Daksha Sorathia, the Forest Queen

Daksha Sorathia, the Forest Queen 

Reservation of job for females in Government jobs in AP was introduced by the NTR, the then CM of AP in 1990s. I was Election Observer (1994) of Nalgonda Parliamentary Constituency, in which 480 candidates contested the election. A newspaper size ballot papers were printed both the sides and used, and the wise people of the Constituency elected their candidate with a margin of 1 lakh votes.  We had extensive tour of the constituency and the peripheral areas. Ramudu was my Liaison Officer, explaining me the administration of AP. The entry of NTR was a turning point in AP administration. His steps of reducing retirement age from 58 to 55 (to open jobs for youngsters), dividing the Tehsils into small small Mandals and placing the Tehdildar, BDO and MO in each of the Mandals, rice distribution to poor at ₹2/kg, education syllabus overhauling, brahmmuhurta meetings with officers, etc, were the steps of making ease of getting government services. But the female reservation in government job was one of the major decisions. The males in administration were happy with the decision, not because of the rise in efficiency level of government services but because of the improvement in the office decorum of government offices. Many of the lazy who were not taking bath regularly, wearing cloths without washing, coming to office without combing heirs, started coming to office with better outlook. Their language, their behaviour, their presentation in offices were changed with the induction of female employees in the offices. Ramudu was explaining.

Gujarat has also introduced 33% female reservations in government jobs much later but included the uniform services of Police and Forest in it. The Forest Department of Gujarat has inducted new force of direct recruit female power as Bit Guard, Forester, RFO, ACF. Initially, there was an apprehension that how would the female employees protect the forest while living in the interior forest areas? It was general impression that they will do the Social Forestry work of raising nurseries and supervise plantation of trees. But many of them have performed so boldly that the males are taking inspiration from them. The CAMPA fund bikes gave us female riders. One of these powerful lot is Daksha Sorathia. 

Daksha Sorathia, a 2013 batch direct recruit Round Forester posted in Satkasi round of Vajpur range of Vyara Division in 2015. Satkasi is rich in forests and it is one of the most sensitive ranges of South Gujarat. Illicit tree cutting is a challenge for the employees as the border of the State ends within 12 kms of the round. Satkasi was known for mass illegal felling of trees, smuggling of logs in Ukai backwaters and Conflict with locals. The forest department staff were working in an extremely hostile environment on a regular basis. One Bit Guard was killed in past, while saving the forests. The area is one of the best patches of forest in South Gujarat with a high density of trees. However it was also highly sensitive in terms illegal cutting of trees and cultivation of crops in forest land. In Addition, Timber Mafia was also operating in those areas, giving the forest department a miss  many a times.

In this scenario, Daksha Sorathia, a girl from Jamnagar, the most western district of Gujarat, was posted in Satkasi, Round (South Gujarat) in 2015, the place approximately 700km away from her native. She took  excellent control of over 1200 hectares of forest area in Satkasi Round of  Vajpur Range. She is an enthusiastic forester, working in the department with dedication, zeal and courage. Girl alone, living in the interior forest area in the staff quarter and protecting forest is a thrilling experience. She is not only chasing the mafias but also undertook a Mass Encroachment removal exercise by evacuating 74 illegal gangs from Maharashtra that were operating in the nearby forest areas.

But she is not only brave but wise too. She has finished her MA with History recently. For the development of local people, she has focussed on Livelihood empowerment via PM skill development schemes, PM irrigation schemes, MGNREGA and various other department schemes. She is changing the mind set of the people. Her extraordinary contribution can be gauged from the fact that she converted a village of Budwada, famous for illegal cutting and transportation of timber into a Conservation Village.

She is working on new generation too. She took school kids of all 14 local villages to forest to explain about Forests and Wildlife and sensitise the upcoming generation about the value of such resources and the need to conserve them.

How could she leave her colleagues behind? She undertook regularly weekly Parde of staff of Forest Department serving under her boasting their morale and self discipline.

She is now an inspiration for all of Tapi Forest Team and was able to create healthy competition among foresters in Tapi Forest Division which led to a drastic improvement in results at ground level. Tapi Forest Team is fully motivated to replicate the success achieved  by Daksha Sorathia in all of the rounds of division, and undertake measures for development of both forests and people.

Sorath, Saurastra is famous for the bravery of the people. Children of Saurastra born with the bravery in blood. Daksha has proved that a female power not only protect the forests from the mafias, but also develop people through livelihood promotion programmes, nurture the upcoming generation by education and stimulate the morals of the staff of the division by setting up example of her great services. Behind her success, there is male force. The male staff are giving her protection and accept her in lead.

After our Three "Lions Queens" (Raseela, Kiran, Darshana) in the West (Sasan Gir), Daksha Sorathia is our "Forest Queen" protecting forest and promoting livelihood in South East end of the State. They are our shining Stars, the symbols of Female Power in Gujarat Forest Administration.

Punamchand 
28 June 2016

Read More

Devmogara in the Hills of Satpuda Range

Devmogra in the Hills of Satpuda range

We were passing through the beautiful forests of Sagai area of Sagbara Taluka of Narmada District of Gujarat. It was Sunday. Many people mounted on Jeeps and two wheelers were going to one direction. Some were stopping enroute and collecting fire woods. Looking to the moods and colours of the cloths, one can presume that they were going for a religious fair. But ours and their destination was the same, the Devmogara temple of Devmogara (Pandre) Devi in the forest. Mostly people offer dry coconut to the deity, but many carry goats and chickens for offering. They sacrifice animals for their mannat. One employee of the ONGC won the case of his regularisation, one family got a male child, one guy got a new job, one farmer expect good crop during the rainy season, etc, were the reasons for they animal offerings to the deity. People come with their families, relatives, friends; cook meal of rice, vegetables and the sacrificed animals and enjoy the Sunday lunch under the umbrella of the Devmogara Devi. The local trust has provided the space for kitchens and dining. The sacrifices of animals are performed outside the temple wall. Some do themselves and some take the help of others. They cook and consume all in the campus. Nothing to carry back.

Devmogara is a temple of the Princely State of Sagbara and is managed by their family trust. The Thakurs were the rulers. It is an ancient temple. The trust published a booklet but later withdrew it due to some dispute of the history of the temple. The people are mostly tribal. There are Vasava, Vadavi, Tadavi, etc, tribes living in the area. Forest Right Act has given them land rights and development has given them means of alternative earnings other than agriculture and forest produces. No barefoot tribal. Bikes have improved their mobility and growth has brought cash in their pockets. When rich men go to Europe and other countries to enjoy their holidays, the tribal of Sagbara enjoy the Sunday Picnic with their families and friends sharing the feast of the sacrifice. 

The area is rich in biodiversity with many species of animals and birds. They are rare like: barking dear, grey horn bill, the most beautiful and colourful dunkel parrot, red junglefowl, Palm civet, and many varieties of birds and animals. Some of the rare species of trees and plants are there. Musali, the ginseng of India is produced here. It cares stomach and potency issues. 

Mahashivratri is a Grand Feast Day, when the queue of Darshana is 2.5 km long of which many carry the animals to sacrifice. If you are keen to enjoy the feast with tribal taste, visit the temple on any Sunday or wait for the Shivratri to meat the tribal in thousands. An Eco Tourism site has been developed with some room accommodations. Do visit on weekends and enjoy the beautiful forests of the Satpuda (7 mountains) Hills, the wilds, the biodiversity of nature with tribal customs. Satpuda was famous for tiger in past, that will be established with a Tiger Safari Park in the region. The area will a major tourists attraction with Statue of Unity, Valley of Flowers, Zarvani trails, and the Satpuda Forest with their wilds. Don't miss.

India had unique model of religion, tourism and employment generation; the model of success and sustainability. Faith governs over the logic. 

Punamchand 
27 June 2016

Read More

Code Mantra

Code Mantra

Thakorbhai Desai Hall at Law Garden was houseful with Amdavadi audience yesterday. I saw the Gujarati world beyond the TV and Cinema, watching the Play "Code Mantra". 

What a play! The writer, director and the main actress of the play Sneha Desai, with her splendid performance hold the audience for 150 minutes. 

Based on a true story, and set up against the background of Indian Army, the play Code Mantra revolves around a court martial case of a young army officer Ashwin Rathod, charged with a murder of his younger brother Rohit Rathod who was a commando of the Rajputana Rifle. It was a beautiful narration of internal discipline and commands of the army units. 

The Colonel Indravadan Rajput, the most respected Colonel was waiting for 15 August to receive the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military award for the highest degree of valour and self sacrifice, awarded to him. He is one of the few lucky to receive the award alive. He was saved from the serious injuries of three bullets fire on him by the enemies. 

The mother of the victim (Rohit) and the accused (Ashwin) goes to the lawyer Sagun Oza to save his one son, who she feels innocent. Primafacie, it is a lost case as the actus reus was clearly proved with the act of Ashwin and there is a witness, and the mens rea could be proved easily. Rohit, the commando was unable to cope up with the extremely challenging training requested the authorities for his transfer and was willing to confide details about a firing case killing two Pakistanis across the LOC. Ashwin did it.

But Sagun Oza, one of the victims of Army training of internal ragging, tuned to a Military Law Expert took up the case, lead it and end up convicting the most unusual suspect, who gave the Code Mantra. Lieutenant Colonel Joshi, a friend of the Colonel of the Regiment Indravadan Rajput, feels Ashwin is innocent, doesn't come forward as witness, commits suicide during the trial of the case. Ashwin obeyed the command of his senior Lieutenant Chauhan to execute the Code Mantra. 

Code Mantra is one kind of punishment out side the military law book, developed as a custom as part of patriotism, an excessive of duty, not looking at the health and human aspect of the individual but in want of making the unit best, execute unethical commands of punishment over the weak through the internal hierarchy developed through army discipline. Sagun successfully defended Ashwin and uncover the face behind the Code Mantra, the Colonel Indravadan Rajput. His unjustified patriotic excess of discipline killed one commando. And that to with the hands of his elder brother. The Colonel was Court Marshalled. It was the climax of the case. 

His Param Vir Chakra was withdrawn. 
The most respected Colonel go mad under the stress of the outcome of the case. But the anti climax, Sagun is a daughter of the Colonel Indravadan Rajput and daughter-in-law of the Lieutenant Colonel Joshi. Saving Ashwin, she lost her two. She has proved that call of duty is above all the relationships.

Want to see? The next show is scheduled on 30 June. 

Gujarati Theatre is not famous as of Bengali. It's folk theatre Bhavai originated in 14th century was the most popular acts in villages. Sanskrit Plays were performed in temples and Royal courts. Drama entered into the land through Portuguese and British Raj. The first Gujarati Theatre was started by a Parasi travelling group in 1853. Poet Dalpatram wrote the first Gujarati play 'LAXMI' in 1850. After 163 years, the Play 'Code Manta' has proved that Gujarati language too has a power. After a very popular Gujjubhai drama, Code Mantra pulls the crowd with a theme based story with splendid performances of the all 30 characters on the stage and some behind.

I enjoyed the night show watching Code Mantra with LAXMI.

Punamchand 
24 June 2016

Read More

Beyond the Corporates

Beyond the Corporates

We were trailing around 4.7% growth rate, now going up to 7.9%. The higher figure of GR has come from new method of calculation of the growth rate. The GDP growth in 2010-11 was calculated based on factor cost which has now been changed to constant prices to take into account gross value addition in goods and services as well as indirect taxes. Besides, the base year has been shifted to 2011-12 from 2004-05 earlier.The growth rate statistics are for the economists to review.

Agriculture and allied activities contribute only 12% of the GDP employ 50% of the labour force. Manufacturing Sector contributes 15% of GDP but it's large industries generate few employments. The growth of service sector has changed the shape of our economy by contributing 57% of the GDP. IT boys and girls have made us rich (surplus) in foreign reserves. If we exclude the figures of the corporate incomes, the per capita annual income of the common man will further go down from the figure $1497 (PPP $5350) (2013). Statisticians can paint the picture of your liking, by playing with Statistics.

For common man, income matters that meets his two ends. Unless the wealth is distributed well amongst all Indians, the overall quality of life may not improve. With the NPA shadow, banks will go conservative in funding the flyers. That may have direct impact on the growth statistics, which may reduce the flow of FDI. Government has to increase its earning capacity with the growth model otherwise who will spend from where on HDI subjects?

With 12.3% BPL, we shall think for the new line QLL (Quality of Life Line)

There is a world beyond the Corporates.

Punamchand
22 June 2016

Read More

Who will replace Rajan?

Who will replace Rajan?

The RBI Governor Shri Raghuram Rajan opted for academics, therefore, names of his replacement are in news. As an outspoken personality, he has explained, what he did for Indian economy during his tenure as RBI Governor. It is for the economists to review, whether he went for no options answers or selected the best/suitable from the available alternatives. However, with the decrease of exports and imports both the overall business went down, but as the import was decreased more than the exports, it has given plus point to the country. With the fall of demands all over the world, the reduction in crude prices has saved us more than any other decisions. NPA is rising up and some of the nationalised banks are in trouble due to funding high value loans like Malya. However, the interest rates of the banks are always in debates. The borrowers want loans at low interest rates and the depositors expect more returns on their investments. 

Many of the developed countries have less interest rates (1 or 2%) for both the groups (with nearly zero inflation), the consumption model of economy is booming in those countries (excluding the recession period). Now at home, when inflation is under control, people demand borrowing at low interest rates. If that is slashed down, the depositors interest income will go down. Will that affect the quality of their life, as many of them are retired or near to retired age people?

Somebody commented, 

"The new RBI Governor should reduce interest rates to less than 2 per cent. When inflation is almost Zero , there is no reason to have such high interest rates. The lazy middle class and Senior Citizens have been getting too much Free Money on their Savings. While the productive , risk-taking entrepreneurial class (who are the real engines of the economy) is being penalized with high interest rates."

Savings is a major source of our economic investments. IPOs are disappeared, therefore either FDI or the Domestic Savings to take the lead.

What is your take on this? The lazy v/s productive!!!

Punamchand 

20 June 2016

Read More

Easy to build tangible, difficult to improve HR

Easy to build tangible, difficult to improve HR

Building of infrastructure of class rooms, computers, teachers, etc, is a very easy job for any government, provided it has enough funding. But making the people educative is the most difficult task, particularly when all the three stakeholders (students, teachers and parents) are non sincere to the studies. The supervisor was called Kelavani Nirikshak (not shiksan Nirikshak) and his inspection was a fear factor for the teachers to deliver quality education in past. The numbers were small and manageable. The students were those who were interested in education. When India was living in villages, and education was not privatised, children from all communities were going to school. With the Sanskar and attitude of upper castes students, the lower castes students were learning good virtues of life. It was real kelavani of the human resource.

But urbanisation and the target of making all literate has changed everything. For example, with urbanisation, the upper castes population have migrated to the cities. Those who are living in villages are sending their children to private schools. They are saving their apples from the company of the backwards. Government schools have mostly the students of OBC, Dalits and tribal  communities. And many times the teachers are from the upper castes. They try to teach their students well in the beginning but when they fail after many attempts, they pass time and wait for the transfer order at the road side school or a native school so that they attend their home matters more than their jobs. They have a union, that work for their service interest and with the affiliation with the political pressure groups they guard themselves from regulations and punishments. If salary, increments and promotions are linked with the performance in delivery of quality of education, the standard of teaching can be improved. Sometimes, the management is also at fault, not placing the right teachers at right spots. If the school doesn't have mathematics and science teachers for many years, how could the students learn these subjects. English is the subject of great fear for the students. The fear of Britishers has not gone from the language! And Indian courts yet to accept the concept of work salary against time salary. We give time salary (working hours), not the work salary (output) in government.

If one can free the teachers from the unions and make them accountable for results of their students; make the students more sincere to their studies by changing the methods of study, and convince the parents to add their efforts in learning of their kin at home, the quality of education can improve. It is a hard task of making the unorganised lot into organised. If the children of the officers and elected representatives study in the government schools, they may take more interest in improving quality of education of those schools. In a way, that will help in improving quality of education in government schools. They are also one of the stakeholders, who failed in improving quality of education in government schools.

If private schools are performing well, better to transfer primary education to private organisations. The job insecurity of private schools make the teachers more efficient. Year by year, number of students are increasing in primary schools run by the private organisations. The schools run by the trusts are doing well in high school education.

Improving quality of education is not an easy task. All have to work hard to improve the quality of education by chasing a big quantity.

Punamchand
19 June 2016

Read More

Feel proud of the Past

Feel Proud of the Past

An Environmental Engineer met me yesterday. He is a Muslim and his name is Nischalavalamb. His brother Pravinavalamb was with him. He came for discussing Eco Tourism policy. How could you have Hindu names, being a Muslim? I asked them. 

Our names are Persian, not Hindu. They replied. The words are there in Sanskrit and carry the same meanings as in Persian. Nischal (peaceful) Avalamb (rested) and Pravin (skilful) are Persian words. As per Quran, the 7th Sky/heaven is the abode of God/Allah and the Angels. It is called the 7th Arsh, the same as in Sanskrit, meaning sky/heaven/asamaan/gagan. On the roof of sky is our world.

If we simply consider only the activities of the so called modern smarts as meaningful, then the existence of millions over earth will be meaningless. We have to place all the humans on some activities, whether literature, science or history. If we stop studying our glorious ancient past, how could be excel further? Knowledge, skills and arts of many branches have disappeared due to our carelessness. When you read the principles of Vedic Mathematics, you will be surprised, how best were the brains of those ancient time. The study of Sanskrit and the ancient knowledge of various subjects can give us some keys to resolve our problems of present. I happened to meet one Mahapandit from Karnataka in that Gurukul function. It was crowded place, still, he was very happy to explain about his book on remedies of Global warming based on Vedic Principles. 

It is not anti-secular, but the pride of our glorious past. It has been proved that Sanskrit is the most scientific language best fitted for Computer programming and Algorithms. The logic and the choice of right words make the programmers perfect. We are the same DNA living the ancient chain, whether name us as Hindu or Muslim or Shikh or Isai.

Punamchand 

19 June 2016

Read More

Vidhyarambham Samskar

Vidhyarambha Samskar

June is a month of enrolment of the Children of age 3-5 years in JKG, SKG, 1st Std, in the schools in India. The old tradition of celebration of the day as an important event by different castes and communities is still prevalent in many parts of the country.

Traditionally, Vidhyarambham is the beginning of knowledge for children, held through a ceremony. It is one of the 16 Samskars of Hinduism. Children write first letter of mantra under the supervision of the master. Thousands of people go to temple before sending their children to the school. People worship Goddess Sarasvati. Gurukul system of India has been replaced by the modern school system but the faith in the eternal forces still exists. However, the purity of Gurukul system of Vedic time disappeared.

But yesterday, I have witnessed a Gurukul Vidhyarambham Ceremony in Sabarmati, Ahmedabad.  A procession of 81 children of 3-10 Years age group (with their parents)were mounted on Elephant Ambaris (9), horse chariots and bullock carts, and with the sound of mangal vadhyas of Ransinga, bheri, mridanga, kartal, etc, was moving in the areas of Jain Colonies and finally reached to the Gutukulam in the morning. The campus of the Gurukul was decorated with natural colours and flowers. All the children were welcomed with traditional ponkhana at the gate. Thereafter, they assembled and occupied their seats on the Darbhasana to start the ritual in front of the statue of the Goddess Sarasvati. After the welcome rituals the admission procedure started with chanting Sarasvati mantra into their right ears by the masters and then they wrote the first letter of their life, aum, the symbol of the God.

You may be thinking, this is a normal tradition of India. What is new in it? It is not only new but also unique.

The children come here not for their regular study of Std 1-12. They neither have class 1,2,3.. system nor they receive any certificate of their passing of any standard of 1-12. It is not a regular schooling. And it is not recognised or equalised with our system. Like Diksha selected as the path of salvation, the Gurukul Siksha has been selected as the path of acquiring knowledge by the parents of the Jain children. The parents decide the Gurukul Siksha life for their children. The experts of ancient subjects of vaidik mathematics, science, Sanskrit, yoga, philosophy, astrology, astronomy, etc, teach them directly from the Granthas. Sanskrit is the main medium of their teaching. The students can stay here for many years, acquire knowledge of various subjects and return to samsara and live a life of their choice. They live an ancient life style in the Gurukul. They wake up at 4am, do yogabhyas, drink dharosna milk (to drink within 48 minutes of milking) with sarasvat churna, study different subjects; eat Satvik food three times in a day, cooked in brass utensils with cow dung cakes, the real taste of India. They learn horse riding and perform akhada teachings too.

What is required in HRD? Not only the reading and writing skill but the 'kelavani' of the new generation. They are our future citizens and the identity of India. If they are cultured, the nation will shine automatically. After all what is the difference between the devas and the danavas? Between the Suras and Asuras? Between the organised and the unorganised? Between the cultured and the uncultured? The difference is of Samskars, and that comes through right education, right siksha, the kelavani. 

My Sanskrit teacher late Shri Sri Raman Sharma taught us a Sanskrit Sloka in 8th: 

न चौर हार्यम न च राज हार्यम | न भ्रात्रभाज्यम न च भारकारी ||

व्यये कृते वर्धते नित्यं | विद्या धनं सर्वे धनं प्रधानम्  ||

(The wealth that can't be stolen, neither abducted by the State, nor can be divided amongst brothers; it is not burdensome to carry, the wealth that increases by giving, that wealth is knowledge and is supreme of all possessions) 

Another Sloka was:

विद्या ददाति विनयं विनयाद्याति पात्रताम् ।

पात्रत्वाद्धनमाप्नोति धनाद्धर्मं ततः सुखम् ॥ 

(Education gives humility, humility gives character, from character one gets the wealth, from wealth one gets the righteousness, in righteousness there is happiness)

Jains are known for their risk taking ability in trades and industries. But applying this bravery in education is a new story for me. They take bold decisions of Diksha leaving the wealth in minutes. And their bravery in Shiksa, giving education to their children through Gurukul. They have understood the value of Vidhya, the kelavani, to build the future of their community.

Do you have courage to put your children in Gurukul? Are you ready to leave the world of jobs? I don't have that courage. One of my Batchmate Shri Mahendra Jain studied his primary education at home through the similar system of Gurukul. And at present, he is the Yogiraj of our batch.

Jai Jinendra.

Punamchand 

17 June 2016

Read More

Chor Vadodara

Chor Vadodara 

The village I have visited recently during School enrolment drive is named Virochan Nagar, named after a Baniya person Shri Virochand. In a population of 6000, it has 2000 Muslims, 2000 Kshatriyas (Darbars) and rest are the Thakardas, Devi Pujak, Dalits, and few Brahmins. The Baniyas are living mostly in Mumbai and hardly come to the village. Selection of the name, Virochan Nagar was a choice of neutrality. 

But the original name of the village was Vadodara. Before independence, it was under British provincial rule, and was located at the border of the Vadodara State. As the surrounding villages, i.e., Govindpura, Kalyanpura, Jakhwada, Chandrasan, etc, were in Vadodara State, therefore, some of the villagers of Vadodara village used to rob the villages of Vadodara Princely State. As the police of Vadodara State can't enter into the British ruled area, the thieves were thieving and living safely in the Vadodara village. It became a village of the thieves, therefore, people named it Chor Vadodara.

It is a birth place of late Gobhakta Shambhu Maharaj. He had devoted his entire life after Goraksha and made it a movement. His son continued with the charity work in the village, his father started. One rotten mango can spoil the basket of mangoes. The rotten apple spoils the barrel. But in Humans, a good person influences everyone he or she comes into contact with, making them good too. Similarly, some people go bad in the company of bad person. Shambhu Maharaj being a good man seeded good culture in the village. However, the Chor mark over the village continued for many years.

The literacy rate, particularly the female literacy is very poor. Most of the girls marry at 14-15 Y age, and squire premature motherhood. The quality of education is poor. The only silver line is that all the school going girls are in the school. Muslim children are punctual in attending Madrasa in the morning (7-10 am). Previously the Madrasa teaching of Holy Quran was in verbal, but last two years they have started it through teaching Arabic alphabets. Therefore, the children are confused with Gujarati and Arabic alphabets when they come to the school. The students regular in Madrasa are irregular in the school. One of the Muslims educated her daughter upto 12th, and she has scored 83% marks in 12th, but due to oppose from her in-laws, she couldn't continue her study further. She was married in the same village with her cousin as per the custom. Her husband is a farmer, doesn't understand the value of her education. Her father is keen to see her in college and to acquire a good job, but the girl is aiming to become an 'anganwadi worker' and applied for the post of Talati. I was happy to know that many Muslims have started thinking for education and development of their children. They have realised the importance of happiness of present life on Earth than the life and heaven after the death. 

Chor Vadodara became Virochan Nagar, and people are conscious about their name, therefore, if quality of education is improved and people's participation is mobilised with some coordination with the Maulvi of the Madrasa, the quality of life of the Muslims can be improved. However, social reforms to oppose child marriages, de-addicting people from chewing gutaka and drinking alcohol to be kept on priority with all the backward castes and communities of the village. With the development of Sanand as one of the industrial hubs of the State, each house has a job either of worker or of helper. The boys in the area are aiming at ITI to acquire industrial skill to get the job after 10th. They are not day dreaming. 

The village, Virochannagar, now in AUDA area, located some 90 kms away from the State Capital is in changing mode.

Punamchand 
16 June 2016

Read More

Dahyo Baval (Prosopis Juliflora)

Dahyo Baval (Prosopis Juliflora)

Gujarat is located near the Desert, therefore desertification of some of it's northwest and north parts is a natural phenomena. Due to insufficient rain, these parts, except in the few months of monsoon, used to look barren. Therefore, 130 years ago, the then rulers brought the seeds of Prosopis Juliflora from Australia and air sprayed over the barren lands. And the immortal plant spread like an invasive weed and made the desert earth green. It has performed good act, therefore, could have been named "Dahya Baval" but people looking at his capacity of spreading with the winds, call it "Ganda Baval". It is also known as angreji/vilayati babool.

It has traveled to many districts of Gujarat and to the districts of Rajasthan. In Rajasthan, it has crossed Jodhpur and marching towards Jeisalmer to defeat the desert of Thar Parkar.

Unless it is removed with the roots through JCB this plant is immortal. Each plant generate hundreds of seeds. The animals those eat, add fertilisers to it's seed and expand their growth through excretion. The species is generating it's nitrogen on its own, therefore, fertility of land doesn't matter for its survival. Little moisture and a place to stay, it spreads and multiply. It's roots go very deep (upto 53 metres) inside in search of water.

It has stopped soil erosion. It has given green cover to the barren lands.vIt is a shelter to many wilds. It's pods are food for many animals. It has served fuel wood demand of thousands of households, therefore saved many other trees.  It generates oxygen. It also generates money. The honey generated from the Juliflora is of very good quality. It is estimated that Kutch forest of Juliflora produces 500 quintal (potential 2500 Q) honey per annum. Honey is a food as well as medicine for the humans. New experiments suggest that lac which is grown on Kusum can also be grown on Juliflora.

The way live Juliflora is useful, the dead is even more useful. There was a phrase for elephant, jinda lakh ka, murda sava lakh ka. Now with the prohibition of sell of elephant bones, the phrase is not in use. But Juliflora is earning for men when alive and earn even more after it's death.

It's charcoal (85000 MT/annum) is used as fuel  not only in houses but also in restaurants and industries. The charcoal powder is used in RO machines to filter the water. It's paste makes the teeth whiter. The charcoal powder doesn't allow the bio items to grow, therefore used in Pharma and other industries in packing of drugs and food articles. Rs.10/kg charcoal, after heating at 1200 degrees temperature become a low wait substance, powdered, that earns Rs. 75/kg to the manufacturer. However 4 kg charcoal become 1 kg after heating, therefore, the profit margin is around Rs. 15/kg. Imagine, somebody produces 4 MT charcoal powder a day, it's a very good business. Low investment, high returns, more employment. Heavy Industries may generate 1 job for the investment of Rs. 20 Cr or Rs. 200 Cr, but the small industries generate more jobs from less investment. The cottage and rural industries even generate more jobs. The entire informal sector is working and surviving with the capital cost of approximately Rs. 10,000/head. Heavy industries generate profits and increase the income of the governments, that is spend over the infrastructure development. And the cottage and rural industries generate revenue that feed the masses of the Country.

Due to it's spread over the grass lands and crop lands, many advocate for it's forceful removal. But they didn't succeed. It has survived and will survive for long. It is not Gando Baval but the Dahyo Baval of the State. It has given us more. However, it has to be cut periodically and to be used, otherwise, it may turn into Gando Baval again.

It is a 'Vijay Shami' that can conquer any land.

Punamchand
15 June 2016

Read More

Hukkah, Hukau, Haq

Hukkah, Hukau, Haq

Huqqa an Arabic word become Hukkah in Urdu was an important custom of Asia/India and was a matter of prestige. People used to smoke tobacco filtering it through the water to remove some of the toxins. The jaggery and other flavours are added in making the tobacco gives a sweet smoke taste that gives pleasure to the smokers. Hookah and Pani are the instruments to allow the person into the company. It is a medium of friendship and relationship. When someone has been boycotted by the society or community the first punishment announced is to stop hukkah Pani of the person. Once hukkah Pani are stopped, the family is debarred from all the customs and relations. The social boycott was so powerful an instrument that all the persons in the community abide by their rules and regulations. Therefore, the customary codes and rules are still survived though there are  laws and rules under the Constitution. 

The hookahs were hewn from coconut cell therefore, it was called narghile (Persian) meaning Narikela  in Sanskrit. It was a popular in many Asian countries, more in Muslim world. The Pictures of Sultans and Emperors carry images of smoking hukkah. It was popular among noblemen and became a status symbol for the Indian aristocracy and gentry. Hubble Bubble was the name the English in India gave it to mimic the gurgling sound. The artisans decorate it with silver tin cover with handwork. There are many shapes, sizes and designs of hukkah. It is called by different names: huqqa, hukkah, huqqo, hoko, chillm, guduguda, etc, in different parts of Asia. Modern people taste hukkah in hukkah bars. 

My father used to smoke hukkah. He had a silver hukkah and used to make it new after regular intervals. My childhood started with preparing hukkah for my father. Putting the wet tobacco in the earthen bowl and lit with charcoal, then loaded over the hukkah was my morning and afternoon work of the day. As the maker has take two-three smoke through the pipe to remove the blocked air and to make it active, I had tasted hookah in childhood. We used to make the wet tobacco with jaggery flavour at home. However, I have never tried to smoke either hukkah or cigarettes in life. 

The water filter doesn't remove all the toxins of tobacco and people use the same pipe/tube to smoke, hukkah smoking is injurious to health for smoking chemical toxins of tobacco (lungs, heart, cancer diseases) as well as spreading infectious diseases of tuberculosis, herpes, hepatitis, influenza, etc. It increases the level of carbon monoxide in the smokers body. The nicotine make them addictive.

However, Ayurveda allows hukkah smoking between 12-80 years age with conditions. There are timing and seasonal restrictions as well as prohibition for some. It is not smoking of tobacco but smoking of Ayurvedic medicines. It is used for balancing three dosas, to clean up congestion from the broncho and lungs area and dealing with upper respiratory problems, etc. Coughing with loud sound removes the chocking and congestion of the respiratory and lungs area, therefore we read messages of apply such act as a first aid in case of heart attack. As smoking increases the metabolism rate of the body, therefore, the smokers are not obese.

Hukau (pronounced huka) in China is a registration of the residents of the area. It is a system of family registration for social control. China don't have slums because people of one province can't get work permit in other provinces without hukau. It is like a visa within the states. It is a household registration system. Without Hukau permission, nobody can stay or work in that province. India has a system of domicile certificate but it is not been followed strictly, therefore, Mumbai and other cities are converted into the slum cities.

The word huqqa/hukkah/hukau must have been derived from the Arabic word Haq/hak meaning just/true/right. Hukkah - Pani is a permission to stay in the company. 

Have you tried Hukkah? It is tasty but addictive. Don't try.

Punamchand 
14 June 2016

Read More

Mortal Body

Mortal Body

This mail was circulated to ias-guj in June 2008. A repetition for the new friends in gujias. Others may just skip. Dear Colleagues, We have worked in many departments. Let us understand our own two major departments: Mortal and Immortal, Jad and Chetan, Prakriti and Purush, Body and Atma. We are Immortal, Chaitanya, Purush, Atma. We have body. We are not the body. Let me explain the Mortal, the Body today. We have 5 bodies, i.e. Annamay Kosh, Pranmay Kosh, Manomay Kosh, Vighyanmay Kosh and Anandmay Kosh. Five cells, bodies. The same can be explained by Sthool, Sukshma and Karan sharira. The physical body is Annamay Kosh (5 tatva: akash, vayu, agni, jal and prithvi), the breathing system is Pranmay Kosh (5 pran: pran, apan, udan, vyan, saman), the mind is Manomay Kosh (5 karmendriya and 5 gyanendriya: eyes, ears, tongue, nose, skin), the buddhi/wisdom is Vighyanmay Kosh and the happiness is Anandmay Kosh. Each body needs energy and maintenance to survive. Each one has problems, which we call diseases. Our ancient Rishis have developed various methods/therapies to treat each body and get the best out put. Right regular food, pratyahar and Asanas are medicines for the physical body, the Annamay Kosh. Deep breathing and Pranayam are medicines for the Pranmay Kosh. Sankalp-Vikalp Chintan, Yam, Niyam and Dharna are medicines for Manomay Kosh.    Yam, Niyam are useful for Annamay and Pranmay kosh too. Manan, Nidhidhyasan (to practice) and accepting the right path are for Vighyanmay Kosh. Samadhi, Samata, Santosh are for Anandmay Kosh. The health of one body affects the others. Similarly, the problem of one can lead to problem to others.    Good Health of physical body leads to healthy breathing system, which leads to healthy mind.    Healthy mind selects the correct path and leads the life in happiness, joy and peace.    The repairing of one of them definitely improves the others, but repairing of all will make the life best. Let us examine the deficit we have and try to fill it up with the right way. Our body is mortal but it is like a machine or a car. It can run longer and efficiently if we take care of its energy, repairs and maintenance.    Older the car/body it needs more care and maintenance. The young car holders shall drive it fast but beware of accidents!    The old car holders shall use it carefully and look after the maintenance. Shubham Bhavtu, Punamchand  15 February 2009

Read More

Uttama or Dhruva

Dear Friends, I was reading Shrimad Bhagvat. There is a story of Dhruva. There was a king, whose name was Uttanpad (who sat on high seat).  He had two queens; Suruchi (who follows the ruchi-liking of the king) and Suniti (who follows public interest policy). Suruchi was the loving queen of the king.  Uttama or Dhruva Suruchi had a son named Uttam (outstanding) and Suniti had son named Dhruva (Stable). Both the sons were small in age. One day the king Uttanpad was sitting on his Sinhasana with queen Suruchi. Uttam and Dhruva who went to play, came running to the parents. Uttam the younger, straight went up and sit in the king’s lap. Dhruva also tried the same. The king was also keen to accept him without bias. But he was stopped by the queen Suruchi. The king was helpless. He allowed the queen to stopped Dhruva. She told Dhruva that if he wants to sit in the lap of the king, he has to take birth from her womb only.  Dhruva felt very bad. He cried in front of her mother Suniti. The mother was also helpless. The king liked Suniti but he liked Suruchi the most. Suniti tried to calm Dhruva down. But Dhruva didn’t feel happy.  Suddenly Naradji came to meet Dhruva and advised him to worship the king of the kings lord Vishnu for his liberation and getting the long lasting kingdom. Dhruva accepted the advice of Naradji and went to the jungle to worshipped lord Vishnu and rest of the story you all know. Don’t you think the present ACR (now PAR) is the same like the story of Dhruva? Don’t you think the present postings-placement system in all the fields is the same like the story of Dhruva?  The sons of the queen Suruchi (who follow likings, power interests) are getting Uttam (outstanding) ACR with promotions-choice postings and the sons of queen Suniti (who follow policy, public interest, constitution) are getting good ACR with difficult side posting like Vanvas. There is no lord Vishnu (President, Governor and Judiciary) who will give Vardan to them. They have to end up their rest of the life in Aranyavas (satellite postings, psychological humiliations) only. Some of us are Uttams and some of us are Dhruvas. Do you think that the present evaluation system is converting the babus into yes men babus? It is suppose to be objective. But don't you think in real life, very much subjective? What should be our choice? Uttam or Dhruva?  What will you do after reading this article? Select Uttam (suitable to yr likings) or Dhruva (public interest policy follower)? Please think for a while and act.  Punamchand 23 October 2008

Read More

Coastal Zone Management in China

Coastal Zone Management in China

If the size of the country and the economy is big, economists advice to follow the model of country base closed economy. For small countries the Export based model (export from the region and bring wealth from outside) has been advocated. But China though a big nation opted to follow export based multiplier model and become a supplier of thousands of articles all over the world. Made in China is known as poor quality at cheapest cost. In strategic management one has to select between low cost bulk production addressing large customers net or the high cost model of quality goods addressing the special class with very high advertisement cost. China went for the low cost use and throw model and Japan went for the high cost quality model. Now it becomes the world's largest exporter. Though considered an orthodox and conservative communist country, it's phase wise economic decisions, strategy and tuning with the world economy have delivered wonders. It is the biggest challenge to the hegemony of the US.

The low cost model generated wealth and employment opportunities for the people of China. Their goods are their advertisements. Common men otherwise can't afford some of the goods are enjoying quality of life of the modern world with Chinese goods. The Chinese Dragon is flying high. 1500 years ago, Prophet Muhammad had advocated to his people to go to China and learn the skill (ilm). Ikra, ilm and talim are the great teachings of Quran. Small Chinese eyes have created a very big market. They were the first, who made the world a 'global village'.

With increase in purchase power of the people of the world, and when others are passing through the thinking cycle, Chinese goods reaches to those markets and fly their flags. The model they have adopted in last 3 decades has changed the shape and size of the Chinese economy as well as established the Country as a World Power.

China has 18,000 km long coast line, 11 of its provinces with 55 metro cities fall in the coastal zone, 42% of China's population lives here using 13% land areas and generating 60% of GDP. The growth of these areas in last 30 years has changed the economy of China. Now they are buying African lands to grow their food and increasing their numbers in US at any cost. Any offer of citizenship of US with high cost, the Chinese queue will be the longest.

At home, with climate change the challenges are increasing. The sea level rise by 2.6mm/a, acidification of Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea has been increased, marine disaster events increased, coastal erosion occurred, chemical pollution increased, oil spill accidents increased, coastal line has decreased, over fishing has reduced high value fishes, etc.

To feed and entertain present generation sometimes the leader push the country into run. Initially it looks a successful model and all the stake holders feel happy but as soon as the side effects of the over doing start coming up on the surface, the successor leader and the community have to build bridges to overcome the challenges. No model is fully successful. Each model has it's pros and cons. I or We is the choice of the Nation.

Punamchand 
12 June 2016

Read More

Who is cleverer? Crow or Cuckoo?

Who is cleverer? Crow or Cuckoo?

All students in the world pass through the Moral Story of "The thirsty Crow", in Std. 1st. You all know too.

One hot day, a thirsty crow flew all over the fields looking for water. For a long time, he could not find any. He felt very weak, almost lost all hope. Suddenly, he saw a water jug below the tree. The crow tried to push his head into the jug. Sadly, he found that the neck of the jug was too narrow. Then he tried to push the jug to tilt for the water to flow out but the jug was too heavy. The crow thought hard for a while. Then looking around it, he saw some pebbles. he suddenly had a good idea. he started picking up the pebbles one by one, dropping each into the jug. As more and more pebbles filled the jug, the water level kept rising. Soon it was high enough for the crow to drink. His plan had worked! (Moral: Think and work hard, you may find solution of any problem)

The Crow, therefore, identified as the clever crow in the minds of the children all over the world. Crow is there in Sanskrit Subhashit. It advocates not to judge the person through his/her outwardly appearances. 

काकः कृष्ण: पिको कृष्ण: को भेदो काक पिकयोः
वसन्त समये प्राप्ते काकः काकः पिकः पिकःII
(Kaka: krushna: pika: krushna:, Ko bheda: pikakakayo:; Vasantha kale samprapte
Kaka: kaka: pika: pika:,) (The crow is black and the cuckoo is black. What difference, then between cuckoo and crow? When the spring(season) sets in, We know (distinguish) crow is crow and cuckoo is cuckoo (the way they sound, harsh/pleasing).

But do you know, in real life who is cleverer between the Crow and the Cuckoo? The Cuckoo doesn't make a nest of its own. The female lays her eggs in the nest of crow. She goes to the nest of the crow, drop two eggs of the crow and lay her eggs replacing those two. Unaware of the act of the Cuckoo, the crow couple bring up the young of cuckoo with their own.

Cuckoo wins with her pleasing sound and grow with her smart act of cheating the crow. When we are child, we learn the story of the thirsty crow with a moral to work hard. But when we grow older and face the world, we are advised to follow cuckoo. Drop your monkeys on others shoulders and keep your voice sweet to please the audience. Clever Crows are victimised by the Smart Cuckoos.

The study suggests that crows get benefited of having cuckoo chicks in the nest as it produces more crow chicks than those without. When disturbed, the cuckoo chicks emit copious amount of a sticky, smelly substance, that deters the predators from the nest. Excretion acts as a powerful defence mechanism, save both. Crow tolerate cuckoo because their young get benefited.

What is your choice? Crow or Cuckoo? Cleverer or Smarter? Or SOS? Lol.

Punamchand 

11 June 2016

Read More

Happy Home Gujarat

Happy Home Gujarat

"A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." - Albert Einstein

Gujarat is very rich in bio diversity. In last decade, the good rainy years, Narmada canal and drinking water pipeline network have made the life easy for all the creatures living in Gujarat.

Omnivorous Human population increase as routine but the most important is the increase in the population of carnivores and herbivores animals. Lions have crossed number 523. Panthers (1160) and Sloth Bears (293) are increasing. Increase in wetlands have increased the population of varieties of birds (excluding Seas, 28 lakh).

In herbivores the Blue Bull grew the highest. They are 1,86,770 (2015), almost doubled in 10 years. They are the prey of the Lions in Saurastra. And in other area, many panthers survive. However their number in Kutch (19249), BK (15005), Amreli (10562) and other districts created an uproar amongst farmers community as they eat the crops.

Out of all, the blue bull is under the attack of human criticism. At present it is declared schedule 4 animal and the Sarpanchs are empowered to issue permission to kill it in villages. However, due to religious reasons, no Sarpanch has issued such permission so far.

Blue bull is a smart animal, therefore forest department is unable to catch and transport them to other areas. The department tried for their tranquillisation but failed. Sterilisation ways are yet to be found out. The Smart animal is not crossing Tapi, may be under the fear of the danger from humans. But they move in Gandhinagar like pets.

Omnivorous humans eat many herbivores animals. They eat all grasses and the grass eaters. Only Jain religion propagated vegetarianism and non violence. Some animals may be a threat to the humans, but at present Humans are the threat to all other creatures on the Earth. They kill them for food or for safety. How could the Eco chain of Nature failed in controlling the human population? Is he the God?

Salute to Gujarati people, with their mild nature and love to nature, many animals and birds live happily in the State of Gujarat.

Gujarat is a Happy Home for all.

Punamchand
10 June 2016

Read More

RTE, great fall of drop out but with a fall of quality in education

RTE, great fall of drop out with a fall of quality in Education.

I was on a visit of a Village High School. There are two teachers, teaching to two classes 9th (36) and 10th (30). After the random testing of the 8th pass out results of the students of 9th Std, I was involved in a chat with the teachers and the students. Quality of education of primary education is always under criticism. My experience with the visit of Primary school was not encouraging. The B grade school was falling into D. Primary children were regular in Madrasa and irregular in Primary Schools. Their minds get confused between the Urdu and Gujarati letters.

How do you start with the students of 9th, as they come with a weak base from the primary? I asked a question to the teacher.

We start with Ka, kha... barakshari, 1-100, tables, plus-minus-multiplication, etc, because many students can't move forward without these basic elementary education. After merger of 8th std with the primary education, we find it difficult to prepare their base in 9th and are unable to get them ready to face the 10th board. Therefore, the results of Std 10th are not encouraging. RTE pass them all to the higher standards and the drop out actually starts from Std 9, followed by a major fall after 10th exam, as many fail and many stop studying further. He was explaining.

My father used to teach us, "dashe dahapan and vishe bhalpan" (intelligence at 10th year and benevolence at 20th year). If you don't acquire these two qualities at these junctions, you will not grow in life. He used to alert us. I tried to judge the students at the first junction.

Due to Ramadan, the attendance of the students was poor but those present have explained their condition. What is the difference the quality of your learning between the primary education and the high school education? I have asked the students.

High school education is more serious and we understand and study the subjects. In primary, it is mostly fun, whoop up and teasing some of the teachers. In the loud noise of students, we pass days and months without understanding the subjects. Our frequent absence from the school breaks our link of study and the classes we missed never return. They were explaining.

When did you first understand the subjects and study? At what age? I asked another question.

Majority answered from std 7-8, few said Std-6, one boy said Std-5. One guy replied boldly, "from Std 9th, the day when I have entered into the high school."

All said, "if we had the same kind of discipline and seriousness of study in primary education, our study in high school could have been easier. Some of our sahpathi didn't come to the high school after 8th because their primary base is very weak. Whether we go to the school or not, whether we study or not, whether we write the examinations or not; all of us are passed and promoted to the higher standards up to 9th. During the exams, our papers are set with 30 or more marks of questions of fill in the blanks, objective type with multiple choice and pairing. These questions are mostly been solved/answered by the subject teachers during the examinations. The descriptive answers, we try some and copy some from our friends. In English, we can neither read nor write, but the subject teacher circulate the answer sheet during the exam, that we copy one after another making a group of 3-4. The boys were opening the secrets of their studies and promotions. 

During the random checking, when I asked the same question to the girls, they either kept mum or gave false answer. They didn't reply, how could they wrote answers when they can't read the questions as well as the answers written by them. 

The girls behaviour reminded me the famous dialogue of Old Rose in the popular movie, Titanic: "A woman's heart is a deep ocean of secrets". Girls didn't open the secrets of their teachers. In life, many males are saved by women's hearts!

In past, 70% attendance and passing marks in all the subjects (only one with gracing marks) were compulsory. The failed students used to continue with the same standard till his/her base is improved. After one or two trials the parents used to withdraw them from the school if they can't make it and put them on job to learn the traditional skill to earn. The literacy percentage were not rising up rapidly, the drop out was very high and the passed out were the best of the lot, carrying respects of the society. 

Where are the answers?

If we follow the norms of quality examinations, many will fail. The drop out ratio will go up. Many high schools and colleges will die without students. The problem of surplus teacher will disturb public order. And making the uneducated youth employable will become a big problem.

If we follow the current system, it has reduced the drop out ratio below 5% but many children are passing their important years of life in classrooms without adding a line of intelligence. They neither learn trade to work nor study properly to get job. Their pass time in schools become a liability on their parents and the governments. Expenditure on health, education and shelters is going up on one side and thousands are added in the list of unemployable youth on other side in the country.

Do you have answers?

Please share.

Punamchand 
8 June 2016

Read More

Sandhi Kaal of Monsoon 2016

Sandhi Kaal of Monsoon 2016

Onset of monsoon has been delayed this year. Overall -31% departure from the Long Period Average. IMD revisited the date for onset over Kerala and re-predicted 7th June. Each day delay is converting the anxieties into worries. We are passing through the Sandhi Kaal, the changing of the season.

Sandhi Kaal is a junction when one state of condition move to another one. For example, night into morning, morning into afternoon, afternoon into evening, evening into night. Most deaths of creatures and accidents occur during these Sandhi Kaal. 

Do you know our breath also pass through the cycle of Ida, Susumna and Pingala. 1.5 hour of Ida (left-cold breath powerful), followed by few breath of Susumna (both equal) and then 1.5 hour of Pingala (right-hot breath powerful). Susumna breaths are more during Sandhi Kaal. As during the Sandhi of Susumna, the mind relaxes more, therefore the timings of the namaz, prayers to worship the Almighty have been prescribed during the Sandhi Kaal. The drivers reflect less during Sandhi and meet with the accidents. I am not sure but the oxygen intake goes down during the Sandhi, therefore many old people die during the Sandhi Kaal. It is a prime time for the heart attacks.

Similarly Sandhi Kaal is important at the time of the change in season. It directly affects the health of creatures. Some diseases emerge during the Sandhi Kaal. Astrological predictions become uncertain when the planet is moving from one sign to another sign. 

I happened to see a presentation of a meteorologist, analysing the data of precipitation cycle over the years and describing the effects of El-Nino and La-Nina phases. As per his analysis, El-Nino Phase (1977-2007) is over, during which some countries have seen many drought years. This is La-Nina Phase (2007-2037), in which the precipitation will be more compared to the El-Nino Phase. But global warming has increased our worries as the erratic nature of rain some times fall more in short duration causing flooding and sometimes so scarce that the crops die.

El-Nino periods are bad and La-Nina periods are good for the rainy season. Both cause global changes of the weather. But the severe drought conditions occurred during the years when there is Sandhi Kaal of the season moving from El-Nino to La-Nina or from La-Nina to El- Nino. The condition of uncertainty. 

This year, we are at the junction of Sandhi Kaal. El-Nino is dead and La-Nina is missing. Pre monsoon showers are good at southern peninsula and over north eastern states, but we count onset of monsoon over India from the date it lands over Kerala. Normally the date is 31st May or 1st June, but this year both the dates declared by the IMD didn't materialised. However, it is expected that monsoon will land over Kerala by tomorrow, the 8th June. There is upper air circulation over Bay of Bengal and over Arabia sea but this year, the global warming has made all the three, Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea lazy, the late starter. No cold clouds movement around. For Kerala and Karnataka, the months of June and July are crucial, therefore a loss of a day rainfall is a loss of the season. Gujarat and Maharastra are very warm and without much of the moisture in the environment.

The astrological quadrant of two combos Saturn-Mars and Jupiter-Rahu have increase our worries. The watery sign (Scorpio) is under the commands of the hot and dry planets (Saturn, Mars) and the watery planets (Jupiter, Venus) are moving into the hot or dry signs. Ardra means wet, water. Sun enters into Ardra on 21 June. If it doesn't rain during Ardra (21 June to 5 July), it will turn into tear drops in those areas. Hopefully, when Venus will be moving to watery sign Cancer on 14/7 and Jupiter is leaving the fiery sign Leo on 14/8, July and August will make many lives at ease. However the presence of Mars in Scorpio during the major part of the season will keep the disaster management machinery on toes. When retrograde Saturn will direct, the precipitation will increase. Cautions during 14/8 to 19/9.

Let us pray the two Gods of rain, the Varundev and the Vayudev to start their Journey to India and shower their blessings over us with good rainfall of the season. 

Global warming has changed our seasons.

Eagerly waiting for you....Rainy season.

Punamchand 
7 June 2016

Read More