The Human Cost of Pesticides

The Human Cost of Pesticides

One of my favorite fruits in the world has turned to be freshly picked apple. Whether I am eating a juicy red or green apple, my taste buds explode with the goodness of each bite. Not only are apples delicious, but they are packed with the essential vitamins and minerals that are very essential for our body to stay healthy. But nowadays, I have been pondering over this issue: Many fruits and vegetables such as apples, mango, and lady’s fingers are sprayed with pesticides.  Even waxing is done to keep their outer layer fresh. The great question arises here - If pesticides can kill insects, what are the potential dangers they have on our body and the environment? This prompted me to dedicate a post about the dangers of pesticides, and my research surprised me.

Human civilization has taken a great stride starting from a hunter gathering lifestyle and open- field system of cultivation until the development of new methodologies, latest technological innovation in the field of agriculture. Extensive farming, use of pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, genetically modified foods or crops and invention of hormones and antibiotics have drastically changed everything. Today, Pesticides are used almost everywhere -- from the can of bug spray under the kitchen sink to the acres of farmland; our world is filled with pesticides. Pesticides are the only toxic substances released intentionally into our environment to kill living things. This includes substances that kill weeds (herbicides), insects (insecticides), fungus (fungicides), rodents (rodenticides), and others. The use of toxic pesticides has become a common practice around the world. It is very difficult to find the place where pesticides aren't used. Shocking cases of pesticide is that it is abundant in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink.

Pesticides and human health:

Farmers serve as the main unit of agricultural production. Farmers cannot afford to lose their crops due to pesky little insects so, some farmers spray chemicals, pesticides, on them which kill the insects. Pesticides even prevent diseases from spreading thus; using pesticides lessens the risks of losing one's crop of the season. Not only are pesticides dangerous to the environment, but they are also death-defying to a person's health. After countless studies, pesticides have been linked to a wide range of human health hazards, ranging from short-term impacts such as headaches and nausea to chronic impacts like cancer, reproductive harm, cancer, Alzheimer’s Diseases and even birth defects. Pesticides also have the potential to harm the nervous system, the reproductive system, and the endocrine system.  There is also mounting evidence that exposure to pesticides disrupt the glands, wreaking havoc with the complex regulation of hormones, and embryonic development. Similarly, scientists are discovering that excessive use of pesticide can throw the whole ecosystem off balance. Pesticides can damage land fertility by harming beneficial insect species, soil microorganisms, and worms which naturally limit pest populations and maintain soil health.The most laughable thing is that even if we know that a pesticide causes severe health and environmental impacts, including cancer and genetic damage, it is still being allowed for use. Some people even argue drolly that how eating one piece of fruit with pesticides affects us. I feel quite pity on them. Reality is although one piece of fruit with pesticides won't kill you, if they build up in your body, they can be potentially detrimental to your health and should be avoided as much as possible.

Thus, we need to make our food, air, water, and soil free from toxic chemicals. The utmost solution to our pesticides problems lies in non-toxic and cultural methods of agriculture, not in pulling the pesticide trigger. Organically grown foods and sustainable methods of pest control are keys to our families’ health and the health of the environment.

Let all be happy and prosperous

There should be no more misery to anyone

Yagya Therapy: Holistic Vedic Approach to Control Air Pollution

v You heal the atmosphere and the healed atmosphere heals you.

Do you know that pollution is becoming a critical issue every day? It is very dangerous in some parts of the world- there is so much smog which is dangerous to breath !!! Environmental pollution is a matter of great concern, not only for us but also for mankind as a whole. Pollution is a by-product of the unprecedented industrial revolution that we have seen in the last few decades. The establishment of large scale factories belching out smoke, fumes and chemically hazardous waste, has now started having a telling effect on the environment. Whole environment is overloaded with the waste that has perceptibly destroyed the carrying capacity of the nature. The industrial wastes, rapid urbanization, deforestation, air and water pollution, radioactive waves etc. have destabilized the life cycle of human, animal and plant and ultimately put the biotic ecosystem in peril. Today we find increasing number of diseases due to increasing severity of pollution in the atmosphere. Ozone layer depletion has been causing ailments like sunburn, skin cancer and weakening of the immune system. Viruses are becoming drug-resistant. Thus, the ecological imbalance caused by these acts of so called ‘civilization’ has resulted into disastrous threat not only to human survival but also to the life as a whole on our living planet.

In ancient times, Vedic sages, or Rishis, recognized the pure knowledge of consciousness and law of nature that govern biology, chemistry and physics. The environment used to be well balanced by the smooth functioning of law of Nature. Those Vedic sages used to perform Yagya which created nutritional and medicinal atmosphere which at present is nothing more than a myth. In the name of advancement we are just deriding those cultures and tradition as an obsolete fashion. What we need today is visible evidences in favor of nature. Just like we say are there any scientific reasons behind it? But speaking truly, most of the theories of science are based on hypothesis i.e. yet to be proved. To our great surprise, experimental studies show that Yagya (Agnihotra) is the technical term from the Vedic science denoting the process of removing the toxic conditions from the atmosphere through the agency of fire. This means healing and purifying the atmosphere with fire as the medium. Reading this highlighted line, many readers have been probing into the queries. What? How? Why? Is there any cause and effect relationship ? I think many of these questions remained unanswered in most of the cases. So, let’s get to the point how Yagya therapy furnishes answer to all man’s problems caused by pollution.

Introduction to Yagya therapy:

Yagya is a process of herbal sacrifices in holy fire aimed at the finest utilization of the subtle properties of sacrificed matter with the help of the thermal energy of fire and the sound energy of the mantras. Modern scientific research has also shown significant therapeutic applications of Yagya and also affirmed its potential in purification of environment.  Yagya is basically a healing process. Heal the atmosphere and the healed atmosphere will heal you is the basic principle of Yagya.

Substances used in Yagya:

In order to get an idea of the various chemical changes which take place during Yagya, it is essential to know the various substances offered in it.

·         Odoriferous Substances: These are — saffron, musk, agar, tagar, chandan, illaychi, jayphal, javitri and camphor.

·         Substances with Healthy Constituents:  These are clarified butter (ghee), milk, fruits and cereals like wheat, rice, barley, til, kangu, munga, chana, arhar, masur or peas.

·         Sweet Substances: These usually are — sugar, dried grapes, honey or chhuhara.

·         Medicinal Herbs: These are used as per specific requirement. Some common herbs are — Somalata or Giloya, Brahmi, Shankhpushpi, Nagkesar, Mulhati,Red Chandan, Baheda, Sonth and Harad.

How Yagya therapy works?

 During Yagya the temperature varies between 250°C and 600°C, while in the actual flames it can rise as high as 1200°C to 1300°C. At their boiling points, the volatile constituents vaporize and their gaseous forms get diffused. The vaporized products diffused in the atmosphere are also subjected to photo-chemical reactions in the sunlight. The fumigation, vaporization and sublimation of specific substances in the Yagya fire constitute a verifiable scientific method of sublimation of matter and expansion of its colloidal state generates ions and energy with positive effects in the surrounding atmosphere through the specific sonic waves of the mantras. The vaporized products diffused in the atmosphere undergo photo-chemical decomposition, oxidation and reduction reactions. The partial oxidation of hydrocarbons and decomposition of complex organic substances produce formaldehyde, which is a powerful antiseptic. The chemical reaction is:

                             (In presence of sunlight)

CO2  +  H2O  +  112,000 cal  =  HCHO + O2

Mostly, all fatty substances mainly cow ghee used in Yagya are combination of fatty acids, which volatilize easily. The interesting thing to know is putting a cow’s ghee into the fire, its smoke will lessen the effect of atomic radiation to a great extent and helps in rapid combustion of cellulose of wood and keeps the fire alight. In addition to this, the smoke produced by burning the mixture of ghee and sugar kills the germs of certain diseases; inhaling it from some distance induces secretion from certain glands related to the windpipe that fill our heart and mind with relaxation. Burning sugar and its smoke has a significant effect in purifying the atmosphere. It kills the germs of T.B., measles, smallpox and cow-pox.  Thus, purification of environment through the constituent electrons of the substances fumigated in the Yagya is an obvious effect of this process.

Essence of chanting of Mantra in Yagya:

The power of sound vibrations is long since acknowledged in the field of science. These vibrations can penetrate the energy spheres at the subtle and cosmic levels. The recitation of Gayatri Mantra produces 110,000 sound waves per second. Similarly, it produces vibrations which are soothing to human mind, all plant and animal life and also helps in spreading specific energy waves in the surrounding atmosphere as the oblations are offered in Yagya kund.

Thus, even without going into detailed chemical bacteriology, it can be stated that performance of Yagya leads to purification of air. While the government is setting up enforcement and monitoring agencies for keeping this menace under check, it is also our responsibility to lend a helping hand in this monumental task. So, together we should stop polluting because it is hurting the Earth.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is presented for the sole purpose of imparting education on Yagya therapy. Born to a family with religious background I was taught by my father about Vedic approach to health, unified field and several such philosophical ideas in my early childhood. I was very engrossed on this topic as well. After having in depth study, taking reference of various researches conducted by Maharishi University such as Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health (MVAH) I have prepared this article.

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World Cup fever

Winning is not everything , it's the only thing.

                                     ---Vince Lombardi

FIFA World Cup 2014, the biggest sporting event in the world has begun in Brazil. People have just started discussing the event with great excitement. The World Cup, held in every four years, has been far-famed in the world, later on 1954 games were telecast live on TV. Fans of Brazil, Argentina, Germany, England, Spain, Portugal, among others, are hoisting the flags of their respective countries in every nook and cranny of the country. The fans adore their heroes and even debate with their peers in favor of their team. Insofar, football stars have performed as expected while some have let their fans down. Really, World Cup fever has gripped the people around the world; Nepal is no exception. Amidist all the frenzies, World Cup fever grips Nepal, as every nook and cranny of Kathmandu is filled with people donning the jerseys of different teams participating in the World Cup. Also the craze of some fans has reached its zenith in some parts of the nation that not only they are wearing jerseys but are also gaga enough to hang the national flags of their favorite teams in their houses.The most comical thing to notice about so-called football buff is who can barely utter the names of the players of the team whose jersey they are preferring to don are acting as if they are born supporters of the particular teams. As this is a football season, many youngsters and even children specially boys in our localities are lured to football. They are seen all around the places playing with their peers and discussing about last night match. Among many football heroes Messi, Neymar, Müller, Cristiano, David Villa etc have become favorites for our locals. Similarly, World Cup event has resulted many Nepali football fans with bleary eyes dozing in the morning, specially morning shift students, just because host country Brazil has 11-hour time difference with Nepal.

On the other hand, this football season has not only left the fans mesmerized, it has also provided an opportunity to several entrepreneurs to cash in on the football matches.Not only the garments retailers are doing good business by selling jerseys of different nations, but the restaurateurs are making their way to good returns by offering live football matches on big screens along with free shots of drinks. For many, the World Cup has turned to be the best time for buying televisions as almost all television brands have come up with attractive schemes and discount offers. Besides all these positive impacts inflation is increasing during this season.Truly, everyone is trying to capitalize on the football madness prevalent among fans.The Nepali fans, however, are unable to watch all the matches due to the power outages. The die-hard football fans are managing somehow to watch the match.

 Undoubtedly, there will be more interesting matches ahead but it is difficult to predict which side will lift the coveted trophy. As the tournament progresses we will be seeing new football stars emerging and the world’s best football players in action. Let us hope the deserving team will lift the coveted trophy nevertheless it is our favorite or opponent. 

Tragedy of Nepalese Education System

  I am aghast at and completely overwhelmed by tragedy at seeing Nepali students ending their lives on account of not making it through the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) exam. Why are so many students failing? Does it have to do with the immense amount of pressure put upon them? Are the exams getting harder? Who is responsible for this? Here comes the point to ponder.

Nepal education system has taken a great stride aftermath the overthrow of the Rana regime in 1951 until the dramatic expansion of education facilities in the country. Quantitatively, Nepal has made impressive progress in basic education in recent decades. Today over ninety percent of children enroll in primary schools and there is virtual gender parity in enrollment. But the quality of public basic education is very poor.Course has not been able to cultivate on full swing for the development of the student.Have you heard of any studious student talking about ideas and creations? Not even once in blue moon? The methods of teaching in most of the schools destroy the Einstein in you and cultivate an average layman in you.That is why; most of the university graduates are flipping meager pages of a bank. Some are(even worse) teaching in the same university and tending to produce their clones for the future. This is the major educational rubbish that we are gradually aching for.

In recent years, the inefficiencies of the results have become blatant to the public eye as drop in the SLC pass percentage by more than twenty five percent in just five years. Really, the SLC exam is the normal phenomenon at the end of school life. It has been given undue importance in our society. So, what does a student do when he/she fails the so-called most important exam of their life. When a person fails the SLC, society either consider them incompetent or lazy. This makes all the student just 'result or marks oriented', the values, knowledge that a student should gain would be immaterial. Deeply rooted in the mind of youngsters since the beginning of their life would be the fact that if they do not pass SLC with good marks, their life would be useless as they can neither make their career nor they get good jobs. Neither the government nor the society is open for the alternatives; making arrangements for those failing SLC to get vocational training. So, youth equate 'failure in SLC' to life-failure and do not hesitate to take the nasty decision of killing themselves.

The government needs to make preparation for providing alternative/vocational education to those who fail in SLC or those who are not interested in school-based education system. The society must change the concept that SLC, and only SLC is necessary for making a career or earning one's bread and butter. Similarly, parents also need to change their constricted view that children not passing SLC are worthless. They should make their children realize that 'success and failure' in life is not guided by their examination results; so that they would be always ready to handle failures efficiently. Schools on the other hand should provide 'value based education' to their students. The holistic approach by students, parents, teachers, schools, society, and government would help to reduce the calamity of youth suicides in the future. So, let us all work in the direction.