~*~Journey of Indian Republic~*~

Journey of Indian Republic

58 years back, a salute of 21 guns and the unfurling of the Indian National flag by Dr. Rajendra Prasad heralded the historic birth of the Indian Republic on January 26, 1950; 894 days after our country became a dominion following withdrawal of British Rule. Since then, every year the day is celebrated with great pride and happiness all over the nation. The transition of India from a British colony to a sovereign, secular, and democratic nation was indeed historical. It was a long journey of around two decades that started with the conceptualization of the dream in 1930 to its actual realization in 1950. A look into the journey that led to the birth of Indian Republic will make our celebrations more meaningful.  


 
Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress 

The seeds of a republican nation were sowed at the Lahore session of the Indian National Congress at the midnight of 31st December 1929. The session was held under the presidency of Pt. Jawarhar Lal Nehru. Those present in the meeting took a pledge to mark January 26 as "Independence Day" in order to march towards realizing the dream of complete independence from the British. The Lahore Session paved way to the Civil Disobedience movement. It was decided that January 26, 1930 would be observed as the Purna Swaraj (complete Independence) Day. Many Indian political parties and Indian revolutionaries from all over the country united to observe the day with honour and pride.
Indian Constituent Assembly Meetings 

The Indian Constituent Assembly, which was constituted as a result of the negotiations between the Indian leaders and members of the British Cabinet Mission, had its first meeting on December 9, 1946. The Objective of the Assembly was to give India a constitution, which would serve a lasting purpose and hence appointed a number of committees to thoroughly research the various aspects of the proposed constitution. The recommendations were discussed, debated and revised many times before the Indian Constitution was finalized and officially adopted three years later on November 26, 1949. 
Constitution came into force 

Though India became a free nation on August 15, 1947, it enjoyed the true spirit of Independence on January 26, 1950 when the Constitution of India finally came into force. The Constitution gave the citizens of India the power to govern themselves by choosing their own government. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, took oath as the first President of India at the Durbar Hall in the Government House and this was followed by the Presidential drive along a five-mile route to the Irwin Stadium, where he unfurled the National Flag. 
Ever since the historic day, January 26 is celebrated with festivities and patriotic fervor all around the country. The day owes its importance to the constitution of India that was adopted on this day. On this Republic Day, read what the great Constitution of India, that propounds liberal democracy, has in its store. Let's also feel proud in pronouncing what the Preamble to our Constitution says.

 
 Did you know?
 With 395 Articles and eight Schedules, the Indian Constitution is the largest written constitution in the world.


 
Quotes
Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of Independent India, in his special message to his countrymen, on the birth of the Indian Republic, said: 

"We must re-dedicate ourselves on this day to the peaceful but sure realization of 
the dream that had inspired the Father of our Nation and the other captains and 
soldiers of our freedom struggle, the dream of establishing a classless, 
co-operative, free and happy society in 'his country'. We must remember 
that this is more a day of dedications than of rejoicing - dedication to t
he glorious task of making the peasants and workers the toilers and 
the thinkers fully free, happy and cultured."  

C. Rajagopalachari, His Excellency the Governor-General in a broadcast talk from the Delhi 
Station of All-India Radio on Jan 26, 1950 said: 

"On the eve of my laying down office, with the inauguration of the Republic, I 
should like to tender my greetings and best wishes to the men and women of India 
who will henceforth be a citizen of a republic. I feel deeply thankful for the affection 
showered on me by all sections of the people, which alone enabled me to hear 
the burden of an office to the duties and conventions of which I had been 
an utter stranger."

~*~Take some time to......~*~

4-Are we friendly with our life?

How to make compost

Making and using compost is the cornerstone of organic gardening.

The finished product is rich, dark, crumbly and sweet-smelling. It is made of recycled garden and kitchen waste, and can also include paper products. It is used to feed and condition the soil and in making potting mixes. Around 40 per cent of the average dustbin contents are suitable for home-composting so it helps cut down on landfill too.

Making compost is often considered to be complex but all you need to do is provide the right ingredients and let nature do the rest – however, a little know-how will help you make better compost, more efficiently.


Where do I make my compost?

There are a variety of bins on the market but they are all just a container for the composting process. A bin is not strictly necessary – you can just build a heap and cover it over with some polythene or cardboard. However, bins do look neater and are easier to manage. You can build your own, buy one from any number of suppliers, including The Organic Gardening Catalogue, or get one cheaply from your local council – contact the Waste and Recycling Department at your local council for more information or visit the recycle now website: www.recyclenow.com

Garden Organic members can find out about making or buying a compost bin or box in our factsheets:

  * Building a Compost Box
  * Buying a Compost Box

Access to these factsheets requires members' password.
Find out more about Garden Organic membership here.

The ideal compost bin is:

  * easily accessible
  * has no gaps in the sides and may be insulated with cardboard or straw
  * has a lid or cover

And is located:

  * in a sunny or semi-shaded position
  * directly on the soil or turf

  * away from water-courses

What can I compost?

  * Anything that was once living will compost, but some items are best avoided. Meat, dairy and cooked food can attract vermin and should not be home-composted.
  * For best results, use a mixture of types of ingredient. The right balance is something learnt by experience, but a rough guide is to use equal amounts by volume of greens and browns (see below).
  * Some things, like grass mowings and soft young weeds, rot quickly. They work as 'activators', getting the composting started, but on their own will decay to a smelly mess.
  * Older and tougher plant material is slower to rot but gives body to the finished compost - and usually makes up the bulk of a compost heap. Woody items decay very slowly; they are best chopped or shredded first, where appropriate.

Compost ingredients
'Greens' or nitrogen rich ingredients
Grass cuttings

  * Urine (diluted with water 20:1)
  * Comfrey leaves
  * Nettles

  * Grass cuttings

Continue..................

~*~Happy New year~*~

2008 is going to finish

Now, we need to face 2009

There may be risks involved

We may need to face roadblocks

So stay alert

Share time with friends

Jump over obstacles

With care

And caution

Face challenges

Remember to laugh

Cooperate

Discover

Make new friends

Above all…be ready for adventure

Stick together

And you will be able to go far

Very far…..

Well, not quite that far….

Always take time to smell the flowers

Don’t forget to relax and enjoy

And don’t forget those who likes you very much Happy new year-2009 wishes

~*~Happy New Year~*~

H I T   I M A G E

3-Are we friendly with our life?

Travel smart

Hotels that Help

With Check Out for Nature you and every guest staying at a Leading Hotel of the World have the opportunity to make a real difference for our planet.
Whether you go to the beaches of the Mediterranean or the pristine landscape of the Arctic, how you travel can have a huge impact on the environment.

  * Make tourism and conservation compatible - the money you spend on your trip helps determine the development and direction of tourism. Use your money to support reputable, 
  conservation-minded tour operators and suppliers.
  * Learn about the culture and customs of the areas you will visit before you go.
  * Visit parks and nature reserves - visitor demand and tourist expenditures support existing protected areas and can lead to the protection of additional nature. 
  Get any necessary permits before visiting nature reserves or other protected areas. Leave these areas as you found them and do not disturb the wildlife there.
  * View and photograph wildlife from a distance and remember that in the optimal wildlife viewing experience, the animal never knew you were there. Suppress 
  the natural temptation to move too close and respect signs of distress such as alarm calls, distraction displays, laid-back ears, and raised hair.
  * Respect the environment, stay on trails during hikes, do not remove plants or feed animals, and never litter. At the sea do not take any corals, shells, dried fish, 
  starfish, sea-fans and other marine souvenirs - removal can seriously disrupt ecosystems. Navigation in reef water needs special care - do not anchor on reefs 
  which can be easily damaged.
  * Reduce your air travel
  When you travel to your holiday destination by plane you are contributing to significant emissions of climate change causing carbon dioxide. Take vacations nearer to home, 
  or get there by other forms of transport such as train, bus or boat. If you have to fly, consider buying carbon offsets to compensate for the emissions caused by your flight.
  * Reduce your car use - choose other ways to get around like trains, buses or bikes. Share taxis and take shuttles to and from the airport. Check out tips on how you can save fuel, 
  money and help nature!
  * Respect local culture, traditions and religious places. Insensitive behaviour such as taking photographs of people without their consent, or failure to observe local customs, 
  can cause offence.
  * Conserve water - take showers rather than baths, and use a refillable water container, sterilising water when necessary, rather than buying bottled water.
  * Limit energy use, including your use of air conditioning and hot water. Turn off all lights and taps when you leave hotel rooms.
  * Minimise your use of personal care products and detergents to wash linen, and reuse your hotel towels and bed-linen. Dispose of sanitary waste properly. 
  Don't flush cotton buds, condoms, tampons and plastics down the toilet - or you might just find them on the beach next time you visit.
  * Reduce the impact of your recreational activities by avoiding sports which have a significant harmful impact on the environment or choose more progressive 
  establishments (e.g golf courses which recycle water).
  * Recycle newspapers, magazines and your beverage containers (many can be returned for refunds), and reduce the number of bags, napkins and disposable cups you use 
  when you eat fast food.
  * Choose lodgings that have effective waste treatment systems, that recycle, that are energy efficient, and, where possible, that use environmentally friendly energy sources 
  such as solar energy or hydroelectric power.
  * Respect rules and regulations, pay attention to signals and behave responsibly (e.g do not light fires where it is forbidden).
  * Say "No" to Bad Souvenirs
  Some souvenirs could end up costing a lot more than you paid for them.
  Think twice before you buy any products made from any endangered species, including animal hides and body parts, tortoise-shell, ivory, or coral - they could be illegal.

Out shopping

Shopping bag
Be demanding
If organic items or eco-labelled goods are not available from your local shops, ask for them.
Businesses do listen to their customers. We have the power to change the selection of products that are available to us. So make shop managers aware of your demand for eco-friendly products.

  * Take your own bags to the shops to carry home your groceries and shopping.
  * Look for products that have less packaging.
  * Buy organically grown fruits, vegetables, cotton clothing, and hemp-fibre products.
  * Don't buy bottled water if you know your tap water is safe - transporting water from its source to the supermarket shelves is an expensive waste of energy. And the plastic and glass bottles 
  add to the already-high mountains of rubbish that we produce. Find out from your municipality about your tap water. If you do buy bottled water, buy from a local source (read the labels) and 
  buy water that comes in recyclable glass or plastic.
  * Choose biodegradable cleaning products so that the chemicals have fewer negative impacts on the soil and water system.
  * Buy the most energy-efficient household appliances you can afford.
  * Use recycled paper.
   

In the garden

Careful Lighting at Night

Artificial lighting at night can significantly disturb and endanger certain nocturnal animals - including birds, turtles and reptiles.
But by using different light fittings, turning some lights off, or lowering their brightness - you can help minimise the impact we humans have.

What you can do:

  * Collect rainwater to water your flowers.
  * Let part of your garden grow freely and see what wild flowers appear.
  * Plant local species of trees.
  * Never take plants or pick flowers from anywhere in the wild.
  * Buy bulbs from cultivated stocks only (ask the shop or gardening centre for advice).
  * Stop using chemical pesticides - try to use natural products instead.
  * Try to attract birds to your garden as they eat aphids and other gardeners’ pests.
  * Use traps, parasites, and natural predators such as ladybirds.
  * Use plants that repel insects. Some herbs and flowers - including basil, chives, mint, marigolds, and chrysanthemums - mixed in with other plants, help keep pests away.
  * Use disease-resistant and pest-resistant plants.
  * Use Neem oil and mix it up with some garlic oil (which you can make it home) to spray on tree trunks and diseased plants and shrubs. This works like a charm on pests, bacteria and fungus.
  * Remove the weeds by spraying them with something to adjust the pH (acidity) in the ground around them. Perhaps use some vinegar directly on the most stubborn ones.
  * Use organic compost and mulch to improve soil health and reduce the need for pesticides and fertilizers.
  * Don't use peat in your flower beds and vegetable gardens (peat is taken from ancient bog land, destroying some of our most precious wildlife areas). Instead, make your own compost with grass clippings and vegetable scraps from the house.
  * Choose drought tolerant plants like Nepeta Six Hills Giant (Catmint). It looks like huge lavender flowers but uses very little water.
  * Pick only drought or Xeriscape friendly grass seeds that don't require as much as water to maintain.
  * Don't use electrical equipment like leaf-blowers as they consume so much energy for so little gain. Use a rake instead - it's better for your health too!
  * Never pour antifreeze, oil or other chemicals on the ground, into storm sewers or down the drain. Take these toxic substances to your local waste disposal facility.
  * Don't buy garden furniture or decking made of tropical hard wood - mahogany for example .
  * Take time out to sit out in your backyard with friends and family, and appreciate the beauty of nature!

Continue...........

2-Are we friendly with our life?

How you can help the environment in your daily life

At home, shopping or in the garden - you can make a difference.
Even the simplest everyday activities can make a real difference to the environment. So follow these simple tips and take action for our living planet.


In your home

* Turn off equipment like televisions and stereos when you're not using them. That little red standby light means they're still using power - and that means a contribution to global warming.
* Save water:
- turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.
- collect the water used to wash vegetables and salad to water your houseplants.
* Recycle your paper, glass, plastics and other waste. Call your local government to find out if they offer a collection service.
* Use rechargeable batteries.
* Send e-greetings instead of paper cards.
* Help reduce the world's rubbish dumps - don't use "throw-away" products like paper plates and napkins, and plastic knives, forks, and cups.

In the living room and bedroom

Avoid

* dry cleaning wherever possible
* synthetic carpets, carpet underlay or upholstery with synthetic foams, foam rubber, latex or plastic coverings, because these emit VOCs
* air fresheners, go for fresh air - open your windows! If you can’t do that, use natural odour eaters such as a bowl of baking soda, or natural fragrances such as potpourri

Buy

* carpets from organic natural fibres such as wool, cotton, rattan or jute
* machine washable clothes and clothes with fewer chemical treatments such as stain repellents


In the bathroom

Avoid

* cosmetics, toiletries and perfumes with synthetic fragrances
* long-term use of permanent hair dyes, especially those carrying a warning "can cause an allergic reaction"

Use

* beauty products such as soaps, shampoos, conditioners and hair care products made from natural ingredients
* fragrance-free products
* unbleached toilet paper and sanitary products


In the kitchen

Avoid

* tinned food products
* chemical air fresheners or heavily scented cleaning products such as dishwashing liquids, floor cleaners and washing powders
* cling film when reheating or cooking food in the microwave
* microwaving food in plastic containers unless they are designed for that purpose

Use

* organic products whenever possible
* fresh, frozen or dried food rather than tinned food;
* a water filter to reduce the levels of chemical contaminants in drinking water
* non-vinyl flooring

Cintinue.......