Easy was never an option for him. Hard-work, his only mantra. Hours and hours of hard work to be the best. At times, even toiling through injuries. Never letting obstacles deter him. Never putting a limit on himself. He had a vision, a dream and he pledged to make it a reality, no matter what.
He was never satisfied, always wanting to achieve more. He knew he cannot get anything unless he works for it. And he has proved himself, delivering his greatest miracles one after the other. He truly deserved the ‘triple-treble’. The greatest sprinter of all time. A true legend and a humble gentleman.
Then why fate be so cruel to him? What was his fault? Why did destiny have a cold-blooded 25th January 2017 in store for him? Why has the world got to hear this disturbing news? For no fault of his, the gold has been snatched from Usain Bolt.
The Thunderbolt’s ‘triple-treble’ has been hampered. Nesta Carter, who was a part of the Jamaican team that won the 4x100m in Beijing in 2008 has been tested positive for drug use. Carter’s sample has been found to contain methylhexaneamine, a stimulant that has been in the list of prohibited drugs since 2004. Carter ran the first leg of the race for the Jamaican team which also included Asafa Powell, Michael Frater and Usain Bolt. Over 4,500 tests were carried out on the evening of the final in 2008, out of which 9 athletes were found guilty of sabotaging the game rules but nothing unusual was observed when Carter was tested. With the improvement in scientific methods, the International Olympic Committee ordered a retest for 454 samples from Beijing.
On Wednesday, the International Olympic Committee confirmed Carter to be guilty of doping violations. Following this, all four athletes have been stripped off of their gold medals from the 4x100m, 2008 Beijing Olympics event. Carter has brought shame to his entire team.
But the world knows this has got nothing to do with Bolt. This legend will remain a legend. He has earned all that he has achieved. All the years of intense practice, focused physical and psychological training cannot crumble just like that.
This phenomenal gentleman has brought transformation to the sport. He has brought more and more people to watch athletics. He has never failed to make jaws drop. His record-breaking times are incredulous. It is definitely going to take years for someone to break these records. The beginning of his Olympic career was not as pompous. But he steered it to what it is today. He has taught the world that it takes sweat, determination and faith in oneself to reach to the top. The world bows to his greatness. Even in his last appearance, he gave us a chance to witness yet another miracle.
Usain Bolt, keep on making the world proud! You are an inspiration to many. You have proved that you are the ‘Greatest Of All Time’. For us, it is still three Olympics, three races at each, three gold medals every time.
Even at 76, Pradip Burman, the zestful chairman of Mobius Foundation radiates a contagious enthusiasm when he is talking about sustainability. The environmental crusader, better known to many as the great-grandson of Dabur founder Dr S.K.Burman, has devoted substantial attention towards promoting the concept of sustainability in all aspects of life. He refuses to conform to the convenience and comfort in today’s world which ultimately adds on to the adverse effects of climate change.
Talking to The Logical Indian, Burman emphasised why sustainability as a concept is indispensable for us. “We ought to be aware of what lies ahead of us. Soon we will finish the oil, iron, tin, and coal, and our next generations will be left with nothing. Recycling, banning plastics, stop felling trees for paper… This should become a part of everyone’s lifestyle,” he urges.
Mr Burman watering a sapling at the tree plantation drive organised by his non-profit Mobius Foundation
Traditional wisdom and modern research
A mechanical engineer from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, Burman had always nurtured a keen interest in helping the society, as evident from his graduation project of designing a sonic aid for the visually challenged, which detected obstacles in the way using ultrasonic wave signals.
As an executive for the nature-centric company Dabur, Burman has always opted for natural alternatives to solve his everyday problems like taking Ayurvedic medicine to cure his Arthritis. He later launched the veterinary wing for Dabur – Ayurvet – which provides nature-friendly solutions for animal health care.
A patron of the ancient scientific wisdom of India, Burman always hailed the confluence of “traditional knowledge and modern research”, which he advocated as the Ayurvet motto.
Ayurvet is one of the best ventures by Mr Burman
As part of the CSR initiative of Dabur, Pradip Burman founded SUNDESH (Sustainable Development Society) which has been tirelessly working for last 25 years in remote villages for uplifting the rural communities in an environmentally sustainable way.
An advocate of sustainability
Burman believes that sustainability is the indispensable mantra for the world at present. Due to uncontrolled utilisation of the planet’s resources by human beings, the world today stands at a juncture of destabilisation. Today the human race has reached the pinnacle of progress but the advancement is happening in a very unsustainable manner.
Through energy-efficient use of everyday essentials like transport, communication, altered habits of diet, clothing and daily living, some crusaders of sustainability try to reduce their carbon footprint. Pradip Burman’s Mobius Foundation is one of the forerunners toward sustainability goals.
Mobius Foundation aims to change the sustainability dynamics
In 2015, Burman paved the way for the start of Mobius Foundation, focused on sustainability. Named after 18th-century German mathematician August Ferdinand Mobius, the famous Mobius strip has an important philosophical significance. The extraordinary shape symbolises balance and union.
Similar is the essence of Mobius Foundation which wishes to enhance the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” principle to a widespread basis in India, helping generations to come.
Founder Pradip Burman wishes to achieve notable development in education, population stabilisation and renewable energy projects.
A dream school in the making
At Coorg, Pradip Burman’s Mobius Foundation is constructing the World Environment School, Coorg (WESc) where the curriculum will surpass the boundaries of books and classrooms, with a special focus on hands-on learning in close collaboration with the environment. Amidst the pristine natural beauty of Coorg, the school will nurture young minds to grow up into future green leaders. As of now, the school will be open to teenagers, welcoming students from standards 6 to 12.
World Environment School hopes to shape future green leaders (Representational Image, Credits – elfederal.com.ar)
Needless to say, World Environment School will be the first-of-its-kind not only in India but also in entire South Asia. The school is expected to start from March 2020.
The school promises to nurture the responsible behaviour of citizens of our future.
The Sustainability Conference of 2019
In 2019, the Mobius Foundation has planned an international conference, on the lines of the celebrated earth summits over the past decade. The 2019 International Conference on Sustainability Education (ICSE 2019) aims to bring together environmental activists, practitioners of sustainable development as well as climate change experts to help develop a sustainability-focused curriculum.
It is surmised that the conference will give a platform to innovative concepts of Sustainability Education including an essential change in the existing education system ensuring a wholesome personal development for a student.
Mr. Pradip Burman delivering a speech at Jagan Institute Of Management Studies
The Sustainability crusader
The Mobius founder strongly believes that it is high time to sprout sustainability awareness among a society drowning in consumerism and unknowingly doing irreparable harm to the planet, every second. The best way to achieve this goal is through education which is available to all. At present, the education system is predominantly career-oriented, making the learners a victim of materialism, and thus, their dreams are also outlined in those colours.
Living beyond the limits
When asked about his wish to attain the age of hundred, he strongly asserts that more than becoming a centurion, he wishes his life and work continue to better the society even in his absence. “I have lived my life. I wish that whatever I start before I go, will continue – for the betterment of my country,” says Mr Pradip Burman.
He is also a trustee of the Climate Reality Project – India (affiliated to Mr. Al Gore of the Climate Reality Project Foundation, USA). Climate Reality Project, India, has been actively engaged igniting the spark and spreading the message of climate change amongst educators, policy makers and civil society. The India branch looks after more than 500 trained Climate Leaders, and more than 900 volunteers spread all over the country.
In his journey, Pradip Burman has been a beacon of hope for millions, motivating many to join the movement for sustainability. We wish he continues his tireless efforts for promoting sustainability awareness and inspire generations to come.
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