Natural Disasters and the Role of Local Communities
Natural Disasters and the Role of Local Communities Never before has the role of community been considered as important in governing the disasters related to rivers as it is now. In all policy formulations by and for the hill states of India, local communities are given a predominant role in governing disasters. Being located in […]
Priyankar Sir’s Message on World Peace Day
Priyankar Sir’s Message on World Peace Day International Day of Peace, observed annually on September 21, was established by the UN in 1981 to unite humanity in promoting peace above differences and fostering a Culture of Peace worldwide. This year’s theme emphasises that peace is active, shaping our choices, communities, and care for each other […]
Beyond Pilgrimage: How NGOs in Uttarakhand Shape Meaningful Spiritual Tourism
Beyond Pilgrimage: How NGOs in Uttarakhand Shape Meaningful Spiritual Tourism Uttarakhand, often called Devbhoomi or the Land of the Gods, has always been a sacred destination for seekers from around the world. Pilgrims come to the Himalayan shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath, sit in quiet meditation on the banks of the Ganga, or immerse themselves in the […]
Amrithagiri Thought – Disaster Risk Reduction Day
Amrithagiri Thought – Disaster Risk Reduction Day Collecting Meaningful Feedback for Event Improvement Many “natural” disasters are not truly natural; they are karmaphala, the consequences of our own negligence and greed. When we disturb nature’s rhythm, she responds not in anger, but in balance. What we call disaster is often the Earth trying to heal […]
Rediscovering Harmony: The Rise of Eco Tourism in India through the Himalayan Way
Rediscovering Harmony: The Rise of Eco Tourism in India through the Himalayan Way When you wake up with the rustling leaves and the distant hum of a mountain brook, the world is neater, fresher. The Himalayas teach us that life is to be connected with the land, the trees, and with each other. For us […]
Heritage Protection Forintercultural-peace
heritage-protection-for-intercultural-peace The imperatives of heritage protection embedded in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide diverse pedagogical pathways to connect humanity, ecology, and planetary well-being in a mutually enriching way — fully aligned with the UNESCO mandate. Academia, particularly through UNESCO Chairs, holds a unique opportunity to advance a composite model of positive peace — one that integrates […]
Promoting Indigenous Knowledge for Holistic Peace and Development
Promoting Indigenous Knowledge for Holistic Peace and Development The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a significant shift in India’s educational vision by emphasising the integration of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) into modern education. This policy seeks not merely to preserve India’s rich cultural, philosophical, scientific, and artistic heritage, but to actively embed it […]
Temples in the Himalayas: Spiritual Tourism or Spiritual Responsibility?
Temples in the Himalayas: Spiritual Tourism or Spiritual Responsibility? The Himalayas have always been more than just mountains. For millennia, they have stood as guardians of India’s spiritual heritage, home to ancient shrines, sacred rivers, and timeless traditions. From Kedarnath and Badrinath to Hemkund Sahib and Gangotri, the temples in the Himalayas are not merely places of worship – they are living reminders of […]
Amrithagiri Himalaya Fostering Spiritual Harmony and Global Peace Through Sacred Collaborations
Amrithagiri Himalaya Fostering Spiritual Harmony and Global Peace Through Sacred Collaborations Amrithagiri Himalaya collaborates with several sacred Mandirs (temples) and Ashrams associated with various Akhadas (monastic orders) in the Neelkanth region, located in the foothills of the Himalayas. These centres are dedicated to performing poojas (ritual worship), yajnas (Vedic rituals), prayers, and activities for promoting […]
Everybody Loves a Good Flood
Everybody Loves a Good Flood In the summer of 2006, I remember having visited the district of Malda situated in northern West Bengal in connection with our research work on riverbank erosion. We were interested in finding out how the prolonged process of erosion causes slow, almost invisible displacement of population over decades. While many […]