Midsummer Desert Musings

April 'n Summer at Door

All wait for it with fear

But it goes about spirited - warm

Bearing the sun with charm 

Bringing  reserves from its store

Beats about in May with a roar

Now winds no longer calm

With none of cooling balm 

We bear it up till June 

Then flee for homes far moon

Seeking cooler zones 

In lands of temperate zones

Alas, climate change is real

Afire, ev'n cooler zones all reel. 

In the South of India

We just have summer 'n rain

In the North of India

Spring 'n Summer with rain

An' fall n' winter no fail

With mist n' fog n' snow 'n hail

And all their charms do entail.

But Jai Hind for the summers kind

When breeze cools down the night

In skies open the poor unwind

When the rich with  ACs fight

Summers do take their toll

As waves heat up like flames

But the cool cold winters cruel

Make hundreds poor her claim!

... And this history repeats!!

National Forest Martyrs' Day

Red for Green – Bishnoi Sacrifice for Khejri

9/11 has become a household date, even a term, for the whole world - perhaps, even for those who were not born in 2001.  I was in the vicinity of New York, when this tragedy that drastically changed the human relations across the world, took place. An epoch making day of violence on innocent thousands, which has divided human history into pre and post-9/11.  But almost 3 centuries before that, on or around the very same day, India witnessed a very violent death of 363 innocent people - but it was not an accidental death, but rather a death which they courageously embraced as the price they paid for keeping their fellow beings alive! In honour of them, in 2013, Sep. 11^th  was declared 'National Forest Martyrs' Day'. 

The place is Thar desert of India, in Rajasthan, with very scanty and erratic rainfall (maximum annual precipitation of 500 mm). The scrubby and rare vegetation here has some saving grace like the evergreen Khejri (Prosopis cineraria),  the state tree of Rajasthan, revered as shami from Vedic times. It is almost a kalpavrksha of the desert, with several usages for humans (shade, edible pods, nitrogen fixing, soil binding, fuel, cattle fodder), and as habitat for several animal, bird and insect species. Dried green pods (sangria) is used in cooking throughout the year, and dried mature pods (kho-kha) have a sweetish edible pulp, liked by children.

This unfriendly terrain is chiefly inhabited by the Bishnoi sect. These Vishnu devotees follow the 29 laws of Guru Jambheswar, a 15th century seer - hence the name 'bis' (twenty) and noi (nine). Of these, eight are instructions for living harmoniously in the inhospitable land by protecting, plants and animals, and animal husbandry. It is another story, how Jambhaji, from hard life experience of drought and death around, was enlightened regarding the green practices that promote and sustain life around.

Khejarali was a typical Bishnoi village 18 kms from Jodhpur, green and rich with Khejri trees thanks to Bishnoi life style. Amritadevi, involved in household chores and tending to her 3 daughters, was shaken by the sudden appearance of King Abhay Singh's men equipped with sharp axes, landing on the scene to gather firewood for preparing the mortar mix of quicklime and sand for the newly proposed palace at Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur. 

As preserving Khejri trees formed one of the precepts of the Bishnois, Amritadevi pleaded with the intruding assailants, who were unmoved.  She dared them by hugging on to the tree, to cut through her, which they did nonchalantly.  Though terrified, the 3 young brave daughters followed the suit.  The news spread through the region like wildfire and in no time 83 Bishnoi villages gathered around Khejarali, and held council deciding to give up one Bishnoi life for each tree. And in the struggle, perished 363 bishnois, offering the bravest example of the sacrificial non-violent (ahimsatmak) fraternal love for non-human children of Mother Nature! 

When this dreadful news reached the King, he withdrew the plan for the new palace. Today, we analyse it as a brave act for environment protection - one of the most courageous sacrifices for the cause of sustainability.  But for the Bishnois, it is a matter of dharma (religion, which also means duty).  Presently, the world leaders and the world religions have begun to highlight the human duty of being a protective member of the great planet family, though its practice still has vast grounds to cover!

The world famous chipko movement (tree huggers 1973) of Tehri-Garhwal and its resonances elsewhere in India for jungle bachaav, and similar movements world wide, have drawn inspiration from the sacrifice of the Bishnois. 

At present, the Khejri population is under severe stress and threat.  Many have been afflicted with adverse climatic impacts, human activity and parasite attack of Gononderma luciderm.  Some government promotion has led to the exotic Prosopis juliflora, (ganda bawal or the mad tree) spreading rapidly and displacing the more shady and friendly indigenous Khejri.

The observation of a day in honour of these great martyrs should awaken in us, irrespective of our faith, the truth of the oneness of the planet family (vasudhaiva kutumbakam) and human duty (dharma) of ensuring the end of exploitative and destructive use of the rest of the beings.

References:

A Study of Two Species of Genus Prosopis – P. Cineraria and P. Juliflora. 

https://indiabiodiversity.org/biodiv/content/documents/document-3efbdde7-ce70-4da8-b31e-094640f30f01/882.pdf

Bishnoi, Saraswati.  2018. Khejri: A Wonder Tree of the Thar.

https://www.sahapedia.org/khejri-wonder-tree-of-the-thar

Natesh, S. 2020. When Amritadevi and 362 Bishnois sacrificed their lives for the Khejri Tree. https://www.sahapedia.org/when-amrita-devi-and-362-bishnois-sacrificed-their-lives-khejri-tree

Vishnu. 2009. The Tale of Bishnoi’s.  https://vishnuvishnoi29.blogspot.com/2009/01/tale-of-bishnois.html

Gurupurnima - Full Moon Day, 2022 July 13 Wednesday

Celebration of guru purnima falls on the full moon of Aashaad  of the popular Indian Calendar (June-July of Western Calendar; Mithunam-Karkitakam of Malayalam Calendar).  The phrase was not unfamiliar to me, but it was never an experience in my life, till one of the students of my first batch of teaching career, greeted me on the day, soon after passing out.  Since then occasionally, someone or other used to greet me on the occasion, and I too started the practice of greeting some of my 'gurus' on the day. 

Today, to my mind, the day appears very significant and inspirational, as it is said to be the day on which a great guru who walked this land proclaiming a path of liberation (mukti, moksha), gave his first discourse to a bunch five disciples, after his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Gaya (Bodhgaya).  I had the good fortune of having visited the marvellous structure built in the name of this great 'denouncer' of all possessions in the quest of mukti (the classical-typical contradiction of institutional religions, especially with reference to Christianity, Jainism and Buddhism). I am glad to learn that from Gaya (now in Bihar, India) he moved to Saranath (now in Uttar Pradesh, India), taking almost five weeks, to have done this. Yes he had been a peripatetic Guru (as is my Guru, Jesus Christ).  I believe he might have walked the 250 odd kilometers, learning further from the environment, growing further in karuna and maitri (compassion and friendship), with the humans and all the elements of the cosmos.  That adds to my argument for travelling around - a teacher and a learner should travel, stretching one's physical and intellectual limits and reach, to the extent possible.  

I regret I missed Saranath on my all-India-ride 'seeking Trust-Green-Peace on the Indian Roads'.  From Gaya, I went to Patna, and from Patna,  via Vaishali to Lucknow.  However, I could stop over and relish the presence  of the 'great walker' at Kushinagar, said to be his place of 'nirvana'.  

The stories going around that say Jesus had come to India,  filling some period of his 'hidden life' of almost 18 years, do not put me off.  Being a great traveller and seeker of God (and God's will) and adventurer, it would only have been natural for him to have explored India, and sought to infuse some wisdom of this land into his world vision, which tallies well with the teachings of the Great Soul of India - His teachings of forgiving love, love of 'neighbour' as depicted in the story of the Good Samaritan, his compassion for the poor and the neglected, his teachings on truth and union with God - are more in tune with the traditions of ahimsa, karuna, maitri etc.  of this great teacher who 'went about thus' almost five centuries before Jesus or other Indian traditions, than the typical Hebrew vision of God. 

Gautama Buddha, after whose first discourse post-buddhahood this day is dedicated,  is described often as tathagata (तथागत:).   Interpreted as 'the one who has thus gone' (तथा गत:); or 'the one who has thus come' (तथा आगत:); or the one who has thus  not come (तथा  अगत:) - making him above and beyond all coming and going, the transcendent. However, I prefer him as 'tatha gata' ,  the one who has 'thus gone', gone in such a soft manner, that no one realised that he was even gone!  But that very soft treading (walking) on the planet did create its resonance in many, that they tried to tread the middle path of the right, which in spite of being middle, was extreme for common standards. 

The disciples are invited to tread the planet so softly engendering maitri all around and radiating karuna all around, leaving not even footprint, or being more realistic, leaving as light a 'footprint' as possible. I don't delve into the debate of how the disciples defeat the purpose of the teacher!! Perhaps, I too am a case in example, as far a 'travelling around' is concerned; treading softly - yet to be achieved!

Now I learn that the day is observed in Hindu mythology as the birthday of the great Guru, Maharshi Vedavyas, recognized as the author of epic Mahabharata. This also appears fitting. 

In the cloudy skies of Ashad, the full moon, is attractive, and symbolic of the 'guru act' of bringing to light what is hidden (in darkness) or the formless into the light of knowledge and form (transformed).  Thus we have 'guru'  as the derivation from gu and ru (guhyam/guptam/gudham & rupyate  respectively).  So, salutations to those who guide the process of bringing to light the hidden potential, or helping the process of attaining the right/best form.  This would be a very suitable day to celebrate teacher's day in India.  

I have no quarrel with Sep. 5, when we recognize a tall teacher of independent India, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.  However, having had this tradition we could have banked on a teacher of a larger stature than Prof. Radhakrishnan, whom I too admire. 

Today, the greatness of a Guru will lie more in the ability of the Guru to walk (than talk) - walk the path, walk the talk, and walk with the disciples. The element of accompanying seems well fitting with Tathagata, and all the more with Guru Jesus.  The usual picture of a 'guru' is more of an 'ex cathedra' status, whether with a chair or without.  But walking, walking... the Guru also continues to seek and learn - and retain the ability of not being the last word! Perhaps, Siddhartha in becoming Buddha, did that.  And Jesus, definitely did that - walking around, and accompanying the disciples, in times of severe constraints. 

I tried to find a befitting picture - it is all male - but the traditions, across the world,  in general, are about the male master and the male disciple(s).  Even the term 'guru' is of masculine gender.   I wonder if there is an equivalent in feminine gender. Some say it is gurvi; Usually, there is only guru-patni treated also as gurumata, all the same implying that guru is male. Glad to note that Buddha and Jesus are said to have had female disciples! But the great teacher has always been a male.  Gargi, Maitreyi figures stand in the Indian tradition as consoling exceptions.  Today, I feel  great gurus are springing from among women, form all parts of the world - leading universities, schools and people, in spite of the fact remaining - it is still a man's world! But the possibility is being wide open to all seekers, irrespective of their sex.  

(copy left - from WhatsApp message shared by someone who took me for a guru!)

Ultimately, guru is God, the source of all wisdom, all knowledge, as somewhere it is hopefully stated: They will all be taught by God (Is 54:13), the all-knowing (omniscient).  That guru is described in Visvasara Tantra, in Gurugitam: 

Om..Brahmanandam Paramasukhadam Kevalam Jnanamoortim
Dwantatitam Gagana Sadrushyam Tatvamasiadi Lakshyam
Ekam Nityam Vimalam Achalam Sarvadheem Sakshibhutam
Bhavadeedam  Trigunarahitam Sadgurum Tamnamani

ओम! ब्रह्मानन्दं परमसुखदं  केवलं  ज्ञानमूर्ततिम् 
द्वान्तादीतं गगनसदृश्यम् तत्वमस्यादि लक्ष्यम् ||
एकं नित्यं  विमलं  अचलं  सर्वाधीसाक्षिभूतम् 
भावादीदं त्रिगुणरहितं  सद्गुरु तं नमामि ||

I bow before the true guru, who is  the universal happiness, the ultimate bliss, the absolute knowledge, transcending duality, like the sky expansive, the goal of sayings like 'thou art that', the only, the eternal, the unblemished, the immovable, the one who functions as the witness of the intellect, the one above all feelings and types (qualities) of mind! (free translation)

And Kabirdas, a great guru and a great seeker, presented the stature of guru in his very powerful couplets: 
गुरु गोविन्द दोउ  खड़े काके लागूं पाय 
बलिहारि गुरु आपणै  जिनि गोविन्द दियो बताय|| 

If guru and God, both stood before me, I would rather offer myself in sacrifice before the guru, for he showed me God!

सद्गुरु की महिमा अनंत अनंत किया उपगार 
लोचन अनंत उघाड़िया  अनंत दिखावण हार|| 

Great is the glory of the true guru, for he has done great good.  He opened the eyes of eternity, and manifested the eternal!

I am fully in agreement with him.  I hope that we who don the role of 'gurus', daily grow into the likeness of the ultimate guru; and impart, among the STEM and STEAM that we do, definitely a particle of that ultimate bliss, supreme happiness, cosmic knowledge, transcending duality and all changing minds and moods. 

PLASTIC BAN IN INDIA - 1 July 2022

PLASTIC BAN - A RIGHT, BUT INSUFFICIENT STEP TOWARDS SDG TARGETS

India has banned plastic - a set of plastic products - from July 1, 2022.

I recall a lesson from Kerala Pathaavali Malayalam - I think of III grade (1972)! What a coincidence. (Incidentally, it was the year of Stockhholm summit, a watershed in the humanity's approach towards its being on the planet earth. There was hardly anything of that sort discussed ever in the schools.) It was a newly introduced text, I believe. Some very interesting lessons in them were (i) Plastic - where in it was described as a blessing, with its various advantages (ii) on agriculture - but subtly promoting the ideas of green revolution, without ever mentioning that term. Focus was more on adding to the fertility of the soil. Though application of fertilizers was mentioned, what stood out in my mind, then and now, was the reference to 'seema konna' (Glricidia sepium), which was presented as a very good supplement to the soil fertility. (I had never come across this plant before and no teacher bothered to ask the children to go and find one somewhere around or ask someone about it). (iii) Another lesson was on 'cashew fruit' described as the Orange of the Poor (Paavanalute Madhura Naranga)...but after all these years, it has never come anywhere close to be a substitute for orange, and not even a fruit considered worth buying.

I am reminded of these lessons, as today the country has taken a step to ban 19 items of single use plastic (SUP). The lesson described the various blessings of plastic - inexpensive, pliable, flexible, light, durable, keeping things safe by packaging etc.... Indeed plastic was just becoming popular. A carry bag was a very precious and proud possession, usually available only from high end textile shops (like Jose Brothers, Parthas etc. in Kochi), and hence indicative of your family's access to them. You used it very carefully, as a proud possession. The colourful plastic buckets were not yet very popular, or affordable. A household may have one or two of them. Steel (not stainless) buckets were still fashionable. No body ever thought of a plastic chair. The other fancy item was table sheets with pictures of fruits or flowers or food items, usually used for keeping a dining table (if there was one at home) cleaner and attractive. Bread, biscuits, toffees all came in wrappers of oil paper. I still recall those modern bread wrappers, which we used for covering our note books for additional protection.

While, technically, plastic continues to be a miracle find, a great blessing, in effect, it has become a curse for soil health, aquatic health, human health, and planet health. It has come to resemble 'kaalanillaatha kaalam' (the times without Yamraj) a thought-provoking poem by Kunjan Nambiar on the 'importance of destruction of matter (life)! It has come to stay.

To count the blessings: It doesn't get rusted, it can be given any shape or colour. It is light in weight. It can also serve as a check on the exploitation of other natural resources like trees, minerals, metals etc. Perhaps, a major step in its discovery was to save elephants and tortoises!!

But on the other side, it has become a curse and menace. In many of the South Asian towns, literally mountains have been formed from non-degradable plastic waste! It is an eye-sore for the beautiful countryside and hill areas, all across India.

You dig soil - use a spade or an earthmover, almost anywhere in India, you find soil embedded with plastic. It is said to cause soil pollution with gradual degradation of plastics causing leaching of harmful chemical into soil and water bodies. It chokes the soil and prevents the plants from spreading their roots. You check the bottom of water bodies - ponds, lakes and ocean, you find plastic layer. there are thousands of aquatic animals getting killed by consuming plastic materials discarded in the ocean. It chokes the drains, and increase the risk of urban flooding. When they degrade (finally), they breakdown to form micro-plastics which can easily become part of the food chain, causing genetic damages and cancers to all beings. You think about burning it to control it - it gives out noxious gases like hydrogen fluoride in huge quantities, which can increase human vulnerability to cancer.

Now the only focus should be as to how to control the damaging impacts of plastic use - getting rid of plastic from the human life is nearly impossible.

It comes from the Greek word 'plastikos' - it refers to the quality that enables one to 'form', give shape. Among all things, this is said to be greatest advantage of plastic - it can be moulded into any shape. The term had been in use since 17th century to refer to something pliable and mouldable. Liquid nitrocellulose of collodion had been in use for photographic applications since 1851 when Englishman, Frederick Scott Archer invented it. It was said to have been christened thus by the English scientist Alexander Parkes (1813-1890), who chanced upon this possibility in the process of mixing and melting some chemicals in his lab in 1856. He named it Parkesine, and got a patent for it. However, his efforts to produce it on a large scale didn't become a commercial success. John Wesley Hyatt, in 1868, created celluloid out of cellulose and alcholized camphor as a substitute for ivory or tortoise shell in billiard balls. Wallace Carothers brought out nylon in 1935. Real breakthrough came when PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) was patented by two Calico Printer's Association employees John Rex Whinfield and James Tennant Dickson in 1942.

Plastic, as we use it now, is produced from petroleum: the process in brief is as follows:

(Ron Pleasant, 2016. https://inbound.teamppi.com/blog/oil-to-plastic-a-lesson-on-how-plastic-is-made)

• First, the petroleum is drilled and transported to a refinery.
• Crude oil and natural gas are refined into ethane, propane, and hundreds of other petrochemical products, including the petrol and diesel we use to run our vehicles.
• Ethane and propane are "cracked" into ethylene and propylene, using high-temperature furnaces.
• A catalyst is combined with ethylene or propylene in a reactor, resulting in "fluff." Fluff is a powder like material (polymer) resembling laundry detergent.
• Fluff is combined with additives in a continuous blender.
• The polymer is fed to an extruder where it is melted.
• Melted plastic is cooled then fed to a pelletizer that cuts the product into small pellets.
• Pellets are then shipped to customers and manufacturers.

India uses 14 million tons of plastic annually, and generates 4 million tonnes of plastic. The waste has become unmanageable to the local bodies, and the indirect impacts have been begun to be felt.

Hence the ban. 19 products of single use plastic (SUP) has been banned nation wide. Items include:

1. ear buds with plastic sticks
2. plastic sticks for balloons
3. plastic flags
4. candy sticks
5. ice- cream sticks
6. polystyrene (Thermocol) for decoration
7. plastic plates
8. cups
9. glasses
10. cutlery such as forks
11. spoons
12. knives
13. straw
14. trays
15. wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes
16. invitation cards
17. cigarette packets
18. plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron
19. stirrers

Indeed 19 items. However, the top villains in this regard are yet to be tackled. There is a target to ban carry bags below 120 micron by December, 2022. A ban on carry bags of less than 75 microns effective since Sep 2021, is yet to find implementation.

In Keralam, there is a ban on production, storage, transportation and sale from January 2020 itself. Perhaps, COVID times didn't help. With this, the items banned in Kearlam will also include - With this, the list of banned single-use plastic products in the State includes plastic carry bags irrespective of thickness; garbage bags; non-woven bags, plastic flags and buntings; PET/PETE bottles of drinking water of capacities less than 500 ml; plastic-coated paper cups, plates, bowls, and paper carry bags; plastic/plastic-coated leaves used as plates; plastic packets (use of plastic packets in retail outlets for packing fruits and vegetables; plastic sapling bags; plastic sheets used as table spreads; plastic water pouches, non-branded plastic juice packets; plates, cups, and decorations made of thermocol; PVC flex materials, plastic-coated cloth; and single-use plastic utensils such as cups, plates, spoons, and straw. (https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/in-kerala-ban-on-single-use-plastic-from-tomorrow/article65582512.ece)

This list makes sense, and if implemented, can bring about drastic change!! Yet to be seen.

In addition to the legal measure, government proposes other strategies:

(i) EPR - Extended Producer Responsibility to manage what they bring into the market. Buy-back incentives by beverages companies which was prevalent in the US could one such way.

(ii) Targeting MSMEs to bring out more sustainable alternatives to plastic made consumer goods is another strategy.

Strategies that are not proposed, but can make a difference

(iii) But the most important strategy should be that of targeting school systems, to create habits and generate conviction as well as clarification of one's choices/values in this regard. Educational outcome linked to waste generation and consumption practices has to be evolved and realised through schools.

In this regard, the status of teacher community, their awareness level and practices leave much to be desired. They are abysmally low. So it requires components in teacher education as well.

(iv) The next best strategy should be to involve the religious leaders, irrespective of their religion to get involved in the process.

(v) The other strategy would be that of empowering and incentivising the local self governments in this regard. The case study of Indore proves this point.

(vi) There are also more friendly substitutes - plastics which are biodegradable which are beginning to get popular in Qatar, thanks to government initiative.

I suggested to our vibrant Mayor of Kochi that youngsters who are willing to monitor the implementation should be enlisted, trained, and empowered to impose penalty on any defaulters, with proper evidence, and on each such reported violation, the volunteer should be rewarded.

Towards a Waste-less Life - Zero Carbon Ideal

Global warming and increasing pollution from plastics are almost daily themes for BBC and France 24 news.  There is some feature or other across the world indicating this concern.  While there are many things which can be done by state or governments (local or national),  I am noting down some possibilities at individual and house-hold levels. 

1. Plastic reduction: After 3 months in a hotel room, in Qatar, I feel a little happy about some minor  progress I could attain in this regard. 

When I arrived, I was left with no option but to use plastic water bottles for my drinking needs, and the hotel would not provide any other means. They said, it was the only thing permitted.  After a month, I insisted on a water dispenser and 20 litres can has been installed in my room since then, thus avoiding Almost 250 bottles (half litre) a month.  Next was coffee.  Hotel provides instant coffee with one pack (or two) for a mug.  Thus generating in one point about 3 to 6 plastic sachets for the same.  I requested for a 250 mg bottle of NESCAFE (which might work cheaper), it's now about a month and the bottle is still only half empty, and the waste has been reduced.  Milk (or substitute) is not usually used, but a cup might require one (or two) standard disposable sealed cup.  Now without my having to ask, they brought a bigger can which can substitute almost 20 such disposables.   

2. Somebody initiated the movement to have earth hour, by switching off the lights at 8 pm on Earth Day.  It is more of a token.  But this could be a means by which heat generation can be curbed. If every family can decide on such a 'zero hour' on a daily basis, at least with regard to lights and refrigeration (leave AC), I think there could be tremendous reduction the world over. This could be a modern day virtue (punya) or sacrifice (tyaga) for self-purification or spiritual growth, if we need a religio-spiritual motif for the same.  The spiritual leaders could promote it universally, as it would go against no dogma of any religion. 

I was very glad to read about an experiment led by a young parish priest in Kuttanad, Alappuzha District of Keralam (India).  Fr. Rajeev Palakkacherry of Changanachery arch-diocese is now guiding a 'carbon neutral parish'.  It is a great possibility thrown open to thousands such centres to go beyond the ritualistic god-seeking towards a planet-based stewardship! (Palakkachery, 2022. CMIssion Magazine, January-April 2022, pp. 72-77). 

3. But a more radical decision could be a 'zero carbon' diet.  Perhaps, we start with such an agenda on one such day - Environment Day or Earth Day or whatever.... one full meal is substituted by fruits or uncooked vegetables. If this can be a practice for one whole day, per week,  by all the families of the world, it would have multiple impact - 1) less consumption of meat the production (based on consumption) of which there is large scale emission happening 2) healthy for humans 3) tremendous reduction in heat emission. 

Those religio-spiritual people (or health enthusiasts) who take to fasting, could think of zero carbon fasting that would serve both their purpose as well as the planet's agenda! 

4. A third strategy towards reducing solid waste is already gaining momentum - the research group of women in Trivandrum, under the banner of 'Sastra', has pioneered a bold and meaningful step - 'environment friendly menstruation' - to get rid of the accumulating waste of the disposable sanitary napkins. If sanitary napkins are substituted by 'sustainable ones' instead of 'disposable ones', a tremendous amount of waste can be reduced.  There are now such affordable (perhaps, less expensive), safe and sanitary substitutes available in the market today.  Imagine, the waste reduction by almost 25% of the world population (wild guess), and subsequent impact on emissions from burning, which is a usual fall out. 

Proud of such daring modern young women!! The panel of young educated women are leaders who are initiating ventures in the domain of sustainability. 

5. The other fascinating story was about the housing model by a modern techy-young couple, who decided to go the 'road less travelled'. 

https://www.manoramaonline.com/homestyle/first-shot/2022/06/15/sustainable-home-no-electricity-bill-eco-friendly-living-model.html  

Sharing the same for inspiration for people of good will, who yet contemplating their house - or their 'next house'. 

6. The current trend in celebrations implies venue management, including making it attractive through decorations.  And balloons play a major role, and they are indeed attractive.  But they are indeed an addition to unmanageable waste. Of the deadliest ocean thrash, they are ranked number 3, after fishing gear and plastic bags & utensils.  

https://greenthatlife.com/balloon-pollution/#:~:text=Latex%20balloons%20contain%20a%20more,%2C%20indefinitely%2C%20as%20microplastic%20pollution.

https://www.greenmatters.com/p/balloons-environmental-impact

https://www.oceanconservation.org/research/balloon-pollution/  

To have an eye and will to avoid this attractive option is challenging!!