Nature and Me - Inseparable

In the serene environment, mild breeze was softly caressing my remaining few hairs like few twigs in barren field. The sea waves would playfully tickle my toes and recede back. Sitting in the half asleep beach on a relaxed Saturday morning in deep dialogue with myself.

Toastmaster of the day, fellow toastmasters and dear guests, good evening.

With this, my thoughts flew back to my childhood days at Mukteshwar. A small town blessed with abundant natural beauty, in the Himalayan foothills of India. Surrounded by dense forest, tigers, foxes, bears and langoors were our co-inhabitants. In those days, there was no Dish TV, no private vehicles, no telephone. My mom used to shout in peak of her voice, scolding me to stop playing and come back home to do my home work. TV was there, butNature only for namesake. I was never interested in that either. For me the pleasure used to lie in listening to the rustling of dried crispy leaves crushing under my feet when I walked deep inside the forest. At times, it was scary. With my every step, this sound would resonate. I would vow never to come again. But, that melodious sound of wind playing music with trees, pleasant chirping of birds and those careless gurgling brooks would bring me back time and again.

One fine morning, I set to trek to a near by town, only 30 kms away. My pace was slow as I had to climb steep slope. I had a nap sack on my shoulders. I was passing through the dense jungle. All of a sudden I realized with every step I took, a strange sound was accompanying me. I became conscious. Fear started engulfing me. Is someone following me? I walked faster, the sound got louder. I stopped, sound stopped. Is it Tiger, Bear or a ghost? I didn’t know. What to do now? I bowed down to pick up a stone to use it as weapon. As I bowed, I heard a thud and I realized the sound was coming from a half full water bottle dancing in my knapsack as I walked.
This knack of adventure gave me ample time to be with my inner self. These long solitary walks made me strong, in mind, body and spirit. Gave me wisdom to appreciate nature and her breathtaking creations. I started understanding what happens, when streams go dry due to global warming. When forest fires wipe off hundreds of years’ old forest killing small small micro organisms, so important for our green environment. What happens when hundreds of nests are destroyed and wild animals stray out of their natural habitat to urban areas?

Those were the mystical days. Now, I am in the concrete jungle of Dubai. I see children trapped in the web knitted by the ultra modern life style. I feel pity for them. The covered parking lot their house is their playground. For fun, they go hopping from one shopping mall to another shopping mall. Surfing TV channels and internet chat rooms are their favorite pass times. They miss some great fun, which can only be enjoyed in the company of nature. Their closest proximity to nature is by watching Animal Planet, National Geographic or Discovery Channel.
Many of you might say – oh! there are no forests here. Where will they go? Do forests alone comprise of nature? Isn’t the desert part of nature? Are those rocky mountains of Ras AL Khaimah not part of nature?

You have some lovely places around Dubai, like Ras Al Khor, Khor Kalba, Wadi Bih. Beautiful birds come here from different parts of the world during different seasons. Introduce your children to the Rocky Mountains glistening with the warm rays of sun at the first crack of dawn at Jabal Hafeet. If these places are too far, go towards midriff. Go over those sand dunes and see how different it is to be in desert. Experience the transparent tranquility of the orange desert sand against a backdrop of the blushing red sky as the sunsets, just like a newly wedded bride. Let your children feel the abundant joy of walking on the soft sand on the banks of the sea. Imagine how happy they would be to see their footprints in the sand?

You might give your child best video game of the world, the best animation CD or feed their mind with the endless family drama shown on various sitcoms in the cozy comfort of your well cushioned sofa. But only when your child sees the butterfly manifesting from a cocoon. When he succeeds in climbing up a 100 meter high dune in knee deep sand to see the beautiful sun set. When he see a calf drinking milk as the mother cow licks its back, you can be rest assured – your child has learnt from his own experience the true meaning of life.

Fellow toastmasters, I welcome you to join me any time on a camping trip where we can sit down in solitude away from whizzing air-conditioners and blaring TV’s to be with nature and most importantly our inner selves in peace. Over to you …