Lions of Satadhar

Lions of Satadhar

Jhaverchand Meghani, the patriot poet of Gujarat whom Gandhiji called a national poet, wrote a beautiful poem on the bravery of a girl of Gir, "Charna Kanya". The poem starts with narrating the might and awe of a lion, "savaj garaje", the king of the jungle! Describing in minute detail the fearful effects the lion had on different creatures. With this backdrop, the poet introduces Charankanya, a young 14-year-old innocent Charan girl, playful and full of life. She is coming face to face with the lion! Something unbelievable happens -- the girl sees the lion eye-to-eye and then runs behind him with a stick, screaming out loud, "ubho reje, gir na kutta ubho reje". Seeing her, the lion gets afraid and runs away! 

JN Singh and I were traveling together in Gir Sanctuary after 23 years, on 25 January 2016. We did see lions eating the kill in the sanctuary area, but I wished to see the grown up lion with fur. We then moved to Devalia Captive Park. 75% of the Gir Tourists visit the park every year. 

We saw a group of five lions were enjoying their morning feast of Chital. Meantime, the forester found out two lions at one location. We were moved to that site. We saw two grown up lions, with beautiful fur coat, leisurely coming from our front, came closure to our vehicle, looked at us and pass through with shame filled fireless eyes. I was surprised. Where is the king of the Jungle? The Savaj? Where has their wildness gone? They were walking without worry and as if they had good breakfast at Jungle Mess.

Curiously, I inquired with the Foerster? 

They are Sarkari Sir, he replied instantly. They are zoo breed, kept in the Safari park. They can't hunt. In jungle, mother teaches hunting, body opening and eating skills to her cubes. But in zoo, they don't get the  chance to learn all these skills and tricks. They are permanently dependent on zoo feeding. If left out, they can't manage their food and will die of starvation.

I remembered Satadhar, a place nearby, where the pilgrims go in hundreds and eat at the langer (ram roti). Many pilgrims drop money in the donation box but some eat the langar free. And when some body eat free meal, without his own efforts or contribution, he walks with shame filled eyes.

The two Asiatic Lions we saw in the safari park, had beautiful fur tawny-golden, speckled with black lines, with a silvery sheen in Sun lights. But they were not the Savaj, the Kings of the Jungle, I had in my mind, described by Poet Jhaverchand Meghani.

Sarkari..Lol.

Punamchand
24 February 2016

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Kalaiya

Kalaiya

No, there is no spelling mistake. It is Kalaiya.

Till 70s, whole of Gujarat was cooking food in brass vessels, as they were good conductors of heat and distribute it evenly. However, they were reactive to acids and salt, there was risk of excessive copper in the food due to the interactions of organic acids from food, which may have adverse effects on health.

As Gujaratis are fond of Kari, curd and milk, brass vessels without tin plating spoil the item by chemical reaction of copper contamination. Therefore, the streets of Gujarat used to have tin platters moving with their carts. They were called Kalaiwala. Sometimes, when the work is more they carry utensils to their home and return next day after plating. But after building trust of the colony, sometimes, the platter run away with the utensils given for plating. People were cheated, therefore they named the Kalaiwala, as Kalaiya. Kalai kar gaya, is the phrase used for the act of cheating by the Kalaiya.

However, as the tin coating wears off rapidly with constant scrubbing and requires periodic renewal, people have moved to steel vessels, therefore the kalaiwalas are disappeared. But they have been replaced by new Kalaiyas in the society.

Many times, we hear theft of gold ornaments from women in the name of making double or doing better plating. Real gold ornaments are replaced by the plated ornaments. The cheaters are Kalaiya.

The brokers in share market attract investment for eating away money by promising high return to the investors. The scammers are known as Kalaiya.

The NPA of banks are nothing but the acts of Kalaiyas.

Some people in public administration use their good offices and become Kalaiya. They are managers of public properties and treasury. Instead of acting as trustees of the treasure, when they become middle men and exploit the opportunities for their personal gain, they become Kalaiya.

Promise breakers are called Kalaiya, whether a lover or a lofer.

Have you met any Kalaiya?

Beware! My father used to tell us, they are double body people, good at face and bad at heart. They are guaranteed cheaters.

Punamchand
21 March 2016

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Barley the Best Grain

Barley the Best Grain

Modern age is an age of TV serials. People live life driven by the advertisement. Our food is our petrol. Some prefer Veg some NV. But at the end of the process, whether a potato or a chicken leg, all foods are converted into a life energy. But some foods rejuvenate and some harm. People trying tastes of the tongue are suffering from diabetes the Rajrog, heart problems, stress generated brain problem, liver problem, etc. The life expectancy has been increased but the list of the diseases is also expanding. Therefore, the days have come to consult the dieticians and nutritionists. Some of the hospitals are keeping them in the staff to guide the patients to set their food habits right. One of the TV directors has introdced a nutritionist as a chief character of a serial.

Indian bahus are nutritionists of our kitchen, taking care of the food and taste of the family. But the new generation of working bahus prefer hotel food to home food. Joint families have replaced by the individual families. Therefore, the traditional nutrition knowledge transfer from mother in law to daughter in law for centuries has been stopped.

Barley called Yava or Java is a grain of Rig-Veda. Yava means sharp edged. It implies barley as well as wheat and paddy (dhan) because all the three grains look the same, the sharp edged, when with cover. No allusion of rice in Rigveda. They are food for humans for centuries. Hindus offer them to the Gods in all their rituals. Offerings to Gods is our Prasadas. Due to the taste and easiness in removing the covers, Wheat and Rice became our staple food and Java became the food of the animals. But some wise people knowing well the medicinal value of the Java, continued with their use in daily food. Some Biharis lead the list, who use barley in making sattu. European people converted barley into a intoxicating drink beer through fermentation, the Soma of Europe! Indian Aryans love to Soma separated them from the Iranian Aryans. People in India still follow the process described in hymn 66 of Rigveda mandal 9 while preparing their Soma, the Bhang (marijuana) in festivals. Immortal drinks for mortal humans!

Barley has medicinal value as per Ayurveda. It is cool in nature, stimulate the digestive fire, increase intellect, cures upper respiratory and skin diseases. It is gasious therefore take some churan (harad) if it is added in your diet.

Modern science has identified over 80 nutrients including, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, fiber, copper, Vit B1-B3, chromium, potassium, magnesium, etc, in it.

It is food for the friendly bacteria living in the intestines. The acids created by these bacteria become the fuel of liver and muscles. Antibiotics, while killing enemies, kill our friends (friendly bacteria) too! Those on antibiotics, barley is the best food to rejuvenate friendly bacteria. Its selenium treat colon problems of the intestines.

Its fiber lowers the cholesterol by inhibiting the enzyme involved in production of cholesterol. Its niacin protects us from cardiovascular risks. Whole grain breakfast is the best for CVD. Food fiber reduces the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Fiber rich food lower risk of developing gallstones, mostly the outcome of higher cholesterol.

It's a magnesium is a co-factor for the enzyme involved in insulin secretion. Therefore useful for the diabetic patients.

Fish and whole grains, preferably Barley may be the best food for treating childhood asthma. Bengali and Oriya people may take additional advantage of this by adding whole barley grains with their fish food.

Copper is useful in stimulating the enzyme that give flexibility in blood vessels and joints. A cup of cooked Barley provides 32% of the daily value copper for copper. Those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis can address the copper deficiency. India has a tradition to give metal pots (bedu) made of copper to their marrying daughters. It was mainly for carrying head load of drinking water from distance but simultaneously for meeting daily copper needs of the family. Water stored in copper vessels supply daily dietary needs of copper to the family. 

The most important is its phosphorus. It plays a big role in the structure of every cell including the neurons. It is said that neurons once damaged can't be regenerated. But barley regenerates the neurons. It repairs the cell membranes and the nerve system. Barley is the only food that has capacity to rejuvenate neurons.

Long list of modern days human diseases. And their answer is in the ancient grains, Barley. A cup of cooked whole grains barley can keep you healthy, happier and best of the brains.

Not Parle ji but Barley ji !!!

Return to Vedas.

Punamchand
23 April 2016

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Why did it pain?

Why did it pain?

He was making a big noice, calling for the help. He fell down on the steps of our house. A dog was about to jump over it from the compound wall. We were inside the house and heard the call for help of a Parrot. 

Lakshmi went out and saw him on ground, losing command of his legs and screaming in fear of death. She lifted him up like a child with love and care, and brought him inside the house. He was in breathlessness status and sounding pitiful. He was shivering. One can see its full tongue coming out of it's curved beak. She put him in a bowl, sprinkle little water and move her hand over his body to calm him down. She offered him water through her palm, from which he drank couple of sips. I went and offered fruits and seeds but he didn't try. His fear was not going away. He was unable to stand on his legs. I told my driver to call the doctor. Meantime, Lakshmi took him to the swing. The slow and rhythmic movement and the sound of the swing hooks calmed him down for a while. He tried to walk on her hand and neck, but returned. She opened his wings and checked. She checked the body but no where found any injury marks. She loved him. I took their photographs. I was afraid of a dog or a cat, therefore told her to keep him inside the house. She took him inside and sat him on a sofa, keeping water, fruits, seeds, around. I was worried and waiting for the doctor to come. The driver rang him up again. He was on the way. Suddenly, he turned down his head, and left the body command. I called Lakshmi immediately, she lifted him up, his body was warm, took him out, checked his eyes but he didn't respond. He came to our life at 9 am and left in two hours at 11 am.  

I lost my Muniya on one Monday in 2008. Lakshmi brought her from the market. I flee one of her companion but she couldn't fly because her wing was broken. In my company, she used to threaten the larger birds when was out of the cage and was walking in the garden. One morning, Lakshmi was not at home. I was guarding her and reading the newspaper. As usual she came out of the cage and was playing around me. I was watching her and reading the headlines of the TOI. But in few seconds, my eyes move from the Muniya to the true lies of the Toi, a cat, suddenly jumped over Muniya and took her away in a fraction of a second. Throwing the paper away, I ran mad after the cat but she jumped the compound wall and went into the compound of my neighbour. Helplessly I was cursing the cat and praying God to save my Muniya. I sent the gardener, but I could get her few feathers in return. 

That day my heart cried. And again we become sad today. I lost my smile of the day. I wished to save him and to free him up in the sky and to look him flying high, but he went away. He called us for help but we couldn't save his life. Our ignorance, doctor's delay and his fear took his life away. A call of help, anxiety to save life, our attachment, hoping for good but ended up in sorrow; within two ours Lakshmi and I travelled a full circle of life to death. It pained. RIP

Punamchand
21 April 2016

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Queen's Birthday Today 21 April

Queen's Birthday Today (21 April)

UK is celebrating 90th Birthday of its Queen Elisabeth II today. Born on 21/4/1926, the Queen sworn in the throne on 6/2/1952. She is a queen of  16 countries and Head of the Commonwealth. She is the head of the State for last 64 years, one of the the longest tenure in the British history. She was a lucky elder daughter of his father George VI. Her father acceded to the throne on the abdication of his brother Edward VIII in 1936. Edward's love to an US Air hostess made his younger brother the King on UK, and his elder sister Elizabeth II became the Queen of the empire for the longest tenure. Edward VIII wrote a book, "The Heart has its Reasons".

Her Mother who lived healthy upto the age of 102 in spite of hip-replacement. The present Queen went up a tree in an African safari, the news came of her father's death and she came down as Queen--the messenger said, "H.M.the King is dead; long live the Queen". She has broken the record of Queen Elizabeth | and Queen Victoria. She will not be able to break the record of Louis XIV of France.

We wish her a Happy Birthday with good health, happiness and long life. She is the only Queen on earth whom we are watching for decades. Her smiling face and a stylish hat are her unique identities.

Punamchand

21 April 2016

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Vahu Ghelo (Uxorious)

Vahu Ghelo (Uxorious)

After the marriage, a man is called "mavadiyo" if obey mother's commands or is called "vahu ghelo" if he is submissive to wife. Some may be early and some late, but all males become "vahu ghela", and become obedient husband of wife's commands!

After Kevadi of Chotaudepur, we went to Kevadi-Jetpur, an eco tourism site near Mandavi of Surat district in South Gujarat. More than 200 bird species have been identified at the site and some of their voice have been recorded by the ecologists. Their voice is their call signs for matting, assembly, warning, etc. We saw the "vahu ghelo" in birds.

It looks different with it's long, down curved (like a cow horn) and brightly coloured bill. The heavy bill supported by powerful neck with the fused vertebra. It is omnivores feeding of fruits, insects and small animals.

Like humans, generally, it forms monogamous pairs. They use the natural holes or holes made by other birds as their nest. For safety of the eggs, before incubation, the females, assisted by the male begin to close the entrance to the nest cavity with a wall made of mud, droppings and fruit pulp. When the female is ready to lay her eggs, the entrance is just large enough for her to enter the nest, and after she has done so, the remaining opening is also all but sealed shut. There is only one narrow aperture, big enough for the male to transfer food to the mother and eventually the chicks.

During the entire period of the female entry into the nest to her final exit from the nest the husband serve the food and water to the wife and to the chicks. When the chicks and the female are too big to fit in the nest, the mother breaks out and both parents feed the chicks.

People after observing this male, his faithfulness and complete devotion to his wife, feeding her and caring for her 24x7, called him "vahu ghelo".

Did you guess this bird?

It is the beautiful hornbill. We call it "Chilotaro". The grey hornbill is the most common species in India. But Nagaland has the most colourful hornbills.They celebrate "the hornbill festival" the festival of  colourful performances, crafts, sports, food fairs, games and ceremonies, every year.

Have you seen this Vahu ghelo bird? If not, drive down to the forest, see it and compare, how far you are away from him characteristic of "Vahu Ghelo". Lol

Punamchand
19 April 2016

NB: Vahu means Bahu in Hindi

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Flying Squirrel, Sloth Bear and Mahuva Cheers, a joyous flight of Nature in Kevadi

Flying Squirrel, Sloth Bear and Mahuva Cheers, a joyous flight of Nature in Kevadi

We along with the choukidar Chaturbhai were waiting since 6.30 pm, and watching cautiously at the hole of a Mahuva tree continuously for 50 minutes without a blink of eyes. In the dusk of nature, hundreds of cicadas (tamara/Squoda) were making continuous sound, welcoming the night. The sound reminded me the call bell of the Gujarat assembly.

Slowly a squirrel came out of the tree hole, moved up on the branches of the tree, ate some soft leaves and then took a long glide in front of us. We could see the full picture of the squirrel from its bottom very well. Awesome! It was nearly 75 metres beautiful glide and passing through the branches of trees by a nocturnal squirrel in front of us in dusk at 7.20 pm at Kevadi on 15 April 2016. Nobody could click the camera, as the animal disappeared in just 5-7 seconds.

Everyday it moves out from a hole, move for a minute on the branches of the tree to eat the soft leaves, goes to the upper branch and then take a flight beautifully to come down by gliding against the gravitational force of the earth. Nature has given it a net between front and rear legs so that it works like a wing or a support to glide. They again go up on a tree and again glide. Whole night they move in the jungle for their food. And before the dawn returned to the hole of their native tree.

It is called "flying squirrel", one of the wonder of nature that people can see in the interior areas of a tribal district of Chotaudepur. There are only 6 squirrels living in two trees of the Forest Guest House, Kevadi, an Eco Tourism Centre. There is a group of a dozen squirrels living in Ratanmahal forests of Panchmahals. It has a life line of 4-5 years and it gives babies 1 or 2 in January every year. It is a nocturnal animal, vegetarian, survive on leaves and fruits.

Chatur, 4 feet, 40 kg, our Nayaka Chokidar is watching the animal for many years. When he came with a bitter smell of liquor, I asked him, have you drank Mahuva? No Sir, I drank tadi in the afternoon, he replied. Tribal drink tadi everyday. If drank in the morning, the drink Nira has a nutritive value. It gives cooling to the body in hot summer. But with the Sunlight, it becomes Tadi, a toxic drink in the afternoon.

In a social hierarchy of tribal, Nayakas are coming below the Rathavas. Rathavas are the land owners and Nayakas are the labourers. Rathvas eat halal and Nayaka eat halal and dead too. Eating dead animals decides their social inequality. The religious organizations of Kabir panthi, Swadhyay Parivar, Swaminarayan, etc, are making the tribal "bhagat", freeing them from drinking liquor and eating meat.

In South Gujarat, their social hierarchy starts with Dhodia Patel at the top, followed by Chaudhary, Vasava, Gamit, Konkana, Bhil, Kathodia, Kotvalia/Vansfodia respectively in descending order. Tadi reminded me the act of Gandhi and Morarjibhai, cutting of tadi trees from South Gujarat for tribal welfare. Shri Narayan Guru in Kerala made the tadi toders free from this toxic drink and upgraded their social status through education.

It was a Ramnavmi night, moon was shining more in a pollution free area of Kevadi. The stars were twinkling, and little clouds were making a beautiful white circle around the moon. We went to a nearby site below the hill. Forest department has made a water hole for the wild animal. The family of Sloth bears living in the den on the top of the hill come down at around 8.30 pm everyday. One after another we saw two members of their family. One crossed the road in front of us and another passed through it's daily route. We had a German made torch of 2000 metre range, that made the watching of beautiful omnivores dark black animals the Sloth bears easy. We could see it's two eyes reflecting against the light. Sometimes, the Panther comes. We waited for another 15 minutes, but at last return to the guest house to close the day.

This area is rich in Mahuva forest. The flowering season if Mahuva is over, now the fruiting started. They store flowers and eat as meal and make liquor. The liquor is an orthopedic use for external massage, can use as an alternative of anesthesia, treat cold and cough. There is prohibition, therefore, no tourists can enjoy the 'mahuva liquor' !!!

The Mahuva fruits will be used by tribal for making edible oil, called "doliyu" for cooking their meals. It is a medicine for joint pains. My mother used to describe the poverty with a proverb made from this doliyu: karam ma lakhyu karsaniya, jane koni javu? karam ma lakhyu doliyu, to ghee kyathi khavu? Tribal use now other oils too. Development has reached to their homes!

Kevadi in Gujarati means how much? Small or big? The place is small but site is big in watching the Flying Squirrels, Sloth Bears, Jarakh (wolf), Pangolin, and by chance a Panther.

Are you tempted? Don't worry,  2 rooms of forest guest house, 4 cottages and 2 tent rooms of ETC will take care of your rest and accommodation. The tribal food is delicious, particularly the Dhebara of Udad daal with red chatani of Chilly-Garlic are the tastiest. And the most important part is the joy with Nature.

Flying Squirrel, Sloth Bear and Mahuva Cheers!!! Lol.

Do visit Kevadi, the Eco Tourism Centre of Chotaudepur District of Gujarat.

Punamchand
16 April 2016

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