Magsaysay award winner Rajendra Singh kicks off tour for Ganga conservation

                                                                      by Girish Kumar Dubey

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New Delhi/Varanasi,Oct. 1 (ANI): Magsaysay award winner and environmentalist Rajendra Singh began a three-month tour on Friday to constitute 'Ganga Panchayats' in towns and villages along the river Ganga.

Buzz up!

The tour has been planned for conservation

of river Ganga and to spread awareness among the common people about the

The councils are spread over 90 towns and 1,000 villages between Gaumukh in Uttarakhand and Ganga Sagar in West Bengal.

"It is a journey for the conservation of the River Ganga. We believe that the society will fulfill its responsibility towards the rebirth of Ganges and save it from pollution and other impurities," said Singh.

Meanwhile, Harpal Singh Rana, another activist of the Ganga council said the cleaning of the river is not impossible without public support.

"Till the time the public is not aware of their responsibility regarding the River Ganga, the government cannot work alone. Many programmes have been made before on the Ganga and crores of rupees have been spent on the projects, but the condition of the river is getting worse, day-by-day," said Rana.

"It is a programme for the common people to make Ganga Panchayat, so that they can understand their responsibility towards it and actively contribute in the conservation of the river," he added.

The high pollution in the Ganga affects 400 million people, who live close to the river. (ANI)

Watch Kashi Vishwanath live on television in Varanasi

                                                    By Girish Kumar Dubey

Devotees of Lord Shiva in Varanasi can now ave an audience of the Jyotirlinga at the world famous Kashi ishwanath temple while sitting at home. Thanks to the local irect to home (DTH) service provider.

Varanasi, Feb.4 : Devotees of Lord Shiva in Varanasi can now ave an audience of the Jyotirlinga at the world famous Kashi ishwanath temple while sitting at home. Thanks to the local irect to home (DTH) service provider.

Lord Shiva's Jyotirlinga is enshrined at this famous temple.

The new facility commenced this past week (Thursday) after the ata Sky, the local DTH service provider, had an arrangement with he temple authorities for its subscribers here. The company has aid an annual royalty of rupees 35 lakhs (3.5 million rupees).

The latest option will save time and energy of the devotees who therwise had to wait for hours in long queues, passing through arious security check-points, to have Darshan (glimpse) of the ain deity of Kashi Vishwanath temple from a distance. It will lso enable devotees to have a close view of the deity.

This facility, however, will be available only with Tata Sky nabled television sets.

"This is a historic day for all of us. In the entire north India his is for the first time that devotees from any part of the orld can see the pious 'Jyotirlinga' of Kashi Vishwanath Temple ive on their TV sets," said Rajesh Tripathi, Religious Endowment inister of Uttar Pradesh.

"Of course, such a facility is available at Shirdi's Sai Baba emple and Sidhi Vinayak temple in Maharashtra. In south India, he temple of Shri Balaji at Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh also has his facility," Tripathi added.The daily telecast will include the coverage of daily rituals of he temple besides enabling an open view of the presiding deity. his facility, however, will be available only with Tata Sky nabled television sets. evotees have hailed the new facility, as now onwards they will ot have to be a part the huge crowd and hustle bustle, which sed to defeat the whole meaning of worship that needs utmost erenity.

"There is so much of a crowd and I don't have to go there. It is ctually very comfortable. It is very good," said Abhishek Singh, devotee.

Prior to this telecast, Kashi Vishwanath was brought live to the evotees via internet but it was more of static visuals. That ebsite had limited approach, as only computer literates could ave access to it through internet.

As against all these, Tata Sky has lent a far wider coverage, hich in turn would mean devotees would be able to offer prayers rom homes with 'live' deity in view.

The Kashi Vishwanath temple is widely recognized as one of the ost important places of worship in Hindu religion and most of he leading Hindu saints, including Adi Sankaracharya, amakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Goswami Tulsidas, wami Dayananda Saraswati, Sikh Guru Gurunanak Dev are known to ave visited this temple.

As per Hindu mythology, visiting Kashi Vishwanath temple and a ath in the river Ganga is believed to lead one on a path to oksha (liberation).

It is said that the merits earned by the darshan of other yotirlinga located in different parts of India accrue to devotee y a single visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. ANI

 

Read more: http://www.andhranews.net/India/2008/February/4-Watch-Kashi-Vishwanath-32135.asp#ixzz13R505cyW

Will Uttar Pradesh’s Fossils park itself become a ‘fossil’?

Will Uttar Pradesh's Fossils park itself become a 'fossil'?

                                     Submitted by Girish Kumar Dubey on Tue, 12/25/2007 - 19:38.

Sonbhadra (Uttar Pradesh), Dec.25: The fossils park at Salkhan Village in Uttar Pradesh is regarded one of the oldest of its kind in the world. But, sadly, it is lying in dilapidated state due to administrative apathy shown towards a priceless treasure.

Located in the Sonbhadra District of Uttar Pradesh, the fossil park is in a pitiable condition due to inadequate care. There is nobody to maintain the trees.

The tree fossils, which are covering 25 hectares of park, date back to Meso-Proterozoic period. They are said to be about 140 crore years old. The park is three times larger than the Yellow Stone Park of America that earns millions of rupees.

Researchers from America, Germany, France and many other countries have visited the park in the past to trace details related to these fossils but no improvement could be noticed due to prevailing conditions.

"It felt good to watch fossils. But it felt very bad on noticing there was no one to take care of them from security point of view. It is a part of our heritage and it's necessary for us to take care of it," said Nisha, a visitor to the fossil park and a Banaras Hindu University student.

"This is a priceless possession not only for India but for the entire world. These are 140 crores old fossils which are called Elgi fossils. And these fossils not just tell the story of creation of Earth but the story of creation of life too. That's why these are priceless," said Vijay Shankar Chaturvedi, a local journalist.

"The fossils are lying neglected due to administration. Neither the Government nor concerned officials are making any arrangements for their safety. There exists a board set by the Forest Department which carried all instructions on it. But those instructions have been removed by people," said Vijay Vineet, a local villager.

"People have also shattered the fossils. The sharp boundary structure that was covering the park has also been dismantled and stolen by thieves. We feel disappointed here that the park is being neglected," Vineet added.

According to the Forest Department, the Government is not paying any attention towards the ancient park.

"Salkhan fossils are very old. These fossils are only in India and that too in Salkhan. There should be proper arrangements for its safety. The thieves have stolen the sharp wires covering the boundary; no action has been taken for it," said R. K. Singh, Range Forest Officer at Gurma in Sonbhadra District.

"The Forest Department has provided the budget for the construction of the road. In few more days, we will arrange for an information centre. We don't have the budget to hire people. We have already appealed many a times for this," said R. K. Singh, Range Forest Officer at Gurma in Sonbhadra District. (ANI)

Uttar Pradesh villagers visit Sonbhadra to get rid of spirits

                                                                   By Girish Kumar Dubey

Pannugunj (Sonbhadra) (U.P), July 6: The annual Sonbhadra fair which was held earlier this week was frequented, among others, by hundreds of people who wanted to rid themselves of evil spirits.

Pannuganj village was the venue where people possessed by 'evil spirits' gathered to be treated by witch doctors, locally known as 'Ojhas'.

The Ojhas claim to possess supernatural powers that 'enable' them to drive away evil spirits. They say that they are just 'helping' people in trouble. The 'spirit' cannot be got rid of by modern medicine, they say.

Sukhi Ram, organiser of the fair and an exorcist says: "I have come here to solve the problem of the people troubled by spirits."

People attending the fair believed that the evil spirits cause a sudden change in a person's social behaviour.

Shukalu, one such 'patient' said: "Earlier this year, I started beating people and do strange things. That's why I have come here."

Social organisations have been working in the area to rid the people of the superstitions, who are largely uneducated.

Sociologists say many of the Ojhas are con artists, making money out of gullible and vulnerable people.

ANI

Read more: http://www.andhranews.net/India/2007/July/6-Uttar-Pradesh-villagers-7102.asp#ixzz131EVsQ9b

Treating illness with gemstones

Treating illness with gemstones
newkerala.com
By Girish Kumar Dubey
June 11, 2007

Varansi, a place known for its religious fervour, is emerging as a haven for many gemstone traders who style themselves as 'Astrology Doctors'.

Many claim that they can cure diseases like cancer, anaemia, piles, kidney-related problems and others, with their 'gemstone-therapy'. It is done by influencing the planetary conditions through gemstones.

They prefix 'Dr.' with their names.

Different gemstones are prescribed for patients' after studying their horoscopes. It is after a brief analysis of the horoscope that a patient is suggested what planet is actually affecting his/her health.

Sidhartha Singh, one of such astrologer-therapists, said: 'In astrological therapy, ailment is treated on the basis of positions of planets and twelve zodiacs. Like Aries and Scorpio are controlled by Mars. If Mars is creating problem then the person could suffer from blood related ailments and injuries. In such cases we suggest people to use coral gem.'

The gemstones are expensive and often bought by the well-off families. Dozens of such 'clinics' have come up in various parts of Varanasi.

It is claimed wearing a right stone matching one's horoscope can cure a person of all ailments.

Some of these 'astrology doctors' admit that astrological permutations and combinations can only treat the problems indirectly and it is the allopathic doctors that can give direct treatment.

Lakshman Das, an astrologer-therapist, said: 'Astrologers can only tell when the disease rooted as well as the planet responsible for the ailment. An astrologer cannot do the direct treatment. He only pacifies the planetary conditions of the concerned person.'

It takes various gem stones for a 'treatment' of any disease as per these 'astrological practitioners'. Though many people visiting some of the genuine astrologers say they have benefited through gem therapy.

Vivek, a visitor to one such astrologer, said: 'He (astrologer) told me to wear pearl for various purposes; it could give me a peace of mind and success in my career. I followed the advice and now I am happy in my life.'

Manish, another visitor to such astrological clinic, said: 'When I came here astrologer searched my entire horoscope and advised me to use coral. From the time I am using it, I have been benefited a lot.'

In astrology, there are twelve zodiacs and three planets i.e. Mars, Venus and Saturn which have a direct and indirect bearing on human life and health.

Uttar Pradesh artists take up to eco-friendly idols for Durga Puja

Uttar Pradesh artists take up to eco-friendly idols for Durga Puja

Wednesday - Sep 29, 2010, 06:46pm (GMT+5.5) ANI

                                                                        By Girish Kumar Dubey

 

Varanasi (ANI): Ahead of Durga Puja idols of gods are being made here from environment-friendly materials to save the River Ganga from pollution. The idols are immersed in it at the culmination of the festival.

"This year we started using natural colours. We use turmeric for yellow colour and leaf for green colour. We are using natural colours to prevent our holy river Ganga from getting polluted," said Chitranjan Pal, an artist.

Earlier, the idols used to be made from materials like plaster of Paris, which do not dissolve easily and reduced the oxygen level in the water, resulting in the deaths of fish and other aquatic animals.

But the idols this year are being made of clay, and they are also being colored with natural colours, which are safe and will not pollute the River Ganga.

"We make colours out of natural things so that there are no chances of pollution or infection," said Sushant Kumar Pal, an artist.

Muslim craftsmen make effigy of Ravana in Varanasi

Muslim craftsmen make effigy of Ravana in Varanasi

2010-10-16 18:00:00

                                                                          By Girish Kumar Dubey

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 By ANI
Ahead of the Dussera festival, artisans belonging to the Muslim community are preparing a giant effigy of Ravana in Varanasi.
Along with, Ravana, gigantic effigies of his brother Kumbhakarna and son Meghnath are also created and burnt to culminate the ten-day Dussera festival.

Craftsmen said over 60 to 80 feet effigies of Ravana and his family members are being made and about one lakh rupees are spent.
"Here we have created 80 feet effigy of Ravana, 70 feet tall Meghnath (Ravana's son) and Kumbhkarna (Ravana's brother) of 60 feet. The cost in making these is about one lakh rupees," said Sajjad Khan, a craftsman.

Labourers working on the effigies said that they are working on these gigantic structures since a month.

"We don't consider religion as a barrier in offering our services. It is an occasion of communal harmony and we are very excited to contribute by making these effigies and despite being Muslims do the work of Hindus," said Mushtaq Ahmed, a craftsman. (ANI)