India’s Hunger Levels: Is it a Cause for concern?

Just a few weeks ago many of us saw advertisements published in most newspapers and television channels from the Ministry of Agriculture of India where union agriculture minister Mr. Sharad Pawar achievements of a RECORD HARVEST of all times in India was lauded. No Wheat Import This Year.

On September 12, 2008 the minister said; "there is no food shortage in the country this year as the stockpiles of commodities are currently at their highest levels". He said, the government has built an emergency reserve of 3.0 million tonnes of wheat from this year’s record harvest of 76.78 million tonnes. He said that all his efforts are to ameliorate the lot of the farmers, who can avoid distress sales by storing their produce in accredited warehouses! However, he forgot to mention the amount of food grains destroyed every year in the godowns of Food Corporation of India.! Ministers claims made me feel better that at least now there will not be any hunger death in this country and no farmer will commit suicide now. To add further to my happiness the government of India claimed that farm loan waiver has been a success.


My shortlived happiness was however consumed mercilessly by a report published by International Food Policy Research Institute Faces Urgent Hunger Situation on October 14th 2008.


Some of the key fact in that report are:


• India ranks 66 out of 88 countries on the 2008 Global Hunger Index (GHI).
• India is home to the world’s largest food insecure population, with more than 200 million people who are hungry.
• When compared to countries in the GHI, Indian states’ rankings would range from 34th (Punjab) to 82nd (Madhya Pradesh). This indicates substantial variability among states.
• All Indian states have at least a “serious” level of hunger; there is not a single state with low or even moderate levels.
• 12 states fall into the “alarming” category and one (Madhya Pradesh) is considered to have an “extremely alarming” level of hunger.
• India’s poor performance on the GHI is primarily due to its relatively high levels of child malnutrition and undernourishment resulting from calorie deficient diets.
• Indian hunger index scores are closely aligned with poverty, but there is little association with state-level economic growth; high levels of hunger are seen even in states that are performing well economically.
• Improving child nutrition is of utmost urgency in most Indian states because of its large contribution to the ISHI scores. All states also need to improve strategies to facilitate inclusive economic growth, ensure food sufficiency, and reduce child mortality.

Oblivious to these facts the learned minister claims of No shortage of Food Grain have been going on for several years and decades (ministers of different regimes). But the facts tell a different story.

The rate of growth of food grains production in India has decelerated to 1.2 % during 1990-2007, which is significantly lower than the 1.9 % annual rate of growth of population.

India is the world’s third largest food producer (after China and the US). India is also the world’s largest producer of milk; and second largest of rice, wheat, sugar and cotton as also fruits and vegetables. But there is catch in these statistics. What is more important is that how does this stats affect the 200 million hungry people in this country. The catch is per capita availability of food! Indeed, it may shock many that India’s per capita net availability of food grains today is lower than it was 15 years ago. Despite being a large producer of a range of food products, the per capita availability is one of the lowest. India produces approximately 200 million tonnes of food grains every year and still has 200 million hungry, with little or no food at all. A detailed report can be seen titled India faces Urgent Hunger Situation I am putting the summary of the first ever published hunger index report here.

Madhya Pradesh has the most severe level of hunger in the country, followed by Jharkhand and Bihar.

The India State Hunger Index measures hunger on three leading indicators and combines them into one index. The three indicators are prevalence of child malnutrition, rates of child mortality, and the proportion of people who are calorie deficient. This approach is similar to the 2008 Global Hunger Index, which includes India, and is also being released today for World Food Day (October 16) by IFPRI in conjunction with Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide. The India Hunger Index found that not a single state in India falls in the 'low hunger' or 'moderate hunger' categories. Twelve states fall in the 'alarming' category, and one state—Madhya Pradesh—falls in the 'extremely alarming' category. Four states—Punjab, Kerala, Haryana and Assam—fall in the 'serious' category. "This new state-focused index is an important advocacy tool to build awareness of the disparities in hunger across India, which has more hungry people than any other country in the world." According to the 2008 Global Hunger Index, India ranks 66 out of 88 nations (developing countries and countries in transition). Despite years of robust economic growth, India scored worse than nearly 25 Sub-Saharan African countries and all of South Asia, except Bangladesh.

India's slightly better performance relative to Bangladesh is entirely due to better access to food in India relative to Bangladesh, which in turn is a consequence of India's higher agricultural productivity. On the other two components of the Global Hunger Index—child underweight and child mortality—India ranks below Bangladesh. When Indian states are compared to countries in the 2008 Global Hunger Index, Madhya Pradesh ranks between Ethiopia and Chad. Punjab, the best-performing state, ranks below Gabon, Honduras, and Vietnam. Its rates of child malnutrition are higher than most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

"Hunger and malnutrition are often rooted in poverty," and part of the solution rests with increasing investments in agriculture and poverty reduction programs. Child underweight accounts for the greatest contribution to the India State Hunger Index for almost all states, followed by calorie deficiency and child mortality. In a few states, such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu, calorie deficiency contributes almost as much as child underweight.

Country-level Trends

• India, Yemen, and Timor-Leste, have the highest prevalence of underweight children (a measure of malnutrition) of more than 40 percent.

Malnutrition, poverty are inextricably linked. In my next publication "Why we are, What we are" I will discuss the issue of "corruption and poverty in India" on the basis of the report published by Transparency International"

Holy Month of Kartik: Its Modern Interpretation

My best wishes to all, on First day and the begining of the Holy month of Kartik. Nirmal Gupta

Kartik month is the 8th lunar month of the Hindu calendar. This month is considered the holiest of all the months in the Hindu calendar. Many of the Hindu religious festivals are celebrated in this month. It usually overlaps with the months October and November of the English calendar. In this year (2008) Kartik month begins on October 15th and ends on November 14th.

There are many stories and myths to the occasion in Indian mythology. The most common is giving thanks-giving to Varuna, (the Water God), or Indra (the God of rains) or giving thanks in general for health and wealth.

Any fasting (vrat) during this month, even the smallest, will yield huge results. It is said, that the effect of fasting during Kartik month lasts for 100 lifetimes, whereas ordinary fasting only last for one lifetime!

It is advised that one should take cold milk and rice flakes on the initiation day (Sharad Purnima) of kartik month. For this, there is an medicinal (Ayurvedic) reason. Winter season begins in the month of Kartik, consisting of two months, when summer is ending and winter slowly starts. During this period, days are still hot and nights are becoming cooler. This is a perfect season for many infections and gastric problems related to excessive bile formation. Taking Milk and Rice flakes during night time is a good remedy to pacify the excessive bile. Hence, it is eaten as custom during this special night (Sharad Purnima) when the full moon looks best of all other full moons. This custom is a reminder to people to eat Milk and  Rice flakes during the winter season.

During the month of Kartik, Indian scriptures advise to worship 3 plants in particular, c.f. Tulasi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), Amla berry (Emblica officinalis) and Peepal (Ficus religiosa). I feel the worshiping was infact synbolic of trying to understand the good qualities of these plants and preserve them for good of the humanity.

Tulasi (Botanical name: Ocimum tenuiflorum) extract is considered to be an "adaptogen" (balancing different processes" in the body, and helpful for adapting to stress. Marked by its strong aroma and astringent taste, it is regarded in Ayurveda as a kind of "elixir of life" and believed to promote longevity. Kartik month also marks the beginning of a period when common colds, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning, and malaria are common. Tulsi is taken in many forms: as an herbal tea, dried powder, and as fresh leaf. Essential oil extracted Tulsi is also used in herbal cosmetics for its anti-bacterial activity. For centuries, the dried leaves of Tulsi have been mixed with stored grains to repel insects. Recent studies suggest that Tulsi may be a COX-2 inhibitor, like many modern painkillers, due to its significant amount of Eugenol (1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-allylbenzene). Studies have also shown Tulsi to be effective for diabetes, by reducing blood glucose levels and reduction in cholesterol levels. It exhibits antioxidant properties and provides protection from radiation poisoning and cataracts.

Amla berry (Emblica officinalis) has long been recognized a traditional food and medicine in India with many nutritional and medicinal benefits. It's grwos more in the foot hills of the Himalayan regions and but are also cultivated in many other regions of India. Amla berries have the highest amount of naturally occurring vitamin C of any ripe fruit in the world. It contains naturally occurring, heat stable vitamin C. Numerous studies conducted on Amla fruit suggest that it has anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Amla can also be concentrated into an extract with a high amount of naturally occurring vitamin C and bioflavonoids such as ellagic acid, rutin, hesperidin, and quercitin. It has been useful in the amelioration of common cold, warts, skin afflictions, influenza, anemia, diabetes, lung conditions, elevated cholesterol and as an immune restorater in cancers. Experiments conducted at the Niwa Institute of Immunology in Japan have shown Amla to be a potent scavenger of free radicals, the stress-related reactive oxygen-based ions which clutter up an unhealthy body.

Peepal (Ficus religiosa) is also of great medicinal value. Its leaves serve as a wonderful laxative as well as tonic for the body. It is especially useful for patients suffering from Jaundice. It helps to control the excessive amount of urine released during jaundice. The leaves of Peepal are highly effective in treating heart disorders. It helps to control the palpitation of heart. For constipation, there can be no better remedy than the consumption of dry Peepal leaves powdder mixed with sugar or jaggery. The Indian basil mixed with peepal can treat dysentery. The leaf of a peepal plant is also considered valuable in the treatment of various kinds of skin disorders. Peepal leaves are of great use in getting rid of mumps. Benefits of peepal plant leaves extract with warmed ghee on low flame placed over the swollen inflamed part of the body provide great relief. Even for boils, cuts bruises, peepal bark extract this is quite effective.

How to Follow the Fasting (Kartik Vrata):

1. Rise early every day before the sun rise and offer water to Tulsi, Peepal and Amla. (This is perhaps one way of acclimatising the body slowly for the harsh winter season and making sure that these beneficial plants are preserved for good.

2. Chanting (jaap) the holy names of the Lord (For peace of mind)

3. Must maintain celibacy for entire month (To keep one strong willed to be able to observe many rituals)

4. Give up favorite food article for entire month like honey, sesame seeds, oils, hing, eggplant, loki, tasty foods like sweets and fried foods, (like samosas, pakoras), ortal, pickles, red rajma beans, or sesame seeds, or urad dahl (no kachoris), garlic and onion. (All these foods are bile enhancer)

5. Try to eat only once in a day. *if you can do and carry on ordinary works* (To keep digestion good because as the winter approaches disgestion becomes weaker)

6. Daily meditation (For peacefil mind)

7. Donate charity (For the good of society).

How to end the fast (Kartika Vrata):

After sunrise take bath (Kartik Snaan). It is customary for people to go to the holy rivers or oceans. It is the general belief that your sins or bad karmas are washed away or forgiven when you perform this ritual.

Symbolic meaning of Kartik month: The name 'kartik' is symbolic of the auspiciousness of the month and reflects the end of the dark ages, the conquest of good over evil, light over darkness and the return of peace, purity and prosperity. Kartik is synonymous with the word 'kalpa' which means change or transformation, but metaphorically kalpa represents a cycle in the world eternal drama. Its generic meaning is that of change or transformation but it has been completely lost and the use of the word 'kalpa' has been transformed to mean a period, era or cycle.

There is a story of how the Gods and Goddesses lost control of the world when they were overpowered by the demons. The ocean was churned and the nectar obtained was consumed by the helpless Gods, who regained their strength to defeat the demons. This story is only symbolic. To me this means to churn the 'ocean of knowledge' and imbibe the virtues and discard the vices often called 'poison'.

Orderly things become disorderly when not maintained or sustained and this is known as 'entropy'. The degradation of the environment is called 'physical entropy' and the impurification of the soul by the vices is called 'spiritual entropy'. This is the key to the understanding of the eternal world drama.The highest stage of purest civilisation exists when both humanity and the environment enjoyed the highest and perfect stage of purity, peace and prosperity. The lowest stage of purity is, when both humanity and the environment became degraded. The loss of purity of both the soul and the five elements reflected the equivalent accumulation of impurity, called "Maya". This is analogous to the two 'eternal and spiritual' laws of thermodynamics that state the world's energy resources is constant and any misuse becomes wastage that we called pollution or 'entropy'.

Festivals of Nav Ratri, Ram Leela, Dassehra and Diwali are celebrated during this period which reflect how the 'Shakti (the power' of the Goddesses) destroyed the 10 vices in ourselves. This period then ends in the celebration of Diwali. It is the memorial of light over darkness or good over evil.

The entire month of Kartik is similar to the, Christian 'Lent' or the Islamic month of fasting called Ramadan. Like “Lent and Ramadan” the deep spiritual significance of fasting in the month of Kartik is symbolic of the purification of humanity and the environment. Kartik represents the purification of all souls and the five elements. Therfore, taking bath in the river Holy Ganges or the ocean (called 'Kartik Snaan') is in reality to bathe in the 'Ocean of knowledge' or 'Ganges of knowledge' to cleanse the soul of all the impurities or 'entropy' accumulated over time. Diwali is symbolic of conquest of 'light over darkness' with the 'ocean of knowledge' is called the 'dance of knowledge', also called the 'dance of Shiva' or 'Naturaja'. The cooperation of the elements to cleanse themselves through floods, hurricanes, earthquakes and fires is the 'cosmic dance' also called the 'dance of Shiva'.

And finally, 30 days and several holy festivals during the month of Kartik may be aptly be compared to the holy rosary studded with impeccable beads of festivals radiating with effulgence of sublime legends. Through this, only one string of thought runs, namely, the eternal victory of truth and goodness over evil, and the unity of mankind through Universal Love.

Bhagwad Gita: What it means

"I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisance unto him”
(Arjun to Lord Krishna)

My personal reflection: To see someone suffering is not uncommon, most of us are, in some way or the other are suffering. However, a few amongst us are blessed. Blessed, to inquire about their position, as to what they are, why they are put into this awkward position and so on. If one is awakened to this position of questioning his suffering, if one realizes that he doesn’t want suffering but rather wants to find a solution to this question, it makes no difference whether he is born as human or otherwise. Humanity begins when this inquiry is sprung in ones mind. . Therefore those who begin to question, why they are suffering or where they came from and where they shall go after death are proper students for understanding Bhagavad-Gita

What the Bhagavad-Gita and its real purpose? Every living creature faces difficulty in so many ways. Arjun represents a common man in difficulty, real doubts and fear in his mind in the Battle of Kurukshetra (life). Arjun surrendered unto Lord Krishna (Creator). What Lord Krishna said to Arjun to clear his mind of doubt and fear was called Bhagavad-Gita. Every one of us represents Arjun; every one of us is full of anxieties. The origin of this fear, anxiety and doubts is our very existence our material world.

The essence of Gita can be put in one simple sentence "Our Eternal Existence is in the Atmosphere of Nonexistence" .

This is also the essence of Vedic wisdom. Gita helps us to understand this essence and thus becomes as the most important Upanishads in Vedic literature.

Bhagavad-Gita is best understood by a person who has qualities, similar to Arjun’s i.e. he must be in synchrony and a devotee with a direct relationship with the Supreme Being "the creator", as Arjun was. He need not be Hindu, Christian, Muslim etc., he can be in synchrony with the supreme being in any of its many forms. A devotee can be in a relationship with the Supreme Creator in one of five different ways:
• In a passive state;
• In an active state;
• As a friend; (this was Arjun’s state)
• As a parent;
• As a conjugal lover (Meera Bai).

Arjun was in a relationship with the Lord as friend. However, this was not the kind of friendship as we normally see around us. It was transcendental friendship. It is true that every one of us has a relationship with the Supreme Creator. However, in the present status of our life, not only have we have forgotten the Supreme Creator but have also forgotten our eternal relationship with the Him.

After hearing Bhagavad-Gita from "the Supreme Creator ", Arjun accepted Lord Krishna as Param Brahma, the Supreme Brahman. It is important to understand that every living being is a "Brahman", but "the Supreme Creator ", is the Supreme Brahman. He is the supreme rest or abode of everything; He is pure, untainted by material contamination; He is the supreme enjoyer; original; transcendental; the unborn; and the greatest.
Bhagavad-Gita should be taken up in a spirit of devotion. Unless one reads the Bhagavad-Gita in that spirit, it is difficult to understand this great mystery. The sincere student should also have a firm respect for “the supreme creator”, as we observe in Arjun.

Here are some famous personalities comments, who read and understood Gita. I have also selected and provided links of the works of these personalities. This will help you explore you more about them and their works ...May this encourage you all, to read and understand Bhagavad-Gita, more.....Nirmal Gupta

(Mahatma Gandhi with J L Nehru)

Mahatma Gandhi said: When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and I see not one ray of hope on the horizon, I turn to Bhagavad-Gita and find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those who meditate on the Gita will derive fresh joy and new meanings from it every day. Wish I knew more of Gandhi

Jawahar Lal Nehru (1st prime minister of India) said: The Bhagavad-Gita deals essentially with the spiritual foundation of human existence. It is a call of action to meet the obligations and duties of life; yet keeping in view the spiritual nature and grander purpose of the universe. Wish I knew more of Nehru, Awaken to Freedom: Speech by Nehru

(Albert Einstein with Rabindranath Tagore)

Albert Einstein said: When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this universe everything else seems so superfluous. Einstein's religous thesis By Mark Hawthorn

Dr. Albert Schweitzer said: The Bhagavad-Gita has a profound influence on the spirit of mankind by its devotion to God which is manifested by actions. Nobel Prize acceptance speech, Declaration of Conscience speech, Greatest work of Albert Schweitzer "Reverence for Life"

Carl Gustav Jung said: The idea that man is like unto an inverted tree seems to have been current in by gone ages. The link with "Vedic" conceptions is provided by Plato in his "Timaeus" in which it states..." behold we are not an earthly but a heavenly plant." This correlation can be discerned by what Krishna expresses in chapter 15 of Bhagavad-Gita. Wish I knew more about Carl Jung

Herman Hess said: The marvel of the Bhagavad-Gita is its truly beautiful revelation of life's wisdom which enables philosophy to blossom into religion. Wish I knew more of Hess, Best work: Siddhartha, Siddhartha on wikipedia

Maharishi Aurobindo said: The Bhagavad-Gita is a true scripture of the human race a living creation rather than a book, with a new message for every age and a new meaning for every civilization. Wish I knew more about Aurobindo, Collective writings: India's Rebirth

Ralph Waldo Emerson said: I owed a magnificent day to the Bhagavad-Gita. It was the first of books; it was as if, an Empire spoke to us, nothing small or unworthy, but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an old intelligence which in another age and climate had pondered and thus disposed of the same questions which exercise us. Wish I knew more of Emerson, Biography and works

Henry David Thoreau said: In the morning, I bathe my intellect in the stupendous and cosmogonal philosophy of the Bhagavad-Gita, in comparison with which our modern world and its literature seem puny and trivial. Works of Thoreau, Biographical readings, Thoreau at Wikipedia

Rudolph Steiner said: In order to approach a creation as sublime as the Bhagavad-Gita with full understanding it is necessary to attune our soul to it. Wish I knew more of Steiner, Steiner at Wikipedia

Aldous Huxley said: The Bhagavad-Gita is the most systematic statement of spiritual evolution of endowing value to mankind. It is one of the most clear and comprehensive summaries of perennial philosophy ever revealed; hence its enduring value is subject not only to India but to all of humanity.Wish I knew more of Huxley, Best work: Brave New world, Biography and works
Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati said: The Bhagavad-Gita is not seperate from the Vaishnava philosophy and the Bhagavad Gita fully reveals the true import of this doctrine which is transmigration of the soul. On perusal of the first chapter of Bhagavad-Gita one may think that they are advised to engage in warfare. When the second chapter has been read, it can be clearly understood that knowledge and the soul is the ultimate goal to be attained. On studying the third chapter it is apparent that acts of righteousness are also of high priority. If we continue and patiently take the time to complete the Bhagavad-Gita and try to ascertain the truth of its closing chapter we can see that the ultimate conclusion is to relinquish all the conceptualized ideas of religion which we possess and fully surrender directly unto the Supreme Lord. Wish I knew more about Saraswati

Madhavacharya said: The Mahabharata has all the essential ingredients necessary to evolve and protect humanity and that within it the Bhagavad-Gita is the epitome of the Mahabharata just as pollen is the essence of flowers. Wish I knew more of Acharaya

Srinivasa Ramanujam said: The Bhagavad-Gita was spoken by Lord Krishna to reveal the science of devotion to God which is the essence of all spiritual knowledge. The Supreme Lord Krishna's primary purpose for descending and incarnating is relieve the world of any demoniac and negative, undesirable influences that are opposed to spiritual development, yet simultaneously it is His incomparable intention to be perpetually within reach of all humanity. Wish I knew more of this great Indian mathematician

( I acknowledge my sincere and profound gratitude to all the resources on the internet, books and articles which have helped me to prepare this write-up on Bhagavad Gita)

Kali or Prakarti (Last of Dasha Avatar’s) Vs Darwin’s Theory of Evolution: Relevance Today

In Indian Vedic mythology, the legend of the Avatar (incarnation) is an important myth. It believes in the Hindu trinity, which includes Vishnu (preserver), Brahma (creator) and Mahesh or Shiva (destroyer). Vishnu is considered to an embodiment of goodness and mercy and periodically intervenes in terrestrial evolution by descending to earth in a human incarnation as the Avatar. The primary role of the Avatar is to re-establish stability and order on the earth and to introduce a new evolutionary impulse which will uplift mankind into a greater and more unified consciousness. These incarnations manifest themselves at particular points in the cosmic cycle corresponds to the earth's passage through the evolutionary ages.

In Gita, the 8th Avatar Krishna reveals this cosmic process,

"Whenever the world will decline in virtue and righteousness; and vice and injustice mount the throne, then I, the Lord will come and revisit my world in visible form, and mingle amongst you as a man with men, and by my influence and teachings do I will destroy the evil and injustice. I will then reestablish virtue and righteousness. Many times have I thus appeared, and many times hereafter shall I come again?"

Dasha Avatar’s of Vishnu are noted in “Garud Puran”. They are as follows;

Sat Yug:
1. Matsya (fish)
2. Kurma (tortoise)
3. Varaha (boar)
4. Narasimha (half-man/half-lion)

Treta Yug:
5. Vamana (dwarf)
6. Parashurama (Saint Ram)
7. Ram (Sri Ram Chandra of Ayodhya)

Dwapar Yug:
8. Krishna (dark coloured) along with his brother Balram*.

*According to the Bhagavat Purana Balram as a descent of Anant Shesh-Nag. He is also counted as an avatar of Vishnu by the majority of Vaishnav movements and is included as the 9th of 10 incarnations in some versions of the list which contain no reference to Buddha.
*The ninth incarnation is under great debate. Some say it was Buddha and others say before the Krishna avatar came that of Balram, the elder brother of Krishna.

Kal Yug:
9. Gautama Buddha or Siddharth (enlightened one').
10. Kali ("Eternity", or "time", “Prakarti” or "The Destroyer of evil"), is expected to appear at the end of Kal Yuga, the time period in which we currently exist. This will end in the year 428899 CE.

Although the legends of incarnations like all myths, appear prophetic. It appears to incarnations as conscious evolutionary force. This conscious evolutionary force take form of living being (incarnation or Avatar) on the earth at a precise moments in order to help us to steer us from our ordinary mortal state to a more enlightened consciousness of that time.

All Dasha Avatar’s in the ten incarnations bear a strange similarity to steps The Darwin's theory of evolution.

Darwin says; from the invertebrates came fish, from fishes evolved Amphibians and from Amphibians evolved Reptiles. Reptiles in turn developed into two separate classes the Aves (or the birds) and lastly the Mammals. Man is until now the most evolved mammal and is the final step in evolution. This theory was based on the principle of the survival of the fittest.

If we look carefully, the ten manifestations of Lord Vishnu (known as Dasha Avatars), theory of evolution follows these Dasha Avatar’s in a very subtle manner.

1. The life started in water from, the earliest known life on the earth. From there the progress was made to “The Fish” (Matsya, the 1st avatar).
2. Then came a life sustaining not only in water but progressed to some extent on land (as an amphibian), Tortoise (Kurma, the 2nd avatar).
3. Amphibians then evolved into animals, the Boar (Varaha, the 3rd avatar).
4. The animal progressed to half-human in the shape of Half lion + half-human (Nara-Simha, the 4th avatar)
5. Evolution progressed further from half human to full human shape. The next avatar was that of a Dwarf (Vamana, the 5th avatar).
6. It is but natural that Dwarf will progress to a full human, a man without control, with a wavering mind, and acting without reasons (Parasuram, the 6th avatar).
7. Gradually the man became more and more perfect. Always giving importance to the penance than the pleasure ever respecting the gurus and the elders and remaining dutiful to others wherever he was (Sri Ram, the 7th avatar).
8. Finally a perfect human form emerged with cleverness and ability to think and win. A person of great intelligence, who will take decisions to suit the situation, ready to fight, ready to mediate, and ready to love and ready to be loved, when required (Krishna, the 8th avatar).
9. Tranquility, submission, passion for peace is the next step from practicality to perfection (Gautam Buddha, the 9th avatar).
10. If there is a cycle it has to end at some time, so that it can start again. Kali, they say will come to destroy the world. So that evolution can take place again. (The 10th avatar)

Thus it appears that Darwin’s theory (published as a book "Origin of Species" in 1859) is indeed the modern interpretation of the Indian myth of “Dasha Avatar”. It is remarkable that Vishnu's 10 incarnations were written thousands of years before Darwin's theory of evolution, and even before modern scientific processes were evolved.

Similarities between Dasha Avatars’ and Darwin's theory of evolution:

According to the evolution theory of Darwin, some 4 billion years ago some microorganisms took the shape of amoeba (microscopic unicellular protozoa). Some 600 million years ago all the plants, trees, worms and animals were evolved. Indian mythological scriptures say, life form (1st Avatar) came in the form of Fish (Matsya) this suggests that the Earth was probably filled completely with water at some time of its creation, and we know today, that it was the case. Presence of water is also the first thing that we are look for in other planets to find any life in our solar system.

The fundamental basis of Darwin’s theory is evolution: Fish or aquatic animals, when developed a need to breathe outside water, they developed a lung-like structure and became frogs (an amphibian). From amphibians developed reptiles like lizards, snakes and crocodiles. The Reptiles in turn gave rise to two separate classes the Aves (or the birds) and the Mammals. And mammals are the final step in evolution. This theory was based on the principle of the survival of the fittest.

The evolution of man is described in several steps. First man was short, and then he evolved into something like the Stone Age man (intelligent but imperfect in the form of Rawan and asur). It then reached perfection in the form of Sri Ram, who also destroyed imperfect Rawan and asur and established the rule of brotherhood and law. The degradation of majority (100 Kaurav’s vs. 5 Pandav’s) minority started in Treta Yug. Krishna with Balram incarnated (evolved) to tame the forces of the evil. Krishna once again reminded the mankind, the laws of life for the future generations in the form of “Gita”.

Evolutionary steps described by Darwin and those found in Indian mythological scriptures bear striking similarities undoubtedly validate Darwin's theory. The half man half lion can be considered an intermediate step in the evolution suggesting the need for the human brain. What we have seen in the past we are seeing today, righteousness is a virtue that carries little meaning in the present world. We are in the beginning of the Kal Yug (Period between the 9th and 10th incarnations-Buddha and Kali).

Now the last incarnation will be, the Kali “the Prakarti” or Mother Nature with which we are playing childishly (green house effect due to emissions, soil erosion, and destruction of forests and extinctions of animals) will one day destroy everything. This we are already beginning to see. The Ice caps are melting; water level in the seas is rising. Islands are submerging. Floods, droughts, typhoons and hurricanes is now an everyday story.

Today, the way we are playing with nature and the way it has already started to behave is a clear indication of what is going to be in the end. Man is the most powerful of all evolutionary creations and therefore God will not take another animal form. For the Kali “Prakarti” to reestablish in order in the end (dharma over the evil forces), Mother Nature or Kali has to himself assume a formidable form in the form of the tenth or Kali avatar, yet to be born.

" HAPPY DUSSEHRA"

Celebrate the victory of the forces of good over Evil and celebrate an auspicious day to begin new things in life. " HAPPY DUSSEHRA" Nirmal Gupta

What is the relevance of Dussehra? Does the story of Lord Ram’s and Mahishasuramardini’s victory make any sense in today's time and world? Further, we wonder what our life is all about, sandwiched, between frightening reality and outdated mythology.

To me, Dussehra celebration brings a sense of hope and resurgence. Although, Dussehra rituals, celebrations and mythological stories serve as entertainment to most of us but the message to be conveyed through them, is far more intense. Vijaya Dasami is a day of learning. Right knowledge can erase suffering, and that is how every beginning should be made with learning. I think that is why we worship Lord Ganesha (the God of God's and God of Learning) before any new begining is made. On this day we worship books and writing material in our home. I have seen this taking place in my home, since my childhood. My forefathers came from Rajasthan, we therefore also have a tradition of worshiping, weapons that we have at home. I presume it is also symbolic of worshiping the "weapon of knowledge" to destroy the "evil of ignorance".

The legend of Mahishasuramardini forms the basis for all Kali Puja. There was once a wicked demon called Mahishasura, no one could vanquish him, even the gods failed. Then they looked towards goddess Durga and lent her their prowess in addition to her own, to succeed in her task. The legend says that when goddess Mahishasuramardini was trying to vanquish the demon, each time a drop of blood spilt on to the ground; a thousand new demons were created. Therefore the challenge the goddess faced was to kill without shedding blood. Does it go to warn that each drop of blood shed is only going to thirst for more, like the multiplier effect? The message here is; violence to destroy the evil is not the solution" because violence begets violence which ultimately brings destruction. What we seeing toady around the world and in India is the testimony of this fact. We must try to destroy the evil with knowledge and wisdom and not by shedding blood.

The story of Ram’s victory and Ravan’s defeat in the epic “Ramayan” also carries a message. it is worth recollecting a telling passage where Sita warns Ravan that posterity would jeer at him as a man who had lost his senses, ‘‘when the king lacks discipline, the kingdoms come to ruin, for the fault of a single man like you, this city of grandeur will perish’’. In Ram’s victory, there is the victory of good. Nothing survives against good.

An interesting story is told about the beginning of creation. Vishnu is said to have assumed the form of a child and as he lay on a fig-leaf he wondered who he was, what he had to do now.

A voice said, ‘‘sarvam khalvidamevaham, nanyadasti sanatanam’’ meaning “all that is, I am. There is nothing eternal but me”.

Meditating upon this, Lord Vishnu saw Devi. She was attended upon by powers like Buddhi (intelligence), Mati (mind), Kirti (reputation), Dhrti (capacity to understand), Smrti (memory), Sraddha (dedication), Medha (prowess), Rati (sensuousness), Bhuti (riches), Daya (compassion), Gati (momentum), Tusti (satisfaction), Pust (growth) and Ksama (Forgiveness). These are the qualities that one worships these nine days.

Today is the day of affirmation. A day of re-energizing these qualities and testifying to the victory of good over evil. Such dedication can defeat the most dangerous of enemy and evil force.

My first day at clinical posting’s (July 10th 1978): Practical Lecture on Life and Death

At this very moment there are more than 6.7 billion humans inhabiting this planet (Source: World Population Clock). All of us have seen life and death at some or the other times. I hate to say this, but when (I was 9 years) “I chose to be a doctor” till then I had seen no death (at least one, which I had understood or the one which had affected me) and I thought being a doctor meant, only life-giver. and; a heart surgeon! Sure was one most definitively a very glamorous life-giver, of my fantasy land.

It was a very hot and humid day on July 10^th 1978; my first day at the clinical posting’s, in one of the operation rooms (there was no air-conditioning in those days, even in the OT’s) at the Women’s Hospital of my medical college, at Gwalior. The first day was very exciting, as I watched life being delivered from a mother’s womb, surgically. It was extremly “moving magical moment….a life was born” and there was nothing but happiness around us. Outside, we could hear the cheers of the family. Anesthetist announced the time of birth and was noted by a nurse, it was exactly 12.00 noon.

As our group of five watched, Miss A nudged with her elbow Miss D, standing by her side, to remind us all to leave now for our journey back to medical college for the afternoon lecture. As we came out of the OT, taking-off our OT shirts that we wore as our only OT dress, jubilant father waiting outside the OT, was already distributing sweets. He immediately rushed to open a new box of sweets for us. I am sure, he must have mistaken us as junior doctors!!!! attending to his wife inside, and thus owing his solemn duty to respect and share his happiness with us all.

This celebration of life was soon over as I walked back alone (girls had their Luna-motorized bicycle) to the main medical college for a formal lecture in pharmacology by Prof. H. I had only walked 30 meters of the 2 Kms. jouney when I saw one of my senior, Dr S (I knew him because he had ragged me when I was selected to the college) rushing into the so called “TB hospital” I knew instantly that he was going to attend some emergency. I really got excited. I thought it would be nice, if I could see one more “live-action” today, having already celebrated and enjoyed “one live birth”, few moments ago, by Dr (Mrs) T. I could feel that juvenile rush of blood in my head in that excitement. I immediately took the right turn and began following Dr S. Dr S crossed the corridor and pass-by an old woman leaning over the door and coughing, incessantly. Ignoring everybody, he literally started running and shouting “Ramesh” and “Gulla” repeatedly, probably attendants or male nurses of that ward (at least they were important names, at that time). Any way, I followed my senior to the end of the next room until I reached and stood behind Dr S near bed no. 49. A thin and dark skin man in his 30’s, lay on his side with his right arm dangling on the floor and a large amount of bright blood frothy sputum spluttered around him. I had doubt, if the man was breathing, but Dr S immediately turned him flat on his bed and asked for "Injection Coramine"!.

I knew now that the matter was serious, because I had seen in movies that only hero’s and heroines lived after getting injection of Coramine!!! No one else did. Villain never was even considered for this miracle injection, he was simply left to die. To my utter surprise, Dr S stabbed the injection straight through the front of his chest, into one of his heart chambers. I was by now had forgotten my class of pharmacology and that I am a student and not a doctor. I thought, my duty to help this extremely competent; life-giver senior (Dr S) hoping that he will also let me join him in his endeavors. I could even remembered and imagined at that time, of Dr Kotnis my ideal, which had a great influence on me and probably was, responsible for me pursuing my medical studies.

What happened sir, why are you leaving? I asked Dr S who has just turned his back soon after giving that injection, as if that turn around was also part of the treatment. Dr S calmly confirmed and declared solemnly, that the patient “Sanatan” was dead anyway.

I looked at my wrist; the watch was showing 2.40 PM. Birth at 12.00 and death at 3.00. A young frail woman of 24-25 years standing near the bed, with a small baby hanging by her side started sobbing, very quietly and gently. Every other person in the ward looked emotion free, including Ramesh and Gulla. I resumed my meditative walk, back to the medical college hoping to attend the last lecture of the day “Pathology lecture” not knowing, if I will be able to reach in time to be allowed to enter the lecture theatre.

On my way back I thought; if I had missed my two formal lectures today or had the opportunity to attend “two real lectures on life and death”.

* First initial is used in place of first name of all doctors/ students at that time to hide their identity. (I do not hold their permission to make their names public).

Find Your Doubts Melt Away: One of Mahatma Gandhi's last note

Today is Mahatma Gandhij's 140th birthday. He was born on 2nd October 1869 in the state of Gujrat to Karamchand Gandhi and Putali Bai. Last night before leaving my hospital, I watched CNN in my office for a while where the news of $700 billion bail-out debate and financial turmoil across the world markets were prominently flashing. Following thoughts crossed my mind whilst driving back home....

A state, somewhere between belief and disbelief is the state of doubtfulness; whether it exists in an individual, society, a nation or in this world. World is created by nations, which are created by societies. Individuals create societies and therefore, their mutual existence is so intricately intertwined that a state of doubt in a single individual will affect the will of a nation or this world (however, miniscule or invisible it may be). This may delay or sometimes even reject a relevant action out of concerns for its appropriateness or mistake. What we are seeing around us, are the effects of this, whether it is "a nuclear bill in the Indian parliament", "decision on subsidies to farmers and poor at Davos economic summit", "question of unemployed youth across the world" or latest being "the financial bailout bill in the US senate". Doubts amongst us and between us, has led to delays, inadequate and sometimes even, rejected right actions. I wish every one of us when in doubt "applies" the following formula given by Mahatma Gandhi which he called "talisman (magic)".

Following is one of his last thought (Jan 1948, a cuople of his days before his assasination), I post it for you to gain from it........ Nirmal Gupta

"Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man or woman whom you may have seen, and ask yourself;

• If the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her.
  
• Will he or she gain anything by it?
  
• Will it restore him or her to a control over his or her own life and destiny? In other words,
• Will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spirituality to starving millions?
  

...............Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."

*One of the last notes left behind by Mahatma Gandhi in 1948, expressing his deepest social thought. Source: Mahatma Gandhi [Last Phase, Vol. II, Page. 65].

A verse from Gitanjali: Rabindranath Tagore

This morning when I wokeup I did not have sufficient time to work on the medical textbook that I am authoring. I therefore, decided to go through Rabindranath Tagore's "Gitanjali" which I bought when I was 14 years old and lived in Hoshangabad (M.P.). Following is the vesre that I read this morning, I share with you... Nirmal Gupta

"When I bring to you coloured toys, my child, I understand why there is such a play of colours on clouds, on water, and why flowers are painted in tints---when I give coloured toys to you, my child.

When I sing to make you dance, I truly know why there is music in leaves, and why waves send their chorus of voices to the heart of the listening earth---when I sing to make you dance.

When I bring sweet things to your hands I know why there is honey in the cup of the flowers and why fruits are secretly filled with sweet juice---when I bring sweet things to your hands.

When I kiss on your forehead to make you smile, my darling, I surely understand what pleasure streams from the sky in morning light, and what delight that is which the summer breeze brings to my body---when I kiss you to make you smile.