Protecting nature, doing noble deeds is dharma, says writer

Nagpur: The universe sustains itself with everything inside it, complementing and completing each other. Preservation of this state is ‘dharma’. Therefore, humans should follow their ‘dharma’ by protecting air, water and soil from getting polluted and doing noble deeds, said noted writer and theatre artiste Ali Akbar from Kerala on Sunday.

He was speaking as the chief guest at Malayali Hindu Sanghamam Onam celebrations organized by the Vidarbha branch of Hindu Mitra Mandal at Maharishi Vyas Sabhagruh, Smriti Mandir, Reshimbagh.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Nagpur Mahanagar sanghchalak Rajesh Loya was the chief guest. Mandal president PK Mohanan and secretary K Radhakrishnan were present.

Akbar spoke at length about ‘adharma’ by citing various examples. He said air is polluted when plastic is burned that reduces the level of oxygen. Similarly, excessive use of pesticides ruins soil. Wanton destruction of forest cover and unscientific ways used for mining pose danger to mankind. This is nothing but ‘adharma’, he said.

“We should follow the advice of wise people who have deeply studied these factors so that the balance of

nature

is maintained. ‘Dharma’, therefore, is to use their wisdom for the betterment of the society,” he said.

Akbar said, “When someone succumbs to desires and gains wealth through unfair means like smuggling and drug peddling, ‘dharma’ is diluted. On the contrary, a wise person controls desires by taking into consideration financial capability and follows ‘dharma’. This is what one should follow in life,” he said.

Akbar said Hinduism is a way of life. He also spoke about the mythological significance of Onam.

In his address, Loya said, “Akbar illustrated the difference between ‘dharma’ and ‘adharma’ in a comprehensive manner. Everyone has remarkable qualities but there is a need to discover them to develop self-confidence.”

He said, “Believing in ‘dharma’ does not only mean placing your trust in God but also having faith in the values indoctrinated in you since birth. When babies are born into the world, they can be moulded by inculcating moral values in them.”

Mementos were presented to participants of ‘Athha pookalam’, a rangoli competition. Meritorious students Radhika Nair and Veena Sajan were felicitated by Akbar.

The event concluded with ‘Ona sadya’, the Onam feast.