Navadarshanam: ramjee swaminathan

Document: ramjee / navadarshanam.html

>>> navadarshanam "New Vision"

Here is some information about Navadarshanam - a reproduction (with permission) of an information brochure - along with my comments/notes at the end...

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Intoducing Navadarshanam...

Navadarshanam ("New Vision") is an exploration of alternatives to the modern way of living and thinking. Its origin can be traced to a study circle that used to meet in Gandhi Peace Foundation and IIT-Delhi in the 70s and 80s. A decade of study, intospection and discussion among these concerned individuals led them to the conviction that the urban-industrial way of life was leading to alienation of the individual from self, nature and creative power, resulting in ecological destruction, increasing poverty, unemployment and unmanageable levels of spcial disintegration and violence. To get away from this vicious cycle, they felt the need to explore alternatives to the modern way of living and thinking. In particular they felt the need to explore the possibility of a new kind of science and technology; a science that would recognize the realities of spiritual dimensions, and comcomitant technologies that would enhance rather than destroy ecology. Central to these ways thinking is the recognition that there exist forces which are invisible to our physical senses, but are nevertheless the centers of power in shaping our universe and in taking care of its ecological balance.

To give these ideas practical shape, in 1990-91 they created a trust and bought 115 acres of land next to a small hamlet about 50 KMs away from Bangalore. The land was completely degraded and unproductive at that time. On this land, they have conducted experiments in the following areas:

Eco-restoration: Merely by preventing grazing, the land has been converted from wasteland to a nascent forest. Thousands of trees have appeared, planted by mysterious forces of nature invisible to the senses. Soil conditions have improved dramatically.
Natural farming: On this improved soil, in limited and carefully selected areas, fruit saplings and a few vegetables and cereals/pulses have been planted with minimum disturbance to those trees and bushes which ahve come up naturally. No chemicals and perticides are being used, the faith being that a healthy soil will take care of all plants in its bosom.The process is aided by lots of mulching around the plants.
Health and food: Based on the principles taught by a swamiji of a nearby Ashram, food items and cooking methods have been classified according to the digestibility/acidity-alkalinity. Diseases are seen as 'absence of ease,' caused by undigested food, which disturb the ecology of the of the body. The subtler ('pranic') forces responsible for restoring the ecology are encouraged to play their role more effectively by changing their food patterns such that digestion is easy and effective. Food items developed along these principles have been made available to our network of friends in Bangalore.
Energy: Because of the ecologically damaging nature of the technologies that generate power these days, and also their centralized and user unfriendly administration, connection from the state's grid has been shunned. Instead, all power requirements, including that for pumping water and for lighting, is generated through solar panels and systems.
Housing: All dwelling units at Navadarshanam have been constructed with the help of alternative technologies, using eco-friendly concepts and locally available material and labour.

Those who will welcome you at Navadarshanam are Partap Aggarwal and his wife Sudesh, Om Bagaria and his wife Pushpa, T.S. Ananthu and his wife Jyoti, Swami, Gopal, Nanjunda, Kanta, Parvatamma, Muniappa and Puttaiah. Partap Aggarwal has a Ph.D from Cornell, taught anthropology at Colgate Univ., before returning to India where he pioneered natural farming concepts at a Quaker center in central India. Om Bagaria has a degree in Mech Engg from IIT Kharagpur and has had 35 years of experience in R&D. Ananthu has a B. Tech in EE from IIT Madras, an MS from Stanford Univ., several years' experience in systems in systems engg prior to switching to full-time work in the Gandhian field. His wife Jyoti has a Ph.D in sociology from TISS. followed by many years of teaching and research experience at St.Xaviers' in Bombay and IIT Delhi. The other seven are villagers who have become part of the Navadarshanam team.

For further details, contact: T.S. Ananthu, A-4 Whitefieldville, Whitefield, Bangalore 560 066. Ph: +91-80-845 3147

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Ramjee's notes:

The average temp at Navadarshanam is a circa 4 degrees (centigrade) less than that of Bangalore and it is by and large, very pleasant.

There is a library from which one can borrow books (during one's stay, that is!) and it has some of the good books on appropriate technologies, Gandhian thought etc. Most of the books come from the personal collection of the core members.

On a full moon night, the forest that is getting rejuvenated is awesome and looks very serene. This along with the presence of a set of very determined people (Margaret Mead) results IMO, in a lot of mental peace... After a long long time, I was able to listen to the persistent chirps of a colony of cikadas ('Nothing in the voice of cicada tells you when it is going to die' - JD Salinger, in 'Teddy').

The early morning walks around the settlement can really surprise one with the variety of plants, trees, butterflies and birds that seem to have made Navadarshanam, their abode.

How to reach Navadarshanam:

If you know the basic topography of Bangalore, then you may know where Madiwala / Silk board building is; this is dot on Hosur road going due south of Bangalore, and goes to Hosur and... then onto chennai. Navadarshanam is about 40 KMs from this point. To reach this Navadarshanam place - go towards Hosur - well 8 KMs past the Electronics city - take a right turn at Chandepura - travel 10Kms to reach Anekal - *enquire* - go another 8 KMs to reach the Karnataka-Tamilnadu border - travel futher down 2 Kms towards Thalli to reach Gumalapuram - *enquire* - travel 2 more KMs to reach Navadarshanam; there are road signs and the villagers know where Navadarshanam is.

A few more bits of unsolicited and nagging advice:

Though most of the core members of Navadarshanam stay for at least 3 weeks per month at this place, it is important to make a prior appointment before venturing out to this place - especially when one wants to listen to them in person. So it would be nice if Sri. TS. Ananthu / Smt. Jyoti could be contacted at the above number, prior to one's sojourn.

Like minded individuals and families are welcome to stay at the Navadarshanam - to soak in the vibrant atmosphere and to listen to the Navadarshanam group who have been doers...

Quite a few organizations (including schools) regularly conduct camps here - conducting programmes that are in sync with the objectives of Navadarshanam. So while there is enough space and infrastructure to support a reasonable number of people, it would be prudent to talk to the trustees first about the acco etc.

Navadarshanam also sells a few agri based products / food items - like unpolished rice etc. A separate writeup on this is available (soon).

If you are going to drive down to Navadarshanam - then please check for sufficient blow in the stepney and be equipped with the jack and other basic tools - the roads near Navadarshanam are yet to be invaded in a major way by the asphalt culture... As you get off the main arterial roads, please drive slowly and carefully as the roads are narrow and kids play around in gay abandon.

Please note that though the place is beautiful and refreshing, it is not to be viewed merely as a 'picnic' kind of place. Please bear this in your mind when you plan to visit Navadarshanam. Perhaps a study of 'Hind Swaraj ' will go a long way towards creating a sufficient backdrop / frame-of-mind.

Please send me ([email protected]) your comments - and let me know if you need more information...

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all rites reversed 2001 ramjee (ramjee swaminathan)
10:20 AM 6/6/01