Mandala

Mandala

January 2024

Mandala

Divine Intervention  

The whole of India was deeply concerned  

when 41 workers were trapped in the  Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi for 17  days in November this year. Not being sensitive  to this fragile area and crowding the terrain by  constructing too many buildings had led to this  disaster. The country watched with bated breath  as operation after operation reached a deadlock  and hope of their rescue faded with each  passing day. However, the ardent prayers of the  countrymen, the family members of the trapped  labourers, and those of the teams involved in  the rescue operation worked a miracle, and on  November 17, all 41 men were rescued from the  blocked tunnel. 

Although the humongous efforts employed  by rescue teams and the central and state  governments cannot be denied, we cannot  ignore the role of Divinity in saving precious  lives. A temple of Baba Baukhnath Devta was  established outside the tunnel because the  

operations need the forgiveness and blessings of  the Divine to succeed. 

Arnold would begin and end each day by bowing  before Baba Baukhnath’s shrine. He said, “It  is not about conquering the mountain. It is  about recognising the Divinity present in it and  requesting it to release our people trapped inside  it.”  

This incident also demonstrated the power of  unity and that no one is smaller than the other,  as the final challenge was met with the help of  rat-mine workers from Gorakhpur, who knew how  to navigate narrow tunnels. As experienced from  this incident, there is a power above that always  takes care of us during such events. No amount  of technology or intelligence can ever replace this  power no matter how powerful and competent we  might think ourselves to be. In fact, just before the  completion of the rescue mission, Chief Minister  Pushkar Singh Dhami said that Baba Baukh Nag’s  blessings made the team meet the key objectives  of the 17-day rescue mission. locals believe that he is the resident deity of the  place and without his blessings, rescue operations  

would not be successful. What’s more, a video  showing Australian international tunnelling  expert, Arnold Dix, sitting on the ground in front  of the temple outside the rescue site, with the  temple priest applying tilak on his forehead, was  widely shared on social media.  

According to locals, there existed an old temple at the site which was demolished to build a tunnel. They attributed the blockage in the tunnel to the vire of Baba Baukhnath and realised that all rescue  Arnold Dix, praying to Baba BaukhnathcThe whole of India was deeply concerned  

Arnold would begin and end each day by bowing  before Baba Baukhnath’s shrine. He said, “It  is not about conquering the mountain. It is  about recognising the Divinity present in it and  requesting it to release our people trapped inside  it.”  

This incident also demonstrated the power of  unity and that no one is smaller than the other,  as the final challenge was met with the help of  rat-mine workers from Gorakhpur, who knew how  to navigate narrow tunnels. As experienced from  this incident, there is a power above that always  takes care of us during such events. No amount  of technology or intelligence can ever replace this  power no matter how powerful and competent we  might think ourselves to be. In fact, just before the  completion of the rescue mission, Chief Minister  Pushkar Singh Dhami said that Baba Baukh Nag’s  blessings made the team meet the key objectives  of the 17-day rescue mission. 

- By Jamuna Rangachari 

Making gold from wasteS

Sandeep Tiwari from Bangalore had a  

dream of seeing a developed and clean  India. He dedicated his efforts towards  developing technology for waste treatment and  its scientific disposal and termed it Waste is  Gold. After five years of research, he developed an  organic waste composter which can convert  any quantity of organic waste into nutrient-rich  compost in an eight hours, completely natural  process, which is without burning, harmful  emissions and a very low carbon footprint.  

The process utilises a proprietary bacteria in  breaking down the waste in a very short amount  of time. 

In his journey as the ‘Waste is Gold’ founder,  there have been numerous moments that hold  a special place in his heart. Among them, one  milestone stands out prominently is ie bulk  waste generators effectively and efficiently  managing and processing their waste. This  accomplishment represents a holistic approach  to waste management which is about not  only creating innovative technology but also  empowering communities and organisations  to take control of their environmental  responsibilities.  

 The waste management industry is fraught  with challenges. Insufficient research and  development efforts, coupled with limited  public awareness create a formidable obstacle.  Moreover, the absence of supportive government  policies, and a lack of financial support for  the development of efficient waste processing  technologies have made this journey even more  demanding.  

Yet, it is precisely these challenges that drive  his determination. He says, “I am committed to  pioneering solutions that not only revolutionise  waste management but also raise public  consciousness about its significance. With the  right support and innovation, we can turn waste  into a valuable resource, create sustainable  systems, and make a lasting impact on our  environment. As we forge ahead, I remain  steadfast in my mission to transform these  challenges into opportunities for a cleaner,  greener future.” 

He has established a presence in all major metro  cities in India, including NCR, Mumbai , Pune,  Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Mangalore  Vadodara, Mysore, and Visakhapatnam. He  believes that waste management is not just a  responsibility but an opportunity to transform  waste into valuable resources, contributing to a  cleaner and more sustainable future for all. 

- By Jamuna Rangachari