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Growing Together!!!!

Sunita Maheshwary, Dr. Neeta Maheshwary

"Simple Living and High Thinking is the solution to economic problems. Therefore, the Krishna Conscious movement is engaging devotees in producing their own food and living self-sufficiently so that rascals may see how one can live very peacefully, eat the food grains one has grown oneself, drink milk, and chant Hare Krishna."

(Teaching of Queen Kunti, 18: Liberation from Ignorance and Suffering)

Investing in implantation can help humanity cope with the devastation caused by the destruction of nature, the unethical treatment of both the human and animal species and habitat and mindless material consumption, and unsustainable lifestyles. Planting trees help buffer some of the expected devastating effects of a warming planet, such as an increased risk of forest fires. Reviving natural carbon sinks – such as forests and peatlands – could help close the climate emissions gap by 25% by 2030. (UNEP, 2021) Restoring mangroves and forests, as well as planting trees in urban settings, including schools, colleges, public parks, and greenbelts. Ecosystem revival will be achieved by preventing, halting, and reversing the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. To identify and encourage restoration-friendly consumption e.g. shifting diets to promote restoration-based products.

The power to restore our environment by governments, experts, and practitioners and to heal the planet is a cultural challenge. Scientific understanding of how to restore and adapt ecosystems is still evolving. Education of the young generation into ecosystem ambassadors, provide skills for the restoration economy. To build the capacity every day, each & everyone including women and youth to take an active role in steps towards sustainable communities as emphasized by ISKCON Acharya His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.  Groups and individuals can get informed about opportunities & can join an initiative continuously underway by HH Bhakti Raghava Swami who is spearheading various varnashrama-related initiatives globally. Surely, nothing would have been possible without the blessings and good wishes of the guardian of devotion HH Bhakti Raghava Swami by whom the seed has been planted deep inside the heart of many which will grow into a tree of immortal love for the Lord Krishna. Participating in his recommended and sponsored course enlightened me not only about best practices around the world but also taught me how to implement food growing practices in a resource constraint setting like Pakistan. Post attending a session in Feb 2022 “Dirt to Soil” arranged by ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry-India (IDVM) In a real-world setting I have grown diversified flowers & vegetable plants on my house balcony & applied gardening therapy teaching tips for down syndrome, mentally retarded & autistic kids, etc. which led immediate results in a positive impact on kids physically, mentally & socially.  Involving them in growing plant work was delightful and joyous ever as per the feedback of their parents. Getting the fruits of these efforts in the form of various vegetables, and flowers definitely delighted kids' minds & boosted self-esteem. We believe, such impactful potential created a win-win situation for the administration /policy maker of the special education top-notch institute of Pakistan to further strengthen these activities in the special needs curriculum.

Moreover, Outreach Sankirtana Leader HG Ram Sakha Das appreciated efforts and kept Srimati Tulasi Maharani for daily worshipping in local ISKCON center Sri Sri Gaura Nitai Bhavan which has been grown for own first-ever time. Afterward as part of SUMMER CAMP campaign 2022 “Making Vrindavan Villages” full-fledged training sessions were conducted for 70 kids along with parents regarding caring for & growing Tulasi Devi with practical activities. As homework kids have been asked to regularly take care of gifted pots with seeds at home for sprouting and growing. The concept is to not only get blessings of Tulasi Devi but to develop consciousness of Krishna culture in homes leading to empowering families. We are humbled to thank for the continued support from management & devotees. 

Krishna said, “My dear friend, this forest of Vrindavan gives great pleasure to our senses in various ways.” Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (Antya-lila 1.160).

 We pray to continue the mercy of the most compassionate Srimati Tulasi the goddess in plant form for expanding the bliss, and auspiciousness everywhere in making Vrindavan villages.