Blind Spots by Claudia M. Shelton

1.Title:Blind Spots: achieve success by seeing  what you can’t SEE

2.Author: Claudia M. Shelton

3.Publisher: John Wiley & Sons  Inco.

4.Year of Publication: 2007

5.Copyright: @2007 Claudia M. Shelton

6.ISBN: 978-0-470-04225-0

7.Genre Success in Business’ Executive Coaching

8.Pages: 255

9.Rating : ***

Every one has blind spots in  self. Blind spots are  things we do ,  or negative habits  in our behaviour  that we cannot see.These are the things  we do  unconsciously. For example , we  may not be clear about our own strengths or weaknesses. Blindspots can adversely affect our  performance in business and also  our relationships  because others  see them and get  affected by them while we are unaware of them .

                    Obviously , it is a good thing if we can identify our blind spots  and then take steps to eliminate them .Our quest for self awareness cannot be complete  without identifying our blind spots. Claudia Shelton makes an attempt to educate us how to do it . Some one external to us , a friend or a trusted colleague can do this job for us , if they know the techniques , and if we request them to do it for us .But it is a sensitive exercise .When others give us negative feedback to us about our blind spots,  we may become uncomfortable, and may challenge them .So , it is up to us to shift to neutral , be non-judgmental when some one else  begins to tell us about our blind spots at our request.

                     So far , so good.But when it comes to tools like  Five Most Common  Blind Spots framework, Clear Sight Plan , Personal Self-Portrait, Blind Spots Profile, Blind Spots 360,The Confidence Triangle , Statement of Strengths, Statement of Purpose, Claudia  begins to sound like the author of a typical self-help book.

                     The book makes us aware of the blind spots’ existence in each of us , and encourages us to identify and eliminate them .Even this contribution is  very  significant and I thank the author for this.

Proof of Heaven . . A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife by Dr Eben Alexander

1.Title:Proof of Heaven  ..A Neurosurgeon's  Journey into the Afterlife

2.Author:Dr Eben Alexander

3.First Published:2012

4.Publisher:Piaktus in Great Britain .

5.Copyright:@2012 Dr Eben Alexander

6.ISBN : 978-0-7499-5879-4

7.Pages: 194

8.Price: Rs. 375.

Dr Eben is a renowned neurosurgeon  based in Virginia. After earning an MD from Duke University , he worked as a neurosurgeon in  the top institutions of the world including  Harvard Medical School. On November 10,2008 ,at the age of 54, Dr  Eben was struck by a rare illness  and was thrown into coma for seven days. He was found to  have bacterial meningitis. E.coli  meningitis is very rare in adults. No underlying cause of his illness could be identified. Scans of his brain revealed  massive damage  and he was not expected to survive. He remained in coma for seven days .On the eighth day , he opened his eyes , became alert  and very shortly  went on to have a full recovery. Doctors attending on him thought it was a miraculous recovery.

               Soon after his recovery , for the next six weeks or so ,Dr Eben wrote his experiences  in the higher worlds. This book is based essentially on those writings. Dr Eben says that he went through deep and intense NDE, Near Death Experience while he was in coma. The death of the body and the brain is not the end of consciousness. Dr  Eben is certain of life after death and  he says:Ï am the living proof”. He also says that any one of us can go deep into our consciousness  through prayer and meditation  to access the truths of higher worlds. He quotes Albert Einstein: ”I must be willing to give up  what I am in order  to become  what I will be.”

                        During his journey after death , he experienced unconditional love and acceptance.He also realized that  nothing can tear us from God.But this was because  throughout his time in the higher worlds , he was asoul with no attachments and nothing to lose.Every one of us is deeply cared for by God.No one is unloved.

                   All this coming from a highly reputed Neurosurgeon  makes us  positively inclined to believe in  a consciousness living even when we die. I recommend you to read this  insightful book .It will make some change in the way you think about this life and beyond.

Deforestation and its impact on Environment

. The clearing of forests continues at an alarming rate because land is being made available  for residential , industrial and commercial purpose .Apart from urban sprawl, logging operations  which provide us  wood and paper  products  also   responsible  for felling   very large number of trees every year. Some deforestation is also caused by   natural factors  like wildfires  and subsequent overgrazing  which  may prevent the growth of young trees.

                Trees are also dying  globally at a rate never before seen, because of climate change. The trees are struggling to  cope with the extreme weather  and temperature variations associated with global warming .The major carbon sinks around the globe are disappearing , as a result.

               Along with deforestation , we have forest degradation also  –a reduction in tree density from human or natural causes.             

              Impacts of Deforestation and  Forest Degradation:

Deforestation  has many negative effects  on the environment .The most important impact is the loss of habitat  for millions of species. 70% of   Earth’s land animals and plants  live in forests and many of them cannot survive the deforestation. Up to 28,000 species are expected  to become extinct  by the next quarter of the century due to deforestation. Soil erosion , floods , wildlife extinction , increase in global warming  and climate imbalance are few of the effects of deforestation .

                 Deforestation also drives climate change. Loss of forests contributes between  12% and 17%  of annual global greenhouse gas emissions. Trees absorb greenhouse gases. When forests are removed , greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere. This increases speed and severity of global warming .In addition , forest canopy blocks  the sun’s rays during the day and holds in heat at night. Removing trees leads to  more extreme temperature swings  that can be harmful to plants and animals. Further , forest soils quickly dry out  if trees are felled. Many former forest lands   can quickly become barren deserts. Deforestation affects water cycle. Trees absorb ground water and release the same  into the atmosphere during transpiration .When deforestation happens , the climate automatically changes to  a drier one and also affects water table.   

Data for India:

    Forest cover analysis  by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) using satellite data , defines forest as an area  of more than  1 Hectare and more than  10% tree canopy cover. The combination of remote sensing as well as GIS techniques  with ground surveys  can go a long way  in the management of critical areas.

               India is one of the  mega biodiversity nations  and seventh largest in the world  and second largest in Asia  having an area of 328.72 million Hectares (m ha).It has about 17000 species of flowering  plants  and about 5400 endemic species.

                       In India , between 1951 and 1980 , according to the Forest Survey of India (1987), over 26.20 lakh hectares of forest was converted for agricultural purposes all over India. Forest survey of India has been carrying out mapping of forest cover  on a biennial basis. The current estimate of gross deforestation in India is 0.43% for 2009-2011 , compared to global average of 0.6%.

Data for the world:

Since 1990 , half the  rain forests of the world have been destroyed

1.Forests still cover about  30 percent of the world’s land area .

2.An estimated 18 million  acres of forests , of the size of  country Panama are lost every year , according to the United Nations  Food and Agriculture  Organization(FAO).

3.The world’s  rain forests could completely vanish  in a 100 years  at the current rate of deforestation 4.20% of the world’s oxygen is produced in the Amazon’s forest.

Rate of Deforestation:

FRA(Forest Resources Assessment) says that while in  1990  forests made up  31.6% of the world’s land areas  or some 4128 million hectares , this has changed to  30.6%  in 2015  or some 3999 million hectares. Meanwhile the annual rate of forest loss has slowed down  from 0.18%  in the early 1990s  to 0.08% during the period 2010-2015. 93% of the  world’s forest area is natural forest  while planted area currently  accounts for 7% of the world’s over-all  forest area , having increased by over  110 million hectares  since 1990. Thus ,over the past 25  years , the rate of net global deforestation  has slowed down by  more than 50%.(FAO report dated September7,2015).This is a positive sign and gives hope but more efforts are needed.  Globally , natural forest area is decreasing  and planted forest area  is increasing .While  most forests remain publicly owned , ownership by individuals  and communities  has increased.In all cases , FAO stresses the importance of  sustainable forest  management practices.The management of forests has improved dramatically  over the last 25 years .This includes planning , knowledge sharing , legislation and policies.

      FAO has estimated that  total carbon emissions  from forests decreased  by more than  25% , between 2001 and 2015 , mainly due to  a slowdown in global  deforestation rates.

             The major driver of forest cover  changes in India are  shifting cultivation  along with encroachment  for agricultural land , mining , quarrying , expansion of settlements , dam construction and illegal logging .

             Wildlife Protection Act , 1972 provided protection to  wild animals , birds , plants as well as their  habitats  and envisaged setting up of Protected Areas.The Forest  Conservation Act  aimed at lowering the rate of deforestation  by controlling conversion  of forest land to non-forestry purposes.

What  needs to be done  to stop deforestation and forest degradation ?

1.Promote  sustainable choices :

             Purchase recycled items like notebooks, paper , books , toilet paper and shopping bags. As companies use recycled materials as raw materials. This reduces the demand for new materials. Make efforts not to waste.

2.Reforestation: Encourage people to plant trees.In China , every able-bodied citizen between 11 and 60 years  is responsible for planting 3 to 5 trees in a year or  to do equal amount of work in  other areas of forestry.

3.Tree Care:                                                 

When cutting down trees ,  single out full-grown trees and spare the younger trees.For every single tree that is felled , make sure that two are planted in its place.

4.Change the politics:

Crack down on corruption .Ensure the strict implementation of forest conservation rules.Illegal felling takes place because of corruption  and also because of unsustainable forest management practices. This in turn can fuel  organized crime and even armed-conflicts.

    Make laws to stop illegal wood  products from entering our markets .Support treaties like  CITES (Conservation of  International Trade  in Endangered Species ) to protect  forests and the endangered  species  that rely on forest habitats.

5The Power of the  Market Place:

Look for Forest Stewardship Council  (FSC) Certification   for wood , wood products .In fact companies  and corporations should hold  their suppliers accountable  for producing commodities like  timber , palm oil , paper  in a way that does not fuel deforestation .For the non-recycled products that they buy , they should ensure that  any virgin  fiber used is certified by a third party such as the  Forest Stewardship Council(FSC). Even corporations like Nestle , McDonalds‘s, Kimberly –Clark have taken steps  to stop  deforestation .

6. Standing with Indigenous  Peoples:

When Indigenous Peoples’ rights to traditional lands and self-determination   are respected , forests stay standing .Often corporations and governments  overlook or intentionally  trample upon the rights of forest-dwellers.

7.Use alternative energy:

In winters , use coal as  alternative to charcoal and fire wood.This will prevent premature felling of trees. Ending deforestation is our best chance  to conserve wildlife  and defend  the rights of forest communities.

8. Become an advocate  for forestry and environment:

Use your voice to speak for forest matters .Become an advocate of reforestation .Learn how you can spread the word. Raise funds with which to protect the forest land.When people join together  and demand  forest conservation , companies and governments listen .

9.Support Conservation Organizations;

Donate your time , money or actions to  organizations  that  run programmes focused on preservation of forests and forest habitats. Organizations like  World Wide Fund for nature, Greenpeace,  Conservation International are some such organizations at international level.

10.Eat vegetarian meals as often as possible.

11.Go paperless.
(This article was published in September 15, 2016 issue of the magazine Tree Take , Lucknow , India).

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

1.Title: Purple Hibiscus

2.Author: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

3.First Published by: Fourth Estate (2004),An Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers.

4.Present Edition: Fourth Estate (2013)

5.Copyright: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2004)

6.ISBN: 978-0-00-727235-8

7.Genre: Fiction/literature

8.Pages: 307

9.Price :Rs.399.

Adichie is   now a known  author from Nigeria and Purple Hibiscus is her first book.It was longlisted for Man Booker Prize 2004 and shortlisted for the Orange Prize 2004.It received the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award 2004.

                     Purple Hibiscus is the story of a young girl Kmbili and her brother Jaja, brought up in a strict religious regimentation by their father  Eugene Achike (Papa).Achike  gave   up and condemned   his past  religion and became Christian.He always tried to prove how  true  Christian he was , and kept  vigil over his children so that they  also remained  strict Christians.But this is not to say that he was a monster.He was kind and thoughtful in his own ways  but when  it came to religion , he did all kinds of  awful and horrible things.He was a strict believer in  religion and  order and  himself makes  a daily schedule  for the children and pastes it  on the wall above.

                     Eugene was the publisher of a a fiercely independent newspaper the Standard.His editor  Ade Choker   was killed by the dictator of Nigeria .Eugene looks after the family of Choker.Eugene is connected  and intelligent enough to  survive  death at the hands of dictator.

           Eugene has a sister whom his children call Aunty Ifoema.They were born and brought up in Abba , but  Eugene , on becoming Christian , breaks contact with his own father (Papa Nnukou).Every year , Eugene visits his home town with his family , but his children are allowed to meet their grand father only for 15 minutes.Eugene humiliates his father as  he thinks his father is a Pagan.

                             Aunty Ifoema is a lecturer in  the University at Nsukka.When Kambili and Jaja meet her , they understand  what freedom and fearlessness means.The three children of Aunty Ifoema also breathe in a free and unregimented environment , unlike  the tight and regimented life of Kambili and Jaja, back at home where their father  beats them violently for any alleged transgression . From Aunty Ifoema’s house , Jaja brings  stalks of Purple Hibiscus and plants these in his own house .Purple Hibiscuses  symbolise  freedom and non-regimentation .Aunty Ifoema  set higher and higher jumps for  her children  in the way she talked to them .Eugene made his children jump higher  by creating terror in their minds.

                    One day , Eugene is found dead in his factory  premises at his table .I will not be spoiler by telling who kills him.But it is important to know .

                           .I recommend you to read this very powerful ,  lyrical  and touching  story by  Adichie.

          

Demian by Hermann Hesse

1.Title: Demian

2.Author:Hermann Hesse

3.First Published:1919

4.Harper Perrenial Classics Edition , Published :1999.

5.Translated from German by:Michael Rollof and Michael  Lebeck

6.Pages:158

7.Price;Rs 386.90

     Demian , a short novel , was first published   under the pseudonym of Emil Sinclair , its protagonist and narrator.The tenth edition was published under the name of Hermann Hesse. Hesse  applied in this book  the depth psychology of Carl Jung .Sinclair finds the meaning of his life  through his dreams and the symbols of his paintings.

             Hesse  emphasised  the uniqueness of every human being  who “represents  the unique , the very special  and always  significant and remarkable  point at which  the world’s phenomena intersect  only once  this way and never again.”

                The relationship between  Hesse and Romain Rolland  (the French Author and a Nobel Laureate) got reflected in the novel  as a relationship  between  Emil Sinclair and Max Demian.(Max Demian is the character , after whom the novel is based.)Both Romain Rolland and Max Demian believed  that  the ravages of world war  will give way to a healed future.(The novel was published  in 1919 , the third year of world war one.)

     This book exerted a great influence on the youth of Germany and other countries , and it became an instant best-seller.It gives the message that  each one of us  has to struggle to  become self –aware, to be true to our self and finally to  actualize our self , and to remain hopeful while doing so..This is our destiny and our purpose .

                I recommend you to read this novel.

Communicating Interpersonally-A Social Construction Approach

1.Title:                                 Communicating    Interpersonally                                                                                                                                                                                               

2.Authors                          John Stewart , Karen E. Zedikar,Saskia                                                                     Witteborn                                                                                

3.ISBN                               81-7992-533-1

4.Publisher                        Jaico Publishing House ,  Mumbai                                                                    

5.Pages                               414.

6.Price                               Rs.995.

7.Genre:                         Management ,Psychology,Sociology      

 .

Communication  plays a very important part in all relationships .Yet , we hardly try to learn communication .This book on communication  is  written by  John Stewart  ,  Karen Zedikar  and Saskia Witteborn  , all from  University of Washington--- basically teachers and researchers.

                       I have tried to  distil ten most important points about communication  from this book of 414 pages , as below.These     statements  apply in important relationships including  friendships.

1.Understand  the other person’s  culture , value systems , beliefs and attitudes.

2.Be honest and trustworthy in communication and interaction.

3.Never use  hurtful, aggressive and violent statements.

4.Have respect for the dignity of the other person .

5.Be trusting .

6.Have transparency (open sensitivity).

7.Listen

a)Face the other person  when talking.

b)Maintain eye contact.

c)Make responsive sounds.

d)Select open sensitivity responses.

8.In cyberspace  including social media ,  be careful to present yourself and  relate to others.

9.Follow Universal Rules of Relationships/friendships:

a)Respect the other person’s privacy.

b)Do not discuss that which is said in confidence with the other person .

c)Do not indulge in sexual activity with the other person.

d)Do not criticize the other person publicly.

Communication is a very vast  and complex subject .If you want to read it as a  serious subject , you can read this book  like a text book .Otherwise , it can be left to  he  students of communication .

The power of your subconscious mind by Dr. Joseph Murphy

1.Title :                                     The power of your subconscious mind

2.Author:                                   Dr. Joseph Murphy .

3.Pages                                       253.

4.First published :                      1963.

5.Present edition                        Pocket Books.(2006).

6.Genre                                      Self- help

7.Price                                        Rs. 277.

Dr. Joseph Murphy  was born in Ireland in 1898 but  moved to the USA in 1922 where he continued to  preach Divine Science and write till his death in 1981.He did his Ph. D. in Psychology from  the University of South California He The power of subconscious was one of the 30 books he wrote  but it sold over a million copies in a very  short span , and still continues to be read, over 53 years after its publication.

                   Mind has two parts : conscious and subconscious (Some people  call the latter unconscious ). The conscious mind is rational and subconscious mind   is irrational. But , Dr. Murphy says that subconscious mind is extremely powerful as compared to conscious mind , though it takes commands from conscious mind . The famous Psychologist William James said: ”The greatest discovery of the  nineteenth century was the power of the subconscious mind  touched by faith”.The book is based on  religion as well as  psychology. Dr. Murphy wants us to read it several times. Only then it will  help you to remove the mental blocks  that stand between you and your goals.

                    Among several techniques to use the subconscious   is autosuggestion .Give yourself positive suggestion before going to sleep, and counter act any negative suggestions. Your subconscious will work for you through the night.

                        Another technique is to believe that (what you desire) you have received and you shall receive. Prayer therapy is another , which combines  the function of conscious mind and subconscious mind, scientifically directed. Pray together and stay together.

                        Visualization is another technique to use the power of the subconscious mind .Use imagination and not will power. Power of sustained imagination can bring success .

             Affirmation is another technique. Affirmation succeeds  best when it is specific and when it does not produce a mental conflict or argument .

        Do positive thinking .You cannot attract what you criticise.

              You can use subconscious mind for harmonious human relations, for forgiveness ( “Forgive until seventy times seven”), for removing mental blocks, for helping in breaking or building a habit or to remove fears. r Murphy closes his book by telling how to stay young in spirit for ever.

                   Though all the miracles that  Dr. Murphy attributes to the power of subconscious  mind  may not be correct , the book is interesting  and gives you ideas about the possible uses of subconscious mind.If  you have not decided against reading self-help books ,I recommend you to read this book.

Nuclear Power and its implications for environment and human safety

There are at present over 400 nuclear power plants in the world. These plants provide less than 7% of  world’s total energy supply. India’s share of nuclear power generation  is just 1.2% of world’s nuclear power generation capacity, making it the world’s 15^th largest   nuclear power producer. India has  7 nuclear power plants(21 reactors) having an installed capacity of 5780 MW.(as in 2013).These nuclear power plants are located in six states  of  Maharashtra , Gujrat , Rajasthan , U.P. , Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Out of these , only one nuclear power station is located in UP at Narora. It is operated by NPCIL  and has two units of 220MW each (total 440MW).Four projects(6 units) are under construction in Tamil Nadu , Rajasthan and Gujrat ,with capacity of 4300 MW.

                    India gets under 2% of its electricity   from nuclear power with the rest coming from  coal(60%) , hydroelectricity(16%), other renewable sources (12%)  and natural gas (9%). India plans  to produce 25% of its electricity from   nuclear power in due course(9% by 2032).

                    India has had many advocates for nuclear power , the most notable in the recent past being our former President , Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam who said: ”Energy independence is India’s first and highest  priority. India has to go for nuclear power  generation in a big way using Thorium  based reactors .Thorium , a non-fissile material is available in abundance in  our country.” There is no burning of fossil fuel in nuclear power plants , no green house gases  are produced. Nuclear energy produces more  electricity on less land  than other carbon free technologies. It is under such reasoning  that India is going in a big way for setting up nuclear power plants.

             But let us go  into the safety and environment aspects of nuclear power plants. There have been three major  reactor accidents  in the history of nuclear power generation . They are :

1. Three Mile Island  (USA , 1979)

2. Chernobyl              (Ukraine , 1986)

3. Fukushima              (Japan , 2011).      

 Tem former Nobel Peace Laureates , including the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Rigobata Manchu Tum  stated the following in an April  21 , 2011 open letter  to 31 Heads of State  whose countries are currently  heavily invested in nuclear power production  or are considering investing  in nuclear power: ”Choose renewable energy over nuclear power :Nobel Peace Laureates to World Leaders::

On the twenty fifth anniversary  of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine—and more than two months after the massive earthquake  and tsunami that devastated Japan , it is time to recognise that  nuclear power is not a clean , safe or affordable source of energy.

  We are deeply disturbed that   the lives of people in Japan are  being endangered by nuclear radiation in the air , in the water or  in the food  as a result  of the breakdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. We firmly believe that if the world phases out its current use of nuclear power , future generations of people everywhere—and the Japanese people who have already suffered  too much – will live in greater peace and security.

             Radiation is not just  a concern  in a nuclear accident .Each link in the nuclear fuel chain  releases radiation , starting with drilling for uranium ;  it then continues for generations  because nuclear waste includes plutonium  that will remain toxic for thousands of years. Despite years of research  , countries with nuclear energy programme such as the United States  have failed to solve the challenge of  finding safe and secure storage  for spent nuclear fuel.

                There are presently over 400 nuclear power plants  in the world –many in places of high risk  for natural disaster or political upheaval . These plants provide less than 7% of the world’s total energy supply .As world leaders , you can work together  to replace this small amount of energy  to move us towards  a carbon-free and nuclear –free future.”

                    Though there was no death , injury or adverse health effects  due to Three Mile Island accident , it shattered the  public confidence in nuclear energy , especially in the USA. As a result   , there was a major decline in nuclear  construction though the  1980’s and 1990’s .The lessons learnt were applied in a big way in all the nuclear power plants in the USA.

                            In Chernobyl accident , 30 firemen and operators were killed  within 3 months. In addition , 28 persons died as a result of Acute Radiation Syndrome(ARS) within a few weeks of the accident. 19 more died subsequently between 1987 and 2004.The Chernobyl Forum report said that   about seven million people are now receiving  or are eligible for benefits as Chernobyl Victims. In what is referred to as his Testament –which was published soon after his suicide   two years after the accident –Valery Legasov- who led the soviet delegation to  the IAEA post-accident review meeting ,wrote,: After I had visited  Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant,I came to the conclusion that  the accident was the inevitable  apotheosis of the economic system which had been developed in the USSR  over many decades.  Neglect by the scientific management   and the designers was every where with no attention being paid to  the condition of instruments or of equipment.”

                   In Fukushima accident , there were no deaths from the accident but  over one lac people were evacuated from their homes so that there was no radiation exposure. There have been over 1000 deaths from maintaining the evacuation. Evacuation orders were issued to people residing  within 20kms of the site. Fukushima accident destroyed the public confidence  in Japan  in nuclear power, particularly in earthquake-prone regions having reactors. Japan has decided to  meet its energy needs without relying on nuclear power  and  is now going  for alternatives to nuclear power .Japan is building a network of 30  solar power stations , of 2MW each.

      A disaster like Chernobyl or Fukushima , if it happens in a densely populated country like India , could have huge human , economic and environmental  consequences, as had happened in the  industrial disaster  of Union carbide , Bhopal. There have been mass protests in India against the French-backed 9900MW   Jaitapur nuclear power plant in Maharashtra. Though India has enacted 2010 Nuclear Liability Act   which puts financial responsibility and compensation  in case of a nuclear accident on  nuclear suppliers, contractors and operators. But is it enough to make provision for financial   compensation  ? We just have to look at the  precariously hanging electricity distribution lines in any city like Lucknow and ask whether we have the confidence  in the maintenance of equipments and instruments of nuclear power plants ?Where does  nuclear power  fit in the culture of neglect and indifference among public sector employees in India ?And add to this the rampant corruption  in public sector in supply of plants , materials and accessories. We need to think and re-think   hard about  our  nuclear options  and pay heed to the appeal of ten Nobel Peace Laureates  against  going in for nuclear power. India  , which has lot of land and sunshine , may opt for cost-effective, cleaner  and  safer  solar power , where location is also  not at all critical.(This article was published in Tree Take  magazine , Lucknow in its August 15,2016 issue.)

Youth and Environment

Let us begin by  asking ourselves two questions:

Question no. 1:  How are the global indicators of human well-being  changing?

Question no. 2: How are the global indicators of  the well-being of natural systems  changing?

The answer to first question is encouraging as below:

1.Life expectancy has risen.

2.Infant mortality has fallen.

3.The proportion of the  world’s population  with access to clean drinking water  has increased.

4.Total  global forest cover  rose by 0.85% from 1950 to 1994(FAO).

5.The real price of oil,coal , gas and metals is declining over time.

It is obvious that  human well-being is improving over time.

Now let us look for the answer to the second question:

1.Biodiversity is declining.

2.Levels of Carbon  dioxide in the atmosphere are increasing.

3.Yields from ocean fisheries are declining.

4.Top soil is eroding.

5.Quantities  of proven energy reserves are falling.

6.The Great Pacific Garbage Patch  is a swirling Vortex  of waste and debris  in the Pacific Ocean .This area is  twice the size of the Continental  US and is believed to hold almost 100 million tonnes of garbage.

6.Average temperatures will increase by as much as  12 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of 21^st century if greenhouse gas emission continue to rise at the current pace.

We must accept a few hard facts:

1.Pollutants in environment do kill people.

2.Nuclear wastes are highly dangerous.

3.Climate change , global warming , unexpected droughts and floods are taking place.

4.Ozone depletion has caused damages.

This shows that we need to do  something urgently  to conserve our natural systems so that  we can prevent global warming and climate change , and protect nature and biodiversity.Why do we need the involvement of youth in environment ,ecology and forestry?

It is obvious that youth have energy  and new ideas.So, every  area of life and community needs the involvement of youth.But there is a special logic why youth have to be involved  with environment concerns.It is because politicians in  democratic political systems  have short term perspective.They rarely look much further than  the next elections.Businesses and markets  also focus on short term  profits.Environmental issues require a long-term thinking and action .Youth is a constituency for the  long term .Hence youth have to take up leadership in environmental issues.They have to live longer and face these challenges of pollution and climate change.They have a greater stake in long-term sustainability.

                    In addition , youth of  the present have  stronger awareness of the issues involved that older people , thanks to   the  efforts of environmentalists and conservationists in the last 30 years or so.

                    Thirdly , as activists age , there is always a need for  renewal from the grass-roots.Youth have also to fulfil the role of activists.

                   Fourthly ,  youth are also needed  for the creation of  alternative movement forms and foci .

Youth must realize that  battles may be lost but  the war has to be won .Each generation  has the capacity to invent new political forms.                         

What youth can and must do for environment?

1.Raise the awareness about environmental issues:

IN the USA ,85%  of people under 30  identify themselves as environmentalists.The figure is much lower for India.                   In a study conducted in 2011   by Yale Project called  Climate change in Indian mind , following was the level of awareness;

1.Only 7% of respondents said that they know a lot about global warming while 4% had either never heard of it or said “I don’t know.”

2.56% said it is caused by human activities while 31% said it is caused mostly by natural changes in environment.

This example indicates  how little awareness about Climate change exists in India .The awareness is not  much different in other areas of environment and ecology.This shows the enormity of our challenge.

              What it means to raise  AWARENESS?

It means that Environmental  commitment should not only be widespread but also deep.At present , it is neither broad nor deep .It is important that the awareness should be deep and firm .For example , a well educated person may know about global warming but when it comes to real life :

1.He may have a lifestyle , with high consumption of goods and things.

2.He may use large car instead of small car .

3.He may travel by airplane , though  he may not have lack of time.

4.He may live in spacious house.

5.He may not care to recycle household waste because he can afford to buy new things.

Such a person has very shallow level of awareness.You has to get past this hypocrisy and shallowness.If the entire world lived like  the average American , we’d need 5 planets to provide enough resources.We need to create an awareness about the need to change attitudes , behaviour and policies .

2.Youth need skills to recognise and withstand the pressures of advertising .:

 As a consumer , they should buy eco-intelligently  .  Modern consumerist political economy  aims to sell you things you may not need .It makes our society acquisitive and  .Youth have to acquire skills  to see through the games of advertisers , and resist temptations and pressures. They should buy only what  they really  need , and  keep to minimalism .It helps the cause of environment.

3.We need to spread environmental education  to increase the level of environmental awareness of youth .This should be accompanied with  environmental political education  directed at  governments, international organisations  and corporations.We should aim to produce “ecological citizens and not just green consumers”.This raises the issue of Schooling versus Social learning .NGO’s can integrate education with their activism .Following  things are needed:

1.Organize campaigns , create publications , websites.Be environmental educators.

2.Organize practical workshops.

3.Prepare personal projects.These could relate to preserving water and electricity, minimising the use of plastic bags , using car-pooling , public transport  and bicycles, planting trees.Involve community.

This in turn requires youth  to educate themselves , and share their knowledge and inspiration .Only then , youth can become environmental leaders and change agents.

4.Create an informal networks of activists.Share information .Groups need not have formal organizations.In fact , assets of formal organizations can be seiged by government through court action .

5.Protests, demonstrations and boycott.

6.Organise events geared to attract media publicity.

7.Use internet and social media networks.Make internet and ICT resources accessible.

Young journalists:Media can be a powerful  tool for environmental education .

There is a role of media in social learning .Environmental journalism is fast developing into a profession .Media needs to focus more on issues though it focuses more on events.In  1984,in Bhopal , numerous deaths  took place  due to release of Methyl Isocyanate  from a pesticide plant ,owned by Union carbide.Media mainly focussed on the event but not on  political –economic structures and processes that allowed such a plant to exist and that too near residences of poor people.There are no doubt challenges to environmental journalism .The first challenge for Indian media  is to get past  the idea that  environmentalism is yet another  post-colonial imposition from the developed world.Media also needs to focus on youth.

              In Uttar Pradesh , good work has been done in the area of tree plantation  in last few years.But  existing forest cover in Terai faces larges cale  illicit felling and poaching .In  controlling air , water pollution , in  disposal of municipal and other kind of wastages, a lot needs to be done .This needs involvement of youth in a much bigger way .The goal is already there .Our  to adopt this goal , resolve in their  mind , use their  passion and inspiration  on a long-term horizon .I  have ahope that our youth will respond to this challenge .And our senior citizens will lend thenm their full support

The Kingdom of God is Within You by Leo Tolstoy

1.Title                                              The Kingdom of God is                                                                                         Within You                                                                              

2.Author                                                              Leo Tolstoy

3.Publisher                                                          Rupa & Co.(2006 reprint)

4.First Published in                                            1893.

5.ISBN                                                                 81-7167-515-8.

6.Format                                                              Rupa Paperback

7.Page Count                                                       407.

8.Price                                                                  Rs 295.

9.Genre                                                                 Essay

10.Part of series                                                   No.

11.Translator                                                        Aylmer Maude

12Rating                                                              *****

 This book was  one of the two books which inspired MK Gandhi to fight for freedom of India from British rule, the other book being  Unto This last by John Ruskin.

              Jesus Christ said,” Ye have heard that it was said , An eye for an eye , and a tooth for tooth.But I say unto you ,Resist not  him that is evil ;but whosoever  smiteth  thee on thy right cheek , turn to him  the other also .And if any  man would go  to law with thee, and take away  thy coat , let him have thy cloak also.”We are not to resist evil by evil, but by all just means.

                     A Christian  must not voluntarily pay the taxes .He must not participate in elections , in the law court  or the government , for such a participation  is participation in  governmental violence.The crimes of our rulers are our own if knowing them  to be crimes , we promote them by our  co-operation .The government  and ruling classes base  themselves on four methods of  violence:

1.Intimidation.

2.Corruption.

3.Hypnotization of people  , with superstition of patriotism.

4.Selecting public servants (civil servants , police , soldiers) and making them submissive  instruments for  carrying out  all the cruelties and brutalties  needed by the governments.

Those who possess power (by inheritance, by army or by elections) differ in no way from  other men .They are more disposed than others  to subordinate public interests  to their own .

              The purpose of life is to fulfil the law of God. This deprives all human laws  of their right to restrict man .He cannot be in bondage  and be forced by any threat  of external harm to  commit an action  which is contrary to his conscience.Man cannot serve two masters.How can a soldier kill people when  the law of God says;”Thou shalt not kill.”A true Christian  integrates  Principles into every action of his life and refuses to co-operate with any  thing that is contrary to those Principles.Some of these Principles are contained in  the Five Commandments of    the Sermon on the Mount.

1.Have no ill-will towards any  one , not to provoke ill-will but  to love all men. Not to offend any one by  a word.

2.Refrain from adultery.

3.Not to take an oath , not to promise any thing  for the future.

4.Not to return evil for evil  but to endure wrongs.To give up one’s shirt.

5.Do no evil to our enemies , to speak well of them  and not to make distinction between  them and our compatriots.Only abidingby Principles and not by any external efforts  can we safeguard our  life.

               “The sole  meaning of human life  lies in  serving the world  by promoting the  establishment of the Kingdom of God.”This kingdom  comes by recognition  and avowal of truth by each separate individual .

             It is not that  all the arguments given by Tolstoy are perfect .In a way , he advocates a society without government  because government    is essentially based on violence and force in the form of Police , Army , Civil Servants , Courts and Judges.But he does inspire us to follow our conscience and not to  become an instrument of oppression in the hands of rulers  who invariably  rule by intimidation , corruption , hypnotization and controlling the  police , army , civil service  and courts.

As a former civil servant , I know that Tolstoy is right .I wish I had read this book much earlier.