A tribute to Mohini Giri: A Stelwart of Women’s rights and Peace

Published : 25 Dec 2023

By: Ravi Nitesh

Link: https://countercurrents.org/2023/12/a-tribute-to-mohini-giri-a-stelwart-of-womens-rights-and-peace/ 

Heaven Mail, Print edition, J&K 26 Dec 2023

Mohini Giri left this world on 19 Dec 2023. Tributes poured in from all those who knew her. Large number of people from across the different paths of life expressed their condolences through coming physically and through their messages. Mohini Giri was an eighty five year old youth, who passionately worked for society till her last. She was an eminent social worker and daughter-in-law of former President of India V V Giri.

At a time when wars and conflicts have been dominating in this world, one should know that after the India-Pakistan war in 1971, Mohini started visiting hospitals to meet soldiers and their families. She observed that for widows of martyrs, there were many challenges including dignity, livelihood, shelter and support for their children. Mohini briefed these findings to Indira Gandhi and this led to the government’s support to widows of armed forces martyrs through free education of children, allotment of plots and gas agencies etc. 

Later, Mohini Giri also established the War Widows Association to extend healing touch to widows of martyrs besides what the army or government were doing for them. Stood in front of all such lines, it was she who was famous for her courageous visits to various places in protection of women’s rights during her tenure in National Women Commission as a chairperson and worked extensively to provide autonomy to commissions.

I met Mohini ji around the year 2017 and since then she has been supportive to Aaghaz-e-Dosti through her participation and her inspiring messages. She was fond of music, arts, social work, reading everything that actually makes a person an enlightened human being. When we were organising a program of peace march, it was she who offered her Guild of Service office space for Aaghaz-e-Dosti Delhi to Wagah Peace yatra inaugural program. 

When relations between India and Pakistan created a scenario of fear above South Asia, Mohini Giri, Nirmala Deshpande and Syeda Hameed along with other like minded women founded Womens’ Initiative for Peace in South Asia and led a bus full of 40 women social workers to Pakistan where it was welcomed by hundreds of women activists in Lahore holding candles in their hand. This gesture was followed by a bus full of around 64 Pakistani women activists to India led by Asma Jahangir welcomed in India by hundreds of women holding flowers in their hand. 

Mohini Giri established Maa Dham in Vrindavan for widows. She travelled there time to time from Delhi despite her age, invited them to Delhi in many programs and managed to bring some happiness in their lives. She remained active for all causes of peace building and human rights from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. She established Rahat Ghar in Jammu and Kashmir to support children who lost their parents in militancy. 

For her efforts, she was recognised by India’s third highest civilian award Padam Bhushan in 2007, but the actual recognition she received is placing herself in the hearts of thousands of people and touching numerous lives. A film by Meera Dewan was made recently titled ‘Still we rise: The Passion and Compassion of Mohini Giri’ showcased fifty years journey of Guild of Service and also showcased initiatives of Guild for widows of Kargil War martyrs and the wives and children of those who went missing during kashmir insurgency. While showing the work of Mohini Giri for widows through her Maa Dham in Vrindavan, Meera Dewan says that the film attempts to reflect positive interpretation and transformation of stereotypical terminologies into action. Mohini’s wide vision encompasses the rich contribution of every faith to the cause of universal peace.

Her last rites were done at Delhi’s Lodhi road crematorium on 21 Dec 2023. There has been the presence of many who didn’t know each other, but they all were there as they knew and were in touch with Mohini Giri.

We offer our tribute to this great social worker and her departure from this physical world would only be remembered through celebration of her ideas and her actions which shall remain in society and in the hearts of people.

Ravi Nitesh is a freelance writer and founder of Aaghaz-e-Dosti Peace Initiative. He tweets at @ravinitesh

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Need for World Peace and Disarmament

 Published at: https://countercurrents.org/2023/10/need-of-world-peace-and-disarmament-disarmamentweek-24-30-oct/ 

By: Ravi Nitesh

At a time when the world is witnessing two major conflicts (Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Palestine) and numerous vulnerable points where conflicts can arise anytime; probably world peace seems a dire need of humanity.

During 24 Oct to 30 Oct, World observes Disarmament Week on the call of the United Nations. The Secretary General of the United Nations in a statement said ‘Disarmament must be brought back to the centre of our common efforts for peace and security.’ He also stated, ‘Disarmament and non-proliferation are investments in peace. They are investments in future’.

With the development of community living and division of the earth through national boundaries, divisions among societies seems increasing and there should be some common understanding to ensure that such divisions should not affect social fabric. Such boundaries should have been for administrative purposes only and with the aim to enrich humanity with more consciousness towards oneness.

World peace is a noble goal that we should all strive for. It means living in harmony with others, respecting diversity, and resolving conflicts peacefully. It also means creating a world where everyone has access to basic human rights, such as food, water, health, education, and justice.

World peace also requires disarmament as weapons of mass destruction are increasing and creating threats to human lives in conflict of states.

Questions asked about why is world peace important and sometimes people considered it as a hypothetical idea without even being concerned about data of its need. Here are some reasons:

●       World peace can reduce violence and suffering. According to the Global Peace Index, the economic impact of violence in 2020 was estimated at $14.96 trillion, or 11.6% of global GDP. This increased to $17.5 trillion or 13% of global GDP in 2023. Imagine how much better the world would be if we could use that money for development and humanitarian aid instead of war and destruction.

●       World peace can foster cooperation and innovation. When countries and people work together, they can achieve more than they can alone. They can share ideas, resources, and solutions to common problems. They can also learn from each other’s cultures, values, and perspectives. This can lead to more creativity, productivity, and progress.

●       By January 2022, there were approximately 13080 nuclear warheads worldwide, held by nuclear-armed states. Nuclear threats are more frequent now amid rising conflicts. During world war, we have seen huge destruction caused due to use of nuclear weapons and in today’s world, there seems to be a race to become a nuclear equipped state, without considering the huge potential of destruction it carries.

●       A report of Oxfam states that during 2018-2022, the world spent yearly an estimated $112 billion on arms import, while 9000 people die each day from hunger driven primarily by conflict. This reflects the contrast that exists in our world and how resources need to be mobilised in the right direction.

●       World peace can protect the environment and the future. War and violence often cause environmental damage, such as pollution, deforestation, and climate change. These effects not only harm the current generation, but also threaten the well-being of future generations. By promoting world peace, we can preserve the natural resources and biodiversity that sustain life on Earth.

●       Disarmament can achieve gender equality and can prevent gender-based violence as it is observed that in conflict zones, there are evidence of frequent violence against women and LGBTQ community. Many times, women and children have been used as human shields during conflicts.

●       More than 2.5 billion people globally live in dangerous places where violence occurs. These places account for more than 60 percent of poverty and more than 95 percent refugees come from such places. Though it does not directly reflect that all poverty or migration is only due to conflicts or violence, it surely reflects that there is a strong link between it and any place that is affected by continuous violence would certainly witness migration of refugees and poverty.   

World peace may seem like a distant dream, but it is possible if we all do our part. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” Let us start today by being peacemakers in our own lives and inspiring others to do the same.

UN Secretary General’s 4 key pillars include Disarmament that Saves Humanity, Disarmament that Saves Lives, Disarmament for Future Generations and Strengthening partnerships for Disarmament with the aim to support sustainable development goals.

Let us strive to support world peace and disarmament.

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Ravi Nitesh is a social activist. He tweets @ravinitesh

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The Need for Opening Sharda Peeth cross LoC Corridor

Published : https://countercurrents.org/2023/08/the-need-for-opening-sharda-peeth-cross-loc-corridor/ 

By: Ravi Nitesh

Recently, the Home Minister of India spoke about his government’s desire towards opening of Sharda Peeth cross LoC Corridor on similar lines of Kartarpur Corridor. Few times back, there were media reports that a proposal for opening of Sharda Peeth Corridor was also in consideration by the Govt. of Pakistan. These beginnings are not just important due to long pending wishes of devotees, but also have a great importance due to relations between the two nuclear powered states who have fought wars and carried a bitter relation despite being immediate neighbours.

Despite being apart as two sovereign states, the cultural linkages of India and Pakistan are inseparable. Spiritual connect is one of the important links which connects people and their emotions towards each other. Whether it is Nankana Sahib or Katasraj in Pakistan or Hazrat Nizamuddin Shrine and Ajmer sharif in India; people desire and travel to see and feel these places. There is also a need to facilitate such travel of people and both the countries under their joint Ufa declaration in 2015, already hold a position that a mechanism for facilitating religious tourism would be developed. The first such corridor was Kartarpur corridor which was opened three years ago by Govt. of India and Pakistan and exemplified success and hence other such possibilities should also be explored.

The Sharda Peeth holds significant religious and cultural importance for people on both sides. Located within 20 kilometers from the Line of Control towards the Pakistan side, it is considered one of the holiest sites for Hindus, particularly for followers of the goddess Saraswati and Kashmiri Pandit community. However, due to political tensions between India and Pakistan, access to this ancient pilgrimage site has been severely restricted for decades.

The Sharda Peeth is believed to be the place where the 8th-century philosopher and theologian Adi Shankaracharya visited and opened its Southern gate after passing the challenge by many learned philosophers and scholars and it is believed that temple existed since 12 century BC. It is said that during ancient times many great scholars, philosophers, and saints have come and studied at this renowned educational institution and it appears in old texts such as in Purana, in texts of Bilhana and Kalhana and in text of Al-Biruni. Scholars claim that it served as a Center of learning and knowledge for various ancient civilizations, including Buddhists, Jains, and Hindus. It is believed that as a centre of learning, this peeth was among the highest learning centres in the subcontinent.

The historical and cultural significance of the Sharda Peeth cannot be ignored. Opening the Sharda Peeth corridor to link LoC on both sides would not only facilitate religious pilgrimages but also boost cultural and people-to-people exchanges. It would allow both sides to reconnect with their shared heritage, promote dialogue, and foster understanding. This could lead to improved relations between the two countries, fostering an atmosphere of peace and cooperation in the region.

The Kartarpur Corridor, which was recently opened, serves as a shining example of the positive outcomes of such initiatives. It has facilitated the pilgrimage of Sikhs to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, in Pakistan. The corridor has not only enhanced religious tourism but also created opportunities for people from both sides of the border to interact and build bridges of understanding.

Given the success of the Kartarpur Corridor, there is a growing hope to open the Sharda Peeth corridor. It is an opportunity to showcase the religious tolerance and inclusivity that both nations strive for. Moreover, with advancements in technology and infrastructure, it has become increasingly feasible to facilitate travel and ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims. Opening of a corridor to access Sharda Peeth would also bring opportunities for local trade and would support economic growth around the peeth on both sides.

It is high time India and Pakistan put their political conflicts aside and worked towards opening the Sharda Peeth corridor. This small step could have a tremendous impact on peace-building efforts and open doors for further dialogue and cooperation between the two nations. By allowing people to visit and pay homage to this sacred site, we can truly celebrate our shared heritage and move towards a more peaceful and compassionate future.

Ravi Nitesh is a social activist. He tweets @ravinitesh

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In Diversity, there is beauty and strength: An appeal for Communal Harmony

 By: Ravi Nitesh 

https://countercurrents.org/2023/08/in-diversity-there-is-beauty-and-strength-an-appeal-for-communal-harmony/ 

In recent times, we have witnessed a significant rise in religious, ethnic, and political tensions that have led to divisions and conflicts within our communities. We have seen how Manipur witnessed violence and still not out of its ambit and then the recent communal clashes in Nuh, Haryana and in Gurugram. With time, divisions among society seem to increase. Our blame to different ideologies or political motives may serve us a purpose of self-satisfaction, but at large, what is true for an ideal society is that people create the social culture which then influence to ideologies and political interests and hence our efforts should not be solely towards finding political fault lines, but to introspection and to find ways to improve ourselves, our society and community to come out as better human being than we are at present.

It is essential that we come together to promote unity and understanding among diverse groups. We need to know different aspects of harmony. Few among these are here:-

Shape the future with positive aspects of history

History is history and should be learned for studies, to find out narratives and different aspects of time, but as a civilised society, we should also accept that changes happen over a course of history. No community, religion, caste, linguistic and ideological groups were present since birth of Earth and all religions, caste, languages came into existence much later over a period of time as per need, curiosity, inventions and imaginations of human community. History should not be used to take ‘revenge’. If there are different religions or communities or ideologies, it is the beauty of the human community and the freedom of thoughts, imagination and curiosity that it has.

Trust and Respect to lead Shared Vision

Communal harmony is not just about tolerating or coexisting with one another. It goes beyond that; it is about embracing our differences, respecting each other’s beliefs, and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and accepted. It is about finding common ground and working towards a shared vision of peace, prosperity, and cooperation.

Living in a diverse society enriches our lives in countless ways. Different religions, cultures, and traditions contribute to the diversity that makes our communities vibrant. When we build bridges of mutual understanding and respect, we create an atmosphere of trust and cooperation that benefits all. It is only through communal harmony that we can tap into the full potential of our diverse talents and perspectives.

Sense of belonging

Communal harmony is not an abstract concept; it has tangible benefits for each one of us. When we live in harmony, we experience a sense of security, knowing that our neighbors and fellow citizens stand by us. It nurtures a sense of belonging and creates a supportive community where everyone can thrive. Moreover, communal harmony fosters creativity, innovation, and economic development as people from diverse backgrounds come together to exchange ideas and learn from one another.

Actions to be taken as a personal responsibility

To achieve communal harmony, we need to actively promote interfaith dialogues, cultural exchanges, and events that celebrate diversity. These activities will help us foster a sense of unity and appreciation for various backgrounds. It is crucial to create safe spaces for open discussions, where different viewpoints can be heard and respected. Education plays a vital role in this process as well; by imparting knowledge about various religions, cultures, and traditions, we can develop understanding, empathy, and appreciation for diversity from a young age.

We should embrace communal harmony as a personal responsibility. Let us make a conscious effort to interact with people from different backgrounds, step out of our comfort zones, and challenge our own biases and assumptions. Let us stand up against hate speech, discrimination, and prejudice, and strive to create a society where everyone feels equally valued and respected.

Together, we can promote a culture of communal harmony and build stronger, more inclusive communities. Let us work hand in hand to safeguard our rich heritage of diversity and create a brighter future for generations to come.

Remember, “In diversity, there is beauty and strength.”

Ravi Nitesh  is a social activist and tweets @ravinitesh

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पूर्वी तट पर हो रही ऊर्जा क्रांति

रवि नितेश

Published: Dainik Jagran, National Edition, 13 May 2023 

हाल ही में फ्रांस की टोटल एनर्जी और भारत के अदाणी समूह ने भारत के पूर्वी तट पर ओडिशा के भद्रक जिले में धमरा नामक स्थान पर छह हजार करोड़ की लागत से बने पूर्वी भारत के पहले एलएनजी (लिक्वीफाइड नेचुरल गैस) टर्मिनल को तैयार किया है। गत अप्रैल में इस टर्मिनल के लिए पहली एलएनजी शिप कतर से ओडिशा पहुंची और अब यह टर्मिनल पूरी तरह तैयार होकर अपना कार्य शुरू करने वाला है। बंगाल की खाड़ी में यह टर्मिनल भारत के पूर्वी तट पर ऊर्जा क्रांति का हिस्सा बन रहा है और प्रधानमंत्री ऊर्जा गंगा योजना से जुड़ने का आधार बन रहा है। 

वस्तुत: एलएनजी एक द्रवीकृत प्राकृतिक गैस है, जिसका आयात-निर्यात पानी के जहाजों द्वारा किया जाता है। प्राकृतिक गैस को अत्यंत कम तापमान तक (लगभग माइनस 160 डिग्री सेंटीग्रेड) ठंडा करके प्राकृतिक गैस को द्रवीकृत किया जाता है। इसका सबसे बड़ा लाभ यह है कि एलएनजी की एक यूनिट पुनः गैस में परिवर्तित करने पर लगभग छह यूनिट बन जाती है और इसलिए द्रवीकृत करके इसे एक स्थान से दूसरे स्थान तक ले जाना सुगम होता है। यह प्राकृतिक गैस सर्वाधिक स्वच्छ जीवाश्म ईंधन है, इसलिए कार्बन मुक्ति के लक्ष्य को प्राप्त करने में सहयोगी और पारंपरिक ईंधन जैसे कोयला, पेट्रोल, डीजल आदि के बजाय अधिक स्वच्छ और किफायती है। उल्लेखनीय है कि भारत के पूर्वी क्षेत्र में अभी तक एलएनजी टर्मिनल नहीं थे, जबकि पश्चिमी क्षेत्र में पांच और दक्षिण पूर्व क्षेत्र में एक टर्मिनल कार्य कर रहा है। देश के पूर्वोत्तर क्षेत्र में भी विकास की अपार संभावनाएं मौजूद हैं जिसके फलीभूत होने के लिए ऊर्जा सुरक्षा की नितांत आवश्यकता है। प्रधानमंत्री ऊर्जा गंगा योजना में पहले ही पाइपलाइन नेटवर्क के जरिये बिहार, झारखंड, बंगाल और ओडिशा सहित उत्तर पूर्व में ऊर्जा का आधार मजबूत करने का संकल्प लिया गया है और सरकार की योजना में उत्तर पूर्व को स्वच्छ ईंधन देना शामिल है। ऐसे में उत्तर पूर्वी क्षेत्र का मंत्रालय विभिन्न सौर ऊर्जा परियोजनाओं की निगरानी पहले से ही कर रहा है। 

भारत के पूर्वी तट के पड़ोसी देशों में नेपाल, बांग्लादेश, म्यांमार और चीन के पास भारतीय पत्तन धमरा पर समुद्री मार्ग से प्राकृतिक गैस की आपूर्ति एक सस्ता और टिकाऊ विकल्प बन सकती है। बांग्लादेश में पहले ही गैस ग्रिड की उपलब्धता है जिसमें इस टर्मिनल से आने वाली गैस को पाइपलाइन के जरिये बांग्लादेश को भेजा जा सकता है। अभी ही इसके महत्व को देखते हुए, सार्वजनिक क्षेत्र की दो महत्वपूर्ण कंपनियों ने इस टर्मिनल के साथ गैस लेने का एक दीर्घकालीन कांट्रैक्ट किया है। फ्रांस की टोटल एनर्जी पहले ही एलएनजी के व्यापार में विश्व की तीसरी बड़ी कंपनी है और ऐसे में 50 प्रतिशत की हिस्सेदारी के साथ भारत में अदाणी समूह के साथ इस टर्मिनल की स्थापना और संचालन भारत-फ्रांस के रिश्तों को भी मजबूती प्रदान करेगा। हाल ही में हिंडनबर्ग की एक रिपोर्ट से अडाणी समूह की कार्यविधियों पर उठे संशय के बाद इस एलएनजी टर्मिनल का शुरू होना तमाम निवेशकों में एक आत्मविश्वास भी ला सकता है। 

भारत के कुल ऊर्जा वितरण में प्राकृतिक गैस अभी छह प्रतिशत का योगदान देती है, जबकि प्रधानमंत्री के लक्ष्यों में प्राकृतिक गैस का योगदान वर्ष 2030 तक 15 प्रतिशत करने का है, जिसमें आने वाले वर्षों में प्राकृतिक गैस से जुड़ी परियोजनाओं को बल मिलेगा। पूर्वोत्तर के राज्यों में संवेदनशील पर्यावरण के दृष्टिगत भी, स्वच्छ ईंधन के आधार पर हो रही ऊर्जा क्रांति से औद्योगिक विकास होगा और आम जन हेतु शहरी गैस वितरण के माध्यम से प्राकृतिक गैस की आपूर्ति करना नेट जीरो कार्बन लक्ष्य में भारत का योगदान दिखाएगा, प्रदूषण कम करने में सहायक होगा और अन्य ईंधन स्रोतों पर निर्भरता काम करके आर्थिक बचत भी कर सकेगा।

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SCO Meet and India-Pakistan Fishermen’s Plight

By: Ravi Nitesh

Published: Herald Goa, 05 May 2023 (https://www.heraldgoa.in/Edit/People-Edit/SCO-Meet-and-IndiaPakistan-Fishermen%E2%80%99s-Plight-/204611)

SCO Foreign ministers are meeting in Goa and would have been discussing many important issues which will enable them for a stronger regional cooperation. This meeting is seen as an important one for the reasons that India is a host country and along with other nations, it's immediate neighbors China and Pakistan are also taking part in the meeting while relations with both these countries have faced some tough times in recent past. But as there is nothing personal for the people's representatives who are representing their countries here and aims to deliver the best in interest of their own country and its people, there is always a good hope with such meetings that at least their personal meetings, shaking hands, facing each other would definitely help in melting the ice and would form a base of cordial relations further. 

India and Pakistan, particularly, desperately need their relations filled with understanding, mutual respect and with a vision for the future. As Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto is here and he is an educated youth who represents aspirations of Pakistani people and on Indian side, S Jaishankar is a polished minister , who already is an expert in external affairs and understands the importance, it is in interest on both sides that they together form an environment where future talks can be made. Even for SCO, this would be more fruitful if the platform can help in strengthening the relations among countries with a particular emphasis on India and Pakistan. 

In the recent past, though there have been tense relations at times, these years also have been very productive ones also in terms of India Pakistan relations. In an extraordinary achievement, India and Pakistan opened their first visa free corridors Kartarpur which is everyday sending a message for peace and can be a future ground for more such spiritual and cultural corridors. Another important achievement is the ceasefire agreement, which again resulted in a drastic decrease of Ceasefire violations (CFVs) and saved many lives of soldiers and border people on both sides.  

India and Pakistan may consider taking a few more steps which would be easy for their governments. Repatriation of fishermen and civilian prisoners to each other is one such issue. Fishermen on both sides come to Arabian sea for fishing in their trawlers and many a times, they ferry in the sea for even fifteen days to one month to catch the fish. During this, they move towards the deep sea to hold a good catch of fish and sometimes they cross the sea lines which are considered as maritime borders. At a few places, international maritime borders don't exist and both countries need to resolve and decide such issues, but maritime agencies of both sides detain such fishermen who cross these lines. After their arrest, their boats are seized and their fate remains in the dark. As they are just fishermen, sometimes authorities keep them in jails for months to years before releasing them from the land border. Their families remain starved at home and even after returning they do not get their boats back. 

This issue of fishermen needs to be taken up by these governments and to make arrangements for their early release. UN sea laws suggest that for such cases internationally, fishermen should be freed immediately with a minimum penalty in the sea itself. Years back, when Sushma Swaraj was India's foreign minister, she along with her Pakistani counterpart spoke about a joint statement in the Uffa summit that issues of fishermen would be taken up on priority. 

We hope that SCO meet would encourage the respective governments once again to rethink and strategize on many issues of importance , but this issue of fishermen shouldn't be lost and should find a place. 

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जैव विविधता (संशोधन) विधेयक के निहितार्थ

रवि नितेश , पर्यावरण कार्यकर्ता 

Published: Dainik Jagran, National Edition 

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हालिया संपन्न शीतकालीन संसद सत्र के दौरान लोकसभा में जैव विविधता (संशोधन) विधेयक 2021 को प्रस्तुत किए जाने के बाद इस संदर्भ में कुछ आशंकाएं जताई गईं और अंतत: यह विधेयक एक संयुक्त संसदीय समिति को स्थानांतरित कर दिया गया। जैव विविधता (संशोधन) विधेयक दरअसल वर्तमान वैश्विक परिप्रेक्ष्य में मूल अधिनियम के एक संवर्धित बिल के रूप में लाया गया और इसकी आवश्यकता क्यों पड़ी, यह समझना आवश्यक है

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पांच जून 1992 को ब्राजील के रियो डी जेनेरियो में आयोजित पृथ्वी शिखर सम्मेलन के दौरान संयुक्त राष्ट्र जैव विविधता सम्मेलन में शामिल पक्षकार देशों में भारत भी था। इसी क्रम में भारतीय संसद द्वारा जैव विविधता अधिनियम, 2002 लाया गया, जिसके मूल अधिनियम के कुछ प्रमुख प्रविधानों में स्थानीय स्तर पर जैव विविधता प्रबंधन समितियों से लेकर राज्य स्तरीय बोर्ड और केंद्रीय स्तर तक जैव विविधता बोर्ड की स्थापना, जैव विविधता वाले क्षेत्रों में शोध एवं वाणिज्यिक गतिविधियों को लेकर प्रविधान एवं इन माध्यमों के जरिये भारतीय औषधीय पौधों और पद्धतियों का संरक्षण व संवर्धन किया जाना था। किंतु कालांतर में इसके जितने उत्साहवर्धक परिणाम मिलने चाहिए थे वो नहीं मिल सके। 

वर्ष 2002 में इस अधिनियम के आने से लेकर 2016 तक देश में मात्र 9.7 हजार जैव विविधता प्रबंधन समितियां ही बनाई जा सकी थीं। जब राष्ट्रीय हरित प्राधिकरण ने 2016 में इन आंकड़ों को लेकर चिंता जताई तो स्थानीय संस्थाओं, संगठनों आदि को जैव विविधता रजिस्टर बनाने के लिए शामिल किया गया और 2016 से 2021 के दौरान समितियों के आंकड़े बढ़कर लगभग 2.4 लाख हो गए। इसी तरह 2021 तक भारत में कुल 22 घोषित जैव विविधता विरासत स्थलों में 18 विरासत स्थलों को केवल 2014 से 2021 के बीच घोषित किया गया है। स्पष्ट है कि इस क्षेत्र में व्यापक समृद्धि के अवसर हैं।  

भारत एक बहुविविधता वाला देश है और जैव विविधता के मामले में विश्व के अग्रणी देशों में एक है। विश्व के मात्र 2.4 प्रतिशत क्षेत्रफल वाला यह देश विश्व की लगभग आठ प्रतिशत पादप एवं जंतु प्रजातियों की प्रवास भूमि है। यहां प्राचीन काल से ही विभिन्न जातियां, कबीले, संस्कृतियां निवास करती रहीं और इसलिए यह देश एक समृद्ध पारंपरिक ज्ञान का स्रोत भी है जिसमें जंगल, पर्वत, नदियों के आसपास रहने वाले समुदाय और भारत के ग्राम्य क्षेत्रों के निवासी आज भी सैकड़ों वर्षों से चले आ रहे पारंपरिक वानस्पतिक और औषधीय ज्ञान से लाभ प्राप्त करते हैं। माना जाता रहा है कि इन पारंपरिक पद्धतियों का वैज्ञानिक विधि से संकलन और शोध एक अत्यंत समृद्ध कोष की स्थापना कर सकता है जिससे आधुनिक औषधि विज्ञान के क्षेत्र में मानव कल्याण सुनिश्चित किया जा सकता है। 

हाल के दशकों में दुनियाभर में हुई वैज्ञानिक प्रगति, इंटरनेट और डिजिटल सेवाओं का विस्तार, भारत में परंपरागत औषधीय ज्ञान जैसे आयुर्वेद, होमियोपैथ, यूनानी, सिद्ध, योग आदि को मानक ज्ञान के रूप में विस्तार, जैव तकनीकी में प्रगति और वैश्विक समुदाय का इनकी ओर झुकाव भारत की जैव विविधता को एक व्यापक वैज्ञानिक व आर्थिक स्रोत के रूप में परिलक्षित करता है। एक देश के रूप में भारत के पास इस अवसर का उचित लाभ लेकर राष्ट्रीय हितों या मूल अधिनियम के उद्देश्यों से भटके बिना एक सुगम वातावरण तैयार करना ही सही निर्णय है और इसके लिए 20 वर्ष पुराने जैव विविधता अधिनियम में संशोधन आवश्यक है। इस विधेयक के माध्यम से मूल उद्देश्यों की प्राप्ति की दिशा में कुछ सुधार किए गए हैं। इनमें अनुपालन बोझ को कम किए जाने, प्रक्रिया को सरल एवं विकेंद्रीकृत बनाए जाने, इन क्षेत्रों में शोध एवं वाणिज्यिक गतिविधियों के लिए एक उपयुक्त परिवेश तैयार करने तथा स्थानीय समुदायों के मध्य अधिक लाभ पहुंच सके, इन विषयों के संदर्भ में एक सशक्त राष्ट्रीय नीति का प्रारूप तैयार किया गया है। 

इस विधेयक में जैव विविधता वाले क्षेत्रों में शोध आदि के लिए न केवल मूल अधिनियम में वर्णित वैद्य या हकीम, बल्कि आयुष पद्धतियों की शिक्षा प्राप्त पंजीकृत चिकित्सकों को भी जैव विविधता बोर्ड से बिना शुल्क और बिना पूर्व अनुमति के शोध करने की अनुमति प्रस्तावित है। ऐसा किया जाना भारतीय पद्धतियों को बढ़ावा देने और पारंपरिक पद्धतियों को वैज्ञानिक महत्व प्रदान करने का कार्य करेगा और शोधार्थियों को यह क्षेत्र आकर्षित कर सकेगा। इसके साथ ही नए क्षेत्रीय पेटेंट केंद्रों की स्थापना किए जाने के लक्ष्य हैं जो बौद्धिक संपदा के अधिकार को बढ़ावा देंगे और विभिन्न शोध पत्रों, जैव तकनीकियों को पंजीकृत कर सकेंगे। 

दुनियाभर के देश जैव विविधता के संरक्षण और इसके आर्थिक उपयोग के बीच संतुलन स्थापित कर रहे हैं। ऐसे में अभी तक इसके आर्थिक उपयोग से वंचित रहना भारत के लिए उचित नहीं है। एक अनुमान के मुताबिक भारत अकेले समुद्री प्रवालों से 1400 करोड़ रुपये अर्जित कर सकता है। इसी तरह भारतीय वनों से सकल आय दुनिया के तमाम देशों से बहुत कम है, जबकि इसकी आय क्षमता संरक्षण के साथ सालाना अरबों रुपये की है। ऐसे में जैव विविधता में निवेश और तकनीकी सहयोग को बढ़ावा देना आवश्यक है। मूल अधिनियम में प्रतिबंधित विदेशी निकायों की शर्तों को संशोधन विधेयक में अधिक स्पष्टता के साथ भारतीय कंपनी अधिनियम 2013 के खंड दो की धारा 42 के अंतर्गत आने वाले विदेश नियंत्रित निकाय द्वारा परिभाषित किया गया है और इस तरह विदेशी निवेश को केवल -मेक इन इंडिया- की शर्त पर ही प्रभावी बनाया जाना आर्थिक और तकनीकी तौर पर उद्देश्यों की पूर्ति में सहायक हो सकेगा। 

इस संशोधन विधेयक के प्रविधानों में जंगली औषधीय पौधों में से उपयोगी हो सकने वाले पौधों को कृषि द्वारा तैयार किए जाने की बात भी की गई है, ताकि वाणिज्यिक उपयोग के साथ ही संरक्षण और स्थानीय समुदायों को लाभ के अवसर प्राप्त हो सकें। साथ ही निर्णय प्रक्रिया को सुगम और तीव्र बनाने हेतु जैव विविधता बोर्ड में मूल अधिनियमानुसार केंद्रीय सरकार द्वारा नियुक्त सर्वाधिक सशक्त अधिकारी, बोर्ड अध्यक्ष के साथ ही संशोधित प्रविधानों में सदस्य सचिव पद की स्थापना और उसके अधिकारों से बोर्ड की शक्तियों का विकेंद्रीकरण संभव हो सकेगा। इसके अलावा कुछ और अधिक विभागों के प्रतिनिधित्व को शामिल किया जाना जैव विविधता पर होने वाले निर्णयों को अधिक तर्कसंगत और टिकाऊ बनाएगा। संयुक्त संसदीय समिति के सामूहिक प्रतिनिधित्व द्वारा यदि यह विधेयक कुछ थोड़े परिवर्तन के साथ अधिनियम बना दिया जाता है, तो आने वाले वर्षों में राष्ट्रीय प्रगति एवं महत्व को सुनिश्चित करने वाला हो सकता है।

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A Saint who was Gandhi’s Ambassador to preach Love, Truth, Simplicity

Published:

https://countercurrents.org/2021/10/a-saint-who-was-gandhis-ambassador-to-preach-love-truth-simplicity/ 

S N Subbarao is no more, born in Karnataka, he breathed his last in Jaipur (Rajasthan), Jaura (Madhya Pradesh) became the spectator of his last rites and then his ashes were flown into the river at Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh). The passing away of this soldier of peace and goodwill, popularly known as Bhaiji, at the age of 92, was like leaving the body for the purpose of Jai Bhamhand (Victory of the Universe) while chanting the slogan of Jai Jagat (Victory of the world) throughout his life. He was filled with a spiritual smile, a youthful energy, immeasurable humility and love.

With his departure, tributes poured in. And many people learned from these tribute messages how Bhaiji belonged to everyone while living an extremely simple life and considered everyone as his own. Be it political stalwarts like Om Birla, Rahul Gandhi, Ashok Gehlot, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ram Madhav, Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Priyanka Gandhi, Manish Sisodia or social workers like Kumar Prashant, P V Rajagopal, Shankar Sanyal, Ram Mohan Rai and others, Journalists and Gandhians or ordinary students, everyone remembered and offered tribute to him. He tried for unity throughout his life and in his nirvana, everyone united and bid him farewell.

Bhaiji, the founder of the National Youth Project and the front soldier from the culture and values of Gandhi-Vinoba-Jaiprakash, was considered by many as a living Gandhi. Subbarao ji, who had called his life for the country, national unity, religious social harmony, continued touring the country for social purposes till his last time. Through youth camps, he trained many thousands of youth of the country with non-violence, harmony, national unity and diversity.

Bhaiji, who was arrested by the British police for writing pro-independence slogans on the walls at the age of 13 during the Quit India Movement, remained very popular among the youths even after independence due to his songs of peace-revolution-harmony. In 1969, in Gandhi’s centenary year, Subbarao ji organised the Gandhi Darshan train and gave a message to the people for Gandhi’s ideas of unity and goodwill throughout the country. During this, a convoy of young volunteers accompanied him on the journey, people welcomed him along the way and at the end of the journey, Subbarao ji established Gandhi Ashram with the money that was not spent. Away from personal greed and attachment, Bhaiji got respect all over the world.

Subbarao ji’s efforts helped those who considered Gandhi and Vinoba non-violent idea to be only bookish to understand the philosophy of non-violence when Subbarao ji made a change of heart of several hundred notorious rebels of Chambal and got success with their surrender in to his ashram in Chambal. During this, a crowd of thousands of citizens, including the then Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Prakash Chandra Sethi and Jai Prakash Narayan, were shocked to see how one after the other infamous rebels, with rewards on their heads in lakhs, came quietly with their weapons and put it at the feet of Gandhi statue and surrendered to the administration. Without handcuffs, self-motivated, accepted their crime without hesitation in the court and then labored in the jail, these dacoits (baagis) of Chamabal remained an example of efforts to transformation of hearts and minds and Subbarao ji remained a brother for them.

Whenever I got to meet Bhaiji, he inspired me a lot and always encouraged me. In a program of ‘Aagaz-e-Dosti’, he enthralled everyone in the packed hall by singing Jai Jagat’s song. Whenever I wrote something to him, I received his answer. A few months ago, when I sent him an article I wrote on Frontier Gandhi, he replied that he had an exciting meeting with Frontier Gandhi for some time and that admirers of Frontier Gandhi living in Palestine gave him a biography in Arabic originally written by Eknath Easwaran. Later, Bhaiji gifted this Arabic translation of Khan’s biography to Bacha Khan’s son Wali Khan.

Bhaiji did not consider anything personal. It was his life to stay and work in a room of Gandhi Peace Foundation in Delhi and then move to other corners of the country. In this room, so many awards, honors, recognitions received by him from the country and abroad are decorated. The journey was his destiny, now he seems to have gone on another journey, leaving behind a plethora of tasks that people have to do.

Bhaiji has organized youth camps in every corner of the country. He knew the language of almost every province of the country as well as many foreign languages. He always tried to speak with people in their native language whenever he met someone. In one such camp on invitation of his close aide Sanjay Rai, I went to Sultanpur Lodhi (Punjab) around three years ago where around five thousand youths from all states, religions, regions, languages were gathered to reflect unity in diversity.

Whether it is the courage to reach Lal Chowk in Srinagar to offer prayers for all religions even in the most tense times or to inspire a famous musician like Kumar Gandharva to compose a new raga called ‘Gandhi Malhar’, or to the bring people from every corner of the country together, Bhaiji remained excellent everywhere. Indians living in America had started calling Bhaiji every year for a multi-day workshop in which Indian children living abroad could imbibe the values, ethics, diversity, national unity of India. During one such webinar for children and youth, I saw how foreign youth of Indian origin, who were fluent in English, were proudly singing songs like Jai Jagat.

Bhaiji was a true warrior who remained extremely simple in lifestyle, who worked tirelessly for people, who advocated peacebuilding and believed in the idea of one world. Bhaiji, who was active for social consciousness till his last time, may have gone on a journey of Jai Brahmand, but in the form of an energy beam, so much heat has been scattered here which will continue to inspire thousands of people.

Ravi Nitesh is a freelance writer and social activist. He can be reached on twitter @ravinitesh

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अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन में महत्वपूर्ण नागरिक भागीदारी

Published :

https://www.jagran.com/news/national-citizens-participation-in-waste-management-jagran-special-22181686.html 

स्वच्छ भारत अभियान के 7 वर्ष पूरे होने के साथ ही प्रधानमंत्री द्वारा स्वच्छ भारत मिशन (शहरी) -द्वितीय चरण एवं अटल नवीकरण एवं शहरी परिवर्तन- द्वितीय चरण के अंतर्गत लक्ष्यों की घोषणा की जा चुकी है। 2 अक्टूबर को महात्मा गाँधी के जन्मदिवस पर 2014 में आरम्भ किये गए स्वच्छ भारत अभियान को देश का लगभग प्रत्येक नागरिक बखूबी जानता है। खुले में शौच से मुक्ति और ठोस कचरा प्रबंधन के मुख्य उद्देश्यों के अंतर्गत और संयुक्त राष्ट्र द्वारा घोषित सतत विकास उद्देश्य 6 से सम्बंधित यह अभियान अपना प्रथम चरण पूरा कर चुका है और इस दौरान रिकॉर्ड संख्या में शौचालयों के निर्माण ने स्वच्छता क्रांति सफल कर दी है। भारत जो कि सबसे बड़ी संख्या में खुले में शौच करने वाले लोगों का देश था, उसमें  लगभग 10.7 करोड़ शौचालयों के निर्माण द्वारा करोड़ों परिवारों को एक निजी और सुरक्षित शौचालय मिला। गाँधी जी स्वतंत्रता आंदोलन के प्रहरी होने के साथ ही ,स्वच्छता के भी प्रहरी थे और इसलिए उनके जन्मदिवस पर आरम्भ हुआ स्वच्छता अभियान देश के जनजीवन की दशा में सुधार हेतु एक महत्वपूर्ण कदम है।    

अब जबकि स्वच्छ भारत अभियान देश के हर जिले, तहसील, ब्लाक और गाँव तक पहुँच चुका है और 6 लाख से अधिक गाँव खुले में शौच से मुक्ति पा चुके हैं तब प्रधानमंत्री के सम्बोधनों में अब द्वितीय चरण के लक्ष्यों में अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन जिसमे शहरी क्षेत्रों को कचरा मुक्त किये जाने, दूषित पानी को देश की किसी भी नदी में मिलने से रोके जाने की बात कहे जाना महत्वपूर्ण है। दरअसल वैश्विक शहरीकरण में भारत का स्थान प्रमुख है और स्वतंत्रता प्राप्ति के बाद से भारत में शहरीकरण की गति लगातार बढ़ती जा रही है। आँकड़ों के अनुसार 1901 में 11.4 प्रतिशत की शहरी जनसंख्या वाला ये देश अब 2017 तक लगभग 34 प्रतिशत की शहरी जनसंख्या वाला देश बन चुका है और संयुक्त राष्ट्र की एक रिपोर्ट के अनुसार 2030 तक भारत की लगभग 40.7 प्रतिशत आबादी शहरी क्षेत्रों में रह रही होगी। ऐसे में निश्चित ही स्वच्छ भारत के द्वितीय चरण में शहरी क्षेत्रों पर ध्यान दिया जाना और उनमें अपशिष्ट प्रबंधन को लेकर योजना को मजबूत किये जाने पर बल देना होगा। इसमें न सिर्फ नीतिगत निर्णय बल्कि लोगों के व्यावहारिक परिवर्तनों को भी प्रमुखता के साथ शामिल करना होगा। इस व्यावहारिक परिवर्तन में हमें अपना व्यवहार बदलना होगा और अपनी जीवनशैली में बदलाव कर स्वयं के द्वारा उत्पादित अपशिष्ट की मात्रा न्यूनतम करने पर विचार करना होगा। 

आज हम अपने समाज को सभ्य और सुसंस्कृत कहते हैं लेकिन अपने घरों से अनियंत्रित कूड़ा कचरा निकालते हैं, कई बार उपयोग में लायी जा सकने वाली वस्तुएं भी इस कचरे का हिस्सा बना दी जाती हैं, बिना यह जाने कि हमारे द्वारा उत्पादित किये गए इस कचरे का प्रबंधन कितना मुश्किल है। 

भारत विश्व के सबसे बड़े कचरा उत्पादक देशों में एक है। भारत में प्रतिवर्ष लगभग 62 मिलियन टन कचरा निकलता है।  इस आंकड़े के हिसाब से लगभग प्रतिदिन 1.7 लाख टन कचरा निकल रहा है। अकेले राजधानी दिल्ली में लगभग 1300 टन कचरा प्रतिदिन एकत्र होता है। जाहिर है कि पहले ही ज़मीन की कमी और जनसँख्या घनत्व की अधिकता से जूझती दिल्ली के पास सिवाय कूड़े के पहाड़ बनाने के दूसरा रास्ता नहीं दिखता। प्रधानमंत्री के सम्बोधन में द्वितीय चरण के लक्ष्यों की बात करते हुए, इस कूड़े के पहाड़ का सन्दर्भ भी आ चुका है। राजधानी के ओखला, भलस्वा और ग़ाज़ीपुर नाम की जगहों पर कूड़े के इतने बड़े बड़े पहाड़ बने हुए हैं कि कोई अनजान पर्यटक दूर से देखकर इनको सही का पहाड़ ही समझ बैठे , पर उसके पास पहुँचते पहुँचते जब उसके ऊपर मंडराते चील कौवे और उससे आती बदबू से सामना होता है, तो हकीकत सामने आ जाती है और ऐसा लगता है कि शायद दिल्ली अपने ही निकाले कचरे में दफ़न हो रही है। 

ऐसा नहीं है कि इसके लिए सरकारों ने कुछ किया नहीं, दरअसल कई बार इस विशालकाय पहाड़ पर एकत्र कूड़े से कुछ उपयोगी सामान (जैसे सड़क और मकान निर्माण में काम आ सकने वाली वस्तुएं) बनाने की योजना बनी , कई बार इनसे निकलने वाले गैस को ऊर्जा संयंत्रों द्वारा उपयोगिता में लाये जाने के बारे में काम हुआ और कभी इनको ढँक कर इनके ऊपर घास उगाकर हरा भरा दिखाए जाने का प्रयास हुआ ,पर लगातार बढ़ती कूड़े की मात्रा इस पर हमेशा भारी बनी रही।  

इस तरह के कूड़े और इसमें मौजूद हानिकारक तत्वों का हवा के माध्यम से वातावरण में फैलना, इसके जल जाने पर भारी मात्रा में हानिकारक गैसों का वातावरण प्रदूषित करना, जानवरों द्वारा कई बार इसको खा लिया जाना और बीमार पड़ जाना , इसके स्थानीय मिट्टी और जल स्तर में मिश्रित होने की दशा में खतरों का उत्पन्न होना, कई बार भार न संभाल पाने की स्थिति में बड़ी मात्रा में कूड़े का धसक जाना और चपेट में आने वाले लोगों, कर्मियों, मकानों और मशीनों को नुकसान पहुंचाना आदि तमाम इसके कुप्रबंधन से होने वाले दुष्प्रभाव हैं।   

यह समस्या केवल राजधानी की नहीं है, बल्कि हर छोटे बड़े शहर और कस्बों की है जहाँ कचरा निकल तो रहा है पर उसका समुचित प्रबंधन अनुपस्थित है।  एक अंतर्राष्ट्रीय एजेंसी के अनुसार प्रतिवर्ष विश्व भर में 4 लाख से 10 लाख लोगों की मृत्यु कूड़े के कुप्रबंधन के कारण होती है। हालांकि स्वच्छ भारत अभियान के वर्तमान चरण में इस तरह के प्रबंधन के लिए काम किया जा रहा है और कई शहरी क्षेत्रों में घर घर जाकर कूड़ा एकत्र करना और स्रोत स्थान पर ही उसके पृथक्करण किये जाने का काम चल रहा है पर इसके दुष्प्रभावों को रोकने के लिए सरकारी और गैर सरकारी दोनों स्तर पर मिलकर काम करना होगा जिसमें नागरिकों की भूमिका सबसे अहम होगी। साथ ही हर स्तर पर रियूज़ ,रिड्यूज़, रिसाइकिल यानी पुनः प्रयोग ,कम प्रयोग और पुनर्चक्रण को लागू करना होगा।    

स्वतंत्र भारत में शुरू हुए संपूर्ण स्वच्छता अभियान और निर्मल भारत अभियान से होते हुए स्वच्छ भारत अभियान तक देश ने स्वच्छता की दिशा में जो कदम बढाए हैं ,उनका अनवरत जारी रहना ही भविष्य को सुरक्षित रखना है। जैसे जैसे देश आर्थिक विकास की तरफ आगे बढ़ रहा है,वैसे वैसे हमें कचरा प्रबंधन के महत्वपूर्ण बिंदुओं पर भी ध्यान देना होगा। सरकार द्वारा इस दिशा में जो कार्य किये जा रहे हैं ,उनकी सफलता में नागरिक भागीदारी बेहद अहम है और जिस प्रकार हम कार्बन पदचिन्हों को करने का प्रयास कर रहे हैं ,उसी प्रकार व्यक्तिगत अपशिष्ट पदचिन्हों को कम करके इसमें योगदान दिया जा सकता है। प्रधानमंत्री का कथन इस दिशा में महत्वपूर्ण है कि 'हमें याद रखना होगा कि स्वच्छता बनाये रखना सिर्फ एक दिन, एक पखवाड़े ,एक साल या कुछ लोगों के लिए नहीं है , बल्कि यह हर दिन, हर पखवाड़े, हर साल सभी के लिए एक मेगा अभियान है और एक पीढ़ी से दूसरी तक चलने वाला एक सतत कार्यक्रम।' 

रवि नितेश 

(लेखक एक सामाजिक कार्यकर्ता हैं और शांति, मानवाधिकार एवं पर्यावरण के मुद्दों पर स्वतंत्र लेखन से जुड़े हुए हैं )

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जब सुब्बाराव ने चंबल के कई सौ कुख्यात बागियों का हृदय परिवर्तन कर कराया था आत्मसमर्पण

Published:

https://www.jagran.com/news/national-when-subba-rao-surrendered-after-converting-several-hundred-notorious-rebels-of-chambal-jagran-special-22160451.html 

रवि नितेश। Dr. SN Subba Rao शांति और सद्भावना के सिपाही डा. एसएन सुब्बाराव का 92 वर्ष की उम्र में निधन हो गया है। उनका देह त्याग कर निकल जाना ऐसा था कि जैसे जय जगत का नारा लगाते हुए जय ब्रह्मांड के उद्देश्य के लिए निकल पड़ना। एक आध्यात्मिक मुस्कान, एक युवा ऊर्जा, अथाह विन्रमता और प्रेम उनके साथ जुड़कर जैसे सार्थक दिखते थे। जीवनभर उन्होंने एकता का प्रयास किया और उनके निर्वाण पर सबने एक होकर उन्हें विदाई दी।

राष्ट्रीय युवा परियोजना के संस्थापक और गांधी-विनोबा-जयप्रकाश की संस्कृति के वाहक सुब्बाराव को कई लोग जीवित गांधी मानते थे। अपने जीवन को देश, राष्ट्रीय एकता, धार्मिक सामाजिक सद्भावना के लिए आहूत कर देने वाले सुब्बाराव अपने अंतिम समय तक सामाजिक उद्देश्यों के लिए देश भ्रमण करते रहे। युवा शिविरों के माध्यम से उन्होंने देश के लाखों युवाओं का अहिंसा, सद्भाव, राष्ट्रीय एकता और विविधता के साथ एकात्म करवाया।

भारत छोड़ो आंदोलन के दौरान महज 13 वर्ष की आयु में दीवारों पर वंदे मातरम लिखने के कारण ब्रिटिश पुलिस द्वारा गिरफ्तार कर लिए जाने वाले सुब्बाराव आजादी के बाद भी अपने शांति-क्रांति- सद्भावना के गीतों के कारण युवाओं में खासे लोकप्रिय रहे। सुब्बाराव बहुभाषी, मृदुभाषी और मितभाषी के रूप में जाने जाते थे। वर्ष 1969 में गांधी की जन्म शताब्दी वर्ष में सुब्बाराव ने गांधी दर्शन ट्रेन चलाकर पूरे देश में एकता और सद्भावना के गांधी विचारों के लिए लोगों को संदेश दिया।

इस यात्रा में उनके साथ युवा स्वयंसेवकों का एक काफिला बन गया, रास्ते भर लोगों ने स्वागत किया और यात्रा समाप्त होने के बाद बची हुई रकम से उन्होंने गांधी आश्रम की स्थापना की। व्यक्तिगत लोभ और मोह से दूर सुब्बाराव को दुनियाभर में आदर सत्कार मिला। गांधी और विनोबा के अहिंसात्मक विचार को केवल किताबी मानने वाले लोगों को सुब्बाराव के प्रयासों से अहिंसा का मानस दर्शन समझने में सहायता तब मिली जब सुब्बाराव ने चंबल के कई सौ कुख्यात बागियों का हृदय परिवर्तन करके चंबल स्थित अपने आश्रम में आत्मसमर्पण कराया।

इस दौरान वहां जयप्रकाश नारायण समेत हजारों नागरिकों की भीड़ यह देखते हुए स्तब्ध थी कि कैसे एक के बाद एक कुख्यात बागी जिनकी पूरे इलाके में दहशत थी और जिनके सिर लाखों का इनाम था, वो चुपचाप आते और अपने हथियारों को गांधी प्रतिमा के चरणों में डालते व समर्पण कर स्वयं को प्रशासन के हवाले कर देते। बिना हथकड़ी के, स्वप्रेरित होकर, न्यायालय में बेङिाझक होकर अपना अपराध स्वीकार कर लेने वाले और फिर जेल में भी श्रम करते हुए, सवरेदय की विचारधारा पर साफ सफाई कर रहे ये डाकू हृदय परिवर्तन के प्रयासों की मिसाल बने रहे और सुब्बारावजी उनके लिए भाईजी थे। बिना किसी निजी संपत्ति के अपना सबकुछ देश को न्योछावर कर देने वाले सुब्बाराव जिससे मिलते बस उसके हो जाते।

जब कभी भाईजी से मिलना हुआ, उन्होंने खूब प्रेरित किया। हमेशा उत्साहवर्धन करते रहते। किसी भी कार्यक्रम के दौरान देशभक्ति के गीतों से वे लोगों में एक नया जोश भर देते थे। उनका यह पूरा प्रयास रहता था कि जो भी कोई उन्हें कुछ लिखता, उसका वह जवाब अवश्य देने का प्रयास करते। हाल ही में सीमांत गांधी पर उन्हें अपना एक लेख भेजा तो उन्होंने बताया कि उनकी कुछ समय की एक रोमांचक मुलाकात सीमांत गांधी से हुई थी।

डा. सुब्बाराव की एक बड़ी विशेषता यह रही कि वह कुछ भी अपना निजी नहीं मानते थे। दिल्ली के गांधी शांति प्रतिष्ठान के एक कमरे में आकर ठहरना और काम करना और फिर देश के दूसरे कोनों में चले जाना उनका जीवन रहा। इस खास कमरे में देश-विदेश से उनको मिले इतने सम्मान सजे हुए हैं कि उनका सहेजा जाना कठिन है। यात्र उनकी नियति थी। अब वह एक अनंत यात्र पर चले गए हैं। अपने पीछे कार्यो का एक भंडार छोड़कर, जो लोगों को करते रहना है।

देश के हर कोने में भाईजी ने युवा शिविर लगाए हैं। देश के लगभग हर प्रांत की भाषा उनको आती थी और साथ ही कई विदेशी भाषाएं भी जानते थे। वह जिससे मिलते, उसकी भाषा में बात करने का प्रयास करते। श्रीनगर के लालचौक पर अति तनावग्रस्त समय में भी सर्व धर्म प्रार्थना करने पहुंच जाने का साहस हो या कुमार गंधर्व जैसे प्रसिद्ध संगीतकार को ‘गांधी मल्हार’ नामक नया राग रचने की प्रेरणा देना हो या फिर देश के हर कोने से विविध वेशभूषा वाले निवासियों को एक साथ मिलकर भारत की संतान और जय जगत का उद्घोष करना हो, भाईजी हर जगह अद्वितीय रहे।

अमेरिका में रहने वाले भारतीयों ने तो हर वर्ष भाईजी को कई दिनों तक चलने वाली एक कार्यशाला के लिए बुलाना शुरू कर दिया था ताकि विदेश में रहने वाले भारतीय बच्चे भारतवर्ष के मूल्यों, नैतिकता, विविधता, राष्ट्रीय एकता के विषयों को आत्मसात कर सकें। ऐसे ही बच्चों और युवाओं के एक वेबिनार के दौरान मैंने देखा था कि अंग्रेजी में सहज रहने वाले भारतीय मूल के विदेशी युवा कैसे जय जगत और भारत की संतान जैसे गीतों का गान कर रहे थे। अपने अंतिम समय तक सामाजिक चेतना हेतु सक्रिय रहने वाले सुब्बाराव आज भले ही अनंत की यात्रा पर निकल गए हों, पर एक ऊर्जा पुंज के रूप में यहां इतनी ऊष्मा बिखेर गए हैं जो हजारों लोगों को प्रेरित करती रहेगी।

(लेखक सामाजिक कार्यकर्ता हैं)

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Need of Reviving Kargil-Skardu Road in changed geo equations

 Published: 

http://epaper.kashmirtimes.in/archives.aspx?date1=10/13/2021&page=4 

https://countercurrents.org/2021/10/need-of-reviving-kargil-skardu-road-in-changed-geo-equations/ 

By:

Ravi Nitesh ,(Twitter/ravinitesh)

At a time, when Afghanistan is in news everywhere and Taliban’s rule has been interpreted in different ways, the geo equation experiencing a shift from ‘western’ domination, there can be multiple ways of future actions at strategic and diplomatic levels of the region’s power, particularly by China, India, Pakistan, Russia, Iran and others. But irrespective of what is changing or going to be changed, it is people to people relations, their cultural and trade connections that must be a priority for every country. All other equations are temporary, unstable and can face change depending upon various factors, but people who are living in the region are connected with each other for thousands of years and we should believe that their mutual connection will benefit the countries and their governments.

Now particularly in context of Afghanistan and India’s concern on China-Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, India’s investment in Afghanistan, Scope of SAARC and security concern in J&K and Ladakh regions, there are much to think and it brings importance of Ladakh region once again because it is connected with China on one side and remained in dispute for LoAC clashes, Across LoC- Giglit-Baltistan on other side to which Afghanistan touches the border.

In view of this, what is of greater need to India is having trust of the people who are living in and around this region, but this trust cannot be achieved unless there would be a genuine approach to keep the region’s future prosperous, stable, peaceful and far from war and violence.

J&K witnessed change and is now being identified as J&K and Ladakh separately as two UTs of India. Two decades ago, when J&K was facing terrorism and despite the Kargil had happened between Pakistan and India, an act of courage to bring stability and peace in the region was shown by leadership of both sides and cross LoC bus and trade (start of buses across LoC in the year 2005 and later opening of two routes Poonch-Rawalkot and Uri-Muzaffarabad routes across LoC in the year 2008) was started which was supported wholeheartedly by local people and thus brought a trust.

Now, with the changed geo equations, it is once again reminded that we need to work more upon people to people connections and a need for cross LoC route Kargil-Skardu is felt because it can come with a lot of benefits.

The fact that before being a separate UT, Ladakh was part of J&K state and many of its priorities could not be looked into. Speeches and promises regarding Kargil-Skardu road opening were made but there were no official proposals sent by the then J&K governments regarding this. Now, when Ladakh is a separate UT, it seems that such proposals can get space in the government’s priorities.

Kargil-Skardu road has a historic relevance, but not limited to this. Among other possible routes that need to be opened across LoC, such as Jammu-Sialkot, Kargil-Skardu, Nowshera-Jhangar and others, Kargil-Skardu may get prioritised in view available potential and benefits.

In already opened routes of Uri-Muzaffarabad, Uri falls in Kashmir region while in Poonch- Rawalkot route, Poonch falls in Jammu region. Clearly, it is only Ladakh region that lags behind to be connected and Opening Kargil-Skardu route is a popular demand of people in this region.

People living in this region on both sides of LoC (Kargil and Skardu) speaks same language and have cultural and ethnic similarity while their language and culture have no affinity with other regions on both sides of LoC and therefore opening this route may also give a sense of oneness and unification of hearts and emotions. In security terms, this region did not show any pattern of militancy, infiltration or any such activities and is considered comparatively more peaceful than even areas of presently open routes.

Opening of this route can bring huge benefits to nearly 8000 divided families living in this area by reducing the distance between them. Distance between Kargil and Skardu is just around 170 kms and from the adjacent hill of the last village (Indian side) Hundarma, one may see villages across LoC through naked eyes as they are not on much distance. People have their immediate ancestors in each other’s villages. With these divided families of the same ethnicity, re-opening the route would help them a lot. At present people need to travel from Kargil to Skardu via Srinagar, New Delhi, Atari, Lahore and Islamabad that counts for more than 2500 km and 4-5 days, while the same would be done with travel of a few hours condition to opening of the route.

Trade on this route may serve purpose to the future vision of connecting with Central Asia to stronger regional bonds. International Tourists who visit Ladakh region may also get an option to travel via this route and may bring more revenue to the region on both sides of LoC. At present, when China has already constructed all weather road with its CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) Projects under BRI (Belt and Road Initiative), and India could not join CPEC due to policy based issues, opening of Kargil-Skardu road may create a new chapter of regional cooperation and both (CPEC and Kargil-Skardu route) can get benefitted from each other and can bring greater stability in this region.

Opening this all-weather route will be a boost in CBMs (Confidence Building Measures) and may pave the way in resolving conflicts, bringing prosperity in the region. More importantly, the true objective of bringing peace should have a base of strong bond through not only trade and strengthening the local economy but more through emotionally by connecting hearts. Kargil-Skardu route deserves all such virtue to qualify for being opened and it may help the government to get their objectives fulfilled.

The government of India should take steps to announce the desire of opening of this route and should ask the Govt. of Pakistan to come forward to act together.

Ravi Nitesh is a social activist and freelance writer. He can be reached on twitter @ravinitesh

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India and Pakistan Must Do More for Their Cross-Border Prisoners

 By: Jatin Desai & Ravi Nitesh

https://thewire.in/rights/india-and-pakistan-must-do-more-for-their-cross-border-prisoners 

On July 1, India and Pakistan exchanged the list of the other country’s prisoners in their custody. This exchange – of lists containing the names of civilian prisoners and fishermen lodged in each other’s jails – has become a ritual that is being followed twice a year; on January 1 and July 1.  

It started under the Agreement on Consular Access, which was originally signed on May 21, 2008. This was done under the confidence-building approach; the ‘prisoner’s list exchange’ was added to the earlier provision – which was signed in 1988 and came into force in 1991 – to exchange information on nuclear installations between the two countries.

Prior to this agreement, there was no proper mechanism in place to inform the other side about people who are caught in one’s territory. In many instances, even families were unaware of members who crossed the borders inadvertently or stayed longer than their visas allowed and got caught. 

For any ordinary citizen of India or Pakistan, it could become a herculean task to find a missing family member, merely on the suspicion that they may have been lodged in jail on the other side.

After the consular agreement, governments started exchanging information officially about all the people who were in their custody and were believed to be citizens of the other side. This information included the date of their arrest, the charges under which they had been jailed, their consular access status and their case status. With this list exchange and the simultaneous formation of the India-Pakistan Judicial Committee on Prisoners, there was hope for a positive outcome for cross border prisoners.

On this July 1, as per the lists exchanged between the two governments, there are 51 civilian prisoners and 558 fishermen who are, or are believed to be, Indians, in Pakistani jails and 271 civilian prisoners and 74 fishermen who are, or are believed to be, Pakistani,  in Indian jails. These may just seem like numbers, but when one digs into the data – and into the lives of these people – the tragedy seems more human. 

Data from January 1, 2021 revealed that there were 49 civilian prisoners and 270 fishermen in Pakistani jails who were, or were believed to be, Indians while there were 263 civilian prisoners and 77 fishermen from the other side. Among the 49 Indian civilian prisoners in Pakistan, 32 have already completed their sentence but have not been able to return yet. Two of these civilian prisoners are deaf and mute; their names are unknown. 

Among the 263 Pakistani civilian prisoners in India, 67 have completed their sentence but could not return to their home country. This paints a worrying picture; despite the completion of their sentences, these people are unable to return to their homes. This, in fact, is no less than a jail term and just as inhumane. Article 12(4) of the United Nations General Assembly’s ‘International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights’, which came in force on March 23, 1976, reads, “No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of the right to enter his own country.” India and Pakistan both are parties to this covenant, but it doesn’t seem to be followed.

Fishermen who are lodged in either side are not criminals; they were detained while fishing in the deep sea, where no physical boundary exists. These fishermen have often been made ‘peace doves’ when the governments released them as a sign of goodwill. These fishermen have even died and the repatriation of their bodies took months.

It is also important to note that the eight members of the Indo-Pak Judicial Committee on Prisoners – formed in 2007 for legal and humanitarian support to these prisoners and fishermen – have not been meeting since 2013. This committee, composed of retired judges, last met in India in 2013. Pakistan was supposed to organise the next meeting, but that never happened.

India had approached Pakistan in 2018 regarding the nomination of Indian members to the committee and the organisation of visits but both sides have not been able to reach a consensus yet.    

Promises have been made earlier too on the cases of cross-border prisoners, be it the Ufa declaration of 2015 or the Heart of Asia Conference in 2016. Both sides accept that the issue needs to be looked at through a humanitarian approach.

The governments of both countries could take important steps, such as providing details of the detainees on a public portal with the updated status of their case, their acquittal or release and the addition of the names of new detainees. Print and electronic media advertisements should be provided for deaf and mute prisoners whose identities cannot be confirmed. 

There should be a dedicated person who can work for nationality confirmation, NoC cases in a speedy manner so that the acquitted person can return to their home country as early as possible. Fishermen and their boats should be freed in the sea itself. The Judicial Committee on Prisoners should be revived to look into the cases for legal and humanitarian support and the fast-tracking of court hearings to keep the undertrial status as short as possible.

We believe that such provisions would be a great help for these cross-border detainees and their families, and could also strengthen bilateral relations. We hope that promises and decisions come out from the bureaucratic corridors from both sides and are implemented on ground for the purpose it has been made for.  

Jatin Desai is a journalist and peace activist who works for cross-border prisoners and is associated with PIPFPD. Ravi Nitesh is a social activist and founder of Indo-Pak Friendship initiative Aaghaz-e-Dosti.

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