Timeless Jewel – Queen’s Necklace Mumbai

March 27, 2011

Author – Rash Writer

From the richest to the poorest, oldest to youngest, everyone identifies with this miracle of Mumbai – the Queen’s Necklace Mumbai. Marine Drive is called the Queen’s Necklace a never miss Mumbai places to visit, because its aerial view at night, owing to all the sparkling lights of the city that never sleeps, gives it the effect of a dazzling jewel.

The places which make up this fabulous jewel are the favourite hangouts for people of all ages and from all walks of life. Nasir Engineer, a student of Jai Hind College, who frequents the Marine Drive due to its proximity to the college, says “Every time lectures get cancelled, or we don’t feel like sitting for a particularly boring lecture, we come here. It’s so much fun!” There are many others who share his sentiment. Nupur Sariya, who works near Chowpatty, says, “During lunch breaks at work, I come here sometimes, even when it’s sunny, especially in the summers. Alternately, I go to Cafe Coffee Day on the opposite side of the road in the evenings at times with friends. Just being near the sea gives a sense of serenity and calmness.”

Image – Jaideep Vaidya

The people who love being close to the sea would anyway enjoy going to the sea front, but ever since the beautification project was undertaken, the Marine Drive area has become even more inviting. An entire promenade has been created, complete with trees along the way. Another positive step taken was evicting all the hawkers from the main beach at Chowpatty. While it’s true that Chowpatty would be incomplete without its Panipuri and Bhelpuriwalas, they sure were a nuisance when they used to spread right across the beach. Now, the Chowpatty beach is much cleaner than it used to be, which is definitely a plus.

And who can forget the ghoda gadiwalas! Magnificent chariot seats atop resplendent (or not so resplendent!) horses, the breeze in your face while the horse’s hoofs go clippety clop! What more could you ask for? Lower rates for the rides, that’s one thing for sure! A ride from Nariman Point to Chowpatty would cost you anywhere between Rs. 250-350! Ask them why do they charge so much, and the owners of the carriages – such as Masoudbhai Tangewale – say that feeding the horse alone costs so much; like you alone are supposed to be paying for that!

Image – Ashwin Kumar

The Queen’s Necklace has become immortal in Indian cinema; right from Ashok Kumar to Akshay Kumar, Chalti ka Naam Gadi to Lagey Raho Munnabhai! Marine Drive was the place which saw the man whom we all know as ‘King Khan’ now, say to his friend, “I will be the king of this city one day”. And, well, the city bears witness to the coming true of this declaration, and probably many more such dreams that we may know nothing of.

However, apart from all the good things, if one looks beyond the twinkling lights, the water of the Arabian Sea is not exactly crystal clear, but for that, nobody but the public is to blame. Mrs. Shirin Mehta, who lives in NCPA Apartments facing the sea at Nariman Point, says, “It’s great to be living here, but, sometimes, when I’m standing at the window, and see people throwing plastic bottles and whole bags of litter into the sea, I get very upset. Once or twice when I was out and saw this happening, I reprimanded the lady who was tossing things in the water, but she just gave me a nasty look and walked away.”

Mrs. Mehta’s complaints, however, are not the lawmakers’ only concern. The authorities also have to secure the coastal areas, so that another 26/11 attack does not take place in Mumbai. After the carnage at the Taj, the Oberoi and the Trident hotels, securing the coastal areas has become the need of the hour.

Apart from the pressing matter of coastal security, there is this issue of the area being a lovers’ point. In this age, where everyone has the fundamental right to freedom, this right is taken literally by some. While the stand of certain political parties or the ‘moral brigade’ tends to be extreme on the issue of couples indulging in public display of affection, some people just take it too far. Sunita, a young girl, who was enjoying some blissful moments with her boyfriend at Chowpatty, said, “As long as couples do not indulge in behaviour that is over the top, I don’t see any harm in couples sitting together. But this concept of the ‘moral police’ is ridiculous. How can you threaten people for holding hands?” asked a bewildered Sunita, and her partner couldn’t agree more.

Thus, the Queen’s Necklace Mumbai (Timeless Jewel of Mumbai ) epitomizes the essence of Mumbai – where, irrespective of joys and sorrows, the poor can enjoy open sky while looking out at the sea, while the rich can relax on a horse carriage.

– Factfile –
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.lonelyplanet.com
http://maharashtra.nic.in

Mesmeric memories of Oxford

Trisha

March 26, 2011

Oxford – a word I had only heard of and read about, I can now speak about from experience. I was fortunate enough to attend an International Summer Program in Creative Writing, at Exeter College in Oxford. Popular English authors gave our writing group great insights and taught us some wonderful nuances of creative writing.

Setting foot on the thriving soil of Oxford was almost like going to a holy place. It was a dream come true for most of us. The world renowned standard of education at ‘The University of Oxford’ is remarkable, and being there among talented students, professors and participants from all over the world was a beautiful learning experience for me. Oxford is just a few hours’ drive from London Heathrow Airport. Eager anticipation, smooth gliding roads and greenery on the countryside, made me forget the time it took to reach my destination.

Once I arrived in Oxford, I was hit by an uncanny feeling of déjà vu! This feeling was probably my imagination playing wonderful tricks with me. I chose to give impetus to the feeling and made myself feel right at home. It simply felt heart-warming to be there!

There are several streets meandering in and out of Oxford, and there are several colleges that form the core of the Oxford University. It felt as though I had walked into the sets of an English period film. I felt like I had been transported by a time machine to an era gone by.

Yet, there was something very modern and refreshing about the streets of Oxford. I stayed at the student residences at Exeter College, where several famous authors such as J R R Tolkien have studied. I heard some people talking about the ghosts of a few dead authors roaming around the corridors of the college, which made my experience even more adventurous. However, I never had the opportunity to meet any such wandering spirit during my stay there!

There is an ethereal and out-worldly atmosphere in the idyllic environs of Oxford; something that takes your soul through a journey inside your own mind and heart. If you wish to spend the rest of your life immersed in books and scholarly pursuits, well, then you must go to Oxford, and being part of the flourishing student community there. The professors and tutors at the University of Oxford are par excellence; and everything here is done in a quite meticulous and flawless manner. Oxford does live up to its name and it always will.

Outside the university grounds, the streets of Oxford are lined with large bookstores like Blackwell and Waterstones, along with art stores, foreign exchange counters, grocery stores, garment shops and boutiques, and everything else that a thriving student community needs. One can also find a few salons, restaurants, cafes, McDonalds, KFC outlets, and cinema halls further down the quaint streets of Oxford.

Apart from participation and studies, I had to eat too! Dinner at Exeter College is served at seven, so us Indians, who are accustomed to late dinners, had to adjust. However, such adjustments happened smoothly for me. I frequented Chinese and Indian restaurants with my friends during my stay there. The food was delicious and not even once did I miss home-cooked food. The Indian restaurants were run by Indians settled in the UK.

There are some beautiful jogging parks and other sight-seeing spots in Oxford. It often rains and the sun is a rarity here, so one must carry umbrellas and raincoats. You can also try the bus rides and boat rides, if there is something other than studies and knowledge you wish to take back home.

You will also hear students rattling off passages from Shakespearean novels and work by other legendary writers, not just within the college premises but also while sitting at cafes, and benches. So, don’t be surprised if you find yourself doing the same too. Literature is a way of life here at Oxford. The beautiful milieu of the University of Oxford is definitely an exquisite sight to behold, and the mesmeric memories I brought back from there are going to stay with me forever.

Text & pics: Trisha B

– Factfile –
http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/lifelong_learning/index.html
http://smartpei.typepad.com/robert_patersons_weblog/2011/02/memories-of-oxford.html
http://www.motherofalltrips.com/2011/02/bangers-at-the-turf-tavern-in-oxford.html

Petrol from Plastic waste?

Priyadharshini

March 20, 2011

Alka Zadgaonkar - Petrol from Plastic waste — Prof. Alka Zadgaonkar

We human beings are literally beginning to choke on our own plastic consumption. Plastic polymers are used in food wrapping, baby bottles, beverage containers, food containers, shopping bags, children’s toys, house appliances, computers, cars, and even in clothing. Plastic is a relatively cheap, durable, and versatile material. Resistant to moisture, chemicals, and decay, it has found many uses and has replaced many materials in existing products!
Being a non-biodegradable substance, Plastic is a major toxic pollutant which pollutes the earth, air and water. It should not be allowed to be dumped in landfills. Burning plastic waste will bring disastrous effects to the environment! Recycling plastic is the most practical solution to get rid of plastic waste, but this too is turning out to be more of a myth!

Current status of plastic recycling

According to a nationwide survey conducted in 2003, more than 10,000 metric tons of plastic waste is generated daily in India, and only 40% of it is recycled. Plastic waste contributes to the solid waste streams by about 8-15% by weight and twice that by volume. The annual post-consumer plastic waste volume reached 3.6 million tons in 2005-06. At these alarming levels of waste generation, India needs to prepare for a lot of recycling. Several processes have been attempted till now; however, each process had its drawbacks and economical and financial limitations for practical implementation.

A large proportion of thin sheeting materials and moulded parts, plastic bags are not collected by rag pickers. These small bags /mouldings are soiled and are difficult to clean and they have no value as recycle feed stocks. This unutilized plastic waste remains uncollected and is littered in garbage dumps, often resulting in choking of municipal sewers and storm water drains.
To recycle plastic, for the first time in the country, Prof. Alka Zadgaonkar and her team in Nagpur have done significant work to dispose waste plastic material and thereby convert it into hydrocarbons.

Zadgaonkars’ Process of Petrol from Plastic waste

All plastics are hydrocarbon polymers containing carbon and hydrogen and few other elements such as chlorine, nitrogen etc. When a long chain of hydrocarbon monomers breaks at certain points, it is known as degradation of polymer. This is the reverse of polymerization and when such a process occurs randomly it is called as ‘Random De-Polymerization’.

In Zadgaonkar’s process petrol from plastic waste, random de-polymerization is carried out in a specially designed reactor without oxygen and in the presence of coal and certain catalytic additive. The maximum reaction temperature is 3500C. Thus, there is total conversion of waste plastic into value added fuel products.

Zadgaonkar-lab

This innovative process involves degradation of waste plastic using proprietory ‘catalytic-additives’ invented by Prof. Alka Zadgaonkar and is different from the generally existing pyrolytic processes. The laboratory scale set-up was developed in batch mode in which specific as well as mixed plastic materials were successfully converted into fuels. The products and by products obtained in the process are liquid hydrocarbons, gas and residual coke.
The products of the process
The fuel oil product is a sulphur free equivalent of industrial crude. It can be readily used in furnaces or put through fractional condensation to obtain finer grades like petrol. The gas obtained is a LPG equivalent, which can run a modified genset to generate electricity. This is now standard practice at a Zadgaonkar plant, which is self sufficient for its power. The final remains are a solid fuel called petroleum coke.
Prof. Alka Zadgaonkar and her husband Umesh Zadgaonkar approached the Indian Oil Corporation for commercial production. But after years of delay, they were frustrated and tried other options. With complete faith in the techno-economical feasibility of her invention, Prof. Alka Zadgaonkar decided to go ahead on her own and approached State Bank of India for financial assistance for creating a commercial plant.
The Zadgaonkar couple are currently running a 5 metric ton plant in Nagpur and their fuel is used for running captive power generators in industrial units in and around Nagpur. This invention surely inspires others to develop simple and economically viable technologies for environment friendly disposal of waste plastic.

Reference:
http://www.indiacar.com/infobank/Plastic_fuel.asp
http://www.goodnewsindia.com/index.php/Magazine/story/alkaz/
The Hindu dated 25/09/03 and Central Pollution Control Board Study, 2003

Know How to Enjoy Hair Growth with the Help of Vitamins

Caleidoscope

March 11, 2011

It would hardly be far from the truth to say that healthy-looking hair is considered by one and all to be a sign of beauty. However, hair growth, just like other parts of your body, need a variety of nutrients. On the other hand, if you have nutritional deficiency, hair loss can be one of the major consequences. While there are other factors responsible for hair loss too, including age, genetics, hormones, etc., optimal nutrient intake can go a long way in boosting hair growth. The following are some of the vitamins that are intrinsically associated with hair growth:

Vitamin A- all cells need vitamin A for growth, and hair is no exception, for it is the fastest growing tissue in the human body. Vitamin A also helps skin glands produce an oily substance called sebum, which moisturizes the scalp and keeps hair healthy. If your diet does not have adequate vitamin A content, it can lead to several problems, including hair loss. The major sources of vitamin A include sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, spinach, kale, milk, eggs, yoghurt, cod liver oil, etc.
B-vitamins- also called biotin, this is one of the best known vitamins for hair growth. However, its deficiency is quite rare, since it occurs naturally in a wide range of foods. It is also interesting to note that B-vitamins help create red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles. These processes are important for hair growth. B-vitamin rich foods include, whole grains, almond, meat, fish, seafood, and dark, leafy greens.
Vitamin C- This is a powerful antioxidant that provides protection against the oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Additionally, your body needs these vitamins for hair to create a protein known as collagen- an important part of hair structure. The best sources of vitamin C are, strawberries, peppers, guavas, and citrus fruits.
Vitamin D- Low levels of vitamin D are usually linked to alopecia, a medical condition that is characterized by sudden hair loss. Researches have also indicated that vitamin D may have a role to play in creating new follicles, the tiny pores in the scalp where new hair can grow. Vitamin D is believed to boost hair production, but most research focuses on vitamin D receptors. Your body produces vitamin D through direct contact with the sun-rays. Good dietary sources of vitamin D include, fatty fish, cod liver oil, some mushrooms, and fortified foods.
Vitamin E- Just like vitamin C, vitamin E is an antioxidant that can prevent oxidative stress. Sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, and avocados are all good sources of these vitamins for hair growth.

Vitamin supplements are also easily available for consumption if you are not getting enough of these in your diet. However, before taking any supplements, it is better to consult with a medical practitioner to determine if you have a deficiency or not, or which vitamins for hair will be most effective for a particular individual.

Eco-friendly Gifts

Levine Lawrence

March 10, 2011

Author – Levine L

Everyday there is talk about how to save the environment, what we individuals can do at home. I was wondering is it possible to bring some glamour to eco-friendly lifestyle… is it possible to find some attractive eco-friendly gifts that will be not only helping the environment, but also be functional and useful…

Shopping in the market nearby got me nowhere! Except for handicrafts, jute bags and khadi clothes, there is not much on offer. However, when I searched online for eco-friendly gifts, I was surprised by the variety of items presented in charming designs. Do not take my word for it; check for yourself and decide whether being eco-friendly is chic or not!

Home décor – would you prefer a recycled vinyl record disk which is shaped into a bowl… made by Designer Jeff Davis, these sturdy bowls have the original label intact and protected with a clear mylar seal.
http://www.treehugger.com

Home décor – Would you like a Potus Pot created by Argentina-based kuku design. It is an eye-catching, handcrafted vase made from a recycled incandescent bulb!

Food freak – are you a person who thinks about eating before eating and after eating… do you wonder what are the types of raw food and eco-friendly menus are on the platter… then check this… the Gliving site is gonna blow your mind and your tummy – http://gliving.com/

Fashion buff – are you eager to impress your intellectual, sophisticated, snooty girlfriend with some fashionable yet ethical gifts… go check out these links-
http://www.guardianecostore.co.uk
http://www.vivaterra.com

Gadget guru – do you desire to enchant your boyfriend with some cool, cutting edge technology which is eco-friendly too… how about a solar panel back pack which can power his laptop while he is trekking in the hills…

http://www.suck.uk.com

Bargain dealer – are you a smart alec who is searching for a cheap deal on the net which not only gives value-for-money but also offers functional designs… then obviously ebay is the place to hunt for LED lamps and water powered digital clock!
http://shop.ebay.com

Sadly, all these gift sites are foreign based, so the goods will carry a huge transport cost!

ಕವಿಶೈಲ, ಕುಪ್ಪಳ್ಳಿ (kavishaila) a panoramic view

nagz

March 9, 2011

Kavishaila is a rock monument made of megalithic rocks and dedicated to Kuvempu. It is on the top of a small hill in Kuppali. Arranged in a circular fashion, the rocks have been placed to resemble the Stonehenge in England. At the centre of this rock monument is the place where Kuvempu was laid to rest after his death and a memorial has been constructed at that location. Near this monument, is a small rock where Kuvempu used to sit and discuss about literature and other topics with his other litterateur friends. A rock containing the etched signatures of Kuvempu, B. M. Srikantaiah and T S Venkannaiah is present near the monument. Poornachandra Tejaswi later engraved his signature on the same rock. The scenery around this place is breathtaking. Granite slabs containing engraved poems and quotes of Kuvempu have been placed near the monument.

kavishaila a panoramic view

kavishaila full view — Click on the image to zoom

Kuvempu Samaadi

Kavimane Kuppalli

kavimane kuppalli

– Factfile –
Wiki Kuppalli

One Amazing Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Trisha

March 3, 2011

One fine day in February, I was enthralled to see Dr. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, an award winning Indian American author. She was at the Starmark (South City Mall) in Kolkata, celebrating and sharing her success with her readers during the launch of her latest books: Shadowland and One Amazing Thing.

Chitra Banerjee is best known for her novels such as The Mistress of Spices, The Palace of Illusions, The Vine of Desire, Sister of My Heart, The Unknown Errors of Our Lives, Arranged Marriage, Black Candle and Queen of Dreams. She has also written books for children namely, The Conch Bearer, Shadowland and Neela: Victory song. Her novel ‘The Mistress of Spices’ was made into a movie starring Aishwarya Rai, and ‘The Vine of Desire’ was turned into a televised serial. She has achieved so much success because there is something sublime, real and poetic about her writing. This review on one of her books ‘Sister of my Heart’ will shed light on the brilliance of her writing.

“Divakaruni’s talent and originality lie in her ability to discern [the] basic emotional motifs beneath the flashy ‘exotica’ of Indian, and American, lifestyles. She finds the real points of departure between the two cultures, and in putting her finger exactly there, activates the universal.” — LA Weekly.

Coming back to the book launch, Debnita Chakrabarty,the English department head at the Shri Shikshayatan College, was in conversation with the author. The atmosphere there was both electric and serene. After Chitra Banerjee read out a few passages from some of her popular novels, she interacted with Debnita and the audience, which included some of her ardent fans from all age groups, including little children, and also her family and friends from Kolkata. The audience asked her if there was any book of hers that she would ever redo. The lovely author said that she loved everything she has written so far, and in fact, whenever she goes back to some of her previous work, she falls back in love with it. I did not expect any other answer from Chitra Banerjee, because her optimism and zest for life are unmatchable, and can be felt in her work, and that is what makes her such a loved author, worldwide.

Chitra Banerjee also told us that ‘One Amazing Thing’ has been written in a minimalistic style which is in contrast to her usual elaborate style of writing. And to me and her fans, it is just as effective and beautiful. She also said that she has come a long way since her college days in Calcutta, because moving to the US in 1976 changed a lot of things for her. She spoke about some of her initial experiences in America, and how she had to work her way up to become the successful author that she is today. That is also why she writes so eloquently about the immigrant experience and the Indian Diaspora, which touches our hearts so evocatively.

The lyrical author also told us that her two sons are her inspiration for Shadowland. She said that there is a bit of myth, magic, and folk tales in the books she has written for children. She believes that research for a writer is very important, as well as creativity and hard work. The Palace of Illusions is her most successful book so far. It is based on the epic ‘Mahabharata’. She revealed that she had read several versions of the Mahabharata and researched various facets of this epic before writing the story from the point of view of ‘Panchaali’ (Draupadi). She wanted to portray the beauty of the epic through the eyes of a strong and feisty woman like Draupadi. Here is how Los Angeles Times has reviewed the book.

“The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is as sprawling and bright a gem as the Hope Diamond – a mythic tale brimming with warriors, magic and treachery (and its brother, deceit)…. Who better to attempt the feat of transforming a centuries-old cultural icon into a personal, modern story than Divakaruni, a professor of English at the University of Houston and author of numerous award-winning works, including the luscious novel The Mistress of Spices and the bestselling Sister of my Heart. Divakaruni’s sentences dazzle; the images she creates are masterful….”

On being asked about Rabindranath Tagore, the exuberant author said that she was lucky to have read his work in Bangla as well as in English, and that he was a great source of inspiration for her. Towards the end of the interaction, she asked the audience if they would like her to write about Ramayana from the point of view of Sita in the future. As expected, everyone in the audience agreed. She also told us that her next creative project was called “Oleander Girl”, which was about the search of a young girl for her American father.

Factfile:
http://www.chitradivakaruni.com/
http://www.chitradivakaruni.com/blog/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitra_Banerjee_Divakaruni

Giving LIFE to Birds in Kaggaladu

Levine Lawrence

February 13, 2011

Kaggaladu bird sanctuary — Birds at kaggaladu

Kaggaladu (Kaggalaadu) is another remote village which is privileged to have storks and pelicans come every year to settle their nests on trees in the village. Heard of rare birds coming to nestle amidst the noise and chaos of a village… where villagers take care of the hatchlings if they fall down from their nests… where children bring fish to feed them… Conventionally migratory birds such cranes, storks, herons, avoid human habitats and are protected by the forest authorities in bird sanctuaries. Similarly, Kaggaladu (Kaggalaadu) is another remote village which is privileged to have storks and pelicans come every year to settle their nests on trees in the village. Located in Tumkur district in south-eastern part of Karnataka state, Kaggaladu is not a notified bird sanctuary protected by the Karnataka Forest Department. Records show that rare migratory birds such as Painted Storks and Grey Herons have been nesting on the tamarind trees inside the village since 1999.

Kaggaladu village is a tiny gram panchayat located about 9 km to the north-west of Sira town on the Sira-Chengavara Main Road. It has approx 200-300 households and one primary school. The village has two lakes on the eastern and western sides. Rain-based food grain cultivation is the major occupation. Tamarind and Indian Banyan are the dominant tree species in the village. It is interesting to note that the birds only choose Tamarind trees to build nests.

Painted Stork, Grey Pelican and White Ibis are major species that arrive in Kaggaladu every winter to nurture their young. Unlike the other village adopted bird sanctuary, Kokrebellur, the Kaggaladu Bird Sanctuary has been a neglected one with limited conservation activities. The earliest efforts were made by Tumkur-based NGO Wildlife Aware Nature Club in early 2000s, who brought it to media spotlight and persuaded the forest dept. to declare it a bird sanctuary and display notice boards. But afterwards there has been no effort to preserve the water bodies and trees for enabling the birds to nest. In fact, the number of migratory birds coming to nest has dwindled every year.

Fortunately, a voluntary organization named LIFE-Bengaluru (Lets Integrate For Environment) has adopted the village and has begun conservation activities. The team happened to do a field visit to Kaggaladu in July 2008 and was surprised to see the lack of awareness among villagers about bird conservation. As the first intervention, LIFE team organized a tree planting activity and planted 50 tamarind trees. However, the lack of interest from villagers about this activity was disappointing.

LIFE NGO Bangalore — Recent conservation efforts at Kaggaladu

Subsequent visits in October 2009 gave a disheartening picture since most of the saplings planted by LIFE were destroyed. Only a few inside the school compound had survived. So the team decided it is better to work in close coordination with the school administration so that awareness levels among children can be built up in turn leading to better conservation of birds. Thankfully the children and teachers of the government primary school in Kaggaladu were enthusiastic about bird conservation, and became eager participants for LIFE-Bengaluru’s activities. The teachers were quite responsive and showed their interest in educational and awareness activities. One issue they highlighted was the lack of sanitation in the village and the need for health education among children and parents.

It was sad to note that only 50-55 birds arrived to nest this year instead of the usual 120-150 birds. Dwindling tree cover, receding water level in nearby lakes and lack of fish are contributing to the birds decline. The villagers’ gradual shift to cultivating paddy is a major concern. Kaggaladu is already a water stressed area so shifting to growing paddy is dangerous. These water intensive fields can run the lakes completely dry in the birds breeding season. Further cause for concern is the extensive use of pesticides and villagers’ attitude of negligence.

Hopefully, the intervention of LIFE-Bengaluru team, the enthusiasm of school children and raising awareness among villagers can be make things better for birds.

– Factfile –
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaggaladu
http://letsintegrateforenvironment.blogspot.com/2009/11/kaggaladu-visit-phase-2-visit-2.html
http://tumkurameen.blogspot.com/2007/04/kaggaladu-home-to-colourful-birds.html

Little What We Have Does Matter

Caleidoscope

February 7, 2011

Everyone have their own share of ups and downs. Most of us are constantly carp that life has bestowed us with the least amount of gains, and I was one such sneering individual. But two years ago, an exceptional day in my life brought about a drastic change in my thought process and from that day onwards, I am a contented person.

It was 19 February 2008, a day which I shall remember for lifetime. I would not be exaggerating if I say that the events of that day clearly spring in my mind even today. I had opportunity to visit some slums in Mumbai. The Wadala and Mahalaxmi slums are inhabited by the poorest of the poor who live in small shacks, deficient of the basic amenities. However, one thing that keeps them going is the happiness that they carry on their faces and total lack of even an iota of snipping.
As I passed through the tapering by-lanes of these slums, there were a group of children who played the perfect guides for my tour. They took me to every house and thrilled me by introducing me as “Pyaari Didi”. May be because I had given them a handful of sweets or possibly they were enjoying my company like I was enjoying theirs. The tale of every house was similar. Space constraints, large number of family members but few earning ones, dearth of primary needs, absence of governmental or NGO help, unhygienic conditions leading to diseases, etc.

I assumed that seeing me they would seek some help or atleast share their tribulations with me. But the men in the family were busy discussing their occupations with me. Some said they sold vegetables and earned their livelihood, while others did carpentry, plumbing and other daily wage activities. The women in the family came across as the shy, soft-spoken and tender individuals of the lot. They told me that they love living in a joint family, eating whatever food they had sitting together, discussing things were the precious moments of their lives.
The most active hosts were the children who had been with me right from the time I had entered the slums. I had almost learnt most of their names. They discussed their school, teachers, picnics and everything else. There was a high comfort level they shared with me and they were almost pouncing on me to grab my attention. Some had even started telling me stories and reciting poems on top of their voices. The phenomenon which astonished me was that I could see the difficulties and hardships they were going through but there was not even the slightest disappointment in their expressions or in their tone of communicating.

I was amidst these people who we consider to be less educated and less civilized than us. But if we give it a thought, it is they who are living their lives to the fullest with whatever little they have. On the other hand, we who have all the luxuries are always frowning with discontent in our faces and distress in our actions. I consider these people to be my true teachers who provided me with their helping hand to comprehend my life. We say this world has become a gloomy place but it is because of you and me who are forever down in the mouth and doleful. The time has come to accept life the way it is and be satisfied with whatever we have.

Text & pic – Siddhi Aras

Odanthurai Powers Ahead with Entrepreneurial Zeal

Priyadharshini

February 6, 2011

Global warming, depleting natural resources, increasing carbon emissions, soil and water pollution; these are some of the issues that have become a major concern for countries across the world. While I was wondering how to change the present world which is filled with pollution & rapid development, I happened to visit a village with a difference rather filled with lush green.

As a part of my renewable energy field trip, I visited a village called Odanthurai Gram Panchayat situated 40 kilometers north of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. In a country where villages are still struggling with inadequate power supply and expect the government to fix the problem, Odanthurai has set an example by producing its own green power for its needs. We met the panchayat president Shanmugam who explained the details about his village’s clean energy sources.

The most notable among Odanthurai’s self-help ventures is the 350-kw wind power generator that it set up in 2006 under the direction of a well functioning gram panchayat. Having witnessed the government help many private companies acquire land in Coimbatore district at subsidized prices for setting up wind power projects, the enterprising Shanmugam thought, “Why not have a wind power project under panchayat ownership? After all a village community is the most legitimate owner of land and wind, the two natural resources that are enough for power generation.”

The economics of green power

Shanmugam worked out the costs; a small wind farm would cost Rs.2.3 crore. Odanthurai could generate Rs 35 lakh as down-payment for a bank loan. With the government support, the panchayat would need a bank loan of Rs 1.15 crore. The gram panchayat liked the proposal and gave its collective seal of approval. This one-of-its-kind proposal took the district administration by surprise. It was hard to imagine a panchayat could aspire to be as entrepreneurial as a private company. The state government sanctioned the project under the Remunerative Enterprises Scheme. Commissioned in 2006, the project became the first ever power project undertaken by a local body in India.

The wind-farm in the Odanthurai generates 7.5 lakh units of electricity in a year. While the panchayat’s need is only 4.5 lakh units, the remaining power is sold to Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, fetching the panchayat an annual income of Rs. 19 lakh. “After repaying the bank loan of Rs. 1.15 crore over seven years, the cost of generating electricity will be virtually zero,” beams Shanmugam.

Odanthurai Panchayat has made inroads in other renewable sources of energy as well. It has installed a 9kW biomass gasifier power generation system to substitute the grid electricity for pumping drinking water supply. The biomass gasifier system saves about 70% of pumping cost when compared to grid electricity (see table). Other renewable energy projects underway are solar street lighting and biogas using human and cattle excrement. The biogas system is connected to each house for cooking purpose, which helps to reduce firewood usage. The panchayat is purchasing waste wood pieces from a saw-mill in the village at low price of Rs. 0.3/kg ($6.7/ton) for the fuel of the gasifier. Low demand for waste wood for cooking purposes might have contributed for very low price. The village has found that total energy planning rather than just electrification can improve the efficiency.

Comparison of operational cost per unit for the power system of Odanthurai Panchayat:

Economics Grid Power Gasifier System

Electricity Rs. 4.5/ kWh Rs.0.45/ kWh

Labour cost Rs.0.45 Rs.0.66

Maintenance cost Rs.0.07 Rs.0.28

Total Rs.5.02 Rs.1.39

Summary of Odanthurai Panchayat Gasifier System:

* Plant capacity – 9kW
* Cost of installation – Rs. 310,000 ($6,700)
* MNES subsidies – Rs. 135,000
* Panchayat contribution – Rs. 175,000
* No. of consumers – 3497 people
* Operation hours – 12 hours
* Tariff structure – Rs. 30 ($0.67) / HH / month
* Fuel efficiency – 1.5kg of wood / kWh
* Cost of fuel – Rs. 0.30 / kg ($6.7/ton) dry wood

1...185186187...195 Page 186 of 195

Caleidoscope | Indian Culture, Heritage

Timeless Jewel – Queen’s Necklace Mumbai

Mesmeric memories of Oxford

Petrol from Plastic waste?

Current status of plastic recycling

Zadgaonkars’ Process of Petrol from Plastic waste

Know How to Enjoy Hair Growth with the Help of Vitamins

Eco-friendly Gifts

ಕವಿಶೈಲ, ಕುಪ್ಪಳ್ಳಿ (kavishaila) a panoramic view

kavishaila a panoramic view

Kuvempu Samaadi

Kavimane Kuppalli

Kavimane Kuppalli

One Amazing Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Giving LIFE to Birds in Kaggaladu

Little What We Have Does Matter

Odanthurai Powers Ahead with Entrepreneurial Zeal

© Caleidoscope - 2025