We Are NOT ALONE

We think we are intelligent but our intelligence could be too limited to solve the complex mystery of the universe. One concept that does seem to be universal is the way of thinking writes Suvecha Pant.

We receive transmission of a mysterious radio signal of 1.42 Gega Hertz which we and the extraterrestrial know about. The source is a star nearly 10 light years away - more than 58 trillion miles from Earth. The answer to an age-old question has arrived - we are not alone in the universe. There are those of us who have always believed that we’re not alone. Not necessarily just the so-called "alien hunters," but also people who believe that other life is out there, and that whoever is out there may hold the answers to some of our age-old questions about creation and the history of the universe. Most of us have received this impression from Hollywood. Movies like "Star Wars," "Mission to Mars," and almost any "Star Trek" film have given us impressions of other civilisations from far-off planets in distant galaxies. But, it was never just any sort of life form. It was always intelligent life. The dictionary defines "intelligence" as, "the capacity to acquire and apply knowledge." In other words to acquire the ability to think and apply enough knowledge to keep a civilisation going. The word "alien" is defined as, "belonging to, characteristic of, or constituting another and very different place or society." This pretty much means "not of Earth."

This brings up the question, is there intelligent alien life anywhere else in the universe? So far, scientists have only speculated on this possibility; while they say that it could be possible, most say it’s highly improbable. The main reason is that no other found planets have the environment necessary for life to survive. According to these scientists, Earth is the only planet with the "perfect balance" required to sustain life. As far as we can tell, the majority of the planets in the Milky Way galaxy have very weak atmosphere or none at all.

Some scientists have said that alien life could be possible, they emphasise that it would probably be little more than micro-organisms and/or bacteria. Nothing of intelligence; nothing significant or capable of having an advanced civilisation.

Somehow, we refuse to acknowledge, much less accept, the fact that we may not be the only intelligent beings in the universe; we think that the only life forms possible are those found on Earth. It’s the typical "we’re the superior life form" frame of mind; anything beyond what we’re familiar with is inconceivable. Nothing has been proven saying that humans and animals are the only possible beings. We don’t know any other way of life; therefore, we think that all cosmic life forms have to be like the ones we’re familiar with here on Earth. We can’t comprehend anyone living differently than we do, even with something as simple as imagining life in another country! So how could we go so far as to imagine a galaxy where life itself is different?

This leads to the second point, which that if we refuse to open our minds to possibility that there are other inhabitable galaxies and star systems and that there is intelligent life out there somewhere. Sure, Hollywood has presented fantastic ideas of alien life in movies like "Men In Black," "Mars Attacks," or "War of the Worlds," but they have all been highly fantasised and vague to detail, not to mention almost always portrayed as being hostile towards us. With the exception of a few brief scenes in "Star Trek," we have never actually seen life depicted as living on other stars, and most of us seem to not want to think about the fact that it’s possible. Finally, for some reason, we are afraid to admit how much we don’t know about the cosmos and their contents. Scientists don’t like to say that they aren’t positive conditions on other stars are incapable of supporting life of any form. Instead, they completely deny that fact, saying they have found absolutely no other inhabitable heavenly bodies.

Life is theoretically possible on any part of the universe. Although in the past fifty years we have advanced in technology, we still have knowledge of less than 1 percent of the universe. For this reason, we don’t know for certain that there isn’t another stars suitable for life out there somewhere.

We think we are intelligent but our intelligence could be too limited to solve the complex mystery of the universe.

One concept that does seem to be universal is the "superior species" way of thinking. Humans especially like to think they’re the only life forms around. But suppose another civilisation somewhere is thinking the same thing? It’s definitely a possibility that alien species may think the same thing about us as we do them - that intelligent life isn’t possible outside of their planet.

They could also be on the same search that we are, and either just have yet to find us or are waiting for their signal to reach Earth.

When you really think about it, life is possible anywhere because life forms adapt to their environment. This is virtually necessary for survival. If life forms don’t adapt to geological changes, both physiologically and instinctively, they’re doomed to become extinct.

If a species such as humans has evolved this much, who’s to say it’s not possible on another planet? Again, this hasn’t been proven, yet we ourselves are evidence that it is possible. We don’t have knowledge and technology advanced enough to find it; therefore, we can’t prove that it isn’t happening. And since this is the case, we also don’t have the right to say it’s not going on somewhere. For example, we used to say that cloning wasn’t possible. But then it was proven and happened successfully.

So, will we ever find intelligent life somewhere in the cosmos? Frankly, it may be impossible because with our limited technology, incredibly limited minds, and apparent inability to even acknowledge life may exist somewhere else, an intelligent civilisation will find us first.

One problem that we may encounter is that we may not even have the technology to decipher whatever message they’re trying to send. If these civilisations are that much more advanced than we are, they may have developed a whole new system of communicating. But this would also mean that any message they may receive from us would be considered gibberish. Figuring out just how to communicate might take years in itself.

But suppose we were able to decipher a message. What would it say? Would it be a message of peace? Of hostility? And how would we respond? Once we open up our minds enough to realise there actually is other life, we would respond with a message of peace.

Scientists would be eager to communicate. Imagine how much we could learn from another species, the possibilities are almost endless. If this civilisation were older than we are, they could quite possibly tell us about the history of the universe, and maybe even creation itself. We could also learn how other species have evolved and adapted to fit certain conditions, and maybe understand our own evolution better. This exchanging of facts could have a major effect on society - we would be presented with entirely new ideas and concepts; therefore, we may discover we are wrong about things such as creation and prehistoric life. One thing hardly anyone seems to have thought of is the possibility that whatever civilisation we make contact with may already be communicating with yet more species on more galaxies. Our making contact with life on another galaxy may be a catalyst to a vast interstellar communication ring. In conclusion there is intelligent life in other parts of the universe, despite what we think. Species evolve to survive, as we ourselves have, life is possible anywhere. We need to realise we’re not the only possible form of intelligent life. We have to open our minds to the probability that other forms of wise life do exist, and advance technologically to communicate. Someday, all civilised parts of the universe could be united for universal peace, prosperity and we could live together in heavenly bliss.

Prashanti eternal peace in mortal world

It is his declaration that he has come to the world just to lift Dharma, the qualities like truth, peace, and non-violence. "I have come not to formulate a new religion nor to gather masses, I want a Muslim to be a true Muslim, a Christian to be a true Christian and a Hindu to be a true Hindu," says Baba.

Sudeep Ojha

A place in the world, where people of all religion and different faith form various parts of the world stay together in a perfect harmony. Unlike the frustrating and confusing situation of the world, therein one is devoid of the feeling of hatred, jealousy, pride and other such mental trends of human beings that has turned the world now into a hell.

The people of all colour from different walks of life, treating each other as the members of the same family and all enjoying eternal peace and a blissful life. These are not the narration from any scripture based on a mythology but the real happenings in a country of this world itself, in South Asia.

Puttaparthi and also in Whitefield, in the Southern parts of India are such blessed lands where one can perceive, witness and feel personally the facts aforementioned. India is altar for the origin of Hindu or Eastern civilization, it is said. Though the Eastern philosophy and its ideals are now apparently in shade by dint of the dominance of the Western civilization, scientific researches at times have revealed that Eastern philosophy is the richest and unmatching one among the world civilizations. The only reason that the Hindu Civilization is superior to all lies in the fact that it has its root in spiritualism. The four vedas of Hinduism are said to be beyond time and space, in terms of the knowledge they impart. However, due to the chain of time, or because of the Kali Yuga, the Iron Age, the world has forgotten the worth of the Vedic philosophy.

What lacked the rihis, the self realized persons in the ancient age, who had acquired the Brahma Bigyan (Knowledge of the cosmos)? The modern tools like inter-net, fax, rocket and others that are the gift of the modern science seem to be keeping human life at great ease. However, non-of the modern tool is bared of adverse impacts. How the children exposed to Internet and TV are being mentally and morally degraded, may not be much defending for one may talk about the way they are handled but one can not deny the fact that these electronic means certainly reduce the visionary power of the children.

How the plastic, used batteries, industries and vehicles are polluting the environment is evident to all. A serious research can reveal that there are numerous cases that go unreported on the negative impact of the modern scientific tools. To talk of the Vedic age and the eastern philosophy, the people then were self-reliant. The Yogic power enabled them to perform all the works of modern tools like internet, rocket and medicines, in more efficient ways and that too without interfering the law of nature. Indeed the people then enjoyed Prashanti (eternal peace), the talk of which in this modern age may sound just a dream. However, still there are people in India and in many parts of the world enjoying the same state through their self-effort or in the guidance of their gurus like, Sathya Sai Baba, Swami Paramhamsha Yogananda ,Swami Vivekananda and other enlightened ones.

Even those not practicing any sorts of mental or physical technique can experience divine peace and bliss at the Sai Ashrams of Sathya Sai Baba. "Peace does not lie in luxury, one’s designation or any sorts of the material aspects but can be acquired through self-realization. And self realization is the very objective of human life," says Sathya Sai Baba. "Atma or the spirit is the basis of life and is the part of the cosmic person, the supreme personage of the creation. Spirit is pure and full of bliss, consciousness and peace (Sachitananda) and a being or Jivi goes through various activities in its life span just to acquire happiness but gets entangled in the pitfall of life-cicyle (Janmachakra). One attains liberation from the turmoil of the world after having Atmaskshatakar or self-realization, the fact that one is the Atma and not this gross body. A jiva or being can acquire this state only in the human frame as it is the highest level of life and contains all the tools for Atam-sakshatakar. So one should work to achieve this goal," says Sathya Sai Baba.

It is his declaration that he has come to the world just to lift Dharma, the qualities like truth, peace, righteousness, peace and non-violence. "I have come not to formulate a new religion nor to gather masses, I want a Muslim to be a true Muslim, a Christian to be a true Christian, a Hindu to be a true Hindu," says Baba.

The devotees of Sai Baba take him as the incarnation of the very God and each has his own experience of how the lord had helped him/her at the time of need. There are many books written on him, the Kali Yuga Avatar (the advent of the cosmic person in Iron age) by his devotee form the East and the West.

Baba emphasizes on Seva or service. Hands that serve are holier than the lips that pray. Help ever, hurt never, are the quotes of Baba that are so popular among his devotees. Two great hospitals at Puttabarti and Banglore of India are the example he has set before the world to sacrifice human life for selfless service. In these hospitals, the chronic diseases like that of the lungs and other delicate internal organs are cured free of cost and anybody from any part of the world is a welcome guest. However, many of his devotees go on asserting that their chronic diseases have been cured just by the Darshan, the divine vision of Baba.

Baba has been running Shree Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, wherein the students from around the world are gaining the modern as well as Vedic education and that all free of cost. Baba says the Avatars manifest on the earth not to demonstrate power, which is beyond the cognition of mere human mind, but to set the stray human beings into the right path and that he leads the human beings to the right track by showing right track. "The end of education is character and the end of knowledge is wisdom," is what Baba says in terms of education and knowledge. According to Baba, spiritualism and materialism both are equally important to lead a perfect life. He says that his students are his messengers, filled with divine virtue and that they shall reform this ailing world in the days to come.

The most important feature of Baba is that he shows equal respect and love to all the religions and asks his followers to do the same. His Ashrams have the grand celebrations of the major religious festivals of all the religions. Baba says, "There is only one religion that is Truth and there is only one language, the language of the heart."

Philately for heritage protection

By Hardayal Singh

There are several ancient temples and holy places endowed with wonderful arts and architecture scattered all over the country. Nepal is famous for its festivals and fairs. Dashain (Durga Puja) and Tihar (festival of lights) are important national festivals of Nepalese. The Nepalese postal stamp designs are primarily based on these arts, cultures and festivals.

Philately or collection postage stamps are said to be the "world’s greatest hobby". There are many aspects of this hobby. The important one is to promote the friendly philatelic brotherhood throughout the world. Philatelist of any country whatsoever, are always playing a prominent role in introducing the country to the outside world through the medium of attractive postage stamps.

The Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal is a landlocked mountainous country, which is situated in the middle of the mighty Himalayan belt. Some of the world’s highest mountains, snow capped peaks of the Himalayan belt like Mt. Everest- 8848 meters, Kanchanjunga - 8586 m., Annapurna - 8091 m., Mt. Makalu- 8463 m. and Mt. Dhaulagiri- 8167 m. are the most spectacular scenic natural beauty of the Kingdom attracting many nature lovers of the world.

The country is rectangular in shape and is enclosed between latitude 26 degree 12'-30 27' North and longitude 80 degree 14'-80 degree 12' East. The east-west length is 800 kms. and the north-south average width is 140 kms. The area of the country is 1,47,181 Sq. km. There are four major rivers basins and they are: Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali and Mahakali. Karnali and Babai are important rivers in western Nepal.

"Visit Nepal Series" postage stamps have been attracting many tourists, mountaineers and water rafters to visit Nepal. Nepal is a tourist paradise and famous for its scenic natural beauty and the Himalayas. Nepal is very close to nature except for few urbane areas.

The designs of the postage stamps play a dominant role in disseminating the knowledge of natural beauty and culture of the country. A successful design lies in the selection of themes and combination of colours.

Well-designed stamps are the attraction of the Philatelists of different tastes and temperaments. Nepalese postage stamps have secured an important place in the international Philately. Local Philatelists as well as foreigners have become interested in collection of Nepalese postal stamps and it has become a good source of revenue for the country.

Stamp collection in any given aspect is a unique channel for the expansion of knowledge, friendship and mutual concern. In Nepalese Postal stamps, Philatelists may find a variety of themes in different aspects. The proper selection and combination of any particular theme can make the collection more attractive. "Visit Nepal Series" stamps are one of the most popular themes for the collector. The culture stamps not only give the information about the cultural aspects but also reveal religious tradition and archaeological clean, restore. The postal stamps planned to be issued on this occasion, will enhance our cultural traditions and will educate the people to conserve the heritage for the future generation to come.

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