ETHICAL DILEMMA – EQUALITY OR SECULARISM?

We have read it in books, several times and wondered what actually a dilemma is like or how to get out of such situation? According to books, an Ethical Dilemma is a situation where there has to be a decision made between couple of options which may be right and justified at their ends.

Not long ago High Court of Maharashtra had an appeal from ‘Bhumata Brigade’ seeking judicial approval over lifting of all gender barriers for access to the inner sanctum where there is idol of ‘Shani or Saturn Shrine’ at Shani Shingnapur temple in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. The temple had a 400-year tradition of not allowing women to worship at the altar. On 26^th Jan, 2016, a group 500 of protestors in buses was stopped by police near town of Supa, 70 Kms from temple.

Since temple tradition was justified on religious believes it somehow denied women an equal right of worshiping as men. That’s an Ethical Dilemma, where on one hand there stood Religious belief and on another stood Right to equality. Indian Constitution laid equal emphasis on Secularism, where religious belief of every individual is equally respected, and Equality, among all citizens of India. Opinions raised all across the country likely arguing that a tradition should not be broken as it would have calamitous effects or something bad would occur.  While others argued that it is a superstitious belief being followed for 400 year that now should be debunked. In a country where religious sentiments bind billions together can even lead them falling apart. Unrest situations and riots over religious causes have been frequently countered in India therefore a tough call was to be made by the judiciary at Maharashtra High Court.

On 1^st April High Court held that it is the women’s fundamental right to go into places of worship and the government is duty bound to protect their right. Further temple trust welcomed Court’s decision and invited Bhumata Brigade to offer prayers at inner sanctum as it opened doors for women thereon. Many people are still of an opinion that, ‘Maharashtra is facing drought because Saturn Shrine is upset over debunking of tradition’, a mere superstition, maybe. Whatever the impacts may be, this decision certainly speaks eloquently of peaceful and progressive of Indian triumph.

On latest notes, Tripti Desai led Brigade is demanding equal access to women at Haji Ali dargah. Another challenging dilemma for authorities.


By Umang Daga

Be selfless to selfish

Two alter egos were sitting in a park met after a long time. One of them was fortunately me.

Me: Hey dude! Is everything all right? Why my all-time nuisance creating buddy is so serine today?

Friend: Leave me alone (annoyed).This whole world is 'Selfish'.

Me: Correct (politely). But what's wrong in being selfish?

Friend: For the one whom we care the most disappoints the most. And the one whom you love the most hurts the most.

Me: It's not actually not being selfish my dear. It's just you expected a lot.

We Homo sapiens grow up learning the newton's 3 laws. Most of us forget the initial two. But maximum remember the third one. 'Every action has equal and opposite reaction'. And with this beautiful law we initiate raising our expectations. But this law on practical grounds is not as tenable as it is applicable on scientific grounds. Life is not just about theories, derivations, numerical. But it's much more. Not every student who studies for 18-20 hours regularly clears IAS exam. Not every war leads to peace.

Friend: It's really turning out frustrating for me.

Me: Calm down. You know the major reason of our frustration at maximum times is Expectation. If we aid someone, we expect the same from the guy some or other day. And if he is not able to do so we tag him with one of the most mis-interpreted word of the world 'selfish'. Without knowing his circumstances we set our mindsets and instead of fixing problem we give rise to another problem.

Friend: Oh c’mon! It's human nature. Why should we not expect?

Me: Nobody is selfish in this world. It's just how the needs and demands alter according to circumstances. Nobody can live isolated. Not even the Jainism saints who have although taken moksha but still urge to share and enlighten their thoughts. They wish to see the change. They do expect. But before expecting any change. Change yourself first. Expect from yourself rather than others.

Friend: Well that's true. But the word selfish means arrogance resulting into arrogance.

Me: This is exactly where we are mistaken my dear. The word selfish is not always a negative connotation as we perceive. To survive in this world we need to be selfish. Selfish like at least fulfilling our desires and working on our basic needs.

Friend: Yeah! True. It does sound interesting.

Me: One of the greatest ironies in life is before being social we need to be selfish first.  I hope you are not misinterpreting the term selfish now. Being selfish here means polishing yourselves, working on your forte by learning from others.

I remember one of the beautiful lines spoken by superstar Mr Shahrukh Khan that, do not engage in psychological talks until and unless you do not achieve anything (gyan tab tak na baato jab tak khud gyaani na ho jao).

Friend: So it's better to work on our grass first. Right?

Me: Oh yeah! Exactly. We cannot completely discard our expectations. But still we can minimize them. Maximum problems will soon get solved then and there itself.  Before being social be an achiever first. And when it comes to aid 'Be selfless to especially those who are selfish. By doing this you will definitely fall in love with yourselves. Concluding my words, stop complaining start living.

By - Purva Banthiya

" बूंद में जीवन "

किसी नल के नीचे बाल्टी रखना, खाली बाल्टी, नल को बंद करके थोड़ा सा खोल  देना, एकदम थोड़ा सा,

एक एक बून्द गिरे बाल्टी में इतना सा ही खोलना, एक एक बून्द जल्दी जल्दी बाल्टी में गिरने लगेगी,

कुछ समय के बाद बाल्टी भर जाएगी, अब थोड़ा सा ध्यान दीजिये,

बाल्टी मौत है, नल ईश्वर है , हमारा एक जन्म नल से बाल्टी तक का सफर है, हवा रस्ते की संसार है,

जितना पानी भरता जा रहा हमारे संचित कर्म है, और हम बून्द है, 

समय की रफ़्तार इतनी तेज़ है की पता नहीं चलता कब नल से छूटे और कब बाल्टी में समां गए,

बस इतना देखना है की क्या बून्द बाल्टी तक पहुंचने में ये जान पायेगी की वो बून्द नहीं बल्कि ईश्वर का अंग है,

जो ईश्वर में से निकल के ईश्वर में ही विलीन होने जा रहा है, अगर बून्द ने ये जान लिया तो फिर,

ना बाल्टी है, ना हवा है, ना सफर है, ना नल है , बस बून्द ही है ,

और अगर नहीं जान पायी, तो काल कालांतर तक ये ही चलता रहेगा |

eskipaper.com

-© तनोज दाधीच

Holi - A Saga, Glory, or being woeful

“HOLI HAIIIIII”….. Yes!  It’s the most vibrant phrase uttered by the electrifying crowd of our country INDIA every year.  Holi is known as the festival of colours. It is celebrated with ebullience and mirth on full moon day. In spite of being a joyous festival, celebrating HOLI, hammers us to remember our demean history about Holika side by side in a commemoration of the divine love of Radha for Krishna. This festive officially occurs in spring with Holi celebrated as a Festival of love. Holi gets us close to our religion and inextricably linked with our mythology as it is essentially the celebration of various legends associated with the festival.  Though there are numerous legends describing the holi celebration, the foremost of all are Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap. Hiranyakashyap-the king of that time, full of haughtiness, wants everybody’s devotion towards him. To his great wrath, Prahlad began to worship lord Vishnu. To get rid of his son, the king asked Holika, his sister to enter into a blazing fire, with his son in her lap, as she had a boon to enter fire intact and reduced to ashes.

Additionally, Mythology also states that Holi is the celebration of death of Giantess Pootana who tried to kill infant, Krishna by feeding death-dealing milk to him.

Also, another path led to celebrate Holi, is the legend of Ogress Dhundhi who used to trouble children in the realm of Raghu, and was eventually chased away by the pranks of the children on the day of Holi. Showing their belief in the legend, children till now play pranks and catapult misemploy at the time of Holika Dahan. Celebration of these various myths associated with Holi, reassuring the people about the power of the truth, as the moral of all these legends manifests the ultimate victory of good over evil. Apart from all these parables, holi is celebrated at a time of the year when the fields are in full bloom and people are expecting a good harvest. This gives a people a good reason to rejoice, merry go round and immerse themselves in the spirit of Holi.

There are innumerable ways of memorializing holi in different states of our country. In some parts, it’s a belief that playing with colours help to promote good health as colours are said to have great impact on our body and our health. To further enhance the festive spirit of Holi celebrations we have a social sanction to get a kick with the tradition of bhang, dancing, playing with water etc.

The purpose of Holi is not to celebrate only the positive emotions but in some cases it serves as a legitimate way of expressing negative emotions might also be called for. 

Naturally this should not be used as an excuse for malicious behavior and should be done with a spirit of good humor as; Holi is after all a festival of triumph and euphoria, with the express purpose of healing society, preventing negative tendencies from overwhelming us. Another aspect of Holi is to help us break the barriers we have built around ourselves and our ego.

Also, looking at gloomy side of the festival, some loses their constraints stepping out the limit line! Though the myths are celebrated traditionally, the unexpected inhumanity by the mentally ill devils turns the jovial ambience Blue…! Keeping aside all joy, Centuries past, behind the joyful festival, there’s still a dubious situation for girls or women, “Are they sheltered?” The Question is that- Will perilous attitude last long? Will the sick mind turn optimistic??

It’s a huge question to answer, and yet contradictory!!

By Stuti Holkar

Painted Dome - "Rang Panchami"

28^th March, 2016

Rang Panchami,

Preparing for a celebration for children, which has its deep traditional roots isn’t an easy task when you have to abide by traditions, ensure enjoyable time for children and take care of vision as well as objectives of a social organization. Event Leaders Dr. Pooja, Miss. Stuti and Mr. Hitesh stepped up to take this responsibility and their team supported very well to make this event successful. Special acknowledgement for AnantAman members Atul, Deepanshi, Anupreet, Tanya, Sarang and Anand supported in handling various duties and behind the scenes hardwork.

Pohe served as breakfast to children.

Members making arrangements for music system and speakers.

Members and children dancing on music.

Everything was on schedule and we began with serving breakfast to children because it’s no fun to play on empty stomach. All hustle got attention as the DJ began to roll its sound tracks. It was time for fun, dance and obviously colors. As promised we stuck with our determination of Safe and Dry Holi by entirely eliminating use of water as well as bringing in only Herbal colors. Everyone rushed to grab a fist full of color and chase each other to apply color before anyone else could. Soon the colors were spread everywhere as if some fancy makeup artist took a handful job decorated pretty faces. Pink and yellow, blue and red, green and orange and many more, scattered all around.

There was a moment when eyes got stuck and thoughts began to fly high. Gazing at everyone there and wondering about hidden importance of festivals. They pack so much within that we rarely explore. Every face was so well colored that they all resembled similar. It was hard to point any difference. The differences we use to discriminate humiliate and ostracize others. Yes!! This colorful festival does carry an important message. It teaches us to look beyond colors of skin, names, castes and religions. Colors of holi certainly eliminated all difference to bring every person under nature’s dome to enjoy together.

Music was on and feet were not ready to stop for a single moment of breath. All that one could do is get in mood, get carried with vibes of this festival and put some color. Some possed for selfies while others asked for their portraits to be captured by then responsible man for photography of event, Sarang Rajderkar.

Hurdle race and Sprint race

We continued the fun with several games, Hurdle Race, Sprint Race & more. As time passed by children surely felt roars from within. Tummy was at its loudest speech asking for lunch. On their daily scheduled time without any delay children were served Roti, Sabzi, Kheer and Daal-Chawal as lunch.

Lunch being served to children

After refueling everyone was back for more fun. More dance and some more games were played with kids. Finally concluded event on a high note every one once again wished each other “Happy Holi ~ Rang Panchami”. At last group picture of all participants was necessary for souvenir of a fabulous day with children.

Group picture concluding event. 

“Colors, well they can be pleasing, attractive and enjoyable as well as repulsive, ugly, unacceptable and offensive but Blacks, Reds & Whites shouldn’t be basis for discrimination.”

Some highlights of celebration --->

By Umang Daga

🔹🔹🔹 **...INVITATION..** 🔹🔹🔹

😇🎉Rangpanchmi Celebration..🎊

28th March 2016, Monday..

at,

Aarambh child home, behind Vaishnav Dham near Agarwal Public school, Bhicholi Mardana, Indore

🕰 8:30 am to 1 Pm

You all with your family cordially invited..

Celebration will have..

Breakfast and Lunch for kids,

Dance, Games, fun activities, Gulal_dry holi etc..

कुछ लमहें उन नन्हें फरिश्तो के संघ,
जिनके पास कुछ न होते हुए भी सिर्फ हैं खुशियों के रंग..!!

Regards
AnantAman Social Welfare Society®
(9907046281)

Gulaal !!

Being a Jain I have learnt not to waste water unnecessarily. But being a human I have experienced that never to waste a single moment which who knows can be unknowingly source of joy. Well this situation is truly a dilemma. Now how will I be able to play Holi. Water or colors or just social sites! Excess water usage will ruin my values; colors may be skin sensitive, while just plain texts would be boredom.

Well not wasting water literally makes sense. There is still a major chunk in India which still suffers of this water shortage problem. We people usually go insane when our comfort zones that is a.c., water coolers or fans suffer from glitch and we have to spend just few hours without them. But you know there are still people in this nation whose happiness doesn't lie in such luxurious materialistic things. Their happiness lies in just basic needs such as food, clothe and home.

I have been constantly reading the success story of startups nowadays. Be it the Bangalore Cleanliness startup or Indore's recent Med startup. Wow! Technically we have so much innovation that just one click and get the most desirable stuff ignoring all the vague.  But isn't it true that the more we are becoming technology driven, the more we are forgetting our values.  In India still only 38 percent people have access to internet. Many rural areas are still facing the issue of water shortage, power shortage, food etc. Here the point isn't to be sympathetic towards them. They better know how to prove their capabilities and strive for what they want.

The only point that is being exaggerated is we as future drivers should understand the value of our natural resources and should not take them for granted. We should be careful if any leakage occurs at our surroundings. We should consume only that much water that we require. I have learnt this value from my 4rth standard student.  One day she asked me for water. I served her full glass of water. She asked me to make it half. I asked her why? She replied ' I don't require full glass I just require half amount of it and we should not waste water. I gently smiled and thanked her for opening my eyes. Children may be small but give us big teachings in simplest ways. I f you see today not just Rajasthan even Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh are equally suffering the problem of water shortage.

Since its Holi, so reminder reminder!! On this occasion we will really prove to be sensitive and tolerant. But to overcome this issue Holi wouldn't be enough we every day need to follow few basics to eradicate this issue such as:

•       Only consume that much of water which is required
•     Use bucket instead of taking a shower
•     Use rice water for washing utensils and mopping
•     In case of any leakage repair it asap

If we all take an oath to follow such basic things we will certainly make this a better nation to reside in.

But the good thing is finally I am out of dilemma. I have found a wonderful way of celebrating Holi. How about celebrating this grand occasion with small kiddos? Because their smile heals every pain and so whole heartedly our AnantAman family invite you on this auspicious occasion of Holi to celebrate it with a social cause on 28^th March 2k16.

This Holi, play safe, go eco-friendly & save water. Dry Holi is best Holi.

Happy Holi

By Poorva Banthiya

OUTDOORS & HEALTH

When I was a kid, summer vacations used to be a most awaited time for me. I could go out to my nani’s place and can visit the farms (natural beauty), play in the garden with my friends until the sun went down. I kept myself quite occupied without any of today’s modern technologies.

Now, exams are about to finish and there are hundreds of television stations, video games, and interactive Web sites that will keep kids occupied for hours on end. Kids staying indoors for a long period of time have prolonged negative effects extending far beyond childhood. They start missing something that is essential for their health and development. Parents think that their child is safe and will not develop any health problems if they stay indoors all the time. The truth is that a child who spends more time indoors gets subjected to Social, Physical and Emotional problems.

There are many health benefits that make outdoor play great for children.

Ø  Control childhood obesity

The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing; Part of this huge increase is contributed to less outdoor. It's hard to get enough active play and exercise if you're always inside playing video games or watching TV. And without enough exercise, kids can become overweight.

Ø  Bone health

Vitamin D increases with outdoor exposure to the sun. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends just 10 minutes of early morning sun exposure per day for a good daily vitamin D dose. Vitamin D helps in calcium absorption, protect children from heart disease, diabetes and bone problems.

Ø  Reduce stress

Spending time outdoors has been linked with lower stress levels in children. Playing outdoor games for at least 30 minutes every day can do wonders to refresh and rejuvenate physically and mentally.

Ø  Promote creative and innovation

Outdoors, a child learns on multiple levels with each new adventure (Burdette and Whitaker, 2005). With all of the imaginary castles, lands, creatures, the brain develops at a much faster rate than for those who play indoors. There are numerous effects. Not only do they become better learners, and do well in school, but they are more fun to be around (i.e. they make more friends)

Benefits of outdoor games:

Physical development

·         Physical strength

·         Balance

·         Muscular strength

·         Hand eye coordination

·         Flexibility

·         Weight control

·         Cardiovascular endurance

Social development

·         Citizenship

·         Discipline

·         Teamwork

·         Leadership

·         Confidence boosting

·         Communication skills development

·         Feeling of freedom

·         Awareness

Few examples of outdoor games:

Tracking, Cycling, Walking, Gardening, Hide and seek, Jump rope, Ice water, Sports like cricket, football, basketball, badminton etc.

It’s good for our kids to be outside more often. As a parent, it’s our responsibility to provide varied opportunities for outdoor play, exploration and games.

By- Raksha Goyal

#Women's day...

Celebrations are a part of our lives. And when they are tagged with some special dates they certainly become more special as they prove to be the best reminders. Birthday celebration, farewell spree, anniversary cake cutting ceremony lasts for that particular day. While the celebration of Women's day isn't just restricted to a day as it an enduring process .Because being a women isn't just a one day credit. Everyday she is worth giving credits whether she is a home worker or an employee or both. Even history proves it true. Swadeshi movement, Civil disobedience movement wouldn't have been a success without women active participation. Goddess Lakshmi showers her benisons so that we can become financially strong, goddess Saraswati is symbolized as goddess of knowledge and arts, goddess Durga provides us strength and is pure representation of women's power as she is referred as mother of universe and is believed to be  power behind the work of creation, preservation and destruction of the world. In  the Bhagwad Gita when Lord Krishna was asked where do you dwell? He answered it with extreme simplicity by saying that I reside in every women who has such characteristics. This is how much importance a woman hold in this universe. Although from a long time women are  continuously suppressed just because they are considered just a source  of  rearing child and serving  food to  their family. Yes, it is candid that women till today women  have  not got what they actually deserve. But the days are gone when  criticism was only the way of protesting. We women deserve it and we prove it not by delivering few flattering framed words   but we prove it by doing deeds. We prove it by our achievements. Be it any field- political, social, economical, sports , education , aeronautics etc.

12% of women are a part of Indian parliament in form of cabinet minister, union minister and various dignitaries. In joint committee of women empowerment out of 6o members 28 members are women which form around 50 percent. For the first time a women has been elected as minister of minority affairs. Even in terms of academics girls are far ahead than boys. There have been many contradictory reactions when government announced to give 33% of seats to women. But this decision isn't  out of pity. It's because our nation can only develop if women and man equivocally participate. No doubt if a women can take care of home then she can  be a good service women too. This is the era of startups. And nobody in this world is as creative and innovative as women. Her thoughts, her struggle, her mindset , her willingness, her confidence , her stability, her fondness, her dedication, her patience makes her stronger. The best thing even her tears are her forte. She do not want to dominate she just want her nation to progress and make a better place to live in not for her but for her family, her children and for the citizens of it's nation.

Women empowerment is one of the most discussed topics of this year. And why not?  Definitely it should  be. As it is most relevant. There are various active women such as  Pratibha patil , Sushma swaraj,  Sania mirza, Saina nehwal, Mary kom, Kalpna chawla , Arundhati bhattacharya,  Priyanka chopra and many more. But still a section of women still seems to be covert. May be there might be a number of reasons beyond this furtiveness such as family pressure, self resistance , mindset of society  etc. But it's not the time to step backward instead it's the correct time to grab opportunity and show the world your worth. In politics it is rightly said that ''If you want something said ask a man and if you want something done ask a women". On this special eve of International women's day I congratulate every women for being a daughter ,wife, sister,   mother, friend  and above all a beautiful ,sensible and logical women and every man for having such a auspicious gem in their lives as well as in this nation. Respect women. Respect yourselves.

Jai Hind.

Jai Bharat.

Author 

- Poorva Banthiya

Female Members taking care of promotions campaign.

Doctors team behind success of health campaigns.

Members keeping health records of people taking benefit of free health campaign..

Dietitian taking care of health counselling.