Survival At Stake - An Anthology of Essays by Rashmi Mayur

Edited by Roshni Udyavar Yehuda and Priyavadan Shah

Action Group India, June 2012

Introduction

"Life is a moment to be immortal" - the concluding line of his poem conveys the essence of the vibrant persona that was Rashmi Mayur - environmentalist, scientist, poet and much more. After traversing his earthly mission like a brilliant flash of light, he left on 11 February 2004 to continue his journey into the unknown universe. His spirit lives on in the souls of thousands whom he inspired to tread his path. Popularly known in India as the “doomsday professor”, Rashmi Mayur prophesied that if human beings continue on their present reckless path of mindless development, the earth’s ecological systems would collapse and the human race will become extinct.“The consequences of the war that has been waged against this planet for the last 200 years by human beings, may be that we may have no human inhabitants in the future.” However, unlike many crusaders who relinquished hope and left the battlefield, and others who refuse to recognize the symptoms of a diseased planet, Rashmi loved it enough to see it with the eyes of truth.

Dr. Rashmi Mayur with Roshni Udyavar, UNICEF South Asia
Director and Ricaardoe Di Done, President, Organization for the
Protection of Children's Rights (OPCR) at the International
Summit on Children, Poverty and Violence, October 2001

He was too optimistic to be biblical. “Nonetheless, we cannot be immobilized by the ugly reality. As long as we are alive, as long as we have vision and as long as we think of the future of the earth and our children, we must hope that sanity and wisdom will prevail.”

Armed with a doctorate and full of hope and enthusiasm, Rashmi returned to his country from the United States more than 30 years ago, determined to make a difference in the lives of millions of suffering and voiceless people. He was convinced that educating people about the outcome of their path and providing ecological alternatives would bring about a sustainable future. Ever since he has been on a relentless struggle: writing papers, educating through seminars, conferences and producing live projects such as ecovillages. Dr. Robert Muller, former Assistant Secretary General, described Rashmi as a “one-person world organization”.

Dr. Rashmi Mayur with then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri
Narendra Modi and Roshni Udyavar in 2002

Having aligned and worked with intellectual giants like Arthur C. Clarke, Jean Paul Sartre, Paul Ehlrich, J. Krishnamurti and Donella Meadows, Rashmi had a holistic vision for the planet,one that embraced peace, humanity, justice and equality not only for humans, but for millions of species who share this unique abode of life. “We must live on the planet during our brief span with such care and concern and love that the Earth has become richer again. And one day, when we are ready to go – because the evolution must continue – whatever footprint we leave on the planet will determine the whole evolution. Let us depart such that our children and the flowers will have another beautiful morning to enjoy the ecstasy of this earth and evolution will continue beyond tomorrow into eternity.”

Roshni Udyavar at the World Peace Assembly Taiwan, 2001

Rashmi was a world citizen. The earth was his home. He was revolutionary in that he denounced redundant institutions and practices, even patriotism. Rashmi was a doer. At the same time, he had the ability to inspire and work with a wide variety of people. He was an inimitable orator. Equipped with the latest, most relevant statistics, an immutable logic and humour matched only by his passion, he almost always set the audience on fire, awakening people to the reality and bringing forth followers. His Program “Voices of the South” on WBAI radio broadcast from New York had a fan following of thousands of people. His voice had a simplicity and logic that appealed to friends and foes alike.

Rashmi did not limit himself to any particular group. He built alliances with activists, NGOs, professionals, academicians, businessmen, religious groups and all types of people with a singular purpose of realigning them to the goal of sustainability. He recognised the need to integrate all sections of society, to garner their support and goodwill and wisdom for the protection of the planet. He was versatile, one moment shaking hands with the President of a country, the next moment laughing and talkingto children from a slum in Mumbai.

Rashmi had a strength, purity of purpose, simplicity, objectivity and incorruptible judgment seldom found combined in one individual. He was always in search – of true love and eternal happiness. He had a rare combination of knowledge, logic and passion. He often expressed his deep grief through his poems, which remain unpublished. He was convinced that suffering was

bad. He believed in human creativity and its boundless possibilities for civilisation and evolution.

Rashmi was a giver. He gave off his material assets as easily as he shared his deep and pure love. His belongings were few – a collection of 13,000 rare books, a suitcase packed with his bare minimum requirements and mostly gifts for friends, a bulky passport which he lost innumerable times along with his wallet and some cash which often slipped through the holes in his suit pockets. Despite his hectic schedule, he never grovelled over petty problems or cared to discuss his personal or financial problems. Nor at any time of his career did he vouch for high positions, which he could have easily attained. His mind was restless, always pondering about the welfare of humanity and the question of sustainability. Rashmi was a tireless workaholic. It was natural for him to get off the plane after a trip around the world and land up in office the next morning ready to send press notes and interviews.

Mark Dubois, a close friend and international coordinator for the Earth Day International once remarked of Rashmi: “ I think genetic engineering is dead wrong given our collective human maturation, ethics and economics, yet the world would be better if he (Rashmi) could be cloned and his touching, motivating, awaking presence inspire more people of the world to act.” If but a small part of his character, devotion and intellectual genius remains alive or is transferred to the youth, our country and this planet will see a brighter tomorrow, or as Rashmi often phrased the conclusion of his articles: “The future of our children’s dreams”

- Roshni Udyavar Yehuda (March 2004)