DRK’S NEWS LETTER Issue 030

DRK’s News Letter

Issue No: 30

September,2019

DRIVERLESS SYDNEY METRO TRAIN ASSEMBLED IN INDIA JOY OF TRAIN JOURNEY – PENGUIN PARADE – VEGANISM

AUSTRALIA RE-REVISITED Every time I visit Australia, I am struck by the growth, both in preservation and cultivation of natural beauty and urban planning and development. Among the latest innovations is the driverless train in New Sydney Metro. It attracted my attention even more as it was built in Sri City, India and the long ultra-modern train is operated by computer software developed in Bangalore, India. These trains were built at Alstom's rolling stock manufacturing facility in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, India. Alstom’s Bangalore site was responsible for the designs, and the first train arrived in Sydney in September 2017. Dynamic testing on the route started earlier this year, but the commercial operation started just a couple of months before. Alstom SA is a French multinational company operating worldwide in rail transport markets, active in the fields of passenger transportation, signalling and locomotives, with products

including the AGV, TGV, Eurostar and Pendolino high-speed trains, in addition to suburban, regional and metro trains, as well as Citadis trams. Dr. Babu, a dynamic medical practitioner at Sydney for over four decades and a dear friend of mine and his daughter Sunita made it a point to take me on the new train which was also their maiden trip as well. It was a pleasure walking through the train, end to end, even when it was running at hundred kms per hour. The only lady officer in charge of the running train told me that the train in all its neatly interconnected compartments can carry upto 1,500 passengers including those who can stand safely and comfortably.

Email: drkaarthikeyan@gmail.com Website: www.goodgovernance.in www.lifepositive.com

Driverless Train, Sydney

DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 030 2

The train stops at each station for less than a minute. It is a novelty for Sydney and Australia as a whole. I look forward to the day when such trains operate in metro cities in India. Long train Journey – A Joy I always loved travelling by road or train covering long distances as by air there is no opportunity of seeing the landscape, getting a feel for the place or meeting the locals. So this time when I wanted to travel by train from Melbourne to Sydney, there was lot of resistance from my daughter and friends from both cities as travel by air is faster and more comfortable. Ultimately I succeeded in traveling by train from Melbourne to Sydney. I was surprised that people who came to see me off at Melbourne railway station and those who came to receive me at Sydney central station, had to search for the exact spot of departure and arrival of the train. My 11 hour long day journey from Melbourne to Sydney was extremely pleasant, admiring all along the route, the green landscape and the hills and forests. The train was comfortable with reclining chair seat, clean washroom and well provided dining car. I read for sometime, meditated for sometime and also slept for a couple of hours. With the result I arrived fresh in Sydney. When I related to friends at Sydney and Melbourne, how comfortable and enjoyable the long train journey was, many declared they would also undertake the day long train journey soon.

Trans -Siberian Railway It was 42 years ago (1977), when I ventured to travel by the longest railway in the world, the Trans -Siberian Railway. After serving for 4 years in the Embassy of India, Moscow, USSR, I was said to be the first Diplomat to leave Moscow by train to return to India. I had to take special permission from the Govt of USSR for that journey. I undertook that challenging 8 day long train journey along with my dear wife Kala and the Moscow born daughter Kanchana who was not even two years old at that time. The entire embassy including senior functionaries were at the Moscow central railway station to see us off, as no one left Moscow by train for home. As nobody was sure of what will be available for the next 8 days on the train, many brought lot of eatables, some which would last us days. The little Kanchana was excited in the train watching the fast moving landscape – passing through different scenery in different time zones. The trains were well kept and the linen in the compartment changed everyday by the conductress in-charge of each bogey. My daughter was very popular with the caretakers who competed with each other to look after her. During the brief halts at the intervening stations we took long walks on the platforms. We could manage conversations with everyone with our limited knowledge of Russian language, which we unfortunately forgot over a period of time.

Trans Siberian Railway

Trans Siberian Train Route

DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 030 3

The last time I spoke a few words in Russian was during the visit of Soviet USSR Prime Minister to Bangalore in 1979. Having just returned from Moscow at that time I was Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bangalore city. The then Indian ambassador in Moscow Mr. I.K. Gujral (my former Ambassador in Moscow) introduced me to the visiting Soviet Prime Minister Alexei N Kosygin. The Soviet Prime Minister was pleasantly surprised when I could exchange a few pleasantries in Russian. I remember the Trans-Siberian train took almost 24 hours to pass by the Baikal lake, said to be the largest freshwater lake by volume in the world.

Lake Baikal contain 22–23% of the world's fresh surface water. With 23,615.39 km3 (5,670 cu mi) of fresh water, it contains more water than the North American Great Lakes combined. With a maximum depth of 1,642 m (5,387 ft), Baikal is the world's deepest lake. It is considered among the world's clearest lakes and is considered the world's oldest lake – at 25–30 million years. It is the seventh-largest lake in the world by surface area.

With a length of 9,289 kilometres (5,772 miles), from Moscow to Vladivostok, Trans- Siberian Railway is the longest railway line in the world. There are connecting branch lines into Mongolia, China and North Korea. It has connected Moscow with Vladivostok since 1916, and is still being expanded. It was built between 1891 and 1916 under the supervision of Russian government ministers personally appointed by Tsar Alexander III and his son, the Tsarevich Nicholas (later Tsar Nicholas II). Even before it had been completed, it attracted travellers who wrote of their adventures. It spans a record eight time zones, taking eight days to complete the journey. The main route of the Trans-Siberian Railway begins in Moscow at Yaroslavsky Vokzal, runs through Yaroslavl, Chelyabinsk, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, Ulan-Ude, Chita, and Khabarovsk to Vladivostok via southern Siberia. The Trans-Siberian Railway brought with it millions of peasant-migrants from the Western regions of Russia and Ukraine. Between 1906 and 1914, the peak migration years, about 4 million peasants arrived in Siberia. Despite the low speed and low possible weights of trains, the railway fulfilled its promised role as a transit route between Europe and East Asia. Indian Pacific I recall one other long train journey in the past. It was about 20 years ago I had travelled by The Indian Pacific, the longest train journey in Australia. It begins from Sydney and goes to Perth

Longest Train journey in Australia

With Soviet PM Kosygin & Amb. IK Gujral At Bangalore when I was DCP

Lake Baikal contains 22–23% of the world's fresh surface water. It contains more water than the North American Great Lakes combined. With a maximum depth of 1,642 m (5,387 ft), Baikal is the world's deepest lake. It is considered among the world's clearest lakes and is considered the world's oldest lake – at 25–30 million years.

DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 030 4

passing across the Red Earth – 4 days and 3 nights of journey through the barren central Australia. Indian Pacific’s distinctive silver/aluminium-coloured carriages adorned with the wedge-tail eagle – the emblem of the train and a symbol of the vast distance it spans from Sydney which is on the Pacific Ocean to Perth located on the Indian Ocean. It is one of the few truly transcontinental trains in the world. The train first ran in February 1970 after the completion of gauge conversion projects in South and Western Australia. The train's route includes the world's longest straight stretch of railway track, a 478-kilometre (297 mi) stretch of the Trans-Australian Railway over the Nullarbor Plain. The total length of this epic journey one way is 4352 km or 2705 miles. From the spectacular heights of the majestic blue mountains to the beautifully barren expanse of the nullarbor plain, this truly is a journey of contrasts. Penguin Parade Phillip Island While at Melbourne, my daughter took me to the Phillip Island on a long drive through the greenery with several large cattle farms on both sides. At the Phillip Island Nature Park, we witnessed the enchanting sight of hundreds of Penguins racing up the Summerland Beach to their burrows.

The pristine shores and lush green forests of Phillip Island make it the perfect backdrop for some of Australia’s best-loved wildlife. Boasting national parks filled with native species and scenery that looks like it’s stepped out of a book, it really is a nature-lover’s dream. One of the most popular things to do on the island is watch the Penguin Parade as darkness falls. The colony of Little Penguins that reside on the island scamper up the beach to their homes for the night, past mesmerised onlookers. 4,000 of the 32,000 little penguins living in the waters around Phillip Island have their burrows around Summerland Beach. Native to Australia and the smallest of their species at just 33 centimetres, the little penguins leave their burrows about an hour before sunrise and swim up to 100 kilometres each day before returning at dusk.

The daily parade of little penguins draws thousands of visitors from around the globe every year. It wasn’t until the 1960s that fences and viewing stands were built to stop visitors standing on and ruining the penguins’ burrows. Ever since

then, constant upgrades have been taking place, making the boardwalks, platforms, and viewing boxes safer for the penguins. Fast forward to today, and the residential housing blocks have been removed from the Summerland Estate, and the Phillip Island Nature Park is one of

Indian Pacific – Australia

At Penguin Parade, Phillip Island, Australia

DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 030 5

the best eco-tourism facilities in the world, balancing scientific research and conservation with visitor education and unique wildlife experiences. Underground Viewing of Penguins For an even better view there is underground viewing option. This section is limited to just 70 people per night, as well as being comfortable indoors. What makes this viewing section so special is the close and eye level proximity to the waddling penguins nearby and a professional guide detailing the history, daily life, and interesting facts about these cute creatures. Koala Reserve On the way to the Philip Island Summerland Beach, I was taken to the Nature Park and the Koala Reserve. At Koala park I could see in close quarters the Koalas feeding on the eucalyptus leaves perched comfortably on tree branches. The park is very well fenced and the Koalas very

carefully looked after by the rangers. Visitors can stroll through this eucalypt woodland and come ‘face-to-face’ with koalas in their natural habitat. The Koala Reserve’s unique tree top boardwalks and close viewing areas allow visitors to see how truly amazing koalas are.

Visitors have the opportunity to experience a ranger-led ‘Koala Eco-Explorer Tour’ which provides them with the chance to discover behind the scenes information about one of Australia’s favourite icons. Unlike a zoo, the Koala Reserve is really unique as visitors get the chance to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, living as they would in the wild. Another spectacular area is the woodland walk. Wandering through natural bush, amongst hundreds of different species of Australian wildlife, (including wallabies, possums, echidnas and snakes) visitors can try to spot the koalas themselves. Churchill Island offers a range of daily farming activities and walks around the island close to internationally recognised wetlands. Tourists can view daily farming activities like wagon rides, cow milking, sheep shearing, whip cracking, working dogs, Clydesdale work horses and sheep shearing. Highland cattle, sheep and baby animals. Aussies call Clydesdale horses “the breed that built Australia.” Sadly, there are only 5,000 of these magnificent horses left in the world. Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine I was invited by Samantha Rowbotham, Forensic Anthropologist, Forensic Services, Human Identification Services to address the Scientists and members or the Coroner’s Court at the prestigious Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Melbourne.

At Victoria Forensic Institute

At the Koala Reserve, Philip Island

DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 030 6

Addressing the full house of experts, I explained to them the advancements in investigation with forensic science in India, with particular reference to the enormous support of forensic evidence in the investigation and successful prosecution of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s Assassination.

Veganism becoming popular! In my recent visit to Australia and earlier visits to America and Europe, I learnt of the growing popularity of veganism. In California, vegan burger was being offered at many places. To my surprise I learnt that exclusive vegan restaurants are springing up everywhere. Even my 18 year old grandson Arjun and 15 year old granddaughter Samika living and studying in Melbourne have become vegans. They justify this decision with many arguments including health, compassion and profound environmental considerations. Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in the diet, and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. A follower of such diet or the philosophy is known as a vegan. Dietary vegans (also known as strict vegetarians) refrain from consuming animal products, not only meat but also eggs, dairy products and other animal-derived substances. Another term is environmental veganism, which refers to the avoidance of animal products on the

premise that the industrial farming of animals is environmentally damaging and unsustainable. For Reasons of Health Some of the largest dietary organisations in the world have categorically stated that vegan diets are healthy, safe and nutritionally adequate for all stages of life, including during infancy and pregnancy. These organisations include the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada, Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, New Zealand Ministry of Health, Harvard Medical School, and the British Dietetic Association. In preliminary clinical research, vegan diets have been shown to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and ischemic heart disease. Vegan diets tend to be higher in dietary fiber, magnesium, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, and phytochemicals. Plant based athletes such as Germany’s strongest man Patrick Baboumian and the best tennis player in the world Novak Djokovic, are the evidence of the vegan diet’s capacity in terms of elite physical performance. In contrast, a growing number of health professionals are acknowledging that meat eating is harmful to the human body. In the largest study of its kind, researchers from the National Cancer Institute in Maryland discovered that the consumption of red meat is responsible for heightened risk of 9 different major diseases including heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes, some of the top killers in the western world.

With Kanchi, Ranjit, Arjun, Samika At Melbourne Residence

In between Iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House, Sydney

DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 030 7

For Ethics Given the lack of necessity, vegans argue that the animal agriculture industry which is responsible for the torment and massacre of upto 3 billion living beings per day is

unacceptable ethically. This is commonly

illustrated with the following comparison: ‘Most of us wholeheartedly condemn the abuse and consumption of dogs, but we support the abuse and consumption of comparably sentient and intelligent animals. If we would not accept the abuse of dogs killing them and eating them, how can we accept the same treatment to animals like cows, pigs, and sheep. Many claim that our superior intelligence justifies us eating them, but what relevance does this hold to morality? Should we morally value smarter humans more than less intelligent humans? Even if you say yes, we surely should not value them to the extent where the smart ones are licences to mistreat and kill the lesser humans. Historically, some of our darkest moments as a species, such as slavery and a holocaust have occurred as a result of similarly unfounded claims to superiority.’

For Environment An increasingly compelling argument is that animal agriculture has immense ramifications on the state of our rapidly deteriorating environment. A recent paper published by World Watch Institute claims that upto 51 percent of global greenhouse emissions are caused by the animal agriculture industry. In a five year study by the University of Oxford, the most comprehensive study ever conducted on the relationship between farming and the environment, research found that cutting meat and dairy products from our diet could reduce an individual’s carbon footprint by upto 73 percent. In the words of Joseph Poore, the lead author of the study, which included data on nearly 40,000 farms in 119 countries, “A vegan diet is probably the single biggest way to reduce your impact on planet earth.” Thus it is argued that veganism is also a far more environmentally sustainable lifestyle and with the impending ecological disaster, its presence and spread is needed more than ever before. SUMMARY Veganism seems radical and extreme and hypersensitive. When we look back in history, when we look at Nelson Mandela’s or Martin Luther King’s fight against racial segregation or abolition of slavery at that time, they were called extreme and radical. As with any movement that challenges the status quo, the resistance is expected, but in order to improve the world and to save the planet from ecological disaster, we must at the very least be open to ideas that challenges and explore their veracity. Whether you're choosing to eat less meat due to health reasons, a passion for animal rights, environment or simply want to up the vegetable intake in your diet, vegan options have never been more ubiquitous and following this lifestyle is easier than ever. While dwelling in detail on the subject of Veganism, I am aware I am opening this sensitive subject for a debate! So be it!

Arjun Playing favourite flute

With Clydesdale work horse, Philip Island

DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 030 8

Some Famous Vegans Though the celebrities who are vegans are on the increase both in India and all over the world, for reasons of space, only some of them are mentioned here. Veganism is all set to be the top food trend of 2019. Scores of people are eschewing from having animal products and adopting a healthy style of living. The concept of veganism is not new, but it has received a lot of limelight lately and we have to

thank the celebrities for its burgeoning popularity. Virat Kohli – the cricket legend. He even admitted that the change in his food habit has improved his game.

Amir Khan & Kiran Rao: Aamir decided to go vegan in 2015. He took the decision after his wife showed him a video about the common diseases caused by consuming animal products and how a diet change can prevent them.

Kangana Ranaut: One of the most acclaimed actresses of Bollywood, she turned vegan in 2013. She is very vocal about her take on veganism and cow slaughtering.

Sonakshi Sinha: She confessed to have shed a lot of weight after adopting the new food style and had said that vegan diet helped boost her metabolism.

Jacqueline Fernandes: She has apparently also started a restaurant in Mumbai to serve people healthy vegan food. Neha Dhupia: The former Miss India opted for plant-based foods and even helped PETA launch their V-Card, India's first-ever discount savings card for vegans. Mike Tyson: Boxing champion says “Becoming a vegan gave me another opportunity to live a healthy life. I was so congested from all the drugs

and bad cocaine, I could hardly breathe, [I had] high blood pressure, [was] almost dying [and had] arthritis. And once I became a vegan all that stuff diminished. I wish I was born this way”

Christian Bale: The "Batman" star gave up meat when he was just 9 years old after reading "Charlotte's Web." He also grew up with an animal rights activist father. Pamela Anderson: The famous Baywatch star even opened a vegan pop-up in France. Alicia Silverstone: The popular, author, activist, and mom says “stopped ageing” the day she went vegan. “Being a vegan gives you great Karma”. Sir Paul McCartney: At 75 looks younger than ever and can still bring stadiums to a rocking frenzy. James Cameron: The famous Titanic director is currently producing a documentary on veganism and founded a vegan school in southern California with his wife Suzy Amis Cameron. Miley Cyrus: The exuberant singer sports two vegan themed tattoos, including the words ‘Be Kind’ on her outer wrists.

Serena Williams: The greatest person to ever pick up a tennis racquet, Serena Williams went on a very strict diet after giving birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia.

Walking along Sydney Harbour Bridge

DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 030 9

Madonna: According to The Cut the sixty year old superstar follows a super strict vegan macrobiotic diet which consists of cold pressed juices, fruits, vegetables and whole grains like quinoa.

Lea Michele: Former Glee star Lea Michele treats her body like a temple, and turned vegan for the health benefits as well as animal rights reasons. Jennifer Lopez: Jennifer Lopez says that going vegan has given her loads of energy.

Bryan Adams: Canadian-born

rock star Bryan Adams says, “I’ve made a

conscious decision not to be part of the

cycle of killing animals. Seriously, if you are going to talk the talk, you need to walk the walk.” Bill Clinton: Former US President Bill Clinton

was named PETA’s Person Of 2010. He says thanks to the plant-based diet, he shed a whopping 24lbs.

Demi Moore: Actress Demi Moore has always taken control of her appearance and weight, whether that has been through intense workouts or eating clean. Stevie Wonder: Stevie Wonder stepped out as an advocate for going vegan when he appeared on James Corden's Carpool Karaoke. Vegetarians and vegans differ in their beliefs regarding the use of animals by humans. This is why some vegetarians may consume animal-derived products, whereas vegans do not.

QUOTABLE QUOTES ON VEGANISM “May all that have life be delivered from suffering.” -Buddha “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” -Albert Einstein “There is no fundamental difference between man and animals in their ability to feel pleasure and pain, happiness, and misery.” -Charles Darwin “My body will not be a tomb for other creatures.” -Leonardo Da Vinci “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.” -Mark Twain “I don’t see why someone should lose their life just so you can have a snack.” -Russell Brand “The time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men.” -Leonardo Da Vinci “The Gods created certain kinds of beings to replenish our bodies; they are the trees and the plants and the seeds.” -Plato “When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need.” -Ayurvedic proverb “The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong in the world.” -Dr. Paul Farmer “The future depends on what we do in the present.” – Mahatma Gandhi “The future is not something we enter, the future is something we create.” -Anonymous

DRK’S NEWS LETTER | Issue 030 10

The Value of Gratitude Swami Satchidananda Yogaville, USA Over the past two decades, scientific studies have linked gratitude to a variety of health benefits. Gratitude has been found to enhance sleep, boost metabolism, increase optimism and, improve emotional resilience. For example, in one study conducted by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, higher levels of gratitude were correlated with increased brain activity and the release of the feel-good hormones, serotonin and dopamine. “More than any other personality trait, gratitude is strongly linked to mental health and life satisfaction.” Scientific data now confirms that practicing gratitude allows us to lead happier and more joyful lives—something yogis have known for thousands of years. Gratitude’s Connection to Yoga Pantajali, author of the Yoga Sutras, created the system of Ashtanga Yoga to help practitioners reach the yogic goal of union with the Higher Self. One of the fundamental concepts of this system is santosha, Sanskrit for complete contentment and total acceptance. “By contentment, supreme joy is gained” -Patanjali, Yoga Sutra 2:42 Contentment and gratitude are closely aligned perspectives because of their focus on enough in the present moment. Yoga and gratitude go hand in hand, because they are both practices of going within. Things don’t

make us grateful, the world doesn’t make us grateful. We do. When you are at peace, in love, when you’re in your center, you are in gratitude. Cultivating A Gratitude Practice: 3 Integral Steps Gratitude isn’t just a passing emotion that comes and goes by chance. Similar to patience, honesty and humility, gratitude is a virtue to hone. Studies show that even searching for things to be grateful for can boost our mood! So, what’s the first step in cultivating this incredibly beneficial mindset? Step 1: Pay Attention In Yoga, we follow the breath to stay present in the moment and observe the mind and body. However, this can be done off the mat too. Observe what you can appreciate in your current moment. Do you have a solid floor beneath your feet? Fresh air to breathe? If you’re stuck ruminating about difficult memories, try to identify how past difficulties may be instructive to your present day growth. What are five things, right now, that you can be grateful for? Step 2: Express Once you’ve observed five reasons for gratitude, express them! You can say them out loud, jot a list down, keep a daily gratitude journal, or write a thank you letter. When you’re feeling a little low, pull out your list and reread it. The key is to engage not just your mind, but your body in focusing on the abundance versus the lack. Step 3: Share Your Gratitude Sharing gratitude with others may not only boost your mood but theirs as well. You may find that initiating an expression of gratitude influences those around you to do so more often. Best of all, not only is gratitude free, the more you practice it, the easier it becomes.

At Sydney, with friends Dr Babu & Dr. Khurana family

Lotus Interfaith Temple, Yogaville, Virginia, USA