According to academicians, the sociology of sanitation might be pushed as a field of study at the undergraduate, graduate, and research levels of sociology.

“The University Grants Commission (UGC) should include sociology of sanitation as a recommended course within Sociology at undergraduate, postgraduate, and research levels in a graded manner,” a group of academics stated on Wednesday at the conclusion of a two-day seminar hosted by Sulabh International Social Service Organisation here.

Sociologists also recommended contacting the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) to request that sanitation studies be prioritised in advancing research.

“Many sociologists strongly felt that existing sub-disciplines of sociology do not adequately capture and address the varied aspects, nuances, and social complexities related to sanitation,” the academics said in a statement.

At the meeting, more than 100 papers were given. Delegates agreed that ending open defecation completely and empowering underprivileged communities should be the main goals of sociology of sanitation.

The founder of Sulabh, Bindeshwar Pathak, stated that adding this discipline to the list of academic disciplines will not only broaden the field of sociology but also aid in addressing societal issues such as sanitation, social exclusion, water, public health, hygiene, poverty, gender equality, child welfare, and sustainable development.

“It was strongly felt and argued in the conference that existing sub-disciplines of sociology do not adequately capture and address the varied aspects, nuances, and social complexities related to sanitation,” said Yogendra Singh, sociologist and professor emeritus at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

The academics recommended that this declaration be communicated to all sociology departments in universities, colleges, and other educational institutions, including schools.

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Vipassana, often known as “Insight,” is the practice of paying close attention to the present moment with an unclouded view. Depending on the context, samatha might mean either “concentration” or “tranquility.” It’s a mental state achieved by forcing oneself to concentrate intently on a single thing without letting the mind stray. When this is achieved, a profound peace settles over body and mind, an equanimity that can only be fully appreciated via direct experience.

Samatha is the central focus of most meditative traditions. The meditator concentrates on one thing at a time, whether it be a prayer, a specific box, a chant, a candle flame, an image of a deity, or anything else. The meditator enters a blissful condition that lasts till the end of the sitting period. It’s lovely, important, and irresistible—for a little while. The second part, insight, is what Vipassana meditation is all about.

In Vipassana meditation, the practitioner’s focus is used to chip away at the barrier of delusion that has been keeping him from experiencing the vibrant light of reality. It is a progressive unfolding of ever-deepening insight into the nature of reality. Although it may take years of meditation, eventually the meditator will break through the barrier and find themselves in the presence of light. The metamorphosis is at an end. It’s called Freedom, and it lasts forever. All Buddhist paths ultimately lead to enlightenment. However, there are numerous ways to reach that destination.

Understanding the key differences between Vipassana and other forms of meditation is essential. There are essentially two styles of meditation discussed in Buddhism. They represent many facets of one’s cognitive abilities, behavioral patterns, or states of awareness. Vipassana and Samatha are their names in Pali, the language of the earliest Theravada texts.

Vipassana, often known as “Insight,” is the practice of paying close attention to the present moment with an unclouded view. Depending on the context, samatha might mean either “concentration” or “tranquility.” It’s a mental state achieved by forcing oneself to concentrate intently on a single thing without letting the mind stray. When this is achieved, a profound peace settles over body and mind, an equanimity that can only be fully appreciated via direct experience.

Samatha is the central focus of most meditative traditions. The meditator concentrates on one thing at a time, whether it be a prayer, a specific box, a chant, a candle flame, an image of a deity, or anything else. The meditator enters a blissful condition that lasts till the end of the sitting period. It’s lovely, important, and irresistible—for a little while. The second part, insight, is what Vipassana meditation is all about.

In Vipassana meditation, the practitioner’s focus is used to chip away at the barrier of delusion that has been keeping him from experiencing the vibrant light of reality. It is a progressive unfolding of ever-deepening insight into the nature of reality. Although it may take years of meditation, eventually the meditator will break through the barrier and find themselves in the presence of light. The metamorphosis is at an end. It’s called Freedom, and it lasts forever. All Buddhist paths ultimately lead to enlightenment. However, there are numerous ways to reach that destination.

Buddhist Meditation in its Earliest Form
Vipassana is the Buddhist meditation technique with the longest history. The technique is taken verbatim from a discourse attributed to the Buddha, the Satipatthana Sutta [Foundations of Mindfulness]. Mindfulness or awareness can be developed directly and gradually via the practice of Vipassana. The process takes years and is carried out in discrete stages. The focus of the student’s efforts is shifted to an introspective investigation of many areas of his own life. The meditator learns to become increasingly aware of his own unfolding life.

The practice of Vipassana is non-aggressive. However, it is extremely comprehensive. It is a set of mental exercises aimed at increasing one’s awareness of one’s own life experience, and it is both old and formally organized. It involves paying close attention, looking carefully, and testing thoroughly.

Our sense of smell sharpens, our sense of touch expands, and our awareness of the nuances of these sensations grows. We learn to pay attention to our internal dialogue without becoming immersed in it. Learning to recognize the truth of the transience, unsatisfactoriness, and selflessness of phenomena is the goal of Vipassana meditation.

We mistakenly believe that we are already engaging in this practice. It results from our being so unaware of the constant flow of our own experience that we might as well be asleep. We aren’t paying close enough attention to realize that we’re not. It’s a Catch-22 yet again.

Insight through Meditation
Mindfulness helps us see behind the facade of the ego and into the true nature of our being. The reality of life finally hits us. It’s not all smiles and clapping and rewards and scoldings. It’s all in your head. If we take the time and make the effort to look, though, we will find that life has a lot richer texture than that.

Mindfulness practice known as Vipassana can help you see the world in a new light. For the first time, you’ll understand what’s going on in your life and how you fit into it. It’s an exercise in introspection where you actively investigate your own life by observing and taking part in it as it unfolds.

Ignore all I’ve been taught, I say. Put aside your preconceived notions, biases, and categorizations.
The following mindset is required for successful practice: “Forget what I have been taught. Put aside your preconceived notions, biases, and categorizations. The meaning of life is something I’m eager to discover. I’m curious as to the nature of being alive. I’m not satisfied taking someone else’s word for the meaning of life; I want to understand it for myself. I really need to witness it firsthand.

You will achieve your goals in meditation if you approach it with this mindset. You’ll start to take a dispassionate, outsider’s view of events, seeing them for what they really are: a series of shifting, ever-changing moments. Then, life takes on an indescribable depth that defies words. This is something that can only be understood by direct experience.

Vipassana and Bhavana
Insight meditation is known as Vipassana Bhavana in the Pali language. The word bhavana has its origins in the Sanskrit root bh, which meaning to develop or change. Therefore, Bhavana means “cultivation,” and it is always associated with the mind when employed in this context. Bhavana refers to training one’s mind. Vipassana originates from two sources. Passana refers to the act of seeing or gaining insight. The prefix “vi” is loaded with multiple meanings. Essentially, it means “in a unique manner.” And there’s the double meaning of “into” and “through.”

Definition: To see something clearly and precisely, to recognize its parts as separate, and to see through to the core in order to grasp its essential nature. This method of investigation yields knowledge of the inspected object’s essential nature. Vipassana Bhavana, when taken as a whole, refers to mental training for the purpose of developing the kind of perception that yields wisdom and comprehension.

Theravada Vipassana Meditation is a Related Topic.

We believe that this is the same approach that was taught by Gotama Buddha to his disciples. The Buddha’s initial lecture on mindfulness, the Satipatthana Sutta, instructs practitioners to first pay attention to their breathing before moving on to other physical and mental experiences.

We’re just sitting here, observing our nostrils. At first glance, this seems like a completely bizarre and pointless process. Let’s look at the rationale for this first, then get into the specifics.

Focusing on what’s most important
Our first inclination could be to wonder why we need to employ a focal point at all. After all, our goal is to raise consciousness. Why not just sit there and pay attention to whatever thoughts come up? There are, in fact, meditations along those lines. Sometimes referred to as “unstructured meditation,” these practices are notoriously challenging.

The mind can be deceiving. The process of thinking is inherently convoluted. That’s what we mean when we say that we get stuck in our own thoughts. The chain reaction begins with a single idea and continues on to the next and the next and the next. Fifteen minutes later, we snap out of it and discover we’ve been daydreaming, having a sexual fantasy, worrying about our money, or anything else the whole time.

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The breath is our focal point. It’s like a magnet that pulls your thoughts back to it whenever they wander off. A focal point is required before anything can be considered a distraction. That’s the lens through which we may examine the constant shifts and disruptions that are inherent to our everyday thought processes.

Intimidating Elephants
Meditation is compared to taming a wild elephant in ancient Pali writings. Once an animal was trapped, it would be tied to a post with a sturdy rope. The elephant is unhappy when you do this. There are days of screaming, trampling, and pulling at the rope. The realization that he is trapped eventually dawns on him, and he relaxes.

You can now safely feed him and handle him to a certain extent. You can educate your elephant to perform a variety of chores without ever having to tie it to a post or rope. You have successfully tamed an elephant and may now put it to good use.

Cognate: Respiration

The elephant represents your overactive mind; the rope represents our object of concentration; and the post represents our breathing. The result of this procedure is a mind that has been educated and focused to the point where it can do the extremely difficult work of seeing through the fog of illusion that obscures truth. Mindfulness meditation makes the mind more manageable.

What’s the Point of Taking Air in?
The next logical inquiry is why one would focus on breathing as a central object of meditation. Why not try to come up with something more exciting? There’s no single correct response to this question. A good meditative focus should be something that helps you become more present in the moment. It must be reasonably priced, readily accessible, and lightweight. And it shouldn’t make us feel any of the negative emotions—like greed, anger, or delusion—that we’re trying to get over.

All of these conditions are met by breathing. Everyone on the planet suffers from it. It’s something that everyone always has on them. It is free and readily available to everyone from the moment of birth till the moment of death.

The act of breathing is one that does not require any sort of conceptualization or analysis on the part of the observer. In addition, it is a dynamic process, an ever-evolving facet of life. Breathing occurs in rhythmic cycles that include taking a breath in and then releasing it. This makes it a microcosm of the living world.

All living beings share the experience of breathing. Having a first-hand appreciation for the procedure increases one’s sense of oneness with all other forms of life. Your underlying oneness with all existence is revealed. The act of breathing, in the end, takes place in the here and now.

Finding your breath is the first step in meditating on it. What you’re after is the actual, palpable experience of breathing in and out through one’s nostrils. This is the area typically found inside the nose’s tip. However, depending on the individual’s nose profile, the precise location differs.

Take a big breath in and focus on the spot within your nose or on the top of your nose where you feel the air moving through the most. Now, let your breath out through the exact location you felt it coming in. From this vantage point, you can trace the entire respiratory cycle.

Sometimes Difficult
Expect to run into several problems as you begin this process. Your thoughts will buzz like a bumble bee and dart in all directions at once. Don’t fret too much. The concept of “monkey mind” is widely known. It’s an issue that every master meditator has faced at some point. They overcame the challenge in some way, and you can, too.

When this occurs, simply acknowledge that your mind has been wandering. Without getting angry or criticizing yourself for wandering, gently but firmly bring your attention back to the bodily experience of breathing. Repeat this process the following time, and the time after that, and the time after that.

Vipassana meditation is essentially a method of reprogramming the mind. Total, unbroken awareness in the present now is the state you’re going for. This means being aware of everything happening in your own perceptual universe as it happens.

This is an extremely lofty objective that will not be completed overnight. We’ll start off slow and work our way up. We begin by focusing our full attention on a very little period of time—our very first breath. And if you do, you’ll open up a whole new world of possibilities for yourself.

The post What Exactly Is Vipassana Meditation? appeared first on Republic Aeon.

The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted that the wet phase will continue until June 4. “An orange alert has been issued for thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms, and winds gusting to 40 kilometers per hour,” said Surender Paul, director of the IMD centre in Shimla.

In the month of May, the nighttime temperature in Shimla fell by more than five degrees to 9.9°C, the lowest in the past 14 years. In May 2009, the nighttime temperature in the state capital dropped below this level for the last time.

The cold weather compelled people to don woolens, particularly students, office workers, and vacationers.

The statewide minimum temperature dropped by 3°C to 7°C. Nahan, which is typically one of the hottest cities in Himachal Pradesh during the summer months of May and June, recorded the largest drop of 6.5°C.

Keylong was the coolest at 5°C, followed by Narkanda at 6.4°C and Kukumseri at 6.6°C. Kalpa was the warmest at 7°C, followed by Kufri at 7.7°C, Dalhousie at 10.5°C, Palampur at 13.5°C, and Dharamshala at 24.4°C.

ALSO READ :After 38 °C high, Delhi gets little rain.

According to data from the meteorological office, the state has experienced 325 percent more rainfall than normal over the past week. In the seven days leading up to May 30, it received an average of 54.9 millimeters of precipitation, compared to the average of 12.9 millimeters. This month, the state received 109.8 mm of rainfall as opposed to the average of 61.2 mm.

Since Monday night, Jubbarhatti has received the most precipitation with 42.4mm, Mandi 36.4mm, Nahan 39.8mm, and Solan 34.2mm. Dharamshala received 33 millimeters of precipitation, Shimla 32.2 millimeters, Chamba 27.5 millimeters, Mashobra and Narkanda 26 millimeters, Dhaulakuan 25 millimeters, and Bharmour 20 millimeters.

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IMD predicts that the heatwave will subside in sections of Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

In a press release, the IMD stated, “During the next three days, maximum temperatures are likely to rise by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius in Northwest India, before falling by 5 to 10 degrees Celsius thereafter.” There will likely be no significant change in maximum temperature over the remainder of the country during the next five days.”

In addition, the IMD predicted that portions of the Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands would experience precipitation over the next three days. Along with states including Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.

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In the Himalayan Region and Uttarakhand, sporadic precipitation and lightning were probable. It was predicted that secluded regions of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh would experience heavy rainfall.

Over the next five days, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Karnataka, Kerala, and Mahe may also experience intermittent precipitation.

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In a tweet, the department stated, “Thunderstorm/Duststorm with light to moderate intensity rain and gusty winds with speed of 50-70 Km/h will occur over and adjacent to many areas of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).”

Friday is expected to have a cloudy sky with a few light precipitation, with maximum and minimum temperatures hovering around 38 and 19 degrees Celsius, respectively.

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The India Meteorological Department reported that the highest temperature in Delhi was 38.4 degrees Celsius, a degree below the average for the season. The overnight low reached 20,7 degrees Celsius, three degrees below average.

At approximately 7 p.m. on Thursday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) for the city was measured as “poor” (215), according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

27/04/2023: 20:30 IST; Thunderstorm/ Duststorm with light to moderate intensity rain and gusty winds with speed of 50-70 Km/h would occur over and adjoining areas of many places of Delhi ( ), NCR ( Ghaziabad, Chhapraula, Dadri, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, Manesar)

— RWFC New Delhi (@RWFC_ND) April 27, 2023

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At 04:25:57 (UTC 05:30), the earthquake hits Afsin, Turkey at a depth of 10 kilometers. The epicenter of the earthquake was located at 38.078°N and 36.7622°E, according to the USGS.

This occurred approximately two months after a much more devastating earthquake devastated the same region. The tremor was preceded by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck 11 Turkish provinces, including Malatya, on February 6, 2023.

The quake on February 6 caused more than 48,000 deaths in both Turkey and Syria, as well as the collapse or severe devastation of 173,000 buildings in Turkey. Since then, the region has experienced nearly 10,000 aftershocks, making it hazardous for people to enter damaged structures.

In one of the world’s most active seismic zones, the earthquake struck densely populated areas as people slept in homes that were not designed to withstand such intense tremors.

The disaster has placed pressure on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the slow response to the earthquake and why his government permitted the construction of such low-quality structures.

After a 1999 earthquake in northwestern Turkey killed more than 17,000 people, Turkish officials pledged to strengthen building regulations.

According to media reports, more than 84,000 buildings collapsed, require immediate demolition, or were gravely damaged in the February 6 earthquake.

Dozens of contractors have been arrested as the government vows to clamp down on lax building standards.

Antakya, an ancient crossroads of civilizations, was one of the areas that incurred the most damage in Turkey’s earthquake.

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The city has experienced numerous earthquakes — nearly one every 100 years — and is accustomed to reconstruction.

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In the annual 2023-24 budget, 180 crore was allocated for the integrated development of five main tourism centres, according to a state government spokesperson. The state intends to initiate these projects within the next three months and has already requested their Detailed Project Reports. (DPRs). In this regard, the chief secretary, Durgashankar Mishra, has issued directives to tourism department personnel.

Notably, the state government has allocated 40 crore each for the development of tourism in Bundelkhand and the Buddhist circuit, 50 crore for the development of the Shaktipeeth Maa Shakumbhari Devi temple, 10 crore for the development of the Shukratirth Dham located in Muzaffarnagar, and 40 crore for the integrated tourism development of Prayagraj.

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The administration of Yogi has placed special emphasis on the growth of the Bundelkhand region. Due to the presence of 31 forts and the inauguration of the Bundelkhand Expressway the previous year, efforts are currently underway to develop the entire region as an important heritage tourism hub. The state government also intends to introduce adventure sports, wellness tourism, kayaking, canoeing, hot-air ballooning, and numerous cultural events in order to increase tourism in the region, according to the spokesperson.

Additionally, the tourism department has begun preparations for the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj in 2025. Recently, the central government also selected Prayagraj for Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0. In addition, preparations are being made to install a ropeway in the Kumbh Nagri. Before the Mahakumbh, the government plans to develop all necessary tourist facilities in Prayagraj.

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#WATCH | Fire breaks out in slum area of Patna's Shastri Nagar in Bihar pic.twitter.com/VVbC59verl

— ANI (@ANI) April 6, 2023

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According to RWFC New Delhi, the following locations will experience mild rain/sprinkling over the next two hours: Muzaffarnagar, Kandhla, Bijnaur, Khatauli, Sakoti Tanda, Chandpur, Daurala, Meerut, Sidhmukh, and Kotputli (Rajasthan).

Earlier on Thursday, rain and thunderstorms pummeled portions of the nation’s capital. Thursday, the India Meteorological Department predicted, “Scattered to widespread rainfall/thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds are likely in Northwest India from March 30 to April 1.”

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30-31 March, isolated hailstorms over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and East Rajasthan; 30 March over West Rajasthan and 31 March over Uttar Pradesh. On March 31 in Northwest India, the Met reported isolated torrential rainfall over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

From March 31 to April 2, it was probable that scattered to widespread rain/thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds would occur in East India. Friday will likely bring isolated hailstorms to Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Odisha. IMD forecasted sporadic to widespread light/moderate rain/thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds from March 30-April 3 in Northeast India.

On March 31-April 2, isolated heavy precipitation is probable over Assam and Meghalaya; on April 1-2, over Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. On March 30 and 31, the IMD forecasted the likelihood of isolated rainfall/thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds in Central India. IMD forecasted mild isolated rainfall/thunderstorms in South India for the next five days, with the exception of Northern Karnataka.

IMD forecasted light, isolated precipitation for West India on March 30-31. Several areas of Delhi and the NCR experienced sudden rainfall and thunderstorms on Wednesday night. On Wednesday, nine flights were diverted from Delhi to Jaipur due to adverse weather conditions.

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According to a PTI report, a significant number of people had gathered on the roof of the ancient bavdi, which was unable to support the weight.

In a video shared by the news agency ANI, police and locals can be seen attempting to rescue the stranded devotees from the collapsed stepwell.

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According to his office, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has taken note of the incident and instructed local authorities to expedite the rescue operation.

“The CMO is in constant contact with the district administration of Indore. Principal personnel from the Indore Police and district administration are present. There are efforts to evacuate the devotees. Some individuals have also been rescued, according to the statement.

Eighteen individuals have been rescued and rushed to the hospital from the stepwell, while seven remain trapped.

According to CMO, the administration, including the police, district administration, and SDRF, as well as multiple ambulances, were present for the rescue operation.

#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh: Many feared being trapped after a stepwell at a temple collapsed in Patel Nagar area in Indore.

Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/qfs69VrGa9

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) March 30, 2023

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