Month: February 2016

Chaotic Action is better than Orderly Inaction

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Heard of this quote from Will Rogers? “Chaotic Action is far better than Orderly Inaction”

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World Culture Festival, a celebration of 35 years of The Art of Living, founded by Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is exactly that – a Chaotic buzz of constructive activities, a method in madness. There is nothing new for those who have experienced this so often in their journey with Gurudev and Art of Living. Chronicling some of them here. Sheer magnitude of each event, which had chaos written all over it, but miraculously and visibly was examples of perfection and precision. When a journalist asked Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar if He believes in miracle – We not only believe, we RELY ON MIRACLES was his instantaneous reply. Each of them indicated below is a testimony to one of The Art of Living’s mottoes- “to strengthen inter-religious & cultural bonds.” Sri Sri Ravi Shankar emphasizes on celebrating diversity. Walking the Talk!

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Silver Jubliee Celebrations in Bengaluru

Natya Vismayam – 150 Kathakali Dancers Perform Together in ‘Natya Vismayam’,

Mehran De Rang – Bhangra of 2100 dancers in Ludhiana

333 Bagpipers in Bulgaria

444 Kombu horns played for Peace

Taal Ninad 1230 people playing tabla drums

Abhanga Naad: 1,356 participants on Dhol

Naada Vaibhavam: 121,440 people singing in Choir

Annam Brahma: The largest vegetarian buffet 5612 different dishes

Antarnaad: 1,04,637 participants singing ‘Vande Mataram’

Brahm Naad Sitar ensemble of 1,094 participants

Mohiniyattam: Mohiniyattam dance by 1,200

21,000 people to sing Thevaram in Sri Lanka

Meri Dilli Meri Yamuna: With 20,000 people

Guitar Ensemble for Peace with  2,000 guitarists

Check my Collection of this Photos in a Facebook Album (Guinness Records)

And remember this is only a small list of what has been done so far. … Each of them was a showpiece event, not for show-off but to show that Happy & peace loving people can also attract eyeballs, not just those terrorists who blow up buildings and people. These events were about the large number people involved. Naysayers and doubting Toms were taken aback (and they became believers and willing participants in future events). Why would World Culture Festival be any different. Events of Art of Living is like proverbial Old wine. It only gets better & better with time.

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Inaction of the good that is more dangerous than the actions of the evil. As has been proven repeatedly of late, more often than not costs associated with action would turn out peanuts compared to the the cosy state of inaction.  While the not so good folks of the planet are busy blowing up buildings and killing people – having tasted success, they go on to the next action saying – “Hey! That was fun!” And the so called intelligent good people think, think and think and then decide to protest and obstruct some attempts to divert world’s attention to positives. There are good (and great) stuff this world has on offer. Don’t stop that and let the future generations give up on goodness filled in this world. Terrorists or Killers are far less in numbers and outnumbered. The difference is simple – they Act while the good of this world indulge in Rhetoric and Intellectualizing.

Signing off with a quote attributed to renowned painter Leonardo de Vinci said : “Iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation … even so does inaction sap the vigour of the mind.” Now, now! let us not get into authenticity of attribution debate, but what is said is valid

PS: Copyrights of Pics used belong to the respective owners. If you think it is in violation, please let me know, I shall take it down

Part of Ecology – Protect, Preserve & Conserve – Part 2

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In Part 2 of the post continuing from my previous post “Critic or Profiteering – For Anti WCF Brigade – Part 1”, In around 16 years of association with Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and The Art of Living (AOL), I can say with some authority the concern and importance the organization and Gurudev attaches to ensuring harmonious co-existence of every element of the Universe, living and non-living.

The Art of Living ensures that everyone who crosses its path (not necessarily a follower or member) has nurtured a deep respect for our planet in thousands of people around the world. The earth may be made up of rocks, sand and water, but spirituality can help us to perceive our planet as a living vibrant entity, responding to our care and attention. Large scale tree plantations through Mission Green Earth, water conservation and protection including cleaning polluted rivers and zero-budget chemical-free farming which support poorer farmers to farm to farm in a way which is both economically and organically sound. AOL also recognises that it is necessary that these values be inculcated in young minds at home and at school. Awareness programes for young people and children (called ‘Deepening Roots, Broadening Vision’) also form an important and integral part of this long-term programme.

Now this is where Art of Living differs from the other 2-penny activists whose business stops if proposal for development actitivities stop. To perpetrate the business, backed by vested interests, activists obstruct development project, AOL did not rest at just identifying the problem, but studied it scientifically with a humane touch to ensure sustainability of the solution derived (Yes AOL never stops at identifying the problem) AOL’ites always believed as Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar keeps telling – there is no problem in the world that has no solution (though I strongly believe that there is No solution to retarded & obstructionist thought process of foreign sponsored, communist activists).

Chemical Free Farming:  Art of Living is making immense contribution to environmental sustainability with its campaign to promote and popularize chemical-free farming. It has launched awareness programs to encourage people to return to traditional methods of organic farming and eliminate the use of harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

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Chemical-free farming is seen as the only way to check degradation of soil quality. Excessive use of fertilizers have degraded the soil, not only reducing yield but also making produce grown on them poisonous for human consumption. Chemical-free farming is complementary to environment sustainability as it reduces the demand on natural resources such as water. It also runs an internship program at its Canadian Centre to educate youth about natural farming.

LAKSHMI TARU (Simarouba glauca DC; Common names: Simarouba, oil tree, paradise tree or aceituno) is an important tree species growing in the forests of Central America. It was first introduced by National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources in the Research Station at Amravathi, Maharashtra in 1960s. Read more details about Art of Living’s initiative on Lakshmi Taru here

Clean Bengaluru : Inspired by Param Poojya Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Art of Living Volunteers on May 1, 2010, Bengaluru was greeted by about 500 Art of Living volunteers donning caps, geared up to carry yet another cleanliness drive on a patch of 3.5 kilometers on Kanakpura Road.  “A lot of effort was put in to clean the plastic dumped on the national highway, on 1st may 2011. But without conscious and strategic involvement of the local administration and people themselves, sustainable cleanliness is not more than a castle in the air.” As a volunteer Mona Pande, said “It’s time we clean up the mess we’ve created. Now we should take responsibility join hands to make a cleaner inside as well as outside” Read more about this Bengaluru Garbage Collection and Disposal project here

Watershed Management :  The Art of Living has been undertaking water management on a large scale, especially in agrarian villages. The initiative includes educating farmers about the judicious usage of water, and teaching them to construct check dams and gabin dams that store rain water. This water is then used in the non-rainy seasons. Hundreds of poor and marginal farmers rely on degraded land and water resources and struggle to cope with a diverse array of agro-climatic, production and market risks. The rate of land degradation in rain fed areas in India is high, on account of soil erosion. How to produce more and better food and maintain or improve critical ecosystem services without further undermining our environment is a major challenge. Watershed management involves the judicious use of natural resources with active participation of institutions, organizations and peoples’ participation in harmony with the ecosystem.

TERAFIL WATER FILTER is a low cost device to filter impure water into clean drinking water. The filter is developed to cater the needs for clean drinking water, especially when the water is rich in sediments, suspended particles, iron and certain microorganisms causing water borne diseases.

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It is most suitable for areas where water from both surface and ground water sources like dug wells, ponds, tube wells and rivers, is used for drinking purpose.

Kumudvathi River Rejuvenation Project: In view of the high level of drinking water needs for Bengaluru, catered till recently by Kumudvathi River, it was recognized by AOL that Cauvery water supply has to be augmented locally to fully meet Bengaluru’s needs. This river flows across 278 villages, covering 460 Sq. Km in 3 taluks, recently started running dry making it a nightmare for water managers of the city. AOL conducted a study and reported that main causes for the drying up of the river are urban encroachment and deforestation as well as unsustainable extraction of ground water and loss of traditional knowledge. Urban encroachment led to the destruction of the catchment areas that feed the river, while deforestation has loosened the soil’s water-holding capacity. Indiscriminate planting of species such as Eucalyptus also interfere with the natural recharge process.

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The Art of Living Foundation, under the banner of the Volunteer For A Better India Movement, has taken up the responsibility of rejuvenating the river.

The project that was flagged off in early 2013 (in February), and so far five ground water reservoirs have been built on an experimental basis. Nine Gram Panchayats have also pledged their support and The Minor Irrigation and Water Resources Department has meanwhile offered full cooperation in the restoration of existing local water bodies in the region. While close to 100 boulder checks have already been placed, a 100 more will be placed before the next monsoon. The tree plantation drive is in full swing, with over 5000 saplings already planted in 14 villages in the Nelamangala taluk. The target for the drive is 1 lakh saplings over two years across the 278 villages the river runs through.

The results of the rejuvenation activities in eight villages have been very encouraging, where the existing water bodies have been rejuvenated due to this season’s bountiful rainfall. Read more about the Kumudavati project here

Having read the above, and then nay-saying  for a Project to showcase our country’s ability to host a world class event of World Cultural Festival  magnitude is sheer ridiculous. And reasons cited are even worse. Art of Living leaves no remnants post any event, except loads of happiness and development. The economic benefits to the local populace and generally to the public at large (tourism, merchandise, infrastructure, transport and logistics and so on) is enormous. The showcasing of talents and culture of the world cannot be measured in economic terms, but the value it accrues is priceless.

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I only wish to see these activists on after the event, and I am sure I would only say – Look! What did I tell?  Is there any negative traces or remnants? Naah! Take aways: Positive vibrations of 35 Lakhs of People meditating, Energy of thousands of Musicians performing, Power of virtual who’s who and ordinary you and me – What else do you need.

If you haven’t planned yet! What are you waiting for? See you on March 11th in Delhi.

 

Critic or Profiteering – For Anti WCF Brigade – Part 1

Ensures7 Comments

Sometimes, delays are good for our peace and mental health. Considering that I am quite an active and avid SM’er, who source all information only from Social Media and never from the Paid Main stream Media, I never saw nor heard about these pieces, not worth a tinkers’ damn earlier. Those who tried to do a hit job and sow seeds of doubts in general public failed miserably against the positive mood prevalent in the universe with regards to the  Show-piece event of mankind, an event that would promote world peace, an event that would make the world look up in awe at the country – World Culture Festival. That is the best part – Did they increase the visibility? No! So insofar as the event goes – these irritants are like Haathi Chale bazaar… Kutte boke hazaar.

Decided to check out on the background of those who were behind these pieces (Once again! Mercifully I could count the number of them on fingers on one hand with 3 fingers to spare). One common thread that emerged – they were Commies with extreme left leaning tendency – which in other words simply means “Obstructionists”. Obviously a cursory digging of their chequered past revealed even more colorful details – their backers, instigators and funders. For now not naming anyone, but would not hesitate if the need arises 🙂

What was their grouse! This 3 days of Celebrating Humanity and Culture, affecting Yamuna and lifeline of Delhi – as if there weren’t even worse stuff afflicting them. And what was these protagonists contribution to saving the Yamuna? ZILCH! Apart from sitting in front of their monitors and manufacturing data, cite some fancy sources (Institution names and People) that cannot be verified. Oh yes! They did sit on dharna and obstructed when some development activities were carried out on the banks – once the visibility came, funds followed and their dharna fizzled. Remember! for these 2-penny activists a few minutes of arclight, especially the English Language Media (partners in crime) is equal to a few thousand dollars of funding from the enemies of the nation. More about this in another post, but coming back – After a few days of push back, the project went ahead and these very people drive on that everyday.

Now, what did Art of Living volunteers do? For Yamuna, for Delhi, for Environment, for the World in general! Since it takes my lifetime and Terrabytes of Data and Infinite bandwidth to list them all, will stick to some recent projects. And yes, I will be citing only those covered grudgingly (as always) by the Main Stream Media. No one can blame me of quoting from my own sources (however dubious Media is, it is on their side and hence credible for them)

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Art of Living has thus contributed immensely towards rejuvenating (not just cleaning) Yamuna and cleaning Delhi under the “MERI DILLI MERI YAMUNA” initiative. Of course, this is a project driven by those really wanting to change and contribute something positive to the society.

MERI DILLI MERI YAMUNA is a citizen’s action initiative by the Art of Living. The effort was
launched under the guidance of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in March 2010. The objective
of the campaign is to raise awareness amongst the common citizen to empower them to bring
about a positive change in their mindset about their city Delhi and their river Yamuna and be
responsible.

Under Meri Dilli Meri Yamuna different campaigns have been initiated targeting various groups of society so that each becomes responsible agents of change.

  • 20,000 citizens cleaned the ghats of Yamuna; March 2010
  • 10,000 citizens participated in a Health Walk to raise awareness about the poor condition of the Yamuna and its impact on health; April 2010
  • 6 lakh school children participated in a Sri Kriti Art Competition “Mere Sapno ki Saaf Dilli’
  • Adoption of ghats for preservation and development as part of the river front development
  • Piloting hygiene, health and overall development in 3 slums of Delhi.
  • CLEAN DELHI DRIVE;6th – 11th September, 2010

All these action drives were supplemented by efforts to understand the reasons why the river was in such a poor state? The campaign had a responsibility to mobilize the efforts of the citizens such that a significant and sustainable change is made possible. To facilitate this concerted efforts were made to constitute a THINK TANK comprising of experts, activists and government agencies involved with Yamuna and also to write a paper that would help the common person to understand the problems plaguing Yamuna and what role they can play in reviving the river.

An important fact to note: NONE OF THESE ARMCHAIR ACTIVISTS CONTRIBUTED TO THIS PATH BREAKING EFFORT

While Pujya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji not only exhorted volunteers but also personally took the lead in the MDMY campaign. He said “We all have to take responsibility for the Yamuna. We should not call it impossible, we have to make the impossible possible.”

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Gurudev Sri Sri not only highlighted the problems (which these activists are doing very successfully) but He also took responsibility to solve the problem. He commissioned a detailed Expert study on the situation and most importantly to design a solution for the same. A cursory Google search would provide you with the links of the 40 page report on the study. Suffice to say – ITO Ghats development, Trilokpuri & Okhla Dhobi Ghat Slum were also developed as a comprehensive long term solution to the problem.

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Other environment saving/protection/rejuvenation projects – One project in this Part 1)

Holy Pampa cleaning Project to address the degradation of the river with a citizen participation model similar to the Swach Bharat Abhiyan. Since April 2014 we have mobilized teams from 14 districts in Kerala to participate in regular cleaning up of the river and surrounding areas. Over 8000 volunteers from 14 districts have participated and 600 tonnes of garbage has been removed from the river. We followed a comprehensive strategy of spreading awareness among the pilgrims and initiating dialogue with various stakeholders. During the ongoing phase of the project, which coincides the peak pilgrim season from November to January, our teams have been working round the clock that has resulted in a visibly cleaner river bed ever since.

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In the first stage of the project AOL volunteers took up a large-scale cleaning drive at Pampa Manappuram. Teams of volunteers from 14 districts in Kerala were mobilized to clean the river in the beginning of every Malayalam month when the temple opens for devotees. From April to November, 2014 over 1500 participants from 14 districts of Kerala (Trivandrum, Kollam, Appalled, Pathanamthitta, Iduki, Ernakulum, Kottayam, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Waynad, Kasargode) have been regularly participating in the clean up drive.

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“Art of Living Intervention in Pampa river in Sabarimala has reduced pollution of the river
by 80 % ” – Shri K Babu, Special Commissioner of Devaswom Board, appointed by the Hon’ble High Court of Kerala

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CONCLUSION (Experiential)

I was a volunteer working during the world renowned Silver Jubilee celebrations of Art of Living in 2006. 25 Lakhs devotees converged into a Bengaluru – known for the Traffic notoriety. Not a single instance of traffic jam was heard and most importantly, after the 3 days event, Jakkur Aerodrome was left cleaner than before.

I am sure Mayur Vihar and the Yamuna Floodbank would be a better place after the World Culture Festival.  Art of Living takes over inhabitable and god forsaken places and transforms it into Heaven. Need proof? Visit any sites where AOL events have taken place.  That has been the culture of Art of Living.

As I was finishing this post, someone in office, just walked in seeking help – Her immediate supervisor was being too vicious and unreasonable in his remarks related to her work. Now, this particular person is known to be a performer and has been delivering results – year after year. I had only this to tell her

Remember, people who criticise everything or make scathing remarks to be hurtful are the ones that need help – not you!

That is my sign-off message to these two penny, commie and west backed Activists. Delhi would be richer for hosting this unimaginable show, Yamuna, just as people of Delhi will breathe easy.

See you in Delhi for the WORLD CULTURE FESTIVAL – Adios Amigos for now.