Cherkady Ramachandra Rao is No More

Cherkady Ramachandra Rao Passes Away

Eminent Gandhian and progressive farmer who blend the Gandhian way with principles of Masanobu Fukuoka in natural farming, Cherkady Ramachandra Rao (91) passed away at his residence in Cherkady village at Udupi after a brief illness on Sunday 21 February 2010.

He survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

Cherkadi Ramachandra Rao was born in Kodagu in 1917. He was two when his father and mother died mysteriously within a day of each other. Then he moved to his older sister's house in Dharmasthala and later to Cherkady where another sister had been living.

Mr. Rao's life was shaped at Cherkady where he grew up grazing brother-in-law's cows and helping in his fields. He was sent to a school at the age of ten for two years.

This formative years in school introduced Gandhi to Rao. His teacher Ramachandra Patil had only one subject, Gandhi. He always spoke of his life thoughts and also kept a charkha in the school.Young Rao learnt to spin, there.

Thus in his spare time Rao started spinning the charkha at home. In late teens, he came to Brahmavar to learn weaving and earned his first income at the age 22. Soon he became an accomplished weaver and was also asked to look after the Khadi Board, Moodbidri.

Pursuing the Cherkady way, a blend of Gandhian and Fukuokan principles of Masanobu Fukuoka, the architect of natural farming, Ramachandra Rao was instrumental in finding answers to many of the modern agricultural problems.

He was the recipient of many awards including “Krishi Pandit” given by the State Government in 2002-03.

Having studied onlyup to standard III, though Cherkady did not read much about Gandhi, but understood deeply Mahatma's vision about life. Everyday until his death he worked and lived in simple imbibing Gandhian thoughts.

In his two-and-a-half acre land given by his brother-in-law,the man has experimented with every possible crop from coconut trees, cashew nut, mango trees, ginger, papaya and vegetables.

The call given by Gandhiji to people to produce rice for themselves in 1948-49 when grain production dropped inspired Rao to resign from Khadi Board, Moodbidri and come to Cherkady with a mission to practise Gandhian ideology. Achrya Vinoba Bhave too had a great influence on Rao.

His farming experiment made him discover that the plant grown out of natural nutrients yielded more than the usual variety. He began growing paddy without tilling the land or using other common farming practices without any irrigation. The method named "Sarvodaya paddy cultivation" became popular in the area as the "Cherkady crop". The method is still considered suitable for hilly and dry areas. He also guided Namma Bhoomi, a charitable institution in Kundapur in experimenting with this method.

However, he was also of the opinion that natural farming doesn't mean turning our backs on the scientific and modern world. He understood that natural farming can find its true purpose only when it is backed scientifically.

ALTERNATIVE joins with the family members, his friends and followers in this time of sorrow and prays the God to rest his soul in peace. Let his experiments of simple life and natural farming methods show the way to our farmers in shaping their life and future farming methods.

-Nethrakere Udaya Shankara

(Imput courtesy: Daijiworld.com, The Hindu, Mangaloremithra, Vijay Karnataka ).

Karnataka Cabinet Nod to Ban Cow Slaughter

Karnataka Cabinet Nod to Ban Cow Slaughter

After its firm stand against Bt -brinjal, Karnataka Government led by Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa took another bold step to Ban Cow Slaughter in Karnataka.

The State Cabinet on Wednesday 10th February 2010 has approved a new law to ban the slaughter of cows and calves and ensure cattle conservation.

The Bill, which is set to replace the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964, is expected to be tabled in the next session of the legislature.

The Cabinet had constituted a subcommittee under the chairmanship of Home Minister V.S. Acharya to study the drawbacks in the existing law and suggest measures to be incorporated in the proposed Act.

The new legislation will be in accordance with the Central Act and in conformity with Article 48 of the Constitution.

Briefing presspersons on the decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting at Bangalore, Dr. Acharya and Law Minister S. Suresh Kumar said that the new legislation would have guidelines for the transportation of cattle, apart from stern punishment for offenders.

First-time offenders will be liable to a year in prison and a fine between Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 50,000. Those held for a second offence or more will have to face imprisonment of up to seven years and pay a fine between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 1 lakh.

Dr. Acharya said that the judgments of courts in various cases pertaining to cow slaughter and transportation of milch animals had suggested that the law should be in consonance with the provisions of the Constitution. “The larger aim of the new Act is to bring in an effective mechanism and enforcement to curb cow slaughter.”

The State Cabinet has approved a new law to ban the slaughter of cows and calves and ensure cattle conservation. The Bill, which is set to replace the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964, is expected to be tabled in the next session of the legislature.

The Cabinet had constituted a subcommittee under the chairmanship of Home Minister V.S. Acharya to study the drawbacks in the existing law and suggest measures to be incorporated in the proposed Act. The new legislation will be in accordance with the Central Act and in conformity with Article 48 of the Constitution.

Briefing presspersons on the decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting at Bangalore on Wednesday, Dr. Acharya and Law Minister S. Suresh Kumar said that the new legislation would have guidelines for the transportation of cattle, apart from stern punishment for offenders. First-time offenders will be liable to a year in prison and a fine between Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 50,000.

Those held for a second offence or more will have to face imprisonment of up to seven years and pay a fine between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 1 lakh.

Dr. Acharya said that the judgments of courts in various cases pertaining to cow slaughter and transportation of milch animals had suggested that the law should be in consonance with the provisions of the Constitution.

“The larger aim of the new Act is to bring in an effective mechanism and enforcement to curb cow slaughter.”

Infact, 7 Member Constitution Bench of Supreme Court of India has upheld the Ban on Cow Slaughter in the year 2005 itself by its Verdict delivered on October 26, 2005. interested can go through this historical Judgement by clicking the image here.

Several Organisations had continuously demanded the ban on Cow Slaughter in Karnataka. Shree Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji of Shree Ramachandrapura Math, Hosanagar in Karnataka had launched nationwide Gou Grama Yathra recently which got the widespread support from all quarters of society, irrespective of caste, creed and political parties.

He had also setup a Cow Dung and Cow Urine Factory, first of its kind in the entire Nation at Malur in Kolar, Karnataka, with the help leading industrialists. Apart from manufacturing various useful products from Cow Dung and Cow Urine, this factory produces Electricity also along with Bio Gas.

Thanks to Karnataka Government for its bold step in protecting farmers and their backbone i.e. Cows and Bullocks.

-Nethrakere Udaya Shankara

Learn Permaculture ..!

Learn Permaculture ..!

When the entire world is busy with thinking on the issues before Copenhagen Summit, I received this interesting mail from Mr. Vasudeva, Secretary, IASK i.e. Institute for Indigenous Agricultural Systems and Knowledge (I-ASK), Bangalore.

Mr. Vasudev informed about the course on Permaculture Jan 2010.What is Permaculture?

Vasudeve notes that this is the special course to those who want to make the earth more sustainable. This course enlightens you how you can adopt Permanent Agriculture.

This is two weeks hands on residential Permaculture Design certification course in Mysore (January 4 to 11) and in Punarvasu (Adamaru, near Udupi) (January 12 to 19, 2009). Permaculture (Permanent Agriculture) is about designing sustainable ecological human habitats and food production systems.

If you want to be a certified Permaculture designer the course is two weeks long from Jan 4 to Jan 19, 2010. If you cannot come for the full two weeks, you can still join for one week sessions (without certification) either in Mysore from Jan 4-11 or near Udupi at an organic farm from Jan 12 to 19, 2010, Vasudev says.

Permaculture is an international social movement and design guide for creating sustainable eco lifestyles. One can join an exciting group of people and study how permaculture puts systems together, how to better manage the land you have and educate yourself on things you can do to be a better steward of this planet we call home.

Interested attendees should register themselves before December 26. For details pls click the image above and see the Flyer. You can pass the word around to your eco minded friends too.

For more details contact: Beeja, Mysore

Tel: +91 9900269756 (Ameli)

Email: ameli@beeja.net, iaskindia@gmail.com

Web : http://iaskindia.googlepages.com

-Nethrakere Udaya Shankara

Chalk out Programme to Rejuvenate Soil

Chalk out Programme to

Rejuvenate Soil

Do you think, Jeevamruta, organic fertilizer prepared as per the direction of Subhash Palekar will help to rejuvenate the soil in flood affected areas?

Recently, more than 30,000 people from Sarvajna Nagar and Bytarayanapura Assembly Constituency of Bangalore urged the Karnataka Government to Ban Cow slaughter and to make use of Jeevamruta, organic fertilizer made out of Cow Dung and Cow urine in flood affected areas to rejuvenate the soil which became salty due to heavy rains.

Experts say that there are about 100 crore microbes in one gram of Soil. And stomach of Cow is sea of microbes. One Gram Dung of Local breeds or Deshi Cow (Indian Cows) contains 200 to 500 crore microbes. When mixed, microbes of Cow Dung and Soil support each other and start multiplying.

Some scientists say soil has no life. But really it is not so. Microbes in the soil made it alive one.

Hundreds of farmers used this Palekar method in their fields and succeeded in increasing the the yield.

Hence it is high time to make use of this system to rejuvenate the soil in flood affected areas. And Government should chalk out a plan to feed the Jeevamruta to to soil in flood affected areas at least once in 15 days, till next rainy season, so that it will rejuvenate with full of microbes by next cultivation time.

Vijay Karnataka has published a timely article on this in its issue 22 October 2009. Pls read the article by clicking the image above and read some more information in http://paryaya.blogspot.com (Cow Protection / Gou Samrakshane Section)

-Nethrakere Udaya Shankara

Thousands urge Ban on Cow Slaughter: Use 'Jeevamruta' to Rejuvanate Soil

Use 'Jeevamruta' to Rejuvanate Soil

Thousands urge Ban on Cow Slaughter

More than 30,000 people from Sarvajna Nagar and Bytarayanapura Assembly Constituency of Bangalore urged the Karnataka Government to Ban Cow slaughter and to make use of Jeevamruta, organic fertilizer made out of Cow Dung and Cow urine in flood affected areas to rejuvenate the soil which became salty due to heavy rains.

A Citizens Delegation of the above said areas submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, through Home Minister Dr. V.S. Acharya on Friday 16th October 2009, which was signed by more than 30,000 people.

Memorandum explained that rejuvenation of soil before next cultivation season is very important as most of the soil beame salty due to floods. There is no wonder if affected farmers try to use chemical fertilizers to improve the soil condition which will harm the soil further.

At this juncture need of the hour is to take some action to improve the soil condition to get good crops next year. Jeevamrut is simple and cheaper organic fertilizer and this could be prepared in the flood affected areas itself after collecting cow dung from various parts of state in the form of donation or through purchase. Such programme will provide employment at least to some flood affected people.

Dr. V.S. Acharya promised the delegation that Government will take action to protect cows shortly. In fact, draft bill has been already prepared and it will be passed soon, he said.

Marappa Alasoor, Thimmegowda, Govinda Rao, Dr. Raja Ram Prasad, Kamala, Muniraju, Vardhaman Jain, Muniraj Karnik and other prominent leaders were there in the the delegation.

To see reports appeared in Press in this regard click the image link above.

-Nethrakere Udaya Shankara

Save 1,147,995,904 Indians.

Save 1,147,995,904 Indians.

Tomorrow (14 October 2009) the GEAC meets to decide on the environmental release of GM i.e. BT Brinjal. We all know by now that GM is irreversible, dangerous and unpredictable. That it could change the world as we know it.There is just a day that separates us from this horrible technology.

Call Mr. Jairam Ramesh the environment minister on 011-24361727 or 011-24363958(If you’re calling from outside India, dial +91-11-24361727or+91-11- 24363958) and leave a message if you cannot get through to the minister, that you do not want GM to be allowed into this country. And that you are no labrat.

Pass on this message to all your friends. If a call can save a life, its worth making.

‘IAMNOLABRAT’ Team

http://www.iamnolabrat.com/

===========================================================================

G. KRISHNA PRASAD

Sahaja Samrudha

'Nandana', No-7, 2nd Cross,

7th Main, Sulthanpalya, Bangalore-560 032 Phone: 080-23655302 /

9880862058

Historic Yathra commenced from Kurukshetra...

Historic Yathra commenced

from Kurukshetra...

108 days Historic Yathra for protection of Cows, 'Vishwa Mangala Gou Grama Yathra' was started amidst holy Sanskrit hymns and Vande Gou Mataram slogans from the gathering at Kurukshetra, Haryana on Wednesday, 30th September 2009 (on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami).

Speaking on the occasion Shree Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji of Shree Ramachandrapura Mutt Hosanagar said that 'Dharma Yuddha was took place for Seeta Matha in Threta Yug, while Dharma Yuddha was held for Bhoo Matha in Dwapara Yugh and now in Kaliyug we have to start Maha Sangram (Great Fight) for the protection of Gou Matha.

Killing of Cows will lead to the destruction of entire human population. Several breeds of Indian Cows have already disappeared due to killings of Cows. Some breeds of Indian Cows are in the edge of extinction... If we won't fight for the protection of Cows even now, we would not remain eligible to seek excuse of Gou Matha also, He said.

We won't look towards politicians for protection of Cows and won't beg them to save Indian Breeds of Cows. We came to you. Governments have to hear what people say. So this movement should become peoples movement, Shankanaada of Kurukshetra must echoed in every nook and corner of the country, He said.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad president Ashok Singhal, RSS leader Bhayyaji Joshi, Sadhvi Rithambara, Moulvi of Uttara Pradesh Chote Mia Mouliddin Saheb and others present on the occasion.

Vishwa Mangala Gou Grama Yathra will cover 20,000 K.Ms in the country during its period of 108 days. 4000 Public functions would be held during the Yathra period and 15,000 Upa Yatharas also will be held in support of main Yathra. Total length of Yahtra route would be 10 Lakh KM's including the Upa Yathras.

Apart from Shree Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji, Shree Vishwesha Thirtha Swamiji of Pejavara Mutt Udupi, Sadhvi Rithambara, Shree Shree Shree Ravishankara Guruji, Ramdevji Baba, Mata Amrutanandamayi, Acharya Vidya Sagar, Bala Gangadhara Swamiji of Adi Chunchanagiri Mutt and several other saints will participate in the yathra at various points.

Non Chemical Agri expert Padmashree Kutti Menon, former director of CBI Joginder Singh and many others also participate in the yathra.

Kamadhenu Havan, Gayathri Havan and Puja to the Chariot for Yathra 'Gou Ratha' were held earlier on 28th and 29th September under the leadership of Shree Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji.

During this yathra Signature Campaign also will held and Yathra intended to collect more than 50 crore signatures and memorandum with these signatures would be submitted to President of India on January 20th 2010.

View the Video here to know some more info about Gou Grama Yathra.

-Nethrakere Udaya Shankara

Count Down Begins to Vishwa Mangala Gou Grama Yathra

Count Down Begins to

A nation wide awareness movement ‘Vishwa Mangala Gou Grama Yathra’ will be inaugurated on 30th September 2009 at Kurukshethra.

Venue : Theme Park, Pehewa Road, Near Sannihit Sarovar, Kurukshethra, Haryana Programme

Starts at : 3:30 pm

Divine Presence : Poojya Jagadguru Shankaracharya Shree Swami Vasudevananda Saraswathi Ji, Pejavara Mathadheesha Poojya Shree Vishwesha Tirtha Swami Ji, Gou Rushi Poojya Shree Dattasharanananda Ji, Poojya Jagadguru Shankaracharya Shree Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swami Ji, Didi Maa Poojya Sadhwi Rutambara Ji, Poojya Shree Swami Chidananda Saraswathi Ji, Poojya Shree Swami Jnanananda Ji, Mahanta Manadas Maharaj Ji, Rinpoche Lochan Tuklu Ji, Bhikku Vishwa Bandhu, Dharmadhikari Dr. Virendra Heggade Ji, Poojya Acharya Shree Baladevji, Chote Miyan Moinuddin Sabari Ji, Navab Majda Ali Khan Hussain Tikari Ji Presence : Shri Bhayyaji Joshi – Sarakaryavah of RSS, Ka.Aa. Adhyaksha Shree Jagadevram Uramv Ji, Jalapurush Shri Rajendra Simha Ji, Padmashree Kutti Menon Ji – Agriculture Expert, Shri Vivek Oberoy Ji – Film Actor, Sa. Joginder Singh Ji – Ex CBI Director, Dr. Shirley Telles Ji – Yoga Expert, Smt. Santosh Yadav Ji – Parvatharohi

Yathra :

In 108 days it covers the distance of 20 thousand kms.

More than 15 thousand Upa Yathras will reach each & every corner of the country.

Signature Campaign : Crores together singnatures will be collected.

Come, Join Us, In this Historic Journey towards Universal Prosperity and Happiness.

For details click the image links above and lend your full support to the movement.

-Nethrakere Udaya Shankara

Benefits of Gaumata (Cow)

Benefits of Gaumata (Cow)

This is the mail I received from Rohit Khisti. He pointed out the benifits from Cows and sent a vidio appeared in Youtube.

Rohit says ' If we can prove to people about benefits of gaumata, campaign on tv commercials about benefits of gaumata, then i think that will also help our farmers as well cow protection.

.

Few points would be:

1) Biogas plant. This will eliminate expense on Household LPG Cylinder ( Approximate 5000 Rs per year )

2) Milk & Dairy Products.

3) Fertilizers from Cow dung for Farming

Lets explore & start working on it. Drop of water helps to fill up the dam, so lets start contributing as drop of water in the activity..Dont get bugged up with political decisions, non gaumata followers etc.

In the Video here Chaitanya Kumar, Hyderabad city coordinator for Indian Youth Climate Network, explains the simple beauty of a biogas plant in a village nearby to Hyderabad.

Just go through it.

-Nethrakere Udaya Shankara

People thronged Organic Mela..!

People thronged Organic Mela..!

BANGALORE: Thanks to Swine Flu H1N1 for bringing more awareness about health and strengthening immune system. 'Will Organic Foods wil strengthen our immune system?' This was the main question posed by people who attended the Organic Mela Held at Bangalore on 12th Saturday and 13th Sunday of September 2009 at Lalbagh.

But it was not just health-conscious Bangaloreans, also people from all walks of life who thronged the two-day Organic Mela organised by the Jaivik Krushik Samaj and Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI).

There were a number of farmers who turned up and not necessarily with their produce.

“The mela is a very good opportunity to bring about more awareness. But organic farming still has a long way to go,” said Kudlappa, an organic farmer from Nellur of Gadag district.

Apart from seeds of various food crops and vegetables, there were plenty of eatables such as jams, pickles, rotis, papads, juices made from organic produce.

Aim

The mela brought together farmers and producers of organic food from across the country, including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Gujarat. The main objective of organising the event was to bring awareness to consumers about what was happening in the organic movement, said N.R. Shetty of Sahaja Samrudha, an organic farmers’ association, which is partnering the organisers.

Seminars

Not restricting itself to being merely a platform where produce is sold, seminars and practical demonstrations on different aspects of organic farming were held for two days in which more than 100 to 150 farmers participated.

Interesting thing is that several practing doctors from Bangalore City also participated in the seminars and enquired much about Organic products.

Calling for a separate ministry for small farmers, Subhash Mehta, Adviser for Food and Agriculture Organisation, said: “The Indian Government sanctions over Rs. 2,50,000 crore in farm subsidies. That amount goes only to farmers with large holdings, who constitute only 10 per cent of the total number of agriculturists. Therefore, a separate ministry should be constituted to look after the needs of farmers with small holdings as the Ministry for Agriculture has clearly failed to do so.”

The mela, which was at the MHS near the Lalbagh Main Gate, concluded on 13th September 2009 Sunday.

To view the photos of Organic Mela click the link to image above. (imputs by G. Krishna Prasad, Ganadhalu Srikanta and The Hindu)

-Nethrakere Udaya Shankara

Photo Exhibition at Mysore

Photo Exhibition at Mysore

Photographers of State have organised beautiful Photo Exhibition at Mysore from September 18 to September 22 on the Occasion of Dasara Festival.

Photographers have invited all to visit and enjoy the Exhibition.

Click the Image above for details.

- Nethrakere Udaya Shankara