In 2001, Embracing the World launched AYUDH, a global youth movement empowering young people to integrate universal values into their daily lives. AYUDH means peace in Sanskrit and is an acronym for a Sanskrit phrase meaning “youth perpetuating the wheel of dharma (righteousness).” AYUDH members aim to help establish a future of hope, peace and social engagement – starting with themselves.
In New Delhi, the local AYUDH chapter set aside Earth Day to raise awareness about the current climate crisis and other pressing environmental challenges, and to secure commitments from citizens to take some small but concrete steps to reduce their carbon footprint—turning off lights, fans and other electric appliances when not required—and to conserve water.
This is their report:
April 22, 2011:
We set up our stand at Dilli Haat on Aurobindo Marg, a place known as a confluence of various cultural traditions and handicrafts from different parts of the country. A large crowd of knowledgeable and passionate visitors coupled with the ambience of the place and the idea itself contributed to a truly memorable and rewarding evening.
The response from the public was much more enthusiastic than we had hoped! The wall-sized banner displaying the environmental commitments quickly ran out of space to accommodate signatures. While signing, people assured us that they would follow through on their commitments.
Another part of the AYUDH display was a dynamic exhibit to capture ideas and inspiration for a better tomorrow. The state of our earth was put across in the shape of a dry and barren tree atop a famished earth. People were asked to contribute their ideas, which could liven up this dying earth. The ideas were pinned up to the tree in the form of green leaves. People came in droves to contribute their ideas and suggestions. Within a few short hours, the tree which had looked so barren when we put it up in in the morning was fluttering with the green leaves of hope.
Finally, we took the day as an opportunity to extend the distribution of tulsi saplings that was done during Amma’s visit to Delhi last month. Throughout the day, we distributed 1,000 tulsi saplings free of cost to those who visited our exhibition at Dilli Haat. In general people seemed really happy to get the sapling. They assured us that they would take good care of it and nourish it with all their love and warmth. We felt happy to be able to contribute to Amma’s vision of nurturing saplings in the service of reforestation and the restoration of harmony between humanity and nature.
At the end of they day, what we took home was the understanding that in general, people clearly understand the deteriorating environmental condition that we are in right now, and voluntary initiatives to spread the message to save the Earth are wholeheartedly welcomed. Obviously, there is need is to organize such initiatives so that like-minded people can come together and get to know that there are many who share their concern and that they are not alone in the fight to save our planet. This in turn would give them hope to continue their efforts at making the world a better place to live.
Each of us who participated that day felt that it is very important that the we sustain the momentum we have generated. It is our hope and prayer that we in AYUDH-Delhi will be ever ready to do so.