DG Blog, September 07, 2010

Publication Date: 7 September 2010

Author(s): Rajendra K Pachauri

Abstract:

There are several important occasions which should remind us of our role as citizens of planet earth and our responsibility to all species and all human beings. We are in the period of Ramzan which for the Islamic world is a period of self discipline, meditation on all that is good and a moment when we express our thanks and appreciation for the gifts we have around us. Earlier this month was the festival of Janmasthmi, which is the birthday of Lord Krishna, a day that reminds us of the triumph of good over evil and the inherent dharma that human beings should uphold of performing action without being obsessed unduly with the fruits we desire.  In another few days we would be observing the festival of Idul-Fitr, which again is a day of rejoicing and expressing happiness at the gift of life and the many blessings that we receive in our daily existence. In less than a month from now we would be celebrating Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, a day when we should acknowledge the enormous sacrifices made by this resolute saint, the sensitive lawyer who was thrown out of a first class train compartment in South Africa because of the color of his skin, despite the fact that he had bought a first class ticket to travel in that compartment. Perhaps that single incident transformed his life and the destiny of India. 

Publisher/Organisation: TERI

Source: TERI Intranet