Review

New faces at the Zoo

By Risidra Mendis 

Situated on approximately 23 acres of land in Dehiwela is the world famous National Zoological Gardens (NZG). Known for its wide variety of animal species the NZG at.....

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> The wonders of ayurveda

> Changing the lives of orphans for a day

> Ancient Indian yogic breathing technique that puffs out stress

>  The inexpressible in music

New faces at the Zoo

By Risidra Mendis 

Situated on approximately 23 acres of land in Dehiwela is the world famous National Zoological Gardens (NZG). Known for its wide variety of animal species the NZG at present has many unusual and rare fauna and flora within its premises.

As you enter the NZG, the first impression you get is not that of a zoo filled with animal sounds and bad smells, but of a land with a unique landscape complete with trees, plants and flowers. The soothing sound of the water as it flows down the large rocks is the first of many sounds that you hear as you enter through the gates of the NZG.

For some, this is the ideal place to relax and watch the animals. But to others it is a centre for education where one can learn and study the behaviour of some of the most rare and endangered species in the country.

The NZG also serves as a breeding centre where a number of endangered animals and birds are protected and encouraged to produce new generations.

New arrivals

However, the recent attraction at the NZG is the arrival of a pair of Arabian Oryx, a female camel and a male cheetah. The pair of Arabian Oryx are less than three years old, the camel - five and a half months and the cheetah - two and a half years.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Director, NZG, Brigadier H. A. N. T. Perera said the Arabian Oryx were brought down from the Devur Kralove Zoo from the Czechoslovakian Republic and the camel from the Moscow Zoo. "The cheetah was originally from an European zoo but the animal's final destination was from the Vienna Zoo. All animals were part of an exchange programme," says Brigadier Perera.

According to Brigadier Perera, the zoo had given some endemic birds in exchange for the Arabian Oryx, a pair of sloth bears for the camel and a female rusty spotted cat for the cheetah. "We were supposed to get a pair of camels. However, we were told by zoo officials that the male camel was not well and therefore could not be sent immediately," explained Brigadier Perera.

According to Brigadier Perera, a male zebra and a female wild horse are expected in October from the Brono Zoo in exchange for a pair of leopards.

The NZG presently has 300 species inclusive of their fish and around 3000 animals.

"The NZG is unique because it has two quarries that are maintained as water reservoirs. This facility is ideal for a zoo. No other zoo has such a beautiful layout with high and low slopes, greenery and landscaping as ours," says Brigadier Perera.

The man behind the unusual and creative landscaping is Garden Curator, D. W. S. Welikala who has many years of experience in landscaping and garden layouts. Welikala, with the help of his assistants, works tirelessly and round the clock to maintain the vast garden area at the NZG that until recently functioned 365 days of the year.

The history of the NZG goes back a long way to the time of John Hargenberg. It was Hargenberg who first started collecting and supplying a variety of animals to foreign countries.

Permanent place

But as his business grew, Hargenberg realised he needed a permanent place to keep his animals.

In 1926, Hargenberg bought five acres of land in Dehiwela and set up his collecting centre. Animals were kept at this spot and transported each day. As time went by, Hargenberg decided to exhibit his animals from the same location.

But in the early 1930's Hargenberg realised he was going bankrupt. At this time Major Wyman, a British Government Agent (GA) suggested that this land be taken over by the government and developed into a national zoo. In 1936, the government took over this land and added another nine acres. This was the beginning of the NZG in the country.

After Major Wyman's term was over Lyn De Alwis became the next director of the NZG.

Today the NZG, apart from being an internationally recognised zoo, has become a leading study centre where university students and Advanced Level (A/L) students make use of its vast data on animals.

The wonders of ayurveda

By Dharisha Bastians 

Somewhere between miraculous Western medicinal breakthroughs and coming dangerously close to playing God with cloning experiments, the eyes of the world have also turned back to the wonders of herbs in curing diseases that can otherwise only be contained or controlled. And the world of ayurveda too is experiencing its own miracles, ones that some of the biggest patent companies in the West would do anything to get their hands on.

Dr. Ven. Gnanaloka Thero, who practices at a fully equipped Veda Medura and pharmaceutical production facility at Makola, Kiribathgoda, dispenses one such miracle cure; a medicinal recipe handed down through generations of native doctors in his family, aptly named Pranajeewa Thailaya or 'life-giving oil' for its amazing ability to cure completely several serious medical conditions.

Although quite feeble by now, the monk continues to see patients, being ably assisted by his disciple and prodigy, Dr. Sujeewa Vithanage, a graduate in ayurvedic medicinal science from the University of Colombo. Vithanage supervises activity at the Veda Madura while the Thero restricts himself to diagnosing patients and advising them gently about his medicines and their effects.

Pranajeewa is best known for its properties to cure heart conditions, specifically those concerned with blocked arteries and high cholesterol levels. The unique feature about the oil is that after a few months of use, it completely reverses the blockage, making heart surgery unnecessary for the patient, Gnanaloka Thero says.

Patients back to normal

Many heart patients who have been diagnosed by Western medical practitioners as needing bypass surgery, turn to this herbal cure and when they subject themselves to tests later, find that since the cholesterol deposits have been dissolved, surgery is no longer necessary to ensure survival. "Many of them go back to leading normal lives," the Thero says, adding that the oil not only dissolved existing deposits but also reduced overall body cholesterol.

According to Vithanage, who explains to us the tedious procedure and effort that goes into producing the miraculous oil, there are more than 240 different kinds of herbal ingredients that go in to the concoction. "These ingredients and the methods of production have evolved over the years, with our hamudurowo having modified the original recipe considerably to ensure even better results," Vithanage says.

The base of the oil, which is meant to be consumed by the patients once or twice a day, comprises Kohomba oil, gingerly oil, several Egyptian and Indian herbs and wild medicinal plants from the forests of Sri Lanka. The oil takes over four months to prepare and is left boiling in cauldrons for long periods at a time.

Apart from curing diseases related to the heart however, the miracle oil is also time tested and proven to cure diabetes, bronchial asthma, leukemia, epilepsy, various forms of arthritis and several other illnesses and disorders.

"Not only do we have people suffering from ailments taking this oil to get better, but many people use it to prevent illnesses from occurring in the future because it is like a life-giving tonic that both cures and prevents medical conditions, often completely," Vithanage asserts.

According to both teacher and disciple at the Veda Medura, they have a 60-70% success rate with most patients, including those suffering from cancer.

Another popular treatment sought at the Makola Veda Medura is for the cure of diabetes. The tablets produced for this purpose comprise 54 different types of herbs, including madam pothu, ati kohol, aralu, nelli and kothalahimbatu, all well known herbal remedies for the reduction of blood sugar levels. These tablets are also prescribed in combination with the Pranajeewa oil and several other decoctions.

"Apart from curing diabetes, this treatment also eradicates or reduces to a great extent the side effects of the illness that include weak eyesight, kidney failure and lethargy, which Western medicine is unable to do," said Vithanage.

Curing cancers

Pranajeewa has proven especially effective in curing stomach related cancers, although the tonic works to reduce the spread of the disease in its other forms as well, according to Vithanage. Again the oil is unique in that it greatly reduces the side effects suffered by patients undergoing radiation therapy and chemotherapy, resulting in a better quality, painless life for those even in the last stages of the disease.

With the World Health Organisation (WHO) predicting that by 2020, one in every five people will be afflicted with cancer, more and more research is being done into finding herbal cures for the dreaded disease and Pranajeewa may well be a stepping stone to all those ayurvedic secrets hitherto uncovered, it is to be hoped.

The monk also produces medicine to treat obesity, infertility and womb disorders, paralysis and even to reduce the effects of aging. The Veda Medura produces over 40 types of ayurvedic medicine, all in its well equipped production facility which includes several large cauldrons, a special non-smoking stove and an impressive storage facility.

Quality ensured

The ingredients for the Pranajeewa and all other medicines produced there are brought in raw and are washed dried and treated at the clinic itself to ensure quality and cleanliness. In addition to plants and roots gathered in Sri Lanka, Dr. Gnanaloka Thero also imports special herbal ingredients from India, France and Germany, according to Vithanage. Once treated, the herbs are labelled and stored according to date.

"There certainly is an increase in awareness about ayurvedic medicine globally," Vithanage says, adding that an university had recently been set up in Germany, dedicated to the study and teaching of herbal treatment techniques. He says that although many people even in Sri Lanka prefer to turn to ayurveda, they are sometimes discouraged by the higher cost of ayurvedic medicine.

"It is so time consuming to concoct these medicines perfectly, that we are compelled to charge more than the average person can afford," Vithanage admits. A bottle of Pranajeewa, for instance, which would last about a month and 10 days, would cost Rs. 1200. But word of the oil's miraculous healing powers have spread and not only does the little clinic in Makola receive a great many patients from all over the country each day, they often include politicians and even foreign visitors, Vithanage says.

Western pharmaceutical companies, eager to get aboard the ayurveda bandwagon, have offered to purchase the oil from the Makola Veda Medura, if several containers full can be produced every month. "We just do not have that kind of capacity for expansion," Vithanage says.

They do not believe in huge media blitzes about the treatments available at the clinic, but like our ayurvedic forefathers, rely on word of mouth to encourage patients to seek treatment there. And the system has served them well, with generations of families both in the Kelaniya area and elsewhere in the island having come to rely on the monk doctor to make it all better.

Changing the lives of orphans for a day

By Ranee Mohamed 

Orphans are poor, orphans are alone and orphans are not to be envied. But the time that these 27 orphans from the Holy Angels Convent in Kalutara had, was indeed enviable. But it was heart warming too. For 27 girls who have not known the comfort and security of family life had a time of their lives on that day - August 2 - when they were brought to Colombo in a bus, taken to the zoo and thereafter rushed to the Majestic City where they were taken to see The Passion Of The Christ.

Then they got warm packs of dinner from a plush restaurant to take away with them. "No need to cook," they were told - "This day is a special day to us we will go home open these warm packs and enjoy them, use the cutlery given along with these packs and enjoy life and go to sleep and dream of this day," they said.

It did cost a lot of money, but this time the giver got more than his money's worth; for he wiped away the tears, blotted out the loneliness and the feelings of being left out of the good things in life.

These 27 girls who were accompanied by the sisters of the convent they were residing in usually had their meals from the crop from their convent's backyard - the vegetables that they had grown and the rice and the usual humble meal that their lives allowed them. But on this day it was fried rice and chicken and biryani and ice chocs, cool drinks and creamy cones all the way.

"Look at those elephants," they exclaimed and "please can we have a cool drink?" the tired orphans had suggested. Of course no one was interested in having a cup of tea - that was their usual drink. But today was not a usual day, it was a day to give these orphans a time of their lives; it was a day to remember the suffering of Lord Jesus Christ, when they watched the film, The Passion Of The Christ and at the same time enjoy the joys that God has given the world.

And the man who made all this possible was Christopher Michael from London who wanted to change the lives of these orphans for a day - "Give them the best. Make them happy," he had said and that was how these orphans got to see the change.

From their early morning trip to the zoo, the orphans made their way to the Majestic Theatre where tickets were bought for them and for the sisters who accompanied the girls, they were treated to thick blocks of ice chocs and after the film they were taken to the Galle Face Greeen and here again it was goodies and ice cream. "We will never be sick of ice cream," they confessed.

"We woke up at early morning and made sandwiches for breakfast. But we got the best breakfast possible. We got ice creams, cakes and fried rice and chicken. It was the first time in our lives that we had a meal from outside," they said.

The only disappointment was that they were not able to see the countless photographs that they had posed for. But on this day there was no room for disappointment and uncertainty - using a one hour photo shop, the orphans were given their happy photographs - and waving goodbye they laughed amidst the tears and went away, back to their lives in the convent.

Ancient Indian yogic breathing technique that puffs out stress

Sri Sri Ravi Shanker and Suraj Nair

By Shezna Shums 

The Sudarshan Kriya, an ancientyogic breathing technique, which has proved to be very popular all over the world for its effectiveness as a tool to eliminate stress and depression, is now being introduced to Sri Lanka by the International Art Of Living Foundation.

Depression is said to affect millions of people around the world and contributes to the downward trend of many illnesses and diseases.

Sudarshan Kriya is based on an ancient science that originated in India more than 5,000 years ago. This technique enables the body to release pent-up stress and also helps reduce depression.

Independent studies by leading universities and institutions have shown that Sudarshan Kriya has remarkable therapeutic effects on depression while their latest studies have shown important findings on a reduction in depression and reduction in the blood plasma level of cortisol also known as the 'stress hormone.'

Popular

Sri Lankan Coordinator and Teacher, The Art Of Living Foundation, Suraj Nair explained that this technique is very popular around the world.

"This foundation is the world's largest NGO with representation in about 145 countries, where we try to transform society in turn and to transform the individual to a better person," he said.

"All the problems you see in the world are because of stress and tension," he added.

"The breath is the fourth source of energy along with proper nutrition, efficient sleep and a meditative mind," Nair said adding that "using the method of good breathing practices is necessary as it improves good health. This can be achieved with Sudarshan Kriya."

"By controlling the breath, a person is able to control the body and mind thus being able to eliminate stress and tension from the body," pointed out Nair.

By Sudarshan Kriya, one can release stress and negative emotions from the system, which greatly enhances mental clarity and boosts the body's energy levels besides having wonderful long-term health benefits.

His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar founded this NGO. The Art Of Living Foundation is an educational and charitable organisation which is not profit oriented and it offers the Sudarshan Kriya technique in their courses on Art Of Living from their Kinross Avenue office.

Breath is the connecting link between the body and mind and this technique will greatly calm a person and improve overall health.

The Art Of Living teaches this technique for a period of six days - first five days being three hour classes. On the final day is a class of eight hours, the classes include the Sudarshan Kriya and several powerful Pranayam (yogic breathing) techniques which increase and balance the flow of energy in the body and guided meditation to calm and rejuvenate on all levels - body, mind and spirit. There are classes for children as well.

The foundation also initiated several service projects under its '5H' programme, which stands for Health, Hygiene, Homes, Human Value and Harmony in Diversity.

The Art Of Living Foundation is in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. The foundation has accredited representatives at the United Nations in New York, Geneva and Vienna.

Different from yoga

Nair also noted that this technique is different from yoga because it does not involve physical exercises. It is also different from meditation because meditation requires the mind to be totally free of thoughts while Sudarshan Kriya requires breathing techniques, which in turn help the mind to be at ease and calmer. Their membership includes a number of world recognised NGOs.

Benefits of Sudarshan Kriya include; improved health, strengthens the body's immune system, freedom from physical, mental and emotional stress and tension, increases energy and enthusiasm, greater creativity and clarity of mind, improves self esteem, a feeling of lightness and well-being, improve interpersonal relationships, and even the most intense or debilitating emotions subside with regular practice.

For stressed out executives, this workshop brings about increased productivity and freedom from fatigue.

Founder Sri Sri Ravi Shanker

From his early days it was apparent that Sri Sri Ravi Shanker was destined to lead a spiritual life. Even as a young boy, he was often found absorbed in meditation. At the age of four, his parents were surprised to discover him spontaneously reciting the Bhagavad Gita.

Later on, in school, he would tell his friends: "People are waiting for me all over the world, I am going to visit them one day."

By the age of 17 he had completed his traditional education in both Vedic and modern science.

In 1982, he began to teach the Sudarshan Kriya, a powerful breathing technique that eliminates stress and brings one completely into the present moment. Today, the Sudarshan Kriya technique is taught in more than 130 countries as part of The Art Of Living courses.

Millions of people around the world have experienced physical and emotional healing from these programmes, which also creates a sense of belonging.

The inexpressible in music

By Lakshman de Silva 

Music must be at least as old as life for its universal interest. According to the lines of a famous English poet,

"There's music in the sighing of the reed

There's music in the gushing of a rill,

There's music in all things if men had ears."

In looking at it in the light of a progressive art, the matured views of the ancients of a couple of thousand years ago, they had grasped its aesthetic, educational and moral importance.

The following is an expression by Plato (BC 429):

"Music is a moral law. It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, gaiety and life to every thing. It is the essence of order and leads to all that is good, just and beautiful of which it is the invisible, but nevertheless dazzling passionate and eternal form."

The ancient Egyptians boasted of a musical culture that was really astounding. Music was cultivated as an essential element of existence from the peasant to the king. Specimens of their folk songs of over 5,000 years survive to the present day.

The first Christians borrowed their melodies from the Jewish psalms. Pliny, writing in the second century says "on certain days they (the Christians) will assemble before sunrise and sing alternately the praise of their God."

Aristotle subscribed to a belief generally held to the present day - that music is the language of the emotions - he goes still further and says that the different modes in music are suited to express different emotions.

Absolute silence is necessary for the perfect enjoyment of a piece of music exquisitely rendered.

In music there is much that is inexpressible. In addition to the complex nature of the emotions that music can evoke, it has also the power of generating emotions that have the pale of one's experience - emotions that have never been felt before and therefore quite impossible to define.

"What is music?" asks Heine. "The very existence of music is wonderful. I might even say, miraculous. Its domain is between thought and phenomena, it hovers between spirit and matter, related to both, yet differing from each; it is spirit, but spirit subject to the measurement of time; it is matter, but matter can dispense with space. Music is a wonder."

When any thing is beyond description and baffles explanation, one cannot do better than maintain silence. The piano was to Beethoven much more than an instrument for music. It was similar to a friend - the confidant of the secrets of his innermost soul.

Vernon Le writes on music "It is forever stirring to tell us something forever imploring us to listen and to understand; we listen, we strain, we try to take in its vague meaning; it is telling us sweet and mighty secrets, letting drop talismanic words; we guess but do not understand."

The first musical impression that the brain of an individual receives must be that of his mother, singing him to sleep.

"Doi doi doi doiya babo

Bye bye bye bya babo"

All songs of sleep are of slow time and soft and dreamy in nature.