[Goanet] What Alcohol Does to Your Body

[Roland Francis]

The most interesting presentation on the passage of alcohol though your body 
you will ever get outside of medical school.

And all this on a real body donated to science.

https://youtu.be/6q1RH8A3O3c

Roland.
Toronto.

[Goanet] Cyclone Tauktae in Goa 2021

[Frederick Noronha]

If you know of any social media reporting on the cyclone that struck Goa
this week, please share it here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/963920191045696/
Check out some images and videos from the coastal areas. FN
-- 
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
_/  FN * फ्रेड्रिक नोरोन्या * فريدريك نورونيا‎ +91-9822122436
_/  See a different Goa here, via
_/  https://youtube.com/c/frederickfnnoronha
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

[Goanet] The Hindu Middle Class - Modi’s Core

[Roland Francis]

Sujit Nair shines in this analysis of Modi’s future.

https://youtu.be/QqCZPVsjKH8

What do you think?

Roland.
Toronto.

[Goanet] Governance Matters COVID-19 Pandemic Shows How-CSE’s News Bulletin May 19, 2021

[Sunita Narain]

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CSE’s Weekly News Bulletin

May 18, 2021

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BULLETIN HIGHLIGHTS

Editorial by Sunita Narain

Stories from Down To Earth

Events

New Publications

 

Sunita Narain

Editor, Down To Earth

 Twitter: @sunitanar 

Governance matters:

COVID-19 pandemic shows how

It’s a sharp bell curve and the course of the virus coincides with a
change in government. In mid-January, the United States had over
200,000 daily new cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
On January 20, the new president, Joe Biden, took over. By
mid-February daily new cases fell sharply to 50,000.

You may argue that the decline was because the wave had peaked in the
US; but the fact is that governance matters. It is a fact that the
then outgoing president Donald Trump had derided scientific evidence
on the pandemic, rejected advice against holding rallies or even
wearing a mask. This changed. In every government meeting, the new
president wears a mask. The message is clear. It makes a difference.

Moreover, there has been an aggressive move to vaccinate the entire
population. As of May 11, some 36 per cent of the US population had
got the jab and the plan is to get everyone vaccinated by July. This
means the country is back in business.

Now India’s horrific and apoplectic COVID-19 surge is teaching the
US lessons. Top science adviser Anthony Fauci told the country’s
senators that the worst mistake that India made was to underestimate
the virus; it opened up too soon; it let the guard down too soon. So,
the US is now talking about long-term measures, including investment
in public health infrastructure, even as it opens up its economy.
It’s working on booster shots so that its population can remain
protected Continue Reading


Announcements

Website Launch

Launch of Young Environmentalist, a website for the young, June 2021

 

Online Training

Understanding Traffic Impact Assessment, May 28 to June 10, 2021


 

Asia-Africa Online Training Programme

Making Data Speak - Demystifying Air Quality and Public Health Data
for Effective Communication, May 28 - June 12, 2021


 

2nd Impact Workshop cum Master Class

Capacity building initiative for Citywide Water and Sanitation
Management, June 16-18, 2021


 

Online Training

EIA: A Requirement Beyond Clearance, July 1-10, 2021


 

Online Training Programme

CEMS and CEQMS- Technology selection, its installation, Data Handling
and its Audit M

[Goanet] A GRIEF LOADED 60Th YEAR OF GOA'S LIBERATION

[Aires Rodrigues]

We must applaud the entire staff of the Electricity department from the
Chief Engineer to the linesman helper for working tirelessly to restore the
Power supply across the State which was snapped by the cyclone that ripped
through Goa.

While the doctors and staff at various hospitals are toiling around the
clock trying to save lives infected with COVID-19, we were struck by
cyclone Tauktae which unleashed further havoc all over our State.

All this happening in a year when we should have been celebrating 60 years
of Liberation.

The ground reality is that we are far from liberated and facing
unprecedented crisis with the spread of COVID-19 on account of Chief
Minister Pramod  Sawant not taking the required steps in time to prevent
the spread of the virus.

In the 60th year of Goa's Liberation we find ourselves from the Green Zone
now very unfortunately sunk in total despair deep into a very dark red Zone.

There is nothing we could do to prevent the cyclone but the spread of the
pandemic is a human  induced crisis which is  very unfortunate,
unforgivable and unpardonable. The buck stops at your door Mr. Chief
Minister while you kept merrily chanting Bhivpachi Goroz Na.

Mr. CM, posterity will not forgive your political and administrative
impotence on account of which so many precious lives have been lost.

The devastation caused by the pandemic and the after effects of the cyclone
expose how poorly prepared our Government is with no disaster management
systems in place. The total lack of leadership and no desire to act
urgently is glaringly obvious. In both disasters we the people yet again
are dependant on our frontline warriors and experts in the  health service
and utilities departments.

Mr CM, when will you put the lives of people first? If not NOW when ?

[Goanet] Amish Community: Caretakers of the Earth

[Pratap Naik]

Amish Community: Caretakers of the Earth

Amish people who live mainly in America and Canada give the first and
important place to God in their life. They love God by faithfully following
his 10 commandments.

Their life is governed by the Bible, an unwritten code of behaviour called
the Ordnung, and their traditions.

They live, work, and do everything as a unified small community. They will
not sacrifice the importance of the community for their individual
convenience. They respect their community and find their true identity
remaining with their community.

They are a people who in their respect for the law of God, cherish the
earth and keep it safe by promoting waste and pollution free methods of
agriculture and cottage industries.

Their life style is really simple but filled with joy and cheerfulness
without electricity, TV, phone and modern gadgets, etc.

Their life is the living testimony for others how to live in this world
with harmony with others and nature.

They do not have church buildings. Every Sunday they meet at the house of a
member in rotation for three hours to listen to scripture reading from the
Bible, sermon by the bishop or pastors and of singing and prayers. It is
followed by lunch prepared by everyone and socializing. They sing without
instrumental accompaniment or harmony.

They believe in dialogue with the community and not in arguments and
fights. They strictly abide by what is agreed upon by their community from
time to time.

They are peace loving people and do not use any arms to defend them.

They live as a community like that of early Christians. Among them nobody
is too rich or very poor. They support one another at all times.

They are not caught in the web of uncontrolled and unlimited progress and
civilization. They know how to accept the limits of development.

They do not discard their past but remain faithful to their tradition and
culture. Their life is built upon cooperation, unity, fellowship and not on
competition or boosting of personal ego.

They live a contended life with minimum and basic things. They do not
believe in accumulating wealth. They live for their basic needs and not for
their greed.

They have no bank accounts or insurance policy or any social security. They
find security in God and in their community.

Most of the food items which they eat are produced by them in their farms.
They stich their own clothes. Their children attend their own school, where
besides reading, writing, they learn their rules and customs.

They live a quiet life, without interfering in the lives of others. They
live and practice what they believe. They believe that true happiness comes
through their faith in God, disciplined life, simple life style in harmony
with others and nature.

Amish lifestyles vary from community to community. Yet, the simplicity is
their hallmark. Usually, they avoid alcohol. Even those who take it, always
with moderation.

Funeral practices vary across Amish communities. But all of them reflect
the core Amish values of simplicity, humility, and mutual aid. Funeral
services are held at home rather then using the funeral parlour as
Americans do. Instead of eulogy of the dead person, they focus on biblical
accounts of resurrection. Gravestones are uniform, modest and plain. After
a funeral, the community gathers together to share a meal.

They are really people of God and true caretakers of the earth. They use
the earth for their livelihood but never exploit it. They live in this
world, but not of it. They are the torchbearers to carry on God’s divine
vision and mission.

As human beings there will be a few shortcomings and negative aspects in
their life. The main is inbreeding. Due to this, mental disorders are
found, but Amish do not reveal it to the outside world. They take care each
member of their community. Divorce or birth control are absent among them.
Compared to us who claim “progressive, modern, developed, civilized,
educated” their short comings are negligible.

In India Adivasi tribals lived in the past like the Amish. Unfortunately,
they are swallowed in the life style of the main stream of India and thus
lost their unique identity.

Since I lived somewhat Amish way of life in my village, till I joined the
Jesuits, I am convinced that simplicity of life and living in harmony with
others and nature will save our planet. Industrialization, modernization,
wars, and uncontrolled exploitation of the earth has wounded it and caused
innumerable problems, promotes new diseases and pandemics. We have
forgotten that we are not the owners or masters of the planet and universe.
We are merely the caretakers of it. When we realize the truth that we are
pilgrims on this planet, then we will become enlightened persons and we
will fulfill the dream of our creator. One of the most important aspects of
rearticulating human development is to emphasize the need for fairness to
nature and other living beings. We cannot be developed unless our lives
become