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Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Thackerays’ ‘Taandav’ for trees, tigers

AI generated image Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the government for the systematic degradation of the state’s environment under the garb of development, even as the climate change poses a direct threat to the environment, economy, agriculture, public health and the future of both rural and urban centres. Questioning the state government’s claims of having planted millions of trees, he rued how the World Environment Day has been...

Thackerays’ ‘Taandav’ for trees, tigers

AI generated image Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the government for the systematic degradation of the state’s environment under the garb of development, even as the climate change poses a direct threat to the environment, economy, agriculture, public health and the future of both rural and urban centres. Questioning the state government’s claims of having planted millions of trees, he rued how the World Environment Day has been reduced to an annual ritual of tree-planting drives and clicking selfies for social media, though 90 pc of the saplings don’t survive even a day. “Only the government knows where those trees really are,” said Raj sternly. He recalled a "Blueprint of Maharashtra’s Development" he had proposed in 2015, in which he advocated how development without environmental sensitivity is hollow. Justifying, he said that the consequences are visible where roads, bridges and infrastructure projects are hailed as achievements, but even a short spell of rainfall can paralyze entire cities. Referring to recent reports on farmers returning from the fields after 10 am due to the scorching heat, Raj said that the worsening climate crisis has become an everyday reality. Citing official statistics, Raj claimed that extreme heat has caused productivity losses of nearly USD 159 billion and slashing of 160 billion work-hours annually in recent years. He mentioned the World Bank estimates that India’s GDP could plummet by 2.5-4.5 pc while 57 pc of the country’s districts sheltering 76 pc of the population stare at serious climate-related crises. Taking a swipe, he said while the governments boast about growth figures and economical rankings, they are silent on the staggering costs of environmental destruction. He questioned the development model “whether flooded cities, washed-away crops and unbearable summers” genuinely indicate progress. Claiming that Maharashtra was increasingly becoming unliveable for upto 8 months in a year, he said excessive monsoon rains disrupt rural life and urban floods cripple cities, while extreme heat make normal life a torture in summers in both urban-rural areas. Targeting the Centre, Raj alleged that nearly 173,984 hectares of forest lands were diverted in the past 11 years for mining and infrastructure projects to benefit the PM’s single favourite Adani Group. He said that these lands amount to 1,730 sqkm, or equivalent to the area of 16 Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) that is spread over barely 104 sqkm. Dissolve state wildlife board: Aaditya Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray has accused the Maharashtra government for issuing a permit to carry out mining activity in the sensitive tiger corridor between the Tadoba-Andhari and Indravati sanctuaries housing the big striped cats. In a strongly-worded letter to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Member-Secretary Sanjay Kumar, Thackeray sought his immediate personal intervention, sacking the Maharashtra State Board for Wild-Life (SBWL), revoking the permit, and probe against the Chief Wildlife Warden & Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) M. Srinivasa Reddy for the alleged lacunae. Aditya’s two-pager says the permit has been granted for “scientific exploration and excavation/systematic recovery of low-grade iron ore in existing mines in villages Hedri, Bande, Parsalgondi and Round Parsalgondi, in the Etapalli taluka of Gadchiroli district”. Last January, Aditya – MLA from Worli – had first raised the issue saying that the proposed mine would create only 120 jobs, including 32 permanent, and the estimated output is pegged at 1.1 million tons in a year. Referring to two letters of Reddy – on April 28 and May 21 – the SS (UBT) leader claimed that in communications to the state government, the PCCF had changed his stance on the issue. Aditya said that in the first letter, Reddy had effectively opposed the government plans for mining activity but in the second letter, he took a somersault, ostensibly due to government pressures or some commercial interests, “the U-turn is disgraceful and detrimental to India’s national interest” – and this abrupt shift in stance must be investigated thoroughly. In view of the contrary stance of the PCCF Reddy, entrusted with protecting the wildlife but failing to defend the NTCA and NBWL, point to serious malfunctioning of the SBWL, and hence it must be dissolved, besides reviewing all its decisions in the past three years, particularly those pertaining to hazardous activities in sensitive areas, demanded Aditya. 444 tigers roam in 11,000 sq.km As per the Status of Tiger Report (2002), and the Maharashtra Economic Survey 2025-2026, the state boasts of 444 tigers prowling in the wild along with other menacing creatures. The state’s total protected wildlife network of 88 Notified Areas of National Parks, Sanctuaries, and Conservation Reserves - including 6 dedicated to the striped big cats – is spread over 11,092 sq. kms as per current data.

Lord Ram: The Divine Human

Ram Navami gently reminds us that divinity is not outside—it is in the way we live our daily lives.

Ram Navami, celebrated on the 26th of March this year, marks the divine birth of Lord Ram, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. More than just a festival, it is a reminder of how a human life, when lived with discipline, truth, and devotion, can become divine. Lord Ram is not worshipped merely because he was God, but because he showed how to live as an ideal human being—Maryada Purushottam, the supreme upholder of righteousness.


Ram Navami symbolises the victory of dharma (righteousness) over adharma (evil). It is a celebration of hope—that even in the darkest times, goodness will prevail.


But beyond rituals and celebrations, the true significance lies in self-reflection: Are we living truthfully? Are we fulfilling our duties with sincerity? Are we compassionate, even when life is unfair?


Ram Navami gently reminds us that divinity is not outside—it is in the way we live our daily lives.


Living Ram’s Values

1. Unwavering Commitment to Duty (Dharma): Lord Ram chose exile for 14 years without hesitation, simply to honour his father’s word. He did not argue, blame, or resist. His example reminds us that in a world often shaped by comfort and convenience, responsibility and integrity remain the truest tests of character. Doing what is right, even when it is difficult, is the highest form of strength.


2. Grace in Adversity: Lord Ram chose exile for 14 years without hesitation, simply to honour his father’s word. His example reminds us that in a world shaped by comfort and convenience, responsibility and integrity remain the truest tests of character. Doing what is right—even when it is difficult—is the highest form of strength.


3. Respect in Relationships: Lord Ram brought grace and dignity to every relationship — as a son, husband, brother, and king. His love for Sita, his reverence for his parents, and his deep bond with Lakshman and Bharat were anchored in trust and honour. In an age of fragile ties, his life reminds us that lasting relationships are built not on words alone, but on sacrifice, responsibility, and respect.


4. Leadership with Compassion: As a king, Ram placed his people above himself. His rule, often called Ram Rajya, was marked by justice, equality, and peace. His example reminds us that true leadership is not about control—it is about service, empathy, and fairness.


5. Humility Despite Power: Even though he was divine, Ram lived like a common man—simple, grounded, and approachable. His example shows us that no matter how successful or powerful we become, humility is what makes us truly great.


6. Faith and Surrender: Ram’s life was a perfect blend of effort and surrender. He did his duty fully but trusted the divine flow of life. In life, we often try to control everything. But Ram teaches us to do our best and surrender the rest.


Ram in Modern Life

In a world shaped by stress, rising expectations, and emotional strain, Lord Ram’s life remains deeply relevant. His example offers a quiet moral clarity: when relationships become strained, choose respect over ego; when life feels unjust, let patience prevail over anger; when difficult decisions arise, hold fast to truth rather than convenience; and when uncertainty clouds the path, let faith speak louder than fear.


This Ram Navami, beyond rituals and celebration, there is value in a quieter pause for self-reflection. Are we truthful in our actions? Do we stand by our commitments? Do we treat others with dignity? Are we at peace within ourselves? The true celebration of Lord Ram lies not in temples alone, but in the effort to embody his values a little more each day.


Lord Ram’s enduring relevance lies in the fact that his life speaks across time — not only to faith, but to character. In an age of speed, strain, and moral uncertainty, his example still offers clarity. To truly honour him is not merely to celebrate Ram Navami, but to let his values shape the way we think, act, and live.


Jai Shree Ram!


(The writer is a tutor based in Thane. Views personal.)

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