A TRIBUTE TO SOCIAL FORESTRY DAY, 2ND JUNE

Brahmachari Rudra Dev, Kaliggari, Karnataka, South India, has put up a board outside his Yoga Hall mirroring his thoughts, " PRAKRITI RAKSHATO RAKSHATAHA" -- those who protect nature is protected by nature.

Dr B.M. Hegde in his celebrated book ' What Doctors Don't Get to Study in Medical School' wrote: If one treats nature as our mother, she would nourish us; if abused, she would kick us. In as much as most of the true Yogis have always taken shelter in the lap of nature, and nurtured and adored nature, and thereby charged themselves with the mysterious power of nature and rose to a supreme height in life.

I savoured the nectar of nature and saw the best manifestations of God in the pristine forests and mountains of the tiny kingdom, Bhutan, that instilled in me multiple values. Nature is indeed the best educator.

The more I age, the more I adore the 2nd of June. Because the auspicious day, the Coronation Day of the visionary The fourth King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk, is observed as the Social Forestry Day for the nation.

Nature receives the highest worship from the nation on this day. To commemorate the Coronation Anniversary of the great King, the nation engages themselves in planting saplings and promoting forest coverage and environment.

As an ex-teacher of the kingdom, I reminisce the beauty and gaiety of every student and teacher's enthusiasm in planting saplings and nurturing forests to commemorate the auspicious occasion. Today, with my higher age and further learning I have come to know that promoting nature and environment is a very important part of Maha Yoga. I feel blessed for my strong bond with the nature that has grown through nurturing forests in Bhutan, especially on this day, 2nd June. As a senior citizen, I would assert that if Bhutan is one of the happiest and healthiest countries as recognised by the world, her priority for nature and eco-friendly development is the main pillar for that.

Norman Vincent Peale writes: "... Man is nature's child and therefore God's child. And when he turns for a build-up of spirit to the woods and seas and waterfalls and meadows lying in the sun, the upthrust will come surging into his heart...."

My obeisance to our beloved Great King on the auspicious 46th Coronation day for his astounding wisdom in prioritising and promoting nature and echo-friendly development policy. I pray for His Majesty's sound health, happiness and long life.