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Vol. 6 No. 9 September 2010
EDITORIAL PhotoCONTENTS
Page
Editorial
Cricket
India and China
Hindus
Right to Education Act
Gurus
Water Management
On the Verge of Extinction
Justice denied
China in India’s Life
Ayurveda for the Next Millennium
Commonwealth Games
Response from Readers
In this issue, we comment on a variety of assorted events. We are not including our campaigns on the India Century Mission (ICM), which is making steady progress
all over India and abroad. In fact, on September first and second, Hindus celebrate Krishna Janmashtami, birthday of Sri Krishna, who delivered the Bhagawad Githa, which is the essence of the Upanishads. Sri Sankara TV is telecasting a 48 hour programme of the celebrations, organized by ISKCON and other temples. Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s birthday is in November. But Bhajans have started all over the world. Sri Sankara TV telecast Bhajan at Brindavan, Whitefield, for 86 hours non-stop, participated by thousands from all over Karnataka. Devotees of Sathya Sai Baba have started coming from all over the world to Prasanthi Nilayam in Puttaparthi. Thousands of foreigners are reciting the Vedas with equal fervor as Hindus. Baba is uniting mankind under the banner of Vedas which were composed 10,000 years back by Rishis, who did not even put their names as authors. These are part of Sanathana dharma, which has universal and eternal significance.
A charming and attractive photo album of 400 Hindu temples in US, built by NRIs, was recently released. Swami Harshananda, of the Ramakrishna Mission, Bengaluru, has brought an Encyclopedia on Hinduism, which is a treasure of information. Eknath Eswaran has written a three volume book on Bhagawad Githa. Dr. N. Gopalkrishnan, Honorary Director of the Indian Institute of Scientific Heritage, Thiruvananthapuram, has brought out thousands of pages on India’s ancient wisdom, which are circulating all over the world. He is lecturing in the most prestigious Universities in US, UK and other countries, informing the scientific world about ancient wisdom, which is surprisingly in keeping with modern science.
Therefore, Indian culture and philosophy cannot be killed by our pseudo secularists, atheists and intellectuals, who are ridiculing and suppressing Hinduism. External invasion started 2000 years ago. But they could not erase Hindu culture, which continues to be living and vibrant even now in every part of India. Hinduism is uniting India, which is being divided everyday by our leaders. We have included a short note on the plight of Hinduism.
Side by side, many undesirable developments and events are taking place in this holy land. Negative and evil forces are still dominating, pushing aside the good work being done by our Swamis and Ashrams. The Parliament is further dividing the country on Caste lines. Caste ought to have been eradicated on the first day of independence. There is no caste in the Sai Baba congregation or in the temples or in corporate organizations. Wherever there is politics and government agencies led by politicians, caste is the major factor for voting people to power and for allocating resources. Thus political leaders and their instruments are using and upholding caste.
Sai Baba and Amrithanandamayi are OBCs. Vyasa was the son of a fisherwoman. Valmiki was a hunter. Krishna was a Yadava. Vidura, the wisest among men and Narada the Deva Rishi were born of low caste women. Krishna and the Upanishads have clearly explained the scientific rationale of caste, which is by Karma and not by birth. Our leaders should know that thousands of bombs cannot destroy Sanathana Dharma. India’s strength is Spirituality, which would survive and someday redeem mankind from the evil forces now ruling the country and influencing the youth. 40 million come to Baba without invitation or propaganda. Our leaders have to send buses and leaflets to bring them to fill up the halls, and further fed. Every Minister is accompanied by “Black Cats” for special security. But Baba goes round unarmed and with no protection. That is the strength of spiritual masters.
But the youth, now being influenced by the commercial media, cricketers and cine stars have to be educated and weaned away from these hidden persuaders, who, for making money, are sowing seeds of poison on young minds. The “Resident Non-Indians” have to be protected before they become paralyzed by the propaganda being dished out by these evil forces.
We pointed out in the last issue on “Upholding Dharma in the Present Commercial Era of Kaliyuga” that the only sector, which can help in bringing about Dharma is the Corporate World, which has financial and organisational resources as well as managerial capability to strengthen India to become the spiritual capital of the world. Corporate World will be the primary beneficiary of united India with a stable and peaceful society, free of conflicts and confrontations, violence and insurgency, etc. If the Corporate World takes on this responsibility, they will be saving Indian Ethos, thus giving a lead to the whole world.
China may be producing five to ten times India’s output. China may be 50 years ahead of us. But our strength lies in spirituality. Any amount of wealth creation without character will only lead to destruction. US, with all its economic and military strength, dropped the atom bomb on Japan, destroyed Vietnam and Iraq and interfered in every part of the world. Thus economic and military strength without ethics and moral values, will be only a menace to the world. Islamic teachings, which stood for peace and mercy, is being misused by a segment of Muslims. They have unleashed terror in many parts of the world. And, therefore, India is the only country which has the spiritual strength to save mankind.
IHA is campaigning for strengthening spirituality. But IHA’s activity is only a drop in the ocean. With limited resources – organizational and financial – we are weak. But we do our duty by publishing and campaigning. If only we could make the Corporate world get interested, and campaigns will gather momentum, corrupt and negative activities cannot be stopped by increasing political and military strength. It cannot also be stopped by an inappropriate political system, which is busy grabbing and retaining power. They have no time for strengthening spirituality, which has been branded by them as anti-secular.
Dr N. Gopalakrishnan has pointed out that Bhagavad Githa has been taught in many American Universities as an essential part of the curriculum. It seems that even Musharaff had asked Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to establish ‘Art of Living’ centres in his country. During the birthday celebrations of Amrithanandamayi, a few years ago, Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General, issued orders that all nations should send representatives with a pot of water to Ernakulam. Our Ex-President, Abdul Kalam, mixed the water from the rivers of India with that from other parts of the world, thus signifying unity of mankind. Even Muslims in Gulf countries are chanting Vedas. Three American Universities have started Department of Hinduism. Even NASA Scientists have accepted that the present knowledge of physics has almost come to the end and the way forward is to learn from Upanishads of our Rishis. Frank Capra and ECG Sudarshan have written that only India is capable of integrating spirituality and science. 370 Universities and 30,000 Colleges of India dare not do a fraction of what US Universities are doing for Indian Heritage. But the private sector, consisting of the Corporate world, Media, Ashrams, Educational institutions and others should make a bold beginning teaching Indians on the spiritual strength of India.
Corporate World should know that: a) India was a single cultural entity for five thousand years, though it was ruled by several kings of different cultures, b) Thanks to British conquest, whole of India became a modern nation-state, c) All Christian European nations could not become one nation due to linguistic separatism, d) Our political leaders made blunders by forming linguistic States. Language based parochialism is more influential than nationalism in India, e) Politicians are creating more and more divisive forces, including perpetuating casteism, f) Indians are more divided today than before independence, g) Only the Corporate World – both public and private, Armed forces, Cricket, Bollywood movies, Central and Public Administration and Hinduism are uniting India, h) Our hostile neighbours and internal revolts against the Establishment are threatening unity, i) The next election will decide whether Central authority can rule India, since States will certainly confront the Central coalition Government, j) Political instability would unleash anti-social forces creating law and order problems, bringing chaos, k) Separatism and divisive forces will gather power with money and political frenzy, fanned by linguistic passions.
This analysis may be a pessimistic speculation. We are hopeful that things will not deteriorate to that situation. But, if even a fraction of such undesirable developments take place, direct losers will be the Corporate world. Therefore, we appealed in our last issue to the Corporate World to support, campaigns and to build institutions, thus creating public opinion to change the political system, which is responsible for all our present ills. Individual political leaders and public administration are competent, well meaning and patriotic. But the system is overwhelming them with compulsions, which lead to negative consequences. IHA, a small institute, has been proposing for the last 40 years for Electoral Reforms and formation of Small States, which would stop the downward trends. We appeal to those readers who happen to go through this issue to do what they can about it.
N.S. Ramaswamy
CRICKET
N.S. Ramaswamy
A few Pakistani cricketers have been caught fixing matches. Even their political leader admitted that they were ashamed of what had happened, which is surprising, since from the date that nation was born in August 14th 1947, they have been indulging in worst crimes against India and humanity. Match fixing is nothing new. It is an integral part of the very nature of the game. Earlier also, a few had been caught. This fraud, though proved, will not affect the game. The whole cricket system is a fraud on people. It is not a game, but a huge wide network, where players and bookies make money, advertisers and marketeers seduce people, sponsors mint money. Even respectable Corporate sector has entered this money making business. Cricket was considered to be a gentleman’s game. Cricket has been promoted by a vast network of exploiters at the expense of all other games and gullible people.
The media has made icons of the heroes of cricket. 70% of newspaper space and TV time is devoted to cricket. The popular players get front page attention and photographs. Intellectuals and media persons ask cricketers’ opinion on ‘God’, ‘How to lead the country’, How to lead a happy married life’, etc.
Their argument is that people love cricket. Millions of fools, as Bernard Shaw says, are prepared to sit for hours watching 11 fools chasing the ball. Only 12 countries play cricket, and yet it is considered to be a world game. The victims are gullible public, who pay for all this organized racket. It is easy to fool people. Our marketing people are capable of making people love anything, where they can make money. After all, bull fight, dog fight, etc are popular. Even wrestling and boxing, where brutality of man is displayed in the most cruel and crude way, are enjoyed. After all, a few hundred years ago, Romans enjoyed humans being thrown into the arena for lions to maul and eat. Torturing and hunting of animals are enjoyed by people. Therefore, it is not difficult at all to fool public to enjoy cruelty and fraud.
Marketeers seduce people using women’s attractive features to buy things which they don’t want, with money to be borrowed. The food wasted in the plates of European and American restaurants can feed Asia, which shows the capacity of marketeers to make people overeat and thereafter sell medicines and gadgets to reduce weight. All these take place in the name of mindless market economy. People’s minds are moulded to do things, by which sellers can make money.
The game itself is anti-social. Unlike Hockey and Footfall, there is no team spirit. There is no consistency of any individual in batting or bowling. The hero, who makes a 100 runs today, goes out for a duck next day. The technique of batting and bowling is just based on luck and chance. The next batsman in the queue is jealous of the batsman in the crease, as he is anxious to get in. In the practicing field, upcoming stars are given the chance, while others learn only to throw the ball back. There is very little of exercise. The hand has not been designed by God for bowling. If it were so, the shoulder would be a swivel joint. In every other game, if you miss a point, he can come back. In cricket, if one makes a mistake, he is finished for the game, which will make him weep and regret.
Personality cult is encouraged at the expense of team spirit and cooperation. The Captain is able to select “who should bowl and when, who should bat first and later etc”. All this creates favouritism, jealousy and bitterness. A five-day match is a joke. 50,000 in the audience waste their precious time. In one-hour of play, there is activity only for 10 minutes, starting with the running of the bowler to the crease and the ball is returned. Rest of the time is wasted with no activity. It is unlike football and hokey, where time wasted is hardly 10%.
Much more can be written about cricket like war, which every body condemns and everybody accepts. American Government spend 40% of their budget on armament, as against 10% by China. And yet China is called a dragon. But America is a democracy. In India, in getting a junior post in Government or in private, one has to go through a series of tests and interviews. In order to get elected to Parliament or as a Minister, all one needs is enough money to buy liquor and give incentives, organize mafia and mass parade. You need neither competence nor character. Statesmen and competent personnel cannot get voted to power. And yet democracy is admired and considered to be a sign of civilization. Therefore, cricket will continue as an honourable gentleman’s game, which will be watched by people who are prepared to spend money and time voluntarily, and further enjoy being fooled. Everything is in the mind. Millions like cricket. I don’t. But I also admire cricket, since it unites India, which our Swamijis and politicians are unable to do.
CHINA AND INDIA
N.S.Ramaswamy
It is a tragedy that these two ancient nations, who lived peacefully for 5000 years, while India was attacked 69 times by Muslim conquerors and Europeans, are now irritating each other. Nehru propagated, along with China, the famous Pancha Sheel, upholding friendly relations with neighbours without interfering into other’s affairs. That noble principle is in shambles. India is at loggerheads with all her neighbours. We may claim that we are right and others are wicked. But the world of scholars do not accept our position unequivocally. Soon after liberation, China solved all her border problems amicably. Only the problems with India remained unsolved. According to India-China watchers, India is not flexible. Further, India unnecessarily irritating China by allowing Dalai Lama to indulge in political statements in sensitive areas. China and India are natural friends. But now, China is helping Pakistan, a highly unnatural and irrational relationship. China wants to humiliate India for our inflexible position in the border. Pak has even conceded territory.
HINDUS
N.S. Ramaswamy
Among 200 nations in the world, Hindus are a majority only in India and tiny Nepal. Hindus were ruled by Muslim conquerors for 800 years, and by the British for 200 years. 3800 temples were destroyed. Million were converted by force. India was attacked 69 times. But India did not attack any other country before independence. Now we are surrounded by hostile neighbors, who have unleashed terrorism. Internally, Maoists, Naxalites, separatists, Insurgents and Militants are indulging mindless violence. Out of 830 million Hindus, a few hundreds are naturally wanting to oppose over the injustice being done to Hindus by politicians every arm of the Administration. A few Hindus have become militants. But they are helpless to do anything. Having chanted Shanthi for millennia, they have become cowards too. Hindus have no unity.
In this context, our brilliant Home Minister has grouped Hindu militancy along with others. If he had stated that Hindu terrorist groups, it would have been correct. But he should not have dragged the “Saffron” as an adjective to term. Saffron stands for sacrifice, for which India is famous for 10,000 years. Buddha sacrificed a kingdom. Sri Rama went to the forests. Bharatha did not grab the opportunity to rule. It was the sacrifice of thousands of saints and women, India continued as a culture for 10,000 years. This is an appeal to our modern rulers not to insult our ideals and Dharmic concepts.
Hindu temples are administered by the Government, an agency which is probably the most incompetent of all social organizations, to manage human affairs. Obsolete and archaic systems of operations and decision making are the main reason for their incompetence. The TTD has now been found to be corrupt. A few members of the Trust are caught looting. This feature is true of other rich temples also.
Would Hindus learn an elementary sense of shame and unite to protect this holy land? The thousand Rishis, who wrote one million pages of spiritual literature, without even mentioning their names as authors, have sacrificed in vain as their progeny are more or less traitors to their Heritage.
Hindus are religious people. 80 million go to temples, besides worshipping at home also. Ten TV Channels telecast Hindu acharas and samskaras for 24 hours, and 20 others for three hours every day. There are thousands of Ashrams, where Ethics and Dharma are preached. Yet we are corrupt. In Finland, not many go to the Church, but they are most honest. Not a day passes without scams and scandals in most segments and section, particularly where politics is involved. Our Universities are also full of irregularities and problems.
The only sector, which is observing nominal ethics is the Business sector, particularly companies like Tatas, Infosys, Wipro, M&M, L& T, Godrej and many others etc. May be corruption is there also. But we do not know about them. But they observe merit, team spirit, cooperation, fairness, sympathy, human attributes etc, though there is no religion there.
RIGHT TO EDUCATION ACT
Prof N S Ramaswamy
The Right to Education Act (RTE), What is required is more Educational Institutions (EIs) and seats to provide for all who seek education. Demand for seats from LKG to Master’s Degree is three to twenty times the existing capacity. Fees for one LKG seat in prestigious institutions are Rs 3 lakhs per year.
Government does not have enough funds to put up more EIs. 50% of existing EIs are in a deplorable condition, with no teachers or even black boards or toilets or space for playing. India needs one lakh crores of rupees to provide minimum facilities. What is going on now is not education, but training. There is no input for character building or inculcation of ethical and moral values.
Cooperation of the Private sector is the only solution. Thousands of philanthropists, corporate organizations, Religious Ashrams and rich altruistic citizens would put up thousands of EIs from LKG to Master’s as well as professional colleges. But rigid Government rules, mindless bureaucracy, meaningless controls on fees, subjects to be taught, etc are inhibiting factors for citizens to take up and improve the Education system. Also, it is humiliating to beg to officials who demand bribe for very movement of a paper. In advanced European societies, one can start Universities through the Internet.
EIs have no real freedom to innovate or function. Many Central and State level bodies have to be propitiated with bribes before one can start even a school. All this has to change. But it is unlikely. There are alternative methods of accreditation and controls for the purpose of ensuring quality.
Many other sectors are given subsidized land and soft credit. Education should also be eligible for such incentives. Instead, EIs are harassed. It is a fact that education has become a money-spinner. But why not allow windfall and abnormal profits to those who provide society with a solution to a felt-need? There is no known method to produce brilliant children who can qualify for the limited merit seats. An enlightened society should provide for the average and mediocre children also. It is better that children are in EIs rather than loiter about on roads, as at present. Millions are frustrated for want of seats in EIs of their choice.
Meanwhile, existing capacity in EIs can be trebled with marginal increase in investment and operating expenses. EIs should operate two shifts from 7 am to 8 pm. India is blessed with sun light from early morning. In countries where sun comes only for one hour, EIs are working two shifts from 6 am. Further, EIs are now working for 180 days a year only. India has 400 million poor and 500 million illiterate. EIs should work for 300 days. Factory workers work for 48 hours a week for 300 days a year. Central and State government employees work only for 200 days, and that too for 36 hours a week. This is criminal.
If one uses one’s black money to get one’s mediocre children educated, by paying high fees to a low quality EI, run by a liquor contractor, why should Nethas of Aam Aadmi worry? It is better that children are in schools, rather than in pubs or become vagabonds. RTE act is something like having legislation for “Right to eat”. Where is affordable food for starving people?. Uneducated legislators go for such silly Acts like RTE.
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GURUS
Prof N.S. Ramaswamy
Guru means one ‘who dispels darkness or ignorance’. Guru has a higher status in the Indian religious, spiritual and philosophical value system than in other civilizations. The two Poorna Avatharas – Sri Rama and Sri Krishna - had Gurus as Vasishta and Sandipini as their Gurus respectively. Sankaracharya, one of the greatest thinkers in history, who propounded the Advaitha philosophy, had Govindapada as teacher. Brihaspathi and Sukracharya were the Gurudevas of Deva and Asura clans. Most of our 1000 known rishis, sages and saints had Gurujis and their disciples and subsequent followers wrote two million pages of spiritual literature, giving their thought and wisdom as well as “View of Life and Way of Life” in the Vedas, Upanishads, Ithihasas and Puranas, Bhagawad Githa and Brahma Sutras and innumerable sastras etc. Most of their teachings are relevant even today in the present Commercial era of Kaliyuga.
It is the eternal relevance of their concepts and principles that are responsible for sustaining India’s 10,000 years of civilization of unbroken continuity, 69 invasions, 800 years of Muslim and 200 years of British rule, 2000 years of cultural onslaught and forcible conversions. These hostile forces and barbarians could not destroy our culture, which is still living and vibrant. In the years to come, most scholars and leaders would accept Gurus as savior of mankind and planet earth.
But the new of commercialization, perverted secularism and the inappropriate political economy model, and more importantly the inevitable impact of the Kaliyuga (3102 BC) have changed the values and traditions of ancient wisdom. But even in the last two centuries, we had evolved souls like Sri Ramakrishna, Vivekananda, Aurobindo, Narayana Guru, Ramana, Ramathirtha, Yogananda, Prabhupada and a few others. In some sense, Sri Sathya Sai Baba is above such Gurus, as he is considered by millions as an Avathara. Our ancient Gurus’ method of acquiring knowledge was Para Vidya, accessed from the cosmos, as distinct from lower knowledge, which is acquired by conventional methods. Our ancient Gurus concentrated on knowing the ultimate truth by meditation, renouncing and sacrificing all pleasures and desires concerned with the body-mind-intellect equipment which are only instruments of the universal spirit or inner Chaithanya, which pervades and energizes the whole universe of animate beings and inert matter, moving electrons and galaxies.
The Kaliyuga is characterized by selfish desires and sense baser pleasures, which cannot provide Gurus. Our present day religious and so called spiritual teachers are Adhyapakas or Upadhyayas, who impart knowledge and skills in various fields. It is more of Training, while education requires character building, man making, ethics, morals, pure mind, values, concern for other entities, detachment, renunciation, selflessness, sacrifice, prayer, desireless action and surrender to the unknown and unknowable divine, non doership etc.
We do have ordinary Gurus, with characteristics of Acharyas who can interpret, Pandits and Vidwans, who are experts who can interpret. We have thousands of them in our Ashrams, where they preach scriptures and prescribe ethical life. They are engaged in services like free education and health care, charity, altruistic activities, bhajans, pooja, rites, homas, rituals, holy festivals, etc.
These kinds are also needed for the present situation. There is no need now for real Gurus like Sankara, Madhava, Ramanuja, Vyasa, Valmiki, Yajnavalkya, Suka, etc.
We need to have this kind in thousands or even in millions, who can show the application of ancient concepts and wisdom to the myriad problems confronting mankind, to reduce animal suffering and maintain earth fit for sustaining life. We have 100 million schools going children and they need a million Adhyapakas, Upadhyayas, and Acharyas.
Commercial considerations are distorting such Gurus. This avalanche which is kept active by forces of selfishness, greed, hatred etc. has to be brought under check using spiritual and ethical based organizations and management. More religiosity and prayer cannot stop the regenerating trend, as can be seen from the stark reality that India is the most corrupt and least cultured country. In spite of millions going to worship centres and thousands of swamis and gurus preaching Scriptures, ethics and morals we are not growing spirituality. In Finland, not many go to Church. They are least corrupt and violent. The solution is value based Management inspired by ideals prescribed in ancient wisdom.
Government’s priorities are misplaced focusing on low priority projects like protecting the tiger, which the media endorses. We should protect the cow and bullock which provide 7% of the GNP, and yet not even one thousand rupees are allotted for their welfare.
Government is secular, which considers that ethics is a religious value which they would not touch. Our education system is secular and hence none of the educational institutions run by temples and Swamis would touch the ideas of teaching ethics. So we need Management Gurus (MGs). Alas our MGs are the most materialistic and least ethical. In fact, as an instrument of capitalism, they teach exploitation to expand profits. Even the word ‘Love’, the essence of religion is used for Love for Pizza and Hamburger. They are least concerned about impact of their policies on plunder of earth and polluting the air, debasing women as vulgar sex symbols and torturing animals in slaughter, experimentation, amusement etc.
The private business sector should establish educational and Management which can produce output with efficiency in performance and moral excellence. Case studies should be from the Ithihasas and Puranas. Principles should be drawn from the exchange of Upanishads. Bhagavad Gita, Vidura, Bhishma, Bharthruhari and the thousands of sages and saints.
Education is the main function of Gurus has two components – making one productive with the necessary knowledge and skills and the other to inculcate character, ethics, morals, values, selflessness, ahimsa, concern and gratitude for other entities in the world etc.
The ten commandments of Mosus, Sermon of the Mount of Jesus, Eight codes of conduct of Buddha and teachings of gurus of all religious and cultures (Confucius and Lao Tse) and thousands of India’s saints and sages are for management of Life towards removing sorrow and suffering and attaining peace and happiness. Indian scriptures have done exactly that through the knowledge path and work path (Jnana and karma). By wrongly, in fact fatally, adopting a distorted interpretation of secularism, Govt. and education are missing the treasure contained one million pages of spiritual literature.
Business sector and educational institutions established by them and religious institutions can reform the curriculum. Further, they should produce teachers and teaching materials. But even educational institutions funded by temples have not taken this simple suggestion. Our secular media, ever ready to hurt Hinduism, will howl if Bhagawad Gita is taught in IIMs. It will be condemned as communal. They have managed to brand BJP as communal and Muslim league as secular. BJP has obliged by declaring that it is a secular party. Western scholars have admired India’s ancient wisdom.
“India is cradle of civilization. Mother of the human race, grandmother of all thought and wisdom”
Indian civilization is the output of our Gurus. There are still hundreds of Gurus, at different levels of spiritual attainment. If the rich and business classes can respect, protect and promote them, we can fulfill the dream of Swami Vivekananda to make this century India’s which would benefit all mankind, animal species and nature’s endowments.
In a conflict ridden world with Materialism as its God, Government cannot play a role ( Mao might have done it if he had long enough). Government is a necessary evil and parasite, which is striving its best to maintain law and order, protect property etc. But it cannot promote institutions for producing good teachers with ethical values as it has to contain religion. Everybody should be half specialist ( engineer, doctor, bureaucrat) and half sage, like Janaka Maharaja.
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WATER MANAGEMENT
Prof. N.S. Ramaswamy*
Water is precious and an indispensable asset, vital for sustenance and preservation of life on this planet. This is a vital gift of God or Nature from the materialistic, utilitarian and cultural points of view. It is our duty to manage and control its utilization for the sake of the present and future generations.
Secular & Spiritual
According to the Hindu concept, our planet and its inhabitants – man, animal and nature’s endowments – are made up of Pancha Bhoothas, that is, the five primary elements of creation. Of these, air is the most critical element, without which humans and animals cannot live for more than two minutes. Water is the next most critical element, without which man, animals and plant life cannot survive for long. In fact, bulk of our body is composed of water. When a body of eighty kg weight is cremated, burnt ash will be only 100 grams, which would go back into the earth from where we came. But water’s influence on life – secular and spiritual - is many-sided, comprehensive and profound. It is an all pervasive extraordinary element, like Brahman, on which all aspects of life depend for existence and nourishment.
At the macro level, more than three-fourth of the world’s surface is covered by water. But only about five per cent is usable, and 0.5 percent potable. We have to live with this limited water available. But with every passing year, quantity required is increasing many fold due to increasing population and new uses arising from industrial expansion and demand for comfort and affluent life styles. Unfortunately, instead of becoming discreet and prudent, mankind is recklessly misusing, polluting and wasting water due to ignorance, indifference and idiocy. Hence, mankind should be compelled by law and punishment in order to conserve water and not to waste it at all foolishly. Mankind would face terrible consequences in future if the present trend of neglect continues. Countries in the Gulf region have enough oil to convert sea water. But others should be judicious.
Utilitarian Approach
The 6.5 billion people in the world ought to look at water from not only utilitarian and survival but also religious and spiritual points of view. Only such an attitude and approach would inspire them to look at water based issues seriously. Commercial and profit considerations are blinding those who neglect, waste and misuse water. Experts in the West have given explicit warning to mankind that the next world war may very well be for water, because demand far exceeds the supply in many parts of the world. Experts have also repeatedly pointed out all these dangers, by highlighting the obvious mistakes of present policies and practices.
Political leaders and professionals in the field should give immediate attention to reverse this dangerous trend. Citizens ought to cooperate for their own sake. Enough funds are not allotted for water conservation and management.
Sacred to all
By undergoing years of Thapas, Bhageeratha brought Ganga from heavens to earth in order to propitiate the memory of his forefathers. In fact, in Indian Civilization and Culture, water has a divine place and a sacred significance. In religious rituals and in temples, holy water is offered to devotees. Water is the symbol of purity and holiness. Water is sprinkled on devotees to bless them. Water is an essential element in ceremonies like marriage, birth and death. All deities are given Abhisheka with water. Rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Krishna, Godavari, Cauvery, Narmada and others are worshiped with the same fervour as are to the popular Gods. Haridwar becomes magnificent during important holy days. Millions gather to worship Ganga Matha, with Bhajans and offerings. It is believed that “A dip in Ganga will wash away sins”. But Ganga is used as a sewerage canal.
India is the oldest of 49 civilizations, tracing its origin to 10,000 BC. It started along the banks of Sarawathi river, which is now extinct. It is equally true of most civilizations of the world. They flourished along banks of rivers. The great Egyptian civilization is entirely dependent on river Nile. Euphrates and Tigris rivers are other examples. The two Itihasas and 18 Puranas of Hinduism describe the great rivers and their role in history. Many rivers flow from snow capped mountains to the plains as rivers. In the years to come, this reservoir may be empty. Traders and conquerors crossed the sea to colonise continents. Europeans took over the Americas, Africa and Australia by crossing the oceans. Suez Canal was strategic; so too the Panama Canal. Trade flourished depending on water.
Over-exploitation
The western approach to water is materialistic and utilitarian. To them, it is simply a given resource for exploitation as one wished in order to satisfy not only needs but also insatiable greed. According to their belief, Man was God’s favourite, and he created everything else for the use of man. Even animals, birds and plant life were created to satisfy man’s needs and greed. Exploiting and torturing them were no sin. They had no feeling for animal species. So people in western and eastern parts of India have indulged in large scale exploitation of animals and nature’s endowments.
But Indiain tradition respected nature. The approach to water is one of sanctity and divinity, worthy of worship. Such respect helps to give enthusiasm and inspiration to treat water as sacred so that we would not pollute or waste water. In spite of such a Hindu tradition of treating rivers sacred, Hindus are also responsible for polluting rivers and lakes as well as wasting water indiscriminately. Even at Delhi and in Varanasi, which is the most sacred place, water is so polluted that it is not fit even for animals. 240 Municipalities and tannery factories pour their waste into Ganga. Though rivers are worshipped, they are concurrently polluted, showing the hypocrisy of both rulers and citizens.
Rivers in Kerala and most rivers in India are going into the sea. This is at a time when many parts of India have become arid or semi arid due to lack of water. Such a paradox is due to neglect by the Central and State Government Departments. They have not allotted sufficient funds for judicious utilization of water resources. The craze for industrial expansion has led to neglect of power, water, etc. Kerala has the highest rain fall. Yet, during summer, there is no water in many parts of Kerala.
The six Metros, the ten large cities and 2,000 towns in India face severe water scarcity. Sewage gets mixed up with Municipal water supply due to leakage of pipes, which have not been replaced for decades. About half of the urban population lives in slums where water is deficient and dirty. People and animals migrate in search of water. Half the diseases suffered by poor people is due to polluted water.
In the West, enormous amount of water is being wasted in the production of meat. 12,000 gallons of water are required to produce 100 kg of meat. US citizens eat two tons of food grains per head per year. Indians eat only 200 kg per capita. This is because Americans feed animals first and then eat the meat, which is a big waste. Western and European nations are producing millions of tons of food grains for feeding meat animals. 95% eat meat. More than 100 authoritative books by foreigners describe the ill effects of meat eating. If the majority of the world becomes vegetarian, problem of water scarcity can be partly solved. In India, the 3000 slaughter houses pollute drains and rivers. It is, therefore, obvious that water is wasted and polluted in innumerable ways.
Conflict of Interest
In spite of having an expert Planning Commission, India has not been able to provide the basic requirements of power and water. Inter-State disputes on water have been going on for more than 100 years. There is no prospect of settlement. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have been fighting for Cauvery water. India is in conflict with Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal in utilisation of river waters, which flow from Nepal and the Himalayan mountains.
At the micro level, citizens are absolutely careless in using water. For flushing toilets, we use enormous amount of water. Rain water is wasted, though there is now a weak movement for water harvesting. There is great scope for filtering sewage and waste water, which can be used for watering plants and lawns. Israel has shown ways of utilising water sparingly. Drip irrigation is ideal.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba gave Rs. 200 crores to take water from Andhra Pradesh to Chennai. Proposals to connect Northern rivers with Southern rivers will be a great boon to the Southern region. But there is no chance of our leaders looking at such basic projects. Floods cause enormous damage to crops, buildings and loss of life and property. Lack of flood control measures brings misery to millions. Drought is a frequent occurrence. Government is concerned only with peripheral issues, rather than such vital needs. The present political system cannot manage these problems. The government cannot obviously implement wise measures since the priorities get distorted due to the inappropriate political system. China has proved that it is possible to tackle such problems. But we cannot imitate China. Patriotism demands that we condemn them. China is 50 years ahead of us.
How Much Water Do You Need A Day?
Water is an important structural component of skin cartilage, tissues and organs. For human beings, every part of the body is dependent on water. Our body comprises of 75% water: the brain has 85%, blood is 90%, muscles are 75%, kidney is 82% and bones are 22% water. The functions of our glands and organs will eventually deteriorate if they are not nourished with good and clean water.
The average adult loses about 2.5 litres water daily through perspiration, breathing and elimination. Symptoms of the body’s deterioration begins to appear when the body loses 5% of its total water volume. In a healthy adult, this is manifested as fatigue and general discomfort, whereas, for an infant, it can be dehydrating. In an elderly person, a 5% water loss causes the body chemistry to become abnormal, especially if the percentage of electrolytes is overbalanced with sodium. One can usually see symptoms of aging, such as wrinkles, lethargy and even disorientation. Continuous water loss over time will speed up aging as well as increase risks of diseases.
If our body is not sufficiently hydrated, the cells will draw water from our bloodstream, which will compel our heart to work harder. At the same time, the kidneys cannot purify blood effectively. When this happens, some of the kidney’s workload is passed on to the liver and other organs, which may cause severe stress. Additionally, we may develop a number of minor health conditions, such as, constipation, dry and itchy skin, acne, nosebleeds, urinary tract infection, coughs, sneezing, sinus pressure, and headaches.
So, how much water is enough for us? The minimum amount of water we need depends on our body weight. A more accurate estimate is to drink an ounce of water for every two pounds of body weight. Here is the calculation for your minimum water need per day.
Your weight 62 kg Enter your weight only!!
Requirement 2046 ml
We need to drink this amount of water per day: about 2 liters.
Conclusion
Thus Water Management has multi-faced serious dimensions – political, economic, cultural and religious. We have the technology to solve most of these problems. But our leaders do not have the necessary political will. The administrative machinery lacks managerial competence to solve these basic problems. Several specialists have analyzed these issues and given specific suggestions, which are technically feasible, economically viable, ecologically desirable and socially acceptable. Through this article, we hope to make citizens realize their past and present follies in order to impress upon them the need to take concrete steps to avert the impending crisis, which may result in death of millions, desertification of vast areas, deforestation, famine, etc. It is not too late. Government and citizens should wake up. Otherwise Nature will punish.
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ON THE VERGE OF EXTINCTION?
K.M.P Menon
Indian Gurus form a class apart as do Indian Tigers. They have survived and evolved over several millennia. Both are now in danger of extinction. To save the tiger the government has set apart recently a sum of Rs. 300 crores. To save our Gurus, nothing is done. On the contrary, they form the butt of ridicule. The human errors of a few are highlighted to discredit the whole. The tiger is a resplendent specimen of perfection and the glory of creation. It has practiced value in maintaining the balance of Nature.
The Indian Guru as well as the Indian concept of the Guru is the pinnacle of the spiritual evolution of mankind. They stand for ‘Dharma’ a word with multiple connotations. It means Righteousness, Equity, Ethics and Morality. It can mean Universal Love, the Greek Agape, Roman Platonic as distinct from Dynosian Love. It means the Latin ‘Caritas’ and the English ‘Charity’. It means many things but at its core it is unchanging and eternal.
It is the spiritual component of all religions and can serve to unify mankind. It is ‘originary’ in that it exists independently of Man’s imagination for it was present at the time when Mankind originated. A true Guru has the function of Upholding it. Dharma has to be ‘upheld’ for it is fragile. Effort has to be expended to preserve it. The Guru does this by teaching it not only to his disciples but to kings. Dharma is embedded as an ‘archetype’ in Human Consciousness no doubt but it is the Guru’s function to awaken it by precept and practice.
One of the practices was to conduct Yagas. The Daityas (the Titans) the exemplars of Adharma and immorality would disallow the performance of Yagas and try to break it up. The kings who honoured pity would use their might to support the seers and Gurus.
It was also a belief in the ancient world that just as there was a natural order which we see around us, there was a Moral Order with it’s cause and effect linkages. Further, the Moral Order of Man and the Natural Order of the Globe were intimately linked together. There was between them what Jung would call as ‘a causal’ connection. If the code of Dharma was breached, there would be upsets in the order of Nature. Since, it is the function of Gurus to preach religion, teach the Moral Order and to preserve Dharma, all of us have a stake in saving the Gurus.
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JUSTICE DENIED
T.N.K.Kurup
(This article is primarily meant to highlight the condition of superannuated employees of PSUs after retirement from service)
I am not using this forum to raise a grievance against the establishment and to present a sad story of those affected by the uncaring state. But since this journal reaches the high and mighty and the Print Media there is hope that some positive results might follow. Pandit Nehru at the time of Independence had dreams to make the country self sufficient in food production, power generation and industrial production and with this in view Public Sector Undertakings were established. These were initially in the essential areas of Steel, Power Plant Equipment, Heavy Machine building plants and later on to Defence production. Areas where real requirement existed like steel production and power plant equipment manufacture thrived over a period of time but because of wrong projections, lack of orders and foresight some of them like Heavy Engineering Corporation became white elephants and had to be eventually closed down. The glitter and the efficiency of Public Sector Undertakings took a beating in many cases but some of them flourished and are termed now as Navaratnas and Mini Ratnas.
Retirement benefits – Govt. Services Vs. PSUs – Great Disparity
The emergence of PSUs from the Second Five Year Plan onwards gave an impetus to the young engineering talents especially to those of Mechanical, Electrical branches and Metallurgists and they could get ample opportunities in advancing their careers in the newly established factories and plants, set up on virgin soils. Their conditions of service were distinct from those of Government departments as they were covered under Contributory Provident Fund and Gratuity as against that of pension in Government service. Jobs in PSUs were better than those in Government till the early 1990s and with their terminal benefits the superannuated employees of the PUSs were able to maintain their living standards. But after the Fourth and Fifty Pay Commissions, the picture changed better for the Govt. employees and after the recent Sixth Pay Commission Central and State Government employees become a satisfied lot. Salary scales for PSUs and the age limit for superannuation were increased from 58 to 60 and so also PF and gratuity benefits to cope with the inflationary trends in living. IAS mandarins and those in charge of administration and financial functions took care to ensure that the superannuated employees of the State and Govt. services from Chaprasi to Secretary level posts got pension benefits so that post retirement, lives of Govt. employees were peaceful and trouble free. In this important aspect of social security the superannuated PSU employees were totally disregarded and they had to manage with the interest on their meager deposits accrued to them over their long period of service. To cite an example, senior superannuated executives of Govt. now get pension benefits of Rs.30,000 per month while the top executive (General Manager)of a PSU may earn a monthly income of Rs.3,000/- from investment on his/her accumulated income. I am referring to those PSU Executives who were superannuated during late 1980s and early 1990s when the contributory P.F. was 8,33 per cent and the maximum gratuity was limited to Rs.1 lakh as against Rs.10 lakhs eligible now as part of retirement benefits. How could the Govt. be so naïve as to disregard the dire needs of the PSU retired employees? Now a sweeper in Govt. service or a new helper entering in PSU get a minimum of Rs.7,000/- if not more . Senior officials who had certain life styles could hardly maintain their lifestyle let alone meet the spiraling cost of living. In spite of repeated references to the office of Prime Minister, President of India, etc. Government maintained a stoic silence as they knew it would open a Pandora’s box of demands and counter demands. Therefore, the Government did not raise a finger of hope and closed all options for the betterment of superannuated PSU employees.
All India Non-Pensioned Senior Citizen Retirees Association
I now recall the initiatives taken by an organization registered in Bangalore “All India Non-Pensioned cum Senior Citizens Retirees’ Association) and its founder Convener-cum-General Secretary late Ernest Abraham (May his soul rest in peace) and the struggle they carried on till the Second Pay Commission on PSU’s could find time to hear the conditions and plight of the Non-pensioned employees prior to their recommendation to the SIXTH Pay Commission for Government employees. They could not do much but they recognized there is a great anomaly and injustice to the superannuated PSU employees and recommended to Government as follows:
“The 2nd Pay Revision Committee (2nd PRC) constituted for revision of pay and allowances in respect of Executives and Non-unionized supervisors of CPSEs following IDA pattern of pay scales in its report, inter alia recommended that CPSEs may create a corpus by contributing 1% to 1 ½% of Profit before tax (PBT) to create a fund in order to take care of medical and any other emergency needs of retired executives and also those employees who are not adequately covered by the Pension Scheme.
Sd/-
Director
Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises
New Delhi
Dated 8th July 2009.”
This recommendations have since been accepted by the Government and the PSU’s informed.
Applicability of Scheme for Medical Needs
Mr. Abraham later spoke to me that the above recommendation applied to profit making PSUs only and not to others and therefore he felt that their struggle has to continue to cover all the superannuated PSU employees. He told me that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited being a profit making enterprise, we should take this up with the Management to redress some of the grievances. Perhaps that was the last time I spoke to him. After a few days his premature demise was reported in the newspapers. As a mark of respect to the departed soul, I wrote a tribute to his life and services in our monthly journal “Heritage-CARTMAN”.
I knew that the only thing which could be made applicable to superannuated employees by the HAL Management is in respect of medical benefits especially in cases of hospitalization involving high outlay of funds. An earlier Chairman of HAL had extended the facilities of hospital facilities for retired officials and to some extent some retired employees who were living not far from HAL Hospital Bangalore could avail of the facilities. However, in respect of persons staying far and those ailments for which HAL did not have the facility and competence one has to go to other private hospitals only.
Facilities of HAL Hospital, Bangalore
The facilities set up at HAL Hospital Bangalore though useful for the employees during their service in HAL are found wanting in cases related to retired, elderly patients. To cite a few cases they are in the areas of cardiac, Cardio Thorasic surgeries, Kidney failure and related diseases, joint re-placement, malignant cases, neurosurgery, etc. There are so many hospitals in Bangalore where such cases can be treated but HAL Management has not taken any initiative in extending the scope of medical assistance through the Medi Assist Schemes set out by National Health Insurance Companies. HAL Management, earlier reluctance to evolve such a scheme could be justified. But now with the recommendations of the 2nd Pay Commission setting apart 1 to 1.5 per cent of the profit before tax for the medical needs of the superannuated employees could easily be met by such cashless Mediclaim policies. Instead of taking positive steps for evolving such schemes they have left it to the HAL Employees Association to explore the feasibility of such a scheme of medical assistance. HAL Retired Officers Association had taken the initiative of writing to officials who are in their mailing list but after two years, the scheme is still in a limbo.
There is considerable difference in HAL Management taking up the issue themselves as against Officers Association taking the initiative. The least HAL Management could have done was to publish their intention of such a scheme of medical assistance for hospitalization in leading newspapers for the interested superannuated officials to respond to. If such an action was initiated after the acceptance of the 2nd Pay Commission recommendation, a workable scheme could have been established by this time. It is in this context I write these few lines for the consideration of HAL Management and the associated Dept. of Defence Production and for the good offices of the Defence Minister not to delay the matter further as intend funds are already available with the HAL Management.
A personal illustration
During my service period in Government, SAIL and HAL spanning over thirty six years and later till I completed 75 years of age, I had not been hospitalized even for a single day. But during the last three to four years serious ailments took over, for which HAL Hospital did neither have the facilities, competence or the expertise. I had to go to hospitals which had the expertise and considerable amount of funds had to be spent for bringing me to normal health. If HAL had a scheme of group insurance for superannuated employees, such heavy financial outlays by individuals could have been reduced considerably. Like me, there might be many retired officials who had to incur heavy medical expenses. It is in this context that the recommendation of the Second Pay Commission could be translated into viable schemes covering the superannuated employees. I would also appeal to the Defence Ministry and to the good offices of the Defence Miniser to set right the total indifference of the HAL Management.
PSUs like SAIL, BHEL and BEL have announced workable schemes for medical benefits for their superannuated employees and I do not see that a PSU like HAL could not do the same for the officers who had worked hard to put HAL in world map with their contribution starting from early 1960s to the early 1990s i.e. the establishment of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
Department of Defence Production
The two wings of the Department of Defence Production in the Ministry of Defence are the Ordnance factories for supporting Army and the Hindustan Aeronautics for the Indian Air Force. It is a matter of pride for me to say that HAL has provided the best of support for IAF in respect of manufacture of aircraft, servicing of components, overhaul of airframe and engines, product support on maintaining the fleet of aircraft of IAF. Their contribution is much more substantial than that of Ordnance factories to the Army. But the Indian Ordnance Factory officials are covered by the Pensionable service condition and HAL that of contributory provident fund. As explained earlier, one can easily see the disparity in the terminal benefits extended to the two different wings of the Defence Production Ministry. This anomaly could not be corrected as no Government would like to go back on their service condition rules but the least that the Government and the Defence Minister can do is to offer a suitable medical package to the retired employees. With the extreme meagre returns on their investment which is totally paltry, no one individually can contribute premium for Mediclaim policies. This can only be done collectively and it is the duty of HAL, the Defence Ministry and the Hon’ble Defence Minister to oversee that such a scheme takes shape the earlier the better.
The long standing demand need to be addressed for a satisfactory solution and the least HAL Management could do is to show some respect and initiative to the recommendations of the 2nd Pay Commission made effective by Government letter. The Administrative Ministry, Dept. of Defence Production and the Defence Minister may drive some sense to the HAL Management to wake up from their deep slumber and abdication of responsibilities.
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CHINA IN INDIA’S LIFE
K.M.P Menon
The ‘Chinese’ fishing nets off the Cochin coast in Kerala is a familiar tourist sight. Caught against the setting sun they make a striking setting for attractive photographs. They are the few surviving reminders of the once pervasive influence of China in the daily lives of the people of the West Coast. The very name Cochin is of Chinese origin. There were many safe ports in this area where old type sailing ships could be safely anchored in storms. All of them were centres of brisk traffic connected with import, export and entrepot trade. Chinese Merchant Fleets visited these ports regularly twice a year since time immemorial. Their twice-yearly schedule was determined by the monsoon winds. Nature also provided the powerful motive force which propelled the stately yet sleek ships laden with costly merchandise across the high seas.
Most of the feudal houses of Kerala were designed on the same principles as in ancient China. Master-Carpenters or ‘Thachans’ (Techton in Greek) who oversaw building construction had a deep knowledge of Feng-Shui. For generations they kept alive the art of ‘Kattottam – Neerottam’ the literal translation of Feng Shui meaning ‘the flow of air – the flow of water’. They knew not only the theory but could by the ‘feel of their fingers’ gauge accurately and plane massive pieces of wood to form a perfect fit. Many dwellings still survive with ‘portal-loges’ – ‘Padi-Puras’ of the Chinese type.
The roofs of the houses were also of a design very popular in China. Many survive in South Kerala to this day. They bend inwards at the middle of the top. The same pattern is reflected in the boats in which people lived. In fact every type of boat seen in Kerala from the smallest to the large sea-going variety has a Chinese touch. The smallest ‘Vanchi’ to the large ‘Pattemaris’ of the inland water and the Arabian Sea exhibited this quality.
The daily lives of the people showed several examples of Chinese influence. The popular rice-gruel – ‘Kanji’ – is known by the same name in China. The enterprising Chinese have successfully marketed it as an up-market health food in expensive outlets in the USA. Kerala food requires a ‘wok’ for its preparation and its local name ‘Cheena Chatti’ betrays its origin. So is the case with the large glass and ceramic containers, in which foodstuff and medicines and condiments can be preserved – known as ‘Cheena Bharani’.
Within living memory, workers in the rice fields would wear wide woven hats the ‘topi-kudas’ or umbrella hats. These would shield them effectively from the rain but leave their hands free. They were made locally to ancient Chinese designs. It is a rare sight now for rice cultivation if done at all, is done with the help of workers from other States and the locals have all undergone embourgousment.
Turning from the humble paddy-fields to the palaces of the mighty, we find further instances of the Chinese touch. The murals on the palace walls show the same stylization as in Chinese Art. Noteworthy of this aspect are the fluid linearity of the pictures combined with the tendency of the figures to be languidly rotund. K.C.S. Panikkar tried to highlight this feature in some of his modern paintings.
When we look at old pictures of the kings and noblemen of Kerala we see more of the Chinese fashions. The Zamorin Raja of Calicut, once the most wealthy monarch in India used ceremonial vestments of silk and gold of the same cut of the Chinese Nobility. Every man had a tuft of hair on the head similar to the fashion in China.
Before the Kerala landscape became crowded with vehicles, the only means of transport were owing-boats on the canals and palanquins of all types. Those who did not care to walk used these and were carried about on the hefty shoulders of four men. A common type was the “manchal” in which the traveler could recline in comfort. When one felt like it, one could get down and walk along keeping in step with the men. The poles from which the hammock-like contraption was slung had elaborate Chinese designs on them, often dragons and gargoyles. When not carrying a traveler or when they were carrying a dead body, they would stop their characteristic loud far-reaching humming chant. If you asked a bearer, the manchal man may not be able to tell you its meaning. But in some prominent Chinese dialect, what itmeant was:
“Be aware and make way
For a great dignitary passing by!”
AYURVEDA FOR THE NEXT MILLENNIUM
By
Dr. David Frawley (Vamadeva Shastri)
I have found that doctors in America are often more interested in Ayurveda than doctors in India who have a naive faith in modern medicine such as was typical during the fifties and sixties in this country. Unfortunately, Ayurveda is not adequately funded in India today, receiving only about one percent of the medical budget. This amount is only enough to pay a low wage for Ayurvedic teachers. While the government funds allopathic treatment, people generally have to pay out of their own pockets for Ayurveda. This poor funding of Ayurveda is responsible for the backward state that sometimes occurs for Ayurvedic schools and hospitals, not anything inferior about the medicine itself.
Today there are several hundred Ayurvedic schools in India and thousands of practitioners, who are particularly active in the villages. Ayurvedic herb stores can be found in most communities, offering a wide variety of health care products. Modern Ayurvedic schools teach Ayurveda along with allopathy and the average Ayurvedic doctor knows a lot about modern medicine, including its diagnostic methods. Ayurveda is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is the subject of much modern medical research. So in spite of poor funding, Ayurveda is still flourishing in India. A new modern Ayurveda is also starting in India and in the West with Ayurvedic health spas that can be quite upscale in terms of facilities and treatment. This is not confined to the TM (Transcendental Meditation) movement, which has emphasized it, but includes hotels in South India and other Ayurvedic centers throughout the world sponsored by various groups and organizations. There is nothing necessarily archaic or poverty-based about Ayurveda. Indeed the new Ayurveda, like Yoga, is attended by movie stars and those in pursuit of the spiritual life, who in America are often affluent. The interest in Ayurveda in the West is helping to revive Ayurveda in India and make it more respectable, an important medical system in its own right, not just a poor alternative for those who do not have access to modern medicine. Ayurveda has a long and glorious history in India, going back to Vedic or Indus-Sarasvati times over five thousand years ago. Classical Ayurveda includes Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya, as its three main classics. No other region in the world, not Europe or China has preserved such extensive medical texts of great antiquity that are still used today.
Ayurveda is based upon a firm foundation of disease prevention, which is not simply a matter of regular medical check-ups but requires a healthy lifestyle in harmony with one’s own individual constitution and unique life-circumstances. According to Ayurveda, disease arises mainly from a breakdown of the balance of internal energies in a person, not merely from external pathogens, however powerful these may be. Ayurveda’s main method of long term treatment is to strengthen our internal energy (ojas). This is similar to modern medicine’s effort to strengthen the immune system, which is the energy of our body to defend itself from outside attacks. But Ayurveda has a better understanding of this internal energy and its connections with mind and consciousness. It views our vital energy not merely as a biochemical phenomenon but as a product of the mind and prana which are not limited to our physical structure. In the modern world we are gradually discovering the importance of the mind and emotions in the disease process. Ayurveda is inherently a mind-body medicine. The doshas or biological humors are not simply physical factors of pathogens, elemental imbalances or dietary indiscretions but include the effects of impressions, emotions and thoughts. The doshas reflect the effects of anxiety, anger, and attachment on our physiology. What junk food does to the body, junk impressions, such as our mental diet of violent movies, does to the mind, rendering it dull and heavy. Negative emotions impact our health by adversely affecting our internal organs, like weakening the liver and heart, which they are closely related to. Disturbed thoughts impact our health through unbalancing the flow of energy through our nervous system. Disease always has a psychological component, and psychological disorders impact our vitality in a negative way. Ayurveda emphasizes the role of consciousness in health and disease. It understands the workings of the mind on an organic and energetic basis just as it does the workings of the body, so that we can provide proper nutrition and exercise for the mind as well as the body. It teaches us to be more conscious of how we live, what we eat, how we move, and how we think so that we can bring the healing power and insight of consciousness to help us live in harmony. Whatever we give consciousness to we help improve, just as exposure to sunlight helps plants grow. This spiritual side of Ayurveda is not a matter of religious dogma, occult hocus pocus or New Age fantasy but part of the sophisticated spiritual sciences of Yoga and Vedanta, with which Ayurveda is intimately connected.
Ayurveda prescribes the appropriate individual life-style health regimens designed with regard to age, sex, climate, vocation and other factors. We cannot expect to be healthy if we don’t have a good diet, if we lack proper exercise or if we are filling our minds with disturbing influences. We create our own health or disease by our daily actions. So too, without changing these habitual activities, we cannot improve our health in a lasting manner. Ayurveda shows the health benefits of the Indian style of cooking, like how the right spices can help us digest food better. It teaches us the dynamic effects of each food article for health and disease. While modern medicine is only now beginning to accept the role of food and disease through an examination of phytochemicals, Ayurveda has long regarded diet as the basis of health. We are not only what we eat but also how we eat and with whom we eat. Food preparation is as important as food types. Food is the first form of God, the Anna Brahma of the Upanishads. Without honoring this form of divinity, the other forms may not be able to manifest in our lives. Ayurveda recommends vegetarian foods to promote higher (sattvic) qualities of compassion and understanding, under the idea that food not only nourishes the body but also the mind and emotions. Ayurveda has many important herb and mineral preparations that reflect the botanical wealth of the Indian subcontinent and thousands of years of experience with plants. Ayurveda has the most complex and intricate herbal pharmaceutical industry in the world with pills, powders, resins, extracts, confections, and oils not to mention Ayurvedic cosmetics, toothpastes and soaps. Such Ayurvedic products can improve our lives in all aspects. Ayurveda works along with Yoga to prescribe helpful asana, pranayama, mantra and meditation methods for optimal health and spiritual development. The asanas that are good for one person or good for one season, just like the food articles, may not be good for another. Pranayama also has its energetic effects.
By strengthening Prana or the life-force we can improve perception and circulation and add more energy to counter all diseases. Indeed Prana is the second form of God, the Prana Brahma of the Upanishads. Mantra and meditation practices have their energetics that should be adjusted according to individual needs and capacities. Mantra helps us energize the mind and clear the subconscious. Meditation helps us open our higher awareness potentials so that we can deal with our lives with more insight and detachment. Ayurveda has an extensive system of detoxification called Pancha Karma. Pancha Karma includes a system of oil massage, sweating therapy, and various internal cleansing processes to remove the doshas from the tissues, which is to effectively eliminate disease-causing toxins from the body so that they cannot promote the disease process. A number of Pancha Karma centers are now functioning in the West and most Ayurvedic clinics in India offer this service. Ayurveda has a special science of rejuvenation or rasayana. It recognizes that the body contains a secret potential to renew itself in old age, just it does daily in the state of deep sleep. Ayurveda contains specific exercise, diet, and meditation regimens to facilitate the rejuvenation of body and mind. As the baby boomer generation, which has been very active physically and has pioneered the new interest in alternative medicine, gets older, this rejuvenation approach is bound to become not only more relevant but more popular. Perhaps most important, with its broad basis, Ayurveda provides a good model for integrating all the worlds different medical systems in a harmonious manner. It recognizes the importance of surgery, particularly for larger tumors, but also its limitations, its weakening of our internal energy. It recognizes the importance of drugs, particularly for acute pain relief, but also their limitations, their tendency to dull the mind and depress our energy. It accepts the healing power of food, herbs, massage, and other natural healing methods and shows their applicability and long term healing power. Yet while respecting all healing modalities Ayurveda also shows us how we can heal ourselves. What we do for ourselves on a regular basis, through the food, thoughts and lifestyle we choose creates who we are and shapes where we are going in life. To think that an outside force, whether it be the medical establishment or an act of God, can suddenly heal what has taken perhaps years to create, is illusory and a form of victim-consciousness. It is an abdication of responsibility for our choices moment by moment. Even in Ayurveda, the practitioner can make recommendations, but it is up to the client to implement them on a regular basis.
Ayurveda is becoming one of the main world systems of natural healing and mind-body medicine, with its popularity spreading not only to America but also to Europe and East Asia, a trend that has been steadily developing over the last fifteen years. However, in America Ayurveda is mainly being taken up by the general population. Few Indians, particularly the many medical doctors, are supporting it or are even informed about it. Vedic knowledge of all types, with its universal vision, is becoming increasingly important. This includes Ayurveda, Yoga, Vedic Astrology, Vedanta and Sanskrit. But as we are first of all physical creatures and as our health needs are radically changing in the computer world, Ayurveda may be the main vehicle through which Vedic knowledge comes to the West. Through the Vedic approaches of Ayurveda, Yoga and Jyotish (Vedic Astrology,) we have an elaborate system for self-healing, self-understanding, and self-realization.
With such a wealth of knowledge Indians, particularly NRIs should be aware of Ayurveda and strive to promote it not only in the West but also in India. Indian physicians should form a committee to study and promote Ayurveda and strive to integrate helpful Ayurvedic approaches into modern medicine.
COMMONWEALTH GAMES
Mani Shanker Aiyar
Holding the 10-day, Rs 20,000 crore-jamboree reflects a misplaced sense of pride and distortion of national priorities. If not on development of a chronically poor nation, the money could have been well spent on bringing basic sports to every Mohalla and panchayat
Justice A P Shah, the best judge the Supreme Court never had, released a few days ago a sober, deeply researched, fact-based indictment of the Commonwealth Games by the Housing and Land Rights Network devastating precisely because it is so understated. The report has been met with thundering silence by the same media that is driving itself ballistic over the Bhopal gas tragedy verdict although the Rs 20,000 plus crore being spent on the Commonwealth Games extravaganza would have been more than adequate to compensate the victims of Bhopal beyond their wildest dreams.
My fundamental objection to the Games is the distortion it has introduced in national priorities and our sense of social justice, that privileges a spectacular Games, as the Prime Minister has assured the nation, over a spectacular reduction in child malnutrition running at 47 per cent of children under five. Is it fair that thousands of the poorest families entering the national capital, migrant workers fleeing desperate poverty in the rural hinterland, should suffer their shanty town on the right bank of the Yamuna being destroyed overnight?
And why, in the name need the Commonwealth Games for the most prosperous part in the most prosperous city in India the posh heart of New Delhi? The Commonwealth Games in Manchester were leveraged to rejuvenate the utterly rundown eastern section of the city where every family had undergone unemployment for at least a generation and some for two or three. Now, Walmart has its largest global store, employing 18,000 boys and girls, and Microsoft its European headquarters, in East Manchester thanks to the fillip given by the Games. Consequently, the 2012 Olympic Games are designed for the spectacular development of the 10 most underdeveloped counties of the Lea Valley on the far fringes of London.
Why then was the spectacular development of Bawana on the poverty-ridden edges of the capital not picked up, as originally proposed, for our Commonwealth Games? Indeed, why not the Games in Dantewada which could well do with a Rs 20,000 crore-bonanza to cock a snook at the Maoists? Only because the partyhopping glitterati of the Organising Committee would not know poverty from plum pudding. They rate the Games as a party for themselves and their ilk not the dirty, filthy, evilsmelling aam admi of the real Bharat.
Let me enter a declaration of interest. As an officer of the Indian Foreign Service, I paid Rs 3 lakh for a flat in the Mayur Vihar complex. The Commonwealth Metro has increased its market value to over a crore while smashing to smithereens over 40 slum colonies, several in the immediate vicinity of Mayur Vihar, and driving the most wretched of the wretched of our beggars off the streets so that no foreign visitor to the Games goes away with the wrong impression that 836 million Indians live on under Rs 20 a day, and 239 million of them on less than even a tenner (reference: the Arjun Sengupta Committee report). Whom are we trying to kid: the videshi mleccha or ourselves?
And what kind of an impression of our degradation will that same foreign visitor whose delicate eyes have been shielded from the gross reality of our poverty carry when he finds himself solicited at every Games corner by escort agency pimps offering desi maal at cut rates?
This national shame began when the Indian Olympics Committee hoodwinked Atal Bihari Vajpayee in May 2003 into authorising an Indian bid on the solemn assurance that the Organising Committee would require no more than a loan of Rs 150 crore of public money all of which would be reimbursed to the exchequer from ticket sale proceeds, sponsorships and advertisements. In the event, for the opening and closing ceremonies alone, the sanction has soared to nearly Rs 400 crore, and the total advance to upward of Rs 1,600 core a cost escalation of a thousand per cent, and still counting! Meanwhile, ticket sales on the opening day, announced in screaming headlines next morning, have crossed Rs 20 lakh. At this dramatic rate, it will be close to the 22nd century before the Organising Committee even begins to discharge its debt t o the country.
And, of course, the innocent Vajpayee did not care to ask what the infrastructure expense would be. So sanction was given without a khota paisa being set aside for Games venues, flyovers and underpasses, shiny new airports, metro lines from nowhere to nowhere, and what not. No one knows or, at any rate, tells what that infrastructure expenditure might amount to: the most modest estimate is upwards of Rs 20,000 crore and the wildest printed estimate suggests Rs 60,000 crore.
And for the privilege of spending this humungous sum (on, inter alia, relaying pavements on the best pavemented roads of Lutyens Delhi!), Vajpayee, on the telephone, in the middle of the Indian night, agreed to the Indian delegation at Montego Bay offering an incentive of $100,000 to every Commonwealth country Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand included to train their participants. Would I be inviting defamation charges in calling this sweetener a bribe?
When the government changed, we could and should have revised our offer to host the Games, or at least put a lid on what government would spend. Instead, the same finance ministry and Planning Commission which solemnly reminded us that we are a poor country when Rs 600 crore was sought to finance gram nyayalayas to bring justice to the doorstep of the poor became completely open-handed in meeting every demand of the Organising Committee and every estimate of the infrastructure implementation agencies. Why? Why are we like this, only?
Just one reason: false prestige, a belief that we can earn standing in the international community by financing a 10-day sports circus while retaining the position we have held on the UN Human Development Index for the last 15 years position no. 134 (almost the same as we would have held in medal tallies if the number of Commonwealth countries was 134).
Poor, poor Mahatma Gandhi, who said the India of his dreams was an India in which the poor of India would be the focus of public attention. Every Indian, however poor, feel himself a participant in the building of new India. Go, tell that to the tribals of Abujmarh and perhaps they will tell their Naxal cousins.
Our middle class and our political class are so committed to these false values, this loot of the moral legacy of our Freedom Movement, that not even the ticking of the adding machine could stop the relentless forward movement of the expenditure clock. As minister of sports, I tried to stop it and found myself in a minority of one. I was soon out on my ear.
The Planning Commission, which was not even squinting at the Organising Committees demand for Rs 6,000 crore for a 10-day tamasha, found itself unable to agree to the same sum being spent over 10 years on bringing basic sports facilities to every panchayat and every mohalla of this viciously poor nation.
China not only hosted the Olympics, it also picked up the highest number of medals because their sports authorities first ensured that every Chinese child plays sports and games and thus widens to the full the net which catches the top-rung talent. We do next to nothing about bringing our children in the sporting net and, therefore, show up our comic side when medals are announced.
The only good that will come out of the Commonwealth Games would be a decision to never again bid for such games until every Indian child gets a minimum to eat, an assured basic education and a playground with trained coaches to discover the sportsperson in himself or herself. That, alas, is no part of our self-satisfied middle class dream for India which is why the Maoist is knocking at our gates.
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RESPONSES FROM READERS
Letter dated 27th July, 2010, from Mr. N.V. Rajashekar Rao, H.No. 1-7-13/2A, Jai Santosh Nagar, Street No. 8, Habsiguda, Hyderabad – 500 007
Sir,
I have been receiving your magazine “Heritage-Cartman” since last 3 years. This magazine is an extraordinary one and highly informative. It is doing a great contribution towards improving moral and ethical values. The analysis on different subjects of Indian Heritage is not only useful to the society but of a great use to the students who are appearing for Civil Service Exam.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Sd/- NV Rajashekar Rao
(The writer has sent a cheque for Rs. 5,000/-, which we gratefully accept)
NATIONAL ANIMAL
This has reference to the opinions expressed in the August issue of Heritage-Cartman on the selection of the National Animal, National bird and National flower. I have the following comments to make. While I agree with the view that the National bird could have been Swan in place of Peacock and National flower Lotus, I think that the selection of Tiger as the National Animal by the country is correct.
- The Tiger is a rare species of wild animal found in India, South East Asia and in Siberia – mainly in the Continent of Asia.,
- Like the Lion, it is a majestic Animal considered to be the lord of the Indian Forests – the biggest among the cat family. The Tiger is the embodiment of power, majesty, agility, grace and beauty. Tiger spotted in its natural ambience is a visual treat.
- While Cows and Elephants are commonly seen in most locations in the country, Tiger is getting rare and is one of the most endangered species in India in spite of the many reserve forests created for its survival.
- The Tiger, unlike the Lion, is a lone animal and requires large tracts of forest land and various breeds of herbivorous animals for its survival. This means if we protect the Tiger we protect the forests and the environment. The less number of forests and tree cover the more will be the effect of Global Warming. Therefore, the preservation of Tiger means preservation of Forests and preservation of Bio Diversity and the Environment.
- In mythology, the Tiger is Lord Ayyappa’s Vahana in as much as that of Lion for Goddess Durga, Garuda for Lord Vishnu.
A word about the National Bird – Peacock. Peacock is native to India – a tropical region while Swan is more seen in cooler and temperate regions like England, USA, etc. Men attribute vanity to the Peacock but it is not vain. It is a natural instinct of male birds to show their plumage to female of the species. Peacock also spreads its feather and dances when the rain clouds appear, a harbinger of monsoon heralding good crops and agriculture. Peacock feathers are an adornment in the God Sri Krishna’s head. Peacock is considered to be the vehicle of Lord Subramanya and many devotees when they go to Palani don the peacock feather. The claim of the Peacock for the National status cannot be easily dismissed.
Lotus is rightly the National Flower in as much as the Banyan is the National Tree.
Narayanan Kutty
Bangalore.
VIDYA DADATI VINAYAM
Knowledge Gifts Politeness And Humility
YATA KARAS CHANDANA BHARA VAHI
BHARASYA YETHA NA TU CHANDANASYA
The Ass Which Bears Sandalwood
Knows Only The Weight
Not It’s Value!
SUKHA DUKHA SAMEKARTVA
LABHALABHAN JAYAJAYAN;
TATO YUDHYAYA YUJYASOA
NAIVAM PAPANA VAPSYASI
Keeping an even mind in joy and sorrow,
gain and loss, victory and defeat,
fight on in this battle of life;
If so, you commit no sin
- Bhagavad Gita – II. 38
Prof. Ramaswamy Padma Bhushan & National Research Professor in Management , Founder Director IIM Bangalore, Director NITIE. Kindly become a Member of INDIAN HERITAGE ACADEMY (IHA) and give donation to IHA and support our Mission in order to protect India’s Unity and Culture Monthly Journal will be sent free. We welcome your Feedback/views/articles and we shall publish them.
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