Arise India

(the above image is a copyright of Anush Shetty from Hasiru Usiru)

Most of you are residents of Bangalore city. If you are an aware citizen, you will know about Bangalore Metro’s attempts to cut down the trees of Nanda Theatre Road. The news has invoked mixed reactions. Some people are for cutting these trees thinking that it will enable faster transport, and they see it as a quick solution to decongest the roads of South Bangalore. Many others aren’t so myopic. They don’t want the development of Bangalore to come at the cost of its beautiful green cover. Bangalore may no more be called the ”Green City” but residents of Nanda Theatre Road don’t vouch for that. Their part of Bangalore is still green. It’s more than green–its that charming part of the city which still retains the traces of the Bangalore that once was. Even though the traffic is so bad, you can hide in the shade of those trees on that road and simply feel grateful that they are just there, surviving. I’ve done that before. I truly think that Nanda Road is one of the most beautiful roads of South Bangalore. I also think that these trees are worth fighting for–with everything we’ve got. That’s because trees such as these don’t grow back in two days. We all should realise that.

It’s one matter to simply be aware of all this and just feel sorry for these trees. It’s another matter to show the world that you care. I’m happy that Hasiru Usiru (a group committed to saving trees) is doing something, and think we need to be doing something too. Just yesterday, there was a protest against the Metro’s attempts to cut down trees on Nanda Road. Although I couldn’t possibly have been a part of this, I salute Hasiru Usiru and the many concerned citizens of Bangalore who are trying to save these trees. If you are similarly moved by Metro’s decision and think that cutting down these trees is simply wrong, I urge you to join us. I urge you, as a resident of Bangalore to do your little something for the city–write about this, blog about this, contact the newspapers, tell your friends, join the protests and tell the world that you want this to stop. Remember that you always have a choice.

Come to think of it, the Metro has a choice too. A choice to take things underground, a choice to decide on a parallel road, a choice to save hundreds of trees. If they aren’t going to take that option, it’s the duty of the citizens to tell them to. That’s the true power of democracy. They’re building the metro for us, the citizens. And hence our voice counts–we have a say. Our voice can stop them, because our voice matters and our voice is powerful!

You might be that normal teenager who doesn’t believe he can do much. But you can!!! Here’s what you can do:

(a) Read the papers. Stay informed and updated. When you talk to your friends, just try to spread the message, instead of discussing if Bipasha Basu actually broke up with John. And trust me, you won’t look like a dork if you are a socially aware citizen! Contact newspapers. Write to them. Be active and participate because your voice really counts!!

(b) Tell the world! Blog it, participate in discussions, share your views on forums and see what other citizens think. Think about the alternate things the Metro can do to prevent the felling of these trees. If you think many people agree with you, you can mobilize a group for your cause. Organize events, and distribute pamphlets. Go door-to-door. Spend at least one Sunday campaigning for your cause instead of lounging at home and taking useless quizzes on facebook.

(c) Join Hasiru Usiru’s efforts to peacefully protest against the felling of trees!!!

(d) Get your college and friends involved, if possible.

And there is so much more you can do!!!

To join Hasiru Usiru on yahoo groups, please go to their yahoo groups webpage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HasiruUsiru/

To know more about Hasiru Usiru’s effort, take time off to visit their website: http://www.hasiruusiru.org/joomla/index.php

If you want to know about Hasiru Usiru’s recent efforts to save these trees you can read this interesting article: http://www.mybangalore.com/article/save-lalbagh-save-bangalores-future.html

Bangalore buzz has captured the news here: http://bangalorebuzz.blogspot.com/2009/04/save-nanda-roadsave-lalbagh-save.html

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!!! please login and go to http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=39642999531

Remember that you have the capacity to change things, just with your voice, your determination and commitment. Saving these trees won’t be easy, but with your support, it will definitely be possible. When you fight for the survival of the Trees on Nanda Road, you aren’t fighting for nothing…you are fighting for a life…..that’s why it’s a battle worth fighting for.

[ You can contact me on http://lakshmibharadwaj.blogspot.com/ ]

India has always been a country charecterized by secularism, and “unity in diversity,”. These are famous slogans used in our country, again and again. But is India really secular? If so, to what extent? Is religion still a barrier? Are our philosophies and traditions being forgotten? Are we really united as a nation or is this simply a myth? These questions, I shall put up on the forum, for debate and discussion by AIF members.

Here is a thoughtful take on the subject by 14 year old Deepti who has analysed the subject pretty well. Do listen to her opinion on the subject. Here’s what she has to say about the nature of secularism and religion in our country:

EVILS OF THE PAST

“Our heritage and culture is getting lost. the ancient Aryan faiths and beliefs which became the foundation of Hinduism is being completely misinterpreted. as far as spirituality is concerned, god is one. no where in true ethics has it been prescribed that He be the cause of separation of human kind based on race, creed, color and sex. then why do we exclaim, ” for you God! ” and continue to shatter the world through atrocious crimes of partition???
people cry around in pride about their secularness. but where is it? only in the superficial layers of our epithelial cells , but not in the deeps chambers of our heart. the sects in society was first done on the basis of physical abilities and not on a persons character. . what you are born is not what you are. you are who you choose to be.
people as well might shake their heads and think that i am off my rocker for suggesting that racism and cast ism still exist today. but exist it does………

when will we realise that what a person wears, how he or she is, what religion they whose to follow is their own personal choice?? how can we call India a free nation, or the world for that matter , when we are under the tyranny of discrimination? are we so helpless against these massive forces of injustice? should we just succumb and bow our heads in resigned acceptance?
should the distance of the seas and the difference of faiths and culture stop us in our valiant attempt for unity?????????????
these are not questions that ask for answers but demand it ………………………….. ”

Deepti Raghuram

(for more from Deepti please do visit her blog

Thanks, all
Lakshmi

Dear AIF Members,

I was so deeply impressed by your work that I decided to write an article on your organization on my personal blog as well. Feel free to visit and leave your comments.  Please do visit: http://lakshmibharadwaj.blogspot.com/2008/12/arise-india.html for more. Thanks, and keep up the great work!

Lakshmi

                As the great saying goes ” Welcome, O life! I go to encounter for the millionth time the reality of experience and to forge in the smithy of my soul the uncreated conscience of my race”. Vanamahotsava is the festival of life. It was stared in India, as a campaign to save. BUT HAS THIS CAMPAIGN REALLY BORE FRUIT?

                We all might have heard and some of us, experienced the dreadful effect of global warming. The reason  for this is

Greenhouse gases, the solution is STOPPING EMISSION! But is that possible? No country is ready to sacrifice its economy for the ecology! And when fossil fuels are continued to be burnt every day, the Amazon forest that sustains life on earth is being destroyed at a steady

Rate. SO DID WE MISCALCULATE THE AFTER EFFECTS?

Yes we did and now a lot of scientists tell us that it’s necessary to develop forests. But with the growing population, I doubt we have enough resources to do it. So, I came up with this new alternative when I was surfing the net one day. It’s called URBAN FORESTRY. It

Mainly involves the development of green belts in cities. To do this you need not go and plant trees on the roadside, start from your

Backyard!

                SO ARE YOU READY TO DO A LITTLE? Remember that one tree in your garden can surely make a difference, because

that one tree can absorb about a ton of CO2 in its lifetime! Mind you if the current rate of emissions goes on, the current rate of melting

of ice continues, within a span of 30 years sea levels will rise by 20 feet!

Now some people will tell you that this is a hoax, but scientist proves it. If the sea levels rise by 20 feet, all coastal cities will be wiped

out.  And those cities like Bangalore up here will have acute water shortage, food shortage and a 200% rise in diseases!

Some of you might say, we won’t be there at that time, but can you just forget your children, and grand children? If you really care for

them please try planting at least one sapling this year. You decide your vanamahotsava, its date and time.

                My dear friends if you think I  am a fool please see the movie “AN INCONVINIENT TRUTH”. Hats off to Mr. Al Gore

for his efforts to save mother earth.

PLEASE TRY FOLLOWINF THE FOLLOWING ENERGY SAVING MEASURES.

As a guest blogger here, I am delighted to say I am very happy to have been granted the opportunity to express my views about Arise India, and am glad to thank Pramukh, one of the secretaries of this organization to has made this possible for me. My name is Lakshmi, I’m 18 years old, and a dedicated blogger since two years. I drive a personal blog on my life experiences and occasionally write some guest posts on topics of interest. Arise India as an organization has invoked great interest to me, as the casual outsider because it carries with it a profound message which is both relevant and sincere in my opinion. The simple and appealing message of this organization which speaks of youth participation in change is definitely inspiring and motivating. And that is why I sincerely believe that Arise India can achieve the success it is undoubtedly capable of, through sheer dedication and hard work. I have complete faith and confidence in the capacities of the youth, and for us, achievement is never impossible. I shall abide by the philosophy of this organization, and continue to encourage everyone to accept the message of Arise India , and strive for a better change which can transform the nature of our country.

I believe that poverty can be erased, youth can be empowered, kindness can be nurtured and trust can be gained. Visions can be created, and they can become a reality only when someone gets up and demands a change for the better. There is a vital need for a leader to address critical issues, fund raise some money and work for the upliftment of the struggling Indians. There is a need for a greater public participation. The energies of the society are nestled in the hearts of it’s youth. We are young, dynamic, capable of the hard work difficult situations demand. We have vitality, energy, dreams and conviction. The only question is, do we have it for the right cause? Sadly, most our abundant conviction is often wasted for something else. We sometimes can be unbelievably passive about issues of tremendous importance. That could be an unfortunate thing because we would be wasting our capabilities on trivial matters when true power lies within and awaits discovery. This is why organizations like Arise India can be tremendously helpful. They focus our minds in the right direction, create an outlet for the goodness which has always been inherently ours and foster a great sense of community service. Arise India is genuine in its promise and can empower youth and that is why I encourage every teenager to actively participate in events organized by Arise India.  

I really have to say ‘Hats Off’ because Arise India has already achieved some considerable success, even with the help of limited members. Arise India has shown me what it can do, and I respect the efforts which it has been putting into driving the youth towards a good cause. Success never comes easy, but working for it sure helps. Fortunately, I have been allowed enough access to your organization to understand the work which you are doing. Arise India derserves more participation from youth, and some space in the media to promote its message. 

India is changing. We all realise that. Every single day shapes the world, some history teachers say. Change is constant, never ending. Change can destruct or innovate. Change is like an untamed horse, running about aimlessly. We need a responsible person to control the reins of change and steer it in a sensible direction. Is the change India is experiencing sensible? I leave that to individual considerations. Some changes are necessary, and some more essential than others. While come changes require to be controlled, others need to be born. Literacy rate of our country is low, and we definitely need to look into this issue. Enabling an easy acess to education is of primary importance. Improving health care should also be considered. We, as a country, have a fair share of problems, but we are also equally capable of solving them.  

At the same time, I would like to remind the youth that even though promises lie in the future, lessons lie in our past. There is a lot of wisdom and knowledge the generations before us have provided and it would be an injustice to ignore all that they have graciously offered us. Let not the great thoughts, visions and philosophies of our past go to waste. In other words, please don’t forget our history. It is too rich, meaningful and wonderful to be ignored. Our independence has been through a sustained effort, and a painful battle has blessed us with independence. Let patriotism not be limited to cricket matches (that happens a lot in our country, and is a joke I overheard), or colourless history books. Let it not be existent for only one day in a year…..friends, please remember our leaders. Honor them. Honor what it means to be an good citizen, and you will sense the need to participate to either alter or encourage the wave of change which is embracing our country today. It’s a choice. Also, it is my humble request and not an order. 

Finally I would like to say only one more thing: “Go Arise India!” My warmest wishes to all members who are already part of this change. Sadly I am too far away from home to be present at all the schools where you speak. It would have been wonderful to hear you people speak. But I shall try, through every little way possible to fund raise your events, and join hands with you in your effort. I wish you the best of luck, success and greater membership. I hope to see Arise India becoming a nationwide phenomenon. And I am confident that you will be all that I expect you to be…..and I shall wait patiently for that day.

Thanks a lot, all!

Lakshmi

( feel free to contact me on www.lakshmibharadwaj.blogspot.com)

Hello AIF Team!!!
We have finally established a common platform to share our thoughts, experiences and suggestions. We certainly hope to see some good contributions to this blog from members, and non-members as well. The purpose of this blog is to update members on current events of AIF, prospected plans which have been chalked out, and even ideas which need to be considered. This blog plans to inform you. We seek you to write on anything of relavance to AIF, and we will definitely consider its implications. Be aware, and do express your opinions on anything in this country which arrests your attention.

Happy blogging!

AIF Team