A day with the less privileged

Today, October 21, 2012 was just another Sunday - except it was my daughter, Aditi's birthday - and that made it very special!

I was planning to make it even more special (for last few weeks at least), and different than earlier birthday celebrations. Finally, hit upon Anatha Shishu Nivasa - a home for less-privileged.

Anatha Shishu Nivasa (http://asn.org.in/) is situated on the busy Bull-temple road, near BMS Engineering College, NR Colony. Started in 1942 by a few philanthrophists in a small way, it has grown to house 75 kids within its fold. It has its own premises, donated by Gov't and has some eminent persons on its governing council. The place is very tidy, with buildings containing 2 dormitory halls, dining, kitchen, store, study and library.

The kids here are either deserted at its premises, abandoned on the roads and referred to by Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Makkala Sahaya Vani (Child helpline). The children are given montessori coaching until 5 years and thereafter admitted to nearby schools (Acharya Pathashala, Mahila Mandali). Upon attaining 16~18 years, the girls are sent to a sister-agency, Abalashrama on DVG Road for training and accomodation, while male students are also encouraged for further studies, vocational training, etc.

They welcome donations in the form of cash or kind; while cash is most welcome, they do have restrictions for donations in kind (processed/prepared foods, chocolates, biscuits, personal feeding, used shoes/socks are not allowed).

It was by then lunch time, at 1 pm; all the kids brought their own washed plates & tumblers and sat on the mats laid down waiting for their turn to be served. Piping hot food, cooked in the kitchen nearby came - Kesari-bath, Rice, Sambar, Curds were served one after the other. The kids relished each item on the menu, with a prayer-song on their smiling lips and a glint in their eyes, without a murmur of dis-satisfaction.

They all sang birthday songs and thanked Aditi for the day's lunch.

We then returned home, with a heavy heart and teary eyes, content that it was time, effort and money well spent.

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A number of questions whized past me as I drove back home -

How many of us have a place of our own called home, with blood relations of various names

How we take life for granted, throw tantrums and get away ony because our loved ones bear

Do any of the kids know they do not have a family? Well, as I remember, they don't seem to care, as they appeared to be happy the way they are - each one of them from a 2 year old to a 16 year old; perhaps happier as they are part of a larger family with so many brothers and sisters, of so many age groups that a traditional family cannot boast of.
Still, they are expected to yearn, to become part of the societal system, a family with a father and a mother and a 'home'; as it may bring security, opportunity and a secure future. Well, it may. Whether it does nor not - I pray that each of the 75 bright kids grows into a fine adult and a responsible citizen.
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About 20 million kids in India are orphans, which is about 4% of the population - of which about 3.7% kids are abandoned by their parents, majority being girls. In 2011 about 6,500 kids were adopted, 5,900 of them found a home within India. That leaves the rest of the children at such orphanages and juvenile homes, trying to find a normal life and chart out a future of self-sufficiency.

Let us give... whatever we have and can.

Love, Time, Opportunity, etc, anything that we can give...  least of all, at least money. We do not know what will be useful to the other.

Elderly and Respected? Think again....

India is perhaps the only country in the world with a Joint Family System. Our Indian culture purports respect and support for elders, especially Parents.

Children in Pre-KG Schools are taught the famous verse from Taittreya Upanishad -

"Mathru Devo Bhava,
Pitru Devo Bhava,
Acharya Devo Bhava,
Atithi Devo Bhava"

This roughly translates to:
"Honour your Mother, Father, Teacher (Guru in the real sense) and Guest as - Gods"

It is no secret that we are all taught to regard Parents as visible God; of them, Mother is regarded as the primary and most important; Of what use is a janma, that doesn't allow to take care of one's Mother / both Parents? that too in their old age?! Haven't they given birth? is it not the child's responsibility to return the favour?

Sathya Sai Baba in one of his morning discourses once said: We do not see these days 'Paapabheethi' or 'Daivapreethi' - fear of sin and love of God - anywhere. With Fear of Sin and Love of God, we must try to lead our lives in a disciplined way. This will give us all happiness. We must respect our parents first. If you respect your parents now, your children will know and will certainly respect their parents - you and your wife."

In this Kali-yuga, there seems to be no scope for punar-janma and hence suffering Prarabdha Karma of previous births; what you sow, you shall reap-within this lifetime itself; so all the hardships that one does unto others will revert in some form of sufferring. God help those persons whose parents are wanting to die, dieing everyday or just living to die!!!! True, medical advancements have enanced life expentancy from 41 years in 1956 to 61 years now; but of what use is it if  50% of them are suffering?

Old age homes are not the solution, how ever posh, irrespective of class or facilities provided. The new age name for such homes, but posh is Retirement Homes, but the purpose served is same. In 1998, about 728 registered old age homes existed of which 124 were in Kerala, the highest in any Indian state; today this number has increased many-fold. There are countless such 'homes' whose inmates haven't seen their sons and daughters in many many years; they just seem to wait for the inevitable moksha, liberation from mortal existence - death... and their progeny doesn't seem to care!

Mother Teresa once said of old-age loneliness:
"The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved"


The urban malaise is of nuclear families ignoring, abusing or not taking care of their Elders; the rural folks have a similar story with different angle - desertion by younger generation who migrate to cities in search of education / jobs not returning or not even communicating their whereabouts; this results in another problem - most of the Elderly in rural areas (about 88%) are involved in farming as their primary source of income. Since the youngsters migrate to towns / cities - the farming sector, which is the backbone of India, is losing its muscle (strength) to raise food crops in order to feed the burgeoning nation! The problem of Farmers' suicide cases is just not only because of crop-failure or inability fo repay debts; it is also due to loneliness, helplessness, and many such nouns. The government is helpless. Ever heard of North India's staple food crop - Wheat - being imported during say, in the 60's? or Rice from foreign countries? Never! While this is not a reality, yet, that day is not far off, given the current trend.

I recently read a report by Ms. Shubha Soneja about the malady of Elderly Abuse in India, written for WHO on behalf of Helpage India. Various reasons were attributed to the abuse - "Economic situation, Lack of space, Lack of Emotional Support, Failing health, Inconvenience to social circles, simple Disrespect, etc" being major. In all the cases studied, Daughters-in-law were sited as the reason for the unfortunate situations - especially mis-using the IPC 498a that deals with Dowry and harassment, as the respondents cannot even seek recourse before being tried.

Sad sate of affairs:
About 22% of India's elderly population (77 milion) are abused in some form; while the leader, Bangalore, is at 44% , other cities do not lag far behind - Hyderabad (38%), Bhopal (30%), Kolkata (23%); Ahmedabad and Chennai were last - around 2 ~ 5%.

In Delhi, another survey revealed that the most prevalent health problems among the elderly related to mental handicap, orthopaedic and ophthalmic problems. Loneliness, no source of income, and unemployment were also found to be widespread among Delhi’s elderly. However, in Kolkata, lack of adjustment, no source of income, non-fulfilment of basic needs, alcoholism/drug addiction and chronic illness were the major problems.

Verbal abuse, including speaking in loud voice, using foul language, name-calling, accusing and blaming topped (88.6%) the kind of abuse faced by the elderly. According to the survey, nationally, the daughter-in-law emerged as the major abuser (63.4%) followed by the son (44%).

Bangalore tops in ‘emotional abuse’ being reported as the worst form of abuse they encounter – 100%!!
There’s rampant physical abuse too. Among those who experienced this, 56.2% complained of beating, and 50% of restricted movements within the house.

Bangalore is also high in economic abuse. Two in three said these came in the form of illegal taking over of their property by their children. The same proportion also spoke of their personal belongings being taken away from them.

And where this abuse comes from? It actually begins at home. Roughly 57% said it came from their son + daughters-in-law, while 20.4% attributed the trauma to daughters + sons-in-law.

Ironially, as in all celebrated days, there is also a "World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15)” by HelpAge India - that is said to spread awareness; hopefully, they are able to spread enough awareness so that some mindless idiots do stop abusing their elders - if not start respecting them.

Thankfully, Indian Law, now, has regarded mistreatment to elders as 'punishable'. As in Alimony for Divorce, progeny of Elders who are abused, illtreated, abandoned, etc, must, upon directions of the newly set up Tribunal shell out Rs. 10,000 max per person; they are also liable to be punished - with at least Rs. 5,000 as fine or imprisonment for 3 months, or both. Question is, who or how many will be willing or even capable to seek legal recourse? given that they do not have the means to take care of themselves?

In a way, are the elders themsleves responsible for not imparting true discipline, love and affection to their children? May be true in some cases; even so, it is the duty, Dharma, of the children to take care of their parents, as they are taken care from their childhood until they are capable themselves.

Shame on the younger generation who cannot respect their elders, shirk to find time to take care of their needs, abuse and/or abandon them; one can only pray God to give sat-budhdhi and bring them to the right path!

Sanatana Dharma propounds respect to - Mata, Pita, Guru, Deyvam - in that order, as the only means to Moksha - Salvation.

National Heritage Series I - Shaniwar Wada

ShaniwarWada showcases the glory of the Peshwa period of Maratha Empire.

The Palace-fort built in the 18th century by Peshwa Baji Rao 1, stands majestically in the middle of Pune city.

The construction began in 1729 was completed in 1732.

Why Shaniwar and not any other day? just that all ceremonies pertaining to this building was inadvertantly conducted on various saturdays and hence Pundits advised the Peshwa to name it so.

Other wada's based on other days of the week also exist close by around the fort.

Built at a princely sum of Rs. 16,000, this fort-palace contained beautiful fountains, courtyards, palaces made of wood, etc.

The Dilli Darwaza faces North; massive doors of this entrance could allow elephants with howdahs, fortified with 72 sharp 12-inch steel spikes to deter enemy elephants from forcefully opening them.

In all there are five gates, aong with the Dilli Darwaza - each one with its own name:

Mastani Darwaza (more on Mastani later), Khidki Darwaza, Ganesh Darwaza, Jambul Darwaza.

The palace-fort was once so densely populated hat almost 1,000 people were residing inside, at its zenith around 1750's - in addition to 3,144 guards at 275 towers.

Later successors to Baji Rao added many buildings, fortification walls with bastions, gates and court halls. Most importantly, there was a Mastani Mahal at the north-east corner of the palace near main entrance.
Among various local versions about Mastani (Daughter of  Nizam / court dancer at Nizam's, etc) the widely accepted story is: Mastani was daughter of Mahraja Chatrasal, King of Bundelkhand, given in marriage to Baji Rao I after defeating Mughals and restoring the Raja to his throne. Baji Rao was madly in love with Mastani, so much that, braving all oposition to keeping her inside the Wada, he went ahead and built her the most magnificient palace of all! A glimpse of this can still be seen at Raja Kelkar Museum today.

The entire palace was burnt down many years later, by a mysterious fire in 1828, (presumably by the British, as the locals believe), save the external imposing fort walls.

Today the fort complex is being maintained by private business houses; a sound and light show is conducted during evenings which is a major tourist attraction.

Navagrah Van

Environment, Climate change, Afforestation, et al, are the buzz-words since the later part of last century. Little did I realise that the wealth of Indian scriptures contained a detailed anthology on Environment!

Navagraha Vana, as the name implies means placement of trees related to its planet corresponding to its beneficial location - both as a cluster or dispersed.

The information under Navagraha Vana that has been specified in various writings of our ancestors, included Vastu Shastra, and placement of trees & plants according to its corresponding Planet.
Lesser mortals too, under various Rashi's have trees that could bring luck or simply belong to their stars. Below is an attempt to assimilate that knowledge:

Navagraha Vana (Planet Trees)


No Star Star Botanical Name Common Name Direction

1 Sun Surya Calotropis gigantea Crown Flower Middle

2 Moon Soma Butea monosperma Flame of Forest South-East

3 Mars Kuja Acasia Catechu Cutch tree South

4 Mercury Mercury Achyranthes aspera Prickly chaff flower North-East

5 Jupiter Jupiter Ficus Religiosa Sacred fig North

6 Venus Venus Ficus racemosa Cluster Fig East

7 Saturn Sani Prosopis cineraria West

8 Rahu Rahu Cynodon dactylon Bermuda grass

Creeping cynodon South -West

9 Ketu Ketu Imperata cylindrica Cogongrass

Thath grass North-West


It is beneficial to plant trees as per scriptures; it is however imperative that native trees are planted so that we need not wory of its accalamatisomg to local conditions.

Urban Forestry: A strong case for restoring ecological balance

There is an urgent need for improving Urban Forestry. Whatever is lost must be restored and whatever remains must be preserved.

Lung Space - Cubbon Park





An Urban Forest plays a significant role in enhancing our natural environment and restoring the fast depleting ecological balance of our burgeoning Metropolitan cities.  Areas which were once native to eco-life - trees, birds, bees, little animals now jostle for space with concrete structures struggling to come to terms with reality, loss of home and micro-climate of its existance.

We need development, We are  reponsible for the rampant destruction. We must act - act before it is too late.

Or is it already too late?

Sample these statistics:..

 

80 year old Banyan Tree Felled at
Bettadasapura, near Electronics City to lay a road


• The figures of the central Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) reveal that Karnataka has the highest percentage of encroachment of national parks in south India-five national parks have lost nearly 685.61 hectare (1,694 acre) over the past five years. Nearly 750 acre (303 hectare) of reserved forest in Bannerghatta National Park area has been infringed upon by industrialists. Out of this, 482.32 hectare (1,191 acre) has been encroached upon over the past five years.
• Nearly 1,000 acres of land was found to be illegally occupied in the reseve forests surrounding Bangalore (extended) city areas.
• Number of lakes in Bangalore has come down from 159 to only 93. Strangely, the BBMP claims there are still 212 lakes in the City

• A recent study by the Indian Institute Of Science’s centre for ecological sciences (CES) shows that there has been a growth of 632% in urban areas Bangalore. This has come by significantly eating into green-belt areas.
• Among other regions, 281 sq km of forest cover lost in AP in the last two years
  encroachment in Assam's Kaziranga National Park, where nearly 7,790 hectare is illegally occupied
  In Arunachal Pradesh, nearly 3,005 hectare has been lost at Namdapha National Park.

These statistics are from studies, reasearch papers sponsored by either NGOs or Gov'ts agencies. That apart, each of us can do our bit to try and restore the damage.





I read a slogan - "Each One - Plant One". If each one of us, at least in the 4 Southern Indian states was to plant a tree, it would amount to about 25 crore trees; imagine all India... that would be about 25 lakh hectares of green cover for 1.22 billion people!  India could have its own rainforest, comparable or even surpassing our precious Western Ghats.

But is it just that simple? Can we just plant tree-saplings and be happy that we did our might and rest assured that the ecological balance will help itself? Think again! ...









Potpourri and Mango

Welcome to a new beginning!
To begin with, the blog has a new name and a title, although I do not fully understand its purpose. I promise to be regular with new stories and updates.
Potpuorri popularly means a melange of miscellaneous 'dried things' that smells divine... but I learnt that it actually means a 'pot of rotten items' in French. Well, so what? I'll pretend that I havent known its actual meaning.

MANGO!

It's the Mango season, and many varieties of mangoes (thank British puritans for the 'e') are on sale!! In Hindu mythology, Mango is referrd to as 'the food of the Gods' and "King of Fruits".

Mango, Aamra, Aam, Manidi, Maanga, Aamba, Mavu, ,

Call it by any name - its tastes just divine. Incidentally, the name Mango is said to be an anglicised version of its Tamil name - Maangai (unripe) and Maambazham (fruit).

A Tropical tree, The Mango (Mangifera indica) is indigenous to India and is a national fruit. he best fruits are available between April ~ August across India, although hybrids and cultivars are grown around the year.

About 800 cultivars are grown across the world; majority of the 'natural' varieties originate in India, and best are from mid-south Indian regions. In India the most prominent varieties are:

Alphonso (Hapoos), Kesar, Pairi - Maharashtra and Gujarat; Ratnagiri Alphonso being the hot cimmercial favourite with exporters for its colour, flesh, texture, shelf-life and sweet taste.
Banginapalli (Benishan), Chinna Rasalu and Pedda Rasalu - Andhra
Neelum - TN
Badami (similar to Alphonso), Mallika (IISc product), Sindhoora (red tinge), Malgova, Rasapuri, Totapuri - Karnataka
Suvarnarekha - Orissa and Andhra
Dusehri and Langra - Himachal, Haryana & UP;
Himsagar, Zardalu and Kishanbhog from Bengal

India is the world’s largest producer of Mango, contributing to about 52% of the world’s total production. It is grown over an area of 1.23 million hectares in the country producing 10.99 million tonnes; AP has the highest productivity of 12 tonnes per hectare, producing 3.07 million tonnes of mango per year, and UP has largest cultivated area of 0.27 million acres of land.

I never realised that there are so many varieties of preparations with mangoes both raw and fruit, and each region has its own variation to a recipe. These include juices/sherbet (Aam panna), rice preparations (mango rice/puliyogare), innumerable pickles & chutneys (most famous mouth-watering 'avakai' from Andhra), Aamras (mango puree). Mango Shreekhand

Medically, Mango is said to be excellent source of many phenols and proteolytic enzymes, and of vitamins A, C & D.
It is one of the most recommended fruits to fight beriberi and to heal bronchial diseases since a mixture of mango pulp and honey can be made at home to fight bronchitis. Mango is an excellent depurative for the organism and it is recommended for nervous people, to fight insomnia, to heal brain fatigue, mental depression and as a laxative, besides it is very helpful to fight heartburn. It has excellent results when used to eliminate kidney sand and to assist digestion. An infusion can be made with mango leaves to heal molar ache, to affix weak teeth and to eliminate pyorrhoea (pus from the gums). This infusion is very helpful to reduce the inflammation of the throat when used for gargling.