Ahmedabad Law Garden – A Glimpse of Real Gujarat

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June 24, 2013

Author – Hemal Mehta

Law Garden Ahmedabad — Colourful streets of Law Garden in Ahmedabad

Street shopping is as famous as street food in India. However, while shopping at Fashion Street in Mumbai or on Commercial Street in Bangalore, you will realise that most Indian street markets sell affordable fashion imported from China or Thailand these days! Fortunately, street shopping at the Law Garden in Ahmedabad (or Amdavad as the locals call it) is a rare exotic experience.

There are many factors that differentiate this market from other markets in India. For starters, this colourful shopping street is a night market. Not a common sight in India unless you are in Goa! Since Ahmedabad is predominately a hot city with dry weather, a night market suits the city and its residents. Like other night markets that are illuminated with tube lights, this market too comes to bloom in the evening with some additional help from oil lamps! It is a dynamic makeshift market with no permanent shops.

Law Garden belts — Vividly Coloured Cowrie Shell Belts

If you visit Law Garden in the morning, you won’t even find any trace of the night market! By day, this area is famous for a law college and a garden aptly named after it – Law Garden! Later in the evening, the garden closes down and the wall adjacent to the garden transforms into a bustling market. It is believed that some affluent families had settled down in this area few decades back and the land around the garden was barely used at that point of time. Utilising this opportunity, hawkers from other areas packed their bags and moved in here to set up their temporary shops!

History aside, the most prominent differentiating factor that sets apart the Law Garden market is its sole focus on selling traditional handicrafts made by artisans such as weavers and quilters from Gujarat. No, this isn’t a market just for tourists visiting the city! It is a handicraft hub to which even the locals throng regularly to pick up unique pieces of traditional items.

If you love fashion then the Law Garden market allows you to explore the rich ethnic fashion sensibilities of the Gujarati community. Apart from the embroidered wall hangings, costume jewellery, the main highlight obviously is the Ghagra Choli that is worn during the Navaratri dance festival. For the uninformed, here’s a simple explanation – The Ghagra is a flirty long skirt and the Choli is a short blouse to go with it.

Law Garden table tops — Quilted Table Tops

Owing to the creative abilities of the Gujarati artisans, each pair of Ghagra and Choli sold here is a bespoke work of art. Although certain design elements such as Rabari designs, applique embroidery, the use of flower and animal motifs, mirror work and tie and dye prints do prevail over others, the ultimate garment is unique in its own respect and it is hard to find two pairs that are an exact replica. If you love a particular piece of Ghagra Choli, we suggest you pick it right away. Chances are that you may not find it at any other shop in the market!

If bling and accessories is more of your thing, then the Law Garden has a diverse range of pieces made from semi-precious metals on display. From small studs, to drop earrings to complete sets with neckpieces, matching earrings and bangles, you will find almost any design to compliment your look. My personal favourite accessory is the unique waist belt made from seashells and mirror work.

Law Garden chaniya choli — Intricate work on Chaniya Choli

If you are a guy with zero interest in women’s shopping, then head towards the stalls that allow you to take home an essence of Gujarat in the form of bedspreads, cushion covers, bags and tabletops. Intricate embroidery in bright colours forming myriad patterns such as peacocks, lotuses and fishes is sure to brighten up any room in your home!

They say you can’t put a price on art and everything in this market is sold as art! Therefore, don’t be shocked when you hear the ridiculously high prices. A Gujarati businessman will put in his best efforts to maximise profits, while the Gujarati womenfolk will put their best efforts in bargaining to get a good deal. If you are not good at bargaining, we suggest you take some help from the local aunties shopping there. Bargaining is a talent they definitely flaunt a lot at this market!

When you visit this market, you literally breathe in the Gujarati culture, which is vibrant, artistic and rooted in tradition! Next time when you visit Ahmedabad, make sure you do not miss the Law Garden!

Text & Pics – Hemal Mehta

Factfile –
wiki/Law_garden
http://www.tripadvisor.in
www.lonelyplanet.com/

‘Warp and Weft’ – Weaving a Rustic Tale

By

Levine Lawrence

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June 21, 2013

13

It was in December 1999 when I first met an enthusiastic journalist in Bangalore named Vinay Jalla. I was working in a dot com as a photo-journalist focusing on travel and culture features, while Vinay handled the sports desk as well covered interviews of leading personalities in city. That he is well-read person was quite clear to everyone who dealt with him. There is a saying, “Every journalist has a novel inside him”. That dictum fitted aptly with Vinay!

Being an ardent fan of great Indian novelist R K Narayan, he used to quote characters and instances from the author’s books. Listening to his everyday travails which he presented in a comical manner, we had nicknamed him “Malgudi Chaami”! I remember the day the renowned author died, Vinay wanted to rush to Chennai to pay his last respect. However, we consoled him saying that the cremation would already be done by the time he reaches there. Soon after I left the company during the dot com bust days, and I got to know that Vinay had left for the UK. Recently, after a decade, I contacted him when I got to know that Vinay had published a novel, ‘Warp and Weft’.

When I read Vinay Jalla’s debut novel ‘Warp and Weft’, I could clearly feel the influence of his guru, R K Narayan. The story is set in a fictitious village called Zarivaram in Andhra Pradesh. Set in pre-Independence India, the story translates the rich South Indian culture, customs and traditions of that period in a lively manner. The novel delves into the intrinsic art of weaving handloom saris and about the lives of people connected to it.

Handloom weavers in Andhra | Courtesy: Ujjal Dey

Zarivaram reminded me of a small town I lived near Chitradurga district on the borders of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The characters found in Zarivaram are reminiscent of the people I have met. Narayana, the poor protagonist, drunkard Venkataiah, wretched housewives Nagalamma and Gowramma, Konda Kothi the toddy tapper, Kallu Thalli the toddy goddess, Ram Das the village zamindar all have the rustic earthy charm to them! When I asked Vinay how did he come about writing such a novel, he narrated the travails.

“I started writing ‘Warp and Weft’ way back in 2001. Thanks to my grandmother who gave me sufficient material through her anecdotes about her life in the village of Dharmavaram, I concocted a fictitious landscape in my mind and wrote the novel. Even as a child I was fascinated to listen to my grandma’s wonderful tales and bedtime stories. Her stories instilled moral values and have shaped my point of view in life.

Being an ardent fan of the R K Narayan and his Malgudi, I decided to set my novel in a fictitious place. Inspired by Vikram Seth’s “A Suitable Boy” (one of the longest novels ever published in the English language), I aspired to write a long novel. To concentrate on writing the novel, I made a dubious decision and quit my job as a journalist working for a popular web portal in Bangalore.

I would sit in the city’s Central Library and write about 1,000 words a day on one-sided sheets of paper. Writing a novel can sometimes become a lonely experience – it’s just the writer and his characters for company. Some days I would saunter across to the nearby British Library for a change of scene or sit on the grass in Cubbon Park and write, while the pigeons flew around cheerfully.

After seven long months I managed to pen about 250,000 words but had to chop more than half of it as I felt I was wandering beyond the scope of the central character – Narayana. After editing and proofing, I was left with 100,000 words. Now that I had completed writing my novel, I was really confident that it would get published by a big publisher. And no, I wasn’t thinking about a million-dollar advance. Instead, I used up all my savings to fly to the UK to get the novel published!

I came to the UK in the cold winter of 2001. My novel received an even colder reception – it was widely ignored by publishers. After endless rejections and divorcing a couple of literary agents on the way, I decided to approach Amazon last year to self-publish my book. Thankfully the novel is out now for everyone to read about an unwritten region of India”.

Buy Warp and Weft from Flipkart.com

Factfile –
http://vinayjalla.wordpress.com
http://articles.timesofindia.com

Cutting Chai And Vada Pav

By

Caleidoscope

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June 17, 2013

0

Image by Uday Disley Via Flickr

There is nothing that can be said about Mumbai that hasn’t been discussed before. There is nothing new that I can say except put my overwhelmingly strong feelings that I have for this city into simple words. Trash-strewn streets, muck, dabbawalas, slums and potholes are what people see when they come to Mumbai. The city has been rubbished almost as much as it has been praised. But as far as I am concerned, I see resilience, straight forwardness, a survival instinct in every Mumbaikar. Although I was born in Mumbai and spent a considerable part of my childhood here, I did shift out of Mumbai for a few years.

Image by Vimal Parmar Via Flickr

It is so easy to lose yourself in Mumbai- what with the maddening pace of life and all that it comes with. But what will genuinely help a newcomer are just a few moments of solitude every day. Movies, Monsoon and Masalaa are in abundance everywhere..Even artists find their outlet one way or another ..and if not, there is no scarcity of inspiring art pieces found painted on the walls of the street! The monsoon takes some getting used to- I agree; but Nothing can be more wonderful once you learn how to overlook all the expensive shows being rendered useless..

Image By Unlisted Sightings Via Flickr

Another incident that I recall was during the deluge of 2005. I was in school when the Principal announced that all the remaining classes were cancelled and we were to go home. I lived 5 minutes from school and had no problem reaching home in spite of the incessant rain. But for a lot of my classmates, travelling back home was a daunting 2 hour journey with rain lashing down against the bus window. Our principal arranged for sleeping bags and stayed back with the students all night- serving maggi and playing games all night long. Back home, it dawned on me, that the situation was

Image by GSZ Via Flickr

grave. The ground and first floor of the building I lived in was COMPLETELY submerged in water. People were running around, trying to salvage as many valuables as they could before water entered their house and rendered them useless. No one was spared the wrath of the monsoons. People were forced to walk hours to reach home from their workplaces because there was no means of transportation. But as people walked diligently, there were residents, who came out of their flooded homes, just to offer hot chai and parle-g biscuits to complete strangers in an attempt to make their arduous journey back home a little bit easier.

Image by Premshree Pillai Via Flickr

And of course, the sea. I cannot think of Mumbai without thinking of its lifeline. The never ending vastness that is the Arabian sea is the glue that holds it all together attracting to itself a multitude of admirers. Nothing makes me happier than curling up against my window with the rain lashing down against it with a piping cup of tea and a good Jane Austen novel to give me company. Life is beautiful. Mumbai is, and always will be my favorite place in the world. The place I call home.

Text: Swati Ramakrishnan
Also Read-
Sizzle with Misal Pav | Memorable Mahim | Queen’s Necklace

Voluntourism – Renewing Travel Experiences

By

Aditi Patnaik

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June 11, 2013

5

Travel constantly creates opportunities to meet new people: while on the move, at restaurants and even generally while engaged in common activities such as trekking. This is more incidental than by design. Travelling with a purpose of meeting fellow travellers and more importantly the native residents of a country and getting to know their lives, has emerged as an exciting prospect. One easy way that people across the world have done it is through volunteering while on tour. This is what we know today as “Voluntourism” or “Volunteer Tourism”.

Wikipedia throws some light about Voluntourism and its origins. Way back in 1958, people from Europe would travel for supporting short-term community development projects in Asia or Africa, which wasn’t much of a vacation in the traditional sense. However, that scenario has changed over the years, and now people are more open to taking a vacation to work for a cause. This could range from low-skilled jobs such as building community projects, organic farming teaching, etc to providing highly skilled expertise in specific areas such as web design, architecture, etc.

Being a regular traveller, I was eager to explore opportunities in Voluntourism and gain some experience. There is a gamut of Voluntourism options available today, but I was keen on exploring opportunities where the traveller is not required to pay. One such prospect was WWOOF – World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, which is a global non-profit organization that connects volunteers to hosts of organic farms. The model is to encourage interested travellers to work voluntarily on organic farms in exchange of lodging and basic meals.

WWOOF – the leader in Voluntourism

WWOOF provides an excellent platform for volunteers to learn about organic food and a farmer’s way of life. It also helps volunteers understand an ecologically sound way of living. I spoke with Harish Tiwary, who is a champion of organic farming and also the coordinator for WWOOF in India. Harish has an illustrious career in organic farming being an agricultural microbiologist with significant research specifically in composting.

Harish established WWOOF in 2007 with a network of 14 organic farms as hosts, which has today grown to 172 farms across 16 states in India. Harish also provides consulting to people helping them set up organic farms and thus, has brought many into the fold of WWOOF. These farms grow a host of organic produce and are ideally located across the Indian countryside. While most of the WWOOF host farms are located in rural areas, a few of them such as the Sukrushi Farm outside Bangalore are located near major cities as well.

The peak season for WWOOFing in India is between September and February, when on an average 1,200 people come to volunteer in India. The other half of the year is lean with just about 250-300 people volunteering. Less than 10% of the volunteers are Indian and most participation happens from European countries. Further, about 70% of the volunteers are single women, 20% single men and the rest are couples. The volunteering process is simple: you register on the WWOOF website for a nominal fee of $25 for a year and you are given a list of farming hosts across the country, whom you can reach out to and make a worthy vacation.

Various options for Voluntourism

If getting your hands dirty in a farm isn’t your thing, there are still a variety of options. The Alternative provides a comprehensive list of 40 places to volunteer in India. I spoke with Sudakshmina Mandal who had volunteered to work with SECMOL – The Students Educational & Cultural Movement Of Ladakh. It was founded in 1988 by a group of Ladakhis to help reform the education system in the northern-most part of India.

SECMOL welcomes volunteers for various activities such as teaching, gardening and even ice-skating! But a major reason to invite volunteers is also to interact with the students who need help in improving their English and to facilitate cultural exchange as well. The system is quite open and flexible, enabling volunteers to join in at any level of engagement that they find comfortable. If you are planning to visit Ladakh, check out this Ladakh Tour Packages.

Hearing about these experiences, I feel that Voluntourism is a great way to meet the local people and interact at a very different level, given that you’re practically living with them. As Sudakshmina puts it “The most amazing thing was the visible changes that could be perceived in the kids even in the short time that I was there. I hope to go back again sometime.” I know she will, and I will as well.

Top 10 Places for Voluntouring in India

Factfile –
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://www.wwoofindia.org
http://www.secmol.org
http://www.huffingtonpost.com
http://thealternative.in

Nualgi – a saviour for sewage water?

By

Priyadharshini

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June 6, 2013

1

The issue of waste management in India is a much debated topic which needs no introduction. Large space is dedicated in the media every day to highlight the problems of urban waste. Particularly, pollution of water bodies due to sewage dumping has rendered all the rivers and lakes in urban areas unusable.

The problem is obvious to everyone who has lived in a city in India. While the debate on cleaning our rivers and lakes goes on, there are a very few people coming up with solutions. However, most of these solutions are either exorbitant or too tedious to implement. Thankfully, some interesting ideas have emerged that are not only cost effective, but also provide sustainable solutions.

Nualgi - Water Hyacinth on Lake — Water Hyacinth spreading on lakes

Nualgi Nano Silica is one such technology developed by Indian innovators to feed diatoms. Diatoms are a type of single cell algae (phytoplankton), which live in all types of natural water bodies. Diatoms use sunlight to produce food through photosynthesis and they become food for other zooplanktons, which in turn are food for fishes. When this cycle is completed, the oxygen level in the water rises and the water body becomes healthy for all living beings.

Realising their value, T Sampath Kumar experimented with diatoms when he started a shrimp hatchery in Mahabalipuram way back in 1994. He grew diatoms in the hatchery in the conventional way using Sodium Silicate and f/2 media. Later, he decided to experiment with Nano Silica as an alternative to Sodium Silicate and then developed a solution to load all the micro nutrients on to Nano Silica.

There have been other technologies innovated in the West to treat sewage water such as BioWish, which introduce a type of bacteria into water. Speaking about the main difference, Bhaskar M V, from Kadambari Consultants said, “Unlike BioWish, Nualgi is like a regular farm fertilizer that causes the native diatom algae present in water to grow. Nualgi Nano Silica is in a powder form which is dissolved in fresh water before mixing with contaminated water. The oxygen from Diatoms causes the native bacteria to grow.”

Nualgi - Lake fisherman — Fishermen struggling to find fish

However, Bhaskar clarified that Nualgi mainly treats domestic sewage and not industrial effluents. Industrial effluents contain chemicals that do not allow diatoms to grow and they also do not have nitrogen and phosphate nutrients that are required for diatoms to grow. Sewage is undigested food, so it contains all the nutrients needed.

The first application of Nualgi on sewage water happened in 2006, when it was used for treating Madivala Lake, a large lake in Bangalore. Being in the heart of a major residential area, Madivala Lake receives domestic sewage, which significantly reduced the oxygen content thereby affecting the aquatic life. In 2006, Madivala Lake encountered a drastic situation, which led to mass fish death.

Nualgi - Microscopic Diatoms | Courtesy: WISC.edu — Microscopic Diatoms | Courtesy: WISC.edu

To solve this problem, local fishermen added Nualgi powder in the lake to solve the problem of fish death in the sewage laden lakes. The powder was used once in 15-20 days or whenever they experienced lower fish harvest. Typically, 1 litre of Nualgi mix is needed for 2 million litres of sewage or 1 litre for 1 hectare sized water body. Apart from preventing algal growth, Nualgi inhibits growth of water hyacinth as well.

Beyond large water bodies, Bhaskar M V feels Nualgi can also be used for treating sewage water from a residential apartment complex as well. Typically, sewage from a complex of 50 houses would be about 25,000 litres per day (100 litres per person). If there is space for open water storage, the sewage can directed to a katcha pond with plastic sheet lining, and without any special construction. The pond/tank can be covered with transparent acrylic sheets for aesthetics and safety. The treated water can be used for gardening, car washing, toilet flushing and other purposes.

Factfile –

http://www.treehugger.com
http://www.cseindia.org
www.nualgi.com
http://www.news.wisc.edu

Vote for Best Eco-friendly Ideas from India

By

Caleidoscope

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June 4, 2013

2

Hi Folks,

Our Caleidoscope Eco-ideaz Contest has reached the culminating stage now. We have received nominations from all across for the best eco-friendly innovative idea seen in India. Now, we seek your vote for the best idea among these innovations. The primary criteria will be the eco-friendliness of the idea and its commercial feasibility. If your idea is not in this list, you can add a new idea along with its photograph searched online. A participant can only choose two ideas. They can also promote their idea among their friends and get more votes. Just write a comment to vote for the idea.

The last date for your vote is 7th of June!

Biological control by Mexican beetle		Canal-top solar power plant		Low Smoke Chulha
	Green tree canopy		Organic milk dairy
Recycled Tetrapak furniture		Microfinance for solar lamps		Roads built with waste plastic
	Eco-friendly sandals		Banana-fibre paper
Terracotta power-free fridge		Power from rice husk		Eco-friendly bio toilet
	Alternative to plastic bags		Eco-friendly Holi colors
Nualgi – a saviour for sewage water?		Global eco-commune		Manual Milking Machine

The issue is Still Smoking!

By

Levine Lawrence

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May 31, 2013

0

Smoking in public places is a highly contentious issue today. It’s been nearly five years since the Indian government banned smoking in public places in its effort to reduce tobacco use. In 2008, the then Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss took up this drastic step despite being aware that enforcement is difficult in India. Overnight, Ramadoss became a hero for NGOs and government research bodies that were fighting for a ban on tobacco consumption due to huge economic costs and the loss of human lives. But for individual smokers and the hospitality industry, he was a villain who curtailed individual rights!

still Smoking - Pictorial warning by WHO — Pictorial warning by WHO

Smoking of cigarettes in public places, advertising cigarettes in media, sale of cigarettes near educational institutions were all banned. However, beedies which account for nearly 48% of Indian tobacco consumption have not seen any curtailment whatsoever. Similarly, gutkha and chewing tobacco have flourished without any ban despite being threats to addicts. Selling gutkha sachets to minors is commonplace across India, who seem oblivious of the serious health effects. Chewing tobacco and gutkha contribute to 90% of oral cancer cases in the country, with 75,000-80,000 cases reports every year. I have a personal experience with two of my college classmates dying of cancer due to smoking and gutkha addiction before the age of 30!

We Indians excel in doing anything illegal; the more unlawful it is, the more thrill we get out of it. Check out the list –

Urinating in public (yes, it is illegal in some states!)
Riding a bike without a helmet
Jumping the queue in public places
Child labour in restaurants
Running a food joint without license

Now smoking in public places has joined the list of prohibited acts. Yes, fewer numbers of my colleagues are joining the smoking bandwagon due to the prohibition at office premises. I really pity those addicted colleagues of mine who have to go way out of the premises to enjoy their daily puff. While it is nice to have clearer air in restaurants, railway stations and offices, it is highly discriminatory to push smokers into dark alleys. Ban on smoking in bars and pubs is the height of stupidity. While we condone one type of substance abuse, the other type is banned!

Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to mankind! Obviously, quitting nicotine addiction is a tough task due to the severe withdrawal symptoms, which are similar to any other drug abuse. Can’t believe that nicotine is as addictive as other psychotropic substances… check this scientific study – Addictive Properties of Popular Drugs

According to smoking addiction therapist Suresh Shottam, a ban on smoking does not help smokers who are already addicted or those young ones who are falling prey to it. Bangalore-based Shottam practices a cognitive therapy named Allen Carr’s EASYWAY to help people quit smoking. He was a smoker himself for 20 years when he got to know about Allen Carr’s therapy. Once he quit smoking and has not craved for it ever since.

Willpower not needed!

Talking about de-addiction, Shottam makes a shocking statement – “You don’t need willpower to quit smoking!” He says, “To begin with, using the word ‘quitting’ or ‘giving up’ is wrong. You are not a quitter when you stop your dependence on something! It takes no willpower to stop doing something that an individual has no desire to do, which is the realisation smokers come to once their fear about stopping have been removed”.

Family and friends of smokers need to help by refraining from nagging them and allowing them to take their own time to decide. Smokers should set a particular date to stop and carry on smoking as usual until then. They should not try to reduce their amount beforehand, because that just makes cigarettes seem more precious rather than less precious! Once they quit, they should never be fooled into thinking just one cigarette is OK. Similarly, they should not substitute cigarettes with nicotine strips, chocolate, coffee or anything else. That creates a feeling of deprivation.

I wonder why our beloved government, which worries so much about ban and its implementation, never bothers about treating the addiction. When was last time we saw a government de-addiction campaign? This World No Tobacco Day, let’s take a vow to help smokers to stop rather than admonish them.

Eco-friendly Ideas from India – part 3

By

Levine Lawrence

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May 27, 2013

1

Great Green Ideas are emerging from India that can be replicated across the country. Sustainable development is no more a buzz word among policy makers and activists; it is the underlying theme of every new jugaad innovated in the rural parts of the country. Here are some additions to the growing list of simple yet innovative ideas that are not only eco-friendly, but also are economical. This is in continuation of our Eco-friendly Ideas from India series published earlier:

Idea – Canal-top solar power

Canal top solar power plant in Gujarat

Problem – Solar power is abundantly available across India, but tapping this energy for power is a difficult task. Apart from the high cost of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, availability of land is another issue. While many people suggest that vast stretches of barren land can be utilised, connecting the harnessed power to the electric grid is difficult. Meanwhile there is another problem of water evaporation in ponds and canals during summer.

Solution – Building a solar PV power plant on top of a water body not only would prevent evaporation, but also would utilise the land in the best possible manner. The Gujarat State Government took the lead in creating such a novel project on the Sanand branch canal near Chandrasan village of Mehsana district. US-based Sun Edison built the 1 MW solar power plant at a cost of Rs.17.5 crore for the Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Ltd. Set up over a 750 meter-long stretch of the canal, the plant generates 16 lakh units of electricity and prevents evaporation of 90 lakh litres of water from the canal per annum.

Details –
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

Idea – Biological control of weeds

Mexican beetle – Zygogramma bicolorata

Problem – Controlling weed plant growth is an onerous task for farmers, but some invasive species such as Parthenium, Eupatorium, Lantana and others have become unmanageable. Particularly, Parthenium hysterophorus has prolifically spread across the country after its accidental entry into India through food aid sent during late 1950s. Manually plucking out these weeds is not feasible since they drop thousands of seeds which germinate soon. Chemical spraying is a not considered due to high costs and toxicity.

Solution – Biological control of weeds has emerged as a sustainable idea that eliminates weeds without harming other plants. Since Parthenium came from Central America, a type of Mexican beetle known as Zygogramma bicolorata was introduced in India. These Mexican beetles wither the plant by steadily devouring its leaves. However, the initial release of was not successful in controlling Parthenium due to its perennial growth throughout the year. Several augmentative releases were required to build up the insect population in sufficient numbers. Eventually, along with the propagation of another plant Cassia sericea, the Parthenium menace has been drastically reduced.

Details –
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261219411000482

Idea – Fuel efficient wood stove

Low Smoke Chulha by Philips

Problem – For millions of low-income people in rural India, firewood is still the primary fuel for cooking. Their stove (chulha) is a pile of stones heated by burning wood or cow-dung in their kitchens. However, this inefficient stove consumes a lot of fuel and emits thick smoke and soot. The smoke may cause acute respiratory diseases and eye infections. While these stoves are built under a chimney to ensure that the smoke rises naturally, much heat is lost due to inefficient design.

Solution – The Philanthropy by Design, a unit of multinational company, Philips joined hands with the Appropriate Rural Technology Institute to create a stove that does not pollute. Developed by combining creative skills with local insights, the Low Smoke Chulha drastically reduces smoke and increases fuel efficiency. The Chulha is a simple, modular concrete-block cooking stove covered in brown clay. It features two potholes: one for circulating hot air for steamed foods, and the other for heating flat pans. The Chulha’s chimney fitted with a special filtering device made of slotted clay tablets to trap toxic soot particles. This innovation is an upgrade on the ASTRA fuel efficient wood stoves developed by Indian Institute of Science way back in 1980s.

Details –
http://www.design.philips.com

Idea – Natural green canopy pandal

‘Green Pandal Khan’ of Mysore

Problem – During the blazing heat of summer, we realise the value of tree shade. Tree cover in urban areas is so minimal that we experience heat pockets in congested locations with a drastic rise in temperature. A tree-lined avenue not only brings down the temperature, but also provides shelter for birds. However, the shade given by trees is not uniform, which forces us to erect a canopy for proper shade.

Solution – Hyder Ali Khan, alias ‘Green Pandal Khan’ of Mysore has innovated a tree weaving technique, which creates a pandal (canopy) of leaves to provide uniform shade across a large open space. He plants saplings at regular intervals and grows them straight to around 8-10 feet, while trimming the unwanted branches. Once they attain a certain height, he bends and intertwines the branches of one tree to another to create a vineyard kind of canopy. He first implemented his idea at the Idgah Maidan in Mysore, where he planted around 300 Honge (Pongamia) saplings and nurtured them for 12 years to create a lush green canopy of 1,000-feet length and 350-feet breadth. Hyder Ali Khan has now implemented his green canopy idea across various temples and schools using Honge and Singapore Cherry trees.

Top Offbeat Destinations in South India to Plan Your Next Trip

By

Caleidoscope

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May 23, 2013

2

It is obvious that all the well known travel destinations will be packed with crowds during this holiday season. Increasingly, regular travellers are seeking those tourist locations that are off-the-beaten-track. Far away from the travel spotlight, these destinations are beyond touristy trappings and away from the cacophony that surrounds popular tourist spots. These are the Top Five Offbeat Destinations in South India suggested by HolidayIQ.com travellers.

1. Honnemardu

Peace, tranquility, a stunning landscape and a beautiful reservoir to give you company; Honnemardu (Honnemaradu) is a gem that you must discover this summer. A birdwatcher’s paradise, this quaint village is located on the banks of the Linganamakki Reservoir built on River Sharavathi. A small island in the middle of the reservoir attracts a few adventure tourists occasionally. Located between the renowned Jog Falls and Shimoga city, Honnemardu is a great place to camp overnight. Says HolidayIQ.com traveller Renukaprasad, “Watch birds you have never seen before and enjoy the untouched beauty of the place. However, it is advisable to connect with a guide to help you explore the place. Camping overnight is exciting to say the least!”

How to reach Honnemardu
Honnemardu is 375 km away from Bangalore. The village does not have a railway station; however, the closest railway station is in Shimoga, close to 90 km away. Tourists can hire a cab from Shimoga to reach Honnemardu.

2. Shivgiri

Scenic Shivgiri landscape captured by Karthamada Poovaiah Bopaiah

Shivgiri is your chance to reconnect with nature. Nestled in the dense forests of the Hoggarekangri Hills (part of the coffee country in Karnataka), Shivgiri is ideal for camping out in the wild or just experiencing the ‘simple life’. HolidayIQ.com traveller Karthamada Poovaiah shares his experience in Shivgiri and says, “There is so much to do — gazing at the stars in the clear sky, bird watching, trekking, fishing and most importantly, exploring the many temples dating back to more than 800 years!” Tourists can also explore Yemmedoddi, a small village of located next to Lake Madagadakere. It is believed that the water of this lake is filled with magic rain.

How to reach Shivgiri
Shivgiri is located around 200 km from Bangalore. Take the bypass on NH47 at Tumkur towards Gubbi and continue towards Birur. From Birur, take the Lingadahalli Road and travel about 10 km. Then, take left turn at an arch towards Hoggarehalli to reach Shivgiri.

3. Malappuram

Murupilangadi beach near Malappuram captured by Khaleel Naha

Here’s your chance to experience one of the finest beaches in South India. Blessed with a rich culture & heritage, this town in Kerala boasts of interesting Muslim folk art forms such as Arabanamuttu, Duffmuttu and Kolkai. It is home to must-visit places like the Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary and Kottakunnu – an old fort believed to be built by the Zamorins of Kozhikode. HolidayIQ.com traveller Khaleel says “Malappuram has the best beaches in Kerala. They are perfect for long drives”. Further, he adds, “if you are a foodie, do try the Thalasseri biryani”.

How to reach Malappuram
Malappuram is 165 km away from Kochi. There are a number of trains that ply between the two destinations. Tourists also have an option to hire a cab from Kochi.

4. Thenmala

Thenmala landscape captured by Prakash Krishnan

India’s first planned eco-tourism project, a visit to Thenmala will help you compensate on your carbon footprint to a large extent! A cultural centre for Malayali music and other art forms, Thenmala has a lot to offer. Spend an evening at the amphitheatre to enjoy local cultural performances, or head to the Deer Rehabilitation Centre to catch a sight of the spotted deer and Sambar, and culminate your trip with a visit to the Sculpture Garden. Beyond these sights, there is a lot more to Thenmala says HolidayIQ.com traveller, Shaiju, “Do visit the adventure zone where you can try out trekking, mountain biking and boating.”
How to reach Thenmala
Shaiju recommends you hit the road from Trivandrum towards -> Kowdiar -> Peroorkada -> Vazhayila -> Azhikode -> Valicode -> Nedumangad -> Pazhakutty -> Anad -> Chullimanoor -> Nanniyode -> Palode -> Irimpupalam -> Madathara and Kulathupuzha to reach Thenmala.

5. Kadmat

Crystal clear waters of Kadmat captured by Sahdev

Crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and a chance to discover rich marine life, Kadmat in Lakshadweep is India’s very own Shangri-La. HolidayIQ.com traveller Arun says, “Move over Maldives and Mauritius, Kadmat, by far, has the best beaches I have ever seen.” It is has all the things you need for a relaxed or adventurous holiday sans touristy trappings – pristine beaches and great sites for scuba diving and snorkeling. Adds Arun, “Do try deep sea fishing. You can enjoy your catch as well since small restaurants here will cook and serve it too.” However, tourists are required to obtain an entry permit from the Lakshadweep Administration for visiting the island.

How to reach Kadmat
Cochin is the preferred gateway to reach Agatti, the most popular of the islands in Lakshadweep. Kadmat is short boat-ride away from Agatti.

Check out Offbeat Travel Destinations in North India

Honnemoredu Image – http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Honnemoredu.jpg

Oxygen Acres – A Few Acres of Freshness…

By

AmbikaNagaraj

-

May 20, 2013

23

‘Eco-friendly’, ‘go green’ ‘being kind to nature’ are words that we hear often. But how many of us are really serious about being considerate towards Mother Nature? While these words and phrases have mostly remained mere buzz words for many, there are a select few among us who are passionate enough to go that extra mile to be really eco-friendly.

Mysore-based Chida Shivanna is one such intensely passionate person who is not only considerate towards the environment, but also made sure he builds a sustainable enterprise as well.

Image courtesy: Oxygen Acres

Being an engineer by profession, he worked at various technology firms in the United States until 2002. However, he always dreamed of creating an organic farm in his home town. This dream eventually was realised in the form of ‘Oxygen Acres’ – a vast green farm that produces organic milk and milk products from pure and hygienically bred cows.

Located in a village called Aregowdana Halli on the outskirts of Mysore, the Oxygen Acres farm has today become well known among people who seek organic food products not just in Mysore, but across the country as well. Talking about the progress and popularity of his farm, Chida Shivanna says, “When we first thought of coming up with a place like this, our idea was only to cater to our family and a few close friends. But with time, the word of mouth spread, and many who heard about our milk products began asking for larger supply and thus our business began witnessing progress.”

Image courtesy: Oxygen Acres

However, Shivanna believes in having a few customers and maintain certain quality standards for the products produced, instead of having too many customers which would make maintenance difficult for him and his employees. He states, “We initially started with 4 cows in the farm and we have 40 cows today. But since a year and a half now, we haven’t bought any more cows since we want to concentrate on maintaining the health and hygiene of our place and the cows. We are happy with what we do.”

What makes Oxygen Acres different?

While there are many organic farms and milk producers across the country, Oxygen Acres stands out due to its immense focus on preserving freshness and hygiene. Shivanna says “Freshness is our key focus. The milk we sell is untouched by human hands. Our cows are milked by milking machines, and the milk is stored and delivered in reusable hygienic food grade containers. Our cows are fed the way our ancestors fed them, and when they become sick, our doctors avoid giving them antibiotics. In case if it is necessary to give antibiotics, the milk of that particular cow is not delivered to our customers or used to make milk products for a duration of 14 days after medication.”

Chida Shivanna oxygen acres

The morning milk is delivered to customers within an hour of milking to ensure freshness. Hence, milk from Oxygen Acres is delivered only to customers in Mysore city, while other value added products such as cheese and paneer are available to people elsewhere. “We do a honest business by providing thick pure milk free of water adulteration and by delivering them in reusable containers, we save a lot of plastic waste too,” says Shivanna.

Oxygen Acres is also known for producing the best quality of cheese products in south Karnataka. The credit for this goes to Shivanna’s effort to pursue courses in cheese making at universities in the US and gaining the technical knowhow.

What’s more, those who wish to see the place can also take a tour around the Oxygen Acres farm. This helps visitors to understand the process of cheese making, get hands-on experience of the process, taste some delicious cheese samples, take a look at the hygienic cowshed and walk around the lush green field and breathe in some fresh air!

Ask the brain behind this beautiful place as to how he feels about establishing a place that’s not just eco-friendly, but is also catering to those who love going organic. Being a modest person, Shivanna simply says, “It’s a good feeling; many of my friends in the US are so happy about what I do and it inspires them to do something similar and go organic.”

Text – Ambika Nagaraj
Pics – Ambika Nagaraj, Oxygen Acres