Indian Casteism Origin Grand Finale

October 23, 2022

Indian Casteism Origin Grand Finale

Padmini Arhant

Tamil Civilization and Indian Casteism Origin

Indian Casteism Origin Part 2

Understandably the topics presented here are rather indigestible for those in particular the offenders, abusers, wannabes, opportunists and exploiters unable to stomach truth, facts and reality.Needless to say the mirror reflection of them is too embarrassing to glance leading to insolence and venom spewing in response.

FYI – Truth and Facts Digestion

In God’s created world, any individual from anywhere possess the inalienable right to express thoughts and discuss matter in their own domain. Any objection from those habitual of exerting dominance on anyone as prerogative and entitlement are required to accept others rights equally important as theirs in the changing world. Even otherwise, the truthful information and questions will continue regardless.

On the topic of Indian casteism origin, the brahmin priest interpretation on sanatana hinduism is eternity.   Furthermore, the emphasis on Soul using the body as vehicle in each life cycle unravels illegitimacy on ancestral lineage even in the present lifetime.

Soul or the spec of light within every living being subject to cyclical birth and death based on karma essentially assumes numerous variations that are not necessarily human form. Again human form not always guaranteed in the karmic related life.

That being the case, the paternal lineage with sage and saints going back thousands of years as exclusively brahmins’ ancestors is voided in Soul’s rebirth representing past, present and future life.

For example, the grandfather of person A in A’s lifetime after the former demise could be anything in next life depending on his karma. At the same time A’s grandfather might have been anything or anyone from a different race, religion etc. assuming the grandfather was a human in his past life.

What does this mean in terms of family tree?

The present life provides information about ancestry in that particular lifetime. The ancestry known in the current life is also forgotten upon death. None remember their previous life ancestry or physical form and whereabouts for they are erased from memory upon death each time.

The deceased in this instance might return to earth in a different form other than human or born into  a completely different family in a different place. Alternatively in rare occasions born into the same family or distant relatives as grandson or great granddaughter to himself or herself. Here the Soul upon retuning to the same lineage as past life would be an ancestor and progeny in this particular lifetime.

A duck sitting in the midstream lake could have been someone’s father, mother, husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, son-in-law or daughter-in law or even boss…in that duck’s past life or even earlier.

As strange it is, the birth and death cycle in perpetuity for a Soul bound by karmic effects is exhausting and that’s the reason the liberation of Soul from eternal suffering is aimed by an ascetic or the one seeking self-realization as;

I am that or naan param porul in Tamil and Aham Brahmasmi in Sanskrit,

I’m that

நான் பரம் பொருள் –  Tamil

अहम् ब्रह्मास्मि । Sanskrit

I’m that is philosophical that requires deep understanding. The immediate misconception here is to claim oneself God which unfortunately is trending more than ever in the present time.

‘That’  is a reference to the Supreme Soul represented as the spec of light to dispel darkness.

The light is knowledge and darkness is ignorance.

Knowledge is power which again misconstrued as invincible and infallible that are not true.

Semi-baked knowledge and / or assertion on extreme possession of knowledge  – either and both are hazardous to mind for the one imparting such knowledge as well as the one receiving from such being in that condition.

With proper appropriate knowledge, the Soul in human form gifted with discriminatory ability to distinguish right from wrong, good and bad deeds, virtues and sins has the power to eliminate ignorance.

The human struggles with hatred, prejudice, envy, greed, anger, violence and all form of negativities are the result of ignorance.

The ignorant mind is the worst enemy to an individual at anytime in life.

Once ignorance is resolved, there is clarity which brings about necessary adjustments in thoughts, rationale and expression in human behavior.

The Soul attaining wisdom to recognize the light within that removes darkness achieves the status of union with Supreme Soul which is perceived as God.

As for life incarnations in endless birth and death episodes – they are due to karmic debts accumulated each life time.

Karmic debts are rather serious and inescapable in synchrony with science on actions or inaction with consequences that are inevitable.

For instance – Illegal income from any source is illicit wealth that imprison such wealthy with greed, guilt and grief in the form of fear. Similarly sins committed without any care or regard for ethics strangle the Soul thereafter.

Inaction example – being a mere spectator when there is fire instead of putting it out obviously detrimental.

Likewise not attempting to salvage one’s soul from the burden of sins is a missed opportunity and eventual entrapment in the indefinite life death cycle.

Karmic debts are directly associated with one’s actions towards another however and whatever engagement. The deliberate indulgence to hurt harm and inflict mental, physical and emotional injury has severe repercussions that chase the doer over many lives until repentance with sincere apology accompanied by reversal in deed to the affected soul is settled in the same lifetime.

In hinduism as understood by majority as such, the protector of life or the savior Lord Vishnu’s avatars or incarnations in different period on earth and the other world was to depict the reality of life after death undergoing many diverse transformations to explain life evolution.

In Christianity, Lord Jesus resurrection to life following crucifixion i.e. death is commonly understood as divine connotation to Jesus life.

Nonetheless, additionally the important message in Lord Jesus return to life upon death was to convey life after death and yet another chance to the Soul to redeem sins and become a free spirit – liberty from the bondage of life and death.

In Islam, the fear of judgment from almighty god is a reminder for the Soul to avail the moment in the present lifetime and avert actions or involvement contributing pain and sorrows for the Soul.

In Judaism, the forgiveness sought from the Supreme force for actions in a lifetime emanates from Soul’s unknown destination upon death.

Why seek forgiveness or redemption in the concept of one life and nothing thereafter? 

Why even fear death and pursue ways and means to extend lifespan? 

Soul is bound by one’s actions in becoming free from repeat experience through life and death or remain confined to indefinite uncertainty in life transitions.

Buddhism, Lord Gautam Buddha has abundantly exemplified via Nirvana – the Soul enlightenment and emancipation from transitory pleasantness and painful situations.

Life after death has been clarified in many religions in different ways with the confluence on redemption via recognition, realization, responsibility, remorse and reform in self-initiated atonement.

Manu smriti or Manu Dharma is a text comprising rule of law introduced and executed by Manu regarded by the followers of Manu Dharma or Sastra viz. guidance and principles as the first ruler of law once again citing Vedas as the source akin to discriminatory caste system falsely attributed to Lord Krishna.

It is critical to understand the distinction between Veda and Siddha.

Veda is verbatim anything delivered in words which is hear say alluding to skepticism and speculations on the veracity and credibility of the content.

Siddha on the other hand is practicality. Siddh means to demonstrate in action and actions always matter more than words.

Manu Smriti or Manu dharma / sastra is entirely based on insular perspective about humans in terms of gender, creed, class and caste orientation.

Manava-dharma-shastra. The received text dates from circa 100 ce.

The 2000 years old text followed until the twenty first century speak volume on the social progress or the lack thereof.

What manu smriti / manava (human) so-called dharmasastra (principles and rule of law) propose?

Regarding women:

“The Manusmriti limits women’s goals in life when it states: ‘women are made for bearing children. ‘ Having children is not a choice but a duty for women. Since lineage and generation are continued only through children, women are forced to bear children even if they are not ready for it.

The Manusmriti lays down the law that a woman who makes love to a man of a higher caste incurs no punishment; a woman who makes love to a man of a “lower” caste than hers must be isolated and kept in confinement. If a man from a subordinate caste makes love to a woman of the highest caste, he must be put to death.“

On the caste system.

The Lord Brahma as the creator among trinity is used for illustration in the anatomical designation of the caste structure.

The manu dharma practitioners assessment of Hindu caste system assignment is enunciated below.

Courtesy – public image

According to manu-dharma-sastra

Brahmins apparently originated from Lord Brahma’s head.

Kshatriya (warriors) – From arms of the creator.

Vaishyas (Traders and entrepreneurs) – Pelvis

Sudras including the so-called untouchables aka Dalits – the feet of the Lord Brahma.

The interesting aspect is the head of the Lord Brahma assigned to brahmins in the caste structure has one too many intrinsic hygiene issues in physical health stance and ethical problem on morality.

The wholesome head comprising the skull with the scalp and hair is susceptible to commonly known dandruff and lice.

The ears with ear wax. The nose with mucous and boogers, eyes with salty tears from tear ducts and mouth not only produce various mouth and dental ailments, the critical of all is lies coming from the mouth is the ultimate foundation of human character.

The head and the torso are supported by the lower part of the physical anatomy with the entire body mobility enabled by the feet at the bottom.

Is it possible for a head to travel around without the rest of the physical body structure and relevantly feet whether natural or prosthetic?

Indian culture nationwide has social greetings and blessings from parents, grandparents and elders in family, relatives and family friends by touching the feet as mark of respect. It is not done by touching the head. 

Any wrongdoing by anyone anywhere in any culture and society makes the person kneel and reach for the feet of the potential forgiver for his or her forgiveness. Again prostration is done at the feet and not above. 

When requesting pardon the person bows his or her head at the feet of the one from whom the pardon is requested in human mannerism. 

Contrarily, often head is wounded in minor and major physical assault and in accidents causing trauma and bruise.  

As for the significance of feet in hinduism or saivam, vainavam, saktam etc. i.e. followers of God Shiva, Lord Vishnu or Sakti / Shakti in Goddess Durga respectively,

The worshippers and devotees only touch the feet of deities, idols and images and pay reverence to the feet of God and never reach out for the head of the deity or statue in temples and holy shrines in hindu or sanatana or Shiva, Vishnu or Shakti worship tradition.

In the epic Ramayana, Lord Ram’s younger brother Bharat worshipped Lord Ram’s foot wear in reverence to the Lord’s feet and did not use Lord Ram’s head gear or crown to show respect and affection for his brother.

Last but not the least – Lord Vishnu’s consort Goddess Lakshmi is ever seated at the Lord’s feet in absolute devotion, love and respect for her spouse and the protector of the universe.

Pictures are worth thousand words.

 

Lord Balaji aka Lord Sri Venkateshwar – Lord Vishnu’s feet worship

 

Soul is light that dispels darkness. Light is knowledge with darkness being ignorance.

The purpose in life is to overcome ignorance with better understanding and application of appropriate knowledge.

Signing off for now.

Padmini Arhant

Author & Presenter

PadminiArhant.com

Prakrithi.PadminiArhant.com

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Acknowledgement with Gratitude

July 23, 2020

Acknowledgement with Gratitude

Padmini Arhant

To: My Well wishers and fierce critics 

Dear Well Wishers and Fierce Critics, 

Not surprisingly, my silence in the past few days misconceived as either my retirement or disappearance into oblivion depending on the perceiver following me more than a shadow. 

As I said earlier my pledge of allegiance, loyalty and commitment remains with Almighty God to whom I owe everything from my existence to survival and beyond. 

However, the overwhelming love and support from my well wishers world wide whom I might not have met in person, the soul connection is reflected in your thoughts through your comments on this site. I’m deeply touched by your peaceful gesture. 

My passion to serve humanity is undying as previously mentioned via video and audio. This is perhaps an innate quality I was born with and been involved since my childhood and up until now. 

To my supporters – I thank you all for your understanding and appreciation of my hard work and selfless contribution. If my sincere efforts and well meaning service aimed at universal peace and progress has benefitted anyone positively, that is rewarding. 

To my fierce critics – your relentless targeting through innuendoes, insinuations, bizarre portrayal and character assassination besides endless eulogizing immortalize me without having to physically endure cyclical birth and death saga in this lifetime. You critics certainly make me stronger and defiant more than ever.

Personally, I neither believe nor advocate taking own life such as suicide regardless of situations.

Similarly I’m vehemently against the idea and indulgence of hurting and harming others not barring committing grave sins such as murder and criminal conduct.

In this context, those to whom I will ever be their arch nemesis, their continuous engagement to frame me in this portrait is a losing battle for them yielding nothing but self-embarrassment and bad karma they have to deal with sooner than later while many are realizing to this effect. 

I thank my admirers and adversaries for the unique experience with conflicting love hate dilemma.

If you can’t do anyone good, refrain from wrongdoing is pragmatic.

KARMA is a serious challenge all living beings have to contend with in any lifetime.

I acknowledge the great opportunity from Almighty God with gratitude and humility.

Thank you.

Truly, 

Padmini Arhant 

Author & Presenter

PadminiArhant.com

Prakrithi.PadminiArhant.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ethics – Virtues and Values

March 12, 2016

Author:  Padmini Arhant

PREJUDICE

P – Pride

R – Racism

E – Envy

J –  Judgmental

U – Ugly

D – Destructive

I  –  Ignorance

C – Condescending

E –  Ego

TOLERANCE

T  – Thoughtful

O – Open mind

L  – Lucid

E  – Equality

R  – Rational

A  – Acceptance

N – Nice

C – Cooperation

E  – Essence

HATE

H – Hubris

A – Acrimony

T – Trouble

E –  Enemy

LOVE

L – Lotus

O – Opus

V – Venus

E –  Endless

GREED

G – Gorge

R – Ravenous

E – Exhaust

E – Expunge

D –Deplete

GENEROUS

G –Give

E – Earn

N – Nurture

E – Elevate

R – Rise

O–Optimize

U– Utilize

S – Solidify

HYPOCRISY

H – Hollow

Y – Yunx

P –Pretentious

O – Obtuse

C– Contradictory

R – Replicate

I – Impropriety

S – Senseless

Y –Yoyo

HONESTY

H – Humility

O – Outstanding

N –  Natural

E – Earnest

S – Scrupulous

T – Trustworthy

Y – Yolk

FEAR

F – Falsehood

E – Expendable

A – Adverse

R – Resignation

COURAGE

C – Chivalry

O – Obvious

U – Uplifting

R – Robust

A – Aptitude

G – Grit

E  – Exemplar

TERROR

T – Timid

E –  Egregious

R –  Redundant

R –  Repugnant

O –  Offense

R –  Reprehensive

TRANQUILITY

T – Truce

R – Restful

A – Atmosphere

N – Normal

Q – Quintessence

U –  Ubiquitous

I  –  Inherent

L – Luster

I –  Innocuous

T – Tribute

Y – Yoga

WAR

W –Wicked

A  – Atrocity

R  – Ruinous

PEACE

P – Progress

E –  Endeavor

A – Advancement

C – Commitment

E – Emancipation

DEATH

D –Decease

E – Exit

A –Absence

T – Tears

H – Homage

LIFE

L – Lavender

I  –  Indigo

F –  Fuchsia

E – Emerald

Virtues define character delineating righteousness for meaningful existence fulfilling the purpose behind birth and death cycle.

Welcome life, peace and tranquility with courage, honesty and love for humanity and environment. Tolerance and generosity enrich human value.

Peace to all!

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Concept of Life – 2015

March 9, 2015

By Padmini Arhant

The status quo necessitates clarification on the concept of life.

What is Life?

Life is endless pursuit for the self-proclaimed privileged members in society with enormous pride in respective social and economic background although their deeds speak volume on individual character and representation of self-destructive cause.

Having never understood the self-inflicted misery due to their involvement in creating problems for others based on self-interest deriving sadistic pleasure from victims’ suffering,

Those harboring malice and constant enmity towards anyone impose self-imprisonment.

These characteristics emanate from overwhelming greed, envy, hatred, prejudice and anger in the inability to contain inner corrosion leading to inevitable dissipation.

Life is wasted in the crusade to prolong catastrophe as the means for survival.

In fact terror is regarded the effective mechanism to undermine human rights and subjugate population.

Hegemony incognito authority over seven billion population is enabled through proxy governments and surrogates volunteering in different capacity as the voice for the unscrupulous defining the declining era.

Criminality, corruption, lies, deception and subversion are ubiquitous in the desperate measure to avert imminent collapse of empires and authoritarianism operating under the guise of democracy and republic.

Terrorism is manufactured and deployed for destabilization of nations in the aspirations for dominance.

The invasion for illegal ownership on gold, diamond, gems, minerals, oil and land through territorial annexation and deceitful tactics is the legacy.

Anything acquired illegitimately using violence and threats with nuclear arsenal proved detrimental leading to serious economic downturns showing no sign of actual recovery.

The reason for persistent economic recession or lack luster performance is the disproportionate investments in defense stockpiles not barring nuclear proliferation more appropriately offense strategy prompting other nations to follow suit.

In the absence of transparency, the wealth amassment amongst the powerful and affluent notwithstanding wasteful spending as military aid for oppression and persecution is also costing the economy at the vast majority expense.

The culmination of social, moral and ethical insolvency behind debilitating political and economic infrastructure is evident in crumbling enterprise.

Is there any gain from being responsible for continuous bloodshed, killing innocent people to eliminate civilizations besides denying global youth their future and endangering life and habitat with environment degradation?

Could these actions possibly be rewarding to architects, protagonists and catalysts implementing death and decimation for vested interests only resulting in colossal failures worldwide?

The obsession with breed premised on race, class, gender and other orientation along with appearance in the misconception as beauty in the backdrop of degenerative inner qualities exhibit intelligence deficiency and knowledge deficit about life.

When life cease, the body is discarded confirming the temporary outfit was never meant to be the real identity.

The memory about life is deleted and superficial details disinherited in the process.

Instead individuals’ karma or duties describe personal attributes and determine journey ahead.

Mortality as certainty without exception – all things must be surrendered including the physical body let alone material possessions in life.

That being the case, what are you seeking during transition termed as life?

Your quest for conquest of the world while enslaved to negativities is a paradoxical paradigm.

Not only you are shackled in the delusional predisposition as superior being but also demonstrably struggling to reconcile with internal ramifications reducing self to nothing despite your claim on everything.

One who is not free within become stagnant and wilt before time.

The meaning of freedom is interpreted in terms of mobility and accessibility in life referring to functionality.

Freedom is more than tangible experience. The interior turmoil from sins committed throughout life transform the condition to a prisoner of guilt incapable of dealing with personal shortcomings and contradictions. 

Evasiveness in confronting reality with reliance on propaganda and distortion further exacerbate state of mind contributing to confusion and disarray witnessed in the current false flag events to deflect public attention from relevant issues.

The real freedom is being able to live a guilt free life and leave the world without any burden on the soul.

This is made possible in acknowledgment of wrongdoings accompanied by penance in reaching out to those affected from intentional conduct.

Again apology in all sincerity to concerned person rather than substitutes is the preliminary step towards reform. The indirect approach exemplifies slight and ego – obstacles to self-redemption.

Life is an opportunity to settle debts related to deliberate harm to others with severe repercussions extending to generations and over many lives on sole basis.

Avoiding responsibility on settlement would intensify karmic effects when one should aim to alleviate plight.

The trend in violations with no importance for life except one’s own presence reveals the origin eclipsed in darkness and shuns light.

One cannot flourish by robbing others destiny. The indulgence has blowback on fraudulence at the roots to the helm.

The human nature is a mirror reflecting virtues and vices with choices for appropriate decision. The facilitators of injustice in any format are equal partners in crime and share consequences accordingly.

In rejecting the option to exercise discernment and adherence to flawed policy bring about inherent weaknesses and incentivized servility to prominence.

Contentment with detachment is half way to success in renouncing extravagance and essentially provides guidance on prudence.

The fundamental requirement for salvation is sacrifice with compassion to promote pervasive progress.

Renunciation replacing capitulation to adversarial ventures and associations would be promising for global peace, security and prosperity. 

One may deter accountability with bias system granting immunity, however one cannot defy conscience or attempt to distance from it.

There is no escape from impending judgment upon departure from earth. The perceptions in this context have little or no bearing on soul incessantly forced into various forms of existence depending on account balance.

For the soul to rest in peace or attain nirvana i.e. enlightenment liberating soul to remain in eternal bliss – squaring past and present delinquencies is critical to qualify in the extraordinary feat.

Henceforth commitment in life should be self-purification through atonement of sins and participation in positive, productive and constructive course to uplift human spirit for universal benefit.

Defeating foes posing hindrance in human mind could be immediate priority for clarity.

Peace to all!

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Save the Planet

October 19, 2008

It is not merely a slogan. A grim reality dismissed as a myth by extreme political factions.

What is a slogan?

“Drill baby Drill, Drill now, Drill here ” … until there is nothing left and the entire species vanish in a black hole .

Such political psychodrama far outweighs the speculation of similar outcome from The Large Hadron Collider as the "Big Bang " experiment, conducted to unravel the mysteries of the origin of the universe across the border between France and Switzerland.

The nation, as the pioneer in virtually most frontiers of humanitarian needs is advancing towards the dangerous zone with policies like “offshore” oil and gas drilling… rejecting the real consequences to the environment.

Political rhetoric to satisfy the humanity’s insatiable appetite for energy demands is sweeping across the nation without any rationale or logic.

In the process, the moderate thinkers in the political aisle are forfeiting their commitments to the environmental cause and denying the call from the reasoning faculties within.

The electoral process is a mechanism to promote irrational ideologies to justify victory by any means.

Even, if such radical platform is detrimental to the existence and survival of self and other species on the planet.

It makes one wonder! What is the driving force behind the extremism preventing the political power from exercising judgment for the benefit of all inhabitants on the planet?

The simple response is — the Special interests or the “lobbyists” , the active and most successful operatives in every election.

Their argument as purveyors of the elections from Congressional to “Presidential ” is, electoral process is an investment vehicle to promote Corporate agenda based on profiteering at all expense.

In essence, Corporations determined to maximize personal gains against all odds run the government, supposedly “democratic ”.

The real authority behind the entire management of elections especially in the United States is the Conglomerate operating across the Atlantic, and thus far highly successful in the nomination of their choice of “Presidential candidate ” to advance the personal agenda and devious modus operandi worldwide.

That is why, the recent fear mongering tactics… against a candidate in opposition to such policies, is stigmatized a Socialist and cast as a threat to “Capitalism”.

It is common knowledge that the free market or “Capitalism” is always healthier for the enrichment of ideas and competitiveness to benefit consumer based economies provided,

The monetary gains and welfare are widespread among the investors and consumers alike including the work force/ human Capital, the most important resource for “Capitalism” to succeed.

Therefore, a threshold is necessary to define the role of “Capitalism” in a democracy.

Both extremes — the extensive Corporate role in the legislation and government intervention in the micromanagement of free market system undermine the success of democratic market economies.

In the environmental front, there are serious challenges confronting the global community.

The solutions to the problems created by none other than human force for various economic reasons are within the realm of people power.

Every individual can make a difference in resolving the current environmental crises. The first and foremost strategy is to reflect on the cause and effect factor.

Simple actions like recycling, supply and purchase of environmental friendly products and services, cutting back on carbon emissions and recreating lifestyle would greatly contribute to the cause.

The lifestyle by an average household with modified energy consumption could help the humanity in general.

The recent article shed light on the impact of global warming on other living species.

Government declares beluga whale endangered

By DAN JOLING Associated Press Writer – Thank you.

Article Launched: 10/17/2008 07:38:33 AM PDT

Qannik, a 6-year-old beluga whale, swims in a tank at his new home at…

ANCHORAGE, Alaska—First, there were the polar bears. Now, beluga whales. Washington and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin just don’t see eye to eye on wildlife protection.

The beluga whales of Alaska’s Cook Inlet are endangered and require additional protection to survive, the government declared Friday, contradicting Gov. Sarah Palin who has questioned whether the distinctive white whales are actually declining.

It was the Republican vice presidential candidate’s second environmental slap from Washington this year.

She has asked federal courts to overturn an Interior Department decision declaring polar bears threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

The government on Friday put a portion of the whales on the endangered list, rejecting Palin’s argument that it lacked scientific evidence to do so.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that a decade-long recovery program had failed to ensure the whales’ survival.

"In spite of protections already in place, Cook Inlet beluga whales are not recovering," said James Balsiger, NOAA acting assistant administrator.

The decision means that before federal agencies can issue a variety of commercial permits, they must first consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service to determine if there are potential harmful effects on the whales.

That has the potential to affect major Alaska projects including an expansion of the Port of Anchorage, additional offshore oil and gas drilling, a proposed $600 million bridge connecting Anchorage to Palin’s hometown of Wasilla and a massive coal mine 45 miles south of Anchorage.

The state does have serious concerns about the low population of beluga whales in Cook Inlet and has had those concerns for many years, Palin said in a statement.

"However, we believe that this endangered listing is premature," she said.

Palin in April successfully lobbied for a six-month delay in a listing decision until a count of the whales this summer could be included in deliberations.

That count showed no increase over 2007 numbers—375 whales, compared with a high of 653 in 1995.

Federal regulators and conservation groups said further delay would be harmful.

NOAA said Friday the Cook Inlet population declined by 50 percent between 1994 and 1998 and "is still not recovering" despite restrictions on the number of whales that Alaska’s native population can kill for subsistence.

It said recovery has been hindered by development and a range of economic and industrial activities including those related to oil and gas exploration.

The National Marine Fisheries Service "will identify habitat essential for the conservation of the Cook Inlet belugas in a separate rule-making within a year," the agency said.

The federal decision pleased environmentalists.

"We can finally focus now not on whether the belugas are endangered, but what we can do to protect them," said Brendan Cummings, an attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, one of the groups that petitioned for the listing.

Cook Inlet stretches 180 miles from the Gulf of Alaska to Anchorage.

It is named for Capt. James Cook, the British explorer who sailed into the inlet in 1778 on a quest to find the Northwest Passage.

Beluga whales feed on salmon and smaller fish.

They can also eat crab, shrimp, squid and clams. During summers, the whales, which reach a length of up to 15 feet, often can be spotted from the highways leading away from Anchorage, gathered at river mouths, chasing salmon that have schooled before a run to spawning grounds.

Beluga whales’ natural enemies are killer whales, but something else has been keeping their numbers down in Alaska’s Cook Inlet.

Craig Matkin, an independent biologist who has worked in south central Alaska for 25 years, said the delay in the listing had held up a comprehensive research plan to find out why the population had not recovered after subsistence hunting was curtailed.

The concern is not just in numbers, he said, but in distribution. Whales in recent years have been staying in northern Cook Inlet near Anchorage.

"They’re just gone from these areas," he said of his own home near in Homer, near the tip of the Kenai Peninsula and about 100 miles from Anchorage.

"Why they aren’t coming down into this habitat is a question I’d like to answer."

Future development won’t be helpful to the recovery, Cummings said, starting with the noise and pollution associated with industrialization of the inlet, which includes oil rigs off the Kenai Peninsula.

Global warming, changing ocean conditions and higher temperatures in salmon streams may be another factor, Cummings said.

The Port of Anchorage, helped by congressional earmarks secured by Sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young, has embarked on a $500 million project to double the port’s size and replace its aging docks.

Environmental groups also have expressed concern about a planned coal mine 45 miles from Anchorage across Cook Inlet, where developers propose to mine 300 million metric tons of sub-bituminous coal, roughly equal to the energy of a billion barrels of oil, over 25 years.

That would mean noise and boat traffic associated with building and operating a mine, a potential effect on salmon streams and more warming.

The Cook Inlet beluga whales are one of five populations in Alaska waters and the only one endangered.

Other beluga populations off Alaska inhabit Bristol Bay, the eastern Bering Sea, the eastern Chukchi Sea and the Beaufort Sea.

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Reality Check :  Gov. Sarah Palin — Welcome to the National Political Arena!

Your performance on SNL last night may well be the cause for celebration as an “anti-environmentalist. ”

Even though, your judgment or the lack thereof, in the environmental matter is analogous to the rhetoric on your campaign trail invoking fear and Anti-American euphemism against your opponent, the Democratic Presidential Candidate, Senator Barack Obama.

As one among many advocates for the voiceless and defenseless species, I am obligated to pose the following questions to you:

1. What exactly is the issue you don’t understand about the environmental crises?

2. As a self proclaimed maverick , how do you propose to sustain the ecological balance, crucial for your present survival… against the cavalier offshore oil and gas exploration and other projects?

3. Please, explain to the American electorate your bizarre stance in the pivotal issues —

A. Your personal claim, highlighting the foreign policy experience equivalent to the panoramic view of the residence of Russian Prime Minister, Mr. Vladimir Putin from the convenience of your porch while,

B. You choose to remain oblivious to SOS calls from the native species of your home state Alaska.

Perhaps, this could be a revelation for you —

Global warming is real due to reckless policies and irresponsible human behavior.

Save the Planet , for Life matter .

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

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