Funeconomicsa, kanpur, Kanpur (2026)

20/10/2025

Happy Diwali to you all

07/07/2025

Hi

05/06/2024

GURU DAKSHINA (05.06.24)

05/06/2024

GURU-DAKSHINA

My DEAR STUDENTS,
I know some of you might make fun of this letter. But at the same time, I also know that many of you will read it and take it seriously.

Knock! Knock!
Don’t give a monetary look to the title of this letter. It’s not a fund raiser dear.

Yesternight, I was reading your wonderful messages that you sent after your exams were over, when you scored good, on Teacher’s Day or on any other occasion where you have shared your gratitude. While I was reading your messages, a thought came into my mind. A thought to ask something as my GURU-DAKSHINA from you. But before going ahead, I must share some news with you as a social science learner and as your teacher.
I request you to read the next part of this letter very slowly. I request you to read it with your hearts.

Venezuela (remember? You studied about it while reading class X NCERT- the topic was Slash & Burn Agriculture), a South American country has lost all its glaciers, The last going glacier of Venezuela - Humboldt Glacier - has gone now. Though the scientists expected it to be there for next 10 years, but it melted at very faster rate.

Other glaciers across the world are shrinking and are in the danger of disappearance. According to a survey, if the average temperature goes up like this only, these glaciers will not exist by the year 2100.

The cause of faster melting of glaciers is but obvious Global Warming - the green-house gases like carbon dioxide and methane.

Another reason is EL NINO - an abnormal warming of surface water in the equatorial Pacific Ocean which leads to the warmer temperature.

According to a report published by bloomberg.com, India’s scorching heat is making it unlivable. Extreme heatwaves have created a broader environmental crisis. People in nation’s capital are scrambling for water. The ground water level is almost out of reach of people in many parts of the country.

In the past few days, 99 suspected heatstroke deaths have been recorded in Odisha.

33 poll personnel died in Uttar-Pradesh due to heatwaves during the last phase of this general election.

The highest temperature recorded in Delhi was 52.8o C and in Kanpur, it almost touched 48o C.

40 unknown dead-bodies were brought in the post-mortem house of Kanpur recently. The reason for these deaths was heatstroke.

As per the latest India State of Forest Report (ISFR), the total forest area of the country is 7,13,789 square kilometers which is 21.71% of the total geographical area of the country. This is far lesser than the targeted forest are of 33 % as per the National Forest Policy.

The ISFR 2021 vindicated that Arunachal Pradesh (the second largest forested state) is loosing its primary forests at a large scale every year.

As per a report published by a eminent news paper on 30th May 2024, around 33,700 fully grown trees will be cut to construct an approximately 100 km roads for pilgrims in forest divisions across three districts of Ghaziabad, Meerut and Muzzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh.

Mumbai lost over 21,000 trees in 6 years to make way for metro and road projects. Karnataka axed around 40, 231 trees for infrastructural development projects in 2020-21.

Honorable Supreme Court has dictated Delhi Development Authority to plant 100 trees for each 1 cut in Delhi.

Rivers, across the country, are drying up at very faster rate. Draught and flood prone areas are increasing very year.

Dear students (previous and current), I request you to please read the above points again and feel the impact of this drastic climate change on your lives. Aren’t you worried or scared of this rising temperature? Aren’t you and your family members in trouble due to this unbearable heat? Truly speaking, I am worried for my 3 years old kid. I’m worried for you and your future generation. I can imagine the adverse impact on your lives.

Glaciers are one of the greatest sources of fresh water. Imagine a life without water. Can we survive if we are not letting the water survive? For sure, no.

You might have abundance of water at your home. But, for how long will you enjoy this abundance? May be just for another 6 or 8 years. If you want to see the water crisis, just type ‘water crisis in India.’ You will see a totally different life that the people are struggling to live.

Cutting of trees for the sake of developmental activities - construction of skyscrapers, the concrete jungle, roads etc. has led the climate to change adversely.

So dear, It is the time when you should come forward. It is the time when you should prove that you have not studied sustainable development & environment conservation only for scoring good in your exams, but you have studied these topics to implement your learning in the practical life. I know you will do that without any hesitation for the sake of you and your future. I feel this is the easiest task that you can do to contribute to your homes, cities, states nation and the world.

So, If you really respect your social science teacher and the environment, please come forward and PLANT at least TWO TREES. Take care of them for an year. Once grown, they will take care of you and your society for years and years.

Your teacher is asking for a simple GURU-DAKSHINA - Plant at least two trees in your locality and inspire others to do so. I know you won’t let me down. It’s my request to you all to give me what I deserve - the GURU-DAKSHINA - Just plant trees!

With lots of love and care,

Your Social Science Teacher

Abhishek Awasthi