Down The Way! It is time we answered...

Down the way, walking through an empty lane,

Looking all around, I realized the Earth’s in pain.

As I moved further down, I heard a painful cry,

It tore my heart apart; of this I won't lie.

I searched all the way, but alas! It was in vain,

It then started getting dark and it was about to rain.

So, I was compelled to take shelter under a dead tree,

And you must be wondering why I chose a dead tree?

Because in that lane and many others on the Earth,

No tree was left alive, No sapling taking birth.

In no time, I realized it was the tree crying,

I turned towards it and hoped I wasn't prying!

“Oh! Dear Tree, why are you sad and shedding tears?”

“Because I am dying and nobody cares.”

I wasn't expecting a reply but still continued with it.

“No, don’t sound so hurt.” I assured I will hear it.

So, the tree began narrating me its whole tragic story,

And I sat on its dried branches to hear its glory.

“Once upon a time, I was thick and green and a living creature,

I was selfless and an important part of a flawless nature.

Brooks, rivers, and the seas added to the scenery,

Mountains and valleys created an atmosphere of tranquility.

For many million years, we continued to make the Earth stunning,

We served the human race in every manner without whining.

But soon all men turned into some hungry devil,

They murdered me and kept getting more and more evil.

I shouted and it stormed, I showed my wrath,

I cried and it rained, I was nearing my death.

Today the Earth that used to be ‘green’ has become all black,

Plumes of smoke, CFC's, garbage and plastic lay on its deck.”

Hearing of the slain; in a disturbed tone I asked the sad tree,

“Dear tree, thou seem to be heartbroken, who brought this plight to thee?”

The tree then fumed at me and gave me a stern glance,

“The human race is to be blamed for killing me with a lance.

Shade, wood, fruits, water, and air; to make him feel comfortable,

I gave everything I could; in return it made my life a sad fable.

The men will be punished for this slaughter,

Now sorrow will prevail, no place for laughter.

In their mad race, they contaminated their environment,

Am dying but am sure the whole human race will lament.”

I had teary eyes as with this the tree breathed its last,

I sat there for long and watched it mixing with the past.

Glancing at the corpse I hoped and prayed for a better tomorrow,

Planting trees and nurturing them can save us from the sorrow.

That encounter with the dying tree made me realize,

We need to wake up from our prolonged sleep and open our eyes.

It’s us, who created a hell out of heaven on the Earth,

And therefore only we can once again give it a ‘New Birth’!

EARTH IS CALLING... IT IS TIME WE ANSWERED!

Visit Green Yatra and Earth is calling to mark your presence in this noble mission to create a difference. As they say, "Simple things like composting organic waste from the kitchen, using Eco-friendly cosmetics, reusing water whenever possible or even blogging about the cause to create awareness is a big step towards a sustainable lifestyle."

City Guide: Garden of Five Senses

The Garden of Five Senses is a breath taking and enamoring experience. It is not just a park - it is a celebration of aesthetic expression and appreciation, a seamless dialogue between the creations of man and nature that invites interaction and exploration. It is an ideal ground to realize the twin objectives of the need for a public leisure space as well as awakening of human sensitivity to the environment.

It is an intricate blend of nature’s bounty and subtle human creation. Amidst the concrete jungle and the hustle and bustle of the city, the garden of five senses comes across as a welcome breath of fresh air and serene quietude. True to the imagery suggested by its name and with its beautiful, lush green landscapes, the garden of five senses stimulates all the five senses in an evocative bouquet that awakens the mind to the beauty of life and invokes a grateful prayer for the gift of touch, sight, sound, smell and taste.

Visitors are encouraged to touch the rocks and displays, the fragrance of flower for the nose, the landscape appeals to the eyes - the sight, the ceramic bells and the water falls create a soothing sound - pleasing to the ear and the food courts serve a variety of cuisines - to please the tongue. Thus, justifying its nomenclature - Garden of Five Senses!

The garden is located at Said-ul-Aizab village, close to the Mehrauli heritage area in New Delhi. The garden is built on a large expanse of land, 20 acres to be precise. It was inaugurated in February 2003 by Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit, coinciding with the beginning of the 16th garden festival which is showcasing seasonal flowers, hanging baskets and animal figures sculpted from the plants.

The garden is a visual treat, esp. for the photographers. The geometric arrangement of plants, the meandering pathways and lotus pools with beds of green leaves covering clear waters and with pink lotuses peeping out every now and then transporting a person straight to heaven. A brief walk in the garden serves as a great stress reliever. Stainless steel birds mounted on slate -clad pillars soar indignantly in the air, as if, trying to welcome the visitors.

Nestled among the natural slope of the site is the amphi-theatre with blocks of sandstone serving as seating. At the rear of the garden is an open exhibition area for displaying art and holding workshops. Pools of water lilies, bamboo courts and herb gardens are some of the other attractions. The garden is a wonderland for children and adults alike, who are virtually starved of this bountiful nature’s gift.

The mountainous landscapes and rocks strewn in every here and there give a casual trekking experience. Majestic rocks stand silhouetted against the sky; others lie strewn upon the ground in an alluring display of nature’s sculptural genius.

The garden festivals theme this year is Decorative Accents in Landscaping. A competition will be held in 24 classes consisting over 175 sections. There will also be competitions in Dahlia varieties, display sections, the tray garden class and nursery stalls. Such similar competitions and shows would be held every year.

To add more interest, are the toy solar cars imported from Taiwan for use in the amusement section of the Garden of Five Senses. Each solar car cost Rs 60,000 each.

During the garden festival, free battery bus rides up to the garden would be available from Qutab Minar and the deputy commissioner’s office near Anupam Apartments in Saket.

An integral part of the garden is the solar Park set up with the assistance of the Ministry of Non-conventional Renewable Energy sources. The aim is to promote awareness of renewable source of energy. A 20KW solar power plant is installed to meet the requirement of the park.

TAKE A STEP FORWARD!

The wind blows softly, I feel it.

The rivers flow smoothly, I see it.

The clouds move slowly, I enjoy it.

The rain pours swiftly, I enjoy it.

But now I want to raise a question.

Who has changed the nature’s equation?

Where has all the love gone?

And where is the green lawn?

There is pollution spread everywhere,

The nature cries but nobody cares.

Everyone is busy in their own life,

The greenery is depleting, making it impossible to survive.

Now, something must be done,

To be safe under the sun.

The hole in the ozone is causing so much pain,

I can no longer enjoy the rain.

The global warming is increasing,

The acid content in the rain is increasing.

Nature always nurtures,

But we are destroying our own future.

Now it’s high time,

Stop this deadly crime

And stop being a coward.

Let’s together TAKE A STEP FORWARD!

Ring a bell for IndiChange

A Letter to God!

Dear God,

I want to thank you for bestowing the mankind with an awe-inspiring gift of nature. Its breath taking beauty provides a great and much needed escape from the complexities of life. It keeps me calm and provides solace. The landscape is stunning and tranquil at the same time. Nature has everything that can sustain mankind like herbs which cure our diseases, fruits and vegetables that we eat, fresh air we breathe, rivers and seas provide us water which we use for various purposes, etc. The rivers and meadows are a feast to the eyes. Then we have animals to rear. Sheep gives us wool, cows provide milk, etc. Also, the woods from the trees help us build our houses for shelter. Water helps us in generating hydro-electricity. Trees give us shade and also prevent soil erosion. Mountains add to the scenic beauty and people enjoy trekking on the mountains these days. Thus, I am very thankful to You for giving us the bounties of nature that has made our life so wonderful and full of delights.

But do we really deserve such pleasures? Are we really worth it? It's very easy for people these days to say that 'Yes, I love nature. It's peaceful and has a heavenly aura.' But it’s very difficult to prove it. The same people, who say that we are the 'animal lovers', do not hesitate to eat them up at the first opportunity they get. The nature's on the verge of extinct these days and so are we. It's a sorry state that's prevailing everywhere. The future is in dark and dinghy. Hoping that the mankind will be able to see some light soon and follow it instead of going towards dark. I pray to You to save us from the dire consequences because I love this life given to me by You and I want to live some more.

Love You Loads,

Your Bubbliest Daughter,

Ila :)