ANUVRAT GLOBAL ORGANIZATION
Workshop on Anuvrat and Eco-Sustainability
at a UN Conference in New York
Office bearers of Anuvrat Global Organization (ANUVIBHA), a transnational centre for Peace and Sustainability associated with United Nations Department of Public Information organized a workshop on 'Anuvrat and Eco-Sustainability of the Future' on August 27, 2014. The occasion was the 65th Annual UN DPI/NGO Conference held at UN headquarters New York from August 27 to August 29, 2014.
The theme of the conference was 'Sustainability and Survival into the Third Millennium'. The last two centuries saw unprecedented and rapid ecological and environmental degradation on the planet. Unsustainable development aimed at bestowing physical comforts on human beings resulted in the rapid depletion of natural and energy sources creating an unprecedented crisis of eco-sustainability of the future.
The eco-system of the earth was intact till two centuries ago. The total population of the earth was just one billion and the people by and large were happier despite lack of material amenities. The population explosion, scientific and industrial advancement have consumed more than 60% natural resources already leaving little for the future generation. The planet earth has lost its carrying capacity. Forests are gradually disappearing, bio-diversity is in jeopardy, most rivers have either dried up or are reduced to trickles, mountains have been rendered barren. The earth today, is verily a 'waste land' as portrayed by the celebrated poet TS Eliot.
The moot question before 4000 delegates hailing from 117 countries representing 900 UN accredited NGOs was whether the pace of development should be halted in order to avert the catastrophe or we should switch over to a sustainable lifestyle which enjoins individuals to restrain their ambitions, reduce needs, set limits to wealth, refrain from unnecessary violence and control consumption of edibles. Our taste for non-veg. has led to the vanishing of some species vitally important for our survival.
In a statement released by Dr. S.L. Gandhi, the coordinator of the workshop, says that ANUVRAT (small vows) can prove to be a panacea for this dreaded ailment. It inspires people to commit themselves to a sustainable life embedded in restrained lifestyle and exemplary conduct. Simple living and high thinking which are the two lofty ideals of Anuvrat Movement, can not only ensure eco-sustainability of the future but also give us immense inner joy.
The conference was inaugurated by UN Deputy Secretary General since the Secretary General was away to Bali for the another conference. In a video recorded speech Mr. Ban Ki Moon said, 'if we want to avoid the destruction of the civilization in this very century, we must slow the pace of development and make it sustainable.' Mr. Huffiens, Chief of the Conference also spoke on this occasion.
The other office bearers who joined Dr. Gandhi in leading this workshop on sustainability were Mr. T.K. Jain - President of ANUVIBHA, Mr. Sanchay jain - Secretary General and the moderator was Mr. Arvind Vora.
The UN observer at this workshop was Mr. Kennath Wind-Anderson.
The presentations by the above scholars were highly acclaimed by the audience present.
- Kishore K. Jethanandani
Office Secretary
Anuvrat Global Organization (ANUVIBHA)
B-01-02, Anuvibha Jaipur Kendra
Opp. Gaurav Tower, Malviya Nagar
Jaipur - 302 017 (Raj.)
(M): 98280 16989