“Thousands have lived without love, not one without water”-W.H Auden

St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, was host to the 4^th Chapter of The Global Earth Summit, an international conference on Global Climate and Water Disasters, a joint initiative of the Jesuit community to discuss and combat water tribulations and promote wholesome-sustainable development.

The Summit was inaugurated on the morning of 27^th March 2015 at Dhyan Ashram Kolkata, which witnessed the conglomeration of both national and international ecologists, Jesuits and students, all with the common aim of deciphering the persistent water conundrum.  The event was presided over by eminent personalities, Dr. Atiq Rahman, Chief Guest of Honor, Climate Research Scientist, Executive Director of BCAS, Fr. Jose Ignacio Gracia SJ, the GIAN ecology coordinator Jesuit European Social Centre Bruxelles, Belgium , Pedro Walpole SJ, Coordinator, Jesuit Confrence of Asia Pacific Reconciliation with Creation and Fr. layraj Veluswami  SJ,Provincial Superior, Calcutta Province, to name a few.

The Summit was a 3 day Conference-cum- Bio tour, where students and Jesuit members initiated to ‘Debate, Discuss and Deduct’ so as to elucidate the prevailing water crisis. A dynamic speaker in his field of expertise, Dr. Atiq Rahman illustrated the scenario in Bangladesh and other neibouring countries where their unrelenting efforts have led to the development of the concept of disaster preparedness, social mobilization and disaster risk management in the light of the water menace.

Particularizing the same, we had amongst us Fr. Paedro illuminating the world at risk, seeking ways  to collaborate across different phases in disaster risk reduction that demand a wider range of coordination beyond disaster relief.  Budging to stark reality of this highly calculative and corporate world, we had Dr. Fr. Xavier Savarimuthu SJ, Convenor, Global Earth Summit, GIAN Ecology Coordinator for Conference of South Asia, revealing that the industry is ‘ecologically destructive’ high lighting the fringe benefits of the global phenomenon-‘Corporatization of fresh drinking water’

‘The eyes have done, what words could not ‘, the summit was rendered even more impactful, as we proceeded to our field visit to the East Kolkata Wetlands or the Rajarhat Eco Park as everybody would know it, under the hospitality of Mr. Firhad Bobby Hakim, Minister in charge, Municipal Affairs & Urban Development, Govt. of West Bengal and Mr. Debashish Sen, Principal Secretary, Urban Development Government of West Bengal. Rajarhat has been home to rapid urban- industrialization thereby being a major production ground for economic output. So as to preserve and nurture this character and well being of this region, we have in our ‘midst, The East Kolkata Wetlands, the world’s largest waste water fed aqua system with plethora of flora and fauna native to this region. While the aesthetic beauty and ecological up gradation are commendable and an inspiring change in the virtue of being a natural water purifier, as we proceeded to the second day of the summit, we were also spectators of the ruinous impacts of the ‘Aila’ which struck the mangrove lands of Sunderbans, causing destructions to a level apart. This particular bio tour, gave us perspective of disaster mitigation bringing us an inch closer to reality, throwing light on the horrendous threats posed by erratic climate changes and global warming.

How much is too much? Are we in a limbo where we define and weigh progress and development by unhindered and unjustified consumption of commodities? Deriving inspiration from a common man gone global cult, it was indeed a great pleasure having amongst us, on the third day, Mr. Rajendra Sigh, Magsaysay Award Winner Water Man, Tarun Bhagat Sangh, Rajasthan. He was the man to make a difference, because he wasn’t a drop in the ocean but a drop in the dessert, whose value has been appreciated and regarded by his undying efforts to revive over 11 rivers in several districts of Rajasthan. He is revolutionary with a vision of a self sustained state, luscious and green and water abundant. The man is a living example of the power of strength over struggle, on a mission of changing the face of the country in this world water war. He regards himself as a common man, bestowed with the science of common sense, a weapon lethal enough to eradicate the prevailing water crisis in his state. Rajendra Singh has preserved life by gifting it water, creating a remarkable upsurge in the community dealing with water sustainability, thereby inspiring thousands of youth to embark on the path laid by him.

The Global Earth Summit-IV has been home to moving orators and speakers who have not only round conference-d to develop and enact action plans, but to sow the seed of the fact that the moral conscience towards the preservation of nature is imperative. The balance descends when there is absence of parity. Ecological Imbalance maybe fuel to fire to these raving issues of water crisis and disasters that the human race are destined to face. Water is abundant, for everybody’s need, but no one’s greed. It is astonishing that the average hamburger takes 2,400 liters, or 630 gallons, of water to produce, where as more than half the populations of Africa are deprived of clean drinking water. “No water, no life. No blue, no green”. The need of the hour is one, preparation is better than cure, to protect and preserve this gift of water, for now, for tomorrow and for years to come!

Saswati Banerjee is a final year student in the Department of Mathematics St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata

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More people in the country now drink tea due to its proven health benefits

June 29, 2014

The country’s tea industry is expected to draw in more growth, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan where demand and consumption for tea products are expected to rise. In 2013, the total traded volume of tea through Dubai increased by 29% to reach 129 thousand tonnes, and the value increased by 34% to reach US$ 463 million in comparison with the previous year (2012). Currently, UAE consumes an estimated 7 million kilograms (kgs) of tea per year according to the data released by Dubai Tea Trading Centre (DTTC).  The strong growth is mainly driven by tea’s numerous proven health benefits which include increased energy levels, reduced risk of heart disease and cancer, and strengthening of the immune system. When combined with fasting, drinking tea has also been proven to accelerate weight loss.

These benefits, among others, will be highlighted at the International Coffee and Tea Festival 2014, the only dedicated coffee and tea event in the Middle East taking place from November 12 to 14 at The Meydan IMAX Gallery. Organised by International Conferences and Exhibitions LLC, the region’s one-stop event will gather industry leaders and stakeholders for vast knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities. The event will also showcase all facets of café and bar products, equipment, and services.

Ryan Godinho, UAE’s National Liaison for World Coffee Events and Coordinator of the International Coffee & Tea Festival, said: “Tea has now aligned itself as the second most preferred drink among UAE residents after water. More than 19,000 kgs are being consumed every day across the country and the price of tea has risen by almost 50 per cent over the past couple of years. The increasing consumption is mainly attributed to the growing number of tea lovers in the country and a growing focus on tea’s role in fitness and nutrition. During Ramadan, we expect to see the consumption hike further as tea is seen to help accelerate digestion and fight fatigue.”

Green tea, coupled with fasting and detoxification, helps burn fat especially in the abdomen area. This was proven in a study conducted by a private US-based research firm which recorded a substantial decrease in waist sizes among men who drank green tea. It has also been established that a high amount of polyphenols found in green tea activates an enzyme in the body that helps dissolve excess triglyceride. Triglyceride provides energy to support vital body functions, but an excess of this will result in formation of body fats and may lead to obesity.

Green tea’s antioxidant properties, such as the Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), boosts metabolism and leads to weight loss.  According to reports, they may result in a 1 to 5.5-lbs weight loss in 3 to 24 weeks. In addition, the catechin polyphenols found in green tea boosts one’s endurance during exercise. This is done by stimulating the muscle cells and liver to use more fatty acids. The body will then use carbohydrates at a slower rate. This results in more carbohydrates remaining in the body, enabling an individual to exercise longer and, thus, burning more calories.

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New Delhi – Nandita Das, award-winning actress and director, and Parmesh Shahani, head of the Godrej India Culture Lab, have been named 2014 Yale World Fellows. With the addition of Das and Shahani, the global Yale World Fellows network now includes 15 Indian Fellows, more than any other country since the program was established in 2002.

The Yale World Fellows Program is Yale University’s signature global leadership development initiative and a core element of Yale’s ongoing commitment to internationalization. Each year, the University invites a group of exemplary mid-career professionals from a wide range of fields and countries for an intensive four-month period of academic enrichment and leadership training.

Das and Shahani are among 16 World Fellows selected in 2014 from a pool of about 4000 applicants. The 2014 group also includes an Italian robotics engineer and artist, a Pakistani environmental lawyer, a Syrian peace activist and a 2012 candidate for President of Iceland. This year’s cohort brings the total number of Yale World Fellows since the program’s inception in 2002 to 257 Fellows, representing 83 countries.

“It is a privilege to welcome these impressive leaders to campus,” said Yale President Peter Salovey. “Each year, World Fellows enrich the educational experience of Yale students through their participation in classes, presentations on campus, and individual mentoring. With their experiences on the ground, they also provide valuable context and practical perspectives that inform the scholarly pursuits of Yale faculty seeking to address today’s most pressing global challenges. This innovative program continues to represent the very best of Yale’s efforts to educate and inspire future leaders.”

Nandita Das is an award-winning Indian film actress and director who has leveraged her international profile to campaign on social issues including child mortality, gender and race issues and violence against women. She was the first Indian to be inducted into the International Women’s Forum Hall of Fame for her contributions to the arts and in 2013, she supported the Dark is Beautiful campaign, an effort draw attention to the unjust effects of skin color bias in India.

Parmesh Shahani heads the Godrej India Culture Lab, an experimental ideas space in Mumbai at the intersection of academia, business and creative industries. He is also Editor-at-Large for Verve Magazine, India and the author of Gay Bombay: Globalization, Love and (Be)Longing in Contemporary India.

“Like prior cohorts, the 2014 Yale World Fellows are dynamic, high impact practitioners committed to effecting positive change. Das and Shahani fit that mold perfectly and will bring immense talent and vision to the group,” said Yale World Fellows Director Michael Cappello, professor of pediatrics at the Yale School of Medicine. “Through the Fellowship, Yale will provide these global leaders the valuable opportunity to take a step back from the intensity of their work and to develop a strategic vision for their personal and professional trajectories and continued impact on the world.”

The mission of the Yale World Fellows Program is to cultivate and empower a community of globally engaged leaders committed to positive change through cross-disciplinary dialogue and action. It has at its core three main goals: to provide advanced training to emerging leaders from diverse disciplines and countries, to expand and deepen international understanding, and to link this network of world leaders to each other and to Yale.

From August to December, the 2014 World Fellows will participate in specially designed seminars in leadership, management, and global affairs taught by leading Yale faculty; audit any of the 3,000 courses offered at the University; engage in discussion and debate with a wide range of distinguished guest speakers; receive individualized professional development training; and deliver public talks on their work, their countries, and the issues about which they are passionate.

Visit http://www.yale.edu/worldfellows for a complete list of the 2014 World Fellows and for more information on the World Fellows Program.

Thirteen previous Yale World Fellows hailed from India:

Abhik Sen, Managing Editor, The Economist Group

Prodyut Bora, National Executive Member, Bharatiya Janata Party

Unmesh Brahme, India Country Director, Room to Read

Subhashini Chandran, CEO, Woodbriar Group

Ayush Chauhan, Managing Director, Quicksand

Celine D’Cruz, Coordinator, Slum Dwellers International

Paromita Goswami, Founder, Elgar Pratishthan and Shramik Elgar

Monika Halan, Editor, Mint Money

Sonali Kochhar, Clinical Research and Drug Development Specialist, PATH

Nachiket Mor, Director, Board of IKP Center for Technologies

Chetna Gala Sinha, Chair, Mann Deshi Mahila Group

Amit Wanchoo, Managing Director, Eaton Laboratories

Ruchi Yadav, Senior Program Officer, The Hunger Project

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