Kindness to fellow habitats and eco friendliness are central theme of every Holy book.
Post industrial revolution, scientists did lot of research and urged caution about exploiting natural resources beyond a limit and put forward procedures and precautions to be followed so as to retain the flora and fauna of our planet. Countries too formulated legislations of safeguarding environment and people’s welfare. In spite of all these, a minuscule minority of narrow minded souls with the help of idiotic power centres exploited resources of this planet to such dangerous levels that we suffer with devastating effects of global warming and pandemics.
Changing monsoon patterns, rising sea levels, changing ecosystems and fatal heat waves, new diseases and pandemics — all are the result of humankind forgetting their age old culture, good values and getting into ulterior selfish motives. Need of the hour is to avoid extravagance and practise moderation in consuming resources and practise simple basic hygiene in life so that this planet earth remains habitable for future generations.
Most important is people should come forward on their own to end their ulterior selfish deeds and have concern for fellow citizens. There is no point in blaming governments. It’s the duty of every citizen to act in the right direction to save the planet earth and its habitats. When the public opinion and deeds change to good, even the worst governments will be forced to change and support, fearing losing of power. At any point of time there are people who exhibit responsible lifestyles to be emulated. Merely grasping those practices and following them in our life will ensure an unbreakable goodwill chain.
Let me explain two such experiences. It happened almost 30 years back. I received a letter from one of my distant relatives who happened to be a senior officer in a nationalised bank. Having read, when tried to reinsert the letter back in the envelope I noticed address of the sender written on the inner-side! Sender meticulously reversed a used envelope as a new one! Knowing the senders social, financial status I was awestruck on his concern for eco-friendliness and down to earth approach of “Reusing”-that too in early 90’s.
In late 70’s when I started my career at Bengaluru, I was staying together with six co staff, who came from different towns. I still remember the detailed summary explained by a friend about acute water problem prevailing in his home town and how lower middle class households used to cope with it. He explained they used to take bath standing in a tub so as to save all the used water for other chores like washing, cleaning and thereupon for flushing in the toilet. Amazing approach towards reducing, reusing and recycling techniques to sustain precious life saving resource and that too in 70’s!
Self discipline in practising personal hygiene and 3 ‘R’ is the only readily available solution for relieving the undue pressure created by us on our planet. It is time to ensure masking, social distancing, washing with soap, sanitising and avoiding spitting in public places as regular life style routine. If we are concerned about our own and our children’s well being, we need to think before every action and act as a responsible citizen.
