Nirjala Ekadashi Vrata/World No Tobacco Day

पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो में भक्त्या प्रयच्छति। तदहं भक्त्युपह्रतमश्रामि प्रयतात्मनस्।।

Krishnarpanam
 Lord Krishna himself from the verses of Bhaggwat Geeta, hereby commencing a divine start to today's write-up.

That is to say, I readily accept the fruits, flowers, water, etc., which are devotionally offered with a selfless spirit. In the name of Lord Krishna, we would like to sing the praises of this year's Nirjala Ekadashi, Nirjala i.e. Ekadashi without water, Ekadashi is observed with devotion by fasting without water. Since water is not consumed, there is no question of food or fruits, it is customary for the extremely hungry and pious mind to transmit positive energy and power to the mind and every organ of the body on this Ekadashi. This Ekadashi is also known as Pandava Ekadashi and Bhima Ekadashi.

Vrat Katha of Nirjala Ekadashi
It was customary for five Pandavas and Draupadi to fast on each Ekadashi, but Bhima, who was very fond of food and could not compromise on food, could never break his addiction to food during the fast. Bhima was worried about this and went and told Guru Vyas about this problem. And when Guru Vyas hears Bhima's words, he tells Bhima to fast on Nirjala Ekadashi to get the blessings of the entire 52 Ekadashis at once. Thus this Ekadashi is ritually observed by Bhima, hence this Ekadashi is also called Bhim Ekadashi and Pandava Ekadashi. After the fast of this waterless Ekadashi as Jeshta Shukla Ekadashi, it is customary to get up in the morning on the day of Dwadashi, to be pure and to take food only by giving alms.

What to do ?
Kirtan and hymns of Lord Bishnu have special significance in this Ekadashi. It is customary to donate earthenware pots, hand-made fans made of bamboo, etc. It is customary to perform Sandhya Vandanam one day before Nirjala Ekadashi, devotees keep the holy water pot (Achamuni) in their palm and perform this Sandhya bandana.

Leaving the context of the Mahabharata, Bhima observes this Ekadashi fast with all his food cravings in mind, but the next morning Bhima is found semi-conscious due to hunger and thirst. Then Bhima is raised by giving holy water to Ganga and Tulsipat. This Ekadashi is also the Ekadashi that achieves victory over attachments and desire. May this year's Nirjala Ekadashi be for the welfare of all.

This Ekadashi is specific because the Tulsai seeds are grounded this day, may the sprout behold life, disseminate hope, and prevailing love.

May 31 "World No Tobacco Day" is celebrated around the world.

About this day
This yearly celebration informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.

The Member States of the World Health Organization created World No Tobacco Day in 1987 to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and disease it causes. In 1987, the World Health Assembly passed Resolution WHA40.38, calling for 7 April 1988 to be a "a world no-smoking day." In 1988, Resolution WHA42.19 was passed, calling for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day, every year on 31 May

Observance of "World No Tobacco day"
Today, World No Tobacco Day is also celebrated across the globe. This day is celebrated on May 31 at the call of the World Health Organization to minimize the damage caused by Tobacco and controlling tobacco products.

Did you know? In Nepal, more than 25,000 people die every year due to tobacco. One out of every 10 adults in the world dies prematurely due to Tobacco.

The slogan of the 2023 World No Tobacco Day is to inspire growing foods instead of tobacco.
Tobacco growing harms our health, the health of farmers and the planet's health. The tobacco industry interferes with attempts to substitute tobacco growing, contributing to the global food crisis.

With an annual greenhouse gas contribution of 84 megatons carbon dioxide equivalent, the tobacco industry contributes to climate change and reduces climate resilience, wasting resources and damaging ecosystems.

Around 3.5 million hectares of land are destroyed for tobacco growing each year. Growing tobacco contributes to deforestation, especially in the developing world. of Deforestation for tobacco plantations promotes soil degradation and “failing yields” or the capacity for the land to support the growth of any other crops or vegetation.

“The environmental impacts of tobacco using adds unnecessary pressure to our planet’s already scarce resources and fragile ecosystems. This is especially dangerous for developing countries, as that’s where most of the tobacco production happens.” said Dr Ruediger Krech, Director of Health Promotion, “Every cigarette you smoke, you are literally burning resources where they are already scarce, burning resources where our very existence depends upon.”

The environmental burden falls on countries least able to cope with it, the profits are made by transnational tobacco companies that are based in higher-income countries.

Wish you all a healthy life!!!

Suyog Dhakal