Papakunsa Ekadashi Vrata | International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

Papankunsh Ekadashi
The Navaratri days are over
Welcome to this year's Papankush Ekadashi Mahatmeya. The Navaratri days are over however, in some parts of Nepal daughters and in-laws are expected to arrive and receive Tika till the Kojagrat Poornima.

Considering this Dashain reviving with the post-covid world, Tika recipients have become very low and the distancing is maintained. The 11th day of the Hindu date is called Ekadashi, Ekadashi i.e. the eleventh day it is customary to fast on this date, eat only fruits and listen to the story of Ekadashi Mahatmaya.

According to the Bhagavata Purana
According to the Bhagavata Purana, such Ekadashi has special significance for the devotees of Lord Vishnu, i.e. Vaishnavas. This Ekadashi, which falls on the eve of Dashain Tika, also has its special significance. This Ekadashi, named after Durga Bhavani's Navratri, is famous as the Ekadashi that destroys sins.

This Ekadashi is described in the dialogue between Lord Krishna and Yudhisthira.
According to Krishna, fasting on this Ekadashi and worshiping the Lord will atone for all sins by the grace of Lord Padmanabha. It is said that it is very important to listen or study Vishnu Sahasranama and Ashtotara of Sri Rama and Sri Krishna and make the pilgrimage on this Ekadashi.

Krishna has mentioned that if one performs devotional rituals by fasting on such days, one will get more results than Ganga, Gaya, Kashi, or Puskar River dives (Nadisnan). It is said that if one fast during the day and chants the Lord's hymns at night and does Hari Kirtan, one can attain many virtues and attain salvation in the footsteps of Lord Vishnu after death. This Ekadashi is equally important for both Vishnu devotees, Vaishnavas, and Shiva devotees.

 In the Vishnu Purana (5:33:46) section, it is stated that if one thinks that Shiva and Vishnu are different, he/she is mistaken and is condemned from salvation and going to heaven.

It is customary to get up in the morning, take a bath, put on clean clothes, and start fasting. After worship and temple visits, it is customary to listen to the Ekadashi glory of this Ekadashi. In today's Ekadashi, it is believed that ten generations from the maternal side, ten generations from the patriarchal side and the ancestors from the devote's wife's or husband's clan will attain Vaikuntha.

People are living and social beings, so the scriptures have inspired us to give alms to the poor and miserable, no matter how little we have. There is nothing greater in the world than serving the needed. Good luck to all of us, by being helpful today and doing things that can make others smile.

International Day for Disaster Reduction



Background:
Every year, the world community celebrates October 13 as World Natural Disaster Control Day. This day is very important for spreading awareness through various programs, conventions, seminars, etc., and for minimizing the damage. However, meetings and seminars on this day for this year are entirely going digital, from one's home and screens. We can't control natural disasters, we can only minimize the damage by taking precaution and preparedness, can't we? The day was started by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1989 to increase the preparedness and awareness against natural disasters and even today, various media outlets around the world are spreading effective knowledge, skills, and ideas on this subject.

United Nation in Disaster Reduction:
At the same time, the United Nations has a plan to raise awareness in the community, the nation, and the region, to increase access to preparedness, and to make special calls for the protection of victims. Nepal, which is known to the world community for its diverse terrain, climate, and water resources, has also faced many natural calamities from time to time, be it occasional earthquakes or this year's severe floods, landslides, geographically diverse and complex Nepal. The sad thing is that Nepali has inadequate disaster control skills and information, which can lead to additional losses and risks. We have already seen that the earthquake has raised serious questions about the access to mainstream drinking water, health facilities, and basic things, even in the capital Kathmandu.

Theme 2024
In 2024, the International Day will focus on the theme of empowering the next generation for a resilient future. Participate in an event, promote one, or join the conversation on fighting inequality for a resilient future. A social media toolkit to share your experiences fighting inequality for a resilient future.

The condition of the capital easily describes the situation of relatively remote villages. It is even more unfortunate that the Nepali academic curriculum still lacks experimental practices and practical topics for natural disaster control. Even more impractical developmental knowledge, such as the knowledge that staying under a table or inside a house during an earthquake, is the exact opposite of putting one's life in danger and one's life at risk of death. Nepal needs comprehensive and community-friendly disaster risk preparedness messages and practices. If there is a natural disaster on Nepali soil, there is still no minimum preparedness.

It is also unfortunate that a handful of natural disaster control and awareness programs are largely in the hands of NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations). Probably a factor as to why progress is happening so poorly. Equal participation of both government and non-government is essential in such sensitive issues. Today, it is important for Nepal to understand and embrace all these things with the world community. Let's build natural disaster prevention and resilience structures, let's make the next generation aware of its preparedness.

-Suyog Dhakal