The Beat Plastic Pollution Initiative

We are indebted to our Mother Earth for several reasons. Our survival and therefore, our very existence governs on the fact on how we treat our planet.

But are we least bothered about this thought?

This Earth, has been fostering us since the dawn of our civilization. Talking about civilization, generations had come and gone, but, none had perished due to their own cause. So, why are we now even trying to perish due to our negligent ways?

The environment we live is being polluted to its maximum, and day-by-day our earth is withering. Air pollution, water pollution, you just have to think about it. I think all will accord to this obnoxious truth.

As human beings we are known to repay kindness to someone who had been generous to us, and not with negligence. Then, why are we being negligent towards our own Earth, and to whom we should be thankful all the time.

As civilization grew, so did technology. We do not consider technology as a bad thing, of course we cannot, because, it has made our life easier and better. But, on the other hand, technology also has its darker side.

We have found means to enhance our well-being in the name of technology that we forget, we are destroying our environment on the other hand. Deforestation and pollution, all have had its adverse effects. And the funny part is, we are not naïve about it.

Therefore, to increase the awareness of global pollution and its impact on our nature, United Nations had conceptualized and initiated a very special program called the ‘World Environment Day’, held on 5^th June, every year.

It is a theme based annual initiative which boasts a participation of over 143 countries, in a collective mission to reach and educate people and thereby, driving for a major environmental change.

We all understand that a major threat today, is the ‘Plastic Pollution’.

Since the day, man discovered this easy access option called the ‘plastic’, we have choked the Earth with tons of plastic waste. We will continue to do so, not only causing harm to ourselves, but, also to other living organisms around us.

As calculated from 1950 to 2018, it is estimated that more than six billion tons of plastic products was produced across the world, and less than 10 percent was recycled. Most of them were either dumped in the landfills or discarded into the oceans. The worrying factor is, most plastic products are non-biodegradable, which means they are not decomposed by natural factors. The result, plastic now poses a major threat to the environment.

As a solution to this problem, the United Nations, on the occasion of the World Environment Day, came up with a theme called ‘Beat Plastic Pollution‘, where India was chosen to be the global host nation for the campaign.

On this occasion, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar ji urged people to either refuse or reuse plastic. In His talk to the global public, Gurudev highlighted the importance of cutting down plastic consumption by half. If everybody could contribute to this noble thought, then, the attempt itself would go a long way and act as a major change in controlling global plastic pollution.

He reminded us that mankind, and of different cultures, had always revered the nature as God. The five elements which scripts our existence, that is, Bhumi (Earth), Jala (Water), Agni (Fire), Vayu (Air) and Akash (Space), were always regarded with high-esteem. Today, we are apathetic in our ways treating these very five elements of nature.

Earth is polluted by plastic mulching and burning of crops, water is clogged and polluted due to plastic dumping in rivers and oceans, the plastic content in the air today is more than the stars of our galaxy etc., and our future generations would bear the outcome of the natures’ wrath, because, nature has its own way of resurrection.

Therefore, Gurudev has urged people to step forward and join hands to counter this global outburst of plastic pollution. He suggested that, we find alternatives to our ways of using plastic, and come out with innovative solutions to recycle plastic waste for the betterment of the environment.

That’s a truth, and to achieve this, one should develop in them this farsightedness for a greener and cleaner environment.

Our past had never seen plastic, yet, we were successful in leading happier and healthier lives. Why cannot we make this a reality again, so that our environment is healthier, giving a chance to this Earth to survive much longer and thereby, safeguarding our future generations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where is my Mind?

When I’am lost, I would often listen to the song “Where is my mind?” by Nada Surf. There is a certain delectable pleasure in that song, as it triggers my neurotransmitters and transforms me instantly.

While songs are in general, a great escapism from stress and boredom, there are some unfortunate ones’ who try other means to find pleasure, which in fact, does nothing good to them in abuse.

I talk about ‘Drugs and its Addicts’.

Recently, I was reading an article on drug abuse and how the Art of Living (AOL) Foundation is trying to raise the general awareness on drug abuse in India, especially, amongst the youth.

Youth! What a wonderful and transforming phase of our life it is.

The good fact is, the youth forms the vast majority of our population. But the scary side now, when we think about the youth outfit is drug abuse. Some young minds are easily lost and ruined by these deadly chemical components.

Yes, drugs consumption today, is an unchecked growth of slow poison. It is a real menace, and if unchecked would crumble an entire generation.

So, what causes drug abuse?

Today’s lifestyle demands youngsters to make an immediate impact in the society. So, it is not surprising for them to try out certain forbidden things that has been wrongly glorified by the television and other sources of entertainment. They are mislead to believe that it is just okay to try drugs, and what starts as a fab, slowly becomes a need for survival.

It is not just the rich that are affected, but, the abuse is now more prevalent in the impoverished class of the society as well. Statistical reports suggest that almost 90 percent of street children in India consume drugs as stress busters.

Some wants to form an identity of their own and to make a mark or prove a certain delusory adolescent thought in the society.

But, it’s not just the kids who are to be blamed entirely. The pressure of expectation from parents, coupled with the anxiety and fear of a probable failure, tempts them to try drugs as a source of general relief.

And where does drug abuse affect you?

Drug abuse takes its toll on our brain, which in turn affects our normal daily behavior patterns.

Our brain is the most complex, grey-white, three pound organ of the body. It’s all neurons in there, which communicate with each other with neurotransmitters.

Drugs are known to multiply the production of neurotransmitters and thereby, excite our brain’s reward system. This affects the normal communication methods of the brain and alters the way the neurons processes the information. Since neurotransmitters control emotions, pleasure etc., the addicted person is constantly in the state of extreme ecstasy, leading to the abnormal processing of the signals in the brain.

Addicts are fooled to believe that this ‘Hit’ of immense pleasure is their only path of liberation and they slowly fall prey to their own foolhardy.

To check this drug abuse and to prevent the young minds to fall for this menace, AOL has initiated a general awareness concept, called the ‘Drug Free India’ campaign.

This nation-wide campaign was initiated at the Chandigarh University on 18^th February, 2019. The next day, it was conducted at the Guru Jambeshwar University of Science and Technology in Hisar, with the strong support from the Government of Haryana.

Around 60,000 students attended the event on both days and it was broadcasted live across other educational institutions across the country, who took a pledge against drug abuse.

On this occasion, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar said “When stress increases, man seeks to get rid of this stress, and in this process gets into substance abuse. When you train them in handling this stress effectively through spiritual tools like meditation, Pranayam and Yoga, then, their perspective towards life changes totally. Otherwise, so many youth are destroying their lives by getting into addiction. To put an end to this menace, we are organizing this nation-wide movement called the Drug Free India.”

Notable artists from Bollywood took a moment from their busy schedules to encourage kids to prevent themselves from taking drugs, and act against drug abuse.

At the Chandigarh University, the students and old alike, braved the rain to attend the function.

Youth singing sensation Parry. G, sang the ‘Drug Free India’ theme song, which was an excellent start to the campaign, and which built the energy and enthusiasm. Also, was the classical singer Nitin, who mesmerized the youth with his lovely tunes.

Gurudev reminded the youth about the importance of such initiatives. He reminded that, whenever the vigor in us reduces, such concepts would give us the required boost to form a better society.

Gurudev advised addicts to quit drugs and promised them that we as humanity would give them a ‘High’, which no drug could actually offer them.

Gurudev also reminded of an incident that happened 20 years ago, when the world predicted that India would suffer badly due to the then menace, ‘AIDS’. But, awareness campaigns as these, and other programs saved our future.

Gurudev also reminded the importance of creating a barrier for those who has not yet started taking drugs and to bring back those who are already in drug abuse.

He said, people in drug abuse are never really happy and they ruin their life and that of their family. Hence, it is important to develop awareness among the youth. Because mistakes and crimes happen in a non-aware state of mindset, and this awareness or consciousness, can be developed by adopting meditation and yoga.

Gurudev had initiated this fight against drugs 15 years back, when AOL opened de-addiction centers across the globe and has given life again to more than 25,000 disoriented minds.

To take this further, AOL has mobilized thousands of volunteers for the campaign, and have created SWAT (Social Wellness and Awareness Training) clubs across college campuses. These clubs will comprise of students, teachers, doctors and social workers who will spread the word against drug abuse.

The campaign with the tag line ‘Drugs Naa Karenge, Naa Karne Denge’ (Neither would I take drugs, nor would I allow others to take drugs) is probably the biggest fight against drugs in India, and it achieved its first success when more than one crore youth witnessing this event.

The campaign heralded a nation-wide walk on March 10, from 7 am to 8 am.

We are fortunate to save ourselves from deluded thoughts by meditation or creativity, but, think of those who are incapable to come out of their pathetic state of mind, which would eventually lead them to drug abuse.

It is about time that we reach out to them, and give them a second chance of life. This is Gurudev’s dream and let us join hands to make it a reality.