We are gathered today not just to enjoy this Earthfest but to remind ourselves how fragile our earth has become. It is our hope that this endeavor in getting together like-minded people, not in ideology but in their common concern for the fate of the earth, will sensitize and energize us to understand the needs of the earth and to work towards its sustainability.

The plunder and wasteful use of the earth’s resources that we see around us today gathered pace around the Industrial Revolution in the West in the 18^th century, followed, as it was by colonialism worldwide, stripping the colonized countries of their natural wealth. The effect on the health of the planet and its inhabitants, in particular the awareness of it, is at least 70 years old. However, despite dire warnings action to change things and follow a different path has been slow indeed. Jiddu Krishnamurti foresaw not just the need to love and care for the earth but followed through with setting an example with his life and teachings. “It’s our earth, yours and mine…..”, he said, “and we all have to live together. It’s the world of the poor as well as the rich, of the unlettered as well as of the learned; it’s our world and it’s very important to feel this and to love the earth, not just occasionally on a peaceful morning but all the time.” This feeling is the driving force behind Naimisan’s sponsorship of this festival, as part of its Second Harmonics initiative.

As early as 1948, Jiddu Krishnamurti observed the lack of care in the use of the resources of the earth. “There is no love of the earth, there is only usage of the earth. If one loved the earth , there would be frugality in using the things of the earth”, he said in a public talk. It is this lack of care that has led primarily to the rich using far greater share of the earth’s resources, a fact that can be observed both within countries and between countries. This utilization by a few countries and within them by a section of the people, has made the problem of Climate Change more difficult to solve. Those who have taken possession of the greatest share want to continue do so at the expense of others who need them for their very survival.  Jiddu Krishnamurti goes on to say how genuine love and care could heal that divide and may, we hope, even to reverse the rampant destruction of the earth that is going on around us. “It is only when we are free of exclusiveness that there is the possibility of sensitivity, not only to nature, but to human beings and to the ceaseless challenges of life.”

The over consumption of the earth’s resources has taken many forms, of which a few examples are destruction of forests, deletion and pollution of water sources and resources, degradation and erosion of soils, endangering and extermination of species and biodiversity and poisoning the very air we breathe. There are many organisations taking part in the festival today who have worked in some of these and other areas, to help create a more sustainable earth. I would like to welcome all these organisations, who will at the end of the day leave us with a greater awareness and sensitivity to the earth we all inhabit. I would like to extend a special welcome to the children who are participating here with such enthusiasm in the activities. They are especially important as the inheritors of the earth tomorrow and it’s torchbearers. It is their love and care of the earth that will make the difference in the future. Our generation has been found wanting in that love and care but we hope and pray that the next generation will see where we have gone wrong and find a more creative path to live together on this earth.

Welcome Address by

Nandita Ray
Chairperson
Naimisam Earth Festival