By Stephen
Lendman
On February 20, activist/scholar/author/humanitarian,
and dear friend, Garda succumbed to breast cancer.
On February 22, her son Firdaus reported the sad news.
Receiving hospice care, she died in southern Germany.
She'd been surviving by what she called "a series of
miracles." She'll be sorely missed.
Several years ago she moved to India to help feed
starving people. Using her own resources and what she
could raise, she asked nothing in return.
Months back, she discussed her work on the Progressive
Radio News Hour. She asked listeners to help best they
could. She explained how little it takes to feed
starving people without resources. Without aid,
they'll perish.
She advocated Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar's philosophy. His
spiritual name was Shril Shrii Anandamurti. He was an
Indian author, poet, composer, linguist, social
revolutionary and philosopher.
He founded Ananda Marga, a spiritual/social
organization providing instruction in meditation,
yoga, and other self-development practices to anyone
wishing to learn them. Affectionately called Baba, he
offered various social programs for disadvantaged and
other Indians. His writings stressed human welfare and
neohumanism.
His work inspired Garda's socio-economic philosophy.
She called it PROUT (PROgessive UTilization Theory).
"It stands for the progressive utilization and
rational distribution of all the earth's natural
resources. PROUT advocates another type of revolution
called 'nuclear revolution.' "
It reflects "every aspect of collective life - social,
economic, political, cultural, psychic and spiritual."
It's completely transformative. "New moral and
spiritual values arise in society which provide the
impetus for accelerated social progress."
A new era replaces an old one. "(O)ne collective
psychology is replaced by another. This type of
revolution results in an all-round development and
social program."
Modern-day world systems destroy life, societies and
ecologies. Sustainability's not their mandate. They
feature exploitation and plunder. Another way is
vital.
Garda's writings discussed constructive alternatives.
Her World Prout Assembly (WPA) web site featured them.
Her advocacy found expression in them. Her life's work
practiced them.
In January 2010, she founded Hearts Healing Hunger. It
helps feed hungry people globally. It's also involved
in:
•building emergency shelters for women and girls
victimized by domestic violence and human trafficking;
•protecting them from dowry harassment;
•building retirement and nursing homes for the needy;
•constructing libraries and literacy programs;
•establishing medical clinics;
•providing micro credit loans; and
•helping villages build sustainable water systems,
check dams, embankments, drip irrigation, shallow
wells, strategically located ponds, river and lakeside
plantations, and planting thousands of trees.
Longer-term projects include creating ecologically and
economically self-sustainable communities.
Most important is feeding the hungry. Initial Indian
venues were established in Siliguri, North Bengal and
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. Other feeding centers were
planned throughout the country. Achieving them depends
on personal donations.
With Garda's death, its site "currently (is) unable to
receive money." Hopefully it will again soon under
others continuing what she began. Her work's too
important to disrupt.
It reflects PROUT's mission "to unite moralists
everywhere against exploitation anywhere." It seeks
"unsung heros" to confront oppression in all forms,
including extremist fundamentalism, fascism,
communism, patriarchy, and predatory capitalism.
They threaten all life forms, including planet earth
and humanity. "Struggle starts (with) reclaim(ing)
economic sovereignty of local communities." PROUT
sought to "unite all struggles against oppression into
one global struggle (for) one world, one humanity, and
one family."
It challenged today's order for what sustainably helps
everyone everywhere. WPA headlined, "Economy of the
People, For the People and By the People! Put Economic
Power in the Hands of the People! Moralists of the
world - unite!"
Garda lived what she believed. Her life's mission was
helping others by establishing life-sustaining
initiatives. She gave all selflessly.
It doesn't get any better than that. This writer was
proud to be a friend and ally. Hopefully others will
continue her vital work and enlist global support.
With out-of-control imperial wars raging and others
planned, as well as deepening economic hardships for
growing millions, it's more than ever needed.
Spread the word, and keep Garda's spirit alive.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be
reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit
his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to
cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on
the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive
Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and
Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are
archived for easy listening.
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.