A Tree for Free

Pune is the greenest place on Earth I have ever visited. When my mother had come to see me a year back, she was absolutely spell bound by the greenery around. It really gives you a lot of pleasure to watch such wonderful trees.

When studying for exams in college, I'd often sit in our beautifully maintained college garden. It'd relax my mind to a degree that I could get back to studies full swing.

I really realised the importance of trees recently and would like to do every thing to make my surroundings greener. Whats more, Green has become the flavour of this season for me.

The good news is that Sambhaji Park, near Bal Gandharva Square (in Pune) maintains a nursery and sells all kinds of trees just for a rupee each. Now this is the most amazing thing I heard of in recent times. This facility of availing low cost trees is provided specially to promote afforestation by common people.

We should take up responsibility of planting a few trees at least and maintaining them. This would ensure to preserve the greenery in our cities. Dont you feel this is an easy way to say Good Bye to Global Warming !

Think Global Cooling

I dont think I need to mention about the threats to our environment by Global Warming. But here's we can do our bit :-

1. Save Air by

• Using private vehicles wastes money and pollutes air. Why not make car pools to save both? You will eliminate about 22 pounds of carbon dioxide for every gallon of gasoline saved

• Use public transport facilities like buses, if convinient. They are already there messing up the situation. Why do you want to add up to the mess?

• Use a bicycle for short distances. We often have work nearby - grocery, school, college and so on. Why not use the most trendy means of transport? Saves a lot of fuel and money also

• We cant do anything to the pollution by Power Stations. Better way, Save Electricity

• SAVE TREES. Green should be the flavor of all seasons to come now.
  

2. Save Water/Land by

• Shut the tap while brushing teeth. A lot of water gets wasted. Whats more, open the tap in low pressure. Even this would save a lot of water

• A shower wastes a lot of water as compared to bathing by the use of a bucket. So if you still want to use the shower, shut it off when you dont exactly require it (of course while bathing)
  

• Buy minimal packaged goods. Choose reusable products over disposable ones. You will be able to eliminate about 1000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year if you cut down your garbage by 25%.

3. Save Electricity by

• Shut lights and fans when not required. Be it your school, college or work place. Insist others to as well

• Do not use Air Conditioners as far as possible. Else our kids might not even get to see an AC in times to come

• Relace Air Conditioners by fans and desert coolers. Quite a good deal, huh?
  

Did You Know?

According to the World's Health Organization, each year about tens of thousands of people die in the world's major cities due to the breathing in of poor quality air. As many as one billion people around the world are regularly exposed to pollution levels up to 100 times more than WHO guidelines.

We often might reject the thought of contributing to save the environment by saying it wont be enough or adequate if a single person tries to help. Of course it wont be. But what if like me, you also start spreading awareness of such small techniques to save our mother land. I am sure you can think of even more minute and accurate details. Why not spread them for a good cause?

By sharing technologies, experience and resources we can hopefully lower the greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the threat of global climate change.

Kothrud Rip Off

As Pune gets new sky scrapers, cost living in Pune also has sky as the limit. Kothrud happens to be one of the fastest developing localities of Asia.

The effect is so gruesome that rooms in Yashraj Hostel near MIT College, which were just capable of dwelling 2 people now have 3; and the rent that used to be a mere Rs. 1500 p.m. is now a whopping Rs. 5000 p.m. And I can tell you that its not even possibly to accommodate 3 cots, tables and chairs in the room, leave aside living and studying...

Going by calculations, its surprising to note that a small room which would generate Rs. 3000 a month 2 years back will now generate Rs. 15000 a month. To add more, every room has a separate electricity meter which means electricity bill needs to be cleared separately.

And its very much possible because we do have quite a few 'million dollar babies', who can flex a money muscle to meet the price rise. Thanks to the callous owner who has a nasty attitude and says, "The boys need a place to live and this is the cost they have to pay! I don't care if a few people go. Newer ones will keep coming".

The situation became even worse when the nearby hostels also shot up room fares leaving a middle class student in total dismay. Such students now hunt for flats or rooms on cot basis in far off places which definitely waste a lot of time and could be a major head ache if they do not own a vehicle.

How Penurious is our Police?

When it comes to taking responsibilities, the Indian administration is world class in demurring and turning away. And Indian Ploice is no exception.

In a recent happening, a man was brutally beaten to death by crushing his head with stones by 6 people near a railway station in Pune and then laid down on the tracks to be chopped off in day light in public. The most exciting part of the story is that even Police was there enjoying the sight. When asked be the people around to do something in that regard, they promptly replied, "A railway line is not in police jurisdiction. Railway Police should stop and catch the criminals."

Yes sir, why would you do anything to stop someone from killing people in public? Was it your family member being brutally murdered? But sir, you would atleast call up the Railway Police and hand them over your criminals, right?

A National Level Convention for RTI Crusaders

A National Convention of RTI activists was held in Pune on 12,13th May 2007. Activists from 23 states in India participated. Bharat Uday Mission (BM) Pune members were present as volunteers to assist the organizers "Surajya Sangharsha Samiti, Pune", a group of RTI activists in Pune.

The convention was attended by well known personalities including: Aruna Roy, Arvind Kejriwal, Anna Hazare, Prashant Bhushan, Manish Sisodiya (parivartan), Medha Patkar. Phew, being with such people was quite an honour.

Following members from Pune participated as volunteers: Prerna, Ranjini, Rishikesh, Abhijeet R, Ashwin T, Dipendra, Pradnya K, Ketaki M, Abhijit K.

Members of BM Gwalior and BM Ujjain chapters were invited and Saurabh and Gaurav Bharat From those chapters represented BM.

Through this convention BM got good visibility among some of the activist groups like Parivartan, and among activists from various other states. We also showed our interest in helping the RTI activists all over India in making a database of all RTI activists.

Lot of BM members are already members of HumJanenge yahoogroup, which is the prime medium of communication for RTI activists. We can further use this group to update the RTI activists about : our experiences with the applications that we have filed, difficulties, solutions,
suggestions, etc. BM members can use the name of Bharat Uday Mission in their signatures to further give visibility to the mission.

The next RTI convention is planned in Ranchi in September and I believe that BM members from nearby areas will definitely participate.

I believe working in isolation is exremely inefficient, and we should be coordinating our activities with other activists in our states. "Ekta Mein Bal Hai", you see.

Animals need our Support -- Even we are Animals

People for Animals - Pune has changed the lives of hundreds of animals in Pune. Run by mere two core people and 3 other volunteers, it has conducted more than 30
animal rescue operations in 1 year. It has also conducted 5 major raids where more than hundred animals were rescued. PFA volunteers have also given more than a hundred presentations on vegetarianism and animal welfare in India, UK and USA.

How can you help


* PFA urgently needs an animal ambulance and land for rescue center.

* You can join PFA as volunteer and save animals from torture and pain

* Can get PFA an opportunity for presentation in vyakhyans / lectures / club meetings / society meetings / vegetarianism for non jains and ahimsa for Jains.

* Provide information about animal cruelty or illegal confinement.


You can contact PFA at


People for Animals, Pune
1st Floor, Kesariya Apartment,
149, bhawani Peth,
Pune - 411042


Phone - 02066017797

Emails -

web@pfapune.com

ahinsa.w@dhirajjain.com
ahinsa.w@manojoswal.com

Animal Helpline Pune - 9890793853 / 9890044455

14th June -- A Tribute To World Donor's Day

History

Landsteener discovered the ABO Blood Group system in 1901, which is one of the most important landmark discoveries in the Transfusion Medicine. In the 1970s voluntary donors were accepted as blood donors. These donors were later on found to people having high-risk activities and the recipients were found to be suffering from liver diseases. This lead to another discovery of Hepatitis B transmitted by donated blood. Since then testing for the hepatitis B antigen was implemented and this together with cessation of paid donors reduced the incidence of post transfusion hepatitis. Further studies also made us to include tests for Malaria, Syphilis, AIDS, and Hepatitis C to make the donated blood as safe as possible to the recipient.

What is Blood?
One can say that blood is that magic potion which gives life to another person. Though we have made tremendous discoveries and inventions in Science we are not yet able to make the magic potion called Blood. Human blood has no substitute.

Who can donate Blood?
Donor should be between 18-55 years of age with a weight of 50 kg or above with normal pulse rate, body temperature and blood pressure. Both men and women can donate. Donors with a history of epilepsy, psychotic disorders, abnormal bleeding tendencies, severe asthma, cardiovascular disorders, malignancy are permanently unfit for blood donation. Donors suffering from disease like hepatitis, malaria, measles, mumps, and syphilis may donate blood after full recovery with 3-6 months gap.

How much blood can be taken?
Our body has 5.5 ltr of blood of which only 350 ml - 450 ml of blood is taken depending upon weight of donor. Majority of healthy adults can tolerate withdrawal of one unit of blood. The withdrawn blood volume is restored within 24 hours and the hemoglobin and cell components are restored in 2 months. Therefore it is safe to donate blood every 3 months.

What is done with the collected blood?

The blood collected in sterile, pyrogen free containers with anticoagulants like CPDA or CPDA with SAGM. This prevents clotting and provides nutrition for the cells. This blood is stored at 2-6 C or -20 C depending on the component prepared. Donated blood undergoes various tests like blood grouping antibody detection, testing of infections like hepatitis, AIDS, Malaria, syphilis and before it reaches the recipient it undergoes compatibility testing with the recipient blood.

Modern Blood Transfusion Practice

Modern blood transfusion basically deals with the optimal use of one unit of blood. One unit of whole blood is separated into components making it available to different patients according to their requirement. Thus one unit of blood is converted into packed cell volume, fresh frozen plasma, platelet concentrate, cryoprecipitate and granulocytes concentrate.

Another important practice is apheresis. This is separation of only desired component from the donor and return the remaining constituent back to donor. This technique is also used for remaining pathological substance in patients.

Withdrawal of blood for transfusion is regarded as a safe procedure now and blood donor has emerged as the single most vital link.

Yeh Hai Meri Kahani

Its June and exam time in Pune University. Soon I will be called 'Rushal Bhai Engineer'.

Computer guys have been lucky enough this time around to have managed to pull out pretty long gaps between the subjects. 6 days holidays for 2 exams and 4 for the remaining 2.

Its really been a journey from first year to the final year. Learnt a lot new lessons, taught a lot new lessons and grown with time.

In the last 4 years we have been taught some of the finest subjects related to Computers.

The Ultimate Encounter

If you are wondering why am I writing about a movie for the second time I'd say its absolutely worth it. Apoorva Lakhotia has made a mind blowing debut by trying to bring to light the hard life style of the otherwise contemptible Policemen.

Sanjay Dutt palys the cop former IG A A Khan. And the good thing about this is that you can actually see Mr A A Khan in the movie. He plays the commissioner who gives Sanjay Dutt full charge and authority of the operation towards the end of the movie.

The movie also features real pictures of the encounter operation.

Its nice to witness such a nice change in the Indian Cinema trend. Rang De Basanti, Munna Bhai series and the likes have done a great job in making our people, specially the youth, a bit more socially aware and thus responsible. I really feel that the directors and produce really play a major role in shaping up our society. I mean with so much of fan worshipping in India, what is not possible?

Anil Kapoor has almost finished with his debut venture as a producer. He has a theme based on Ganhiji. The surprize is that the Man In Black Will smith also features in the movie. Anil Kapoor was astonished to learn that Smith is quite a Gandhi fan and is very knowledgeable about his life and teachings...

Anil, we are waiting.