Congress takes Telangana. KCR and Revanth lose in Kamareddy in the hands of a giant killer, Ramana Reddy. Eatela loses both the seats. Revanth may be sworn in as CM this week. BJP takes Chhattisgarh, MP, and Rajasthan. CMs are under finalization. Mizoram may not renew MNF. Are we seeing a clear BJP majority in the 2024 Parliament? Can we expect early elections in March 2024? February 2024? After Ram Temple opening in Ayodhya.
Our survival depends on soil and water, as 95% food originates from them. They bind our ecosystems together. Soils are being degraded. Water infiltration is being reduced and their availability is being reduced for all forms of life. Solutions are in sustainable soil management. Farming naturally. Living naturally. Increasing soil porosity, soil biodiversity, soil biology. Improving soil health. Contributing to sequestering carbon, nitrogen, water et al, into soils. Making farming and food systems nutrient-diverse, intense and resilient. Do we need a national soil act, amrt kaal soil road map? Do we incorporate these into the national food-fibre system road map? Do we offer fair and fair share value-chains for the producers and consumers? Do we offer trust to them that we are together in this journey?
Two young Grandmasters of Chess in the family – R Praggnanandhaa, and R Vaishali. Vaishali akka is on board recently. 1 in just 41 women GMs in the world. 1 in just 3 women GMs in India. More power to them.
Disabilities are diverse. There are continuums. Do we understand them and recognize them? One in six is having a disability, visible or invisible. It comes to one in three families. And, there are caregivers. In some sense, all of us are disabled on one count or the other. Some of us are blessed on one count or the other. Therefore, can we transcend inclusion and bring diversity, and offer an inclusive sensitive flexi-work ecosystem for learning – tapping these talents, supporting and strengthening talents – and contributing? Culture. Socially Responsible Culture. Accessibility embedded. In the mind, heart, and soul first. Can we?
One in six volunteers formally. Socially, informally, this can be thrice this. In some sense, all of us are volunteers sometime, somewhere, for some purpose or the other. Can we make it a habit? Can we take it to a routine; some hours a day/week/month, some days a week/month/year, and block time in a year, a dedicated year or more in a decade, and 180 days a year post 50? Maybe at no cost, maybe at actual logistics costs and nothing more, maybe at reduced ‘wage’? For the people, causes are calling us. For basics – air, water, food, shelter, health, education et al. For ecosystem services. For agency, equity, inclusion, anti-marginalization. For peace. For solidarity, being together. For the universe. In crises and outside of them. All of us can do it. As little as 1% of our time, energy, and resources. This is Aksharashakti, volunteer force. Can we? Can we see volunteering as practice? With body, heart, emotions, energy and mind. Reward, recognition et al cannot be the drivers, but happiness, smiles and laughs, gratification, satisfaction, love, and life can be.
Can we build on what we have, what our strengths are, first? Can we earn our food, livelihood, living, and life? Can we play the game of life, third? Continue to play. Can we be and remain humble? Our universe, our parents, teachers, friends, family et al. Can we ever repay them all, except by being grateful? Can we apply our mind, heart, soul and body in tandem for being better, every time? Can we persist, particularly when going gets tough? When there is impenetrable stiff resistance. Can we be open, without value-penalty? There are some universal values that make us, that define us, which cannot lose their place. Hope, faith, promise, love, and coexistence. Including integrity, kindness, and humility. No shortcuts, please. Can we go alone in the crowd, if it is right? Ekla chalo. Others join as the momentum on the idea picks up, and it becomes a movement. So for now, Ekla chalo, if required. Can we?
Yes, we can. If we keep walking, even if alone, and flowing. Others join in. In the flow of N. For 7L.
Join us in the yoga of leading living in the lap of nature and people – swechchaayoga for 7L.
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