From Fiona Harvey (Environment correspondent of “THE GUARDIAN”: https://is.gd/5l0HUQ)
The world is facing widespread famine “of biblical proportions” because of
the coronavirus pandemic, the chief of the UN’s food relief agency has
warned, with a short time to act before hundreds of millions starve.
More than 30 countries in the developing world could experience widespread
famine, and in 10 of those countries there are already more than 1 million
people on the brink of starvation, said David Beasley, executive director
of the World Food Programme.
“We are not talking about people going to bed hungry,” he told the Guardian
in an interview. “We are talking about extreme conditions, emergency status
– people literally marching to the brink of starvation. If we don’t get
food to people, people will die.
Lecture on BG 4.1 — Bombay, March 21, 1974
“Annad bhavanti bhutani (BG 3.14)
Simply by dry lecture, how they will feel happy? There must be sufficient
food grains so that people may live happily, the animal may live happily.
Especially in India you will see. No animal is fatty, either cat, dog or
cow. They have no eating. So annad bhavanti bhutani. They must be given
sufficient food, annad. Krsna does not say that “You fast and chant Hare
Krsna.” He does not say. Krsna is not so impractical. He says, “Eat very
nicely, keep very nicely, and chant Hare Krsna. Make your life successful.”
That is Hare Krsna consciousness movement. Krsna consciousness movement is
not one-sided. It is all-embracing. Sarve sukhino bhavantu. Krsna
consciousness movement wants to see everyone happy. Without being happy,
how you can remain peaceful? That is not possible.”
Parasurama das: Yesterday I parked the van outside the house of some sick and isolated
people, while I made a delivery. Within seconds I had a line of random
people asking for food, whoa, sign of the times.