Global Warming

Everyone nowadays is talking about global warming. Many articles have been published in the newspapers about the Global Warming to make people aware of it. It is indeed a very serious problem.

The average temperature of the Earth’s surface is rising and this is leading to Global Warming. According to Intergovernmental Panel of Climatic Change (IPCC), the increase in temperature is due to human activity of burning fossil fuel, emission of greenhouse gases and deforestation.

Carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, water vapor and nitrous oxide are the greenhouse gases in the Earth’s Atmosphere. These gases protect the Earth from harmful rays of the Sun. They absorb the sunlight and convert its energy into heat. But now, due to industrial development the level of these gases in the atmosphere has increased too much, leading to warming of the Earth. Increase in carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere is due to burning of coal, natural gas and fossil fuel. The automobiles also emit a large amount of carbon dioxide. The methane and nitrous levels increase due to practices like having rice paddies, bacteria in bogs, use of fertilizers in agriculture, burning of organic matters etc. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and give out oxygen, which creates a balance of gases in the atmosphere. Cutting trees leads to increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Due to these, Earth’s entire surface is affected.

The Earth’s surface is getting warmer leading to many changes like melting of ice and change in climate. The glaciers are melting, leading to flood and other natural calamities. The places which used to receive scanty rainfall or suffered from drought are getting flooded. And the areas where rainfall used to be good, are now suffering from drought. The effect can be seen on seasons too. Summers are getting longer than winter. The animals are getting extinct as they are not able to bear the climatic change. The migrating birds are changing their migrating time and places. Global warming is also resulting in many new diseases, as bacteria multiply fast in warm temperature. Thus, the effect of this Global Warming is being seen everywhere.

We can’t stop global warming; however greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by taking some measures. We should use certified energy-efficient appliances as this will not only reduce electric bills but also will help in reducing greenhouse gas emission. Use of fluorescent bulbs should be increased. Televisions and computers should be completely turned off, when we are not using them. Planting trees and saving water will also help in reducing the greenhouse gas emission.

It is our duty as citizens of the world to take care of our environment in which we are living.

(Some of the information has been taken from http://www.globalwarming.org.in/ and

http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming )

Durga Puja

Every festival in India is celebrated with enthusiasm. One such festival is Durga Puja or Navratri. This festival is celebrated every year during the Lunar month of Ashwin or Karthik (September–October). In this festival, Hindus observe ten days of ceremonies, rituals, fast and feast in honour of Goddess Durga. This festival begins with the fast of Navratri and ends with festivities of Dusshera or Vijayadashmi. It is devoted solely to Mother Goddess - known as Durga, Amba, Bhavani, Parvati and her other manifestations. The name Durga in Sanskrit means - “She who is incomprehensible and difficult to reach”.

According to Hindu mythology, a demon named Mahisashura had threatened the Gods and had established his evil control over the heaven. He was a threat to the Universe. Mahisashura could not be defeated, by men or Gods as he had received a boon after offering a prayer to Lord Brahma. Lord Vishnu challenged the Demon first as Narsimha- the man lion & then as Varaha - the boar, but each time he failed. Lord Shiva, the supreme ascetic opened his third eye which is capable of destroying three worlds, could not arrest Mahisashura’s march.

The Gods, then decided of creating a powerful being to kill the demon. A steam of lightning dazzled forth from the mouth of Brahma in the form of Goddess Brahmi. Similarly, from Indra rose Indrani, from Kumara rose Kumari, from Vishnu rose Vaishnavi and from Lord Shiva came Shiavani. They rose to the sky and merged with each other in a blinding light. From the light rose a beautiful Goddess - Durga. All the Gods then furnished her with special weapons and she prepared for the battle. A great battle commenced. This battle was fought continuously for ten days. Finally on the tenth day, Devi killed Mahisashura with her trident and hence the day is known as “Vijayadashmi”. All Hindus celebrates this festival at the same time in different ways in different parts of India.

Ø Maharashtra
Durga Puja is a fun occasion in Maharashtra. Puja is performed everyday and the devotees put flower garland on the idol of Durga Ma. They don’t remove flower garland that is put on the idol of the Durga Ma for nine days. After nine days, all nine flower garlands are removed together. Young girls are invited to eat.

Ø West Bengal
Durga Puja is celebrated in West Bengal for five days. As per Ramayana, Lord Ram wanted to take the blessings of Goddess Durga to kill Ravana. He performed Durga Puja despite the time of the year not being right. So this Puja is also known as Akol Bodhon. Lord Rama started Chandi Puja with 100 lotus flowers. To test his devotion, Devi hid one of the flower. When time come to pray, Lord Rama found himself short of one flower. In order to make for it, he offered one of his eyes as a substitute for the 100th lotus. Durga Ma was pleased and she promised victory to Rama over Ravana. Durga Puja is also known as Bosonto Utsav. People buy new clothes. Pandals are set and Goddess Durga’s idol is worshipped. The people of Bengal celebrate this puja with lots of enthusiasm and joy.

Ø Punjab
People of Punjab observe Navratri. Some of them keep fast for nine days. They worship Durga Ma. Young girls are invited to eat. Jaagran is also kept by many people.

Ø Gujarat
Navratri is devoted to Amba Mataji. People visit Mataji temples. The common form of celebration is performance of Garba or Dandia Raas.

Ø Kerala
Durga Puja signifies the beginning of education for every 3-5 years child. Puja is performed for all ten days. On Ashtami, they do Ayadya Puja (all tools at home are worshipped). No tools are used on this day. On Navami, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped.

Ø Kashmir
Hindus are minority in Jammu and Kashmir but they celebrate it with pomp and show. Each household does Puja at home. They fast on water and take fruits in evening. They grow barley in Earthen Pots. They believe if grown is good, there will be prosperity all year. On Navratri, an Aarti is performed at the temple after which people break the fast.

In every part of India, people celebrate Durga Puja. It is one of the biggest festivals of India. People pray to Goddess Durga to bring joy and happiness in their lives.


JAI AMBEMA…..

(Some of the information has been taken from http://www.durga-puja.org/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga_puja)