How Do Trees Shadow Growth & Development?

Buildings are growing faster than trees, a great miracle of the modern era! Yes, kudos to the architects of the modern world -  designers, developers, planners and political leaders! Growth in buildings manifests the growth in economy, but the growth in trees can't do the same. It's a known fact that construction business fetches very high income when compared to that of tree and plantation business. Buildings bear money thousands of times more than that of trees! Then naturally it's questionable, "Why do animal activists, environmentalists and nature lovers emphasize so much on tree plantation?" When the worth of a well grown tree is hardly a few dollars then what's this mania for trees? Instead trees occupy very valuable lands to become stumbling blocks for the progress of real-estate business.

Concrete buildings are non-perishable and non-corrosive strong structures resistant both to fire and water. They are the shelters during storms but killers during earthquakes too! Very sorry please. Anyhow the toll is a proof for their crushing weight and mighty strength. As big as the construction work that much business one can expect in cement, gravel, stone, sand, steel, ceramics and paints. Mining and quarrying activities will also run parallelly to supply building materials and metals and also to destroy animal homes forever. Tree cutters will be busy throughout in cutting trees, scaring away many animals, birds and other creatures to run away and supplying valuable lumber for dream homes. Carpenters will be busy in making doors, windows and  furniture. On the basis of the construction space and number of labour-days engaged, architects and contractors will also get equitable percentages and shares. No doubt a lot of direct or indirect employment opportunities because of the housing business.

A boon to both electrical and electronic business too. As per the size of the building and number of rooms, requirements for electrical wires, switch boards, lighting and other devices or gadgets will also be there. As we know that during hot summer concrete keeps indoors hotter than that of outdoor spaces. During cold winter indoors will be cooler than outdoors. A great opportunity to push the sales of fans, air coolers, air conditioners and heaters. That's how both individuals and companies will get benefit.

On the other hand trees can't be expected to do that much. A very negligible contribution to growth and development. According to some economists more trees and less buildings means underdevelpment. Trees may be green enough to absorb carbon emissions or pollutants and inturn to release oxygen. They may be effective enough in filtering dust particles and  to save human breathing systems. They may obstruct extreme cold or hot winds from touching our living habitats. They may make people hale and healthy, but at the cost of what? Health business! Fifty per cent improvement in people's health means fifty per cent drop in health business! Is it agreeble for any pharmaceurical company or its share holder? No, it isn't.

Another thing is that trees provide cool breeze and shade to reduce temperature in and around homes. A big intolerable jolt to the business of fans, coolers air conditioners and fridges. And naturally to energy business also. What would happen to power stations,  electricity producers, distributors and sellers? Even a layman can guess. Trees and soil facilitate natural rain-water harvesting and increase in ground water levels. A very big discouragement to water business run by local or multi-national companies. Then who will quench the thirst of this business? That's how a number of demerits force people to shun the idea of growing trees.

Now we can conclude that as the space under concrete constructions increase the growth and development will also increase. As the space under trees increase there will be increase in cool breeze, shade, fresh fruits, birds, animals and health of people. So negative impact on growth and development. Trees provide a free habitable environment. Then what about the business of artificial environment fabricated due to modern technological advancements! 

Besides that trees damage beautiful architectural masterpieces by shaking foundations and shrinking walls, obstruct building elevations, develop cracks in drainage systems and interfere with overhead electric lines. Trees may attract nasty insects and birds too. It's an unbearable nuisance. So it's always better to keep trees away! That's how trees shadow the process of growth and development!

But She's Still Smarter Than Her Daughter!

As the first birds were heard  a peasant woman used to wake up early to imbibe the silvery glow of moonlight for her sharp eyesight and cool fresh breeze for her strong health. She daily used to heat water on the bright flames in the cool dusky hours for her own bathing and also for her husband and for her only female child. Before golden beams of morning sun shone dews on grass, she used to sprinkle water and sweep all across the mud floor in front of her thatched hut. She was a strategic volunteer to serve the entire household, birds and farm animals through her daily noble chores. 

Neither the members of her family nor the farm animals never had any complaint against her menial services. A few acres of green paddy fields and vegetable plots hardly infested with weeds and perched for want of water in her regular attendance. An ideal woman of my native hamlet. She's now famous for educating and facilitating her only female child to raise to a dignified position. But the talk is that she is still smarter at her fifties than her daughter at thirties. The peasant woman still looks more agile and younger than the highly educated and posh software techie. It's really amazing!

The eye-catching makeup with branded cosmetics no longer keep her daughter's  face soft and smooth but with early wrinkles of ageing along with dizziness, headache and ever falling thin hair. On the other hand the peasant mother's skin is so fair and shiny and hair so dark and thick that one can guess a lot of facial creams, branded soaps and shampoos might have done the job. No that's wrong. Shikakai (traditional fruit for hair), soapnuts and turmeric have been her lifelong cosmetics. No money and no side effects! Very simple, natural, but beautiful!

The posh looking young lady's very happy and content to shed every rustic feature from her life. She often feels proud of that much development from a poor rustic background. She doesn't need poor-men's food anymore. Plenty of money is there to spend on MNC eatables like burgers, pizzas, cakes, candy bars, cookies,  pastries, ice-creams, fast food, processed meat, colas and sodas. She has profitably put on her weight to get higher number on the scale. The chubby lady has definitely misshapen her physique to be called a landwhale. She's a little bit discouraged and frustrated along with a number of modern medical complaints. But she's a lot of money to consult superspeciality doctors too. On the other hand the rustic mother has a firm body structure unlike that of her daughter's bad loose skin. Some may guess that firmness of her body might be due to super foods provided by her daughter. No, can't be adapted by her. It's unbelievable and shocking that she's still on green leafy vegetables, fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, plenty of milk, jaggery, millets, pulses, ragi balls and jowar flat breads.

The modern techie may be on weight loosing job also! Contrarily to that her mother hasn't find any need to do all those regular exercises, special jogging, gym or yoga sessions. Walking across fields to fetch water, running behind  tendered animals, cutting grass, watering fields,  grinding or pounding grains have been said to be the secret of her fitness, as she hasn't yer been the proud possessor of modern electronic gadgets. A day long energy spending activities are always there. Very hard to believe! No obesity, dizziness, lethargy and immobility complaints. No breathing, bowl, cardio-vascular, liver, pancreatic, kidney or neurological disorders. No complaints of arthritis as she still uses to walk and run on earth unlike that of her daughter on glossy marble flooring of international standards. No sleeping disorders too as she's addicted to sleep in the cool breeze blown across by waving tree branches on the hillside. No need of infective air conditioners unlike that of her daughter. No money or no extra time needed to spend for that ever-energetic and ever-healthy fitness.

But one thing is that the modern techie is sacrificing her health, money and time for the development of the nation along with contribution to the growth of MNCs, big malls and super markets. She has not only developed herself but also a part of the modern development. The problem is that the peasant woman has neither developed so far nor a part of the moden development. And she yet doesn't possess any electronic or plastic money, modern electronic gadgets, branded dresses, posh bungalows, vehicles and gym or yoga facilities. Whatever it might be the talk is that she's still smarter than her daughter!

Please Protect Young Innocent Eyes

Eyes are there to pronounce the beauty of the facial features more sharply and wittigly than those of the words. The colour of the eyes is an highlight to the body appearance. Eyes are not only the entrance to the heart but also the windows to the outside world.  Eyes are there to peep deep into the thoughts and feelings of the dear and near. Haven't you felt the icy looks of your beloved ones melting down your heart several times?

The beauty of the World, ighting and darkness, senses of touch, taste and smell, distinguishing of colours and shapes can't be perceived without eyes. The brain can't tag memories well without visual images from eyes. Generations can't inherit their cultures and traditions without gene embedded images clicked by eyes. Could we expect reading a book, catching or hitting a ball, safe wading through obstacle laden path or  driving a car without eyes? No, we couldn't be. The chief organizers of majority of body motions -  eyes!

Could we imagine mirrors,  lenses, microscopes, telescopes, cameras, cinemas,  computers, television sets, mobile phones, iPhones and ipads around us without such wonderful eyes?  No, possibly not. The thing is that these gadgets are meant for intensifying the taste and knowledge of  eyes but not to affect the sight of eyes. Judicious utilization is a must. Otherwise the devices will become early death traps. Too much is bad! Here the responsibility of elders increase tremendously to protect not only the eyes but also the future of the young ones. Instead of immersing ourselves in the abundantly available sea of enjoyment and entertainment we the elders could become the counsellors and guides to the younger generations. The young should be made aware of dry eye syndrome, computer vision syndrome and early myopia - the outputs of prolonged TV watching, computer screen staring, e-book reading  and endless text message scanning. The hardly blinking addicted eyes may develop cracks in superficial corneal layers to compound the defects. But don't worry! 

A number of optometrists are there to correct the early eye defects. Consulting eye  specialists shouldn't be delayed. Vitamin-A rich fruits and vegetables help a lot. Appealing greenery of days and cooling darkness of nights are always safe for improving eye sight. Light pollution should be avoided as much as possible to safeguard the brightness of the young  eyes. Besides that a number of super specialists are awaiting to deal with  cancers, obesity, heart diseases, lung diseases, fatty liver disease, diabetes, kidney diseases, neurological disorders and sometimes even  suicidal desires too. But tne young needn't to think of that. It's suggested to reduce the hours of  engagement with these electronic gadgets for less than three and half hours a day. The young ones should be the physically active persons in the society. Otherwise the young world would be a mere stuff of physical and mental trauma. We know that physical inactivity is the root cause of many dreadful diseases due to sedentary lifestyles. But the young should be motivated to physically involve themselves in games and sports.

Anyhow the man is mortal, but not immoral. The children are yet physically and mentally growing. They  aren't biologically fit for sex. That's why child marriages are banned by national and international bodies. Many health organizations are warning against  universal prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases also.  Prevention is better than cure. Prevent romantic or sexual arousals among children by preventing watching of obscenity. Don't let on line addiction to distract children from their studies, careers and professions. Don't make children victims to venereal diseases too. Otherwise this will be a kind of disappointment and desperation for parents and well-wishers for ever. 

Save young eyes from endless interruptions whether in their real lives or on silver screen, TV screen, computer screen or mobile phones. If the young finds a very beautiful girl it may ignite a feeling of romance in him. If a girl is wearing a short skirt it may entice lust in him. But be cautious about the vulnerability and also the future of the young minds. A number of internet predators are lurking there to stimulate erotica or arouse genitals of young children to make their business. Be careful about freely available alluring forces around them. Convince children that there will be no romance and no sex till they become majors to get married! Don't forget this. Don't allow the young ones to become preys to the international business of nudity, obscenity, pornography, internet predatory or sex business. Instead of letting their eyes to be on this kind of attractions we better divert and motivate them to concentrate on certain aims and goals. 

The future will be theirs. Don't let the young bow before the enticing forces, instead make them conscious and energetic enough to bow down the disruptive forces. No one world power is as strong as the will power of the little hearts! Let them have good friend circles,  advisers and councellors in us. Please protect young innocent eyes to save their precious lives and bright future. 

3C's from Development or 3R's for Environment

It's being said that the world has been evolving since its origin and is termed as "evolution", the feature of the uncivilized poor creatures. Isn't it inferior to apply this word to the superior human? Yes. That's why a new and powerful word has been invented -  "development", the most pleasing and popular word  of the era. The only word which enlivens the spirit of every human being cutting across age, gender, caste, creed, organization, profession and status is development. There's hardly any  field or person who's ignorant or oblivious of this word development. All our revolutions, politics, legislations, plans, budgets, economies, innovations and inventions revolve around this word only. 

We can call it the nuclear centre of the modern world. Even medications of doctors and prayers of devotees are not out of the orbits of this word!  "Many diseases need to develop the medical field" and "many a number of rich devotees to enrich religious organizations" have become mottos for a few! Everywhere it seems prosperity. Only some saddists might be against this. How long we have to worry about humanity, that's there for centuries!  Create novelty. Even though it's meaningless. That's what development means -the word of eagerness, enthusiasm, energy and optimism.

On the contrary there is another strange word that tries to slow down the pace of development called "environment".  Even the personnel and heads of the environmental department are afraid of this word. Some consider this word as the word of pessimists. Why do so .... ? Because it suggests 3R's. 3R's are nothing but Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. The first word REDUCE is the deadliest of all - the ferocious enemy to threaten the rapid growth and development of the modern world.

The word REDUCE suggests reduction in the procees of deforestation, mining, refining,  fabrication, manufacturing,  production,  transport,  distribution and ultimately destruction and pollution. It suggests to shorten or remove the links in the elaborate chain of growth and development. Could any optimist bear this to happen? Certainly, couldn't. Even an illiterate person can't tolerate this. Let the doomsday happen or the hell come down, there shouldn't be even a slightest jolt to delink the stages in the process of our pet development. Otherwise the consequences will be dire and many reductions may happen. 

Money value comes down and stock markets collapse if there will be reduction in the size of well furnished buildings, length of roads, number of posh vehicles, number of clubs or pubs and quantum of enjoyment or entertainment. Further some great lives may crash down to the status of a common man, totally dry and monotonous. No question of extravaganza, luxuries and class differences in the society - haves and have nots,  class and mass, posh and poor will be no more. What's the meaning of living a life then? That's why only a few want that REDUCE. If anybody wants let the remaining two words REUSE and RECYCLE be adopted. Definitely these two things are suitable for the teaming millions of common and poor people. Reuse the things discarded by the haves and recycle the things desperately left by the have nots.

Instead you see 3C's. How beautiful and appealing these three letters to our eyes! Constructions,  Contracts and Commissions - the three basics for mega development. Whether it's an individual or a nation that can't develop without these 3C's. Mind it! Increase constructions; so don't bother about destructions. Construct as many buildings and roads as possible. People call you the architect of the nation. The well wisher of the people. The messiah. The saviour.  And so on. Popularity, vote bank and money thrive there forever for you. How could anyone expect major contracts and Commissions without construction activities? How could anyone expect vigorous minting, lavish spending and secretive savings of money without contracts and commissions? So go ahead. Won't  we all agree? Yes, we do our boss! The human world is so much mentally prepared by the preachers of development that the word environment looks old and shabby.

Still one more point disturbs everyone's mind. When we are endowed with so many furnishings and luxuries then whycan't we live a peaceful,  disease- and tension-free living? Have we missed anything else? ........ Many more answerable questions reverberate in the minds of the intellectuals. Many more choises flash before their eyes. Does this biological creature need natural breeze or air conditioned synthetic enclosures? Cool grass-cladded soil or glossy floorings? Colourful flowers or confusing paintings? Shade of trees or radiating concrete slabs? Chirpings of birds or deafening musical sounds?  Company of affectionate animals or inanimate vehicles? Dark starry nights or blinding lights? Anyhow the modern wise man has many choices to choose out of either 3C's or 3R's.

Living A Comfortable Life: An Animal Or A Common Man?

It's a common notion that human beings are better off when compared to animals. We're  stigmatized ourselves in many ways. We're cruel. We're heartless. We're unkind. And so on. How many human beings are so? Majority or minority? Are our lives better than those of factory or wild animals? Let's see who're better. There's no doubt that human beings can do what other animals can't. But the common man can't get what the factory or wild animals can get!

It's said that human beings  have superb cognitive sense and consequently superb abilities like speech,  education,  training,  skill development, professionalism, innovations and inventions. Could all these be possible without a body and its master - the brain? No, never. As much as the mind power develops that much work is supposed to be generated. As much as the work is expected that much care and maintenance are required! We're  so highly educated and sane personalities that we know the values and requirements of various things around us. But unfortunately we don't  have the least consciousness about ourselves. It may look strange. But it's true! In the glare and speed of development we've lost our senses. Just like other animals, gadgets and machines we also need comfortable environment, wholesome nourishment and  regular maintenance. Have we ever thought of this? Unless our bio-machines are kept physically fit and internally intact how could anyone expect a perpetual and potential power for meaningful development or prosperity?

Just like factory animals and birds we need Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) and  like that of wild animals and birds we need Outdoor Environment Quality (OEQ). Owing to fast track development we can expect the least with respect to  IEQ or OEQ. Then what about IEQ? IEQ comprises of air ventilation, lighting,  temperature and humidity. What about indoor air quality? There's a lot of trapping space for  poisonous gases, dust particles, bacteria and fungal spores either generated indoors or outdoors. So a number of degenerative  diseases and artificial  deaths are there to haunt the occupants. Then what about indoor temperature? A temperature range of  20-25 °C  with a relative humidity of 25-60% is said to be comfortable for the warm blooded human being, or else have to face chilled winters or hot and sticky summers. Could we dare to expect comforts in our concrete dwellings without energy and money? It's a question for majority of human beings. Off course posh people have many answers to solve this! Is there any association or union to fight for our comforts? But innumerable organizations are there to fight for material wealth! What's the secret behind pulling humans out of their comfortable natural environments to stuff into congested residential units?  That too when comforts are not available free of cost. Wild animals enjoy comforts in their wilderness. More than that factory animals enjoy superbly in their precisely planned and professionally built artificial set ups. But the only fool who has been left behind is the common man!

Let's study the Outdoor Environment Quality (OEQ). In the modern world soil and trees are thought to be hurdles for development. Instead, lengthy bitumen or concrete roads, tall concrete skyscrapers and teaming metallic vehicles are there to radiate heat, generate pollutants and release dust particles into our outdoors.  What else we need to celebrate the days of the unbridled development? That's what the index or a measure of our development. Don't let even a drop of water to seep into the ground or a bird to roost on a tree. That's the attitude of many! That's why ground surfaces are plastered and  trees are sawed down. It seems that our houses are treasury offices to stock materials rather than as living spaces for humanity to survive. Naturally octogenarians have to find out old aged homes as there's no sufficient space even for furniture at home.

Leave the comfortable living aside.  Don't even  dream of it! Days have gone out of our hands. Could we get at least some potable water to drink or unadulterated food to eat without money or energy? Isn't it the result of our deeds? Where are our cooling soils and shading trees? Where's the space and time to grow kitchen gardens and fruit orchards? Where's the value for soil,  but for land? Where's the value for trees, but for concrete cover? Questions are many. But no time to think the answers!  Aren't the factory animals living a better life in their airconditioned chambers than the common man? Aren't the wild animals in their cool and shady environments? Who's living a comfortable life? An animal or a common man?

Purpose of Banning Child Marriages: Achieved or Misused?

The child is the index of social prosperity. The child's scope stands on the tripod of biological, physical and psychological conditions in close intimacy to the nature. The healthy curiosity of a child lies in exploring the unending growth of the beauty of flora and fauna, but not in watching the obnoxious scenes shooted and screaned as addictive traps of modern business tactics! The child's mental and muscle power are strengthened through outdoor games under the cool shades of copiously branching canopies of mighty trees. Yes, dexterity in hands and flexibility in body are the real investments for a child's future, also that of a nation!

Some say that the child is a crow of delight. What does it mean? Eagerness and enthusiasm in exploring new colours, shapes, structures,  textures, processes and phenomena. Any child's primary job..... the marvel of the childhood. Aren't we proud of it? Yes, we are. Sometimes the pragmatic child speeds up the pace to mimic adults too! Could we stop this? We couldn't. And we never. But  marriages may hamper the progress of a child in a myriad of ways. It's said that child marriages increase illiteracy, infant mortality, premature deaths or still births, domestic violence, sexual abuses and economic poverty in the society.  If it's so then why shouldn't child marriages be banned? The idea has been strategically implemented by some world and state bodies. Do romance and free sex among children make the purpose of banning child marriages a laughing stuff? Yes, certainly. Then what's our responsibility?  Achieving purpose or exploiting it in the disguise of the ban?

No one great job is lack of certain purpose, procedure and progress. That's how the ban on child marriages too. Children are in the process of physical and psychological development. They aren't fit for sex at this phase. Sex is a stumbling block for a child's education and progress. That's what the purpose of banning child marriages. Whether our target is to ban child marriages merely or to give a fillip to every child's  progress? If the child's progress is our aim then what about the things that are causing an irreparable damage to a child's future? What's the secret behind enticing romantic or sexual feelings when child marriages are banned? Isn't this an opportunity to reap the benefit of indiscriminate business? The world isn't dearth of wise people. Let them think and act promptly to remould this opportunistic modern society.

It's a universal fact that sexualization creates negative impact on the self-image and healthy development of a child. Obscenity through tiny dresses, ads, films, sexual imageries and pornographic videos is  imprinting indelible blots on the otherwise clean young minds. Is it not disheartening to see electrifying liplock kisses, sensual gestures and amorous poses on the screen which is otherwise meant for demoting child marriages? Hmmm .... yes, an ironical link between unbridled media and warping of a child’s mind! Romance and sex are being instilled in the young minds more effectively than that of school or college education through glaring audio-visual aids. No respite since a child opens its eyes in the mother's lap. No doubt schooling is compulsory. Is it serving its purpose?  Unquenchable sex hormone levels are elevated  to such an extent that the unmarried youth can't stop listening to some romantic or sensual music. Unknown but pleasurable erotic sensations are being ignited non-stop day and night. This excited curiosity is being illegally exploited. Now it's easy to coerce children into sexual abuses or trick them  into business malpractices. The world is full of such sporadic incidents. Can't we visualize anxiety,  depression and overly sexualized behaviours among children these days? Who's responsible? Are we achieving the purpose of banning child marriages or misusing it? Does uncontrollable fantasy fill the gap of child sex? Whether our business is seductive or promotive with respect to the overall growth and development of a child?  We must introspect ourselves if we dream of a happy children's world. Or else the consequences echoe down to successive generations at geometrically progressive levels.

We know that sexuality  is a vital part of a teenagers' life. And also know that child sex or child marriage is a taboo upto 18 or 21 years. The child marriage banning  agencies or governments should promote reduction in sexual enticements rather than seduction run in the name of business or development. Who will bear the responsibility of various risks like loss of education, lack of professional skills, liable unproductive manpower, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases (HIV /AIDS), depressions or suicidal deaths? A teenager or a bachelor certainly have a desire for sex in such circumstances, but not have the opportunity to fulfill that desire, or may on constitutional, ethical or religious reasons to refrain from acting on the urge. What would be its impact on such a person's psyche? Are we here to quieten the dormant or latent instincts or inflate the flame just to do our business? Does our multi-faceted business strategies lull the libido or mull mortido? The time is alarmingly ripe to analyse! Environmental pollution too is adding fuel to the flame of sexual frustration among the young minds. Once again we have to look back to see whether the purpose of banning child marriages is achieved or misused?