The New Revolution had begun

The images were evocative, exotic and intriguing. Gandhian, non-violent and extremely moving. Deep in the Himalayan mountains of Uttar Pradesh, the poor women of Reni village, led by Gaura Devi, were giving the government an environmental lecture. This was 1974 -- at a time when hardly anyone had heard about the importance of the environment. And, to boot, the women were telling the government that it could cut the forests only over their dead bodies. They would hug the trees to protect them from the axe.

Chipko: A People's Movement

The Ancient Legend In India there is an ancient legend about a girl, Amrita Devi, who died trying to protect the trees that surrounded her village. The story recounts a time when the local Maharajah's tree cutters arrived to cut the villager's trees for wood for his new fortress. Amrita, with others, jumped in front of the trees and hugged them. In some versions of the tale their dramatic efforts prevented the forest's destruction; in others Amrita dies in her valiant attempt.

Mission Siachen

‘Mission Siachen’ by youth

Bangalore: It is a befitting way to tell the soldiers guarding our borders in difficult conditions that we care.

And for that reason Sankalp India Foundation, a voluntary youth organisation have decided to launch “Mission Siachen,” through which messages would be sent to soldiers posted at the Siachen in the eastern Karakoram range of the Himalayas.