Collector and DDO are our coordinates

Collector and DDO are our coordinates.

With very heavy rainfall in North Gujarat, the areas and rivers were flooding. An ST bus carrying 25 passengers was stuck in river Rupen near village Panchasar of Patan district. A person watching the event from the distance communicated to the Government and the most responsive administration of Gujarat started acting fast to save the lives.

Helicopter of Air force was send with the coordinates to lift them up. But when the pilot couldn't find the location with the help of coordinates,  he lifted up the Collector and DDO up to identify the site. And the human brain much superior than the machine, search out the location timely and saved the lives of 25.

When geometry fails, the Collector and DDO are the human coordinates of Gujarat.

Salute to Gujarat Administration.

Punamchand
30 July 2015

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Life is for what?

Life is for what?

22 years old son of our IFS colleague Shri Nityanand Srivastava died of cardiac arrest yesterday. He was studying in GNLU Gandhinagar. However, it is to note that he was carrying some hormonal health problems for many years. Another young man of 38 years age died of cardiac arrest in Sector 8, day before yesterday.

Untimely, cardiac deaths of humans are increasing very fast. Survival of unfit are adding the toll.

Modern man has learnt many things, climbed Everest many times, human mission conquered Mars, and he is ruling over the planet. But the Art of living is missing.

We are careful for the servicing and purity of fuel of our cars but care free for the fuel and energy sources of our body.

Ancient kitchens of India were our home clinic taking care of our body to live long. The recipes were suitable as per seasons and day lights. But with the medical support at door steps, we go on eating unhealthy foods.

It is a competition world. Unable to judge the pumping capacity of the heart muscles, we go on adding weights of books and degrees over the shoulders of our children. The generation is missing out of the love, beauty and aroma of the life. Life acts like a machine.

And we the parents are the culprit. We want better placement of our children in this competitive world. If we have achieved something, we wish to see the similar success in our children. And grown eating chemically fertilized food, they are unable to take up the stress beyond a point. Increase in stress injures their inner walls and the plaque deposited inside the stiff veins turns into a blockage and ends the life abruptly.

Are we living a right life? When will the race stop?

We are searching happiness outside but it lives within. Life is for living in peace and happiness.

Punamchand
30 July 2015

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Croaking of Frogs

Croaking of Frogs

With very good rains over Gandhinagar, the common plots and low lying areas are full of water. And from that water a continuous trrrr...trrrr...trrrr...trrrr....trrrr....trrrr...sound coming continuously 24x7 for last 36 hours and will go on till the water recedes. 

What do they say? Whole year they were in silence and living may be under the holes. But with rains, they broke their "maun vrata" and now making the sound very loudly. May be using the full savings of the year. 

People think that hearing the croaking in the darkness the snakes approach the frogs and swallow them. But nature hasn't given ears to the snakes. It has 4 senses. Humans have 5 senses but in birds, animals and insects, the senses varies. And the power of each sense is different in each creature, mostly as per their needs of food, safety and breeding.

The atmosphere, the moisture, the rains and its musical sound, the cold winds; sufficient enough to vibrate the nerves, generate romance and set the body and mind on fire in search of a companion of opposite sex. 

Femalefrogs desire more but malefrogs to croak for breeding and to warn away other males from their territory. The malefrogs become puffy while croaking, trying to attract the femalefrogs resounding trrrr...trrrr...trrrr.....trrrr.

Do you also feel puffy and wish to do trrrr....trrrr...trrrr...? 

Sharmao yaro. 

Put out the fire by taking sips of hot tea or enjoy bhajiya/pakora with chatani or sauce.

टिप-टिप बरसा पानी - 2 पानी ने आग लगाई।

रिमझिम के तराने लेके आयी बरसात।

Punamchand
27 July 2015

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Oral Infections, a reason for many health hazards.

Oral Infections, a reason for many health hazards.

We are living in cavities: cavity of universe, cavity of globe, cavity of air, cavity of body, cavity of cells and cavity of mind! We are living beings because oxygen and glucose are supplied regularly to each cell through the cavities. 

But when the cavity of arteries and veins narrow down due to plaque and infections, all our health problems start and multiply till the life stops moving in cavities. 

Mouth is the biggest opening of the cavity of human and it is always under the risk of getting infections.

Air, water and food are our life saver. Therefore, the oral cavity that passes water and food (or saliva of a lover!) is very important gate to observe carefully.

Do you know that the "Oral Infection" is one of the major reasons of all our severe health problems of heart, lungs and liver diseases. 

Mostly people try to get cure from the disease, but hardly remove the cause. As a result, most of the diseases in our body are permanent. They remain dormant with treatment and again re incurs with fall of immunity.

Are you or your dear ones are facing health hazards related to heart, lungs, liver, cholesterol, etc? Address the infection of the cavity.

Indian Culture is known for its isolated behavior to maintain personal hygiene. Till recent past, people used to drink fresh water through their hands (hollowed palm) at public places, to prevent spread of infections. Now we see plastic water bottles of stale water everywhere. 

Our mouth is a place to generate bacteria. The nature has put such a system in place that many bacterias and infections die in stomach fire. Therefore, taking few sips of water/black tea at an interval of half an hour is the best treatment to save us from infections of cavity. 

People in the Developed world is getting conscious about half an hour sip (of alcohol!). 

Can you do it (through water!)? 

"Save the cavity to save the Life."

Punamchand
26 July 2015

NB: Keeping safe distance while talking and Namaskar Mudra to greet are good means to save from infections.

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Mother matters in Animals

Mother matters in Animals

Not only in humans, mother is always a teacher in all creatures.

Mother is the biggest shelter, where all newborns feel safe, secure and happy. She not only takes care of their food, water and safety but also teaches the lessons of life.

All newborns: babies, chicks, cubs, are innocent at birth. But for survival in the world, they have to learn tricks of getting-hunting food and the safety mechanism against the attacks of predators.

Mother is their teacher. Mother teaches: what to eat, how to eat; what to hunt, how to hunt; how to save from the predators; if missed from the group, how to guard and return or to live an independent life. The left one always goes in shock and become prey of the predator. Till the animal become adult and learn all the tricks of living life; it stays with the mother. In fact mother is the brain of the cubs.

If a cub of wild family is left orphan, it can't gain the wildness of hunting. Unless seen the acts of others, it may forget wildness or feel shy to mate when grow young.

Therefore the orphan cubs caught by Forest people, if not released timely to its group, they are most likely to spend their life in zoo because their life is at risk in Jungle without learning the tricks of survival. Unfit they may die of starvation or become prey of others.

Not only for humans, Mother matters for animals too. She is the best teacher. A mother is equal to 100 teachers.

"Lion living in goats herd become Goat".

Punamchand
25 July 2015

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Lesser Floricans dance and Harriers roost in the kingdom of Wolfs in Velavadar

Lesser Floricans dance and Harriers roost in the kingdom of Wolfs in Velavadar

Do you wish to stand in the middle of a natural Dom of 3452 hectares of grass land and to see birds, animals and the nature in changing colours 24x7? 

Do you wish to see the horizon around you in 360˚? 

Do you wish to see the Sun is setting in the west and moon is rising in the east simultaneously on a full moon day evening?  

Do you wish to see the sky full of stars with the clear picture of our galaxy, the milky way?

Do you wish to see the entire chain eco cycle starting from the chief predator wolf (32), to black buck (5000), blue bull(400-500), grass land, insects, birds (local, migratory, endangered), and reptiles?

Do you wish to see the Lesser Floricans' jumps like frogs and sweet sound trrrr?

Do you wish to see migratory birds Heriar's community roosting place?

It's Velavadar National Park, 190 kms from Ahmedabad and 25 kms from Bhavnagar.

We the human, feel proud of our brain power, but you will be amazed to see, how the birds and animals use their brains to survive and maintain the balance of eco system. One universal consciousness is performing drama with divided acts of many.

Black bucks are many here, moving in groups, playing and dancing. Sometimes, you may see the horn fights of males of two different groups. There is one white buck in the lot of these 5000. It might have lost the pigment by birth.

The beautiful Lesser Floricans come here in July every year for breeding. They make their pairs here. The female floricans in plain brown colour, are hardly visible as they have to rear the eggs and protect their chicks. They land some 50 metres away from the nest and walk towards the nest secretly under the grass cover so that the predators don't damage the eggs/chicks. The colourful males florican showcase their dance and make trrrr sound to attract the female florican, and also use it to divert attention of the predators from the nest. Once the chicks are ready to fly, they all leave the park in September-October before the arrival of the migratory birds Herriar of Kazakistan. 

To stay away from the cold of Europe,  approximately 3000 Harriers come here as tourists to enjoy the winter of Gujarat. They use Velavadar park as their community bed room for roosting. Day time they spend their time in surrounding farm lands but every evening they come to the park in a group, take so many rounds of flying up in the sky above the identified place and when find all okay, come down and rest for the night. They fly away every morning and return to the park for roosting every evening till they leave the area when winter ends.

192 species of birds are here.

Wolfs, the chief predator of the park, use their brain, killing the old and weak animals so that the youngs survive, generation continues, and their food chain survive for long. The population of wolfs has gone down over the years due to their killing by shepherds to save cattle cubs, resulted into blue bull population increase in the State. People would have saved wolfs instead of demanding killing of blue bull to save crops. 

And the blue bulls, fully grown, looking very healthy and smart make flash from the grass and became food of the wilds. With the sacrifice of their lives, they are saving the wild animals and vultures in the state to maintain the eco system intact.

Developed by Maharaja of Bhavnagar, the sanctuary is now under the protection and development of forest department. It is to note that Maharaja Nirmal Sinhji was used to keep trained leopard (leopard can be trained) for hunting the deers. 

In Jungle, the fittest survive and the weak & old have to go as part of food chain for others. It's a natural waste management to maintains the health and freshness of living beings here. 

Come and enjoy your stay under the Nature Dom of Velavadar where sky is full of twinkling stars and nature is maintaining its freshness through the plays, dances and sounds of its creatures. 

And they are eagerly waiting for your visit. 

Do come.

Punamchand
Velavadar (16 July)

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Have you seen anger of a monkey?

Have you seen anger of a monkey? 

Yesterday, a group of monkeys entered into our compound in the afternoon. Lakshmi slept in the drawing room with kitchen door opened. A big size monkey entered into the kitchen silently, took some fruits and eating leisurely outside at the corner of the door. Our neighbour show it and rang her up. 

When Lakshmi tried to remove the Monkey by a stick, it became angry. The team of monkeys became angry. And then they started the act of throwing  and breaking articles around. They were breaking the plants and branches of trees, those they don't eat. But when it comes to the plants of their liking, they simply eat the leaves, keep the thin branches intact, so that new leaves come again. 

Drumstick is their favorite plant. Drumstick is a medicine, monkeys normally eat it's leaves regularly. 

My wife's question is: how could the Monkeys in anger maintain their balance of mind, throwing and breaking plants and articles of no use to them and simultaneously eating leaves of a drumstick plant, without damaging it's thin branches? 

As per Darwin's theory of biological evolution, we are also one of the prides of monkeys, the homosapien !  Many do maintain their cunningness in removing people from their path of success. But do we maintain balance of mind in anger differentiating right and wrong acts?

Study of animals behaviour can be useful for the psychologist in understanding human behaviour.

Punamchand
22 July 2015

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Peacock the King in Jungle

Peacock the King in Jungle

Lion is the King of the Jungle, but there are many princely states within his territory, where, the Peacocks, the Deers, the Monkeys have their Kingdoms. 

Man has copied Lion and named his Seat of Power as "Sinhasana" (throne), the symbol of power and strength. But he has also copied the Chair of Peacock, and made "Mayurasana", the symbol of prosperity.

Small but each Peacock has its own territorial Kingdom (of 50 metres) and a Seat (branch of a tree, stone pillar, etc) to occupy. It does fight with other Peacocks.

To impressed upon the Peahens, it has beautify itself with colours and colourful feathers. And always ready to showcase its masculinity to Peahen by singing and playing "Mayur Dance" with displaying feathers. Peacock dance become a popular folk dance of Asia. 

One Peacock has 3-4 Peahens.  Like Peacock; Deer, Monkey other wilds also have Kingdom, a Chief is Male, and have many females to mate. After all, "King without 'Harem' is no King!"

Sometimes, in over confidence and in masti of attracting the Peahen, the Peacock loses life, unable to open the lock of displayed feathers, can't fly away from the attack of the Leopard. Many times, the Monkey comes to its rescue. One can see a friendship bends amongst Peacocks, Deers and Monkeys in the Jungle saving each other from wild attacks of the wild hunters (lions, leopards, etc). They alert each other by making sounds.

Making noise is the weapon of the weak (True for human too!). And the wilds, though powerful, many a times leave the place in that noise pollution. Badger, though small can push the lion away with the help of its continuous and long, powerful whistle sound!!!

It is not Jungle Raj, but the Raj of many, following the rule, "Survival of the Fittest". 

Punamchand

21 July 2015

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Believe or not, Nature matters

Believe or not, Nature matters.

Can you see, how wise our Rishis were?

Last month Moon Venus Jupiter union created deep depression over Arabian Sea and gave us wide spread rains and floods at some places.

This month the same union of Moon Venus Jupiter is giving us clouds and scanty showers.

Why?

Because, last month all the three (Moon, Venus, Jupiter) positive for rains, were in Watery Sign Cancer. And this month they are in Fiery Sign Leo.

Our Rishis have observed and divided each one of the 12 blocks (Rashis) of 360˚ globe into its characteristics of fiery, earthen, airy, and watery signs. And that governs the weather and events in the globe.

Punamchand
20 July 2015

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Big Cat, Lion the King

Big Cat, Lion the King

Lion is known to humans in India since the time of God Narsingh (half lion half human), the 4th Avatara of Vishnu. It is a vehicle of Goddess Durga. Astrology has identified it with the powerful masculine fiery sign Leo, housed by Sun. The human kings have learnt the tricks of Kingship from lion and mostly followed their habits and lifestyle. From centuries, Lion is the Symbol of power, Kingship and Kingdom.

African lions live in prides and all members of the pride live and move together. But Asiatic (Gir) lions are different, as they do have prides but the lioness and cubs live into groups within the pride. A pride of lions (2) consists of related females and offspring and a small number of adult males. It's social.

A pride has 18-20 members and a group has 7-8 members. The pride is ruled by a Male Lion King. It has generally two lions, mostly brothers or step brothers. The males are territorial, and will roar and use scent markings to establish their domains. They mark their territory of approximately 56 km² and guard and petrol them well. Group centre to boundary, they divide the area in two and do the patrol so the intruders don't enter. Whenever the lion come to the group, the lioness gets up and welcome him. For male lion, it's a life of Kingship for 3-5 years till another male lion takes over after a fight.

The group generally consists of two lioness (sisters or mother-daughter) and their cubs and sub adults. Within group the senior lioness is the ruler.

Groups of female lions typically hunt together, preying mostly on large ungulates. The Lions come and eat their Lion's share. If the kill is big enough, of a blue bull, the whole pride join and eat. Lioness, cubs and sub adults eat together but when Lion is eating, he eats alone. When lion is eating, the other family members keep themselves away. So the eating continue in sequence of group-lion-group, till the meat is finished.

Unlike Leopard's cunningness that kills the enemy by making hole to the trachea, Lion use power and strength using its 1 ton power blow of right forepaw to break the back of huge animal. The bones of the front legs are twisted in such a manner as to give a great range of motion to the forelimb to attack deep inside the body of the animal. It cuts or break the animal into pieces with using its nails, teeth and 2 forepaws.

With a capacity to mate for 100+ times in one round, it can mate for continuous 7 days. Without a watch, the two lions mate with the lioness, sharing time of ovulation half half equally, i.e., 3.5 days each. A lioness can deliver 1-5 cubs, but at present, it delivers 3 cubs in general.

Surprisingly, the lioness knows the father of each cub though mated with both in one ovulation cycle. They have separate bag to conceive each cub. And each one of the two fathers know their cubs with whom they express love and affection.

Before 12 days of delivery, the lioness leave apart from the group and remain away for delivery. She remains away from the group for further 2 months after delivery for the safety of the newly born cubs. However, she comes alone to the group for food. Whenever a kill is there, she will be called by another lioness by making sound.

After 2 months, she come with her cubs to introduce them to the family. And the reception is full of love and affection. The whole pride (2-3 groups) is present with its king, and when introduced the cubs to their father, the lion-cubs meeting is full of affection and love, a event of expression of joy and happiness.

Lions within a pride are often affectionate and, when resting, seem to enjoy good fellowship with lots of touching, head rubbing, licking and purring.

The male children stay in the family for 3 years. But when they are capable for mating, they have been pushed away from family. The mother stops giving them food and the uncle insults. The mausi may express sympathy and father may not will, but the adult males have to leave the family as they believe in Gotra system, in which, they can't mate with the family members of same blood. Very strong brotherhood of blood relation.

Finally, the adult males (generally two) move as intruder in search of their Kingdom. They enter into the kingdom of other lions with lifting their tail up, roaring and challenging the king. The King of the pride if not ready to fight keep the tail pressed down to hide the location or if strong enough, come out to fight. Then a big fight takes place for winning the kingdom. The King, due to his experience, techniques and power, defeat the intruders; but if the intruders are powerful, they kill the king or through him away from the prides.

The lionesses, simply watch the fight from the distance. Don't participate in the fight. But at the end of the fight, surrender their loyalty to the winner. If she has cubs, the intruder kills the cubs and eat them brutally to show their power. And the lioness instead of feeling angry with the act of killing cubs, immediately come into heat and mate with the new king to deliver new cubs of better strength. The killed cubs were from weak genes as their father was defeated. The fittest genome to survive.

An adult lioness is of 100-120 kg and adult lion will be of 140-160 kg. Spotted deer (32%), Sambhar (14%), Blue Bull (25%), wild bore (6%), Cattle (23%) are their food to sustain.

Life expectancy of lion is 10-14 years. They generally have gastrointestinal worms (hook, tape, round) as they eat raw meat. While ageing they lose their teeth and strength of killing. Many males die in fight of kingdoms.

With increase in number (524),
the territories of lions' kingdoms has been expanding from Sasan Gir to Saurastra, from 1412 km² to 22000 km² and looking to the rate of their population increase and conservation, it is most likely that we shall see lions in Ahmedabad, Sabarkantha, on river bed of River Sabarmati in 10-15 years. However Sasan will remain it's native place (Home) of Asiatic Lions. (can claim home travel always !!!).

They are not the threat to humans as they don't consider us a challenge !!!

Punamchand
Sasan Gir
19 July 2015

NB: It was a lucky trip to see total 49 lions at 6 locations, including one big group of 18 (2 lions, 6 lioness, 10 cubs).

One lion cub and one female leopard were released from the cages to jungle at two different locations. One can see the difference between their behavior. After all Royal remains Royal.

There are man eater leopards, huge and strong built, highly aggressive, looking dangerous, have been kept in imprisonment of cages at Devalia to save human lives.

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Survival of the fittest in Lioness Kingdom

Survival of the Fittest in Lioness Kingdom.

Lion is the king of "Jungle". It has no fear from any one outside lions world. But the family belongs to the lioness. Your eyes may be searching the word, Lion's family, but in fact, it's Lioness Family, as she is the lead. And it follows the rule of "survival of the fittest" in their life. 

She allows the fittest to mate. She allow him to be a companion till he has strength. If the lion gets some diseases or weaknesses, the lioness leaves him apart and go away with the chicks. She won't allow him to come nearby. As a result, the lion, unwell and unable to kill, live in starvation. The forest team come to his rescue. Bring him to the dispensary, treat him, feed for some time and thereafter try to rehabilitate with his family. But the lioness, in most of cases says, "BIG NO". Once divorced means divorced. "Ek bar kah diya, so kah diya". And lion bechara, again live a life of destitute. It's "Lioness Kingdom", where only the fittest survive!

Punamchand
16 July 2015

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Jupiter moved to Leo

Jupiter moved to Leo

After a year stay in exalted sign Cancer, Jupiter has moved to it's friend's sign Leo for a year from 14/7/15 to 11/8/16. A semi watery planet has moved to a fiery sign Leo.

Last month the union of Jupiter with Venus and Moon gave us widespread rains. The clouds over Arabian sea have showered their cyclonic blessings on us. But the Sun-Mars hot union hasn't allowed the regular monsoon season to take a leap start, except few States. 

Now Sun has moved ahead of Mars, and the distance between two is rising to more than 11 degrees, the season may improve slowly to its positivity. Once again we shall see the positive union of Jupiter, Venus and Moon on 17-18-19 July, on Rathyatra and Ramadan days. We pray God Varundev to shower rains over us. 

Sun is presently in Punarvashu Nakshatra since 9th July and the spell is going dry. Traditionally, this fortnight has direct impact over the next fortnight when Sun moves to Pushya Nakshatra. If this spell goes dry in the area, the next fortnight may go dry in those areas. Therefore, it is very essential to see the rains showers widespread this week in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan. 

The year is going to be below average (The rainfall data may be near to total, but not getting wide spread rains at regular intervals that can help the agriculture season), as the planetary conditions are not fully favourable and the El-Nino effect is adversely working on Indian monsoon. 

Those born with Moon, Sun, and Jupiter sign Leo and Moon, Sun, and Jupiter sign Aquarius; the year is going to be very good, resolving problems and rewarding for good work. 

For Moon Sign Aries and Sagittarius people, it is a touring and enjoyment year. 

Moon sign Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius people will have power position in their place of working. Moon sign Taurus people may get change of posting and place with a trip to abroad.

Shubham Bhavatu Kalyanam.

Punamchand
16 July 2015

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Why are male birds more beautiful than female birds?

Why are male birds more beautiful than female birds?

The world is beautiful with the colourful and many varieties of male and female species in birds and animals. Sexual selection and protection are the major reasons.

In animals kingdom, mostly the female looks more beautiful than the male. Male has to fight with other males for access to female, therefore it is better built. And the female, to keep the males fighting; remained soft, attractive and more beautiful.

In the kingdom of birds, the males are more active, brightly coloured and always find singing with their sweet voices. 

In many species, female birds are comparatively less than male birds, therefore to attract female birds for making pair for breeding, the male birds get more beautiful and colourful.

The female sits on the nest to incubate eggs. The dull feathers helps the females in hiding from the view of their enemies/predator. This helps in hiding from the view of their enemies so that she can protect the nest without being spotten. This is necessary to protect eggs and rearing the chicks. The colourful male placed away from the nest, keep the enemies away with his colours and chorus. 

In few species (phalarope, sandpiper, button quail), the females are more colourful because of reversed role; the males incubate the eggs and females defend territories and fight amongst themselves for access to the males. 

In the birds kingdom, the attractiveness is directly linked with genome structures. So to follow Darwin's evolution, better the attractiveness, better is genomic structure and better future generations.

Learning lessons from the birds that bright colour is an advantage in the competitive sex, humans also became colourful with artificial outfits of coloured cloths and ornaments. 

As the odor of the body is more important than the colours in animals, humans use varieties of perfumes to attract the opposite sex. In cold weather countries, people neither take bath daily nor put on fresh clothes everyday, therefore, perfumes is a necessity to keep them in mainstream of attraction to the opposite sex. But in hot weather country like us, the perspiration and perfumes mixed together make the odor horrible, keep them far away from the reach of the opposite sex!!! Lol.

Punamchand
15 July 2015

NB: Birds can see wider range of colours than human do. Birds have 4 colour cones in their eyes compared to 3 in humans, that allow them to see the ultraviolet part of the spectrum.

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People, the King of Democracy

People, the King of Democracy

I happened to meet the Ex Maharaja of Vansada State Shri Digvijayendrasinhji Solanki, yesterday. Born on 1/10/27, he is unwell and can't move without a wheelchair, as he has suffered from a stroke, a year before. He was the 3rd son of his father Maharaja Indravijaysinhji Solanki. As his two elder brothers died of Appendicitis in their teenage, he became the King of Vansada.

They are Chalukyas, but the story of the kingship is interesting. Their ancestor, Shri Gulabsinh of Village Umargam (Surat) was adopted by his uncle, the King of Vansada in 1851, as he had no son. Like Maharaja Sayaji Rao, their life also changed from a village life to a kingship.

He carries nice memories of meeting Gandhiji twice, once Mumbai and second time in Delhi in late 1930s. When he met Gandhiji first in 1939 with his father (the Raja), he asked for an autograph of Gandhiji on a book. But Gandhiji told him to bring an Indian book. When the Indian book was produced, Gandhiji simply signed मो. क. गांधी. His father sent back the book, requesting Gandhiji to write a message for the boy. Gandhiji then wrote, "serve people and take all decisions keeping the welfare of people in mind". The advice he followed throughout his life.

After independence, with the implementation of Land Ceiling Act, the 2400 hectares of land of Vansada National Park came under the possession of the Forest Department, that it is maintaining very well.

His son Jayvirendrasinhji Solanki was narrating some stories of past kingdoms. The kingdom of Vansada was meeting at the border of Baroda State of Gaekwad at Unai. There is a temple of Unai Mata and a Hot Water (sulphur) Spring. The temple was given to Vansada State, so that expenditure on pujaris, maintenance of temple and campus, the events, etc, are done by Vansada state. And the Hot Water Spring was kept with Baroda State, so that the income of visitors go to Baroda State.  "Expenditure on Vansada and Income to Baroda".

A huge palace has only 4 occupants: the Maharaja, his son and two servants. Well built with limestone, its thick walls and good height and traditional furniture reminds the old era of princely states. As regular income is a major problem of many princely families, one can witness the middle class living of the family, unable to use, maintain and decorate the palace. They are searching for some international university to come and convert the palace into an institute. Jayvirendrasinhi has two daughters, and the family is settled mostly in Mumbai, joined the mainstream of post independence India.

When I see the quality of life of the middle class and above people of India, I feel proud to be a citizen of Democratic Republic India. Our people are enjoying better life and comforts then that of life and comforts of the king's families of pre independence India.

Really, Democracy has made the Raiyat the Kings, and the Kings to Raiyat. We see the same with the elected representatives.

Punamchand
13 July 2015

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Rejuvenate at Mangubhai Centre in Shivarimad, Dangs

Rejuvenate at Mangubhai Centre in Shivarimad, Dangs.

Sir, give "kasta" (hardship) to your body to keep yourself healthy, Yashwant started telling me while doing massage. For good health, your blood should be hot. But you all officers sit for long hours in one position every day, cool down your blood through AC and make your body stiff like your nature. "Khoon thanda, lekin Dimag garam". Dimag thanda aur khoon garam rakho sabji.

Yashawant and Tulsiram are very tough massagers, press all your pain points. As both do the massage together, your mind swings from one pain point to another, and in a way you surrender to that pain drill of 20 minutes. It followed by a steam bath of herbal medicine in a box and a good bath make you fresher, energetic and active.

It is a centre of a tribal traditional Vaidhya, Mangubhai Bhoye, of village Shivarimad, between Waghai and Saputara (25 kms from either side).

If you pass through 4 rounds of massage, the team ensure the regaining mussel flexibility of the body. If interested, they give you ayurvedic medicines.

The centre runs for 3 days in a week (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). I have met people with problems of nerve diseases or paralysis. The results are amazing.

Like Kerala massage centres, this pocket of Gujarat can serve the tourists to rejuvenate their youthfulness.

Rush to Shivarimad, rejuvenate and enjoy the nature with rains in Saputara, the beautiful hill station of Gujarat.

Punamchand
Shivarimad (Dangs)
12 July 2015

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Saputara the paradise hill station of Gujarat changing very fast

Saputara, the paradise Hill Station of Gujarat is changing very fast.

With the efforts of tourism department, local administration and hoteliers; Saputara, the paradise of Dangs is changing very fast. Lot of tourists are coming during weekends. The lake, boating in the lake, lake view garden, step garden, table top, Sun rise point, Sun set point, udan khatola, paragliding, jeep swing, food, handicrafts, dangi dance, etc, enough items to pack the tourists with joy.

Located in South Gujarat at Gujarat Maharastra border and enroute to Nasik (Trayambkeshwar Jyotirling), Panchvati and Siradi (Sai Baba temple); Saputara is all weather hill station of Gujarat to enjoy. But it become paradise in monsoon and winter seasons.

Dangs is famous for its rich heritage and culture. The power of the people can understood by their war with British in 1842, compelling them to pay 3000 silver coins annually in lieu of cutting trees. People are active and  can walk tirelessly many kms a day. Nagali and Udad daal is the staple food of the people. Bamboo pickle is the delicacy of the meal. Nagali (Raagi) is rich in calcium and iron, can solve many problems of malnutrition, but the children of the area are looking malnourished. Whether weight and height are the key factors of nutrition or the physical strength, is a big question to be answered. Because when one see the Dangi Children running and the Adults dancing, the so called nourished people won't stand nearby to that level of their speed, strength and joy.

Watching Kahadia Dangi Dance is really a life time memorable event. The steps, the speed, the music, the joy, unforgettable. It takes 8 months to learn the dance steps in tune with the music of shahnai and shabar (drums), but when you see the group dancing in colourful golden cloths, your inner dancer start dancing. Don't you believe? Just come and see.

The word 'Dang' comes from a stick, the stick of bamboo or stick type straight teak trees in thousands. The Kotvalia community, the primitive tribe makes beautiful articles of bamboo.

One will be surprised looking at many water pipes in the lake. The hoteliers are lifting water from the lake. As a result, the lake is drying fast these days. If no rains in a fortnight, all boats will stop in want of water.

Availablity of Drinking water is the major problem of the district. It has water underground, but as people live up on the hills, the lifting of water is the problem. The SGVNL is trying to solve the problem with lift irrigation solar pumps of 3 HP. One unit cost Rs. 3 lakh, but the tribal beneficiary has to pay only Rs. 3200. Rest is the subsidy. It is working very well, solving problem of drinking water and irrigation as well.

Come and stay in Hotels or take a chance staying in Log Hut, the beautiful wooden guest house of Gujarat Forests, located at the last land border point of the State. Enjoy the dance, food, fun, rides, and nature in Saputara, the paradise hill station of Gujarat.

Punamchand
12 July 2015
Saputara

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Dense Forests in Dangs of Gujarat

Dense Forests in Dangs of Gujarat

Beautiful morning of Waghai starts with caw...caw...cah.. sound of the crows. A meeting of crows (100+) on the branches of a nilgiri tree is on. May be working out some strategy for their safety. Dangi gilol masters have left only crows and cranes (bagale) alive. One can see few sparrows, green bee eater, sun bird, wood packer, paradise fly catcher, king fisher, owl, etc. Vansanda National Park (starting point of western ghat), Purna Wild life sanctuary can pleased you with birds, animals and forests. Rest of the birds and animals (except home stay and some wilds) have been eaten away by the people. We were reading story of "wise crow" during school days, but Dangi Crow has once again proved it's wisdom, saving lives against gilol attacks. May be it's look or flesh saved.

To capture the delicacy of Squirrels, they put the costly teak trees under fire. To abstract honey from the top of the tree, they don't hesitate cutting and pulling down the tree.

Dangs forest is very rich with 60-100 million tree cover in an area of 1764 km². "Balsari Teak" and Sadad (used in making boats) are the most famous trees of Dangs. 85% of the trees are on forests lands and 15% are on private lands. FRA has tempted people to encroach more land (up to 4 hec) than their original possession. Against all odds Forest Department is trying to preserve the rich forest of Dangs. Thanks to the regulations for restrictions of cutting mature trees (10 per 5 years to private khatedar and 10 trees every year traditional Kings) at the interval of 5 years. The traditional 5 kings are enjoying some perks in lieu of their war with British at Lashkaria Amba in 1842 to protect Dangs from British rule. Not exactly 3000 silver coins, but they receive privy perks pension money annually, land ownership and advantage in cutting trees from their own lands. People spend money in liquor and satta number (gambling). Their are bhagats for medicine and bhagats for satta number and tantra. People keep panther's nails out of superstition to win Satta. People are still very poor here. Productivity of milch animals is very poor. No irrigation facilities and agriculture produces are poor in productivity. There will be shortage of water and fodder in Summer. Living poor under the rich nest of nature.

And if you are staying in the area, beware of snakes. 90% of them are non poisonous but the bite of King Cobra and Wiper can take away live. The beautiful hill station of the area Saputara (nests/burrows of snakes), has been named after the snakes.

Dangs become heavenly during monsoon. The hills with lush green cover and flowing water in streams make the land the most beautiful site of the State.

Saputara, Mahal, Gira and Girmal Falls, Don, U turn, Kilat, Devina Mal, Pandava Cave, Botanical Garden, Vansada National Park, Purna Sanctuary are the places to visit and enjoy the nature.

If not visited in Monsoon, plan a trip, as monsoon is not yet active. The natural beauty, comfortable stay and tasty food will surely make your trip memorable.

Punamchand
Waghai (Dangs)
11 July 2015

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Birds of Gujarat

Birds of Gujarat.

Gujarat is "mayaka" of many migratory birds. It's heaven for birds as the vegetarian and believer of "Jeev Daya" population don't harm their lives. The weather is suitable and the areas are rich with ample food of their tastes.

The Endangered migratory birds - Lesser Florican (Kharmor) has reached to the Grasslands of Velavadar National Park (Gujarat) for breeding. 

One can see Flamingos and other birds in thousands during winter months.

Kindly watch and enjoy the Vedio on Lesser Florican.

Punamchand
10 July 2015

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Dushkal mai Adhik Maas

Duskal mai Adhik Mass

Lunar month name used to carry the name of Nakshatra on full moon day. But to adjust with Solar calender, the new practice of Adhik Mass and Kshaya mass followed.

The Solar Year is made up of 365.2422 days and the Lunar Year is made up of 354 days. Thus both the Solar and the Lunar years have gaps of 11 days, 1 hour, 31 minutes and 12 seconds. As this gap increases each year, it approximates in three years to one month.

Whenever, during Sun Sankranti (Sun move from one sign to another), there is two shukla pratipada of lunar month, the name of the lunar month remain the same and the first is called Adhik Mass. The lunar calendar adds one extra month (adhik maas) every third year ( every 32 months, 16 days and 8 Ghadis/192 minutes).

But when no shukla pratipada of lunar month comes during Sun Sakranti, (or read two Sakranti in one lunar month), that lunar month is called Kshaya Mass. But during that period, the Adhik Mass come within 5-6 months, one prior and another after. Kshaya mass comes after long intervals.

Due to the calculations of 2 Shukla  Pratipada in 1 Sakranti, the Adhik Maas falls in monsoon months mostly. Between the period of Vikram Samvat 2017 to 2128, the Adhik Mass fall in Chaitra (3), Vaishakh (4), Jayeshtha (10), Ashadh (6), Shravan (8), Bhadrapad (5), Ashwin (5). Kartik and Falgun only once in the century, to adjust with the Kshaya Maas. It falls mostly during monsoon months and it was associated with drought condition, therefore a phrase, (dukal ma adhik maas".  

Punamchand
8 July 2015

[Note: The moon takes about 27.3 days to make one complete orbit around the earth. The earth orbits around the sun once every 365.2422 days (= earth’s orbital speed of 29.79 km per second). The earth and the moon in 27.3 days have moved as a system about 1/12 of the ways around the sun. This means that from one full moon to the next full moon, the moon must travel 2.2 extra days before it appears full. This is due to the curve of the earth’s orbit around the sun. The moon is still making one complete orbit (circle) in 27.3 days. But to line up with the earth and sun to become a full moon again it takes 29.531 days.

29.531 day Lunar months = 354.372 days per lunar year. Thus we arrive at a difference of 10.87 days a year between a lunar year and a solar year of 365.2422 days per year.]

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Let us live in Peace and Harmony

Let us live in Peace and Harmony

Did you know that as the moon moves away from earth, Earth's rotation is slowing (bit by tiny little bit). Earth day are getting longer.

The gravitational torque between the Moon and the tidal bulge of Earth causes the Moon to be constantly promoted to a slightly higher orbit and Earth to be decelerated in its rotation. 

Day become longer by 1.97 milliseconds over 1 century. With continued radiation from the Sun, it will vaporize the oceans, take away tidal bulge, the day will be a month long some 4.32 billion years from now and the Sun will be in the stage of Red Giant. 

Whatever has been created will die one day, and new system will take place of the old. It's a continuous cycle of GOD...Generation, Operation, and Destruction...we call it 3 acts of ONE Almighty; Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Operator), and Shiva (the Destroyer).

Everything is moving and changing continuously. Let us live in peace and harmony to make mother Earth a Heaven and live like One Family, "Vashudhaiv Kutumbkam" (whole world is one family), the ancient hymns preached by the Rishis of the land. 

Yoga means sum, the act of physical and breathing exercise followed by peaceful prayer called dhyan, has been systematically explained by Yoga Guru "Panini" (was born in Multan of present Pakistan) in his book "Yog Sutra", emphasizing on 8 acts (yam, niyam, asan, pranayam, pratyahar, dharana, dhyan, samadhi). Baba Ramdev and PM NaMo have made Yoga, as universal act, once again.

During Ramadan, our Muslim brothers follow yam, niyam, pratyahar, some asan while doing namaaz, and do dharana and dhyan while praying the Almighty Allah. 

People all over the world do some kind of physical and mental acts that give them peace of mind, as the ultimate search of all is the "Peace". Same acts but name differently with variations of acts as per the mental and physical strength of the local people. 

ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥

Punamchand
1st July 2015

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