Mandala
January 2024
MANDALA
Divine Intervention
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 ire of Baba Baukhnath and realised that all rescue Arnold Dix, praying to Baba Baukhnath
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.
- 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