Traditions, used for a social cause.

I have noticed some time ago, that the power of the traditional Indian society is not some ruling that has come from the King ( or PM these days), but 'shraddha' or faith. This is self evident in the customs that have been maintained in the Hindu society: the prayer rituals, the funeral rites, marriage traditions, etc.

Check the power of these traditions in maintaining water conservation systems in the deserts of Rajasthan across many generations spanning hundreds of years. Compare that with Government schemes of supplying water to Rajasthan. This of course does not discount the power of ancient technology too.

P.S. : This post gains more importance with recent shortages of water being felt in Punjab
(refer: click). We need to revive ancient respect for Nature, and fulfill the fourth debt of life. (refer: click)

Valmiki Ramayana on the net

Yet to explore it, but this should be an interesting set of links, and definitely more detailed than Ramanand Sagar's Ramayana with chapters on Bala Kanda, Ayodhya Kanda, Aranya Kanda, Kishkindha Kanda, Sundara Kanda and Yuddha Kanda. Got it thanks to right of centre veteran Yossarin's blog "Offstumped." Hope to read it in some holiday season. But you can get a headstart right now.

http://www.valmikiramayan.net/