Water-Scarcity and excess. Catch 22 situation

                               Water-Scarcity and excess. Catch 22 situation

So much of rain, water clogging. Selfish of me to want more. Sewage overflowing, garbage here and there. I hear people blaming the Govt for garbage not cleared. Why cant we reduce garbage? Why do we expect the Govt to do everything? Why do we keep silent when cutting of trees goes on in a rampant manner? Why dont we stop the officials from destroying the greenness of our only planet? Our elected representatives should be made to understand, power does not mean power of destruction. We hear people fighting for water. When nature shows abundance, we do not accept it. Isnt there any way to tap excess water, allow it to flow into a pond, surrounded by strong(banyan, neem, bilva, etc.)trees, so that water is sufficiently oxygenated? 

What if, we have a pond for every locality with mosquito-repelling and water retaining and absorbing plants around it.

Birds too can quench their thirst. Fix a tap with built-in filter for humans to collect and drink water. Fountains to let other animals to quench their thirst. Littering, spitting, using for public conveniences should be discouraged and strictly prohibited.                                                                                                                                       Find it sad that when cities are developed, no accommodation is made for nonhumans, viz birds and animals and even green patch. I hope, every new construction has a green patch of neem, medicinal plants and durva grass(said to be effective in curing jaundice and various ailments. Why go for show plants?
Real ones are pleasing and healing at the same time..                                           Being the highest creation of God, Shouldnt we prove to Our Creator, that by giving us this human birth, He has not made a mistake.    

Would it ok if the govt and related agencies make the following mandatory for all the new constructions?
1)Rain-water harvesting
2)Green patch with Indian grass(used for Lord Ganesha and effective remedy for jaundice) and medicinal trees like neem, bilva and others. 
3)A water bath for the birds to quench their thirst. It can be emptied n dried in the evening to prevent breeding grounds for mosquitoes                                                                      

How should we treat Mother Earth?

 GOOD's video.

How should we treat Mother Earth?

She is our(every one of us) Mother. Living, tolerant, generous, the most forgiving.

• We stamp and walk all over her.
• We spit on Her.
• We  litter indiscriminately.
• We pollute Her generosity thoughtlessly.

 Have we taken Her for granted?

In the Vedic Religion(popularly known as Hinduism), on a daily basis, 

as soon a person wakes up, (s)he venerates, apologises for stepping on Her(considered as degrading) and praying for Her continued Protection.

I’m sure the millions of Hindus who recite the following prayer every morning would agree.

Samudra Vasane Devi,

Parvata Stana Mandale.

Vishnupatni Namastubhyam,

Pada Sparsham Kshamasva Me

O Mother Earth! Draped by the oceans, adorned with mountains and jungles

The consort of Lord Vishnu, I bow to you.

Forgive me for stepping upon you with my feet

 http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/omsweetom/2011/04/hinduism-mother-earth.html#6GU9Rs1fBcUDZfBJ.99

The Hindu epic, Mahabharat, is relevant to this day..  Five just princes were banished from their kingdom and forced to dwell in the forest for many years.  One of the princes, Bhima, in an attempt to release his anger at this injustice, walked out of his tent with an axe and began chopping away at nearby trees.  Blinded by his rage, Bhima was unable to see the impact of his actions until Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, gently placed an arm on Bhima’s shoulder to stop him. “Brother Bhima, what are you doing?” Krishna asked kindly. Bhima explained his anger, not only at the princes’ predicament, but also at his inability to rectify it. “But why are you taking your anger out on these helpless trees?” Krishna asked.  “Are they the cause of your angst?  Did these trees take your kingdom from you?  Or was it the birds whose homes you just destroyed?  They can’t even defend themselves against you.” Bhima, ashamed, looked down and dropped the axe. Krishna put his arm around Bhima, lead him back to the tent, and said, “Remember, we must only take from Nature that which is a necessity.  If human beings today forget this principle and begin to abuse their power over Nature, future generations of humanity will pay the price.” These poignant words, uttered thousands of years ago, are very much applicable in our world today as we see the effects of our actions against nature.  While we strive to reduce our carbon footprint in countless ways, save the rainforests, and protect endangered species, sometimes it’s the smaller actions which have disproportionate impacts

Celebration in real sense - Improving Ourselves

                                Celebration in real sense - Improving Ourselves

Rajesh Dubhashe

नमस्कार,
.
गेल्या दहा दिवसां पासून आपण साजरा केलेेल्या आपल्या सर्वांच्या लाडक्या श्री गजाननाला प्रतीकात्मक रित्या निरोप देण्याची ही वेळ आता काही तासांवर आली आहे.
.
खरे तर आपण ज्या दिवसाला अनंत चतुर्दशी / गणेश विसर्जन दिवस असे संबोधित करतो.
त्या दिवशी आपण श्री गजाननाच्या पार्थिव मुर्तीचे विसर्जन न करता काही नवीन गोष्टीं चे विसर्जन या वर्षी पासून करूया--------------///
.
१) आपला अहंकार
२) आपला चिड़चिड करणारा स्वभाव
३) आपली संपत चाललेली माणुसकी ४) आपली वाईट नजर
५) विनाकारण एखादया विषयी आपल्या मनातील गैरसमज.
६) समाजातील नको असलेली चढ़ाओढ.
७) आपली अंधश्रद्धा
८) आपली नकारात्मक वृत्ती
९) आपल्या मनातील पूर्वग्रह
१०) आपण सतत चर्चा करतो त्या सर्व राजकीय गप्पा
११) आपण आपल्या स्वतःला न सुधारता दुसरयां कडून सुधारण्याची करत असलेली अपेक्षा़.....
.
ह्या ११ गोष्टी विसर्जन आपण करू. आणि श्री गणराया ला अपेक्षित असलेल्या एका चांगल्या समाजाच्या उभारणी साठी प्रयत्न करू.
💐💐💐💐💐
"मंगलमुर्ती मोरया गणपति बाप्पा मोरया, पुढच्या वर्षी लवकर या."

Maid (A)Musings

My help speaks some words in a unique manner. There are a plenty. The one I can vividly remember-She argued her frequent absenteeism is justified. She had no intention of causing any trouble to me "toughlick". The actual word is "tuckleaf". Called in the cook for her opinion. Asked her what does she understand by "tuckleaf"? She contributed, males are called "taklaa" while females, "taklees".

My working woman had once employed a cook(unknown to her, a stone deaf  lady). My neighbour hurriedly instructed her to  pack her lunch with khichdi(a mixture of rice, lentils and select lentils). The cook shouted back a re assuring Haan(rest assured and consider it done). During lunch hour, when she opened her lunch-box, what does she find?!!! Omlette and Indian bread!  The next dy, my considerate neighbour again hurriedly instructed the cook that since, "you can prepare omlette-bread, prepare the same today, I have to leave early."" Again, a reassuring rejoinder Haaan. At lunch hour, she finds khichdi in lunc-box.

Sacrifice, what we own.What do we own?

                                Sacrifice what we own. But what do we?

What can we claim to be owned by us? We can only sacrifice that. When we cant own anything, how on earth, can we sacrifice? Riches are transitory. So are relations and friends. When we die, even body is left behind? 

Why are animals sacrificed? When we kill, it is a crime, fullstop. How then can slaughtering be justified? Any animal, inferior to a human should be protected or mercilessly killed?

When Hindus sacrifice animals, its pathetic. They deck the animal and drag it to area of slaughter. Then there is JalliKatt(u). Elsewhere, horses, buffaloes/bullocks are sacrificed to appease God(dess). Who eats the butchered animals, not the God(dess) but those party to the gruesome act!
I feel that sacrifice of animal/predatory behaviour in us is A REAL SACRIFICE.

VISARJAN(IMMERSION)- Which method seems better?

                                   Which method seems better?

https://youtu.be/d3wCFdSVDxY

https://youtu.be/NaTilcDuWmk

https://youtu.be/YvSK8DUkU8U

https://youtu.be/eD3KtLIUPDc

https://youtu.be/3KBVwXOvijE

https://youtu.be/GGKV_K5Pg2I This is the scene at Hyderabad. See the undissolved Ganesha idols floating. Sad plight.

https://youtu.be/ujoOZtmL9Y0

                                                  OR

https://youtu.be/jc7Qi5PIeO8

Is it necessary to sacrifice animals?

Wont we be blessed more if we spare animals? I wonder, after slaughtering, does it give 1] a happy feeling or 2] a guilt feeling or a filthy feeling?
I wish to ask my Readers, What was the most precious was asked to be sacrificed. Slaughter, commit a sin and share the sin among the poor? Why sacrifice an innocent animal? Is it not Allah's creation?
Many supporters justify slaughter:-

1]Utter Allah-Tallah's name while slaughtering, sanctifies the animal's  sacrifice
2]Donate/distribute, one-third each, to the poor/to friends and relatives
3]Bless the sacrificial animal for giving his life to satiate others(WILLINGLY?)
4]if we do not slaughter, there would be an over-population of such animals. Who gave us the authority to keep their number in check? Why were carnivorous animals created?
https://www.quora.com/How-do-Muslims-justify-the-slaughtering-of-animals-in-the-name-of-God

There was a messenger named Abraham. God tested him by asking him to sacrifice his son Ismael. When He found both father and son quite ready for the sacrifice, He sent down to them a sacrificed goat. Abraham was informed that he had passed the test successfully and that there was no need then to sacrifice Ismael. The sacrificed goat was a token of Abraham’s success in the supreme test.

Muslims, celebrate Eid-ul-Azha or the Bakr-Eid all the world over to commemorate this success. It is a Sunnah and not an absolute obligation - to sacrifice a herbivorous animal, like a goat,  on this occasion. Ideally, the sacrificial animal would be the one that we have been rearing as a pet for at least a few days, so that we start feeling some attachment towards it. We would then have a little taste of the real spirit of sacrifice behind the token.

We should never ever mistake the token sacrifice as the real thing. We should be ever ready for the supreme sacrifice of our dearest thing in this world at the call of God, our Creator. That is the ultimate test for salvation, which lies in complete submission, by one’s own free choice, to the Will of the One and Only Creator. That is the real spirit behind the token sacrifice.


The meat from the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha is mostly given away to others. One-third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share with others.


It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him" (Qur'an 22:37)

BUT WHY KILL AN "UNWILLING" ANIMAL?
Just because we pay n buy them, are they equal to our children or Ismail?

Prayers of innocents answered fast

We are all Children in the eyes of The Creator. Applying the same, to our own lives-would we reward our erring children thus encourage their wrong behaviour?
Would we not reward our well-behaved child? Set an example for all children that the way to please a Parent is thus.

If we are all created by Him, it is like all are HIS. That being the case, how can we expect to Please Him by torturing and slaughtering his non human creations.
For example, why are festivals celebrated in such a way, that animals are treated in the most barbaric way?

Lets' explore a few festivals and their impact on people and the planet.

Ganesh Chaturthi:-Strange that elephants created by God are treated in the most disgusting way. While man-made elephant-God are treated with Devotion(?), Pomp and Splendour. The size of the idols are an increasing challenge for the water bodies and the Mother Earth. The materials, paints, sprays are non bio-degrading.


The same idol which was welcomed with such reverence and fervour(or is it frenzy?) is ignored after the festival. Who is accountable? The government, the ones bringing the idols, or the common people? All the three, I think.
The marine pollution caused by plaster of paris and toxic sprays and paints kills marine life. The ultimate sufferers are those who eat sea-food. More demand less supply, thus scarcity increases prices and the taste of the available stock is of sub-standard quality. Who is to be blamed?
The noise pollution disturbs all, especially the ailing and infirm.
The choc-o-bloc traffic on the roads disrupting the smooth traffic. Loss of one productive day!

Bakri-Eid:- Torture of innocent animals such as goats, camels, cows, cattle. Would we happily accept the tortured and killed body of our child? The idea behind Bakri-Eid, as I know it, is that the Prophet was asked Allah-Talla to offer His son in sacrifice(behead him). The Prophet, though sad willingly offered his beloved son.The Lord pleased substitutes the son with a goat. Does that mean, we have to compulsorily sacrifice an innocent animal?

http://www.indiaparenting.com/indian-culture/70_1618/significance-of-bakri-eidbakra-eid.html#

Significance of Bakri Eid/Bakra Eid

Read an interesting story about Bakri Eid (also referred as Eid-Ul-Azha, Eid-Ul-Zuha or Bakr-Idd), a grand celebration for Muslims.

There are many religions in India. Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and Sikhism are some of the major religions in India. People of these religions celebrate their festivals colourfully. Muslim festivals like Ramzan and Bakri Eid are celebrated with great will and dedication. Like Ramzan (Eid Ul-Fitr), Bakri Eid(also referred as Eid-Ul-Azha, Eid-Ul-Zuha or Bakr-Idd) is a grand celebration for Muslims. Muslims all over India and outside India celebrate Bakri Eid from the tenth to the twelfth day in the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah.

Significance of Bakri Eid 

There is a fascinating story that states the significance of Bakri Eid. Once,Allah challenged Prophet Ibrahim, the friend of Allah and the father of Prophets. Ibrahim had to prove his faith in Allah. Allah asked him to sacrifice the dearest and nearest one in his life. Ibrahim decided to take up the challenge and decided to sacrifice his son Ismail.

Ibrahim's faith in Allah 

His love towards his son was as strong as his faith in Allah. Though his heart went numb, he put his son on the altar at the mount of Mina near Mecca. It was impossible to see his son dying in front of his eyes. He could not imagine slaying his own child but he could not deny the order of higher power.

Ibrahim sacrifices his son 

He closed his eyes and raised the sharp sword. Reciting Allah's name he divided the head from the body. He opened his eyes and could not believe on his senses. His son Ismail was standing healthy and hearty in front of his eyes. A dead ram with his head apart was lying in the pool of blood. Ibrahimemerged as a winner as he accepted god's challenge with complete faith.

Power of Allah and Quran 

Since then people ardently believe in the mercy of Allah and in the 

authenticity of Quran. They devotionally sacrifice a ram on Eid-Ul-Zuha. 

On the holy occasion of Eid-Ul-Zuha, prayers are offered 

by Muslims and animals are sacrificed to show faith and sincerity 

towards Islam. The festival also signifies the Ibrahim's belief in almighty. 

On the occasion of Bakri Eid, Muslims sacrifice animals (goat or ox) in 

admiration of prophet Ibrahim's faith in Allah. This sacrifice is known 

as qurbani. A Muslim, who performs slaughter, makes three portions of 

the meat. He shares the meat with his fellow beings. One third part of 

the meat is distributed amongst the poor. One third part of the meat is 

for family and friends of the person who bought the animal. The last 

third part is for the household of the butcher. For Muslims Bakri Eid is  

the time to meet relatives, to enjoy feasts, and to seek Allah's blessings. 

May Allah shower his blessing on you! Happy Bakri Eid!



Yulin Festival:-All I know about this festival, is the animals are even exported in order to be sacrificed.



Other Hindu  Festivals where innocent animals are sacrificed:-

There are many festivals, where animals are inhumanly sacrificed to

signify the sacrifice of animal behaviour in us. However, it leads to bring

out more predatory/animal behaviour in us.

Donation by extortion and devotion?

I'd like to know from my learned friends, how important is it to collect money from others to express your devotion? I find it strange when "patrum. pushpam, phalam, toyam yo may bhaktya prayachchati....". The donation so extorted is used creating noise pollution n water pollution caused by immersing POP idols. :-( When unwillingly, I donate, I feel I m sinning. Am I not? Devotion, they lack. Alcoholism. mal practices using other's money! In Kaliyuga, chanting the name of God is enough, unlike in earlier yugas. But shouldnt it with full devotion and surrender?

How does it sound? The same deity, capable of fulfilling every possible wish needs funds for his worship? Cant be. The so-called devotees are out waste someone else's hard earned money. Does this not amount to insulting the deity and His powers?
No deity asks for anything. He is the Creator of everything. He only has to will it.

Eco friendliness in our day to day life.

The government and the courts keep coming up with restrictions. And there are people who will do everything to violate them. Perhaps, they dont care for 1)own safety, 2)others' safety 3)safety of the environment.
When restrictions are imposed, why cannot the public understand that it is for their own good both in the long and short run.
Lets' begin with the Ganpati festival which begins today. 1] Size of the idol, aspiring to be as tall as the sea-bed, 2] Paints, varnishes, sprays...are they not toxic to the marine life? Where will it go, ultimately? The sea-food eaters. Sadly, those who conduct these mal-practices are also eaters of sea-food. They dont realise, they are poisoning their own food. 3] Post immersion, undissolved Ganpati idols are washed ashore. They are hacked to pieces and disposed off in a way the devotion shown is questionable. The idea behind immersion is that life is short-lived And birth is repetitive. The idols have no significance but is our worship  to be demeaned thus?


Right from the time we wake up n even the cooling electronic device we use, everything should be in favour of making the planet, a better place for our children. We work hard and spend to fulfill our children's whims and fancies as well to give them a secure future. We are concerned for our children's future. Isnt that reason enough for us to be conscious about any damage our actions can cause to our one and only planet?

What is a carbon footprint - definition

A carbon footprint is defined as:

The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).

In other words: When you drive a car, the engine burns fuel which creates a certain amount of CO2, depending on its fuel consumption and the driving distance. (CO2 is the chemical symbol for carbon dioxide). When you heat your house with oil, gas or coal, then you also generate CO2. Even if you heat your house with electricity, the generation of the electrical power may also have emitted a certain amount of CO2. When you buy food and goods, the production of the food and goods also emitted some quantities of CO2.

Your carbon footprint is the sum of all emissions of CO2 (carbon dioxide), which were induced by your activities in a given time frame.Usually a carbon footprint is calculated for the time period of a year.

The best way is to calculate the carbon dioxide emissions based on the fuel consumption. In the next step you can add the CO2 emission to your carbon footprint. Below is a table for the most common used fuels:

Examples:

• For each (UK-) gallon of petrol fuel consumed, 10.4 kg 
• carbon dioxide (CO₂) is emitted.

• For each (US-) gallon of gasoline fuel consumed, 8.7 kg 
• carbon dioxide (CO₂) is emitted.

• If your car consumes 7.5 liter diesel per 100 km, then a 
• drive of 300 km distance consumes 3 x 7.5 = 22.5 liter 
• diesel, which adds 22.5 x 2.7 kg = 60.75 kg CO2 to your 
• personal carbon footprint.

fuel type	unit	CO2 emitted per unit
Petrol	1 gallon (UK)	10.4 kg
Petrol	1 liter	2.3 kg
Gasoline	1 gallon (USA)	8.7 kg
Gasoline	1 liter	2.3 kg
Diesel	1 gallon (UK)	12.2 kg
Diesel	1 gallon (USA)	9.95 kg
Diesel	1 liter	2.7 kg
Oil (heating)	1 gallon (UK)	13.6 kg
Oil (heating)	1 gallon (USA)	11.26 kg
Oil (heating)	1 liter	3 kg

Each of the following activities add 1 kg of CO2 to your 

personal 

carbon footprint:

• Travel by public transportation (train or bus) a distance of 
• 10 to 12 km (6.5 to 7 miles)
• Drive with your car a distance of 6 km or 3.75 miles 
• (assuming 7.3 litres petrol per 100 km or 39 mpg)

• Fly with a plane a distance of 2.2 km or 1.375 miles.

• Operate your computer for 32 hours (60 Watt consumption assumed)

• Production of 5 plastic bags

• Production of 2 plastic bottles

• Production of 1/3 of an American cheeseburger (yes, the 
• production of each cheeseburger emits 3.1 kg of CO2!)

To calculate the above contributions to the carbon footprint, the current UK mix for electricity and trains was taken into account. 

Carbon dioxide is a so called greenhouse gas causing global warming . Other greenhouse gases which might 

be emitted as a result of your activities are e.g. methane and ozone. These greenhouse gases are normally also taken into account for the carbon footprint. They are converted into the amount of CO2 that would cause the same effects on global warming (this is called equivalent CO2 amount).

Few people express their carbon footprint in kg carbon rather than kg carbon dioxide. You can always convert kg carbon dioxide in kg carbon by multiplying with a factor 0.27 (1'000 kg CO2 equals 270 kg carbon). See my comment to the article about personal responsibility for global warming .

The carbon footprint is a very powerful tool to understand the impact of personal behaviour on global warming. Most people are shocked when they see the amount of CO2 their activities create! If you personally want to contribute to stop global warming, the calculation and constant monitoring of your personal carbon footprint is essential.

For registered users, there is a carbon footprint calculator on this website, which allows to store individual activities like, e.g. travelling by car, train, bus or air plane, fuel consumptions, electricity bills and so on (we call the individual contributions "carbon stamps"). You can then see the amount of CO2 created for each individual activity. You can do this either in advance and use it as a help for decisions or afterwards to continually sum up your carbon dioxide emissions. Klick here to see a sample carbon footprint with some activities.

An off-line carbon footprint and primary energy consumption calculator (Excel sheet) is already available in the download section.

There are graphs available on this site for the CO2 emissions per capita by country (average carbon footprint by country). In the medium- and long term, the carbon footprint must be reduced to less than 2'000 kg CO2 per year and per person. This is the maximum allowance for a sustainable living .

• Global warming
 
• Carbon footprint

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