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New Delhi: Founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti and World Peace Center Jain Acharya Lokesh Ji addressed the International conference on ‘Deciphering Transversality of Water-Energy-Environment Nexus’ presided over by Chairman of Prasar Bharti Mr. Navneet Sehgal organized by India Water Foundation at Dr. Ambedkar International Center in the presence of in presence of Vice President of Seva Bharti Sansthan Mr. Shravan Goyal. In the session moderated by Shri Ram Mohan Mishra Chairman of Investment Promotion Board, Meghalaya, there was a multi-sector dialogue on various aspects of conservation and promotion of water, environment and energy for sustainable future.
Acharyashri Lokesh Ji and other speakers were honored by India Water Foundation President Dr. Arvind Kumar by presentation of Memento.

World Peace Ambassador Acharya Lokesh said that the world is facing the problem of climate change. Glaciers are melting, temperature is rising, environmental pollution is increasing, hole in the ozone layer is increasing, and ultraviolet rays of the sun are harming life on earth. Jain philosophy says that not only humans and animals, but also earth, water, air, fire and vegetation are living beings. The principle of ‘Shatjivanikaya’ says that one should not disturb nature unnecessarily, there should be balanced use of water, energy and environment, for this it is necessary to create awareness.

Chairman of Prasar Bharti Mr. Navneet Sehgal said that the imbalance in environment is a very hazardous problem for the present and future generations. Clean water, pure environment and energy are not available as per requirement. Strict steps will have to be taken to maintain balance in the environment, to ensure a sustainable future.

Chairman of Investment Promotion Board Meghalaya, Shri Ram Mohan Mishra said that for environmental protection and preservation, organized efforts will have to be made from all sectors of the society including religious leaders, social workers, media etc. At present water pollution, air pollution, food adulteration is responsible harming life. Effective steps will also have to be taken to solve many such issues.

Socioeconomic development of Hindus or concern to increase the number of Hindu voters

Delhi : RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s call for Hindus to adopt the three-child norm has triggered a multi-faceted debate in India involving demographic, social and moral considerations.

Due to Hindu Muslim politics, one side is constantly advising Hindus to take concrete steps towards increasing family size otherwise in the next fifty years the minorities will become the majority and the balance will be disturbed.

The young generation of Hindus is a supporter of late marriage, live-in relationship, nuclear family, no child marriage, one child family, gender equality. Educated young Hindus are supporters of good lifestyle and freedom, autonomy, privacy. On the other hand, the minority community is against all these modern ideas.

There is another reason for Bhagwat’s concern. Supporters suggest that the RSS policy could address concerns about an ageing population and labour shortages. However, the implications and long-term consequences of such a norm could also be far-reaching, especially when two nations still appear to be running in one country.

The danger is that the pressure to advocate for large families could undermine the process of women’s empowerment. Historically, Indian society has struggled with gender inequalities, and a three-child mandate could exacerbate these issues by pressuring women into traditional roles centred around childbearing and motherhood. Rather than strengthening family units, this initiative could undermine women’s autonomy and aspirations in education and careers. Empowering women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health is essential; without this, mandated increases in family size could increase health risks and put economic strain on families.

Beyond women’s empowerment, the economic implications cannot be ignored, says activist Padmini Iyer. Currently, many families face challenges in providing quality education and healthcare for their children.

Encouraging larger families without addressing the root causes of these economic pressures can lead to resource scarcity, deteriorating living standards, and increased child poverty rates. The question arises: will larger families lead to better outcomes for children, or will it reduce the quality of life for all?

India’s rapid population growth requires a balance between population dynamics and resource management. If families are encouraged or forced to have more children without parallel investments in sustainable development, issues such as environmental degradation, inadequate infrastructure, and strained public services can get worse, says social scientist prof Paras Nath Choudhary.

Policymakers must consider how increasing population pressures can affect everything from water resources to health care systems. To create an environment conducive to responsible family planning, investments should focus on education (especially for women), health care access, and economic empowerment. Policies aimed only at increasing numbers risk neglecting the broader well-being of citizens, creating a cycle of socio-economic challenges, according to social activist Mukta Gupta.
Countries facing similar pressures have often moved toward stabilization through education and women’s empowerment rather than mandates for large families. Research consistently supports a link between women’s educational attainment and lower fertility rates.

While the idea of ​​encouraging large families among Hindus may stem from demographic concerns, the implications of such a policy are complex and multifaceted.

Focusing on the three-child norm may inadvertently undermine women’s empowerment, put pressure on existing resources, and foster social divisions.

Delhi – To draw attention towards ongoing atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, the civil society of Delhi, in collaboration with over 200 social and cultural organizations, organized a press conference on 6th Dec, 2024. Also, a march to the Bangladesh Embassy, to protest against the escalating human rights violations faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh will be organised on Tuesday 10th December 2024. The event aimed to draw attention to the violence and persecution targeted at the Hindu community and other minorities, urging both national and international stakeholders to intervene.

The press conference, held at 93, South Avenue, Delhi, brought together distinguished figures from civil society and government. Ambassador Veena Sikri (IFS, Retired High Commissioner to Bangladesh) and Shri Rajiv Jain (IPS, Former Director General of Intelligence Bureau, and Member, NHRC), along with representatives from various organizations, addressed the media. The speakers highlighted the worsening human rights situation in Bangladesh, expressing grave concern over the systemic violence inflicted on minorities.

‘Bangladesh, once a bastion of multi-ethnic and multi-religious coexistence, has seen its Hindu population plummet from 25% in 1977 to a mere 8% today. The political turmoil of August 5, 2024, which led to the overthrow of a constitutionally elected government, has intensified this crisis. Extremist forces have exploited the unrest to perpetrate heinous crimes against minorities, including killings, rapes, torture, arson, and inhumane persecution, especially targeting women and children. The interim government and relevant institutions have been accused of inaction, further emboldening perpetrators and fostering an environment of impunity.

The organizers and participants condemned the atrocities and emphasized the urgent need for collective action to address these human rights violations. They demanded the immediate cessation of violence, the enforcement of international human rights conventions, and the release of ISKCON Sanyasi Pujya Shri Chinmay Krishna Das from unjust imprisonment. The speakers also called for global solidarity to protect religious minorities and promote peace and tolerance in Bangladesh.

Civil Society of Delhi and its partner organizations urged immediate intervention to address the human rights violations in Bangladesh. Their demands included:
1. Immediate Protection for Minorities: Enforcement of human rights in line with international conventions and the UN Charter.
2. Ending Genocide: Immediate cessation of targeted violence against Hindus and other minorities.
3. Release of Religious Leaders: Free ISKCON Sanyasi Pujya Shri Chinmay Krishna Das from unjust imprisonment.
4. Global Solidarity: Mobilize international support to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure justice for victims.
5. Promotion of Religious Tolerance: Advocate for harmony and coexistence among all religious communities in Bangladesh.

The participants expressed their solidarity with the victims and called upon the international community to take decisive steps to halt the ongoing atrocities. The civil society representatives reiterated their commitment to advocating for justice, equality, and the protection of human rights for all.