Puff Of Death

What was todays shocking news in front page of a newspaper???It was none other than the report of largest ever done survey on smoking and on its effects on human beings in our country.It was really shocking as according to the survey as smoking will kill 1 million adults( aged between 30yrs to 69yrs)in the year 2010,thats merely 2 years ahead.The research has carried out by a team from India, Canada and UK,and supported by World Health Organization(WHO) and health ministry.The survey was published in New England Journal Of Medicine.

Even this study has not found any safe levels of smoking and more shockingly they had found that cigarettes are more dangerous than bidis.The major causes of deaths in urban smokers are heart attacks were as in rural areas its due to tuberculosis.

Another fact that really surprised this researchers were that smokers in India start smoking at a later age as compare to the smokers of Europe and America and even smoke less than them,but after this also, in India smoking kills not only from diseases like cancer and lung diseases but also from heart attacks and tuberculosis.

Below i just tried to compile up some major facts that has come in light from this survey about India and smoking risks in India:

• There are 12 crore smokers in India,i.e.,every 9th Indian smokes.By 2010 ,10lakhs people will die of smoking every year.
• 70 per cent of these deaths occur in the 30-69 age group---people in there productive and reproductive prime.
• Cigarettes are deadlier than bidis.
• Male bidi smokers lose 6yrs of expected life whereas women lose 8yrs.
• Cigarette smokers lose 10 yrs of expected life.
• Smoking causes deaths by tuberculosis(38%),respiratory diseases(31%),heart diseases(20%), cancer(32%) and others(23%).
• Just 2% adults have quit smoking in India,most of them only after falling ill.

So here is a request to every smokers that brother just look at the above dangerous facts and quit smoking before its too late for you also, and also dont put life of your loved ones too in danger indirectly through passive smoking.

And as a post-smoker i can also advice you peoples that its not so hard too quit,you just requires a hard determination and will to quit. You can easily leave it, as i did it man.

Source: Study Of Smoking & Death In India,(New England Journal Of Medicine) & HT
Compiled By:Saurav Chakraborty

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2,500 yrs ago,a city bigger than Athens in Orissa

I just read an article on front page of newspaper today about an excavation work that has been carried out at Orissa,and also they had come up with some interesting facts.Facts about a city that flourished in Orissa about 2,500 years ago,a city which had a much more greater population than the classical Athens.So i didnt able to stop myself and without wasting time, i searched about the matter and tried to compile up some best facts for my readers.The team of researchers began there excavation work at this site just 2 years back.So just start reading and get to know about this biggest city of history.

Researchers involved in excavation at the ancient city of Sisupalgarh on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar have come across a number of artefacts and structures that throw light on the existence of a flourishing urban life during the pre-historic period.

The geophysical research showed large-scale patterns of subsurface architecture such as streets, which were visible linking the gateways in the interior of the site, and a large ancient perimeter area around the pillar zone,confirmed the researchers, from Pune based Deccan College and University Of California.

These researchers, with the help of students from different universities and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), began their work in 2000, about 50 years after the first excavation.

After several deep trenches, they have now exposed 18 previously unknown pillars and several associated structures on a mound within the fortification wall.

Sisupalgarh was absolutely visible through naked eyes as well as from the space and this could be one of its kinds of cultural heritage in the whole of eastern India.

According to this researchers, this place was ruled under one ruler and the ancient population inhabiting the place was estimated to be 25,000,which was much more greater in number then the classical ATHENS,that also had only 10,000 peoples.Even they they said that,the civilisation could have lasted for more than 1,000 years between 3rd BC and 3rd AD.

During there excavation work near "Majestic Gate",which was also excavated in the year 1950 by some other researchers,they found house foundations of laterite block architecture.Even the habitation areas that they had excavated,also contained very large quantities of household pottery such as bowls and jars along with other household artefacts such as iron nails and terracotta ornaments including bangles, finger rings, pendants and ear spools.

The latest debris deposits and 18 pillars are the indications, that it was meant for some public use like public gatherings etc.Researchers are suggesting, that the artisans at Sisupalgarh were manufacturing potteries massively and those were in rapid use.

Another important suggestionby researchers is that the people, animals and trash were closely integrated in the crowded space of the city. Moreover, they might have practised the same wasteful consumption which is witnessed in the modern day cities.

However still they trying to gather some more relevant data to find out the reasons behind the destruction of this huge city.And am really getting too curious to know about the reasons which were behind the destruction of this beautiful city.Along that there many other facts also on which the work is still going on at that area, and surely sooner they would come up with some more amazing facts.

Source: TOI, The Hindu
Compiled By:Saurav Chakraborty

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Bodh Gaya----A Real Place 2 Visit

Bodh Gaya or Bodhgaya is a city in Gaya district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is famous for being the place of Buddha's attainment of Enlightenment.

Historically, it was known as the Bodhimanda (ground round the Bodhi-tree), and there was a large monastic settlement there. The main monastery of Bodhgaya used to be called the Bodhimanda-vihāra (Pali). Now it is called the Mahabodhi Temple.

For Buddhists, Bodh Gaya is the most important of the main four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha, the other three being Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Sarnath. In 2002, Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodh Gaya, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History:
According to Buddhist traditions, circa 500 BC Prince Gautama Siddhartha, wandering as a monk, reached the sylvan banks of Falgu River, near the city of Gaya. There he sat in meditation under a bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa). After three days and three nights of meditation, Siddharta attained enlightenment and insight, and the answers that he had sought. He then spent seven weeks at seven different spots in the vicinity meditating and considering his experience. After seven weeks, he travelled to Sarnath, where he began teaching Buddhism.

Disciples of Gautama Siddhartha began to visit the place where he had gained enlightenment during the full moon in the month of Vaisakh (April-May), as per the Hindu calendar. Over time, the place became known as Bodh Gaya, the day of enlightenment as Buddha Purnima, and the tree as the Bodhi Tree.

The history of Bodh Gaya is documented by many inscriptions and pilgrimage accounts. Foremost among these are the accounts of the Chinese pilgrims Faxian in the 5th century and Xuanzang in the 7th century. The area was at the heart of a Buddhist civilization for centuries, until it was conquered by Turkish armies in the 13th century.

What To See:

• Mahabodhi Temple:The complex, located about 96 kilometers from Patna,contains the Mahabodhi Temple with the diamond throne (called the Vajrasana) and the holy Bodhi tree. This tree was originally a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka, itself grown from a sapling of the original Bodhi tree.
• It is believed that 250 years after the Enlightenment of the Buddha, Emperor Asoka visited Bodh Gaya. He is considered to be the founder of the original Mahabodhi temple. It consisted of an elongated spire crowned by a miniature stupa and a chhatravali on a platform. A double flight of steps led up to the platform and the upper sanctum. The mouldings on the spire contained Buddha images in niches. Some historians believe that the temple was constructed or renovated in the 1st century during the Kushan period. With the decline of Buddhism in India, the temple was abandoned and forgotten, buried under layers of soil and sand.
• The temple was later restored by Sir Alexander Cunningham as part of his work for the British Archaeological Society in the late 19th century. In 1883, Cunningham along with J. D. Beglar and Dr Rajendralal Miitra painstakingly excavated the site. Extensive renovation work was carried out to restore Bodh Gaya to its former glory.
• Animesh Lochan Chaitya: It is believed that the Buddha spent one week here looking towards the great Bodhi tree out of gratitude, without twinkling his eyes.
• Mahabodhi Tree: The present Bodhi Tree is probably the fifth succession of the original tree under which the Buddha had attained enlightenment. Vajrasana, the seat of stability, is a stone platform on which the Buddha is supposed to have sat in meditation gazing east, under the Bodhi tree.
• Chankramana: This marks the sacred spot of the Buddha's meditative perambulations during the third week after pious enlightenment. It is believed that wherever the Buddha put his feet lotus sprang up.
• Ratnagarh: The Buddha spent one week here, where it is believed that five colors came out of his body.
• Other Treasures of Bodhgaya: 80 ft Statue of the Buddha, Lotus Tank, Buddha Kund, Rajayatana, Brahm Yoni, Chinese Temple & Monastery, Burmese Temple, Buddhist Monastery of Bhutan, International Buddhist House & Japanese Temple, Thai Temple & Monastery, Tibetan Monastery, Archaeological Museum. Sujata village (2 kms), Dungeshwari Hill (Prag bodhi) (22 kms by road), Maitraya Project (3 kms).

Temple Timings:

• Mahabodhi Temple: 5 AM to 9 PM
• Other Monastries: 5 AM to 12 Noon and 2 PM to 6 PM

How To Reach:

• Air: The nearest airport is at Gaya 7 Kms and Patna 135 kms.
• Rail: The nearest railway station is Gaya (17km).
• Local Transport: Taxis, Tongas, Auto Rickshaws, Cycle Rickshaws are available.
• Bus : Regular direct bus services are available from Gaya, Patna, Nalanda, Rajgir, Varanasi.

Where To Stay:
Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation runs three hotels - Siddhartha Vihar, Buddha Vihar and Sujata Vihar and has a Tourist Information Centre in its sprawling tourist complex campus. There is Hotel Bodhgaya Ashok run by Indian Tourism development Corporation and there are several other private hotels in the town.

Sources:Wikipedia,Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation & other tourism websites
Compiled By:Saurav Chakraborty

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Delhi's Interceptor Sewage Project

The Delhi government plans to add another 50 kilometers of sewers at a cost of Rs. 1950 crore along the three major drains to intercept sewage from 150 minor drains, from where the sewage will be passed on to pumping stations and finally transported to sewage treatment plants for treatment.

But according to recent studies of CSE(Centre For Science and Environment) and there article its just a wastage of money.And according to CSE, the river will continue to remain dead, despite the massive amounts of money being spent.So here i just wanted to briefly focus on there article, so that we must come to know why they think such about this big budget project.

According to CSE & there article: More than Rs. 1500 crore has already been spent in trying to clean the Yamunas 22-km stretch through Delhi. Money aside, the interceptor plan is full of gaps. The project is not based on any authentic estimates of the amount of sewage that is generated in the city. It completely overlooks similar, expensive failures elsewhere as in Agra and Varanasi. Even if forcefully pushed through, the river will need millions of litres of freshwater to dilute the intercepted and treated sewage; water that is just not available.

PROJECT's DETAIL:
Government wanted to tap drains carrying sewage from colonies not connected to the city sewers. Interceptor sewers to be used for tapping is seen by the government as a temporary solution to the problem of untreated water reaching the Yamuna.The government plans to lay sewers throughout the city in the long run.

The project is a toned down version of a Rs 3,150-crore proposal first mooted by the Delhi Jal Board in 2006. It involves laying 50 km of interceptors, 2-3 metres in diameter, to intercept 150 small drains discharging into three major drains in the capital—Najafgarh, Supplementary and Shahadra. The three drains contribute 70 per cent of the discharge of 3,600 million litres a day (MLD) of sewage into the Yamuna.

Another 13 drains will be tapped into sewers under rehabilitation. Four drains including one near the Sarita Vihar bridge carrying about 690 MLD finds no mention in the plan, which has been cleared without undertaking surveys directed by the supreme court.

The intercepted waste will be taken to a pumping station and then to a sewage treatment plant (STP). At places, the route is very circuitous. For example, sewage from a drain near the Yamuna Vihar S T P would be sent to a distant pumping station, when pumping directly to the plant would have been prudent since, each kilometre of sewer costs almost Rs 20 crore. Also in monsoons the wastewater will bypass the interceptors into the Yamuna.

Delhi’s STPs can reduce sewage’s biological oxygen demand to only 20mg/l (if they work); 3 mg/l will make the river fit for bathing. So the treated water will need more than six times dilution. But where’s the water? The Yamuna lacks freshwater almost nine months a year.

WASTAGE OF MONEY:

• Rs 1,950 crore for interceptors is in addition to Rs 387 crore under the Yamuna Action Plan II and Rs 1,500 crore spent on Yamuna cleaning in Delhi. But interceptors have failed in Agra, Varanasi and other places.
• They will not work in Delhi as well because even if all the city’s sewage (3,600 M L D) is intercepted and treated the river would require 24,000 MLD of freshwater for diluting it to make it fit for bathing, at a conservative estimate.
• Sewage generated in Delhi is increasing. Water supply management is no solution. More freshwater used means more sewage and more money for treatment. Manage demand.
• Augment and optimize current STPs. Treatment at source reduces pumping costs. At places drains can be developed into treatment units. Treat residual wastes at the mouth of the river.
• Re-use effluents and ensure treated effluent is not mixed with untreated effluent before it flows to the river. Have policies to promote safe re-use so that the river has freshwater.

Source: www.cseindia.org
Compiled By: Saurav Chakraborty

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