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Showing posts from August, 2014

Religious Festivals and Environment Pollution

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Dr. Arvind Kumar Season for religious festivities has set in and this phenomenon is an annual feature which is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm by the devotees by preparing idols of their chosen deities and holding processions. The festivals of Ganesh Chathurthi and Durga Puja are of specific significance because their celebrations entail preparing of idols of Ganeshji or Ganapati Bappa during Ganesh Chathurthi and the idol of Goddess Kali is prepared and decorated beautifully during the Durga Puja.  The idols of the deities are prepared from the clean and pure earthly soil and thereafter these idols are beautifully decorated with different colours. There takes place a sort of competition among different groups to prepare the most attractive idol of their deity. The colours used in beautifying the idols of the deities contain harmful chemical ingredients. Once the celebrations are over, these idols are immersed in the nearby water bodies like rivers, la...

India has highest burden of malnutrition, Health effects of Climate Change

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Despite its growing prosperity, India has the highest burden of malnutrition in the world. Malnutrition is an underlying cause of almost half of all child deaths, and, for those children who survive, leads to cognitive impairment that prevents tens of millions of children from ever reaching their potential due to water quality and depletion of water resource, lack of nutrition in soil and food items. Climate change can have both direct and indirect human health impacts. Direct impact is heat and cold related stress. Indirect impacts arise from changes in temperature patterns, which may disturb natural ecosystems, change the ecology of infectious diseases, harm agriculture and fresh water supplies, exacerbate air pollution levels, and cause large-scale reorganization of plant and animal communities. As the economist Dean Spears has written, “Because the problems that prevent children from growing tall also prevent them from growing into healthy, productive, smart a...

Need for Water and Soil Conservation

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Need for Water and Soil Conservation Media reports indicate that in the aftermath of recent floods, China has begun to review its old laws relating to water and soil conservation and revise them accordingly to provide comprehensive protection for land and water resources in planning, controls and monitoring.  In the aftermath of recent Uttarakhand & Himachal Pradesh  tragedy and current floods affecting Uttar Pradesh,  Bihar and other parts of the country, the current scenario calls for revision of old laws pertaining to water and soil conservation in view of the increased industrial and urbanization activity. The loss of soil and water portends grave threats to the ecology, food safety and flood control. With a view to keep pace with fast changing economic and social development and environmental requirements following measures need to be accorded priority while amending existing laws on water and soil conservation: Ø Proper coordination between an...

Happy Janmashtami

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Happy Janmashtami Krishna Janmashtami is the birth (Janma) anniversary of Lord Krishna. According to the legend of the birth of Krishna, Vishnu incarnated himself as Krishna to destroy the evil Kansa who was harassing mankind. During Janmashtami, The main celebrations are held at the Dwarkadhish temple, Mathura in the form of Jhulanotsava and the Ghatas during the entire month of Shravan. The ghatas are a unique feature of the month long celebrations. The temples and the Lord Krishna`s statue are decorated in the same colour as the colour of the ghatas. The twin cities of Mathura and Vrindavan wear a festive look and spirit of devotion runs high among the people. There are about 400 temples dedicated to Lord Krishna in this sacred city and the major festivities are held at the Banke Bihari, Rangaji, Shri Krishna Balram temple and Gopinath temple. The Raslila of Braj is thematically the basis of many performing arts. Professional drama troupes or even young children perform Rasl...

Independence Day Pledge

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Independence Day Pledge 15th August is observed as Independence Day every year in India. It reminds us about the innumerable sacrifices made by our forefathers to win freedom for us. The cherished goals of the leaders of the national freedom movement have almost perished in the din of poverty, communalism, corruption and environmental degradation. While political and voluntart forces are somewhat engaged in fight against poverty, corruption and communalism, the struggle for mitigating adverse impact of ongoing process of climate change has not received desired momentum in consonance with the magnitude of the vast array of problems generated. It is an occasion that makes every Indian proud of being free from the servility of the imperial power that ruled us for about three centuries. However, there are several unanswered questions that make us uneasy and squirm as we happily move on mouthing platitudes of having attained independence. This solemn occasion of Independe...

International Youth Day 2014

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International Youth Day 2014 The theme of International Youth Day 2014 is “Youth and Mental Health” under the slogan ‘Mental Health Matters’.  12th August is celebrated as International Youth Day each year to recognize efforts of the world’s youth in enhancing global society. It also aims to promote ways to engage them in becoming more actively involved in making positive contributions to their communities. It was on 17 December 1999 that the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 54/120 endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day. Youth with mental health conditions can often experience stigma and discrimination, which in turn can lead to exclusion and/or discourage people from seeking help for fear of being negatively ‘labelled’. Efforts are needed to overcome this stigma to ensure that young people with mental health conditions...

About friendship

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About friendship "Friendship is that sheltering tree which covers you with warmth when you are cold with Sorrow, balms your soul when you are hurt in heart and bandages with love when you bleed inside, Human being ultimately depends on the health of the ecosystems which envelope and sustains us. We exploit ecosystem for the food, water and timber we need for everyday living and depend on ecosystem processes to regulate natural cycles and keep diseases at bay. We rely on them for recreation, mental and spiritual enrichment, intellectual development, reflection and religious experience. It comprises knowledge systems, social relations, aesthetic values and appreciation of nature.” "The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with friendship." "Friendship is like a pre...