8
UK
As I See It
The tragedy of the commons Dear readers. Let me clarify at the outset, I am not referring to the House of Commons. The Hons and the Rt Hons of the House of Commons as well as the Lords and Baronesses in the House of Lords are in some cases a law unto themselves. In the last few years, behaviour, whether in financial false claims or in other aspects, of some members of the lower and upper Houses of the British Parliament is a separate subject for another day. I am talking about the commonly held resources - material, intellectual or spiritual, which are either ignored or unethically exploited. Ambivalence is not the answer. For example overfishing is reaching a catastrophic level. Human beings, not all but a very large number of them, have exterminated, or almost exterminated, several species of fish. Non vegetarians kill fish or other animals who are mostly weak, timid or unable to resist human aggression. Human beings do not eat the brave and strong animals who can pose a formidable challenge if they are slaughtered. Earthworms are always there to crush. Culture and religious beliefs are in some cases exposed to continuous onslaught of Islam and Christianity who consider Prophetising a cardinal duty. Devout Christians, especially Evangelical Christians would proclaim that you can't reach salvation until you are a follower of Christ. The followers of Islam proclaim that there is only one God and that is Allah. The Indic religions (Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism or Sikhism) are, by and large, much more accommodating. Several followers of these Indic religions have noticed that some of their co religions easily proclaim that we believe in God but which one is not the main concern. Perhaps as the oldest and continuous faith tradition Hinduism has become more and more liberal in its definition or the manner of worship. I for one have no hesitation to say that I am proud to be Hindu and, at the same time, I respect all other faith traditions. “Sudbhav” – respect for all religions – is ingrained in me but “sumbhav” – all Gods are my God – is perhaps too much for me. Indian culture is primarily based on Hindu beliefs and it has its own strengths – not that I proclaim that Hinduism is perfect or that it should
Yoga Comes To Life!
www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 31st January 2015
be universally followed but I genuinely believe that the cardinal principles of Hinduism “ V a s u d h a i v a Kutumbakam” (the whole world is one family), and that the Creator or God is one but we know him by different names, are simple and more positive beliefs which are least likely to create antagonism and the tensions such as we increasingly see between followers of Islam and Christianity. On 27th January Holocaust was rightly remembered. Just look at the death and destruction in the name of religion and hatred. About 2 million people of Indic faith reside in the UK. Proportionately they do well in education, professions, entrepreneurship, and other positive aspects of everyday life. These Indic faith followers formed the lowest percentage in the number of prisoners in Her Majesty's jails (a total of some 86,000). The followers of Islam sadly are over 10 percent if not nearly 20. There is not enough space is this article for me to explore all the reasons but suffice is to say that our culture and traditions have played a predominant role in our more acceptable behaviour. No doubt there is so much to learn from the western civilisation which is predominantly of Christian origin. Can we have the best of the East and West together for a betterment of society and its individuals? Everybody's baby is nobody's baby. The followers of the Indic faiths, as well as opinion makers and the leaders of other faith traditions, readily accept that the law abiding and peaceful temperament and behaviour of the people of Indian origin is an asset worth preserving. Recently there is so much going on about the British Muslims. In the Economist dated 24th January 2015 the Bagehot page is titled “Multicultural and aggrieved” and talks about the letter from Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities, and Lord Ahmed a Muslim peer addressed to over 1,000 mosques and indirectly to Britain's 2.8 million Muslims. The main message of this letter is perhaps very provocative and insulting to some if not all of Britain's Muslims. According to the Economist this circular or letter was a polite request which was worth asking but least likely to succeed. The Bagehot
column looks at Birmingham’s Sparkhill area where 10% of the residents are white and 70% are Muslims. It goes on to say that British Muslims have failed to crack on—richer Hindus have dispersed to Birmingham’s leafier suburbs”. It also says “that around 40 Brummie Muslims are in prison for terrorism offences”. Sadly the writer of this article (in The Economist) is not very optimistic about the attitude of the second generation of British-born young Muslims. The article claims, that “it is especially evident among second generation British Muslims who, having abandoned their parents' native language, food and clothing, often find in Islam a uniquely powerful immigrant identity”. It quotes one Mr Ali, “a bearded 37 year old whose relish for communal harmony coexists with conservative Muslim views, is a typical case. 'Our parents were too busy working hard to think about religion much,' he says. 'Our generation is saying: “I choose to be Muslim, this is how I make sense of the madness”.' At the end the Bagehot is waiting for the next generation to be more integrated. Baroness Warsi, the former Tory Chair, who resigned her Cabinet post some five months ago and gained more popularity amongst the adherents of her faith, has launched a bitter assault on the Coalition's strategy towards it's Muslim constituents. She targets in particular Michael Gove for the severest criticism and says “his failure to engage with the community has fuelled resentment”. She is very angry that Prime Minister David Cameron has rejected requests from Muslims to be given an equivalent to the annual meeting he has with the Jewish leadership. It is not possible to dwell on this Muslim dissatisfaction any further. I, as a Hindu, am happy to note that followers of the Indic faiths have found much more better space within British society thanks to both their cultural heritage and the fairness and tolerance of British society. I wish all those who refrain from joining the main stream and integrate will have some second thoughts and reciprocate with the vast majority of Britons who have accepted us so willingly. - CB
Why would 170 countries sign up to endorse 21st June 2015 as the first International Yoga Day? How is it that something that started over 5000 years ago is still going strong? You could argue why has it taken 5000 years for so many countries to accept this day as a day of change? Is it just going to be a one day wonder day or something more sustaining? If it is going to go into school curriculums, governmental departments and private companies ethos's and into NHS and health systems the world over how is this going to happen? These were some of the questions asked yesterday 26th January at the House of Parliament at the launch of
Lee Scott MP addressing the gathering
International Yoga Day. Ravi Bhanot Director Coolherbals and The Ayurveda Institute of Europe, one of the organizers of the event said "Yoga supports us through the power of silence, using oxygen and exercise to connect the mind body and soul. Let us see how we can now use the power of communication and exercise our influence in every way to support yoga." Satish Sharma, secretary of National Hindu Council of Temple (UK), said that the vision of Narendra Modi in getting the UN Resolution to make 21st June as International Yoga Day starts the second wave of revival of Yoga in Britain. There are plans for world wide awareness and planning taking place.
Ravi Bhanot addressing the audience
Sushma Bhanot coDirector of Coolherbals added that " yoga is an integrel part of society and touches each of our lives, through its many paths." Lord Dholakia added that "he has a library in his back garden. Meditating and reflecting is crucial. Yoga is a way to reduce the enormous pressures on the NHS. He would support this." Lee Scott MP backed Lord Dholakia's opinion. " If yoga can help people's ailments and costs nothing or very little it makes sense to have this in the NHS and in schools." Neil Patel, a hip hop yoga instructor from Harrow, described how Doctors had given him a death sentence when he was diagnosed with cancer and how yoga had cured him. Krishna Bhanot, from South Woodford and a yoga practitioner, said
support we need evidence that yoga can help. Dr Katrien Hertog from Prison Smart Project and Sue Hindle from IAHV, both from Art of Living gave encouraging reports on how yoga is helping. For example there was 69% improvement in abstinence from drugs and alcohol amongst prisoners and 68% had a reduction in anxiety. This was because yoga affected deep down "into the DNA level and not just superficially." Raj Jatengia from the NHSF said they visualize their 4000 Hindu students in universities would participate in doing Flash Mob yoga dance on the
Sushma Bhanot speaking at the event
21st June and Rakesh Shah from ISKON would be fully involved in various events on the 21st June too. Dial Sharma from Acton Asian Association and a yoga teacher for the last 40 years said that everyone can do the yoga. He teaches people who are in their 80's and "if they can do it so can everyone." L. George from Asian Voice and Keith Coomber from Om Yoga and Lifestyle were there to welcome the VIPs. Ravi Bhanot praised the work Asian Voice and Om Yoga and Lifestyle are doing to Lord Dholakia giving a speech promote Yoga and natural while Keith Coomber from Om sciences. Virendra Sharma MP Yoga Lifetyle Magazine looks on and Mike Gapes MP were present to lend support for "yoga had transformed her yoga. If you are interested health by simply doing in being involved in yoga for one hour daily." International Yoga Day There was general conphone 020 8597 9039 or sensus that we need to e m a i l have more political lobbyinfo@coolherbals.com ing and to win political
Birmingham pizza parlour boss facing £3,000 bill for infestation
A pizza parlour in Birmingham was forced to temporarily close after health inspectors discovered it was infested with cockroaches. Pizza Pan in Aldridge Road, Perry Barr, was ordered to shut for three days because of the risk to human health. Owner Shaid Salim, 38, has now been fined £900 and been ordered to pay £1,998 costs after pleading guilty to one charge under the Food Hygiene Regulations. The restaurant boss, of Colonial Road, Bordesley Green, was told by magistrates it had been a particularly serious infestation
which had built up over a period of time. But they had taken into account his lack of previous convictions and his attempts to restore the business to the level of hygiene it had enjoyed previously. Julia Kettle, prosecuting for Birmingham City Council, told city magistrates that two environmental health officers made a routine visit on November 25 in 2013 to the takeaway, which sold pizzas as well as fried chicken and fries. After the case, Coun Barbara Dring, Chair of the city councils Licensing and Public Protection
Committee, said: "Officers visiting Pizza Pan in November 2013 found a high number of cockroaches (alive and dead), filthy kitchen equipment as well as dirty and contaminated food preparation and storage areas.