- Novanita Sharma
“The Mind is everything,
What you think, you become”
– Gautam Buddha
We live most of our life in our minds. Our deep emotions, feelings and motivations shape our individual identity and most importantly it forms the life force that governs our actions and inactions in a day today basis. Mind controls everything about our life, the intricate mechanism of our biological body, our conscience, our behavioral patterns to our social interactions, and the collective identity of our society. Human beings are social animals, we live in close knit societies, our social life is integral in deciding the quality of our individual lives. The collective mindset of a community, of any social group creates the social behavior patterns in our world. This is clearly visible in the distinguishable social behaviors of people in different countries around the world. We refer to such behaviors as culture. In short, this world ruled by human beings in true sense is a world ruled by the power of human mind. At times this power takes the form of economy, sometimes military, and many at times it represents as collective mind stream of resolute thoughts from a group of people. In today’s multipolar world the reflection of such collective mindset is becoming increasingly more vibrant, an epitome of the progressive diffusion of power in human society. The rise of India in the recent years signifies a remarkable diffusion of power in the global scenario. The world is talking about Indian philosophies, Indian history, Indian innovations with a sense of renewed respect and acceptance. After decades of suppression and neglect, the essence of Indian civilization and the rich contributions of our traditional knowledge system to the upliftment of entire humanity is glimmering in front of the world community. At the same time, India is arising in a big way within the diverse setup of the country like never before. This rise of India is not solely because of politics, many individuals, and collective efforts of many dedicated Indians have played a vital role in this journey of our country. The collective work of Nature’s Beckon for over four decades calls for a closer look in this regard.
The enactment of the Wildlife Protection Act of India in 1972 set the beginning of wildlife conservation initiatives in modern India. The Nation struggled to bolster a framework of protected areas and successful conservation initiatives in different parts of the country, while fighting against an elephantine demographic pressure from its population. The role of Nature’s Beckon in strengthening the wildlife/biodiversity conservation movement of India amid such scenario is extraordinary. The organization led few of the most illustrious nature conservation movements of India that effectively launched exemplary conservation success stories in NE India. From the creation of the Chakrashila people’s sanctuary to the Dihing Patkai National Park, Nature’s Beckon has depicted an exceptional model of environment leadership in the field of biodiversity conservation. While most of us know about these success stories, I feel we never cared to understand the guiding force behind these incredible conservation stories from Assam. Nature’s Beckon connected the people of Assam, right from the grassroots to the intellectuals and the learned with the Indian philosophy of nature conservation, the leadership of the organization effectively integrated the essence of nationalism and the cultural practices of sustainable coexistence through its ingenious conservation initiatives from the very beginning of its journey. Nature’s Beckon succeeded in shifting the 1980s conflict ridden scene of wildlife conservation in India to that of genuine people’s participation for successful conservation actions in Assam. The relentless work of Nature’s beckon against all odds have contributed immensely to the redefining of India’s modern biodiversity conservation ideology, by overriding the elite conservation ideologues who implied nature conservation as a premium import for the people of India. The mantra behind the success of Nature’s Beckon led conservation movements is rooted in India, it is based in Indian philosophy of Ahimsa, Karuna and Maiytreya. Sri. Soumyadeep Datta, Director- Nature’s Beckon speaks of this philosophy as he says, “the philosophy of mother and child is the philosophy of nature conservation. The way a mother nurses and nurtures her child without any greed and expectations out of pure love, and the child reciprocates this love by taking care of the mother in her old age, in a similar way we must protect and respect Nature and its bounty without any expectations of material gains”. While Nature’s Beckon implanted the seeds of this philosophy with its continuous work for preservation of natural forests and conservation of biodiversity in Assam, the journey for a new awakening amongst the people of Assam is afoot. India has gifted the world with a wealth of scientific knowledge but the greatest contribution of India is the knowledge of mind. Nature’s Beckon is marching ahead with a unique student’s empowerment program called ‘Ahum Basudhame Krit Mangaljanak’, it is an effort to inculcate a mind movement amongst the students and youth of Assam for their mental empowerment, striving to make the young generations self-radiant and self-driven participants of the biodiversity conservation movement of Assam. We would like to see the young Indians breaking apart from the slavery of mental submission and emerge as India’s visionary leaders for future. This program began with the school students and has roped in a new chapter for the college and university students all over Assam in 2024. This initiative is a new thought in Assam, titled as ‘Bharatar Amritkal Joiboboichitra Sanrakshan Chetana aru Vidyarthi Jagaran Yatra’ (Consciousness on Biodiversity Conservation & Vidyarthi Jagaran Yatra). Nature’s Beckon has revolutionized the biodiversity conservation movement of our country with its visionary acumen, it is leading the future generations on the path of holistic self-empowerment based on the Indian philosophy of rigorous mind training. This initiative to strengthen the biodiversity conservation movement is a huge contribution for the revival of ancient India’s culture of mind movement, which once flourished to the zenith of Indian civilization. Bharat, the land of dharma was the light for entire humanity for ages; it is time for every Indian to lit the light once again by being the light themselves.
I join the world in prayers for peace, happiness, and enlightenment of all sentient beings on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima.
May the light of Buddha illuminate your path and fill your heart with compassion.
অহম্ বসুধাম্ কৃতে মঙ্গলজনক
মই পৃথিৱীৰ বাবে মঙ্গলজনক