YUVA SANDESH : The MIRACLE of Pure Selfless Helping Heart !!!

Tess was a precocious eight year old when she heard her Mom and Dad talking about her little brother, Andrew. All she knew was that he was very sick and they were completely out of money. They were moving to an apartment complex next month because Daddy didn’t have the money for the doctor bills and our house.

Only a very costly surgery could save him now and it was looking like there was no-one to loan them the money. She heard Daddy say to her tearful Mother with whispered  desperation, “Only a miracle can save him now.”

Tess went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured all the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes.Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall’s Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good.

Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!

“And what do you want?” the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. “I’m talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven’t seen in ages,” he said without waiting for a reply to his question.

“Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,” Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. “He’s really, really sick… and I want to buy a miracle.”

“I beg your pardon?” said the pharmacist.

“His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?”

“We don’t sell miracles here, little girl. I’m sorry but I can’t help you,” the pharmacist said, softening a little. “Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn’t enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.”

The pharmacist’s brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, “What kind of a miracle does you brother need?”

“I don’t know,” Tess replied with her eyes welling up. “I just know he’s really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can’t pay for it, so I want to use my money.”

“How much do you have?” asked the man from Chicago. “One dollar and eleven cents,” Tess answered barely audibly. “And it’s all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.

“Well, what a coincidence,” smiled the man. “A dollar and eleven cents – the exact price of a miracle for little brothers.” He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said, “Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let’s see if I have the kind of miracle you need.”

That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specialising in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed without charge and it wasn’t long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.

“That surgery,” her Mom whispered. “was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?”

Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost… one dollar and eleven cents … plus the faith of a little child.
=======================================================
Claimed to be a true story ~ Author Unknown

YUVA SANDESH : Biggest WEAKNESS is Biggest Strength !!!

Sometimes our biggest weakness can become our biggest strength. Take, for example, the story of one 10-year-old boy who decided to study Judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.

The boy began lessons with an old Japanese Judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn’t understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move.

“Sensei,” the boy finally said, “Shouldn’t I be learning more moves?”

“This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you’ll ever need to know.” – the sensei replied.

Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.

Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.

This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened.

“No,” the sensei insisted, “Let him continue.”

Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.

On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind.

“Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?”

“You won for two reasons,” the sensei answered. “First, you’ve almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grap your left arm.”

The boy’s biggest weakness had become his biggest strength. Sometimes our biggest weakness can become our biggest strength. ~ Get Inspired ~ Inspire others ~ Share with loved ones ~

Don't Laugh at me....... (Small poem)

“I’m a little boy with glasses
The one they call a geek
A little girl who never smiles
‘Cause I have braces on my teeth
And I know how it feels to cry myself to sleep
I’m that kid on every playground
Who’s always chosen last
A single teenage mother
Tryin’ to overcome my past
You don’t have to be my friend
But is it too much to ask
Don’t laugh at me
Don’t call me names

Don’t get your pleasure from my pain
In God’s eyes we’re all the same
Someday we’ll all have perfect wings
Don’t laugh at me

I’m the beggar on the corner
You’ve passed me on the street
And I wouldn’t be out here beggin’
If I had enough to eat
And don’t think I don’t notice
That our eyes never meet
Don’t laugh at me
Don’t call me names

Don’t get your pleasure from my pain
In God’s eyes we’re all the same
Someday we’ll all have perfect wings
Don’t laugh at me

I’m fat, I’m thin, I’m short, I’m tall
I’m deaf, I’m blind, hey, aren’t we all
Don’t laugh at me
Don’t call me names

Don’t get your pleasure from my pain
In God’s eyes we’re all the same
Someday we’ll all have perfect wings
Don’t laugh at me”

~ Steve Seskin and Allen Shamblin

जो बीत गई सो बात गई (Jo Beet gayi so baat gayi)

HINDI

जीवन में एक सितारा था
माना वह बेहद प्यारा था
वह डूब गया तो डूब गया
अंबर के आंगन को देखो
कितने इसके तारे टूटे
कितने इसके प्यारे छूटे
जो छूट गए फ़िर कहाँ मिले
पर बोलो टूटे तारों पर
कब अंबर शोक मनाता है
जो बीत गई सो बात गई

जीवन में वह था एक कुसुम
थे उस पर नित्य निछावर तुम
वह सूख गया तो सूख गया
मधुबन की छाती को देखो
सूखी कितनी इसकी कलियाँ
मुरझाईं कितनी वल्लरियाँ
जो मुरझाईं फ़िर कहाँ खिलीं
पर बोलो सूखे फूलों पर
कब मधुबन शोर मचाता है
जो बीत गई सो बात गई

जीवन में मधु का प्याला था
तुमने तन मन दे डाला था
वह टूट गया तो टूट गया
मदिरालय का आंगन देखो
कितने प्याले हिल जाते हैं
गिर मिट्टी में मिल जाते हैं
जो गिरते हैं कब उठते हैं
पर बोलो टूटे प्यालों पर
कब मदिरालय पछताता है
जो बीत गई सो बात गई

मृदु मिट्टी के बने हुए हैं
मधु घट फूटा ही करते हैं
लघु जीवन ले कर आए हैं
प्याले टूटा ही करते हैं
फ़िर भी मदिरालय के अन्दर
मधु के घट हैं,मधु प्याले हैं
जो मादकता के मारे हैं
वे मधु लूटा ही करते हैं
वह कच्चा पीने वाला है
जिसकी ममता घट प्यालों पर
जो सच्चे मधु से जला हुआ
कब रोता है चिल्लाता है
जो बीत गई सो बात गई


ENGLISH 

Life was a star in 
He was considered extremely cute 
He then sank drowned 
Look at the courtyard of Amber 
How many stars the Broken 
It left many dear 
Where were omitted then met 
Speak to the broken wires 
When Amber celebrates mourning 
Let bygones be bygones 

In life she was a flower 
You were the continual surrender 
Then it was dried dried 
Look at the chest of Madhuban 
Dry how its buds 
How Vllriya Murjain 
Where the Murjain then Kilin 
Speak on dried flowers 
Madhuban is believing when noise 
Let bygones be bygones 

Life was a cup of honey 
You had to give body, mind 
He then broke broken 
Grab a drink at the courtyard 
How many cups are shaken 
Do not fall into the earth 
When you get up in the fall 
Speak to the broken cups 
When pot repent 
Let bygones be bygones 

Are made of soft clay 
If the declining honey burst 
've Come up short life 
The cups are broken 
However, in a drink 
Are dwindling honey, honey cups 
Who are the victims of drunkenness 
They only do honey robbed 
Raw drinking habits 
Cups down on the attachment 
True honey fired 
When cries yells 
Let bygones be bygones 

YUVA SANDESH : MOVE ON.... DON'T WAIT....

There lived a man, he wanted to climb the highest mountain in the world. After many years of preparation he decided to give it a go. Because he wanted to achieve glory alone, he started climbing the mountain alone.

It was cold, the night arrived, it was dark, zero visibility but he still wanted to climb. Instead of taking a halt, he kept climbing.

Suddenly, his foot slipped and he lost his control. It was a free fall, he felt the pull of gravity. In those moments of great fear, it reminded of all the good and bad things he did in his life.

He was now thinking of how close was his death, all of a sudden he felt a hard pull by a rope tied to his waist.

His body was now hanging, with only a support of rope, He cried and screamed, “Help me God. ”.

A voice came from cloud, “What do you want me to do?”

The man cried, “Save me God!”

The voice came, “Will you do as I say?”

The man cried, “Yes anything, Please save me.”

The voice came, “Cut the rope tied on your waist.”

The man did not cut the rope and held it by all his strength.

Next morning when the rescue team arrived, it said that the climber was dead and frozen, he was holding on his rope which was frozen,

Only six feet above ground!

So, how attached are you with your rope? Will you let go?

**To let come new and better things, let go of the old.**

Yuva Sandesh : Pauranik Katha #3: लक्ष्मण को मिला ज्ञान

HINDI

श्री राम और रावण के बीच हुए अंतिम युद्ध के बाद रावण जब युद्ध भूमि पर,
मरणशैया पर पड़ा होता है तब भगवान राम लक्ष्मण को समस्त वेदो के ज्ञाता,
महापंडित रावण से राजनीति और शक्ति का ज्ञान प्राप्त करने को कहते हैं।

और तब रावण लक्ष्मण को ज्ञान देते है कि-

    अच्छे कार्य में कभी विलंब नहीं करना चाहिए। और अशुभ कार्य को मोह वश
करना ही पड़े तो उसे जितना हो सके उतना टालने का प्रयास करनी चाहिए।
    शक्ति और पराक्रम के मद में इतना अँधा नहीं हो जाना चाहिए की हर
शत्रु तुच्छ और निम्न लगने लगे। मुझे ब्रह्मा जी से वर मिला था की वानर
और मानव के अलावा कोई मुझे मार नहीं सकता। फिर भी मै उन्हे तुच्छ और
निम्न समझ कर अहम में लिप्त रहा। जिस कारण मेरा समूल विनाश हुआ।
    तीसरी और अंतिम बात रावण नें यह कही कि, अपनें जीवन के गूढ रहस्य
स्वजन को भी नहीं बताने चाहिए। चूँकि रिश्ते और नाते बदलते रहते हैं।
जैसे की विभीषण जब लंका में था तब मेरा हितेच्छु था। पर श्री राम की शरण
में आने के बाद मेरे विनाश का माध्यम बना।

सार- अपनें गूढ़ रहस्य अपनें तक रखना, शुभ कर्म में देरी ना करना, गलत काम
से परहेज़ करना, और किसी भी शत्रु को कमज़ोर ना समझना , यह अमूल्य पाठ हर
एक इंसान को अपनें जीवन में उतारना चाहिए।

ENGLISH

After the final battle between Rama and Ravana Ravana on the battlefield, Mrnshaiya Lord Ram Laxman has had on all knower of the Vedas, Gaining knowledge of politics and power to Ravan Mahapandit says. 

Ravana then give Laxman knowledge that- 

Good work should never delay. And ominous task fascination tame Had to do that you should try to avoid it as much as possible. So in terms of strength and power should not blind at all And the enemy seemed trivial. Brahma was the bridesmaid I got apes And no other human can not kill me. Yet I despised them and The following are important and involved in understanding. The root cause of my destruction. It was the third and final thing that Ravana was released, consult your secret mysteries of life Kin should not even tell. Since the relationship and, as a change. When I was Hitechcu catastrophically when such Lanka. Mr. Ram Sharan After making my way to destruction. 

Sar- consult your deciphering ventured to keep up, do not delay in auspicious, rongdoing 
Be avoided, and not weaken any enemy to understand, this invaluable text every A person should consult your life take off. 

Yuva Sandesh : Pauranik Katha #2: धृतराष्ट्र का पुत्र मोह

HINDI

हस्तिनापुर नरेश धृतराष्ट्र जन्म से अंध थे। इस कारण वह ज्येष्ठ पुत्र
होते हुए भी राजा बनने योग्य नहीं थे। परंतु राजा पांडु एक गंभीर बीमारी
का शिकार हो जाने की वजह से वन प्रस्थान कर गए थे और एक राज्य का सिंहासन
रिक्त नहीं रखा जा सकता था, इसलिए धृतराष्ट्र को पांडु का प्रतिनिधि राजा
बनाया गया था।

एक बार राजसुख का स्वाद चख लेने वाले धृतराष्ट्र चाहते थे की उनके बाद
हस्तिनापुर का राजा उनका पुत्र दुर्योधन बनें। इसी लालसा में उन्होने
न्याय और अन्याया में तर्क करना छोड़ दिया, और अपने पुत्र की हर एक
ज़्यादती को वह अनदेखा कर के पांडु पुत्रों से पग-पग पर अन्याय करते गए।

दुर्योधन ने भी पांडवों के लिए अपनें ह्रदय मे घृणा ही पाल रखी थी। भीम
को ज़हर दे कर नदी में डुबोना, लाक्षाग्रह में आग लगा कर पांडु पुत्रों और
कुंती को ज़िंदा जला देने का षड्यंत्र, द्रौपदी चीर हरण, द्यूत क्रीडा में
कपट कर के पांडवों को वनवास भेजना और ना जाने ऐसे कई षड्यंत्र से उसने
पांडवों का अनिष्ट करने की चेष्टा की थी।

अंत में जब उन के पाप का घड़ा भर गया, तब धर्म युद्ध हुआ। और उस महायुद्ध
में लालची धृतराष्ट्र के 100 पुत्र मृत्यु को प्राप्त हुए। अपनी लालसा की
वेदी पर अपने समस्त पुत्रों की बलि चढ़ा देने वाले धृतराष्ट्र नें युद्ध
समाप्ती के बाद भी भीमसेन को अपनी भूजाओं में जकड़ कर मार डालने का प्रयास
किया था। लेकिन अंत में शर्मिंदा हो और हार स्वीकार कर धृतराष्ट्र पत्नी
सहित वन चले जाते हैं।

सार- लालच बुरी बला है। इसे करने वाले का अंत भी धृतराष्ट्र जैसा ही होता
है “परास्त” और “अपमानित”।

ENGLISH

Hastinapur King Dhritarashtra was blind from birth. The eldest son, he Notwithstanding the king were not. But a serious illness of King Pandu One victim of the Left and the throne of a kingdom Can not be empty, so representative of the king Dhritarashtra Pandu 
Was created. 

Dhritarashtra who once wanted Rajasuk tasted after them Become the king of Hastinapur his son Duryodhana. He at the same longing Justice and logic in Anyaya left, and every one of his son Unreasonably hard to ignore that the sons of Pandu were unjustly by step. 

Duryodhana, the Pandavas had to sail hate to consult your heart. Bhim Dunk in the river poisoned, on fire and Pandu sons and Lacshagrh Conspiracy to burn alive Kunti, Draupadi rip abduction, gaming in Sports Tax fraud and not to send to exile the Pandavas had many conspiracy The Pandavas had tried to harm. 

Finally, when the cup of their sin was, he was a religious war. And the Great War 
100 children died in the greedy Dhritarashtra. Your desired Dhritarashtra's sons who sacrificed their all on the altar of war released After finishing their Bujaon Bhimsen trap in an attempt to kill did. But in the end be ashamed and accepted defeat Dhritarashtra wife Including one go. 

Sar- avarice is the root of all evils. It is the same as the end of Dhritarashtra The "vanquished" and "humiliated". 

Yuva Sandesh : Pauranik Katha #1: जनमेजय का “सर्प मेघ यज्ञ”

HINDI

एक बार राजा परीक्षित किसी तपस्वी ऋषि का अपमान कर देते हैं। ऋषिवर
क्रोधित हो उन्हें सर्प दंश से मृत्यु का श्राप दे देते हैं। बहुत
Pauranik Kathayen in Hindiसावधानियां रखने के बावजूद ऋषि वाणी अनुसार एक
दिन फूलों की टोकरी में कीड़े के रूप में छुपे तक्षक नाग के काटने से
परीक्षित की मृत्यु हो जाती है।

जब राजा परीक्षित के पुत्र जनमेजय (पांडव वंश के आखिरी राजा) को पता चलता
है की साँपों के राजा, तक्षक नाग के काटने से उनके पिता की मृत्यु हुई है
तो वे प्रतिशोध लेने का निश्चय करते हैं। जनमेजय सर्प मेघ यज्ञ का आहवाहन
करते हैं, जिससे समस्त पृथ्वी के साँप एक के बाद एक हवन कुंड में आ कर
गिरने लगते हैं।

सर्प जाति का अस्तित्व खतरे में पड़ता देख तक्षक नाग सूर्य देव के रथ में
जा लिपटता है। अब अगर तक्षक नाग हवन कुंड में जाता तो उसके साथ सूर्य देव
को भी हवन कुंड में जाना पड़ता। और इस दुर्घटना से सृष्टि की गति थम जाति।
पिता की मृत्यु का बदला लेने की चाह में जनमेजय समस्त सर्प जाति का विनाश
करने पर तुला था इसलिए देवगण उन्हे यज्ञ रोकने की सलाह देते हैं पर वह
नहीं मानते। अंत में अस्तिका मुनि के हस्तक्षेप से जनमेजय अपना महा
विनाशक यज्ञ रोक देते हैं।

सार- बुरे कर्म का बुरा फल मिलना अटल है। नियति को कोई टाल नहीं सकता।

ENGLISH

King tested once a turn ascetic sage insult. Hrisivr 
Enraged give them the curse of death from snakebite. very 
Despite precautions Pauranik Kathayen in Hindi as a sage voice 
Day Flower Basket snake bites as worms hidden Takshak 
The mortality is tested. 

When the king's son tested Janamejaya (Pandava dynasty's last king) suggests 
The serpent king, his father died from the bite of the snake is Takshak 
So they decide to take revenge. Janamejaya snake sacrifice of cloud Ahwahn 
When the snake in a fire pit, all the earth came into 
Start falling. 

Looking to endangered snake species in the chariot of the sun god Nag Takshak 
Is Liptta be. Now if you are in the pool with him the sun god Takshak Snake fire 
To go into the fire pit. The first race of the speed and nature of the accident. 
Janamejaya desire to avenge his father's death in the destruction of all snake species 
So the gods sacrifice was bent on stopping them, but it 
Do not. Maha Muni Astika end their interference Janamejaya 
Destroyer suspend sacrifice. 

Sar- bad fruit, persistent bad actions. No I can not go to destiny. 

YUVA SANDESH : BEFORE ANY COMPLAINT, CHECK/EXAMINE YOURSELF FIRST

A man walked into the family room of his house.

“It stinks in here,” he announced before leaving and going into the kitchen.

“It stinks in here, too,” he said again and walked into dining room.

“And this room stinks as well,” he said, screwing up his face as he did.

His family looked at him and said in one voice, “You’ve got cheese on

your moustache.”

He washed it off and of course everything started to smell better.

It’s easy to complain about the world around you.

Your job, your boss, your spouse, your kids, your favourite sporting

team, the traffic, the economy, the government, the list can go on and

on.

But what I’ve found is that the people who complain the most are the

ones who have a perspective that is tainted by their own attitudes.

So if you really think that the world and everything in it stinks,

don’t complain about it in the hope that it will get better.  First,

try changing your perspective, living with the gratitude, optimism and

sense of wonder required to  experience life as a truly magnificent

opportunity.

YUVA SANDESH : THINKING DIFFERENT !!!

Ron and John were building a house. John was on a ladder, nailing.

He'd reach into his nail pouch, pull out a nail, look at it, and
either toss it over his shoulder or proceed to nail it into the wood.

Ron couldn't stand it any longer and yelled, "Why are you throwing
some of the nails away?"

John explained, "When I pull it out of my nail pouch, if it's pointed
toward me, I throw it away.
If it's pointed toward the house, then I can use it."

Ron replied, "What's wrong with you?
Don't throw away the nails that are pointed toward you!
They're for the other side of the house."

Youth for Sustainable Development Goal-17: Partnerships for the goals

Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

The Sustainable Development Goals can only be realized with a strong commitment to global partnership and cooperation. While official development assistance from developed countries increased by 66 percent between 2000 and 2014, humanitarian crises brought on by conflict or natural disasters continue to demand financial resources and aid. Many countries also require Official Development Assistance to encourage growth and trade.

The world today is more interconnected than ever before. Improving access to technology and knowledge is an important way to share ideas and foster innovation. Coordinating policies to help developing countries manage their debt, as well as promoting investment for the least developed, is vital to achieve sustainable growth and development.

The goals aim to enhance North-South and South-South cooperation by supporting national plans to achieve all the targets. Promoting international trade, and helping developing countries increase their exports, is all part of achieving a universal rules-based and equitable trading system that is fair and open, and benefits all.

Strengthening global solidarity is one of 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. An integrated approach is crucial for progress across the multiple goals.

Youth for Sustainable Development Goal-16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies

Peace, stability, human rights and effective governance based on the rule of law are important conduits for sustainable development. We are living in a world that is increasingly divided. Some regions enjoy sustained levels of peace, security and prosperity while others fall into seemingly endless cycles of conflict and violence. This is by no means inevitable and must be addressed.

High levels of armed violence and insecurity have a destructive impact on a country’s development, affecting economic growth and often resulting in long standing grievances among communities that can last for generations. Sexual violence, crime, exploitation and torture are also prevalent where there is conflict or no rule of law, and countries must take measures to protect those who are most at risk.

The Sustainable Development Goals aim to significantly reduce all forms of violence, and work with governments and communities to find lasting solutions to conflict and insecurity. Strengthening the rule of law and promoting human rights is key to this process, as is reducing the flow of illicit arms and strengthening the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.

Promoting peace and justice is one of 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. An integrated approach is crucial for progress across the multiple goals.

Youth for Sustainable Development Goal-15: Life on land

Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss

Human life depends on the earth as much as the ocean for our sustenance and livelihood. Plant life provides 80 percent of our human diet, and we rely on agriculture as an important economic resource and means of development. Forests account for 30 percent of the Earth’s surface, providing vital habitats for millions of species and important sources for clean air and water; as well as being crucial for combating climate change.

Today we are seeing unprecedented land degradation, and the loss of arable land at 30 to 35 times the historical rate. Drought and desertification is also on the rise each year, amounting to the loss of 12 million hectares and affects poor communities globally. Of the 8,300 animal breeds known, 8 percent are extinct and 22 percent are at risk of extinction.

The Sustainable Development Goals aim to conserve and restore the use of terrestrial ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, drylands and mountains by 2020. Promoting the sustainable management of forests and halting deforestations is also vital to mitigating the impact of climate change. Urgent action must be taken to reduce the loss of natural habitats and biodiversity which are part of our common heritage.

Conserving forests and other ecosystems is one of 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. An integrated approach is crucial for progress across the multiple goals.

Youth for Sustainable Development Goal-14: Life below water

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources

The world’s oceans – their temperature, chemistry, currents and life – drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. How we manage this vital resource is essential for humanity as a whole, and to counter balance the effects of climate change.

Over three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods. However, today we are seeing 30 percent of the world’s fish stocks overexploited, well below a level at which they can produce sustainable yields.

Oceans also absorb about 30 percent of the carbon dioxide produced by humans, and we are seeing a 26 percent rise in ocean acidification since the beginning of the industrial revolution. Marine pollution, an overwhelming majority of which comes from land-based sources, is reaching alarming levels, with an average of 13,000 pieces of plastic litter to be found on every square kilometer of ocean.

The Sustainable Development Goals create a framework to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems from land-based pollution, as well as address the impacts of ocean acidification. Enhancing conservation and the sustainable use of ocean-based resources through international law will also help mitigate some of the challenges facing our oceans.

Protecting our oceans is one of 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. An integrated approach is crucial for progress across the multiple goals.

Youth for Sustainable Development Goal-13: Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

There is no country in the world that is not seeing first-hand the drastic effects of climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, and are now more than 50 percent higher than their 1990 level. Further, global warming is causing long-lasting changes to our climate system, which threatens irreversible consequences if we do not take action now.

The annual average losses from just earthquakes, tsunamis, tropical cyclones and flooding count in the hundreds of billions of dollars, requiring an investment of US$ 6 billion annually in disaster risk management alone. The goal aims to mobilize $100 billion annually by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries and help mitigate climate-related disasters.

Strengthening the resilience and adaptive capacity of more vulnerable regions, such as land locked countries and island states, must go hand in hand with efforts to raise awareness and integrate measures into national policies and strategies. It is still possible, with the political will and a wide array of technological measures, to limit the increase in global mean temperature to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This requires urgent collective action.

Addressing climate change is one of 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development. An integrated approach is crucial for progress across the multiple goals.

Youth for Sustainable Development Goal-12: Sustainable Consumption and Production

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Achieving economic growth and sustainable development requires that we urgently reduce our ecological footprint by changing the way we produce and consumer goods and resources. Agriculture is the biggest user of water worldwide, and irrigation now claims close to 70 percent of all freshwater appropriated for human use.

The efficient management of our shared natural resources, and the way we dispose of toxic waste and pollutants, are important targets to achieve this goal.  Encouraging industries, businesses and consumers to recycle and reduce waste is equally important, as is supporting developing countries to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption by 2030.

A large share of the world population is still consuming far too little to meet even their basic needs. Halving per capita global food waste at the retailer and consumer levels is also important for creating more efficient production and supply chains. This can help with food security and shift us towards a more resource efficient economy.

Responsible production and consumption is one of 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development. An integrated approach is crucial for progress across the multiple goals.

Youth for Sustainable Development Goal-11: Sustainable cities and communities

Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

More than half of the world’s population now live in urban areas. By 2050, that figure will have risen to 6.5 billion people – two-thirds of humanity. Sustainable development cannot be achieved without significantly transforming the way we build and manage our urban spaces.

The rapid growth of cities in the developing world, coupled with increasing rural to urban migration, has led to a boom in mega-cities. In 1990, there were ten mega-cities with 10 million inhabitants or more. In 2014, there are 28 mega-cities, home to a total 453 million people.

Extreme poverty is often concentrated in urban spaces, and national and city governments struggle to accommodate the rising population in these areas. Making cities safe and sustainable means ensuring access to safe and affordable housing, and upgrading slum settlements. It also involves investment in public transport, creating green public spaces, and improving urban planning and management in a way that is both participatory and inclusive.

Sustainable city life is one of 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development. An integrated approach is crucial for progress across the multiple goals.

Youth for Sustainable Development Goal-10 : Reduced inequalities

Reduce inequality within and among countries

It is well documented that income inequality is on the rise, with the richest 10 percent earning up to 40 percent of total global income. The poorest 10 percent earn only between 2 and 7 percent of total global income. In developing countries, inequality has increased by 11 percent if we take into account the growth of population.

These widening disparities are a call for action that require the adoption of sound policies to empower the bottom percentile of income earners and promote economic inclusion of all regardless of sex, race or ethnicity.

Income inequality is a global problem that requires global solutions. This involves improving the regulation and monitoring of financial markets and institutions, encouraging development assistance and foreign direct investment to regions where the need is greatest. Facilitating the safe migration and mobility of people is also key to bridging the widening divide.

Reducing inequalities is one of 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development. An integrated approach is crucial for progress across the multiple goals.