Saturday, January 29, 1994
A National Symposium on ‘Combating Fluorosis Menace - Methodology to formulate Model District Plan’ was held in the Institute Auditorium on 29th and 30th January 1994, under the auspices of the department of the Panchayat Raj, Government of Andhra Pradesh. The Symposium reflected the deep concern felt by Swami over the prevalence of fluorosis in various parts of India, and His interest in the measures to combat it.
Swami inaugurated the symposium at 10.30 am on 29th. Sri S. P. Tucker, Chairman, Integrated Flourosis Control Project, welcomed the delegates. Dr. D. K. Samarasimha Reddy, Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Water Supply, Andhra Pradesh, gave the inaugural address. Swami released a book ‘Combating Fluorosis Menace - Methodology to formulate Model District Plan’ written by Dr. D. K. Venkateswara Rao, Department of Biosciences, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam. In His Inaugural Discourse, Swami said:
"It is the mind that makes a man. The mind is a conglomeration of thoughts. Thoughts are reflected in actions. The consequences of actions are being experienced as pleasure and pain by man. Therefore, man should have noble thoughts, which will spur him to good and noble activity. Each one should enquire for whose sake he or she is living. When any one poses this question to oneself, the answer is: "I am living for myself and not for others." He justifies his answer by saying: "I am eating to appease my own hunger. I am taking medicine to cure my illness. It cannot be cured by anyone else taking the medicine."
When two persons are sleeping in the same cot, they do not get the same dreams but have different dreams. Basing on these facts man feels that he is living for himself. Later on, when he grows up he seeks a job on the ground that he has a family to look after and support. The same person, who once said he was living for himself, later on pleads that he is living for his family. When invited by a friend to accompany him to Bangalore for an interesting sports event, he says that he has to attend his office and cannot rake leave and hence he is unable to accompany him. He thus cites his duty as a reason for his inability to enjoy the sports. But when his wife or child is sick and in a hospital he rakes leave even on loss of pay and goes to attend on them. The same person, when he is hungry and just sirs for taking his dinner, leaves the meal served on the table and rushes our when he hears that his son or daughter is involved in an accident. Even hunger is forgotten. The person, who was proclaiming that he was living for himself only, now starts caring for his wife and children.
Human Welfare is bound with that of Society
When the village is in the grip of an epidemic like cholera or plague, the same person comes forward to do his best to combat the spread of the disease, because this may affect his own family too as they are part and parcel of the village. Thus man is born in society and grows in society. It is the bounden duty of every one to feel that his own welfare is bound up with the welfare of all others in society.
Today we are faced with the menace of fluorosis. If you enquire into this, we come to know that the problem of fluorosis is not only prevalent in India but in many other countries of the world such as Indonesia, Germany, China, USA, Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Libya. Because of their affluence people in countries like U.S.A, are able to take steps to overcome the evil effects of this disease to a great extent.
The ill-effects of Polluted Drinking Water
Many diseases are caused by drinking water that is polluted. If there is only one milligram of fluoride in a litre of water, it is safe. The presence of more than one mg in a litre may cause sickness. If there is 4 or 5 mg of fluoride in a litre, it affects the teeth and is positively injurious to health. In several States in India such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan this disease is widely prevalent. In Andhra Pradesh, it is rampant in Srikakulam, Guntur, Medak, Nalgonda and Mahboobnagar districts. Recently it has been found to be prevalent in Kadapa, Kurnool, Anantapur and other places. It is found on investigation that the fluoride content in water varies from 15 mg to 10.5 mg in these areas.
The fluoride that is contained in underground water sources varies from 1 mg to 300 mg per litre. In many areas they have established Aluminum factories. Fluoride is made use of to a large extent in these factories. This mixes with air and the polluted air affects the people. It enters the stronger portions of the body such as bones and teeth. A portion of this fluoride is excreted through urine. The ignorant are not aware of the serious damage caused by this fluoride to their health. Fluorosis causes pain in the joints and affects the bones at the back, etc. The affected persons stiffer from severe pain in joints. Some germs such as bacteria also enter the system and cause a lot of damage to the human body. Viruses also cause diseases. Polluted food also accounts for the spread of these disease carrying germs. Meat, fish, black and red salt, black coffee and tea also cause spread of fluorosis and aggravate it further. To the extent possible you should change your food habits. Chewing betel leaves also causes tooth decay Certain drugs sold in the market also aggravate this disease.
Ways and means to combat Fluorosis
There are some types of antidotes that can be consumed with food to prevent fluorosis. You should take sour things like lime, orange and tamarind in greater quantity. You can also take
more of tomatoes, potatoes and vegetables with Vitamin C. You should also take more of carrots to build the bones. Intake of such food items in a liberal measure will help to combat the incidence of fluorosis. Besides these, consuming of green leaves which contain a lot of calcium will also help in keeping off fluorosis. Food is the main factor in maintaining good health or causing diseases.
In these days, though there is plenty of milk, curd and other dairy products available with the villagers in their houses, they are in the habit of selling these products and buying some useless and harmful things that affect their health adversely. Consuming of curd will help one to a great extent to combat the onset of this disease. Modern youth take black tea and coffee (without milk though milk is available) thereby inviting the disease. Some take black and brownish salt which contains more fluoride. They should avoid this and take only white purified salt. It is only by propagating such practical preventive steps that Government can play its role in checking the spread of this disease.
Thought of Divine essential to combat disease
Apart from the exercise of such care in the food consumed there should be also Daiva Chintana (contemplation of the Divine). Because people don't drink of God they are subjected to a lot of misery. Without divine thought, man is harbouring two bad qualities. One is he hides many defects and evil qualities within himself. The other is he magnifies even minor faults in others. Because of such evil qualities among human beings diseases are also on the increase. Only when human effort is there, with God's grace, good results will be attained. The Sanskrit saying declares "Dharmaartha Kaama Mokshaanaam Aarogyam Moolam Uttamam" (For the attainment of the four Purusharthas, good health is essential). Even though one may have all the wealth in the world, if his health is impaired, he is miserable. Good health is the most important acquisition one should aspire for. Whether a villager or an urban dweller, good health is very essential for anyone leading a meaningful life.
To enjoy good health, one should have water, food and air free from pollution. Now all these three are polluted. Apart from these, man's mind is also polluted. To purify the mind, one should nurture noble and sacred thoughts of service to others. One who does not hurt anybody and has feelings of love and compassion to fellow beings is the greatest of men. That is why sage Vyasa gave the essence of the 18 Puranas he composed in the aphorism: "Help Ever, Hurt Never." You should make every effort to avoid harming others in any circumstance. You are only hurting yourself when you hurt others. You should not use harsh words. When you develop human values, you can be free from diseases and even enjoy good health with God's Grace.
To enjoy Good Health you need Control in Living
Once a poet gave the reason for the lack of Dharma in this country in the form of a song. Because there are people who have bad thought, hear bad things through their ears, see bad things with their eyes, spread scandals through their tongue, there is no Dharma and no peace. Human beings are embodiments of Divinity. They should live up to their Divine nature and not descend to the level of animals. We should see that by our action no harm is caused to society. The incidence of fluorosis is a threat to public health and affects society in general. But, there are easy methods to combat this menace by taking preventive steps. In our Institute, Venkateshvara Rao has done detailed studies in this field and has found out methods of conducting numerous experiments to control this disease. This can be controlled to a great extent by using sour things such as tamarind, lime, oranges, etc., in larger quantifies in food. The villagers should consume lot of greens which contain a good amount of iron.
The Government has embarked upon measures to control the spread of this disease. The people, for their part, should co-operate with the government. Then the results will be good. My opinion is that it is not good enough to provide for treatment for this disease. It is prevalent even in the affluent countries like U.S.A. With all their money power they are not able to eradicate the disease. So you should realise that God's grace is very essential. Along with medicine you need discipline and control in living. Pure engineers, officers, scientists have all gathered here. They must educate the people to avoid meat caring, which causes fluorosis. Water and other substances coming from underground have a lot of fluoride content. In some places there is as much as 8 to 10 mg of fluoride in one litre of water.
Divine Vibrations in Prasanthi Nilayam
Whether you believe it or not, in Prasanthi Nilayam, which is situated in Anantapur District, there is no trace of fluorosis. Here, there is a lot of Divine vibrations as all good and sacred things are being done. People of different religions and Nationalities are assembling here in thousands. But all are engaged in divine activities and constant remembrance of God. Here there is not more than 1 or 1.5 mg of fluoride in a litre of water. The Collector of Anantapur district is making a lot of effort to combat this disease. It is necessary to combine divine activities along with the other steps to combat this disease."
The valedictory session was held in the Divine Presence on 30th January. Sri K. Kesava Rao of Rajiv Gandhi Technology Mission for the rural poor, Hyderabad, delivered the valedictory address. Sri Thirupathaiah ED, S C Corporation, Anantapur, expressed his gratitude to Swami on behalf of everyone for having hosted the Symposium. Swami delivered His Valedictory Message. He said:
“It is the duty of everyone born as a human being to engage himself in service to mankind, which is the only sure way to cross the ocean of worldly life and attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
The human body is a prey to 386 types of diseases. These are caused by three main factors that are related to physical health. They are Vaata (Wind), Pitta (Bile) and Sleshma (Phlegm). Wind is the cause of 80 diseases, while 84 diseases arise from bile disorders and 222 from phlegm. For the disease of fluorosis, which is the subject of this symposium, bile and phlegm are the causes. While there are curative medicines for several diseases, there are some diseases which are incurable.
In this world, there are several types of people- those who are affluent, those who are virtuous, men of mighty strength and valour, persons of high literary attainments, eminent scientists. But persons engaging themselves in spiritual pursuits are very rare to come across. Such noble persons, who dwell in the realm of the spirit instead of the sphere of mundane affairs, will not be affected by any diseases of the body or the mind. They will be leading a noble and pure life. The body is a physical entity while the mind is subtle. There is another which is invisible and eludes the grasp of the ordinary individual. That is the Atma. The attempt to comprehend the unknown and invisible Atma is called Atma Anveshana. When one makes efforts to realise the sweetness of the Atma he is said to taste it — Atma Preeti. When he experiences the bliss of the Atma he is said to be an Atma Jnani (a Realised Soul).
The body, the mind, the intellect and the senses are only your instruments. Then, the question arises, "Who are you?" The answer is: "You are the master who makes use of these instruments." When you refer to "My mind, my body, my senses," do you enquire "Who am I?" Though you may go on saying, "This is my body; my mind, etc.," which implies that you are different from these, yet you identify yourself with the body and become a slave of the senses instead of being their master. You are the Atma, the Supreme Master. You have the potential to realise this through the discriminating power of the intellect. Once you recognise this truth, you will also understand human nature, which is a combination of values like Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Love and Non-violence and you will then rid your animal qualities. Then you will also realise the cause of diseases and the method of curing them.
Aadharam and Aaharam are essential for Life
The disease of fluorosis is cause by contamination in food, air and water. Earth, fire and ether are the elements constituting the essential basis for human life. Water and air constitute the Prana Shakti (Life-Force). While ether, earth and fire are the Moola (basis), water and air are essential for Prana (life). Water and air provide the food for the sustenance of life. While the three elements earth, fire and ether form the Aadharam (support), the other two - water and air form the Aaharam (food). You get water and air from the Bhoomi (earth). It is the nature of Brahman and is all powerful. The astronauts who travel in spaceships to explore space have to carry water and air with them from the earth for their survival. They have to take things from the earth while they travel to the moon to bring a few samples from the moon. Billions of dollars are spent on these exercises.
What we should attempt really is to explore the means of cultivation of human values and realising the Divinity within everyone. The sun shines with intense hear and wonderful effulgence. By the help of the sun's light, the moon shines. It cannot shine by itself, as it has no effulgence of its own. The relationship between the Buddhi (intellect) and the mind is also similar to this. The mind is made up of thoughts and fancies. It is dangerous to act as a slave of the mind. By following the mind, one becomes a Pashu (an animal). By following the Buddhi, one becomes a Pashupati, the Lord of all living beings.
Pay the greatest attention to the health of children
You have discussed in great detail the incidence of fluorosis and the application of technology to combat this evil disease as a natural outcome of food and other habits. The main constituents of the body should be in proper balance. Any imbalance will affect the health and curtail the life span. The longevity of a person depends on regulation of food and other habits.
Affluent and educated people are able to have recourse to advanced methods of treatment for curing diseases. What about the poor and illiterate villagers? They suffer a lot owing to fluorosis which affects the movement of the joints and weakens the bones. In some cases, hands and legs are bent out of shape and the victims can hardly do their daily work. A large percentage of people in Bharat are unable to work efficiently because of various physical disabilities. The greatest attention should be paid to the health of the young who have many years of life before them.
We have to start investigation in the primary schools where children are susceptible to attacks by diseases such as fluorosis. You have to devise methods simple enough to be followed by them. One simple method is to mix lime and sand in water in a proper proportion and stir it up slowly taking 15 minutes for the process. Allow it to settle down for 5 to 6 hours. You will see the sand deposit at the bottom. If this is done before bedtime, the water will be clear by the next morning. The water thus purified can be used with good effect. You can make use of alum also for this purpose. It is very difficult to get pure alum today. Everything is adulterated: milk, oil and other edible products. If you can teach the primary school children now about cultivation of honesty and good habits, the future of the country and the world will be better as these children are going to be the leaders, pleaders and teachers of the Regarding the treatment of fluorosis, you should think of long-term solution also along with temporary remedial measures. Yellow and black spots on the skins are signs of a person suffering from fluorosis. Doctors should concentrate on fluorosis-affected children as they may grow weak because of the disease.
Ensure effective implementation of decisions taken
This disease is prevalent in all countries, but in certain districts of some States of Bharat it is rampant. The decisions you have taken at this Conference should not be confined to the paper on which they are recorded. You should implement them and achieve results. What is needed is the will to work with a spirit of dedication in order to relieve the distress of the suffering masses.
The participants who spoke earlier, expressed their gratitude for the hospitality and good food and comfortable accommodation provided for them here. We do have our share in looking after the welfare of society. We can be happy only when society is happy. You should go from village to village and rake concrete steps to eradicate this disease of fluorosis, offer simple methods of treatment to those already affected and teach the villagers the preventive precautionary measures like regulation of diet and drinking only boiled water etc. Our Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh are extending enthusiastic support for this programme. You should also act with full initiative and interest so that you. can achieve the desired results. Having taken up a job you should not slacken your effort in completing it, facing any obstacles you may come across boldly.
Work done for the welfare of the world is Tapas (true penance), while work done for selfish purpose is Tamas (useless). Bharat is a Punya Bhoomi (sacred land). It is a Yoga Bhoomi (Land of sense control)and Karma Bhoomi (Land of action). The present generation of people want to make it a Bhoga Bhoomi (Land of worldly pleasures). That is why people suffer from diseases.
Secret of Swami's youthful radiance
Students here expressed their wonder as to how I, though 68 years old, look young and am energetic. Really the reason for this is the imbibing of the three P's by Me, namely, purity, patience, and perseverance. If you follow these three tenets you will not be afflicted by any disease. I am keeping Myself active day in and day out for the sake of the welfare of the world and no disease has affected this body at any time during the past 68 years. My teeth are quite healthy and strong even at this age. I can masticate anything. My eyesight is very sharp. People get short sight or long sight even at the age of forty and wear glasses. I take no medicine as no disease affects Me. Even while I take on the diseases of others. I pretend as though I take the pill offered by doctors to satisfy them. But actually I throw it away and sip only water. I ear the barest minimum to sustain the body. I take just one small oil-free dry Chapati. I have never taken sweets even from my childhood. Doctors say you need vitamins and proteins for maintaining bodily health. I am always in Ananda (bliss) and that is the vitamin and protein for Me. Happiness lies in union with God. When you think of God you are bound to be happy.
Chant Prayers even while taking Medicine
You must tell people to think of God and chant prayers even while they take medicine for the disease. This must be taught mainly to school children so that they may grow up as good, enlightened children.
There was a professor in Kashi who used to do prayer and worship at the altar in his house. An atheist friend of his who visited him remarked that he was wasting so much time in prayer. The professor replied that the prayer to God will never go waste. He added: "I waste only one hour per day, even if according to you God does not exist. But if God exists, you are wasting your whole life-time."
You have to educate the children to consume lime and tamarind in larger measure, explaining the reason for this, in order to prevent the affliction by the disease of fluorosis. Teach them by songs in popular runes so that it will have an effective appeal. Even atheists who deny God will be moved by music as human beings. When you pray to God too, it is more effective if you express the prayer in musical runes as this will touch and move the heart. God loves music. He is termed as Gaana Priya and Gaana Lola (one who loves music and revels in music). Inspire the children to sing Bhajans. They will attain happiness and satisfaction."
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