culture seems to have started from the worship and worship of Prati since ancient times. Whose basis is fear and worship. Indian literature has its own special importance and that is why Puranas have a special place in Indian literature. In these, not only is there an explanation of the Nirguna meanings of the Vedas, apart from this, along with ritual worship and expansion of knowledge, there is also a mantra or source for the protection of the environment, which is an attempt to bring humans closer to nature and make them aware about doing good with it. Does. In the Puranas, yagyas were performed for the purification of the environment by those people who consider yagya to be performed only to fulfill one's work or wish. The elements of protecting the atmosphere of nature remained present through these yagyas. For this reason it is said in Padma Purana that-
Yagyenpyayita deva vrishtyutsargen manvah.
Apyayan Vai kurvati yagyah kalyan hetavah
    That is, it is clearly said that the gods are nourished by Yagya, rains caused by Yagya sustain the life of humans and trees. That is, it is clear that these rivers were created not only to distribute the gods but also to preserve and protect them.

      All types of Yagya are performed not only to please God but also to clean the elements that pollute the environment. At present, human attention is being attracted towards scientific concepts, ignoring these reasons for environmental protection. To protect the environment, the message of saving the life of trees, rivers, ponds and purifying the environment has been continuously given in the Puranas or in Indian literature. The Puranas serve as an inspiration to conserve and protect the environment. Matsya Purana clearly says-
Dashkoop samovapi dashvapisamohardah
Dashahridasam: Putro, Dashputrasam: Drumah
(Vidhan Parijat Section 4.A. 49)

     That is, the virtue in building one lake is equal to the construction of ten wells and the virtue in building ten ponds is equal to the construction of one heart (huge lake). Ten huge lakes have been considered like a son. And planting of one tree was said to be equivalent to ten sons, that is, the highest ideal of life has been presented. In the Puranas, saving the environment has been linked to virtue. Many virtues have been attributed to the planting of trees in the Puranas, so that humans can also plant trees due to their virtues. It is said in the Shiv Purana that those who plant gardens and shade trees, go to Yamaloka without suffering. People who plant flowers in large quantities go to Yamaloka through Pushpak Vimana. Water has been said to sustain the entire living community because the environment is not only the basis of trees and human civilization, but water is also the main basis of the environment. Life cannot be imagined without water. Or it would be more appropriate to say that Panch Mahabhoot elements are the main basis of life because life cannot be imagined without them.
Paniyadanam Paramam Danamuttaman Tada
Sarvesham jeevapunjaanam tarpanam jeevanam smashtam

     According to the Puranas, the virtuous work of serving the entire creation is accomplished by serving trees. Irrigation with water has a paramount place in the service of trees. Getting enough water protects the life of trees, they grow faster, the creatures dependent on them get happiness and the environment improves. In Skanda Purana, Bhavishya Purana and other Puranas too, there is a provision of watering trees like Tulsi, Peepal and Bael etc. with religious significance, which is prevalent even today in our religious beliefs. Rishis and scholars who do research on human consciousness believe that the hard work and effort a person spends in the service of the Lord reduces his sins, increases the power of virtue and due to its effect, all kinds of sorrows and misfortunes are removed and happiness and good fortune are obtained. arises. This earning is not done without hard work but in exchange for penance. The presence of sacred trees under the pretext of water irrigation gives us good thoughts and the power to follow them and refines our personality.
Sechanadapi vrikshasya ropitasya paren tu.
Mahatphalamvaapnoti natra karya vicharana.'
(Vishnuttara Purana 3.297)
      
          That is, irrigating a tree planted by someone else also yields great fruits, there is no need to think about it.
All humans should make stepwells (ponds). When water is drawn from a well or comes out, it eliminates half of the sins of the sinful person. Takes away all the sins of man. The one whose cow, Brahmin, sage, saint and sage drink water from the dug pond, he saves his entire clan. If we want the welfare of the environment, then its edification is necessary and sages have given indications through mantras to save the environment. If present day humans adopt these tips, then our world will not fall victim to this modernity and the entire world will become free from environmental pollution. Mahatmas, sages and monks have said that those who plant trees at inaccessible places save their past and future generations, for which planting trees is very important and the environment will continue to be protected and protected. Explaining the usefulness of trees in the Bhavishya Purana, it has been said that at that time the area around ten feet from the root of the tree was considered to be the best area, and as far as its shadow extends, the water flowing in contact with a healthy tree is as far as that area. The area it reaches is considered as sacred as the sanctity of the Ganga. Aayu Vedic tree science has been described in Agni Purana. After achieving the goal in the north direction of the planet, Banyan in the East, Mango in the South and a healthy Peepal tree in the South is considered Mars. A thorny tree growing in the south direction near the house is also auspicious. A garden should be built near the residence.

       Actually in almost all the Puranas i.e. Vishnu Purana, Agni Purana, Natsya Purana, Varaha Purana, Vamana Purana and other Puranas, instructions related to environmental protection have been given, all that is needed is to understand them.
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(19.11.2023)
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Article | Goddess Laxmi Symbol Of Healthy Environment | Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh | Central Chronicle

Article 

Goddess Laxmi Symbol Of Healthy Environment

        -    Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh

Writer, Author & Social Activist

Blogger - "Climate Diary Of Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh"

 

     Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, sits on a lotus flower. Have you ever thought that she is the goddess of wealth, full of wealth like gold, silver, diamonds etc., then why is she not seen sitting on a golden throne? Goddess Lakshmi is seen sitting or standing on a lotus flower that blooms in a reservoir, that is, in water that is not flowing. Goddess Lakshmi, seated on a lotus flower, also holds a natural lotus flower in one of her hands, not a golden lotus. Have you ever wondered why? Because Goddess Lakshmi herself is a symbol of a healthy environment. How? Let's see-     

We worship Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali, pray to her and invite her to come and stay in our homes. We ask Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity for ourselves and our family. We know that Goddess Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth. But in reality, they do not come home and place gold and silver coins in the hands of the person asking, but provide an environment to the person asking to become capable of earning money. To understand this, see this prayer-

“Invoke you, O Agni, the Goddess Lakshmi, who shines like gold, yellow in hue, wearing gold and silver garlands, blooming like the moon, the embodiment of wealth. O Agni! Invoke for me that unfailing Lakshmi, blessed by whom I shall win wealth, cattle, horses and men. I invoke Shri, who has a line of horses in Her front, a series of chariots in the middle, who is being awakened by the trumpeting of elephants, who is divinely resplendent. May that Divine Lakshmi grace me. I hereby invoke that Shri who is the embodiment of absolute bliss; who is of pleasant smile on Her face; whose luster is that of burnished gold; who is wet from the milky ocean, who is blazing with splendor, and is the embodiment of the fulfillment of all wishes; who satisfies the desire of Her votaries; who is seated on the lotus and is beautiful like the lotus.

“I resort to that Lakshmi for shelter in this world, who is beautiful like the moon, who shines bright, who is blazing with renown, who is adored by the Gods, who is highly magnanimous, and grand like the lotus. May my misfortunes perish. I surrender myself to Thee, O Thou Goddess resplendent like the Sun! By Thy power and glory, plants like the bel tree have grown up. May the fruits thereof destroy, through Thy grace, all inauspiciousness rising from the inner organs and ignorance as well from the outer senses.

“O Lakshmi! I am born in this country with the heritage of wealth. May the friends of Lord Shiva (Kubera, Lord of Wealth and Kiriti, Lord of Fame), come to me. May these bestow on me fame and prosperity. I shall destroy the elder sister to Lakshmi, the embodiment of inauspiciousness and such evil as hunger, thirst and the like. O Lakshmi! Drive out from my abode all misfortunes and poverty.

“I hereby invoke Shri, whose avenue of perception is the odoriferous sense, one who abides mainly in cows; who is immune to defeat or threat from anyone; who is ever healthy with such virtuous qualities as truth; whose grace is seen abundantly in the refuse of cows; and who is Supreme over all created beings. O Lakshmi! May we obtain and enjoy the fulfillment of our desires and our volitions, the veracity of our speech, the wealth of cattle, the abundance of varieties of food to eat! May prosperity and fame reside in me!

“Lakshmi! You have progeny in Kardama. O Kardama, may you reside in me. Make Mother Shri with garlands of lotuses to have Her abode in my lineage. May the waters create friendship. O Chiklita, progeny of Shri! Reside at my home; and arrange to make Divine Mother Shri stay in my lineage!

“Invoke for me, O Agni, Lakshmi who shines like gold, is brilliant like the sun, who is powerfully fragrant, who wields the rod of suzerainty, who is the form of supreme rulership, who is radiant with ornaments and is the Goddess of wealth. Invoke for me O Agni, the Goddess Lakshmi who shines like gold, blooms like the moon, who is fresh with anointment of fragrant scent, who is adorned with the lotuses lifted up by celestial elephants in the act of worship, who is the presiding deity of nourishment, who is yellow in color, and who wears garlands of lotuses.

“Invoke for me O Agni, that Goddess Lakshmi, who is ever unfailing, being blessed by whom I shall win wealth in plenty, cattle, servants, horses and men. We commune ourselves with the Great Goddess, and meditate on the consort of Vishnu; may that Lakshmi direct us. Om - Peace, Peace, Peace.” - This is the famous Shri Suktam, from the Rig Veda.

She sits on a natural lotus flower and also has a natural lotus flower in her hand. Lotus flower is the most prominent symbol of beauty, prosperity and fertility. According to Hinduism, there is a sacred lotus soul within every human being. It represents eternity, purity, divinity. According to the Puranas, the lotus flower originated from the navel of Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma is believed to have originated from the lotus flower. Lotus flowers are the seat of Brahma, Lakshmi and Saraswati. It is said in the Puranas that the universe and this universe were created like a lotus flower and this universe is like this flower. Lotus flower is considered a symbol of a good lifestyle. The lotus flower originates from water and blooms in the mud, but it inspires to live a pure life by remaining detached from both. This means that even while living amidst evil, a person maintains his originality and purity.

This one prayer alone is enough to explain the nature and characteristics of Goddess Lakshmi. In this, a prayer has been made to Agni Dev to invite Goddess Lakshmi. In this, Goddess Lakshmi is said that due to her power and glory, fruits like Wood Apple (Bilva, Stone Apple, Aegle marmelos) have grown on the earth. As everyone knows that wood apple is a very healthy fruit. By the way, every element of this tree is full of medicinal properties according to Ayurveda. The reason behind giving such healthy trees and fruits to humans is the desire of Goddess Lakshmi that all humans should remain healthy. When humans remain healthy they will be able to earn a lot of wealth. Vedas and Puranas also tell us that Goddess Lakshmi resides in Ksheer Sagar where Lord Vishnu also lives with her. Kshir Sagar is representative of all the oceans, it means ocean of milk (Kshir – milk and Sagar – ocean). In the Vedas, milk is considered to be the purest form of liquid, as it comes from the cow, which is again considered to be the greatest wealth as it is believed that all the Hindu gods reside in it.

Therefore, if we want to keep Goddess Lakshmi happy, we will have to keep our water sources like oceans, ponds, rivers etc. clean and safe. If we want to get the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi then we have to save the plants, birds and animals. That is, Goddess Lakshmi will be happy only if we keep the environment balanced and safe. So, this Diwali, let us take an oath to please Goddess Lakshmi in the form of protecting the environment.

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 (12.11.2023)

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Article | The Story Of Gulbakawali Says 'Save Water' | Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh | Central Chronicle

Article

The Story Of Gulbakawali Says 'Save Water'

-    Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh

Writer, Author & Social Activist

Blogger - "Climate Diary Of Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh"

 

         Earth is the only planet in the entire universe where water and life exist till date. Therefore, we should not ignore the importance of water in our lives and try our best to save water by using all possible means. When we feel thirsty we drink water. We know that the Earth is mainly covered with water, but still, there is not enough water for human use. The reason for this is that this water is not fit for drinking. Only 3% of water on Earth is available to meet human demand. So water conservation is essecel.Old stories have played an important role in creating awareness about water conservation. In this context, the story of “Gulbakawali” is also unique and message-giving in itself.

The practice of storytelling has been going on since ancient times. Countless stories have been told around the world. Some of them have been very famous and educational. Like Vishnu Sharma had given necessary education to the princes through the stories of “Panchantra”. The world-famous “Arabian Nights Stories” teach us how to deal with adversity and love nature while entertaining us. These stories are from a region where there has always been a shortage of water. Therefore, there are many stories in which the message of water conservation and saving water is present. One such story is “Gul bakawali”.

Gulbakawaliis an old story which has been told in different versions in different countries, but one thing remains the same in every version, that is to meet one's needs with less water. Till today I remember the story of Gulbakawaliwhich my grandfather, freedom fighter Thakur Shyam Charan Singh, told me. When I grew up and did a Google search about the story of Gul bakawali, I came to know that Munshi Nihal Chand Lahore had transcribed it in Urdu and it was published in 1927 by Darul Ishaat Punjab, Prakashan Lahore. Although this story is a story from Arabian Nights. On this story N. N. in Telugu in 1962 under the direction of T. Rama Rao. Trivikrama Rao had made a movie. That was very much liked.

The plot of the story I had heard was that a king had lost his eyesight. Then the doctor tells him that if Gulbakawali flower is brought and its extract is put in the eyes then the eyesight can be restored. Then the king will be able to see again. The doctor also tells that that flower is found in a remote place beyond seven seas and seven mountains. The king announces that whoever brings Gulbakawali flower will be given a big reward. People do not come forward due to fear of losing their lives, then a poor young man named Yasin approaches the king. He assures the king that he will return with Gulbakawali flowers at any cost.

Yasin sets out to collect Gulbakawali. He has to face many difficulties at night. He keeps moving forward without fear. After crossing seven seas and seven mountains, he comes to know that a princess has Gulbakawali flowers in her garden. But it was difficult to reach that princess's palace. There was a ditch filled with mud all around the princess's palace. The condition imposed on him was that whoever wanted to reach the princess's palace would have to walk through the mud. But when he reaches the princess, he should not have any mud on his feet. Only a very small bowl of water was kept to clean the mud. Therefore, hearing the talk about the beauty of the princess, many young men reached there but could not clean the mud from their feet with a very small bowl of water and were arrested and thrown into jail.

When Yasin reached the muddy ditch, he came to know that after crossing it, he would get only a very small bowl of water to wash his feet. Yasin was a clever young man. He plucked two-three thin sticks from a nearby bush, peeled them, made them into a tongue-cleaner type and kept them in his pocket. Then Yasin crossed a ditch filled with mud. His legs were covered with mud from knees to toes. Yasin took out a wooden tongue cleaner from his pocket and cleaned the mud from his feet. Then the remaining mud was also cleaned with the second tongue cleaner. When the mud was wiped off from his feet, he wiped his feet thoroughly with his handkerchief and then applied the given water on his feet like oil and wiped them again with the handkerchief. Now his feet were so clean as if there had never been mud on them.

When the maids saw that Yasin's feet were completely clean, they took him to their princess. The princess was very impressed by Yasin's cleverness. When he asked Yasin the purpose of his coming, Yasin told him that he had not come to see the beauty of the princess but to collect the Gulbakawali flower from her garden. He wants his king's blindness to go away. The princess became more happy after knowing this. He felt that Yasin was not only smart but also kind, otherwise who would risk his life for others? Nevertheless the princess took some more tests of Yasin, in which Yasin was successful. The princess gave Gulbakawali flowers to Yasin. While taking leave from the princess, Yasin asked, “Why did you keep only a very small bowl of water for washing feet?”

To this the princess replied, “I did this because the person who understands the importance of water and can fulfill his needs with less water, would prove worthy of meeting me.”

That is, in this story of Gul Bakawali, while there is a description of the medicine of Gulbakawali flower in the form of a herb, there is also a lesson on thriftiness of water. In view of the increasing water crisis across the world today, we need to remember the lesson of the Princess of Gulbakawali.

Water is so precious that only 1% of the total water available on Earth is potable. An average human being requires about 250- 400 liters of water every day. Additionally, our body is made up of 70% water, so 2-3 liters of fresh water is required daily. A century ago, there was enough water to meet human demands. To solve the problem of water shortage in future, water conservation is saving water. There is a severe shortage of water in India and other countries of the world due to which common people have to travel long distances to get the water required for drinking and cooking as well as for completing daily tasks. On the other hand, in areas with sufficient water, people are wasting more water than their daily needs. We all should understand the importance of water and the problems related to water shortage in future. We should not waste and pollute the useful water in our lives and should promote water conservation and saving among the people. Stories like Gulbakawali give the important message of water conservation.

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 (05.11.2023)

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Article | It's Time To Adopt Minimalist Lifestyle For Healthy Climate | Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh | Central Chronicle

Article

It's Time To Adopt Minimalist Lifestyle For Healthy Climate

       -    Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh

Writer, Author & Social Activist

Blogger - "Climate Diary Of Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh"

        What is a minimalist environment? It's a simple question, but has deep meaning. This means making life climate friendly. This means that we should minimize the use of those things which are continuously harming the climate. If we think of an even shorter answer, we can say that we should make our carbon footprint as small as possible. Let us understand this in detail because it is the biggest need today.

           What is a minimalist environment? Why necessary minimalist lifestyle? These two questions are related to each other. But, firstly we need to know what minimalism in lifestyle is?

So first we have to understand what carbon footprint is and what are its disadvantages? After this, the need to adopt a minimalist lifestyle will automatically be understood. The amount of greenhouse gasses emitted per person or per industrial unit is called the carbon footprint of that person or industrial unit. Carbon footprint is measured in grams of carbon dioxide emissions. According to scientists, almost all the habits of humans, from eating habits to the clothes they wear, cause their carbon footprint. A big reason is the electricity used in the house. We can't even imagine how far-reaching our normally invisible carbon footprint impacts? Can you imagine that the carbon emitted from the ACs and other high voltage electrical appliances used in our homes produces so much heat in the atmosphere that it becomes a reason for increasing the temperature of the earth. Due to the increase in the earth's temperature, glaciers are melting rapidly and the seasons are becoming irregular. Due to which vegetation and water level are also being affected. In fact, every element of the earth is related to each other. If one element is unbalanced then it has a negative effect on all the elements. According to studies, it is concluded that hydro-electric, wind-electric and nuclear power always emit less CO2 per kilowatt-hour than other conventional fuels. Indeed, some new renewable energy source methods, such as wind power, produce no carbon emissions at all during operation. Yes, we definitely leave some carbon footprint during construction.

 Today families have become decentralized. Small family, small unit. Husband, wife and children. Sometimes the parents of the husband or wife also live together, but very rarely. Parents are left behind in small towns or villages and children settle in metropolitan cities with their families. Sometimes they settle abroad. In such a situation, those big houses which have many rooms suitable for a big family have no importance. Many times, big houses are built just for show so that one can have a high status in the society. Whereas such big houses leave a big carbon footprint and harm the climate. This can be understood in a more simple way that if there are many rooms in the house, then that many lights will be lit, that many fans will run and that many rooms will keep the land buried, which if it had been open, would have given an opportunity for trees and plants to grow on it. Humans can reduce their carbon footprint by reducing electricity use at home through the use of fluorescent bulbs. Washing the utensils by hand and drying them by keeping them in an open environment will also be beneficial. Glass, metals, plastics and paper should be reused more than once. The speed of the refrigerator should be kept slow. Light colored paint on the walls of the house also helps in this.

Can minimalism help climate change? Yes! Minimalism has a lot of potential benefits for the environment. By reducing consumption, you're helping to preserve resources, combat climate change, lower your carbon footprint, and reduce noise pollution. The question is how does a minimalist lifestyle help the environment? As you choose to live in a smaller house, you will consume a small fraction of energy on things such as heating, lighting, etc. This is useful in reducing CO2 emissions and preventing air pollution. As a wide array of people are now adopting this lifestyle, it has turned out to be more eco-friendly than ever.

How can I be eco-friendly and minimalist? So, the answer is 'Yes!', by adopting simple few things as Adopt a small house to live as per your requirement. Reduce food waste by planning meals and eating leftovers. Make leftover food and other biodegradable waste useful to nature by composting it. In a minimalist lifestyle, using solar energy for the electricity needs of your home will also be a big step. Most of our electricity and heat is powered by coal, oil and gas. We reduce energy use by reducing heating and cooling use, switching to LED light bulbs and energy-efficient electrical appliances, washing your laundry in cold water, or hanging things to dry instead of using the dryer can do. According to a study entitled ‘Environmental Impact Assessment of Household Consumption’, what people consume is responsible for up to 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Not only that, production of items imported from other countries to be consumed has also increased steadily, which only adds to carbon emissions. It follows, then, that consuming less stuff will directly result in a smaller carbon footprint. Living minimally encourages a more conscious buying culture, which has a focus on quality, rather than quantity. Instead of buying four or five cheap jumpers throughout the winter months – only to bin them at the end of the season – minimalist thinking would encourage the purchase of just one or two good quality jumpers that can be worn for many winters to come. It’s the opposite of impulse buying. Today marketism keeps promoting impulse shopping without thinking about its side effects on environment.

So, in our everyday life, a minimalist environment means that we have just as many objects, food, or services as we need. A minimalist lifestyle is intentionally living with fewer possessions – focusing only on the things you need. If we are feeling overwhelmed by clutter, if we want fewer distractions, or if we want to cut back on spending, living with less may be the right choice. That is, it is clear that if we want to slow down the pace of climate change, we will have to adopt minimalist lifestyle for healthy climate and this is the right time to adopt minimalist lifestyle.

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 (22.10.2023)

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Article | Goddess Durga Too Loves Barley The Coarse Grain | Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh | Central Chronicle

Article 

Goddess Durga Too Loves Barley The Coarse Grain

         -    Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh

Writer, Author & Social Activist

Blogger - "Climate Diary Of Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh"

 

          With the beginning of Navratri, barley seeds are sown as 'Jaware'. Do you know how important grain barley is? You will say that yes! Nowadays emphasis is being laid on eating it in the form of coarse grains. It is being said to be good for health. Even in view of climate change, the need to promote sorghum cultivation is being felt. But do you also know that in our Vedic literature it has been considered as “Brahma’s grain”. It is mentioned in the Vedas that the oldest grain on earth is barley. That is why it is also included as a sacred grain in Yagya, Havan and Jawars and the godess mother Durga too loves Barley the coarse grain.

      At present, in view of the food problem and climate change all over the world, emphasis is being laid on the use and production of coarse grains. In our country India too, coarse grains are being seen as the basic basis of food grains. These coarse grains are Barley, Bajra, Ragi etc. All these grains were earlier included in our food plate. But due to modernity and western food style, they went away from our food plates. Whereas in our country, no matter which religion they belong to, everyone knows that 'Jaware' is sown at the beginning of Navratri. This is a kind of religious ritual. One meaning of sowing these seeds is that Goddess Durga is pleased with it and blesses her for a good harvest. Although different beliefs and stories are prevalent in different areas of the country in this regard. But everyone believes that by offering Barley  seeds to Mother Goddess, she becomes happy. It simply means that Goddess Maa Durga also likes coarse grain Barley. It is one of the oldest cultivated grains on earth. It has been used in religious rituals since ancient times. In Sanskrit it is called "Yava". It is mainly produced in Russia, Ukraine, America, Germany, Canada and India.

Sowing barley has special significance during Navratri. During Navratri, along with Kalash and Ghatasthapana, barley  (some times wheat) is sown in a Ghat. Mother Durga likes this very much. Let us know what is its secret. During Navratri, nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped with rituals and fasts are observed. During the nine days of Navratri, people light Akhand Jyoti in their homes. Also worship nine forms of Mata Rani. In Navratri, installation of Kalash and barley have great importance. On the first day of Navratri, barley is sown along with Ghatasthapana i.e. installation of Kalash. It is said that without this the worship of Maa Ambe remains incomplete. The tradition of sowing barley along with the installation of Kalash has been going on since a long time. In such a situation, let us know today why barley is sown during Navratri and what is the religious belief and scientific significance behind it?

Barley is considered a symbol of Lord Brahma. According to mythological beliefs, when Lord Brahma created this universe, the first crop to grow among the flora was 'barley'. That is why on the first day of Navratri, at the time of Ghat Sthapana, barley is worshiped first and is also installed in the Kalash. Barley is considered to be the first crop of creation, hence whenever worship or havan of Gods and Goddesses is done, only barley is offered. It is also said that barley is like food i.e. Brahma and food should always be respected. Therefore barley is used in worship.

Barley sown during the establishment of Kalash during Navratri germinates within two-three days, but if it does not sprout then it is not a good sign for in future. There is a belief that if sprouts do not sprout even after two-three days, it means that will get results only after hard work. Apart from this, if barley has grown but its color is half yellow from below and half green from above, it means that half of the coming year will be fine, but later will have to face problems. If sown barley is growing white or green in color, then it is considered very auspicious. This means that the puja was successful. The entire coming year will be full of happiness. During Navratri, barley or wheat is sown in soil in an earthen vessel in front of the Kalash and it is also worshipped. Later, when the 'Jaware' grows in nine days, they are immersed in the river. 

Along with Godess mother, worship of  whenever Havan is performed for other Gods and Goddesses, barley has great importance in it. By sowing barley, rain, crop and future of the person is also predicted. It is said that if barley does not grow in proper shape and length then the year will be short and the crop will also be less. It affects the future. The color of sown barley also gives auspicious and inauspicious signs. It is believed that if the upper half of barley is green and the lower half is yellow, it means that half of the coming year will be good and the other half will be full of difficulties. It is believed that if barley sprouts appear in 2 to 3 days then it is very auspicious and if barley does not grow till the end of Adi Jau Navratri, it is not considered good. However, sometimes it happens that even if have not sown barley properly, barley does not grow.  With this, if the color of barley is green or has turned white, it means that the coming year will be very good. Not only this, with the grace of Goddess Bhagwati, there will be immense happiness and prosperity in your life. It is said that the more the barley sown during Navratri grows, the more the blessings of Godess Durga are showered. This also indicates that there will be happiness and prosperity in the person's home.

The barley sowing ritual teaches us to always respect our food and grains. The scientific aspect of this is that in this way even a person who is not involved in farming is able to understand the work of farming. Even the children of the family are able to know and understand the precautions that are required in sowing sorghum and keeping it green. Healthy 'Jawara' also helps in understanding the weather for farming. Just imagine how important is the coarse grain of Barley , which is grown in front of the Mother Goddess to please her and then after nine days, those Jawaras are immersed in water along with the Mother Goddess. That is, those grains are sent along with the Mother Goddess, just as food is packed and given to a guest to eat on the way while bidding farewell. We should not have any hesitation in adopting such important grains in our everyday life. Scientists also say that coarse grains are good for health.

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 (15.10.2023)

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Article | Save The Turtles: Can we eat our living beliefs as a dish? | Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh | Central Chronicle

Article
Save The Turtles: Can we eat our living beliefs as a dish?
      -    Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh
Writer, Author & Social Activist
Blogger - "Climate Diary Of Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh"

According to mythology, when the gods and demons churned the ocean, the mountain was placed on the back of a tortoise. According to mythological beliefs, our earth rests on the back of a turtle. When the turtle turns, earthquakes and tsunamis occur. Nowadays, the statue of a tortoise is decorated in the living room of the house as a symbol of good luck. But have we noticed that turtles are being rapidly destroyed by us humans? In Asia alone, 25 species of turtles have been declared endangered. How can we allow the creature who is revered in our mythological beliefs, who is the sustainer of the earth, to come on our food plate as a dish? Seafood lovers to such dishes please say ‘NO!’. 

     Turtle is a very beautiful and magical looking creature which completely hides itself by shrinking its legs and neck in its thick shield. The turtle that raises its offspring on the sand of the shore and lives in the water is an integral part of the life chain, an integral link. But this link is gradually breaking due to their illegal hunting. This is worrying.
      Wild populations of Asian tortoises and freshwater turtles are facing severe pressure from the illegal trade of pets, food and medicines. At least 15 of the 30 species of endangered turtles and freshwater turtles (TFT) are illegally traded in India. The condition of turtles in the country has become such that 25 out of its 29 native species are facing existential threat. In view of the danger of their extinction, these 25 native species have been put in the 'Red Zone'. Illegal trade of these native turtles is going on rampant. The data provided by Sankat Traffic India regarding the native species of turtles in the country is very worrying. It is an organization associated with the United Kingdom-based Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). According to this, some endangered species are being smuggled mainly through Border States like Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. These are the states whose borders meet with Nepal, Bangladesh and north-eastern areas.
     Turtles are often culturally referred to as intuitive, patient and intelligent creatures. Due to their long lifespan, slow growth and strength they are symbols of longevity and stability in many cultures around the world. They have an important role in religion, mythology, folklore and myth around the world, including those of stability and peace and are often included in creation myths of the Earth's origin. The turtle can be seen as a symbol of wisdom‚ being able to protect itself on its own. It can also be considered the archetype of water, moon, earth, time, immortality and fertility. 20th-century anthropologist Edward Burnett Tylor writes in his book Researches Into the Early History of Mankind and the Development of Civilization that the concept of the World Turtle probably first appeared in Hindu mythology. In one Vedic story, the second incarnation of Lord Vishnu, called the Kurma or Kachhap avatar, has the form of a great tortoise, which provides a celestial base on which a mountain is balanced. In Kurma incarnation, Lord Vishnu had carried the Mandar mountain on his armor during the churning of the ocean of Kshirsagar. In this way, with the help of Lord Vishnu, Mandar Mountain and the serpent named Vasuki, the gods and demons churned the ocean and obtained fourteen gems. Sri Kurmam Temple in Andhra Pradesh, India is dedicated to the Kurma incarnation. It is also believed in Hindu mythology that the world rests on the backs of four elephants, which stand on a tortoise shell, with the elephant symbolizing the masculine and the tortoise symbolizing the feminine. In Hinduism, Akupara is a tortoise who carries the world on his back, holding the earth and the sea. Traditional Chinese mythology involves a giant tortoise named Ao‚ who helped create the world.
      In the stories of African ethnic groups, the tortoise is considered to be the smartest animal. Ijapa or Alabahun Alabahun is a trickster tortoise who accomplishes heroic deeds and gets into trouble in a cycle of stories told by the Yoruba of Nigeria and Benin. In folklore among the Igbo people of Nigeria, Mbe Nwa Aniga, or "Tortoise son of Aniga", depicts him as a slow but cunning operator who is able to get out of any difficult situation. . In ancient Mesopotamia, the tortoise was associated with the god Enki and was used as one of Enki's symbols on kudurrus. Kudurus was a type of stone document that was used as a boundary stone. In the 'Ninurta and the Turtle' myth, Enki created a giant tortoise and thwarted an attempt by the god Ninurta to seize absolute power by leaving it behind Ninurta. During the struggle, the tortoise digs a pit with its claws, into which both of them fall. One of Aesop's fables is 'The Tortoise and the Hare'.
The tortoise was a symbol of fertility in Greek and Roman times and an attribute of 'Aphrodite/Venus'. The playwright Aeschylus is said to have been killed by a turtle dropped by a bird. In Malaysia, Ketupat penyu is made from coconut leaves to look like a turtle, which is also called Ketupat turtle. It is used in Malay traditional medicine in rituals to drive away ghosts. According to traditional Japanese beliefs, the tortoise is immortal and a refuge for the World Mountain, and a symbol of longevity, good fortune and support. It is the symbol of Kompira, the god of seafaring people. Turtles are also featured in traditional Japanese wedding ceremonies.
     According to mythology, when the gods and demons churned the ocean, the mountain was placed on the back of a tortoise. According to mythological beliefs, our earth rests on the back of a turtle. When the turtle turns, earthquakes and tsunamis occur. Nowadays, the statue of a tortoise is decorated in the living room of the house as a symbol of good luck. But have we noticed that turtles are being rapidly destroyed by us humans? In Asia alone, 25 species of turtles have been declared endangered. How can we allow the creature who is revered in our mythological beliefs, who is the sustainer of the earth, to come on our food plate as a dish? Seafood lovers to such dishes please say ‘NO!’.
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(08.10.2023)
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#savetheearth
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Article | We Are Losing Those Trees Which Shri Ram Saw | Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh | Central Chronicle

Article
We Are Losing Those Trees Which Shri Ram Saw
        -    Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh
Writer, Author & Social Activist
Blogger - "Climate Diary Of Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh"

We remain eager to know more and more about Shri Ram and Ramayana period. We want to know that when Shri Ram along with Sita and Lakshman left Ayodhya for exile, through which routes did they reach Lanka? That is why a campaign to find the path to Shri Ram's forest was also launched. For this discovery, those geographical symbols which were there during the Ramayana period were made the medium. Those forests and trees which are mentioned in the epic “Ramayana” were also used. If we had protected the forests and saved the trees from being cut, then today we would not have faced any difficulty in finding the forest path of Shri Ram.

“Ramayana” is an epic with which the entire world is familiar. The basic story in this epic is of Shri Ram and Sita, but this book also gives knowledge about the trees and plants of that time. Everyone knows that when Shri Ram went into exile, Sita and Lakshman also went with him. On the way he met Shabari. Shabari fed her plucked plums to Shri Ram. Shabari wanted that none of the plums she fed to Shri Ram should turn out to be sour. So he tasted and collected berries and when he met Shri Ram, he fed him his sweet but false berries. The description of this incident shows that plum trees were found even in that period.

Similarly, there is another tree which is remembered by almost all the people who read “Ramayana”. This tree is Ashoka tree. When Ravana had kidnapped Sita by deceit, he kept Sita under the Ashoka tree in the garden of his palace. In the same context, an interesting incident is also mentioned regarding the size of the Ashoka tree. When the monkey prince Hanuman reached Lanka to find out the Sita, when he saw Sita sitting under the Ashoka tree, he climbed the tree and sat hiding in the leaves. When he was coming down from the tree to convey Shri Ram's message to Sita, hiding from the guards, he slipped due to which the branches on one side of the Ashoka tree broke. Legend has it that since that time the Ashoka tree has no branches on one side.
There is description of 182 types of trees and plants in Valmiki Ramayana. In Valmiki Ramayana, in cantos 24 to 27 of the first Balkand, there is mention of the “Tadka forest”, which is terrorized by a demon named Tadka, east of the confluence of the Ganga and Saryu rivers and is known by the same name. This mention is in present-day Bihar and The first clear mention of moist deciduous forests of the Gangetic plains in West Bengal. Where dense trees like Dhataki, Sal, Indrajau, Patla, Bilva, Gab, Kutaj, Arjun, Tendu used to grow in abundance.
Similarly, in the 1 to 11 cantos of Aranya Kand, in the mention of various ashrams and pilgrimages in the Dandakaranya area by Shri Ram, there is a description of the moist deciduous forest area with Jamun, Bakul, Champa trees along with tall Sal trees, which is found even today in Eastern Madhya Pradesh. , is the specialty of the forests of Chhattisgarh and adjacent Maharashtra, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.
In the 15th canto of Aranyakanda, there is mention of Panchavati forests in the Sahyadri mountains on the banks of Godavari, in which there is mention of mixed deciduous forests in the grasslands along with the high peaks of the Western Ghats. Where on the banks of the river there are date palms, tala trees, in the plains there are kush, kash, bamboo, mango, kadamba, jackfruit, shami, plum and in the mountains there are forests laden with creepers of various flowers along with sal, patla, sandalwood, punnag, ashoka trees. Were present. Which is still the main geographical view of the lateral hill slopes of the Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
In Ramayana, in cantos 54 to 55 and cantos 95 to 95 of Ayodhya Kand, we get the route from Prayag to Chitrakoot forest and the description of Chitrakoot, in which there are forests of bamboo and reeds on the banks of river Yamuna, further away from the banks there are banyan, neem, mango, There is mention of a dry deciduous forest with a concentration of jackfruit trees and then a moist deciduous forest of Sal trees in the Chitrakoot hills. Along with this, there is also mention of abundance of different types of tuberous species of plants in these forests, which even today is the specialty of Vindhyachal forests of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh south of Yamuna river from Prayag.
In the 75th canto of Aranyakanda, the forest area of Rishyamukh mountain and Pampasarovar is also found which is in present day Karnataka and the tropical rain forests of the Western Ghats mountains along with the deciduous forests on the side. In which lotus present in the lake, Kumudani of different varieties, Tal trees on the banks along with Kush, Kash, Bamboo, Mango, Kadamba, Tilak, Banana, Jackfruit, Bakul, Champa in the plains and Sal, Patla, Chandan, Punnag in the mountains, Along with Ashoka trees, there were forests laden with creepers of various flowers, Juhi, Malti, Mogra.
On the way from Prayag to Chitrakoot there is a Banyan tree known as Shyam Vat which Sri Rama visited during his forest exile (Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda 55)
In Nashik there is a group of five Banyan trees known as Panchavati where Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Devi Sita stayed during their forest exile (Nashik Panchavati, Nashik district, Maharashtra).
There is another story in Ramayana itself in which Shri Ram took cover of the Sal tree. There was a kingdom of monkeys in Kishkindha state near the Pampa river. Bali and Sugriva were two brothers who were the sons of the king of Kishkindha. There was a dispute between the two regarding the state. Sugriva was not able to defeat Bali. During that time he met Shri Ram while going to the forest. By that time Ravana had kidnapped Sita and Shri Ram was searching for Sita. Then Sugriva promised to help Shri Ram on the condition that Ram helps him first. He prayed to Ram to kill Bali and give him the kingdom. Then Shri Ram saw that Bali was a tyrannical king, hence there would be no harm to the people if he was killed. That is why when Bali and Sugriva were fighting with each other, Shri Ram hid behind the Sal tree and shot an arrow at Bali and killed him. Although this action of Shri Ram is not considered appropriate, but in this story it is known that there is a dense forest of Sal trees.
If even today the forests were the same as they were in the era of Ram, then it would have been very easy to find the path to Ramvan.
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(01.10.2023)
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