Earth Day

Earth Day is observed every year on April 22 to create awareness and support among the mass to protect the environment. The event is held worldwide to outreach to society and raise the issue on the occasion. Like every year, the world will be celebrating the 43rd anniversary of Earth Day on Monday, April 22, 2013. 

In 1969, at the UNESCO Conference in San Fransisco, the concept to observe Earth Day on March 21 was first proposed by John McConnell. But a month later, Gaylord Nelso, U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, proposed April 22 as the date. Nelson was also a conservationist and environmental activist. Observance of Earth Day was proposed by Nelson as a national teach-in on the environmental issues right after the frightful oil spill off the coast in 1969. And in 1970, the idea to observe Earth Day in the United States was propelled by Denis Hayes who popularized it to the global level. Today Earth Day is observed in more than 192 countries.The global theme for Earth Day 2013 is "The Face of Climate Change" .

Every year on 18 April, International Council on Monuments and Sites 
(ICOMOS) celebrates the “International Day for Monuments and Sites”, whose establishment was approved by the 22nd UNESCO General Conference in 1983. 

The aim of the International Day for Monuments and Sites is to encourage local communities and individuals throughout the world to consider the importance of cultural heritage to their lives, identities and communities, and to promote awareness of its diversity and vulnerability and the efforts required to protect and conserve it. 

World Heritage Sites in India

India’s first two sites inscribed on the list at the Seventh Session of the World Heritage held in 1983 were the Agra Fort and the Ajanta Caves. Over the years, 27 more sites have been inscribed, the latest site inscribed in 2012 being the Western Ghats. Of these 29 sites, 23 are cultural sites and the other six are natural sites. A tentative list of further sites/properties submitted by India for recognition includes 33 sites.

Western Ghats (Sahyadri Mountains)

REFLECTION

Boston Marathon attracted nearly 27000 people this year, but some ‘terrorists’ wanted to steal the show. There are so many in our world who still think violence is the best means to attain their goal, which is a mere dream. They will even quote verses from their Holy Books in support of killing innocent people. There has to be a reversal of this ideology, which demands enormous efforts from all peace builders, irrespective of their religion and country. Let all peace lovers of the world unite and create cultures of integrity and harmony. If we allow evil forces to thrive, this beautiful world will become a hell. Peace education should get top priority even in schools.

Dr. Abraham Karickam

KIPS Board Members and family on Vishu Day

GRADUATION CEREMONY OF UKG KIDS OF KIPS

REFLECTIONS

Are We marching towards the Kindom of God? Yes, says GPI Index

Dear friends,

In my book “Super Souls Revisited”, there is a conversation with Moses in heaven. One important point that he is highlighting is that God is helpless in transforming the world because He has given half of His self to us, beings on the planet. So God needs our support and wholehearted cooperation to complete the assigned task. If we fail, God also fails.

But the latest GPI (Global Peace Index) shows that we are marching towards the Kingdom of God/ Ramarajya/Perpetual Garden of Peace. According to the 2012 GPI, the world has improved in peacefulness for the first time since 2009. All regions excluding the Middle East and North Africa saw an improvement. (Our MENA region needs more support and prayers).  Top ten most peaceful countries are Iceland, Denmark, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Austria, Ireland (what a welcome change! Ireland is the best example before us to show that there are alternatives to conflicts), Slovenia, Finland and Switzerland. The least peaceful countries are Somalia, Afghanistan, Sudan, Iraq, Dem. Republic of Congo, Russia, North Korea, Central African Republic, Israel and Pakistan. (For more details visit www.iprikarickam.blogspot.com)

One aspect is very clear. Peace is possible and URI has a thundering role to play here in this field. We don’t want more Kurukhsetras (terrible battlefields) to be repeated. When all the ‘catalysts for peace’ (Thanks to Libby Hoffman) around the world unite , definitely we will advance fast towards the glorious ‘garden’ of perennial peace.

Dr Abraham Karickam

MOST AUSPICIOUS MOMENT- INAUGURATION OF ENTRANCE COACHING UNDER THE AUSPICES OF COSMIC COMMUNITY CENTER AND KARICKAM INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL- LIGHTING THE LAMP BY SUSAN ABRAHAM KARICKAM

C.K JOHN, VICE CHAIRMAN INAUGURATING ENTRANCE COACHING CLASSES