Guru Jambheshwar’s teachings are Panacea to treat Global Warming: Dr. Harshvardhan

Guru Jambheshwar’s teachings are Panacea to treat Global Warming: Dr. Harshvardhan        

Environmentalists look towards the world oldest ecologist community- The Bishnoi Samaj to conserve mother nature 

New Delhi, 18-4-2017: In association with Hindi Department, Delhi University, Jambhani Sahitya Academy – a literary wing of Bishnoi Samaaj is organising  a two days Seminar which commenced  today.  The seminar was inaugrated by Dr. Harshvardhan, Hon’ble Union Minister for Science & Technology & Earth Sciences and Shri P.P. Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Law & Justice; Electronics & Information Technology. The topic of the seminar is “Bhakti Andolan and the Relevance of Guru Jambheshwar’s teachings in today’s context”.

Addressing the environmentalists across globe, Dr. Harshvardhan, Hon’ble Union Minister for Science & Technology & Earth Sciences said, “The teachings of Guru Jambheshwar are more relevant today than ever before. The solutions to the problems, which not only India but the entire world is grappling with, lies in the teachings given by Guru Jambheshwar. Today, there are so many researches happening across globe but Guru Jambheshwar was the one who had first propagated thoughts and ideas to conserve the environment and also presented a 29 point solution towards the same. Any person who believes in and follows 29 rules of Guru Jambheshwar is a true Bishnoi. Considering the threat of increasing Global warming, it is essential to follow the path of Bishnoism. A city like Delhi wouldn’t have been severely affected by pollution, had we taken Guru Jambheshwar’s teaching in account.”

Shri P.P. Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Law & Justice; Electronics & Information Technology said, “if we had taken steps to include Guru Jambheshwar’s biography and messages in the curriculum taught in schools, we would have been in a better envoironment. Guru Jabhaveshwar’s teachings are not only about Values & Moral Education but also ranges from daily personal hygiene to nature conservation at large. It lies upon pure logic and is completely scientific. It is sad that in our academic text books there is no mention about the great and one of its kind ultimate scarifies that 363 Bishnois did in 1730.”

Shri Acharya Devvrat, Hon’ble Governor, Himachal Pradesh, said “Many countries are conducting researches basis Guru Jabhaveshwar’s teachings. We should also look into this direction without further delay.”

Justice Shri Vijay Vishnoi, Rajasthan High Court appreciated the zeal of internationally renowned environmentalists Khamu Ram Bishnoi and Ranaram Bishnoi. He said that the Bishnoi youth is very talented and relentlessly pursues his goal. Guru Jabhaveshwar Ji created a simple and philanthropic code of life for every human being to transform daily routine in the art of living.

The other speakers at the conference were Shri Sumedhandan, MP, Sikar, Professor Ujho Kim from South Korea, Shri Madan Mohan Gupta. Mentors of Bishnoi community Shri Kuldeep Bishnoi and Shri Jaswant Singh Bishnoi also shared their views. On this occasion, 1500 people from Vishnoi Samaj from across the country gathered together. These included Shri Ajay Bishnoi, Former Minister, MP, Shri Pabaram Bishnoi, MLA, Shri Sukhram, MLA, Shri Ladhuram, Parliamentary Secretary, Shmt. Vijayalakshmi Bishnoi, Ex. MLA, Shri Hemant Bishnoi, Journalist.

Bhakti Andolan (movement) has traditionally been considered as an influential social reformation in Hinduism, and provides an individual-focussed alternative path to spirituality regardless of one’s caste of birth or gender. Guru Jambheshwar Ji Maharaj (Jambho Ji) founded Bishnoi Sect in 1485 which comprises everyone without discriminating on the basis of religion or caste. Jambho Ji preached that God is a divine power that is everywhere and in order to peacefully coexist with nature it is important to protect plants and animals. He established a set of 29 tenets, of these ten are directed towards personal hygiene and maintaining good basic health, seven for healthy social behaviour, and four tenets are related to the worship of God. Eight tenets have been prescribed to preserve bio-diversity and encourage good animal husbandry. These include a ban on killing animals and cutting green trees, and providing protection to all life forms. He created and sang many verses to make people aware about these tenets. These were contained in a document written in the Nagri script called ‘Shabdwani’.

Shri Anil Madhav Dave, Hon’ble Minister of State for Environment, Forests & Climate Change (Independent Charge) & Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Hon’ble Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs will share their views tomorrow at the closing session of the event.

Yesterday, another subsidiary of the Bishnoi community- Adarsh Navjyoti Vikas Sansthan took out an awareness campaign from Ramlila Maidan to Jantar Mantar. Led by internationally renowned environmentalists Khamu Ram Bishnoi & Rana Ram Bishnoi, more than 250 international & national environmentalists participated in the march. They also carried out a marathon 6 hours cleanliness drive at Jantar Mantar.

Khamu Ram Bishnoi has dedicated his life to protect the landscapes and the animals who are susceptible to consume or feed on plastic bags. As one of his contributions to eradicate pollution, he has been collecting plastic & garbage in India. He installs mobile dustbins made of jute bags in public places, during festivals, pilgrimages, and organizes their collection. Khamu Ram also educates the masses about alternatives to plastic bags. He is a recipient of more than 50 international & national awards that includes the “Extraordinary man in India” award.

Ranaram Bishnoi is a 70-year-old environmentalist of Ekalkhori village near Jodhpur, Rajsthan. He initiated planting trees in the desert and dry area near his village. He planted over 27,000 trees in 25 bigha land with a large earthen pitcher single-handedly. He is known as “tree-man” by the people of the area. He walks 3 km to reach the dune from his house. Defying his age he climbs it, goes down the other side to get the water from his friend’s tubewell and comes back. He has successfully planted indigenous varieties of trees such as Neem, Rohida, Fig, Khejri, Kankeri, Babool and Bougainvillea in arid lands.

Bishnoi community is an extraordinary community, who for ages has protected the ecology. Since the 15th century, their faith aims at living in symbiosis with nature. The killing of animals on their territory is punished by law. They leave 10% of their plantations for wild animals to feed on. The community never cuts green trees. In 1730, the maharaja of Jodhpur required wood for the construction of his new palace. Men were sent to cut trees in the nearby region of Khejarli, filled with the large number of trees. When a young Bishnoi lady Amrita Devi came to know about it, she rallied along with other Bishnois and they opposed the king’s men. 363  Bishnois died saving the Khejarli trees. And their insurrection caused the maharaja to create a legislation protecting the Bishnoi territory. It was a first of its kind protest which later became an inspiration for the famous Chipko Andolan.

French photographer Frank Vogel has worked extensively with the Bishnoi for the last ten years. To learn more about the Bishnoi culture click below to view his report “The Bishnoi, the first ecologists”:

http://www.franckvogel.com/fr/photo/portfolio/reportage/bishnoi/bishnoi.htm