68. Birds: 1

The perspective of human beings is different from other species around us. 
For example, who would call a stream, mostly carrying drainage water beautiful? Who would say it is essential? 

But it is very essential for the birds. 
See Intermediate Egrets and Indian Pond Herons together here.

Their peaceful coexistence for the use of limited resources is a lesson to all of us.  

67.Desert

One has to visit Desert to find its beauty.
Yes, it is not easy, but it is beautiful.

Here are some images of desert in Barmer district, Rajsthan.

And how do people live here? What is their lifestyle? Housing? Roads? Transport? Agriculture?
Maybe, some other time. 

59. Crab Catching

First I saw their colony.

At glance I could count at least 50.

As the day progressed; they too progressed towards the human residence.

However, only us – the outsiders – were either amused or scared or interested.

First it was Neelesh – a 12^th class student – who caught the crab and threw it.

Second time when another crab appeared (or was it the same?), Yogesh – 10^th class student was around.

Have a closer look.

No, it is not only the expertise of boys. They remember one of their taai (sister, actually one of the elder girls) , who used to catch many crabs and cook for the entire group. Lately she has not been around.

“Ah! That is the reason their number is increasing,” I commented.

“Oh! No! They are not enough to make our one meal,” a spontaneous reply from another 10 year boy.

“Hmm… since these boys are educated by people like us; by next generation this art and skill will completely wither   ….” I was sharing with my colleague.

  “Don’t worry. Will teach our children how to catch crabs”, Yogesh assured me.

58. Development??

Another day.

Another village; another area.

Another scale. 

But the story is the same. 

We never learn. 

We never want to.

People against big dams have valid reasons. 

Small dams are not a problem, we thought. 

But when I visit village Umar Kanchan in Patan block in Satara district (Maharashtra); it is the same story again. 

A small dam, of 2.73 TMC (proposed) with  0.60 TMC present capactiy.

4 villages are completely affected by it; 5 partially; in total 1862 families are affected and need to be rehabilitated. 

The project started in 2000; and 60% of the families are yet to be rehabilitated. Since 2011, villages - LIVING villages - are getting submerged into water.  The crops are destroyed every year and villages get cut off. Protesters are jailed and later have to appear in  court regularly. How can rightful and especially peaceful protest can be a crime? 

Yesterday, National Alliance of People's Movement (NAPM) organized a meeting, in which along with many villages and Andolan volunteers, Medha Patkar addressed the meeting. 

After having experience like Sardar Sarovar Project (popularly known as Narmada Dam), I thought Government has learnt right lessons.
Unfortunately, we have not.
We keep on ruining people's lives in the name of Development!

Is it Development? 

45. Umiam

On the way to Shillong from Guwahati is a scenic water body.

What is it - I ask as usual.

"It is Umiam Lake." comes the answer.

Umiam Lake View 1 Shillong, August 2011

It is so peaceful - to watch it is a god's gift indeed.

Umiam Lake View 2, Shillong, August 2011

I keep on watching it every day. Why is it called Umiam Lake? 

Because, it is the product of a dam built on River Umiam. The dam construction started in 1965 to create first Hydel Power plant in the North East. 

Later I am told that the term Umiam in Khasi language means "Crying River". 

Someone explains that it is not actually 'Crying River' but 'Flood of Tears". 

Why the beautiful waters has such a name?

Because the river used to flood regularly and take many lives each year. 

So, the name is indeed very relevant. 

Umilam Lake View 3, Shillong, August 2011

Is the river still crying because an obstruction is created in her way?

Or because the way human beings are using her? 

Or because she has become an object of consumerism? 

44. Kakching

I was in Kakching for official work.
On the way, I had a seen a beautiful hill.
After the work was completed I asked about the hill and was told that there is a garden on the hill.
We decided to visit the garden.
After visiting the Mahadeva Temple, we walked around.

The view of the valley was very beautiful.

It was peaceful and calm outside and it definitely influenced the state of our mind. We all became calm for a while.

I came across a small temple. The size of the temple was not a surprise but the God(s) in the temple came to me as a great surprise.

Nobody around was able to tell me the story of Crow Worship. I am still searching for it.

On the way, the view of Kakching town was also beautiful.

The visit was something like a dream.
A good dream. 

41. Bramhputra

When I was visiting Guwahati, how could I not visit Brahmputra?
I  have fond memories of this river.
The first glance was from the sky .. say from 10000 feet (or was it 20000 feet?)
It was frightening.

It must have affected lives of so many people. I could  do nothing else but just imagine their peril.

On the way to Kamakhya Temple, when I visited Brahmpurta, I was touched by its calmness. The evening was yet to approach but the atmosphere was peaceful. Some people were crossing the river. They must be doing it regularly - for them it is an everyday journey.

The river might be taking life once in a while, but it also provides livelihood to many.
On the banks, this woman is running some kind of shop.
River to her is life.

Brahmputra continues to flow.
As always. 

39. Destiny

I was in Shivpuri district for work.
The local organizers had made certain arrangements for me.
In the evening one of them apologetically told me that there were certain difficulties in the planned accommodation and whether I was ready to stay at other guest house.
I had no problems.
We reached there in the night around 9.30.
Then I realized at a guest house which was built around a lake.
I woke up early next morning and found this.

I was in Madhav National Park. 

And in the park there is George Castle. 

Reading its history only shows that not only persons but even places have destiny!! 

33, Narmada

My association with Narmada is more emotional than real.
I have been at the banks of this lovely river occasionally and have blissful memories.
So, the other day, when I watched her from distance flowing alone, a little deserted; I could not control the pain and sorrow in my heart.  The sorrow was not only  personal,  but of so many lives that were associated with her.

I am not sure whether Narmada feels the pain. In a way I think she has taken this change as her destiny.
Because after few moments I was blissful again - as I am always with her.

A visit to Sardar Sarovar  was again a mixed feeling.
The history of human civilization is a history of its changing relations with Nature.
Good, bad, or ugly .. whatever we say, it is inevitable.

I realized that Narmada is the same old one, only her outer form has changed, the spirit remains the same.

I know, it is the way we make ourselves accept the reality.

And the state administration has tried to keep the roots intact in some way.

For me, this statue does not at all capture what Narmada means, what she stands for, what she teaches me.
But to different people, Narmada means different things.
So, I accept these emotions and expressions like I accept everything else in life. 

32. Surprise Meeting

I had been to Lucknow.
When I returned, people asked me, "What did you do in Lucknow?"
Well, I had been there for some official work, so I did that work.
They laughed at me.

"What did you see there?" they modified the question.
Of course I saw a lot. I explored an uncrowded road early in the morning - a purposeless walk.
I met some; and that was indeed a surprise meeting.

To begin with, after a long time I enjoyed the rising Sun.

It was so beautiful that I do not have words to express it. How it happens everyday and how it is new everyday!

And then I met Dayal (Magpie Robin) which went on singing without paying any attention to me.

Of course, he was not singing for me .. but that does not mean I undervalue his natural gifts.

And there was another one to surprise me. Grey Hornbill. Initially, I was not sure of the identity of the bird, so had to confirm with my friend Mrunal.

Overall, I suppose I like surprise meetings more than the planned ones. 

16. Subsidy for Mule?

Natadol is a …

Well, by habit I was going to write it is a small village.

But in the hilly area of Almora district in Uttarakhand, a village with 239 households is certainly not a small village.

The road from Almora had many turns and enchanting view. The road seemed good until we approached Natadol, then it changed dramatically.

It is easily about five to six kilometers. The dust makes walking difficult when it rains. On the way, I saw many Apple orchards – so , transport is absolute necessity of this village.

But nothing seems to have been done.

The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) – a prestigious scheme of Government of India – website mentions Natadol as a ‘Location with no approved Work’ – with many more villages. (Go to http://nrega.nic.in/netnrega/home.aspx, select Uttaranchal (is it the right name of the state?), select Almora district, select Lamgara block, in Alerts, click Locations with no approved work.)

I see a man with a Mule. Mule is the common means of transport.

Interestingly, the man has given a name to this Mule. It is Hira – beautiful, isn’t it? I mean the human touch to the relationship was a good aspect to know.

How much a good Mule costs? As much as Rs. 40000/-

No exaggeration.

In remote areas like Almora; Nano is not required, Mule is; Nano is not useful, Mule is!

The government  subsidizes Tata Nano – would it not be a good idea to subsidize cows, bullocks, horses, mules, donkeys too?
Why not? 

13. Urge

Last week I was in Bassi Pathana - a Block Headquarter in Punjab.

I was visiting one office and came across a very beautiful old building. I liked it very much - though I did not know anything about it - its past, its importance- nothing. I don't know anything about architecture and was visiting the place for the first time.

 There is fun in loving the unknown, loving something just for the sake of its existence out there.

While others were exchanging some ideas after the meeting, I sneaked away. I wanted to be with that building alone for few moments.

And at the left side what I saw amazed me more.

Human beings have the habit of making things complicated.
Nature has simple rules - be born, try to live, die when that moment comes.
No pain, no thoughts, no attachments, no dreams.

No past and no future - only the present.
But at the same time don't give up easily.
Show the urge to live... because life in any form and every form is precious. 

12. I Wish ...

They seem to be very creative.

They manage to achieve their goals even when the situation is not conducive, even when the resources are scarce.

They seem to have some rare skills.

They seem to have strong will power.

They seem to have a mind which can see things differently.

They seem to have attitude for change.

Their number seems to be amazingly large. The fraternity seems to have a ‘code of conduct’ – if that can be called a code! But they seem to follow the same rules.

I meet them everywhere.

The more famous the spot, the more dominant presence they have.

I met them in September at the site map of Golkonda fort.

In the same month I met them in the passage that takes tourists from jetty to Vivekananda Rock Memorial at Kanyakumari.

Earlier, in the month of May, I had seen that even a 200 year veteran tree was not spared in Lalbag at Bangalore.

I wish:  they use all their skills, dreams, goals, paths, attitudes for making things better. 

10. Fog

I wanted to start early at 6.30 from Almora.
The driver politely asked me to start little later.
It was early November, so I did not expect fog.
Moreover I like fog so I was looking forward to have it.

Still I accepted his request as I knew driving would be difficult for him.
By the time we started, it was already 8.00 am.
And I met the fog.
From all sides.

It accompanied us for a long time. I was happy with its presence, but was bit worried for the driver.

And the driver said it was not much trouble for him.

So, I relaxed and enjoyed: the loss of direction, the forgotten sense of traveling, the feeling of being lost in the midst of unknown country, the consciousness of being alone..
And still being happy ....

That is how I like it. 

4. Sea at Daman

Last month has been bit crazy .. I mean differently crazy. I had opportunity to visit four coastal places - and all the shores have its special beauty.

Daman I am visiting for the first time. Being ignorant about geography, one afternoon after lunch I could just smell the sea (without knowing the existence of Sea). I am right. We are at a walking distance from the beach.

The sand is blackish ( I have been through red sand experience earlier week) and it seemed to be a fishing hub - to watch this I must come here early in the morning.

Are these some kind of shops?

What are the people doing there at 2.00 in the noon when the Sun is shining? 

Well, I do not know.

Had no time to go and speak to strangers.

And the board creates another image of the Sea - not an 'all time friend' - but one that could turn out to be dangerous without any warning. What are the causes? What is the history?

My questions remain questions.

What is different about this board is - local language is the priority language!

I wonder how do authorities convey this message to people who cannot read? 

3. Moving Sand

Prior to this visit I had traveled from Patna to Chapara number of times.
It was during September 2010, I observed something different.
I had always watched Ganga water flowing and was surprised to see the sudden appearance of the huge amount of sand there. It was as if I did not know the road.

As we moved on, I saw it more closely. There were few small boats and they all seemed to be engaged in some kind of urgent work.

I was still clueless about what was happening. I thought maybe, people are using boats as a means of transport. We kept on moving and through the car window I could capture some more images.

After few more snaps, I realized what it was all about. I am a 'late' learner, by the way.

This is not a Natural Sand Movement.
It is actually Sand Mining.
Whether legal or illegal - I do not know.
What price people pay for such activities, we all can imagine.
But who cares?