The day two was really bad, I was feeling worse than ever in my life. The food cravings were damn high. I was dreaming of food the whole day. Everything from pizzas to burgers or regional foods, were dancing in front of my eyes. Just the smell of food was feeling so satisfactory. I probably smelled food five times a day

I kept myself very busy most of the day as that was my only way to fight against hunger. The good thing was I became very productive. I did so much work on that day, that I can easily call it my best working day in last one year. I kept on doing work without thinking of food. In the evening I read novel and kept myself busy.

Moreover, my family had a feast planned for our relatives and hence there was all amazing food in the house. Hence, It became a bit difficult for me keep the fast, but I managed it somehow.

I had a blackout once in the afternoon. Everything around my eyes turned back for probably 10 seconds. I believe it happened because the shift of my body from digesting food to fats was not done and hence my body was getting no energy. I started feeling weakness too. One thing to note here is never move fast when you’re on a fast. Any type of jerks or fast movements can cause blackouts or even fainting. And always take a deep breathe before you stand or before doing any movement, it helps you body get the sufficient energy.

My bowel movements were almost negligible. I think the highest self-discipline to maintain water fast is on the second day. Though I am quite enjoying the experience.

Water Fasting – This post is a part of Water Fasting series.

Water Fasting – DAY 1

I was very busy on the first day, hence I rarely had any food cravings till late in the evening. The cravings were not much intense. The feeling was like I am missing something, but nothing intense. I had a weight loss on the end of first day around 1 KG – 2 Pounds. Bowel movements were normal.

Staying busy is my motto for rest of the days too as I feel the more you concentrate on food, more cravings are felt. Ignoring food or any food related topic and keeping yourself busy with work or some good books is the best way to tackle food cravings. I am planning to start reading ‘Power of Now’ from tomorrow.Its advisable not to make your day hectic, but definitely keep your mind preoccupied.

The body on the first day simply uses the existing food available, its said that from the second day as it has no food available, it starts breaking fats for digestion process. This phase happens during the second and third day and these days also have major food cravings. The highest food cravings of fasting period are faced during this time. Once this phase is passed, there is almost no desire for any type of food.

Wish me luck!

Water Fasting – This post is a part of Water Fasting series.

What is water fasting?

Water fasting includes drinking only water and no food, neither any solid or liquid is consumed. The most amazing function of our body is to heal itself. A human body has the capacity to heal the body on its own. Water fasting helps your body to save its energy from digesting food and use the energy to heal the body itself. Its like a prolonged period of rest for the digestive system, so it can direct the energy towards cleansing your body.

Why water fasting?

Water fasting helps immensely in healing your body. We consume lots of junk food in our diet. Most of these junk food contains very injurious toxic. It might be unbelievable, but true that most of the junk food have Carcogenic substance in them (Carcogenic substance are those which cause cancer) These toxics are stored in your body as fats.  When water fasting is done, the body stops receiving food. So it starts breaking down the fats in your body. This leads to release of toxic waste from the body. It not only cleanse your body but also have a reverse effect on various diseases. Release of toxic from body guarantees a healthy and long life including more focus and energy once your body is cleaned.

Major benefits of Water Fasting include

Mental clarity is improved and brain fog is lifted.

Rapid, safe weight loss is achieved without flabbiness

The nervous system is balanced

Energy level and sensory perception is increased. The longer the fast, the bigger increase in energy and vitality. You normally need less sleep.

Organs are revitalized

Cellular biochemistry is harmonized

The skin becomes silky, soft, and sensitive

There is greater ease of movement

Breathing becomes fuller, freer and deeper

The digestive system is rejuvenated and becomes more effective; the peristaltic action of the intestines (the cause of a natural bowel movement) is stronger after fasting.

Fasting retrains your tasting sense back to more healthy food as acute sensitivity is restored.

Fasting can increase confidence in our ability to have control over our lives and our appetite, and that our body is self-regulating and a self-healing organism capable or establishing balance when given the possibility to do so.

Normal metabolic and cell oxygenation are restored.

Detoxification – as soon as the body realizes that it’s fasting it will begin to eliminate those things that cause disease, such as fat cells, arterial cholesterol plaques, mucus, tumors, stored up worries and emotions.

My 8-Day Water Fasting Experiment:

I have planned 8 day water fasting for myself and I’ll be sharing my daily experience on the blog. So any other person who wants to do the same can benefit from it. I have never done anything of this kind. So not much sure how I’ll pull it off. Anyway writing the experiment on the blog has helped me commit myself.

Background Info:

Weight: 76Kg – 152 Pounds.

Slow Metabolism

Body Mas Index: 23.1 (Considered Normal)

You can use this link to calculate your bmi.

For additional reference :

Water Fasting Article

Water fasting

More Water Fasting

Mahendranath Chaturvedi is one of those people who are very rare to find, not because of his educational qualification or because of his materialistic possessions, but only because he has dedicated his life for a cause of humanity service like Yamuna river pollution and drinking water problems. Currently, they are staying at my grandfather’s place and they have travelled all the way from Mathura to Mumbai to fight and gain support for their cause. They are already covered by Ibn7, Ibn7 Lokmat and other Network 18 News channels. He was awarded Rahtriya Padak from President of India in 1971 Indo-Pak-Bangladesh War for his Civil Defense Service. He was also awarded Citizen Journalist Award by IBN 7. The cause may look quite normal, but don’t judge until you read the interview. It shows the usual ignorance of government authority but at the same time it shows the spirit of a man fighting for pure drinking water for himself and people of 5 states on the banks of River Yamuna.

When did the fight on Yamuna Pollution started?

On March 1983, the Yamuna water pollution matter started. The project to clean Yamuna was promised and undertaken by local authorities. U.P. Governor CPN Singh had promised to clean Yamuna saying its a matter of pride for the state. The project included clearing 19 drainage. But like any other political promise, it was obviously not done. Now the matter has gone to various offices from D M, Commission, Chief Secretary, Director of Health, Chief Minister of U.P., Central Health Minister, Central Agriculture Minister, Minister of Chemical and Fertilizer to Honourable Prime Minister of India and President Of India.

What is the extent of pollution in Yamuna River?

131 types of dangerous pesticide were found during Yamuna testing. 38 types of Industrial chemical in which Cynide, Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon etc. 15 Carsogenic Chemicals [Carsogenic means those chemicals which cause cancer] like Chromium, Cadmium, Lead etc were found. What would you do if the water which is supposed to give you lifeline, is the exact stuff which creates cancer and kill you? Some reports were sponsored by Network 18. The above reports were generated with the help of FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry ) and FRAC (Food Research and Analysis Centre). The complete testing of reports were done at CSE (Centre for Science and Environment), Suresh Basu SV deputy co-ordinator of River Pollution Unit. 5 times more chlorine, then allowed medically are used to purify the Yamuna water, when these combine with Amonium content present in the water, it generates Sulphate’s and Oxide’s very injurious to health. The total dissolve solution meters have failed, the usual ppm capacity/litre is 0 to 200 but it has gone over 10,000. People of 5 states are supplied with this drinking water.

What awareness has been created till now?

Brij Lifeline Welfare Organisation was created by us in 2005, from the encouragement of Gosawami Chimanlala. The organisation has 172 members in India from Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Journalists, Chartered accountants, Principle’s and Deans of various educational institutions, scientitst and various other professionals. More than 8 letter with 115 page report on Yamuna pollution is sent to the office of President of India. On 19th July, 2007 in the Joint Parliament session the question was evoked by the president of India APJ Abdul Kalam. On 3rd August, 2007, The president Of India forwarded the matter to Ministry of Law and Justice for Legal opinion. On 4th November, 2008. All the documents were forwarded by the Home ministry of India through the president’s office to the Supreme court and the case was registered. A Case # 725, AFQM, in 18th july, 1994 was already registered on Yamuna pollution on the basis of news item ‘Quit Yamuna Maili…’ published by Hindustan Times. While a new case after raising constitutional question was registered on ‘Yamuna pollution and clean drinking water’. The case has not started due to lack of a Supreme court lawyer. The issue was further raised with UN, WHO, Goverment of Japan, UNHC and World Bank. A complete 1 hour video on Yamuna pollution was telecast on Network 18 news channels. Other channels like Sahara Samay, E TV, and other local news channels featured the issue. Various newspapers like Dainik Jagran, Rahtriya Saha, Hindustan, Times of India, Indian Express, Amar Ujala, Aaj, Rajpath, Akinchan Bharat, Dla, Mid-Day, Choti Si Baat etc have published our struggle. Magazines like India Today etc. The issue letters are also forwarded to International print media like Washington Post, New York Times, Daily Telegraph, Wallstreet Journal etc. His article was published through Dainik Jagran in 5 crore copies translated in 37 editions.

What is the religious importance to River Yamuna?

River Yamuna is said to be one of the most holy river in Hinduism. All Shri Krishna followers bow before River Yamuna. They treat Shri Yamunaji as their mother. Followers from all over come to seek blessing from Yamunaji and drink the river’s water. They even bath in the river as a religious ritual. The water which is assumed by the followers to give them blessing, gives them cancer and various other diseases! Various Religious leaders like President of organization – Dr Vasudev Krishna Chaturvediji (Mathura), Gosawami Tilkayat Shri Indradamanji Maharashri (Rakesh bava) (Nathdwara and Mumbai), Go. Shyam Manoharji (Varanasi), Go. Chimanlal Mahodayji (Gokul), Shri Nimbakacharyaji (Ajmer), Shri Gopalpithadhishwarji (Mathura), Shri Vagish Kumarji (Vadodra), Shri Vitthalnathji (Junagad), Shri Ghanshyamlal (Rajkot), Shri Krishnadas Kanchanji (Gowardhan), Shri Prashant Kumarji (Mota mandir, Mumbai), Shri Madhvagodershwar Swami (Vrindavan), Shri Gurusharnandanji (Mathura), Shri Panchampithadishwarji (Kamvan), Shri Bhaktivedant Narayanji (Mathura), Shri RadhaViharidasji (Vrindavan), Shri Navnit Raiji (Junagad), Prithvi SinghJi Sodhi (Mathura), Dwarkeshlalji (Vadodra) and many others.

How is the funding for the organisation generated?

Individual donations are the major source. The organisation has currently organised ‘Bahagwad Spatha’ (7 day preaching on Bhagwad) organised at Girirajji Haveli, Mathuradas Road, Kandivali, Mumbai. All the donations received during this function go to the organisation. Various people have come forward for rallies and many other activities of the organisation. We have maintained 100% transparency, all the details of expense are publicly declared. The requirements of the organisation are also declared so they could be met as soon as possible. Donator’s also get exemption from taxes, as the organisation is exempt from 80G of Income Tax Act.

How can the readers help for the cause?

Currently, the biggest need for the organisation is a honest Supreme court lawyer to fight the ‘Yamuna Pollution and pure drinking water’. Every seating of a supreme court lawyer cost around Rs. 2.5 lacs, which the Organisation cannot afford. We are trying to generate funds for the same. Reader’s can help us by

• Request to arrange a working Lawyer to plead the case in supreme court.
• General Elections are imminent, People are requested to support any candidate who fights Yamuna pollution, it can help create political awareness.
• Compel your M.L.A’s and M.P.’s in your sphere of influence to put pressure on respective governments.
• You may increase public awareness by lectures on subject.
• The immediate problem is to arrange a working barrister to plead the case. Still the struggle is long. It depends on your wisdom to collect money to finance the establishment. To create an office with modern facilities. The Institution is exempt from 80G of Income Tax Act.
• In this connection, your guidance is a must for the institution. You can guide by taking your personal interest.
• You can also help the institution by enrolling yourself as a member of it.

For queries, contact Number: 0565-2401550 and 09359204800

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It was really wonderful to interview him.

The reason for me to write this article was definitely to do my part in raising an awareness but there’s something more I would like to share here. I was inspired by this person for the job he’s doing. He is no political party related nor a religious leader. He is neither a highly rich guy trying to get some extra fame. He is just a middle class individual fighting for the cause wholeheartedly. He is one of those individuals who have dedicated his life for the service to humanity. I am highly skeptic when I find such individuals, but knowing him since last 7 days made me realise how humble can a person be. He never talked anything about himself unless asked by anyone. It was only in the interview I discovered about his Rashtriya Padak award and other achievements. He even wrote a letter to President of India to return the award as the Yamuna issue was not solved. He never talks about big things and stuff, a highly grounded individual. It made me wonder what makes people become selfless and dedicated their life for service to humanity? definitely a question to ponder on!

The deepest human defeat suffered by human beings is constituted by the difference between what one was capable of becoming and what one has in fact become.

Ashley Montagu

Just look in you and others, what you see? Amazing potential to shine; beyond the limits. Amazing talent and creativity in at least one part of their life. Each one of us has the potential of our mind and gifted creativity to achieve what we want in life. Everyone is capable of achieving any goal in life.

Just go through the biographies of the greatest people of the century and you’ll find they achieved greatness in the worst circumstances. Albert Einstein – a dyslexic (Defected reading and writing skills) became one of the greatest scientists to develop nuclear science. Steven Spielberg got rejected from every film making school he applied because of his academic weakness. Bill Gates started his very first company called ‘Traf – o – data’ and it bombed with bankruptcy. Then, he joined Harvard to drop out and create ‘Microsoft’.

There are countless such examples. Do you see a pattern above? Why they had the success even after great disability or failures in their life? If we talk about financial success, there are 6.76 billion people on earth and yet only 1% population of earth earns around 96% of world’s wealth.

Success is definitely a relative term, the meaning of success may be different as per individual goals, but its core definition of achieving what you want is same for all. When we are born, there is no experience or beliefs about life. We learn or understand life by what we learn from our surroundings. What are the things understood by successful people and not by the rest. The biggest reason is taking the risk of leaving the notion of security to achieve goals that matter. Of course, improving the success rate can also be done, but in these post let us concentrate on the concept of trying irrespective of failures.

Let me share a story first, it’s quite popular. There was once a small baby elephant captured by the circus staff and brought to the city circus. The baby elephant was tied to a pole. The daily routine of the elephant include training of various circus acts which were later performed by the elephant in live circus shows. Years went by and now the elephant was completely grown. The elephant was one of the strongest. Once a mirror was brought in front of the elephant, the elephant saw himself for the very first time. He saw he has grown big and strong. Till now, he had no idea of his potential. He applied all his strength and broke the pole. The pole was strong enough to hold the baby elephant, but not strong enough to hold this strong elephant. The elephant escaped and went to the jungle. 

Many of us are like the elephant. We have no idea of the potential in us. All we need now is to look inside us and understand the power given to us. The elephant didn’t understand his own strength for so many years, because he had long ‘given up’ on his own power. If you’re not doing what you love, you have given up your power. Many have so strong fear of failure that they never try to pursue the big goals in life. Fear of failure paralyses people in pursuit of their dreams and goals. Say you want to start your own business, you have so many fears. What if I fail? What if I go bankrupt? What if I am not able to maintain my current lifestyle? All these questions come from the fear of failure.

Let’s understand why fear of failure exists?

Failure is a state when you don’t get what you expected. You’re unable to meet your desires. When a goal is made and efforts are made to achieve the goals, lots of investment of time, money, resource etc goes into it. If there is an undesirable outcome, we label it ‘Failure’.

The fear of failure is so strong that people forget the passion of success. The fear of failure makes people reactive, rather a proactive person who can make his own goals and achieve them. People start leaving for security of life, which never exist anyway. No matter how much money you earn, or how many relationships you make, you have to leave everything in the end anyway. Life should be more fun and wild, then to be a collector. A quick and simple way to understand this is analyze any normal person in sixties. Did they achieve any considerable in life? Did they pursue their most adventurous goals of life, because they were too scared to leave their dead job? They were so much after security that they forgot what it is to be free. Many would blame there family or lack of resources, but these are nothing more than just excuses. If you want something badly enough, no problem could ever stop you from achieving your goal. Now do you want to be there when you get in your sixties? Just visualize where your current actions would lead you? Where you’ll be after 20 years, if you maintained your current life path and goals? Do you see something missing? You might have some promotions or probably a good car and house, but is that all you want? If you’re happy with what you see, continue on the path. But if you don’t see yourself where you want to be, probably you need to change your path now. You should be making your most amazing goals and pursuing them. If you don’t have the knowledge, get it! If you don’t have the resource, acquire it! These may bring the fear of failure, tackle it!

The major reasons of fear of failure are:-

1. Regret of expectations, not met.

2. Regret of investment made. (It could be any resource as time, money, energy, focus, etc)

3. Social outcast

4. Pain of ‘failure’ itself

Let’s see if there is an element of truth in any of the above.

If you’re expectation are not met, it simply means your calculation to achieve your goal was wrong. It’s just a learning experience to make you sharper and more powerful to achieve your goal. Your investment was not lost; it gave you an experience about where you were wrong. And this is exactly the stuff which will help you achieve the goals next time. Just learn the lessons and enjoy the experience

Social outcast is actually no problem at all. But for many it becomes a matter of death and life. Say you go to achieve a goal and fail miserably, so what? It’s better to be the one playing on the field with passion and energy and even failing miserably, then be the poor souls who just sit on stands and clap. Either you win or lose, people are going to talk. Why loose your potential? You’ll be surprised how amazingly people connect to authentic behavior. Many people would have their own fear, which they impose when you try something courageous. You help them see that there life is not what they want. You help them leave those fear based thinking. You inspire them! What’s the fun if you don’t get bruised now and then? You might face the pain of failure, but it’s something you can bear. Going after the goals you love would make you burn with energy and gusto. It makes you live with passion. The fun is just amazing.

Live the life like a daring adventure. Don’t be a domestic animal conditioned by the social conditioning. Be the wild. Be the free soul. Live with courage to face every challenge of life. Be ready to take intelligent risk and take the gamble of life. Enjoy life to full! Take the plunge