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    Nature's Verse
    Nature's Verse
    Nature's Verse
    Ebook288 pages2 hours

    Nature's Verse

    By Gurpavan Kaur Gill

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    About this ebook

    Life as we know it seems to be underpinned on electrical energy.
    Live without it for 2 days and everything unravels. You cannot
    work, meet deadlines, shop, store or feed yourself.
    --Suhasini Ayer, Auroville, Pondicherry, India
    This book describes global natural and cultural biodiversity and the way to unite individuals from various backgrounds through collaboration, natural restoration and peaceful co-existence. It explores Asian culture and economic growth, particularly in India, to promote equality within the Indian social order through a paradigm shift--building a society based on mutual well-being rather than caste distinction. India and the world has the potential to grow and expand in a profoundly sustainable and positive socioeconomic manner. Juxtaposing nature and our human world, this book reveals the parallels found between the worlds of nature and humanity. Learning from the symmetry and harmony of nature, humanity too can co-exist in a peaceful and positive way through the process of symbiosis.
    Pavan Gills manuscript addresses two of the most pressing issues of our time: inequality and human security. Her...insightful and well-researched work on ecological biodiversity and environmental harmony in India is both creative and original.
    Professor Gordon Smith -Executive Director of the Centre for Global Studies-Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for international Governance Innovation (CIGI), and Adjunct Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Victoria

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherWestBow Press
    Release dateJan 10, 2013
    ISBN9781490803920
    Nature's Verse
    Author

    Gurpavan Kaur Gill

    Gurpavan Kaur Gill is a teacher with the Vancouver School Board. She has a Master of Arts in Human Security and Peace-building, and she has conducted development work and research on solar energy and human rights in Africa, India, China, and Canada. She has also travelled extensively throughout Europe and America, studying art and art history. Gurpavan continues to paint and write poetry in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she now resides.

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      Book preview

      Nature's Verse - Gurpavan Kaur Gill

      Nature’s

      VERSE

      Expanding Solar Energy Access Across the Globe to Promote Equality, Natural Energy and Sustainable Development in Underprivileged Areas

      Gurpavan Kaur Gill

      11180.png

      Copyright © 2013 by Gurpavan Kaur Gill.

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

      WestBow Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

      WestBow Press

      A Division of Thomas Nelson

      1663 Liberty Drive

      Bloomington, IN 47403

      www.westbowpress.com

      1-(866) 928-1240

      Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

      Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

      and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

      Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

      ISBN: 978-1-4497-4877-7 (sc)

      ISBN: 978-1-4908-0392-0 (e)

      Library of Congress Control Number: 2012907593

      WestBow Press rev. date: 10/18/2013

      Contents

      Acknowledgments

      Foreword

      Genesis

      PART l We are One

      Introduction

      The Purpose of this Book

      CHAPTER 1 Improving GDP Per Capita

      CHAPTER 2 Universal Rights and Freedoms of Living

      We are One

      Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

      CHAPTER 3 Origins of the Caste System and its Manifestations

      Atomic Dance

      Self knowledge and Enlightenment

      Caste in the Shadows

      Child Labour as a result of Caste Distinction

      Education and the Caste System

      The Need for Change

      CHAPTER 4 Efficient Use of Renewable Energy to Achieve Economic Stabilization

      Breathing Sun

      Multi-Dimensional Poverty and Inequality

      Renewable Energy Potential in India

      The Indian Solar Mission

      Financing Solar Initiatives

      CHAPTER 5 The Issues—Barriers to Energy Access in underprivileged Areas

      Land Distribution and Land Claims

      Caste System and Gender Disparities

      Corruption and Human Resources

      Education

      CHAPTER 6 Field Work in Karnataka

      Universe

      Promoting Equality Based Socio-Economic Growth and Learning throughout India one Village at a Time

      Working in the Field

      Karnataka State Children’s Home

      Society for the Deprived Classes Education

      Ambavaram Village Project

      Shishu Mandir

      CHAPTER 7 Food Security

      CHAPTER 8 The Pivotal Role of Government

      Auroville

      Finance

      Direct Economic Investment

      Recommendations for Orissa

      Inter-State Training Campaigns

      Socio-Economic Solutions for Rural India

      Part ll Intimations of Equality and Human Harmony

      Lunar Sea

      Bridge

      Unity

      Energy

      CHAPTER 9 Waheguru—Beautiful Lord

      God

      My Guru

      Truth is God

      As the Sun

      Open Door

      Moment

      Universe

      Rejoice

      Spirit Pure

      CHAPTER 10 Mother

      Woman of Earth

      Woman

      Seed

      Mother

      Global Village

      CHAPTER 11 The Power of Love

      Heart

      Union of Two

      A New Bond

      True Love

      Source

      Gulab

      Origins

      CHAPTER 12 The Power of Solar

      Saffron Brush

      Rising Rays

      Brilliant Sun

      Sun

      Spectrum

      Sun Rise

      Spinning Sun

      Sun

      Sun Set

      CHAPTER 13 Lake

      Mirror

      Gentle Lake

      Lake

      Reeves

      CHAPTER 14 Dear Forest—Our True Wealth

      Forest

      Temple

      Tree

      Divine branch

      Forest Tall

      CHAPTER 15 Nature’s Verse

      We Belong to Earth

      Dear Earth

      Sculpted Earth

      Mountain Range

      Rare Earth

      The Cure for Cancer

      Spirit

      Soar

      Light

      CHAPTER 16 Mist

      Fog

      Formless

      Thick Mist

      CHAPTER 17 The Power of Peace

      Peace

      Journey

      Time

      CHAPTER 18 The Power of the Living Ocean

      Rise and Fall

      Ocean

      Symphony

      Lite

      CHAPTER 19 The Power of the Wind

      Velvet Sky

      Winds of Spring

      Winds

      Winds of Hope

      Clouds

      Cloudy Night

      Sand Dunes

      Freedom

      Colours

      Wind

      Dark Night

      Blushing Clouds

      Sky

      CHAPTER 20 Universe

      Nebula

      Infinitude

      Peacock Feather

      Scribe

      CHAPTER 21 Eart

      Gentle Earth

      Young Earth

      Artful Tales of Earth

      Spring

      Eagle

      Soar

      Globe

      The Eagle Soars Above

      City Streets

      Now

      God is Light

      On the 16th Floor

      Ants

      Puzzle

      Mosaic

      Freedom

      Masterpiece

      Afterword

      References

      Appendices

      Endnotes

      About the Author

      Acknowledgments

      I would like to thank our Creator by whom the fabric of our universe has been weaved in a perfection we can only begin to fathom. He has intricately stitched life’s hem, the galaxies, nebulas, our majestic planet and all ethereal realms together in an unwavering interdependence. I would also like to thank nature for its majesty, wonder and patience, inspiring me in every breath of life.

      Further, I would like to thank all of my friends from India, China, Africa, Thailand and all parts of the world that have inspired me to continue my work due to the love they have within their hearts. Thank you.

      I would like to acknowledge and thank my grandfather, Parmanand Singh, for his resilience and his integrity in devoting his life to social welfare and human rights while raised in a hierarchical society. I wish to thank my mother for her constant care, attention and support and my father for guiding me and always believing in my dreams. I would also like to thank my brother and sister for their support and strength. Further, I want to thank my Professors and fellow graduates in the Human Security and Peace building program at Royal Roads University. They have helped me develop sound goals and encouraged me to live for what I believe in. Through their example and their dedication to Human Security, the world is moving towards a better future. I would like to thank Dr. Natalee Popadiuk for reviewing my manuscript and for her wisdom, knowledge and leadership and for being a wonderful Professor, role model and friend. I would also like to thank Davide Cottone for his analysis of this book and Vanessa Louise Goodall for contributing research data on food security and editing the manuscript through to publication.

      Foreword

      Pavan Gill articulately and passionately creates a detailed picture of what is required to change the lives of people in India. She brings us into her personal life by honouring her grandfather, Parmanand Singh, and his quest to bring peace, equality, and respect to the lower classes, the untouchables, of his homeland. Even after being imprisoned for 14 years for social justice work that was deemed subversive, he continued to act on his principles and peacefully work toward social change. Decades later, Pavan finds her way back to the home of her grandfather with a vision to make real and measurable changes for the poorest and most vulnerable children and families living there – the Dalith or untouchables.

      In her writing, Pavan calls upon us to consider a new paradigm that could make a difference in the world. What would it mean for us to reflect upon our taken-for-granted assumptions and actions that impact our natural world, food security, and international peace? What would it mean for us to contemplate that child labour in India might be the reason we can buy beautiful carpets or clothing at reasonable prices? What would it mean for nations to divert monies slated for war, death, and destruction, and instead, feed people nutritious food, educate children to become leaders with integrity, and harness green technologies to bring energy and light to rural communities?

      In the opening chapters, Pavan provides compelling evidence about the caste system, economic needs, the environment, and energy requirements. Her impassioned research helps us to better understand the intricacies of the situation – the history, traditions, politics, and ongoing complexities. Comparisons to other nations, like China and Brazil, who have experienced similar crises of poverty and a lack of education for the poor contextualizes the efforts, or lack thereof, and points to possible alternative solutions. The message is clear: change is possible in India, but governments must act with integrity and create solutions that can be implemented and sustained.

      In addition to the facts, Pavan opens her heart and soul to the people, the geography, and the spiritual practices through evocative poems, drawings, and photographs. She shares her passion and compassion for the people, nature, and all the things that make us human in this world. Her words and images supersede the intellectual, and instead stir our emotions, our humanity. Pavan demonstrates the interconnectedness of life and gracefully provides sustenance to knowledge and allows us to experience the beauty and the tragedy of many Indian people today.

      Pavan also writes from her own internship experiences working for the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in India on the slum dwellers project and rural development. She collected data from stakeholders and reached the conclusion that more needed to be done to assist the Dalith people, the untouchables, to provide for their most basic needs – education, healthcare, belonging. As the founder of the Lotus Foundation for Children, Pavan steadfastly continues to bring the plight of the Dalith people into the world’s awareness, and works diligently to change their lives right where they live. I am honoured to be able to support Pavan in her quest for social justice in some small way, and amazed at the work that she has accomplished thus far. Like her grandfather, Pavan has the knowledge and the passion to change the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable amongst us.

      At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.’ Hungry not only for bread - but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing - but naked for human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks - but homeless because of rejection.

      Mother Teresa

      Dr. Natalee Popadiuk

      Professor in the Department of

      Counselling Psychology

      University of Victoria

      Genesis

      In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, Let there be light, and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.¹

      Part l

      We are One

      jaanahu joth n pooshhahu jaathee aagai jaath n hae ||1|| rehaao ||²

      Recognize the Lord’s Light within all, and do not consider social class or status; there are no classes or castes in the world hereafter. ||1||Pause||

      manas ki jat sabhe eke paihcanbo³

      Recognise all of mankind as a single caste of humanity.

      neh baran baran neh kuleh kul ||⁴

      You have no caste or social class.

      Introduction

      It was during the period of British occupancy in India that my grandfather decided to speak out against the civil inconsistencies and the harsh political, socio-economic and religious

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