religion and art save environments.

I read an interesting passage the other day on BBC. It was of men and women painting tree trunks in Bihar, India of Hindu gods and goddesses like Krishna, Radha, Saraswati and Durga. The artists hope the drawings would avert religious fearing Indians from cutting the trees.

The reason why this has been effective so far is most people in India, especially in villages are highly religious and they fear cutting down trees will give them bad luck.

My public relations knowledge came into effect when reading this article.

1. Know your audience
- Bihar, India, religious men and women aged 20-65.
- fear of bad karma

2. Communication/Action
- Message has been sent to various publics to NOT cut down trees in fear of bad luck. Beware or Hindu gods and goddesses will come after you.
- Save the environment. India is growing more and more every minute and second of the day. Let's maintain the living life we have and deter from destroying it.

3. Evaluation
- how effective was this strategy- very effective! When you place fear in people's minds, majority of them would not like to be near it. Example, don't touch a hot stove or don't kill the environment or you'll face bad luck. (dramatic, I know, but it's working)

Religion and Art can save the environment!

BBC News

 

the joy of giving.

The video speaks for itself. Enjoy.

 

keepin' it real.

My mom and I recently watched a Bollywood film called "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" (Until I live). It was your typical love story where a man and a woman fall in love, they can't be together due to circumstances and live without seeing each other for 10 years. I won't ruin the end for my audiences who may want to watch this film.

What I noticed was one of the lead actresses, Katrina Kaif who is stunningly beautiful looked a bit different in this film. Her face looked different, a lot different. She got botox and collagen on her lips.

Personally, it's really up to a person if they choose to do that to their face. I can understand that being in the public eye isn't easy and you have to meet people's out of the norm expectations but is it really necessary to make your face look expression-less when you're in a profession like acting?

Plus, why doesn't our culture embrace age and everything that comes with it? Wrinkles are beautiful and I have always thought they were. It shows a person's character and the life they have led. Especially when I watch films, I find that the beauty in such a career lies in the expression.

We live in such a unrealistic world. It's always about 'looking good', having a nice body both for men and women, making sure you are always 'groomed'. Sometimes I wonder why we have such ideals? Yes the media plays a huge role in it but when did we start defining what 'beautiful' was.

Why the long lashes and thicker drawn in eyebrows? Why the hairless body? Why the big boobs and big ass or small boobs and small ass when all of our bodies are made so differently? I can go on for hours.

Let's keep it real people because anyone who truly loves you, accepts you for you - even with the pouch on your stomach, or the hairy legs in the winter (ha) and of course the beautiful wrinkles.





 BEFORE                                                                                                     AFTER

TRAILER FOR JAB TAK HAI JAAN (the songs are great in it- my favorite is Heer)



 

When I look back to my posts I often notice a pattern of similarities. Majority of the posts relate to backward-thinking fanatics who don't feel the need to progress with the changing times.

But, today I read an article on Jezebel that will change the dynamic of this particular post. An article was written on the first ever Asian-America woman elected in the Senate. I found this to be quite fascinating for two reasons: one, she is Asian-American and two, she will be the first ever Hindu to take an oath on the Bhagavad Gita. (scripture/holy book)

Both my parents have been brought up as Hindus but my mother in particular is the one that keeps Hinduism alive in our household. We celebrate all the festivals and I enjoy learning about the religion, culture and tradition. (more so the culture)

Every time my ma tells me a story from the Bhagavad Gita or Ramayan, it's as if she is telling me a bed time story from a make believe world. It fascinates me how bright her eyes get when she shares those stories. It could be because I have never had that sort of passion towards any religion.

So, back to the article I read today. It was interesting to see how our culture in North America is beginning to grow, but more so accept.

Acceptance seems to be one of the key messages gurus, priests, pundits, monks and mostly everyone tells. Accept people for who they are and what they believe in. It seems as if the teachings have always been with us but we often forget to accept not only what we believe in but in other beliefs too.

It's a battle of staying balanced in our views, thoughts, values, morals and traditions.

Tulsi Gabbard

Below is the link of the article.
http://jezebel.com/5958635/americas-first-ever-hindu-congresswoman-will-take-the-oath-of-office-over-the-bhagavad-gita


 

what if i told you... (follow up video)

Below is a follow up video of the parents who committed the crime and justifying their actions. The hardest part for me is watching the end where the little children are crying for their dad but fail to understand what he did.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20199989

what if I told you....

What if I said to you that you're not allowed to watch a teacher, teach?
What if I said to you that you're not allowed to watch a chef, cook?
What if I said to you it was illegal to watch a person walk by?

What would you say to me?

I'm absurd and crazy, right?

Well, two parents in a small town in Pakistan would fail to disagree.

A father watched his 15-year-old daughter glance at two men riding on their motorcycle. A harmless act that ended up causing her life.

Why you may ask?

Well, this father thought to himself that by looking at other people, especially the opposite sex, should be punished. Or rather his younger daughter looking at other men is a sin.

What did he or rather they do to her?

Her mother and father took her to the side. The father beat her up and with the help of the mother poured acid on her.

They took her to the hospital the next day, but it was a day too late.

Sometimes I wonder if her life was better off not being in this world, where humans are no longer beings but rather monsters. Why would she want to live in hell? Maybe she is happier now. Free from disgust and hardship.

But then I wonder how can we change a father's mind from his thoughts that have been ingrained in him ever since he was born?

Yes, it can be through education, but there is more than that. I am still trying to figure it out and maybe if I was physically in Kotli, Pakistan, I could?

Or is it human nature to be drawn to information that support your own beliefs? I really believe it's the fact that people do not like being proven wrong. I think this little girl's father was trying to make a point that his beliefs were right and his daughter should follow or be punished.

This story is another incident of 'honour' killing. Where the reputation of a family is more important than the lives of the members in it.

I feel it's time these people cozy up to the idea that being wrong is not bad. It is rather the polar opposite. It's a learning experience and in the end you become a better person, rather than a murderer (in this case).

Rest in peace little girl.





Saira Liaqat had acid poured on her when she was nineteen-years- old. She is a survivor and continues to empower women.

Liaqat at the age of twenty-two. She's had 25 surgeries and is still smiling :)