subtlest is nothing

nothing is universe

universe is I

I am you

you are we

we is oneness

oneness is I

I am existence

existence is harmony

harmony is everything

everything is I

I the cause

cause is effect

effect is responsibility

responsibility is I

I the change

change is expansion

expansion is infinity

infinity is I

I am being

being is omnipresent

omnipresent is supreme

supreme is I

I am love

love is continuity

continuity is reality

reality is I

I am present

present is moment

moment is life

life is I

I am soul

Soul is consciousness

Consciousness is universe

Universe is I

Efficient Irrigation Technologies

It was during summer of 2012, along with my friend Mr. Yugendhar, I have visited parts of Belgaum and met Mr. Upase. He is an expert on Mango plants. He gave me a challenge saying that the Mango Plants give fruits in the hot summer. There is a shortage of water due to groundwater depletion in the area. How I could help him with this challenge. I started thinking about the different methods for several days, and these are the technologies I have designed. These methods would help to give the meager water judiciously to the majority of plants.

In all types of existing irrigation methods, some water is wasted. To reduce the losses, these are the innovative methods. No one would throw water on the ground and expect a plant to consume all the water without wastage. These methods would assure that almost all the water is taken by the plants without any wastage.

In this method, I have used Biochar. It has an excellent affinity for water, biochar stores and releases to the plants. No water would be wasted as the water would be given slowly through the drip system at the points or area where the plant consumes it. if required the water-soluble fertilizers could also be given to the plants mixed in the water. The plant’s roots take the water slowly.

In the Rootigation method, the water is given directly at the root zone. There is optimum water provided to the plants, and there is not much wastage of water.

For Sapigation the parasitic plants (of respective plants) roots are useful for grafting. There is more research needs to be done.

In Floatigation, one need not bother to give water to a plant. Through the capillary action, the biochar would absorb the required quantity of water as per the need. The containers height can be adjusted (sunk in the water) as per the requirement.

These irrigation models such as Rootigation, Sapigation and Floatigation technologies designed by the author are adaptable immediately and in the near future — a revolution in agriculture irrigation systems.

For details see the below links:

http://biocharwaterconservation.blogspot.com/2012/03/rootigation-sapigation-floatigation.html

https://www.slideshare.net/saibhaskar/biocharculture-mast

Biocharculture book http://saibhaskar.com

Agriculture and technology

Probably my interest in agriculture was because of my observations of people cultivating crops as a child. I have seen paddy cultivation on the tank bed after the rainy season next to our house. Cultivation of greens or green leafy vegetables, such as ‘Menthu Kura’ (Fenugreek leaves curry). They used to spread the soaked Fenugreek seeds on a small patch of 2mx2m cleared area and spread the powdered soil on the seeds. The saplings used to rise and lift the soil up along with them. They used to slowly remove the dark color soil fragments. Water every day with a hand water sprinkler can. Within one week’s time by tying into small bundles, pack in a vine basket and cover it with a gunny bag moistened and sell them fresh in the local market. These memories are still fresh and coming from farmers family, my interest in agriculture is still there.

In agriculture, the communications tools and the technologies are exponentially improving and also being adopted by the people. The information based agriculture is increasing. People require predictions and the actual information to manage agriculture. Right time and right advice will save the crop. The farmers want the information as soon as possible to act.

Prof. P. Krishna Reddy from IIIT, Hyderabad is the architect of a system called eSagu, i.e., Information-based personalized agro-advisory services system. I was one of the advisors for the project since its beginning.

While discussing, I said that spatial analysis of the information is also important, as one could understand the incidence of pest and disease attack on the crops. So, he asked me to develop a GIS system to integrate the data being collected. I was given two PhD., students and four Masters students to guide for the task. Within six months time period a GIS system was developed which was useful for spatial analysis and it was integrated with the eSagu system.

Once he asked me to find a method to communicate to the villagers so as to disseminate the information. By connecting the mobile phone with the public address system and a mike, I have created a system for communication and it was installed in the Malkapur Village, Warangal District, Andhra Pradesh, India. This system was used for the following purposes:

1)Weather information sharing every day morning and evening and relating to the possible activities like sowing, harvesting, spraying pesticides 2) Creating awareness and enrolling farmers for the eSagu services — sharing the successful farmer case studies. 3) Information on the current market prices announced directly from the markets. 4) Input dealers sharing information on the availability of seeds, fertilizers, quantity and rate. 5) Line department official announcement on the subsidies, visits, etc. 6) interviews with farmers. and 8) Thematic pre-recorded audio on crops, practices, etc. This system was simple but effective.

With the farmers having access to the smartphones and internet charges being low, it has become easy to share information and also for receiving the advisory services. With the GPS location and time stamp (meta data) on the pictures taken in the field using smartphone, it is easy to identify the location and do spatial analysis. The big data analysis and decision support systems in agriculture are beneficial to the farmers.

Biocharculture

In visits to parts of India for studies and evaluations, the author has come across several challenges to soils and agriculture. The observed reality has sensitized and motivated him to work on soil management for agricultural sustainability, food security, and livelihoods. It has been nine years since he began his endeavour to understand the value of biochar amendments to soils and other applications of biochar.

The author’s studies were conducted mainly among farmers in semi-arid areas in parts of Telangana, India. In this region, low and erratic rains have led to frequent droughts and reduced the crop yields. As a result, the livelihoods of villagers’ primarily dependant on the agriculture are at stake. Vegetation in the region can be described as ‘tropical dry deciduous, with small trees interspersed through scrub vegetation. Agriculture is the main livelihood activity, and is heavily dependent on rainfall. The soils are diverse, including sandy soils, red soils, black cotton soils and alkaline soils, and support a variety of crops. Common crops include paddy, sorghum, maize, sesame, red gram, green gram, cotton, chilli, vegetables, and horticultural crops such as mango.

Biomass cook stoves are one of the sources of biochar. In Telangana, many people still use traditional clay and three stone stoves. Some produce charcoal from Prosopis Juliflora and local biomass using traditional earth mound kilns, creating pressure on scant biomass resources. Part of the biomass from land development activities is disposed of by open burning. This results in biomass loss, air pollution, and wasted energy. Cotton is one of the major crops cultivated. After harvest, many farmers openly burn the remaining cotton stalks in the fields, generating smoke and ash. Very little biochar is formed in the open burning process. On the other hand, demand for charcoal has been increasing. To fill the gap, the local population has been converting locally available biomass into charcoal through traditional methods.

To support communities reliant on biochar and related aspects, the author has engaged in a number of activities.

- Study, design and introduction of energy efficient and clean burning cook stoves that produce biochar as a by-product

- Development of appropriate biochar amendments for increased soil fertility and crop yields

- Introduction of improved charcoal production techniques from Prosopis Juliflora, pine needles, cotton stalks and other biomass.

- Introduction of crop residue conversion into biochar as an additional livelihood opportunity for farmers.

These efforts aim to demonstrate climate change mitigation practices at the micro-level carried out by communities. The scope of biochar has expanded during interactions with communities. Field trials, experiments, and capacity development programs conducted in various parts of India have aided the discovery of traditional practices and methods of biochar use. The author has discovered the value of biochar for multiple purposes, describing them collectively as “biocharculture.” He has helped to create wider awareness of biocharculture and promoted policy dialogues on sustainable agricultural practices at various levels.

The author has conducted a number of biochar experiments, initially on rooftops. To continue pursuing his research interests on biocharculture, he established the GEO Research Centre in Peddamaduru village, Devaruppala Mandal, Warangal District, Telangana, India (17°36'1.92"N and 79°18'2.74"E). This location is about 100 km northeast of the city of Hyderabad. Also called the ‘Geo Spirit Centre’, the research centre carries out biochar production and processing and houses a wide biodiversity, with over of 200 plant species and related soil microbes on half an acre of land. The centre also produces biochar bricks used in the construction of ‘green buildings.’ The centre also has a ‘Stoves Museum,’ with gasifier stoves that produce biochar.

~ The philosophy of biochar has led me to understand it in the context of science, culture, society, economy, tradition, art, and history. It is a panacea, and much more …~

Charcoal production

While working in parts of Mahabubnagar District, the author observed that due to climate change the rainfall has come down. This is a semi-arid area with very less rain. The climate variability and extremes also impacted the cultivable areas. As a result, the farmers have left some of their lands fallow. These fields unattended were occupied with Prosopis Juliflora plants. They are growing well in the alkaline soils too. The alkaline soils are less suitable for cultivation of crops.

This an exotic species are seen in these parts since 40 years. In some habitations, the Prosopis Juliflora occupied 30% percent of the cultivable lands.

Prosopis Juliflora is a thorny arid plant species. It is native to Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean.

This is the story of a remote village called Kothur (meaning new village) where the author worked for the farmers especially to create value out of the invasive Prosopis Juliflora. It is located in the semi-arid environment in interior peninsular India. This village in the past was well known for paddy cultivation, there used to be abundant water available year round and in the milieu of the village and hence attracted the cranes and egrets. Especially during and after the rainy season all the trees in the village were occupied by the birds and their nests. Then this village was popularly called as ‘Kongala Kothur’ or Kothur with cranes. People also strongly believed that if the cranes have not appeared, there will be less rainfall in that year.

This present situation is the result of Climate Change and Human interventions. In the summer of the year 2005 when I first visited this village, I could see heaps of Prosopis Juliflora was being converted into Charcoal. The people from afar of coastal areas having seen the abundant Prosopis in this area and have migrated and started making Charcoal with the support of local people. Soon local people have also learned the art of charcoal making and are able to cope with the recurring drought conditions prevailing in this area. This adaptation method has arrested the migration of people from this village to some extent. Otherwise, this District is well known for migration of people to far of places for livelihoods.

I was thinking about different solutions, to help people to uproot this species and replace it with other useful species. But in the year 2006, there was a drought in this part of the district. People have not sown any seeds, and I was imagining mass exodus of people from this village to other parts for work. To my surprise, when I visited this village again during the peak of the drought, none of the people have migrated. And they were very happy too.

The secret is that because of unprecedented demand for Prosopis Juliflora wood and charcoal from Industries and urban areas. They were earning 2 to 4 times more by cutting Prosopis Juliflora, than what they were getting from their regular agriculture work. Within no time about 30 % of the Prosopis Juliflora was harvested. Even the people who have left their lands fallow were also benefited by getting about 10% of the total earnings as a payment from those who harvested Prosopis Juliflora.

The Climate change, energy crisis, new energy demands, and the adaptations by communities to the changes is a reality.

This is the new situation happened in this remote part only in the last 10 years. Still, Charcoal making has become very popular and a number of kilns are increasing every year. At last, I am not sure whether to encourage the community to continue to make charcoal or slowly replace Prosopis Juliflora species with other useful horticulture crops. I have presently planned the later.

I have taught them to use the powder or fine charcoal as biochar. Along with biochar and other amendments such as sand, compost and gypsum reclaimed their lands. They are still cultivating on the same lands where once Prosopis Juliflora was existing, and the soils are no more alkaline. The yield is increasing every year then onwards.

This case study stands as a tip of an iceberg for the changes that would happen in the environment very fast, due to climate change, energy crisis, and other human factors.

Climate Change and Disasters

Floods

Coming from a semi-arid environment, the floods occur less frequently due to heavy and continuous rains. This is mainly because the drainage system trained for a quantity of water flows from the usually expected rainfall is unable to cope with the excess rainfall. Floods occur especially along the banks of the rivers and streams and more often in the low-lying and plane areas.

I observed the floods that occurred in Hyderabad which are not major as the floods that occur along the coastal areas. The 1997 floods are memorable to me, as I traveled to different parts of the city to observe.

I went into the eye of the cyclone that occurred and entered through Kavali town in Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Could see the destruction caused to the railway line, uprooted trees, damaged roads, breached tanks, rivers in spate, marooned villages, rescue, and relief measures, coping of the poor and vulnerable people, dead people and animals, etc. The memories still linger in my mind afresh.

I have studied two major flood prone areas in India, i.e., the banks of Godavari River, Khammam area in Telangana State and the banks of Kosi River or Koshi River, Madhubani area, Bihar State. Kosi river is also called the river of sorrow. The Kosi River is a river between Nepal and India which starts at Triveni near Barahkshetra in Nepal to Indian plains. It is one of the largest tributaries of the river Ganga.

Mr. Ramesh Babu of EFICOR invited me to study both the areas on two different occasions. The studies have made me more sensitive to the communities vulnerable to the floods. The people face many hardships during the occurrence of the floods.

While studying few flood-affected villages, I visited a house, and I still remember the photo of Emanuel hanging on the wall inside a hut, who lost his life in one of the floods of Godavari River that occurred. The family still continued to live on the banks of the same river and depends on the river for their livelihoods. In India, the rivers are revered as the Goddess by the name of the same river. After a visiting, some of the villages on one side of the river, I was crossing the river over a local wooden boat. I saw a young girl jumping into the river waters and started swimming. Her freedom and smile is still frozen in m my mind. In the unknown depth of challenges in one’s life, one could remain afloat and be happy. Their family is very poor, and they have only a makeshift house on the sands of the Godavari River. Nature is beautiful, being with it makes one’s life joyful.

In these villages, the relief shelters are created in a high place. They are usually double storied structures with RCC roof. The high raised tube wells or hand pumps are a source of water during the floods. They appear very strange, but they yield relatively safe water for the people.

The EFICOR organization has empowered the communities to the disaster preparedness very well. They have created sub-committees and trained the people in leadership to address the challenges in the event of a disaster on warning, rescue, first aid teams, relief, rehabilitation, etc.

The historic floods of Krishna River that occurred in Andhra Pradesh State in the year 2009 are the worst in the last 100 years. Dr. G. Chandra Shekar Reddy was in the control room along with experts to avert the disaster during the floods and was involved in the decision making. The process was documented in the book “Managing Historic Flood” I was one of the key contributors to this book.

Mr. M. Shashidhar Reddy was the vice-chairman of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), New Delhi, India. It is the apex body to on disasters management in India, where the Prime Minister is the Chairperson. He has invited me to contribute for the NDMA Guidelines on Urban Flooding in India, and have contributed partly.

Climate Change and Rural Livelihoods

Being involved in the implementation of climate change and adaptation projects, I could study and understand the impacts of climate change. Climate change is an inevitable global phenomenon affecting especially the lives of rural poor in developing countries. Increase in temperatures, change in the number of rainfall days, spread and quantity, has direct and indirect impacts. The small and marginal farmers with about 2 hectares of land or less are the worst affected and highly vulnerable people. There is a distress migration of the landless agricultural labourers and the marginal farmers. The traditional rural livelihoods are insecure, unsustainable and redundant and there is greater need to adapt.

Climate change is not just a meteorological phenomenon as usually considered mainly under the scientific studies. There is a broader definition that includes the scenarios dependent on various other influencing factors. Including, meteorological changes consistent over a long period of time, socio-economic situation including the population growth and poverty, political environment and policies, etc.

One need to acknowledge that there are considerable changes happening in the rural areas such as, there is a change in rainfall pattern and quantity; less availability of water in the surface water bodies; deterioration of the quality of water; ever depleting groundwater resources; lack of vegetative cover; biodiversity loss; traditional knowledge on farming and management has become redundant; forced adaptation to changing situations; and continuous exploitation of natural resources.

In the above context, the rural people should cope and adapt to the changes. For which there is a greater need for awareness and capacity building; access to technologies and knowledge to cope with changing situation; the farmers should become smart by adopting technologies for decision making; The government, organisations and civil society should play greater role; crop insurance or index based insurance in agriculture sector should be made mandatroy; crop holidays based on the predictions based on scientific evidence or modelling; legislative measures on usage of water resources and strive for water use efficiency using technology; opportunities for livelihoods diversification to cope with climate change should be created; there should be efforts for holistic ecosystem revival; and in activities there should be an aspect of mitigating climate change.

The percentage of urban population is growing globally, but the rural population in developing and underdeveloped countries constitute high proportion, and these countries are highly vulnerable to climate change.

Going to Himalayas

This was just after submitting my Ph.D. thesis in 1999. I got a job as Resource Scientist, Head of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Geographic Information System (GIS) in a company called TriCAD in Hyderabad. Although I had very less experience on the software use, they gave me the job based on my subject knowledge. There were about total 25 people whom, I need to lead. Initially, I enjoyed, but after few months, I started feeling bored. Forcing the team to digitize point, line, and shape, setting targets to them, became routine and boring. Within 5 months time, I could submit 10 significant projects, some of them were pending since a long time. I was also involved in the Remote Sensing projects. One day, it happened that Dr. Rama Krishna, who was a subject expert, just returned from Ground Truthing work in some part of the Himalayas. He has shown some of the photos from the field, with great joy. The very moment I felt, I should be there in the Himalayas too.Â

It was almost 5 months that I was in this job. By now, my defense for the Ph.D. was also over, and I was awarded the Ph.D. degree too. I prepared my Resume and started searching for a way. I remembered Mr. Ravindra, who worked in the Uttarakhand sometime. I called him and met him at his house. He was known to me for some time and whenever we met had lengthy discussions on developmental issues. I shared my interest in going to the Himalayas and is there any chance to get an assignment. He said that the Chamoli Earthquake of a magnitude of 6.8 occurred in the early hours of 29 March 1999 in the Uttarakhand State in the Himalayas. Peoples Science Institute (PSI), located in Dehradun is interested in doing a research study and they are looking for a person to lead the investigation. And he said that your qualifications are suitable for this assignment and would get the job. As he already knows Dr. Ravi Chopra, the Founder and Director of PSI he said that he would inform him. Mr. Ravindra asked me to immediately prepare myself for the job and go and meet Dr. Ravi Chopra. I went to Delhi, met Dr. Ravi Chopra at Gandhi Peace Foundation premises. Had a brief discussion about the Research Study and he liked my qualifications and attitude. He said we will go together to Dehradun and I could join the job. I felt very happy. On the way, he shared about the organization and how he has started. He was a good friend of Mr. Anil Agarwal and one of the founders of Center for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi. He was instrumental in writing the first Citizens Report of CSE. It was the evening we reached the Roorkee, and he explained about the Terai region as we climbed the hills. I could see the alluvium with round quartzite boulders on the way. The road is winding, and by night we reached Dehradun.

Next day morning I signed the agreement, and I was given the position as Research Scientist. In my team, Dr. Tyagi, Dr. Rajendra Singh Kataith, and Ms. Deepthi were there. There were others from the field area supporting the project Mr. Madhu, Ms. Usha, etc.Â

Dr. Ravi Chopra with a white beard, wearing a Tshirt and knickers looked like a combination of sage and youth. The Peoples Science Institute (PSI), was in Vasanth Vihar, Dehradun. This was a colony. For discussion with any of the employee, he used to take for a round of walk in the colony, the time used to be spent efficiently. PSI had many projects, and at least 30 employees were working full time. Young students for their internship used to come both from parts of India and Abroad. One building was hired for our stay, and we used to have a great time with so many from different places and disciplines. I had good time meeting so many people. Once on Rakshabandan Day, I prepared sambar and made rice for the whole office, everyone liked it so much, and we had a great time. I stayed for some time with Dr. Rajendra Singh Kathaith, and every week we used to invite someone from the office for lunch or dinner. We also used to go to their places for eating.

Regarding my work on the Chamoli Earthquake, it was an intensive research work. Visited parts of the Tehri, Chamoli, and Rudraprayag districts in the Himalayas. It was a great experience.

Development

Decision Support Systems

As part of my Ph.D., I have used the statistical analysis using the software packages and tools. I started loving systems which support the decisions. In one of my first jobs I was leading the projects with the application of Geographic Information Systems and Remote sensing. Implemented several projects in parts of India.

My interest was how to simplify information and help in efficient decision making. Always liked the most straightforward and quickest decision support system such as traffic lights. A person in spite of language barrier can still understand the traffic signals and make decisions such as — to stop, be alert and to move, etc. I started learning mostly from online software and had been using it as a tool in decision support systems.

In the year 2001, I got an opportunity to attend a course conducted on Participatory Monitoring Information Systems. It was conducted by Madame Anne Chappuis the founder of Decision Graphics. Madame had been providing decision support analysis and was also training on the tools. I owe a lot to learnings from her training’s that I attended, especially on the use of Microsoft Excel software and the visual interpretation or analysis of the data. Further, I have attended a short training course conducted by her at Rouen, France. Also met her teacher in Paris, Mr. Jacques Bertin who wrote the book ‘Semiology of Graphics on the theory of information design. My love for graphics has increased since then and had been applying the principles in decisionmaking tools.

I attended a training on the Bayesian belief networks (BBN) software and its applications. Instead of making decisions based on intuition and gut feeling, there is this method which is based on belief, belief is a probability based on aspects such as experience, qualitative and quantitative information. A Bayesian belief network, model or probabilistic is directed by the acyclic graphical model is a probabilistic graphical model (a type of statistical model) that represents a set of variables and their conditional dependencies via a directed acyclic graph. BBN with learning models is used for artificial intelligence too. Which I have used in the interpretation of the sustainability of livelihoods in the rural areas.

I have also coordinated the development of the learning resources -development of Modelling and e-learning tools for Self-help groups, watersheds, and livelihoods. Dr. Vinod Joshi and his team supported in its development. Adoption of technology accelerates the learning and contributes to development.

Tribal Culture

Malto people are very cultured, consider guest as the most important person and give highest respect. When I walked with the EFICOR team to one of the villages, they were ready with flowers and water. I learnt that they wanted to wash my feet with water in a big plate. I politely rejected their request. I am touched by their simplicity. Tribals live in the remote areas in the forests.

In the villages around Jagdhalpur, Chattisgarh State, the local tribals greeted A with flowers and a garland. Almost in every tribal culture that I have visited they have given very good respect to the guest.

Once in a village near Kuntala waterfalls, Adilabad district, Telangana State, I went to the house of a tribal head. There were so many chicken around, I asked why so many? He said that they are mostly for the guests or visitors. Including the government officers visiting their village. Their simplicity, honesty and respect for guests could be another reason for their exploitation historically by the so called civilized people living in villages and towns.

Food Security

Once EFICOR (NGO) asked me to do an evaluation of the project they have implemented i.e., ‘Food security and Livelihoods project,’. The stakeholders were the vulnerable Malto tribal community living in Rajamahal area near the foot hills of the Himalayas, Jharkhand State. I was very must interested in this evaluation.

As part of the evaluation, I wanted to understand the following aspects relevant to the food security of the Malto Tribals. Visited some of the households to see the grains that they have stored in their home and how long they would last for consumption? What do they eat everyday? Do they have kitchen gardens and domestic livestock to supplement their food needs? How the natural resources are existing, which would support their livelihoods? Do they have alternative livelihood opportunities?, etc. I found that they store grains to last for months, as their production or income is seasonal and also at risk. With limited access to the Minor Forest Produce from the forests, the food security and dependence of the tribals is at risk. The carrying capacity of their immediate environment is also reduced.

Poor and destitute

People often discuss about poverty and poor. Unless one was poor and experienced poverty will not understand exact meaning of the terms. Still being sensitive on can strive to understand by observing the poor and discussing with them their concerns.

In one of the projects, we wanted to support the poorest of the poor. Therefore to understand, I started searching for the poorest of the poor in the villages. That is, Who are they and how are they?

In a village during the focussed group discussion with community it is easy to get the list of very poor families. Usually they don’t attend meetings or village gatherings. They also live in isolation or away from the main community. I still remember having seen one old very poor lady in a village about 18 years back, in Mahabubnagar District, Telangana, India. She was the poorest person in the village among the poor and also destitute. When, she came out of her makeshift hut, I saw her frail body holding a stick in her hand and all her hair was white. She lives on the food given by others through compassion. She could not speak much and also did not ask anything from me. Her picture still lingers in my mind when ever I think of poor.

Poverty need not lessen pride

Once in Bundelkhand, I was doing impact assessment of a project. It was late evening. There was no power in the village. There was one solar street light where I was sitting with villagers. I was one girl sitting at a distance was studying under the solar street light. It was inspired by her, although she was poor struggling to learn.

I had been visiting Azadpur, a village in the remote Mau Block in Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh State. Thrice, I had visited in the years 2012, 2014 and 2017. This particular habitation was selected by EFICOR for a project. This area falls under the Bundelkhand Region a drought-prone area. It is a rocky area with very thin soil. They belong to scheduled caste and very poor.

In 2012 when I visited the streets were dusty and the houses did not look clean. Majority of the houses has no plaster. I saw some children there, I took their pictures. I liked two girls who were very young and their smile attracted me. They were playing at that time. One of the girls made ear-rings out of Neem leaf spines. The other girl was wearing a thread attached with Iron ring. This picture, I liked especially the smile and the language of their eyes. I also took pictures of two other girls, they too looked so sharp. There was pride in everyone in spite of whatever they are. I visited the same habitation again in 2014 and 2017. Went to the same place and enquired about the children by showing them their earlier photographs. Took their pictures again. I missed only few children as they were not present at that time. In every picture, I could see how their habitation improved over a period and also their looks have changed. But the common thing is that their pride has not come down in any way. Pride is through accepting and accomplishing all the challenges in life with dignity. These people have seen and experienced all the shades in their life.

Open Knowledge

While working and designing technologies for communities since beginning, I was against patents. Some of my initial good stove designs became very popular. Few people suggested me to go for patents. I tried to know why people go for patents, the motives were mean.

I understood that, knowledge is eternal, it is like the water that flows and should continue to flow. A thought or an idea in time is the floating leaf on a flowing stream. It should not be stopped by the interest of few. For every new creation, innovation, design, etc., I am also accountable to all those who have contributed for my thinking and knowledge, both living and non-living things in the universe.

I have defined the term open knowledge movement i.e., a movement that individual/s or organization/s develop technologies for common good with out expecting profit through patenting. Open knowledge is all about solidarity and concern for this earth.

The whole world is growing at a rapid phase in all aspects and the better and efficient technologies are available. The natural creations are the ultimate sources of sustenance of life on earth. The ecology is unable to sustain the needs of the human beings and human beings are not cleaver enough to copy and replicate nature in spite of so much science and technological progress. The very few technological innovations created by humans are also not accessible to all because of the following main two reasons.

1) Self interest — A person or organisation is selfish and want all the name, fame, money, for oneself.

2) Some investment has been made for the innovation and they want to recover the money through patent rights or license permissions.

This holding of the knowledge in time is a hurdle for those who could think similarly. Because they cannot share as it is already patented. It is not good to hold knowledge and not be able to share in the public domain when it is pertinent to the whole world. If the knowledge is held as patent, there are three options for the one who is holding the right 1. Use of knowledge by the creator 2. Share the knowledge with others for some gain for freely 3. Sleep over the knowledge thinking that some day, I will use it. Majority of the times point 3 is in practice, for which there is no action of any kind against the person who is doing that. Holding a good thought and technology for personal reasons is wrong.

We are accountable to our future generations first, because they would pay our current expenses and we are only paying the meager bills of our forefathers. Because this is a credit world and we enjoy present-future at the cost of future generations.

The world wide web and internet are the greatest communication tools of this century. In the history of mankind, the creation of digital world is unique and it would continue. The access to knowledge and its use is see, learn, copy, create or understand. The copyrights and patents are at stake as people are not honest or ignorant. Is there any method to prevent this? No it is not possible; nobody can fight battles in so many countries.

Therefore, It is better to declare an innovation, idea or design as open knowledge and declare as creative commons or open source technology / hardware. Let us expand beyond boundaries by sharing. Sharing gives freedom to oneself and to the whole world. Through freedom one can experience oneness. It gives immense satisfaction when one shares, while one is alive. There is less meaning to sharing late, it is like serving stale food to someone.

This spirit of Open knowledge has helped me reach thousands of people on the issues of Environment; Climate Change; Natural resources — Agriculture, Soil, Water, Energy; Sustainable Livelihoods, Disaster Mitigation And Response; and Information And Communication Technology.

One day in 2008, I got a phone call from someone in Canada, asking me why I have declared all my work as Open Knowledge. I said technologies relevant to masses and especially addressing the poor should not be patented. The time and money invested could be compensated to the person by governments or international organizations. They said that they will get back to me soon.

After about 9 months, I got call from Daniel Jolliffe again asking me to come to Banff, Canada as resource person for attending “Grounding Open Source Hardware” GOSH 2009, workshop and summit from 9th to 19th July 2009. I said I don’t have any money to come myself. He said that all my travel and stay at Banff, Canada would be sponsored. I am one of the very few people invited from the developing countries. Majority of the participants are from Europe, Canada and USA.

Initially, I was denied visa by the Canadian Embassy, I have reapplied immediately asserting how important it is for me to participate. I got the visa. I have decided to make the presentation of “Open Knowledge Sharing — why, relevance and as a source for freedom and integrity.”

The Banff Center, Canada is one of the beautiful places in the rockies of Canada. What a coincidence, the art is the only thing which is patented, as each piece of art is acknowledged as the original creation, as art is human made and does not exist in nature. And here we are discussing about open source.

I made a presentation especially focussing on the technologies especially relevant to the poor and common cause. Explained the stoves, biochar and other technologies developed, improved and designed by me should not be patented.

Patents and copyrights are ruling human decisions and development. The regime of patents lead to the creation of wealth for some. No knowledge has been created without following the principles of science existing even before humans were born on this earth. Appreciation of once contribution to the pool of discoveries and innovations is required but need not be monetized or exchanged for favors.

I tried to explain the situation of human beings interested in patents and copy rights is like a monkey that is trapped to a cage. Many people are the monkeys of desire trapped to a cage, not having the freedom to give up what one has. Traditionally monkey catchers use a technique, where monkeys are cleverly caught by placing a banana in a cage or a hole. Only the hand of a monkey fits through a small hole in the cage, after holding the banana placed inside, as bait, the monkey cannot take out its hand. The monkey is trapped in its own desire to possess the banana and it is held there losing all its freedom. The monkey catcher catches it before the monkey runs away. Symbolically, where banana is the knowledge accessed by the people not willing to share and trapped in their own desire losing all the freedom. A possessed knowledge for selfish desire leads to suffering.

Smart Village

Since the beginning of my professional life, I was closely associated with the development of villages. The people in the villages work very hard as compared to the urban areas. Smartness and hardness will empower and lead communities towards sustainable development. The access and use of the technologies in the respective work makes one smart. In the recent past, the technologies were developed which could be adopted by the rural communities.

One day Ms. Padma of Aranya Agriculture Alternatives asked me to explore the smart technologies for the villages in two districts in the Andhra Pradesh State. I started studying how ‘Smart Villages’ would enable the communities and individuals to take smart decisions collectively using smart technologies, communication, and innovations.

Digital education for children in the rural schools is necessary. That is learning from digital content, with access to increased internet bandwidth, learning of the children accelerate exponentially.

To increase the irrigation potential, the solar-powered motor pumps for the borewells were suggested. The remote and most deserving poorer communities could access the off-grid solar power and improve their livelihoods.

The farmers could adopt the low-cost soil moisture sensors in their fields. The sensors installed at various depths would make the farmers understand the fluctuations in moisture levels. The farmers would manage drainage and irrigation based on the information received from the sensors. Enabled by GSM the data could be received on the mobile phones too.

Understanding the spatial resources helps in efficient decision making. In this context apart from the imageries such as google maps, and for higher resolution drones could be used for resources monitoring and management. Drones fitted with cameras enables one to access spatial and temporal information for management of crops and water use efficiency. The local school children and teachers could be trained on flying the drones for identification of the affected areas by various pests. The farmers could plan the harvesting and other management practices based on the observations made from the images from the drone. For continuous monitoring of the resources solar powered 360 degrees cameras fitted to the Baloon kites (Kytoon / Helikite) and zooming are ideal. At least 4 or 5 nos could be deployed in a village to cover about 500 to 1000 acres of area.

Automatic Weather Stations enabled with wifi, give continuous information on the weather. The farmers by understanding, especially the temperature and relative humidity could manage their crops better. With the availability of the local weather data, they could go for the index based insurance from the Government and other agencies. Also, they could better manage their crops and do irrigation scheduling.

Smart application for the mobile phones developed would enable farmers to register their category of produce, quantity and their expected price and get the right price for their produce. Agriculture commodities rates can be known by the farmers live through web streaming of agriculture markets or from agriculture market information network.

The villager could interact with line department officials through video conferencing facilities at the community centers. They could also access the e-services for utility.

The local health workers could facilitate the telemedicine services to the deserving people, especially women, children and old people.

With mobile smartphones access to the majority of the people, there are many possibilities for monitoring and management. The villages are no more traditional villages with improved communication and access to information. The smart and hard-working farmers have better chance to exist in the present scenario.

I was instrumental in establishing two village knowledge centers for the MS Swaminathan Foundation during the implementation of the projects. A village knowledge center has the basic infrastructure (computers, printers, webcam, public address system,etc.), knowledge and services. At Srirangapur Village, Mahabubnagar District, Balaji Thanda near Miryalaguda town in Telangana State and Kondrapole village near Narsaraopeta town in Andhra Pradesh State.

Sustainable Rural Livelihoods

In my life, I have vast experience of working for the rural communities. Travelled across India including some of the remote areas. Directly of indirectly my work was relevant to the sustainability of rural livelihoods. With this experience sharing the understanding on sustainable rural livelihoods.

Rural areas where people are connected to the natural resources and making a living. The resources sustainability is critical for their existence and also for addressing the food security and other basic needs of people. The urban areas are existing and thriving at the cost of degradation of rural areas and environment.

Sustainable rural livelihoods are one of the greatest challenges of the 21st Century. The Sustainable Development Goals has prime relevance to the rural development issues in developing countries. A multi pronged approach is needed for achieving sustainability of the rural areas.

Several rural development programs are being implemented through funding from Government, Non-government, National and International agencies. There is a paradigm shift in rural development approaches i.e., adaptive rural livelihoods strategies are evolved and are being practiced.

In the semi-arid and arid areas, there is a progressive change brought in the watershed projects being implemented. Earlier water used to be the single major output around which livelihoods were perceived. Now the latest thinking evolved is “Watersheds is an Approach and Livelihoods a Programme”. It is proved that during the drought and especially in the context of climate change, the Natural Resources related livelihoods are not sustainable and at many times could not prevent migrations. And also In the post watershed project scenario the livelihood options and opportunities of poor people, resource poor people and women were at stake.

The adaptive Livelihood strategies include A) Diversification — Each family and individual need be able to adopt more than one livelihood. B) Adopting the secondary and tertiary sector livelihoods i.e., Non Natural Resource related livelihoods are also given priority. C) There should be programs with focus for the empowerment of Poor and Women.

Scenarios for leaders

A scenario is a vision into the future based on certain evidences. Scenario planning is a practical tool to aid decision making in complex contexts and when future circumstances are uncertain.

The leaders should have vision of the future. The short term vision leaders are mean. Sometimes the myopic vision of the leaders does not lead to long term strategies for development. A great leader should not think about their term and age for creating such short term strategies and planning.

Say education is one area where a child invests at least twenty years in learning. It means the syllabus and lessons taught should be futuristic considering ahead atleast 20 to 50 years. Only then the aspirations of a child are met. Of course the technologies and the requirements of the society are fast changing. To keep in phase the midterm corrections are necessary, that is amending the syllabus or letting the student attend new courses. Learning is a continuous phenomenon and learning has a purpose. The purpose of learning should support one in achieving the personal and common goals.

The political leaders in democracy are chosen by people every four or five years. The present development is based on the vision of these short term heads of the states. Their concern is to show results before their term ends and get ready for another round of election. Therefore there are very few leaders who have long term vision for a state or a nation.

A common management response has been to treat change as incremental: the policy community takes stock of current trends, provision and existing problems, then decides what step to take next. A second response has been to forecast what the future will bring or take a political decision as to what is best, and then set about using strategies to make it come about. Both of these approaches tend to rely on the short term; neither has proved able to take account of the unpredictability of future developments.

If a leader thinks that I know and understand better is arrogance and ego. They could have priorities of their own for development because such activities are more visible and appear to be pleasing the stakeholder. They may not be the priority as a whole. Some choices could lead to results over a long period which many not be perceivable and appreciated immediately. The investment planning should not be based on the immediate returns or appreciation.

Sometimes a persons vision and domination over all other opinions, studies, research makes the world leading in a differnt path. Between real development needs and the preparedness there is always gap. Steering the people, resources and environment towards achieving the desirable development is the trait of a great leader.

Readiness and willingness are the two aspects of the people which define the development path too. However a vision is developed but unless people are ready and are willing one cannot achieve the results. To bring the people and system to ready level is an effort. Ready means, skills, knowledge, wisdom, experience, etc. required for that position or task. Although some people are ready their willingness matters the most. Say the Government school teachers are highly qualified, but their willingness to teach the children with interest matters the most. Whereas in the private schools the teachers may not be highly qualified but their willingness to teach causes the results.

Prioritization and importance given to planning and implementation also matters at any given time and in space. The timely importance and prioritization given to the present aspects might make one loose the long term vision and goals. With in prioritization and importance always the long term needs should also be kept in mind. Sustainability is a single term to describe that one should be conscious and strive to meet the present and also the future needs. It is worth stressing that scenarios are well suited to long-term strategic planning, and are often less well suited to short- or medium-term planning. Scenarios come into their own when uncertainties about the future begin to outweigh the certainties.

The visioning exercise requires a good team as the different scenarios are constructed on the basis of sound evidence, and the best available views of experts. A leader should have the common purpose of helping stakeholders, planners and strategists to think laterally and in a practical way about the future

A test of a good scenario is, therefore, that it should reflect the broad contexts that could possibly come about and is not bound to the strategic possibilities open to the particular players, or to dependent variables.

Environment

Environmental Awareness

Having declared that I will work on environment and development aspects in 1995, I approached Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy. He has given me a list of organizations in Hyderabad to visit and discuss with them about the opportunities. Deccan Development Society (DDS) was the third in the list. I have visited one organization which develops and establishes the cooperative societies for the farmers and the other organization is working for the development and organization of the farmers. I could not get inspired to work with them for some reasons. With the address in my hand, I went to the Deccan Development Society office in Basheerbagh, Hyderabad. Its office was located in an apartment building. It was around 11:30 am when I went, there I saw an old man wearing Khadi Kurtha just opposite to the entrance door. He had grey hair and very small. I introduced my self to him and was engaged in the discussion. He asked me the first question on how to prevent people urinating in the public places. From my observations, I explained all the ways and means by which people are trying to prevent it, such as: using religious symbols and portraits of gods on the walls; writing sentences what they would be if they do (vulgar language and scoldings); a rope is tied across the place with used slippers hanging, if one tries to go need to go underneath those slippers and people feel insulted, and dont go; making the area sloppy so that it is inconvenient to stand and urinate; putting the spikes of stones on the floor to prevent anyone using the place, etc. He liked my explanation from the common observations.

I explained about my recent experiments on sunlight harvesting for improving the intensity of planting. For which he asked me to accompany to the field area Zaheerabad where DDS is implementing the watershed program and I should preset to team on planting the saplings in the watershed using my learnings from the experiments.

I learnt later that he is V. R. Reddy who is known for the development of Krishi and Bhoomi power tillers for agriculture activities. Which has revolutionized the use of technologies in Indian agriculture.

As I used to visit the office often, one day he said that there is an opportunity to work as program officer for the National Environmental Awareness Campaign where the DDS is the nodal agency for the programme of Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. Where DDS need to select the organizations for providing the funds for an awareness campaign on the environment. Each year a theme is selected, and this particular year it is ‘Women and Environment.’ I liked the work, and I started going to the DDS office and started working. One day he suggested me to take the fulltime position as the programme officer for this programme. I said that I want to work as a volunteer, i.e., without any payment. He and Dr. Vittal Rajan (Director) spent one hour explaining why I should take the full-time job with the DDS. As per the work that I am doing they need to pay me and finally agreed on the common terms that I will work parttime on the job.

I developed a system of giving marks for the criteria for shortlisting and selection of the NGOs for the programme. The system was transparent, I need to select about 300 organizations from Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka states out of the hundreds of applications received. With the assistance of the office staff sometimes, I worked till late night too. The theme of the first awareness programme was ‘Women and Environment,’ as there was no literature available on the subject in the local language Telugu, I wrote a small book. This was my first book published by DDS. The copies were printed and were distributed during the first meeting with the organizations organized at the Sundaraya Vignana Kendram, at Basheerbagh, Hyderabad. This was also my first speech on the stage in 1996.

After the sanctioning the funds to the organizations, we need to monitor their environmental awareness campaign programmes. As a random sample, some of the programmes we need to monitor in the field. I used to select the organizations randomly based on the dates of the programmes communicated to us and visit them.

In every place that I visited spent some time learning about the local environment and attended the event. I was relating to their local environmental issues during my speeches. The events were such as Public Meetings, Rallies, Workshops, etc. I continued my support for the three years, the other two themes were on Medicinal Plants and Water. This programme gave me an opportunity to: Understand the nature of NGOs; The types of works the NGOs do; Understanding the environmental issues in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka states, and could meet many people contributing in the field of the environment at the grassroots level. During the start of my career, it was very useful and my commitment to work on environmental issues increased.

Sand Mining

It was in 1996 one person requested to visit the Mylavaram Dam site area and the places down stream of Penna River and do an environmental impact assessment. Upon the request of Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy I went to study the area. This place is in Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh State. The sand mining from the river bed is done in large quantities. The local politician has been involved in it. In those days there were factions often leading to killing the opponents. I did not contact any person locally to avoid the politicians. A vehicle was provided to me for transect. In this study, I should not speak with the main stakeholders and only assess the impact by observations.

They Mylavaram dam was constructed over the Penna River. It supports irrigation and also provides water to the Rayalaseema Thermal Power Plant, existing near the dam site. Saw that due to sand mining there were many pits and at many places touched the rocky river bed. With the presence of sand, there was subsurface flow of water and recharging of the ground water. happened. The flash floods does not occur in the presence of sand. There are many ecological services rendered by the presence of sand. After reaching the foot of the dam, found that due to increased gradient from sand mining, the boulders of the bed rock, were detached and pushed downward. As a result there is a threat to the foundation of the dam itself. The dam was found weak with the water sprinkling and oozing from the a few cracks in the dam wall. With more disturbance to the river base downstream there is a threat to the dam, unless mitigation measures are taken to preserve its intactness by not mining the sand. With these observations, I returned to Hyderabad and submitted the details to the person who requested me to come here. A filed a public interest litigation and got an order from the court to stop the illegal unscientific sand mining from the Penna river bed downstream of the dam.

Myself and Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy represented in another case on sand mining at the Supreme court. This is to prevent the over exploitation of the sand from Krishna River bed, causing the environmental impacts. This case was related to the Amaravathi town in Guntur district, where the court has sent a note of caution, about the adverse impact of underwater sand mining. S. Niranjan Reddy our advocate, argued on behalf of Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy and Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy, in the absence of an Environment Impact Assessment the sand quarrying should not be done.

Chief Justice Madan B. Lokur asked the advocate-general to seriously to reconsider its policy on allowing it. The Chief Justice was hearing a batch of writ petitions including the petition filed with environmental concerns, on sand mining along with Justice P.V. Sanjay Kumar. The High Court had put a ban on sand mining across the Andhra Pradesh State with effect from April 1, 2012 (later removed the ban with the state government intervention and measures taken) and the state government had filed an appeal, urging the court to lift the ban.

Chief Justice Lokur, who wrote the order, came down heavily on the state government for turning a blind eye to the issue, despite a serious environmental impact being caused by sand mining. “Can we permit the degradation of the environment or the exploitation of the natural resources to such an extent where the concept of sustainable development becomes an impossibility? Should our future generations pay for our inaction? It is essential to ensure that there is no rampant or unregulated exploitation of natural resources” he said. I was happy with this judgement by the court, where the government and whole system became conscious.

Cleanliness

It is said that ‘cleanliness is next to godliness.‘ The new Government has taken up Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) or Clean India Mission in English) it is a campaign in India that aims to clean up the streets, roads, and infrastructure of India’s cities, smaller towns, and rural areas. It was taken up on 2nd October 2014 on the occasion of Mahatma M.K. Gandhi’s Birthday. Mr. Gandhi liked and encouraged people to adopt cleanliness. One of the objectives of Swachh Bharat includes eliminating open defecation through the construction of household-owned and community-owned toilets and establishing an accountable mechanism for monitoring toilet use.

I was also thinking about my role in contributing to this mission. At that time my children were attending the courses in an acting school. I spoke with the head and director of the institute that we could produce a documentary where we could bring up the responsibility of the citizens in the cleanliness. I told that the children could be the responsible and be the change factors in cleanliness and also educate others. He liked my concept. Regarding the production, I have volunteered to provide the financial support, the location for the shooting I have selected a colony. Regarding the actors associated with the acting school will participate. We required a senior citizen among the actors. I requested my friend Mr. Jagan Mohan Garu to play the role.

On the day of the shooting it was drizzling lightly, and it was cloudy. The lighting was good. We started shooting early in the morning, and by lunchtime, the shooting was completed. Made it a silent movie without any dialogues in the film, so that it could be understood by all the people in India.

The documentary was titled “SWACHH SACHH” or Clean Truth for awareness on cleanliness and one’s responsibility to keep the surroundings clean especially in the public places was produced in June 2015 and released on YouTube. Digital media plays a powerful role in awareness and could be disseminated at least cost. As a citizen on could always participate in the common missions by all means.

Farmers vulnerability

It is heartening to see the farmers who feed the millions are also suffering globally. Food security is a national interest. The research done to improve the production is considerable. There is nothing green in ‘Green Revolution, ‘ i.e., chemicalisation of agriculture through chemical pesticides and fertilizers is not green. Sustainable agriculture should only be called ‘Green Revolution’. The control and usage of the local seeds and usage of local fertilizers (or composts) and traditional practices have become less viable, in the race of increasing production to meet the current demands. The agriculture is also a high external input based agriculture, and none of those companies producing the inputs are at loss right from seed companies, fertilizer companies, equipment companies, etc. Nor the companies purchasing the produce, processing, and marketing are at loss. The information based agriculture demands the farmers to increase their capacity to memorise things and experiences. For example, if there are 3000 varieties of BT Cotton seeds available in the market how could a farmer understand which one is better and remember its qualities. If they can remember and understand so much, they would have been serving in the Government through a secure job, rather being in the agriculture sector. The ever-increasing multivariable factors micro to macro and less controllable factors are leading to success or failure. No farmer knows the result of his efforts, no business is ever done without projections in any other sector. Knowing very well, the systems still have not formalized the agriculture sector. Instead of the subsidies, the systems should focus on providing the Right Price for their produce. Instead of gambling in agriculture, the time has come for a farmer to study the systems and adopt the technologies. The farmers who are in the transition phase of these developments, where the poor, illiterate or less educated farmers are the majority are highly vulnerable.

In parts of India, where the farmers who are early adopters of the ‘Green Revolution’ practices have become rich but, but over a period their lands have degraded, and presently their crop yields have stagnated, and their income has also reduced. The farmers adopting the commercial farming are also suffering the most.

One such example is the fate of the farmers in the Warangal District, Telangana. Some cotton growing farmers committed suicide in the last 20 years. They could not get the right price for the produce, and they could not cope with the losses. We conducted a seminar at Osmania University on farmers suicides in 1998. This was led by Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy and based on the inputs Dr. D. Narasimha Reddy and myself drafted a note for Public Interest Litigation. We have filed the case in the name of Mr. A.B.K Prasada Rao a well-known journalist through Mr. K. Ashok Reddy, Senior Advocate.

Some of the important aspects considered in the case where: The sustainability of small and marginal farmers; The degradation of the soil; The market demands and market prices; The incidence of pest and loss of crop; The traditional and institutional lending systems; Lack of insurance mechanisms in agriculture. The annual budget allocation which are done at the end of March every year, but it should have been ideally during Deepavali (October / November), which suits the planning period of the farmers based on their harvesting and planning for the next crop. We could not get any concrete judgment in this regard from the high court.

Godavari river water pollution

There was a case ongoing in the court regarding the pollution of Godavari Rivers due to a paper mill near Rajahmundry town, Andhra Pradesh. The pollution of Godavari River waters was not alone by the pollutants from local sources, but it was getting polluted from various other sources up stream.

Nakka Vagu and Pamula Vagu are the two tributaries carrying loads of pollution into the Manjeera River. Several times, I had visited the Manjeera River, especially the confluence point of Nakka Vagu tributary with the Manjeera river. It had the beautiful white sand especially the length before the confluence point up to the Manjeera Reservoir. One could easily observe the pollution and how the river is effected with dirty, smelly and highly polluted water.

Once with the state pollution control board team all the way I followed the Manjeera River downstream up to the Nizam Sagar a reservoir to collect the water samples for testing. Further ahead the river joins Godavari River. Therefore the polluted waters of the Patancheru industrial area also join the Godavari River. Further samples were collected from all along the Godavari River, and nowhere the water was fit for drinking due to pollution. The concern was for the many communities, especially the tribals drinking the water directly from the river without much treatment. They are unaware and had been the drinking the water traditionally. It becomes the responsibility of the government to create awareness and provide drinking water to all the people along the river and its tributaries. Such a thing is not happening, there are people are dying because of ignorance and inaction of the governments. Traditionally during the floods and dry periods, people were using the seeds of some plants as a coagulant, but its use is limited to treat the water.

So in this particular case, the court ordered to study the quality of water and no concrete judgment have been given.

Impact on water resources at Vaishno Devi Shrine

Vaishno Devi Shrine is in Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir State in the Northern Part of India. It is one of the holy places revered for the Mata Vaisho Devi the wife of Lord Shiva. It is located in the foothills of the main Himalayas. The local hill ranges are called Trikut hills. The survey work was from 29th of October 2007 to 6th November.

I got an opportunity to be part of a team for the survey of the Banganga watershed in the Trikut hill region, Jammu, to restore its water environment and to secure drinking water supply in the environs of Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage on a sustained basis.

This assignment was given to a Delhi based organization with which I was associated. The ‘Trust’ of the temple, viewing the ensuing threat to water supply situations in the Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage and its environs, has taken the initiative to restore the water resources system of the area. We were engaged to look into the matter and identify the problems and suggest an approach to deal with the situation. The area lies between E-74.563 to 74.58 degrees and N-32.59 to 33.03 degrees. To study the general situations of the area, a short preliminary visit was made with a total of four days of the field visit.

During the visit met a number of people. Familiarized with the terrain, facilities, routes, time components, logistics, and climate, among various other matters. Gathered knowledge about the climatic trends and the historical data that would be available to understand it in the context of the given tasks.

The complexity of the water resources system in the environs of the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage can be explained as under:

That the pilgrims of the shrine converge at the town of Katra, district Reasi in Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated on the bank of Banganga stream at the lower reaches of the Banganga watershed. The volume of visitors to the shrine is increasing with each passing year. Presently, 32000 pilgrims visit the shrine every day at an average. This has, directly or indirectly, impacted upon the environment of the area.

The host town Katra, the shrine and the trekking routes connecting the two are provided with piped drinking water supply. The source of this supply is the Samkal spring located at a higher altitude, and the supply network is linked to gravity mains descending from Samkal. The flow of the spring reduces as the summer approaches creating a water supply crunch.

There are visible signs of urbanization in the Banganga watershed area and its growing trends, which adds to the problems of water shortage and future threats of water crunch. Bigger threats are emerging out in maintaining the sanitation of the town, its drainage stream Banganga, the trekking route leading to the Shrine, situated 14 km away from Katra at a much higher elevation are polluted. This is caused primarily by the pony sheds that have emerged along the riverbanks and the pony droppings throughout the routes leading to the shrine. All the pony excreta are ending up in the river polluting the river water. This has a growing trend with an increase in the volume of the pilgrims.

All along the stream course one notices empty plastic bottles and bags, paper packing and rejected textiles. Apparently, all are very slowly biodegradables. These are clogging the stream with increasing intensity each passing year.

At the tip of the watershed, the river emerges from a spring. Apparently, this spring is charged by the water held in the adjacent highlands, which is discharged due to the favorable fracture systems in the rocks. The hills are uniformly formed of impure limestone that is highly fractured and metamorphosed to a certain degree.

Although, the shrine route beyond Adhkuari up to the shrine is outside the Banganga watershed, the water supply system is one, and the entire water comes from the spring source of Samkal, located in the Banganga watershed.

Based on the observations, it was decided that for the water supply augmentation at the shrine the upper reaches of the Pai watershed be chosen and developed.

Environmental Problems and Possible Approaches to Mitigate. It is apparent that water flow in the Banganga stream is decreasing. Banganga stream, the trunk drainage of the watershed flows beyond monsoon but it is reported by the local, knowledgeable people that it used to flow throughout the year. The springs in the hills that feed its perennial streams are drying. There are other minute indicators in the form of changing vegetation and minor soil erosion. Actions initiated by the Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in forestry and plantation has shown a positive effect. However, the indications of depleting forests too are apparently linked with the issue of water resources.

The issues of decreasing water flow in the springs, and its fallout leading to drying up of Banganga stream is the chief concern. A meticulous site selection must be done for the minor or micro bunds, pools, and terraces. The purpose is to increase the water retention of the soil and vegetation and hence, indirectly, augment the groundwater recharge. All actions have to be taken bearing the fact in mind that the area has a very thin soil cover and it is prone to landslides. Design of each individual (micro) structure must fulfill the primary objective of water retention.

The Team mainly consisted of Mr. Dilip Fouzdar, Water Expert, Dr. Rakesh Khosa, Meteorology, and Dr. Sai Bhaskar Reddy, Environment Protection.

Mules and waste management

Mata Vaishnovdevi Shrine is visited on an average every day by about 40 thousand pilgrims and the numbers are growing every year. As the Shrine is located in an inaccessible steep hilly region, about 15 km walking distance from Katra Town. About 5 to 10% of the pilgrims use local horses and mules for visiting the Shrine. Very few pilgrims also use Helicopters and Dholis for visiting the Shrine, as its cost is very high. For transporting all the material to the lodges existing near Shrine a caravan of Mules are used. It is a rough estimate that about 1000 horses and mules are in service in this area. It is a very good service by the local people and their horses and mules for the convenience of pilgrims, this is also a livelihood activity for the people involved in this service.

During the field visit to the Shrine Area in November 2007 for an Environmental, Ecological and Hydrological basin Study, it was found that the dung of these animals is causing a problem in many ways.

1. Polluting the Banganga stream and other water sources in the area. 2.The dumping of the dung along the path to the Shrine is spreading bad odor in the area, causing inconvenience to the pilgrims. 3. The path has become slippery at several places along the path due to dung and urine of these animals, every day several pilgrims are in danger of falling down. 4. Several people were employed by the Shrine Board to clean the path from Katra up to the Shrine. 5. The dry dung dumps are openly burnt at several places, which release smoke and 6. The rate of decomposition is limited due to altitude and existing low temperatures for several months in a year.

Apart from dung Pilgrims bring and throw all sorts of garbage in this area. As the flat land area is limited in the hilly areas and the ecology of the area is also very fragile, maintaining the garbage dump yard sites is limited. The disposal of tonnes of garbage is a difficult task for the shrine board and also the Katra Municipality. To tackle this ecological challenge of solid waste management, there is a need for a comprehensive solution.

The action plan proposed includes the following activities:

A detailed study of the dung and garbage disposal problem in the areas. Interaction with the stakeholders and finding solutions for segregation and management of the solid waste. Designing or adopting appropriate technologies such as biomass stoves for cooking and heating purposes with dung/garbage pellets. Preparation of Pellets and brickets with mule dung. Vermicompost preparation using the dung for which, identification of the suitable earthworms and designing the technique of vermicomposting. Developing a scientific method for Composting wet garbage, dung, and local biomass. Training to the local people, farmers and others on the above technologies.

With this project the Katra and Shrine area would have the following benefits: Local water pollution due to garbage and dung is tackled. Forest fires are prevented as the dung and garbage is openly burnt at several places. The bad smell from the dung and solid waste are reduced, and relatively the tourists would have clean air. Conservation of biomass in the local area is achieved, otherwise which is used for cooking needs. Increase fertility of the soil through compost application. Additional employment opportunities generated for the local people in making pellets / brickets / vermicomposting / composting and overall solid waste management activity. Some part of the costs involved in current solid waste management could be recovered.

Assessment of Iron ore mines in Goa

Goa is one of the states in India, which was once ruled by the Portuguese. It is wedged between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. It is endowed with abundant Iron Ore. The mining is going on for more than a century. Some of the big business names in Goa own some of the mines. The environmental impact assessment is a recent requirement for all the major activities. As it is an age-old practice for the mining industry continuing before the independence of India, the mining management is not willing to adopt the norms. It was in the year 2008.

After doing Ph.D. in EIA, I had been doing EIAs especially for the concern of people and communities. As a consultant, I was asked by a Delhi based company to do an EIA and find solutions for the ongoing mining activity of an old and large mine in Sirigaon, Goa. This is because the local communities have complained against the existing mines in the area which degraded their environment and water resources.

Along with a senior water resources specialist and a colleague, I went to the area.

In my life I had been representing the cause of masses, that is the communities and for the first time having myself represented the industries and had seen the wrath of the local communities.

The mining belt of Goa covers approximately 700 Sq. Km. and is mostly concentrated in four talukas namely, Bicholim of North Goa district and Salcete, Sanguem and Quepem of South Goa district. Mining and associated activities have significantly affected the natural landscape in and around these areas, which is characterized by the presence of pits and waste rejects.

The mining belt of Goa is divided into three regions based on the concentration of the iron ore, namely, Northern, Central, and Southern Zone. Usgao River is the dividing line for the Northern and Central zone and Sanguem River between the Central and Southern zone. The maximum area under mining is in Sanguem Taluka followed by Bicholim, Sattari, and Quepem.

Mining has been a very important element in the economic history of modern Goa and a significant foreign exchange earner for the state. Recently, it has been designated as the industry at par with tourism. It has provided the trigger to boost the economy of the Talukas where mining activities have initiated in the recent years. Certain natural factors like the presence of coastline, an excellent natural harbor at Marmugao and many navigable perennial rivers have promoted the economic exploitation of mineral deposits. Transport of ores by barges is the cheapest option as compared to road and rail transport.

Goa is a major iron ore exporting state, and over 60% of Country’s iron ore export is from Goa. Mining in Goa is done by open cast method which necessitates the removal of overburden overlying the iron ore formations. On an average, about 2.5 to 3 units of mining waste have to be excavated to produce one unit of iron ore. The average annual production of iron ore is approximately 15 to 16 million tonnes, in the process removal of which about 40 to 50 million tonnes of mining waste is generated. Such a massive quantity of mining waste creates a problem for its storage thereby causing severe environmental pollution.

In Goa, the mining is done using high powered mechanical devices. It is carried out by forming systematic benches on the hilltop and along hill slopes, and the pits are laterally extended in stages in all directions with increasing depth. I have seen a mine going more than 20 meters below sea level (in the year 2008).

Mining has also enacted a degraded environment and is also a matter of concern. Impairment of the environment is mainly caused by the reject dumps, pumping out of muddy waters from the working pits including those where the mining operations have gone below the water table, and slimes from the treatment plant. The damage is more evidenced during monsoon where the rainwater carries the washed out material from the waste dumps to the adjoining low-lying agricultural fields and water streams. It is stated that the slimes and silts, which enter the agricultural area are of such character that they get hardened on drying. The washed out material from the dumps and the flow of slimes from the beneficial plants besides polluting the water causes Siltation of waterways, especially during monsoon. Such silting of waterways over the years may trigger years even flooding of the adjacent fields and inhabited areas, especially during the monsoon period.

Several major environmental problems caused due to mining operations are as under: Deforestation, Land degradation, Surface water pollution, Dust pollution, Damage to beaches, Groundwater depletion and pollution, drying up of wells in the area, Brackish water seepage into groundwater from backwaters streams due to falling in the groundwater table.

During the field visit, my team and I have to face the wrath of the local community. It was very hard to explain and convince them that we are here to understand the situation and make the management take necessary steps to mitigate the damages and provide basic requirements such as drinking water to the people.

We have visited the entire mining area, understood the rationale of mining, dumping and related activities, pumping schedules of the pits, etc., and their activity period over the cycle of an year, location of neighboring mining activities, property boundaries and common interest sites; natural and engineered drainage channels in view of mining and dumping needs, and various other features pertaining to mining interests. We observed all these keeping in mind the aspects of the ecological environment of the mining site including its forest and habitations.

Composite water management options, taking into consideration surface and groundwater, meteorological factors, land slope and mining plans, entails taking a watershed approach covering the entire mines property boundary. Before mining activity began in the area, the land was a hill slope subject to normal land erosion and occasional landslides.

Local rainfall intensity and pattern and its effects on the total water resources situations are the factors that affect the vegetation, livelihood and ecology of the area. It was hence necessary to define the area based on watersheds.

Some of the suggestions made regarding water use are:

The water that is pumped out from the mining fields can be used for various beneficial purposes, such as: Drinking Water Supply (DWS) for the local population; Community Irrigation Schemes (CIS); and Recreation and Tourism purposes.

Dumping Sites Management

Identification of the existing dumping sites and identification of the Potential dumping sites location and classification for future use. Management and plantation plans for the dumping sites.

Plantation

Assessment of the existing plantations, management, and identification of potential sites for plantation

Recommendation of the plants and management plan

Alternative energy

Assessment of the potential energy generation methods for the area such as Energy generation from municipal solid waste, a feasibility study for the area; and Micro-hydel power project feasibility for the area.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Issues that are linked to corporate social responsibility (CSR) are discussed hereunder:

Long-term cordial relationship of the local population with the Sirigaon Mines. This aspect pertains to mutual adjustments against various odds. The village population has to accept the presence of the mines and its activities for the ensuing years till the time the activities of the Mines conclude. Some of the acts of the mining authorities may be aimed to fulfill this objective or vision. They include providing employment, taking part in the social events, e.g., Annual Yatra Festival at the perennial stream; proposing to create the rural drinking water system for the village Sirigaon. Taking up an environment management plan (EMP) for the mining area.

Welfare and social protection of the employees of the Mines This aspect is tightly integrated with the relationship building issue explained above. Moreover, if some of the locals are employed in the Mines, they also act as the advocates promoting the views of the Mines authorities among the local population.

Safety arrangements against accidents, hazards — including environmental hazards that are among the mandates of pursuing the mining activities and fulfilling the legal requirements fulfill some of the basic requirements of CSR.

Water Harvesting and water management plans for the mines, this aspect would look into the water requirements of the local community. Water for livelihoods — agriculture, livestock, and fisheries addressed from water pumped from mines. Water for drinking — Sustainable model

Although these are the comprehensive recommendations made for the environment and the local communities, the intention and the willingness to share the profits determine the actions taken by the mining industry.

There is a need to bring change by representing the deserving and also the culprit.

Iron Ore Mines — Barbil, Orissa

Barbil is a remote area in Orissa State adjoining Jharkhand State. This area is famous for iron ore mining activity, especially Iron Ore. I have never seen an area brandishing wealth, poverty, pollution, and poor infrastructure together at one place.

I visited the place along with two other colleagues. To study the Catchment characteristics of the area; rainfall pattern and climatic situations controlled by rainfall; vegetation density and trends of forest clearance; Soil profile, soil erosion trends; vulnerability of the communities; and Mining dumps and their impact on groundwater recharge.

This has to be a micro level observation, study and analysis since local groundwater situations particularly in relation to mining sites would be different from the regional picture of groundwater levels and their seasonal changes. Also variations in climatic factors, rainfall, evaporation, run-off, etc. Would entail taking a local view to arrive at appropriate conclusions to formulate groundwater protection and rainwater harvesting plans. State level or district level data may help only to understand general situations while for the purpose of determining effective plans and approaches, it will rather be necessary to assess all micro-level features.

Beyond this, for any action on the groundwater regime, the geological and hydrological features of the area have to be understood. Since it is regarding a mining area, micro-level geological information can be obtained from the mining records itself. For the assessment of hydrological features, specific studies have to be carried out in the existing wells and perennial streams of the area in and around the mines, say within the periphery of five kilometers around the mines. A study of the drainage system too will have to be made mainly to understand the run-off, drainage, silt transportation and the nature of the base flow in them. However, this will require time-series data that can be obtained from the irrigation departments. The study on the drainage system would be necessary because of the environmental regulations that stipulate that the outflow of the mine will be without any suspended material and the turbidity of the water drained out from the mines would be low.

For the protection of groundwater, the assumption is that mining is a threat to the groundwater regime. It will hence, be most rational to carry out a situational analysis for all the mining sites separately. The situation analysis will contain the following:

The location of the mines vis-à-vis the physiographic features and mining trends.

Rainfall trends, dry and wet months, moisture balance situations and drought trends.

Features of the water basin, drainage system and its relationship with the groundwater regime

To collate information about the baseflow in the nearest influent streams and attempt quantification on a month to month basis.

Pollution in Patancheru

The life and livelihood of the farmers living in Nakkavagu basin are affected beyond repair and compensation. After choosing the area for my Doctorate, I have visited the place for the first time. I still remember the strong unpleasant smell, that I got after getting down the bus at Patancheru Bus stop. Mr. Prashanth, my friend accompanied me to the field area. As we moved to some of the villages saw that the farmers have given their once fertile lands for brick making. The contractors have engaged the poor people from Orissa State to work for bricks making, where the children were also working. There are very few standing crops and they are not healthy too. There are two streams with polluted water flowing in the area Nakka Vagu (Fox Stream) and Pamula Vagu (Snakes Stream). I saw that some sheep were drinking the coloured obnoxious water from the Pamula Vagu. Also saw the shepherds washing their hands and feet in the same waters. I was so touched by plight of the people in the region. Also heard the stories that in some of the pools of water in the region, when a bufflow went for bath, its skin peeled off. That is because the water was so acidic, its pH was less than 4. Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy and Dr. Kishan Rao were fighting for the rights of the people since more than a decade already in the area. They have recorded the blue baby syndrome or a baby born due to excess pollutants entering into the conceived mother. The skin rashes are easy to be found. From cancer to all kinds of impacts on the internal and external bodies of the people found also found upon investigation by doctors. Women had often abortions too. If the rice cultivated using the waters, it smelled, turned yellow and spoiled by evening.

Saw a very old sculpture, the local Hindus have applied a vermillion to it. It is probably a sculpture of more than 1000 years old, was representing either Buddhism or Jainism. Upon enquiry someone said it was found while excavating the soil for brick making and was kept on the road side. They said innumerable such statues often found in the area. In business who cares about the history and the relics. I went to the Archaeology department I learnt there is continuous history of people living in the area since 2nd Century BC. It means the land which sustained agriculture since then has become infertile and unsustainable do to the so called development through industries.

Pollution of water, soil and air may be the main cause of fallow lands; at least on the whole about 20% of the lands are being left fallow in majority of the villages.

Traditionally there had been two types of irrigation practices in the region, lift irrigation from wells and streams, and irrigation by gravity from tanks. The lifts worked with bullocks called mhotas are suitable for irrigating up to 8 acres. Mhotas were in practice till 1980’s. The present practice of lift irrigation is by electric motor pumps. The availability of water from a number of tanks spread in the region can also be attributed to the prosperity of agriculture. Tanks are adequate in numbers but now a number of tanks are of little use except as storage ponds for industrial effluents. As these tanks are connected in series the pollutants entering a tank at higher reaches pollutes all other tanks down stream. Presently many farmers shifted to dry-land farming as the water sources are polluted. The pollution of wells and tanks crippled all those farmers irrigating crops under them.

People don’t have access to the drinking water in the area. Some of the villagers were buying water or they were paying for the water supplied by the Government and sometimes buying from private agencies. By the end of my PhD I have filed a Public Interest Litigation in the High Court of Andhra Pradesh. That is to provide free drinking water under the polluter pays principle. The order came immediately and the villagers are being provided free drinking water. Which otherwise they were drinking from any of the sources since centuries in the region.

Fox Society

While doing Ph.D. on the topic, “Environmental Impact Assessment of the polluted water at Patancheru Industrial Area,” I became very sensitive to the impacts of pollution on the local ecology, environment, and livelihoods of the farmers and others. For creating broader awareness among various stakeholders, started the organization “Fox — Society for Environmental Protection.” My concern was that the highly polluting industries should stop pollution. There were statements on the poster printed for awareness to the people. Got printed the posters with the litho press at Patherghatti, near Charminar, Hyderabad, as it was cheaper.Â

The logo depicts a fox and degraded environment. The polluted water of the Patancheru Industrial area is let into the Nakka Vagu or Fox Stream, a tributary of Godavari River. The Fox always inspired me as they are the only major surviving carnivorous still found in the rural areas having adopted so well and have not become the enemy of people.

As I was alone, with the support of a friend one whole night, I spent pasting the posters in the industrial area. The head of Bachuguda village also supported me. My sister’s marriage was only within a weeks time. I also took financial support to print posters from my sister’s fiancee too. I could create awareness, but the result was zero. Soon I understood the difficulties of bringing the change as an individual, so later have chosen a multi-pronged approach to bring the change.

Environmental Legal Activism

While doing PhD with Environmental Impact Assessment, I realized that the EIA’s done for the establishment of industries are mostly done for the convenience sake rather they depict the reality. As a chartered accountant by all means works for ones clients. I was not so happy to serve the industries by doing consultancy, unless they want genuine reports. The same EIA techniques can be used to study any issue of public importance.

In my journey of Enviro-legal activism, I came across two great lawyers. Mr. Mahesh Chandra Mehta and Mr. K. Ashok Reddy.

One day Mr. Shiva Prasad, introduced Mr. K. Ashok Reddy a lawyer working at the High Court to Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy and Me. He volunteered to file environmental public interest litigations cases freely for us. It is for a common cause he wanted to contribute. For his regular civil cases and other PILs he had been earning well. He is also one of the prominent PIL lawyers of that time.

As he is new to the subject of environment I was supporting him with the drafting of the notes. I was doing my PhD at that time. My routinely I was meeting him in the evenings in his chamber to discuss about the environmental issues.

In this phase we could file several important cases and also got good judgements. Sometimes, I attended the court to listen to the cases.

In public interest litigation cases it is important to address the challenges pertaining to majority of the people and larger geographical areas. The judgements should have impact on similar issues elsewhere too. It is mean to go for public interest litigations against individuals or out of grudge or for some reason. These individuals would become personal enemies as they would also ask why you are against only me why you are not asking about others who are doing pollution causing impact similarly. There is no enmity against anyone, this is a means to improve the system. Exceptionally to avert a happening one need to go for PIL against individuals too.

For majority of the cases Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy and myself were the petitioners. Some of the public interest litigation cases which were filed in the common interest are:

Airport Expansion

One day the residents of the Mahendragiri hills came with at complaint that the government would demolish the high rise buildings for the expansion of the Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad. Mahendragiri hills are on the one side of the runway, the government had the intention to convert the existing airport into an International Airport. To facilitate the landing of the big international aeroplanes, they are planning to expand the runway. Incidentally, Mahendragiri hills are on the path of the landing and takeoff.

The Begumpet was a small airport, as there was demand from a fast growing Hyderabad city, there was a need to expand the airport. But due to high traffic congestion, distrubance from air pollution and noise pollution to the high density of population living in its vicinity it was not considered right to further expand the airport and also increase the number of flights takeoff and landing. Already many people in the area have hearing problem due to noise pollution, breathing problems from pollution and traffic congestion challenges to the commuters. Also there are a number of educational institutions, hospitals and religious places around. In case of a probable accident of crash landing, it would cause a great damage to the people and properties. The case studies were provided in the note. Based on this case argued by Mr. K. Ashok Reddy, got an order to not to expand the existing runway. Therefore the government has found a site in the southeastern part of the city for the new International airport about 30 kms away.

Rocks blasting

Kukutpally housing board colony it was one of the housing colonies. One of the residents of the colony Mr. Swadeen a senior journalist in Hindi Milap Newspaper approached with a complaint that the due to blasting of the granitic rocks nearby, there appeared cracks in the building walls. Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy and myself accompanied him to see the impact. The buildings had several cracks due to the vibrations from the blasts. The blasting was happening close to the railway line and the culverts also had cracks. Over a period this would also damage the railway track and leading to train accidents. The sound from blasting and the dust pollution was also a concern. Considering all the impacts on the hundreds of residential buildings and people, prepared a note for public interest litigation and submitted to Mr. K. Ashok Reddy, Advocate. He made the case ready for filing, but in the morning called us to provide us the address of the person who is responsible. We have not collected the crucial information. So Prof. Reddy and myself reached the site. No person would give details, if they know that it is for filing the case. So, Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy acted as the contractor from Rayalaseema having relationship with a particular politician as people are afraid of him. As Prof. was waiting at a distance. I acted as his aide and approached the supervisor for details of the owner. Told that my boss is a class one contractor from a particular place and his allegiance to a politician, wanted the metal for a major road work and requested to give the address details of the owner of the rock crusher unit. The supervisor said that they are also from the same place and are related to the same politician. And they wanted to meet my boss. I was afraid now. I walked briskly and asked them to follow me. I came ahead and told what happened. I could not stop my laughter, how a Prof. would deal with them as a contractor and get the address and owners details. I jumped into the vehicle and started laughing. Somehow professor managed to converse with them and got the details. For a good cause this was enough. We returned back to the advocate and gave the address. The case was filed on the same day and we could get the interim orders to stop the activity.

Cattle depletion

Mr. Dharamraj Ranka had many Goshalas in Hyderabad. Of the three major abattoirs in India, two were in Telangana. The cattle sold in the region was slaughtered and the beef was locally consumed or exported to the middle east. As a result the cattle numbers in the state were reduced. The small and marginal farmers dependent on the cattle for sustainable agriculture were suffering. There for with his support and under the leadership of Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy a study was proposed by Mr. Dharamraj Ranka. A team of 6 people as a team have visited several villages, cattle markets and interviewed people to assess the situation. Travelled part of Telangana extensively. I have taken photographs of the illegal transportation of the cattle with great risk. The brokers were not allowing us to do the study. Once we went to a village called Chautkur near Jogipet, Medak District, Telangana and requested for a cup of tea. In the whole village they could not get a glass of milk. The farmers with less and less cattle and commercialization of milk production and selling to urban areas, they could not provide a cup of tea. We made a statement “Chautkur pote chai dorkaledu” i.e., Went to Chautkur village, could not get tea. Based on the details collected, a report was prepared with the name “Game of Numbers” — with details on the situation of cattle. With the details and the facts a public interest litigation was filed in the supreme court of India. Especially to stop the abbotairs and illegal slaughtering of the cattle. Which would also address the needs of the small and marginal farmers. We got an interim order from the supreme court based on the report and findings.

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal is a historic monument, one of the beautiful constructions. Mr. M. C. Mehta has filed some of the major cases and got good judgements for its conservation and protection. In one of the cases, he asked me to support. That is to assess the deforestation or cutting of trees around Taj Mahal. There is a ban on cutting trees around the monument, but due to the interest of few people and officials, they were cut. In this regard, I have used the imageries of different time periods to assess the extent of deforestation. Identified the periods when the trees have been cut too. This analysis was useful in the case on action against those responsible for deforestation. The whole area around Taj Mahal is considered as sensitive zone as the air pollution is causing the white Makarana Marbels tarnish and degrade. Trees lessen the impacts of air pollution to some extent.

Reuse of chemical drums

While working for my PhD in the Patancheru area, I saw that a number of used chemical drums are being sold for reuse. As per the Hazardous materials act, they should be safely disposed in a designated area. But they are being sold for reuse especially for storing the drinking water. I was surprised how come the are allowed to sell them. One day, I informed the matter to Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy. He wanted to see himself and also brought Mr. Swadeen a reported from Hindi Milap Newspaper. Near Patancheru along the national highway, there were several shops selling the 200 liter and other size chemical plastic drums. I got down from the vehicle and tried to take the photographs of the drums. The people selling the drums got suspicious and threatened me not to take pictures. Therefore, I took the pictures from Prof’s, vehicle without their knowledge. I explained the whole story to Mr. Swadeen, he wrote an article and the very next day it was published in the Hindi Milap newspaper. Immediately, Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy has sent this article to the Chief Justice of High Court, Andhra Pradesh with a request letter that he has seen this article in the newspaper and requesting it for considering as a public interest litigation. After few days the judge has issued an order banning the use of chemical drums. In practice still they are still sold and people use them for drinking water and other storage purposes.

Ganga River

One day I got a call from Mr. M. C. Mehta, the renowned environmental lawyer. He requested me to do the analysis of the activities close to the Ganga River at a particular location in Uttar Pradesh. A hotel is being constructed close to the river upstream of Haridwar and also there are few camping sites. Using the google maps and by observing the imageries of the area, marked the changes happening on the banks of the river. This analysis I sent to Mr. M. C. Mehta, he presented the details before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Delhi. The chairperson of NGT, has requested to present the analysis in detail and asked the person prepared this analysis to be present during next hearing. I was asked to come to Delhi by Mr. M. C. Mehta to do a presentation before the Chairperson and members of National Green Tribunal. On the day, I arrived at the office of Mr. M. C. Mehta and discussed in brief about the presentation. Along with his junior Ms. Katyayini, went to the NGT court at Faridkot House. Our case came for hearing, Mr. M. C. Mehta presented the argument before the court. There were five people including the chairperson of National Green Tribunal sitting at a distance. He introduced me as an expert who did the analysis of the area. I started explaining, but it is a spatial issue need to be presented, I opened my laptop and could not explain properly as there was lots of crowd too. One of the members warned me think before making a presentation as it will have impact on the decisions and policies on Ganga river. I said let us prevent its pollution as priority rather spending so much on treating the polluted waters of the Ganga River. The chairperson of NGT has asked us to do presentation in his chamber, as it is inconvenient in such a big hall. The courts should adopt technologies and create facilities for presenting the case through other methods too as everything cannot be explained. Sometimes the things explained are differently imagined by the people. The chairperson, members of NGT the opponent lawyer, Mr. M. C. Mehta and Myself arrived into his chamber at the designated time. I got nearly 30 minutes to explain the details and supported by Mr. M. C. Mehta, The chairperson of NGT, Mr. Swatenter Kumar is a sensitive person and a committed Judge. The order same saying that the construction of the hotel is clearly illegal. Also said. .. However, there would be no camping or camping site in the mid of the river or river bed and anywhere within the area which is less than 100 meters measured from the middle of the river up to 2 km beyond boundary of the Rishikesh upstream and not less than 200 meters measured from middle of the River there onwards till boundary of Haridwar downstream. (100 meters as a crow flies). This an important judgment as it will prevent people from polluting the Ganga River especially in the upstream. But even this judgement is being misinterpreted and used by each according to their advantage as the river flow varies in a years and the middle of the river changes accordingly. I was consulted on two more cases to give opinion. I have suggested the following measures to prevent misinterpretation or taking the spatial situation as advantage in doing activities close to Ganga River.

The middle of the river cuts the river flow area parallel. It varies with the flow of the water (quantity) and it cannot be fixed.

The rule fails where the width of the river is more than 200 meters. It is illogical to have the rule of 100 meters distance. As the river approaches lower areas the order of the river increases. The width of the river also increases as we move down the length of a river (in general). It means there is more violation of the norms downward of a river flow. Therefore the sensitive zone should be declared and fixed from the bank lines on either side of the river.

Suggested a scientific approach to be adopted for declaring the sensitive zone along the banks of a river. It should be based on the historic flood line or banks line (right and left banks), river flows, geology, slope, soils, flora and fauna, etc.

The historical bank lines of a river should be studied. Bank lines are high flow levels of a river. The “sensitive zone” along the banks of the river should be demarcated on either side of the bank lines (Right and Left).

Studies have to be carried out to quantify change in bank line of a river. The bank line vectors taken for different time periods (at least 30 years period) to be superimposed. The changes in the bank lines thus became clear on superimposition. The satellite data along with toposheets (Survey of India, Maps) should be used for the scientific study.

Marker stones to be fixed (say every 25 meters) on either side of the bank lines (right and left) to delineate the sensitive area parallel to the river. This would help the local community and administration to identify the sensitive zones. One cannot go by case by case, there is a lot for the policy decisions to be taken for conserving the rivers and water bodies in parts of India.

Based on the above arguments another order was issued in December 2017. Now the court has considered the edge of the river rather middle of the river for measuring the distance to demarcate the sensitive zone. And the distance is reduced to 50 meters. Still this judgement is not fool-proof, it could be exploited by the people based on the local situation.

The details are as such. Construction activities will be prohibited within 50 metres from the edge of the river Ganga in hilly areas, as it would now be treated as a ‘no-development zone’, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) said on December 18, 2017, modifying its earlier order. No-development zones are areas where no construction, including commercial or residential buildings, can come up.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson justice Swatanter Kumar said that keeping in view the topography of mountainous regions, there was a necessity of revisiting its direction. In a detailed judgement, the tribunal had said in July 2017 that “Till the demarcation of floodplains and identification of permissible and non-permissible activities by the state government of this judgement, we direct that 100 meters from the edge of the river would be treated as a no development/construction zone, between Haridwar and Unnao in UP.”

However, at the latest hearing, the bench said the area falling between 50–100 metres, would be considered as a ‘regulatory’ zone and there would be a ban on construction activity in this area, till the state comes with a specific policy. “We reiterate that an area falling within 50 metres from the edge of Ganga, would be considered as ‘no-development zone’ in hilly areas and no construction or any other activity will be allowed in that area,” the bench, also comprising justice UD Salvi, said.

Sunlight Harvesting

There is plenty of sunlight in the tropics. There are many countries which are coping with the challenges of sustainable agriculture, soil degradation, water scarcity, etc.

Aspect is considered important especially in the higher latitudes to benefit by receiving maximum sunlight for plants for photosynthesis, and for the location of homes for warmth and light. Say in the northern hemisphere the southern slopes are preferred for maximum advantage of the aspect.

It was in the year 1995 that I got interested in this aspect of harvesting sunlight. People think there is plenty of sunlight in the tropics and subtropics. Tropics (i.e., between Tropic of Cancer (23.5 deg N) and Tropic of Capricorn 23.5 deg S) and Subtropics that is between the latitudes 23.5 deg N to 40 deg N and 23.5 deg S and 40 deg S.

To understand the importance of aspect in the growth of the plants did an experiment on 21st December 1995 at Hyderabad (17.3986352, 78.5574067). Usually, 21st December day is Winter solstice (or hibernal solstice) it is an astronomical phenomenon marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year. This happens due to the 23.5 degrees tilt of the earth and due to rotation of the earth around the sun.

In those days there was so no software available to calculate the shadows and sun path for the given latitude and longitude. To conduct the experiment for understanding the shadows caused, Made a sundial with a matchstick, started noting the length of the shadow it caused with time.

The sun path, elevation and other details are as follows:

The above charts are created using the software in the link: http://www.sunearthtools.com/dp/tools/pos_sun.php

I got the shadow and elevation of the sun for different timings from the experiment as shown above. Being in the northern hemisphere and during the winter solstice maximum length of the shadows are cast, if one could design the location of plants based in their morphology (height, girth, canopy, the density of leaf cover, etc.), one could harvest maximum sunlight for plants growth. This was the main purpose of the experiment.

The Ecological succession after reaching a climax stage exhibits multi-tier system of plants living in harmony and symbiotic relationship. There is a distribution of the sunlight at different levels. Herbs; Grass; Shrub; Shade-loving plants and trees; vines, Lianas, and climbers; parasitic plants; trees with canopies receiving some light; emergent trees they are the tallest in a given succession which receives maximum sunlight.

In nature, the plants always used its environment and resources efficiently. They always coexisted in harmony with other plants fauna and the abiotic elements. The three-dimensional environment maximized the space for the terrestrial life too. Given all other resources, the sunlight for photosynthesis and evapotranspiration are the main causes for the growth of the plants.

The graphic shows the levels of rainforest vegetation and the relative amount of sunlight that each one receives.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/ecosystems/tropical_rainforests_rev3.shtml

In agriculture for the plants two things are essential, the slope of the land and the direction of ploughing across the slop and the aspect (sunlight).

In the mixed cropping, where two or more crops are cultivated in the same field. The farmers could increase the efficiency by harvesting the sunlight. In this plan the density of the plants could be increased and explore the other advantages of symbiotic relationships such as legumes and other crops together could be planted.

The application of sunlight harvesting are umpteen:

• Plantations

• The choice of plants as hedgerows.

• Horticulture and densification

• Agroforestry

• Silvopasture

• Combination of shade loving plants and others.

• Areca nut, coconut trees, betel leaves, banana, ginger, etc.

3-dimensional habitat, food, material, and energy production as stewards of the earth as polyculture (mixed complementary diverse plants, trees, vines & shrubs. Knowledge of this 3-D culture is passed down over tens of thousands of years through a sustainable human civil culture which recognizes and respects the gifts, contributions, and capacities of each person and the whole community. https://sites.google.com/site/indigenecommunity/design/food-materials-resouces

Fog and Rocks

Water in different forms is available in nature. Fog or cloud at the ground surface is one such form of water available to serve nature. Everyone enjoys the early morning fog, that is the coolest time in a day. That is the reason the moisture in the form of fog appears

close to the ground in the form of fog.

In the parts of Telangana, the winters are very cold. This is because of less number of water bodies and vegetation. The land mass gets cooled very fast too.

There is intense fog see everywhere especially during early mornings called Manchu or Mankuru during the winters.

It happened that on December 24th in the year 1996, I was at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Digdi Village, Zaheerabad. Mr. V. R. Reddy was the Director of the KVK. It was constructed with laterite stones in the traditional style. It was newly constructed at that time. I opted to stay at that place tonight so that next day early morning I could observe the fog and how it is used by the plants.

There were so many rats in the building, I could not sleep properly. I was told it was common to find snakes crawling in the building for rats. I woke up very early in the morning. There was intense fog, I started walking in the wilderness around the center. Almost all the plants were wet with the moisture accumulated on the plants. With in no time, half of my lower body was wet with water from the plants. Every part of the plants are harvesting this fog. An agave plant was of particular interest to me, as it was trapping the fog through its needle tip long leaves and channeling the water droplets to its root zone.

The black color basalt stones which turned spherical due to conchoidal fracturing by the diurnal variation of temperature were found everywhere. These stones being black in color, by radiating all the heat, they became too cool by early morning. These stones have also become wet in the fog, and the water droplets started moving underneath these stones.

I have lifted few stones and found that there are several small plants or saplings so fresh with good source of water. Often scorpions and other small insects are found beneath them too. They take the advantage of keeping themselves cool and protected from the scorching sun and other predators during the daytime.

Hyderabad and its surroundings has beautiful archean granites. Many big trees are found growing from the crevices or joints of these rocks. The rocks are protecting help the seeds, saplings and plants while they grow. These rocks also channel the rainwater and fog droplets towards the roots of these plants. The plants have so much strength that some rocks are split wide open when they continue to grow.

The people should not remove stones from the fields and also start growing plants in the rocky areas too. The belief is that fields should be devoid of any rocks is wrong from plant growth. The stones can be used as mulching for the plants too. Rather throwing them out of the field. One should understand this intricate relationship between, fog, moisture, plants and the stones or rocks. Ecosystem is the intricate relationship between the biotic and abiotic components of the environment.

The massive absorption and conversion of solar energy causes ‘cold’ energy spots on the continent which attract the warm moisture laden winds from sea and lake. 60% of moisture transfer from sea to continent happens through condensation on leaf and bark surfaces. Only 40% of moisture falls as rain or snow. Life continually draws and creates weather.

Green Buildings

Earth is the only home, If humans lived in nature like any other life on earth, one would have been living in a green home, with least ecological foot print. The human beings are wasting so much energy and resources in creating the living spaces and work places which are not required as much as they are.

I got an opportunity to teach at the Contractors Development Institute (CDI), at National Academy of Construction (NAC), Hyderabad. CDI was headed by Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy. He has requested me to take a classes on traditional green buildings or green buildings whenever trainings were conducted in the institute. I was taking lectures regularly between the period 1998 and 2012.

I got into basics of understanding the traditional houses that I had seen in the villages. I focussed on the materials required for construction; the necessary spaces created for use; meeting the aspirations of people; maintenance; cultural values; a space which could bring peace and enhance ones spirituality. The natural interacting aspects, such as light, air circulation, flow of water; temperature and relative humidity were also considered. Being an environmentalist everything was understood. Based on the observation of other buildings and houses, I used to take lectures. Sometimes the students said that what I am taught was practical and even not found in their text books.

While developing the GEO Research center, I was conscious to build the environment friendly structures mostly using local materials, and reuse of materials. They should be maintenance free at the end. Altogether they should be low-cost.

The first buiding walls were built of mud called Pati-Matti. Pati (old) Matti (earth or soil) is procured from the place where once a village existed. It had all the evidences of the people living there such as pottery shards, pieces of charcoal, boans, broken bangles, slag, shells, etc. This soil is resistant to erosion. The challenge was to identify the person to construct the house. About 30 years back the last house was built with mud walls. It is very common to see very long earth walls constructed even now in Afghanistan to protect their fields from gazing fields. In parts of India, especially in the semi-arid and arid parts the mud walls are common. The less rainfall and arid climate makes the walls last longtime. I have seen houses more than 100 years old intact even now. The mud walls in some houses are as high as 15 feet. There are some double story houses with mud walls too. Sometimes the roof too is made up of pati matti. In less rainfall areas, over a layer of wood, a thick layer of Pati matti of alkaline soil is used as roof. This soil is clayey and the permeability and percolation of water is very low.

On the whole I love the earthen structures because, it is like living within the soil. They cause less impact on the environment as the embodied energy is very low. It is always locally available and accessible. For a poor person, he could start the moment the family thinks of a house. No tools are used except for a bare hands and legs for preparing the material and construction. I observed that the tribals constructing and maintaining their houses with great love. As they are constructed by themselves, there is great love and pride in possessing them. With maintenance they always looked new and with the floral and animals designs / drawings on the walls it was as if the whole life is living with them. They know that the space belongs to all and they are only occupying for sometime in space and time. Everything should disintegrate and one day would be part of the same soil where one would rest after death.

I found one old person in the village who has some experience of constructing the mud-walls during his youth. I requested him to guide the young labour in preparation of the material and support in the construction of the house with mud. To get the Pati-Matti, I searched the fields. Near a temple of 500 years old, the village existed in the past. Now it is a field. I found all the evidences of the village in the soil. I requested the farmer to give me the soil from his field. He agreed and I collected the soil and brought to the Geo Research Center.

The construction of the mud-walls happens in phases. One cannot construct as it is done with the bricks. Only 2 to 3 feet height wall can be constructed in a day, it should dry completely for constructing the wall over it again. To reach a height of 15 feet it took more than one month time.

First the pati-matti is soaked in water and pressed with legs to create a good clay. The balls of clay are prepared and thrown to the person sitting and constructing the wall. The mud ball is pressed to create layers of the wall. Even the smoothening is done by bare hands and fingers. In the villages intentionally the streets are narrow, that is to prevent the erosion of walls from rain, wind, diurnal temperature variation. As this structure was in the center, I need to protect it from the walls, therefore with a chicken mesh wire as a layer made rough plastering with the cement. Inside the room with dubba matti (a fine soil) plastering was done. The sil koyya (sticks for hanging) things, a shelf with doors and two windows were made in the traditional way. The two-winged door is also traditional.

I experimented with biochar, creating bricks using sand, cement and biochar. These bricks are environment friendly. Biochar is used as an amendment for improving the fertility of the soil. These bricks are breathing bricks, which can absorb the some of the harmful gases, create a habitat for good microbes, emit long-wave radiation, reduce the moisture in the living spaces, etc. At the end of life-cycle as construction waste it they would improve the fertility of the soil where they are dumped as compared to the traditional construction wastes which cause much damage to the soil. On the whole they address the carbon sequestration by fixing the carbon in the bricks. I used them in one room and partly in one hall.

A museum for the stoves that I have designed was constructed. I once went to a friends village near Yadagirigutta for facilitation of the stoves. I saw that they are demolishing their 50 years old house. All the wood was dumped at a place. I asked them what they wanted to do with it. They said one local carpenter is willing to buy for Rs. 15,000 and would cut into pieces and sell. I said that the wood with beautiful carvings should not be wasted, I offered to take the wood and brought to the research center. Using the pieces of the wood, created space for display of the stoves that I have designed. With some of the plain blocks of wood, I could create required doors and windows. It came out very well.

For the floor of the museum, I wanted it to be maintenance free, so instead of laying the floor with slabs, I have dumped the coarse sand. It has become maintenance free as all the dust seeps down and people prefer to sit on the sand too. It is also safe from rats making holes, ants and termites making nests. The whole structure was constructed with cement bricks and few biochar bricks were also used. They are not plastered and maintenance free. The edges of the walls which are prone to weathering only plastered with three inches width border. For the roof, I have used the pre-coated tin sheets. Few fiberglass sheets were used for penetration of the light during the day time. To prevent excess heat in the room during the day time, the walls were raised to 12 feet. And inside several ventilators were provided for cross ventilation and escape of the heat, otherwise would have been trapped. The convection currents are well established. The same hall could also be used as a training hall when it rains outside. Otherwise underneath a huge Neem tree, a platform with coarse sand was created. As no vegetation grows in the sand, it is convenient for people to sit and attend the lectures under the cool shade of the Neem tree amid biodiversity of more than 100 species of plants.

Minimalistic approach is the only way to address the sustainability of the resources on this earth. Otherwise we do need one more earth to sustain the present demands. It means we are living at the cost of degradation and over exploitation of the earth.

Recently, I have designed and constructed a Mini-tree house at the Earth Center. With minimum resources it was constructed. As the area was prone to termites infestation, the granite hut and the Machan was constructed over the granite stone pillars. The Machan was prepared using the sticks of sarugu plants, which are grown in the fields. The whole structure is adjoining a huge mango tree with complete shade. The ventilation is very good. For the roof plastic material is used. The height of the hut is 4.5 feet. with a base of 4.5 feet x 8 feet. It is convenient for two people to sleep. Outside on the Machan two more people could sleep. The hut does not get heated as it is completely under the shade. During day time one could take any place around the tree. A small room was prepared underneath the hut. To climb a mound of Morum (erosion resistant coarse soil) is created. This is one of the low-cost structures. Living close to the nature with minimum requirements makes one an earth leader.

Biochar compost bin

In the urban areas, bio-waste is a major problem. Because of congestion and high density of population, as it decomposes need to be disposed immediately. The dry biomass can be stored and disposed but bio-waste should be disposed immediately. There is a lot of waste generated everyday from all sources. In this regard, I was thinking about the solutions to convert the biomass into a resource. Biochar is the charcoal derived from pyrolysis of biomass. It can be used as an ingredient to convert the biomass into compost. In-situ compost bins which accelerte the composting time period and also prevent the obnoxious smells. Using biochar as a media, I have designed several models of biochar compost bins. Biochar compost bin is efficient, convenient and it is the low-cost conversion of domestic bio-waste into compost using biochar

Biochar compost bin uses converting biowaste into compost. It takes about two or three weeks to convert biomass into compost. This composting systems are aerobic and in the presence of biochar there is not much smell emanated while composting. There is a value addition by converting the bio-waste into a useful resource.

In these biochar compost systems there is a facility to collect leachate. The raw material could be loaded in batches and removed conveniently from an opening below. This facility is adoptable in urban areas with less space. There is also a facility to wash hands by growing some plants in the compost while the whole thing is in operation continuously.

The details are given below

https://www.slideshare.net/saibhaskar/biochar-compost-bin

Ecology

Mouse Deer and Vultures

One day I got a call from Dr. G. Chandra Shekar Reddy, Indian Forest Service officer, then he was also leading Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad. He asked me to make documentaries on Mouse Deer, and White-backed Vulture.

I was thankful to Dr. Chandrashekar Reddy for giving me this opportunity, as I like nature and wildlife too. Going closer to these rare and beautiful creations was something, I was planning. They should be least disturbed and also should make the documentary.

The White-backed Vulture is an endangered species now only a few are there in the wilderness. Mr. Sandeep who was doing research and supporting the White Backed Vultures breeding program was asked to help me.

The first-day early morning, I went to the park. As it was winter, there was fog. As I entered from the back gate, welcomed by the roar of tigers and cacophonic calls of the birds. This zoological part is one of the most diverse and beautiful part, built below the multipurpose arch dam of Miralama tank.

We both went to the vultures breeding place; it is a huge apiary. Specially made to cater to the needs of the birds. It is closed from all sides up to three to four meters from bottom to cause the least disturbance to the birds. There were several birds, and they are awesome. The interesting thing is that recently one of the vultures has given a baby. Sandeep is very particular and does not want any interference. We both went around the enclosure and finally saw the beautiful baby bird and the mother on the sand floor. It is surprising for some reason this bird has laid the nest on the ground, in spite of having the perches, specially created. The mother was sitting on it and giving the warmth. It must be cold on the ground due to the sand. There were almost no openings from me to capture the birds and Sandeep said he would not open any window to take the shots. He said it is very rare that these birds give birth to babies and it is important to see that it survives. Finally said maybe after a fortnight, we will come back then the baby would grow up. We left the place.

We both moved to the mouse deer breeding center; there were tiger enclosures on the way. This enclosure has several chambers or cells, with small plants and grass. As we entered, I was curious to see them. Could not find anyone at first. Sandeep took me into an enclosure; I suddenly saw the mouse deer. Unlike any other deer, they are small of about a feet in height. This is a prehistoric animal survived till date, because of its nature. Also saw their babies. They are used to people entering the enclosure for cleaning, provide water and feed. I was wearing a sober dress and moved very slowly in the enclosure for not disturbing them much.

I planned my video and photo shooting, spread in some days. Scheduled to shoot especially during the mornings when the light is soft, and also these animals are active. I took two cameras, HD GoPro with a selfie stick and Canon Digital SLR camera. Especially sit patiently for the animals to come out or slowly crawl towards them for getting a picture. The first enclosure mouse deer probably became familiar with me; I had very less problem shooting here. For getting their close-up shots, I used to leave the HD GoPro camera on in the grass and go out or remain far off. These are curious animals. They sometimes came and licked my camera. It was so cute. I got some of the best shots of these Mouse Deer and made a documentary using both still photos and videos. Dr. G. Chandra Shekar Reddy provided the voiceover and completed this film. Opportunities are rare; everything gives a chance to live another life. Spending time for other life to understand is also worth.

Through the Mouse deer conservation program from less than 10, increased its population to about 150 nos. They were native to Nallamalai Forest area covering parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states.

Community Forest Management

I was the project officer, leading the Joint Forest Management Project at Center for World Solidarity (1999–2000), supporting more than 600 Vana Samrakshan Samithis (VSS) or Community Forest Management groups in parts of Andhra Pradesh State. This project was supported by NOVIB. Mr. M. V. Shastry was the founder and head of the Center for World Organisation (CWS). He has vast experience in managing the organizations and a great visionary in development. These 600 VSSs are coordinated by 26 NGOs in parts of 10 districts in the Andhra Pradesh State.

After returning to Hyderabad from Dehradun. Mr. Ravindra, WASSAN, said that there is a upcoming project in CWS. Due to delay of the project, when I met Mr. M. V. Shastri he said that there is a ongoing Joint Forest Management and a Project Officer is required. Across the table we had discussion sharing my interests about environment and past experience. He liked me and offered me a position to work on the JFM project and asked when I can join. I was very much thankful to him for this opportunity although I don’t have much experience, but he trusted me with this position. Since childhood, I always loved forests and thought this would give me an opportunity to be close to the forests.

There was another project parallel project of some VSSs headed 6 women headed NGOs, it was coordinated by Dr. Surya Kumari. This project was called Gender JFM. After joining, I said in every VSS there should be focus of Gender. So we both have merged the two projects into one project.

As a project officer, I travelled extensively to most of the VSS to monitor the activities that they were doing. Visited the remote forest areas, visited the the forest areas under development and addressed the public meetings on the importance of the forests. It was a great opportunity to meet and interact with the remote tribals. The environment clean and loved the contract having see the most polluted area during my PhD at Patancheru.

Motivated the communities to own their designated forest areas and get the benefits of minor forest produce and other rights over bamboo and timber as per the JFM law. Organised several workshops with the NGOs to create awareness and for sustainable management of the forests. Some of the NGOs were innovative, have established checkposts in their areas to prevent the illegal exploitation of their forests by outsiders. Particpated in the consultative meetings on the JFM conducted by the Department of Forest, Government of Andhra Pradesh.

In a natural forest everything is organic. By marketing their produce, they could get a better price. The philosopy of JFM was, this is ours (Government), so there was exploitation by the people living in and around the forests. The forest belongs to us (Government + People), there is better protection and development of the forest, the people protecting forests were also given rights over resources from the forest area protected by them. The earth belongs to us, and not just that people belong to nations. The consciousness of belongingness to the earth is more useful to conserve and protect the earth from exploitation, rather just limiting to nationalism.

Eastern Ghats Expedition

During the expedition on eastern ghats, we a team of eleven members have visited the Biligirirangana Hills (BR Hills) in Karnataka. It was in the first week of September 2017. After spending a night on the banks of Cauvery river at Talakadu, we headed towards the Biligirirangana Hills (BR Hills). By afternoon we reached K. Gudi a place where the forest department field office is there. After having lunch, the department has arranged a vehicle to go to a place where the eastern and western ghats meet (about 30 km away) in the Biligirangana Hills. Nine of the team members started the journey. On the way saw many waterfalls. The forest was thick and lush. There were few tea estates in the Jungle. Saw few ladies working in a tea estate. We stopped the vehicle and went to them to discuss with them. After some time we noticed that one woman was bleeding profusely. She said that there are so many leeches around and one of them had bitten her. She also caught one of them by hand and shown it to us. It is like a needle walking in loops. She tried to kill it by pinching but is very hard to kill. All of us got into the vehicle, I saw that one leech was walking on the vehicle too, came along with us. Soon discovered that about three of our team members were bitten by the leeches. Having seen the blood flowing, they were worried. On the way saw a snake basking on the roadside. We stopped the vehicle and saw that it moved into the tea plantations. Also saw a beautiful brown color eagle sitting on the branch of a tree. Finally Reached the peak of the hillock. Could see the Shola forest, which is typical at higher latitudes in this area. At higher altitudes, the

Finally reached the peak of the hillock. Saw the beautiful “Shola forest,” which is typically found at higher elevations in this area. At higher altitudes, the grasslands are found, and forest areas are located in the valleys, this typical combination of grassland and forest makes the Shola forests. Because of the frost, high wind, and the forest fires, over centuries the Shola forests are shaped. The peak of the hill we reached is a beautiful grassland surrounded by the forest. Here the plants are dwarf. There is a room for the forest guards and also a watchtower. The guards informed us that two days back a tiger has passed from this place. Regularly the wild elephants transect this place too. It was a beautiful place where the eastern and western Ghats merge. The merging point is not a point, it is an area. After having snacks and tea, we started our return journey. In a puddle closeby we saw the footprints of a tiger as shared by the forest guards. It was getting dark too. On the way, the driver has shown us a forest department place where the notorious Mr. Veerappan was once caught and kept. We arrived at a place where the tribals Soligas worship a big old tree, it is called Doddasampige. This tree is located on the banks of a small stream. It was almost dark when we walked from a distance to the holy tree. There are hundreds of stones smeared with vibudhi (holy ashes) — they are the Lingas which the tribals worship with great reverence. Soon got into the vehicle as it was dark. Through another route started going towards the K. Gudi. This time to return back early the driver has taken a shortcut path. This route was less used, so at places the dirt road was not visible, covered with grass and small plants. As the driver had knowledge and experience, he could take us with less confusion. It was a full moon night. The night in the forest was beautiful with the moon. As I was appreciating the moon-lit night, suddenly the vehicle stopped. About 100 meters ahead we saw two elephants grazing, turned their backs towards us. The driver stopped the engine, kept the lights on. They did not move in any direction so waited for about 15 minutes. For us, this was the first time encountering them. Remained still and silent in the vehicle. The driver called another guard some distance away, and the guard came and flashed the torchlight at them. The elephants seemed to have understood and moved aside. We were not sure how for they gone away from the path. After waiting for some time, the driver slowly moved forward by carefully watching the sides. Suddenly we saw the elephants grazing about 25 meters on the left side of the road. Now the driver moved very fast, and soon we reached the main road. On the sides of the main road, we saw a huge Gaur. Near the campsite, we saw a huge gathering of deer and Sambar. Their eyes glowing. There was the alpha male Sambar, stood in the middle of the road and alerted other deer to move away. After some time we could reach our Guesthouse. It was a beautiful experience of spending in the natural forest with lifelong memories.

From BR Hills, we have travelled to Bandipur National Park in Karnataka. This forest area continues into two other state forests — Mudumalai National Park, Tamil Nadu State and Wayanad wildlife sactuary, Kerala State. There were forest guest houses in the beginning of the Bandipur National Park. There were so many tourists arrived here with all kinds of vehicles. It did not appear like a forest with so many tourists around. It is said especially during the holidays the surge of tourists is very high. It appreared like being in another town and not a jungle.

Soon we checked into the guest rooms of the forest department. The rooms were also not so good, as there is a large clearing and so many buildings existing there. In the afternoon, we got into the safari vehicle to see the animals in the forest. It was written there, ‘seeing animals depends on one’s luck’. So with hope we got into a safari vehicle. Soon, the vehicle got into the jungle on the forest track. It was the most disappointing journey as we are unable to see the expected wild animals. Except few spotted deer, peacocks, birds and squirrel and monkeys on the way. Some of the people in the vehicle were sleeping and those with their cameras ready to take pictures were just gazing around. The driver anticipating to show some animals took us on another track, there too we were disappointed. So finally could see few gaurs at a distance. Finally returned to see the intelligent monkeys around the guest house. Some monkeys were found of cars and they always climbed them and pestered for food items from the tourists.

Mudumalai National Park is very close to Bandipur, so we planned to go there and see the Elephant Care center. On the way we have seen some vehicles stopped, there were few wild elephats grazing on the road side grass. Intentionally as part of tourism the bushes were cleared along the roads. That is for the people to clearly see any approaching wild animals and also these places with fresh grass attract the animals, so the tourists could also see them. We were happy at least as we could see wild a couple of wild elephants. The elephants got used to so many vehicles and people, they seem to ignore.

After crossing a stream, we have entered into the territory of Mudumalai. It was late evening and it was the time for closure of the elephant care center. Upon request the guards have allowed us. Here large balls of food madeup of Ragi, Rice, Jagger, etc are prepared and being fed to the domesticated elephants. There were five numbers. It is very interesting to see how they eat the balls in one go. The Mahouts and the relationship with the respective elephants was good to see. Again there was a crowd. It is more like seeing people rather appreciating nature. There should be limits imposed on the number people visiting for ecotourism and the focus on revenue should be minimal. Our disappointment having gone for safari at Bandipur has been reduced after visiting the Mudumalai forest area.

Bandipur National Park is highly infested with the exotic Lantena Camara species. This plant with very small thorns grows upto a height of 3–4 meters is immpenetrable. It is competing the local herbs, shrubs and bushes and also not letting the trees emerge. It is highly adoptable in this ecotype and expanding into the natural forest area like wild fire. Although there were few programs to uproot and eradicate, still it is seen a major threat considering its spreading. Sometimes the elephants also cannot pass through them. Forest does not mean just greenery. The department people are worried too, if all the latana is uprooted there wont be much greenery seen. The flora and fauna has little relationship with Lantana Camara as part of the food chain. Nor the people have much economic or usability for this species. For some young fauns or animals which are small in size, it is providig security from carnivorous animals. Parthenium another exotic speices a small herb is also invading the forest area. The department should take necessary measures for the eradication and emergence of local ecotype species.

In the night we could see so many deer in the lawn around the guest houses they remained there till early morning. Considering the presence of people the deer have learnt that the wild carnivorous animals would not dare to come and attack them. So it has become a daily phenomenon for the appearance of all kinds of deer from dawn to dusk around the guest houses.

In the night for dinner the canteen had few food items, therefore we had the Jowar and Sajja rotis which we brought from Hyderabad. Along with chutnies we had the dinner in one of the guest houses in the traditional way. It was a great experience of get together.

The Eastern Ghats Expedition places visited are given below.

While going from Bandipur to Udhagamandalam or Ooty the temperatures dropped. It is a Ghat road winding. As it was monsoon there was greenery everywhere. Could see beautiful waterfalls at the distance. Visited the Botanical Garden in Udhagamandalam, near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu state, India laid out in 1848. Its architect was William Graham McIvor. This has both exotic and local species of plants. A place to learn about the flora biodiversity. The fern house has 127 species of ferns. Putrefied fossil trunk of 20 million years old is on desplay as a pedastel. Tree species of botanical interest such as Hymnosporum flavum, Cordylline australlis, Cedrus deodara, Cupressus funebrils, Araucaria bidwillii, Cupressus macrocarpa, Cryptomeria japonica, Eucalyptus maculate, Eucalyptus citriodora, Salix babylonica, Salix heterophylla, Podocarpus taxifolia, Dracena lanuginosa, Pinus patula, Rhododendron arboreum, Quercus Montana, Quercus cerris, Quercus Serrata, Quercus grilffithi, Quercus illex, Magnolia grandiflora etc., can be seen alongside the lawn. Some plants are more than 100 years old. Important tree species such as Taxodium mucronatum, Pieris ovalifolia, Juniperus virginiana, Eucalyptus eugenoides, Pinus wallichiana, Photinia lindleyana, Pinus canaariensils, Ginkgo biloba, Araucaria cunninghammi and Cupressus lawsoniana are planted all over the section. A rose garden with three hundred varieties of hybrid tea roses, Floribunda and Polyanthas rose varieties is existing in the upper part of the garden. Natural ponds with aquatic plants. The lawns matching the contours of the ground intersperced with beautiful exotic species is beautiful. There is also a nursery where saplings of various plants are sold. We all were inspired after seeing the beautiful garden.

We left to see one of the highest peaks Doddabetta — another point where the eastern ghats and western ghats merge. This place was heavily crowded with tourists and vendors selling all sorts of items. We have climbed the watch tower and got a glimpse of the eastern and western ghats merged at this place. On the way to Kotagiri a town saw many tea estates. The urbanisation or the concrete buildings have come up like mushrooms on these precarious hills. Urbanisation is one of the couses of conversion of forests into other purposes. The tea estates and the commercial agriculture is evident everywhere. The loss of soil, biota is very much seen. There is a need for restricting the urbanisation in the precarious hilly regions. Finally reached Mettupalayam for night halt.

Next day some of have travelled to “Kolli Hills”, which are remnant parts of Eastern Ghats. This is like an island with its altitude and above with flat lands and gentle valleys. The biodiversity on the way to the top is very rich. The slopes of the hill are very steep, we have encountered nearly 50 hairpin bends on the way. This is one of the craziest roads we have encountered in our journey. At the top there are few houses and a small village. There is one annular road at the top. The soils are red and lateritic. The water from the rainfall supports the crops. People were cultivating spices, vegetables, fruits and paddy. The local market was very colourful, with all types of vegetables, spices and fruits. By the same ghat road we have returned back to the base of Kolli Hills. Left to Arunachala Hills at Tirunavamalai. This part of the eastern ghats called Arunachala considered very sacred, a complex of gneiss and granite rocks. There is a Tirunavaanamali, Lord Shiva’s Temple and also Ramana Maharshis Ashram. From Kolli Hills we have reched here at round 9:30 pm. Some of us planned to do Parikrama of Arunachala Hills by walk. It was a full moon night. Started the walk between 11:00 pm and 2:30 am (total 3.5 hours) completed the Parikrama. It gave us the space for contemplation and peace.

The team was split into two teams, one team went to Tirupathi to cover the Seshachala Hills and the other team went to Vellore covering the Shevroy hills. The challenges of forests in chittoor district is mainly the red sanders illegal smuggling. This is also the last habitat for the wild elephants transecting across the border between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh states, in the southern part of eastern ghats. Again elephants are see from parts of Vizianagar and Srikakulam Districts till the nothern most part of Eastern ghats.

From Vellore travelled to Kadapa District. On the way saw saw the degraded eastern ghats called — Erramalai. These hills having Barites which is used in oil extraction industry. From Kadapa while covering Nandyala reached the Atmakur. With the support of EFICOR an NGO, visited a Chenchu Gudem. There are few houses constructed by the government. There is a ‘Dargah’ close to this habitaion. This is also on the southern traditional path for those who go by walk to Srisailam Temple. Traditionally these chenchus are dependent on trourists and the forest resources for their livelihoods. They sell items to the visitors to the Dargah and also piligrims to srisailam on two occassions in a year. It was good discussing with them about the wildlife and health of the forest here. Over a period the chenchus are loosing their dependency on the forest resources due to strict rules being imposed. But they say people from plain areas exploit the forests and only their are victimised.

There is a block planted with teak during british times still intact and conserved by the forest department. This is the only place in the Nallamalai where intact healthy teak plantation is seen. Otherwise almost all the teak from the Nallamalai forest area is already exploited. On the way from Atmakur to Dornala the forest area is healthy. Have seen few women and children from chenchu families begging on the road. These is a new trend, otherwise traditionally they were never found begging. From Dornala reached Shikaram, on the way saw two chenchu habitations. All along the route saw many people grazing cattle. The forest area although famous for the tigers is perforated by the grazers and their animals. By crossing the Krishna River and through the Nallamalai forest part of Telanagana State, reached the final point at Uma Maheshwaram Temple. The journery of the southern part of Eastern Ghats ended at 9:30 pm. It was a great journery covering about 4,500 kms started with 11 people between 2nd — 9th September 2017.

Southern Eastern Ghats (Telangana-Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka-Tamil Nadu). Hyderabad — Kurnool — Ananthapur — Bangalore — Cuban Park (Press Conference) — Talakadu (Mudukuthore)- Gumballi — Biligiriranganabetta — K. Gudi wilderness camp — BR hills convergence of eastern and western ghats point — Bandipore — Ooty — Doddabetta — Kotagiri — Mettupalayam — Kolli Hills — Tiruvannamalai — Vellore — Kadapa — Atmakur — Dornala — Srisailam — Uma Maheshwaram — Hyderabad (2–9 September 2017) 2,400 kilometers.

EASTERN GHATS EXPEDITION NORTHERN PART

To complete the expedition Norhern part of Eastern Ghats is also covered. On 18th September, started from Hyderabad to Vishakapatnam. Four covered this expedition starting from Vishakapatnam.

The Vishakapatnam city itself is in the eastern ghats. The rapid urbanisation is impacting the local hills. People are exploiting the hills for construction materials and also there are encrochments. The government is also giving some of the lands to private people on lease. There is a strong civil society and environmentalists fighting for the conservation of Eastern Ghats in and around Vishakapatnam. Hired an Innova vehicle to cover the trip. On the way say the parts of Eastern Ghats in Vizianagarm and Srikakulam Districts. Via Narsannapeta went to Pathapattanam. On the way saw the beautiful bluish Eastern Ghats. All along the valley portions Paddy is the main crop cultivated. There was greenery everywhere. From Pathapatanam by crossing a river went to Parlakamundi in Orissa. These two towns are historic and in both the areas people know Telugu and Odia languages. Saw scars of mining on the Eastern Ghats for the construction materials. Located the route to Mahendra Giri Hills in Orissa. This is one of the highest peaks in Orissa and considered very auspicious. Locally they call it as Mahendram. During the festival of Shiva Ratri (the auspicious night of lord Shiva, lakhs of people climb and worship the idol at the top. Took the path of Narayanpur, Jiranga, Kainpur to reach Mahendragiri. All along the beautiful Tropical semi-evergreen forests of the Eastern Ghats. The tarmac road was single lane, it is winding crisscrossing the valleys. Encountered several streams. The beautiful projections of the rocky parts of the Eastern Ghats were also seen. There was slash and burn and permanent cultivation practiced by the local people in the forest area. The people preserved the locally useful species such as date palms and other trees within the farm lands. The fields looked beautiful with these interspersed trees. As we started climbing towards the Mahendragiri Hills, it was even more beautiful. Reached the closest motorable point to the Mahendragiri Hills. We required a special four wheel drive vehicle to reach the peak, as it was dark and raining heavily we could not go to the top. From here downhill travelled to Andaanda — Jarada Gada — Chikiti and finally reached Barhampur for night stay.

Next day morning from Barhampur travelled to Balugaon a town on the banks of Chilka Lake. This is a brackish water lake at the foothills of eastern ghats and the Bay of Bengal (Sea). Saw the beautiful Chilka lake, there were several fishing boats. Went to the forest department at Balugaon and met the Range Officer. Requested for their permission to visit the Barbara Reserve Forest. The Range Officer gave permission and also a very young forester to accompany us to the reserve forest. By taking some snacks and fruits in the town, we started our journey. At the checkpoint of the entrance to the Reserve Forest saw very thick bamboo plantations. It was very rare to see such thick bamboo forest. By protection and conservation measures the bamboo was developed. Bamboo is one of the basic food of Elephants and there is considerable population of elephants in this forest area. As we were going into the jungle, after sometime started seeing the majestic tall teak plants. Some of these plants are more than 100 years old. The girth of the trees is more than a person could hold with both the hands. There was human interference and people are found grazing the animals. The teak forest was beautiful. Finally we have reached the forest office and the camp site of Military personnel who were monitoring the forests. There were about 50 personnel, who have protected the borders of India and now after their retirement they are involved in protecting the forest area. They represented different parts of India. They were given weapons too, but they were strictly instructed to not to you use on any violators. Till 2016 Central Reserve Police force was protecting. These military people were engaged by the forest department. Teak being a high value plant, there is demand from Bhubaneshwar and other neighboring areas for the timber. Even one plant is more than Rs. 300000 in the market. The guards are given salaries per year, which is less than the cost of one teak plant. The area conserved and protected by them has immeasurable value. Similarly where ever there is threat to forests in different parts of India, the retired army personnel’s services could be used. It depends on the respective state governments and forest department officials interests.

After discussion with the lead Army personnel met all the other guards. Left to Balugaon by another route. On the way saw a wooden bridge on a stream. It was made up of teak and very strong. It is rare to see the wooden bridges. Reached Salia Reservoir, while travelling on the bund saw the deer grazing on the the command area paddy fields. These deer come in hundreds every day. The cascading irrigation canal of the Salia reservoir, was beautiful. Returned to Balugaon and thanked the Range Officer. Left to Bhubaneshwar and in the night had a meeting to discuss on the press conference to be held tomorrow.

In the morning at the Press Club of Bhubaneshwar organised the press conference. Shared our observations and also about the objectives and goals of GrACE. More than 20 media personnel participated. And some of them have covered the infromation very well.

After lunch, left to Anugul, the route was Bhubaneshwar — Urali — Kasinda Trisulia — Banki. — Kantilo — Sidhamula — Narasinghpur — Hindol — Anugul — Pabala — Tikarpada — Anugul. This is a route follows parallel to Mahanadhi River. The road was narrow and at places due to irrigation canals and habitations the route was slow. On the was saw the wide, sandy Mahanadhi River. The Typha weeds and other grasses on the river bed made it even more beautiful. By night reached Anugul.

The next day morning Tikarpada Reserve Forest or Sarkosia Tiger Reserver. Here Mahanadhi enters a narrow gorge in the Eastern Ghats. River is very deep. There is a Gharial and Crocadile sancturay on the banks of Mahanadhi River. Inside the forest areas there were many cultivated areas and habitations. The forest reserve appeared very poor all along the way to Tikarpada. From Tikarpada reached Anugul. From here left to Jajpur Road, on the way observing parts of Eastern Ghats. The route was Anugul — Bhuban — Duburi — Jajpur Road. Saw the tall Sal trees all along. The ecotype has changed; the teak trees are taken over by Sal trees in this part. Reached Anandpur by night and could not find the accomodation. Had dinner on the banks of Baitarani River and left to Jajpur road for night stay.

From Jajur Road left to Baripada. The route taken was from Jajur Road — Anandapur — Thakurmunda — Jashipur — Bisoi — Baripada. At Jashipur met the forest range officer of the Simlipal Tiger Reserve, and explained about the purpose of our visit. Saw the pictures of the tiger tamed by a professor. Also saw the tall Sal trees in the court yard. From here left to Baripada. Near Baripada there was a ghat road. Stayed at Baripada and in the next day morning organized a press conference with the local reporters. After the press conference left to Vishakapatnam followed the route; Baripada — Jogal — Balasore — Bhubaneshwar — Vishakapatnam. In the midnight reached Vishakapatnam and next day left to Hyderabad. With this journey completed the expedition on Eastern Ghats.

Northern Eastern Ghats (Orissa-Andhra Pradesh) Route from 19th to 25th September 2017, total distance 2000 kilometers.

Vishakapatnam — Vizianagaram — Srikakulam — Narsannapeta — Parlakamundi — Narayanpur — Jiranga — Kainpur — Mahendragiri — Andaanda — Jarada Gada — Chikiti — Brahmapur — Balugaon — Barbara Reserve Forest — Salia Reservoir — Balugaon — Bhubaneshwar — Urali — Kasinda Trisulia — Banki. — Kantilo — Sidhamula — Narasinghpur — Hindol — Anugul — Pabala — Tikarpada — Anugul — Bhuban — Duburi — Jajpur Road — Anandapur — Thakurmunda — Jashipur — Bisoi — Baripada — Jogal — Balasore — Bhubaneshwar — Vishakapatnam.

Total distance travelled is 4400 kilometers.

Nallamalai Hills

Nallamalai Hills are part of the Eastern Ghats covering parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States. These hills have historic significance. Known for rare herbs which could treat any kind of disease. The Siddhas of Nalamalai are the followers of Lord Shiva wandered here. Apart from Spiritual places such as Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy temple at Srisailam, Umamaheshwaram, Maddimadugu, Chaleshwaram, etc. Once it hosted the largest buddhist university at Nagarjuna Sagar. Much of the remnants have been submerged under the Nagarjuna Sagar Reservoir water. Some of them are retrived and preserved at Nagarjuna Konda (an island in the Nagarjuna Sagar Reservoir). Acharya Nagarjuna lead this university who is know to be a great chemist in those days.

It has basically Chenchu and Yanadi tribes. Chenchus are the majority and they stay within the forest and along the fringes too.

I got the opportunity to visit parts of Nallamalai on several occasions. It has its own charm and beauty, which attracts one again and again.

Mallapur Penta and Farhabad

I along with my friend colleague planned to give TLUD (Gasifier) stove designed by me and solar lamps as package to the Chenchus at Mallapur Penta. This was partially sponsored by the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA). At Srisailam we planned the visit. As this place was deep inside the forest no private vehicles were allowed. We discussed with Dr. Thulsi Rao, the forest officer to give us permission and also the vehicle to go there. We both along with 12 kits (stove and solar lamp), we went into the forest area. From the main road we took left turn and followed the forest path. This was a four wheel drive vehicle. There were thick bushes and trees all around. Suddenly we heard some animal sounds. The was this pack of wild dogs, surrounded us. They were moving in pack and our vehicle transected their path. After observing us they moved on. We saw some cattle and and few huts. These huts were made upof local materials, the thatch was madeup of grass. They were circular in shape and looked beautiful. Soon we saw the Chenchus and met them. Explained them about the solar lamps and also demonstrated the TLUD stoves to them. We told that, although they have so much biomass around, conserving it is important. And sometimes they may find it difficult to gather dry wood, so they could use this stoves with small pieces of twigs. They liked the stove and solar lights. The Chenchus and the cattle hearders from plains have a mutual relationship. Whereever there are chenchus the cattle headers stay for security with the Chenchus.

We have facilitated the stoves and solar lights to the Chenchus at Farhabad too. Here, the government has constructed houses for them. Strangely the houses were strewn around in different directions. Upon enquiry they said as they fight among themselves, they wanted to keep themselves as far as possible as a preventive measure. They too liked the kit. This area had lots of deer found grazing. Next to this place was a stream and a hand pump bore well.

Maddimadugu

Prof. Luc de Golbery and Madame Anne Chappuis were visiting Maddimadugu as part of the research they had been doing and the students they were guiding. Once I accompanied Prof. Luc to Maddimadugu, he had a Maruthi Gypsey vehicle. All along by noting the distance (milestones), we observed the crops cultivated. He had been doing this observation since very long and noted the changes in cropping pattern over years. We reached the Amrabad Plateau that is Mannanuru. From here we need to go left towards Padra. On the way crossed Chilamkunta to reach Maddimadugu. Around Padra, the black cotton soils were there. This made people cultivate cotton as a major commercial crop. All types of crops were also cultivated here. There was a small Ghat section it was a beautiful place with good view all around. By night we have reached the Maddimadugu. This place attracts tourists for two temples — Anjaneya Swamy temple and The temple of Kuruma community, where they sacrifice sheep / goats. We reached the Maddimadugu village, tonight we stayed in the Government primary school. Next day morning we spent time with the Chenchus and returned back to Hyderabad.

At Chitlamkunta, Madamme Anne Chappuis has started a center for working with the tribals. A single story building was constructed here. As I was working on biochar and biomass stoves, she asked me to work for the tribal communities. Therefore, I have visited this place several times. Here Lambadas, Chenchus and other communities were living together. They still used the traditional three stone stoves or basic inefficient stoves. I have demonstrated and constructed few good stoves for them.

As part of my bichar experiments, I was interested to study the impact of biochar on termites. As this place had high density of termites it was convenient for my experiment. I have chosen a small Chenchus hamlet near Chitlamkunta for my experiments. I found an abandoned hut infested by termites. Almost all the wooden material was eaten and small stone walls remained to say it was a house once. Mixed straw with cowdung and placed in the inverted clay pots with and without biochar (biochar mixed in different percentages). After some days, I saw that the pots with biochar attracted less termites. This experiment proved that if biochar was added as amendment to the soil there would be less termites attacking the the standing crops. I saw that expecially the fruit plantations such as Mango were attacked by the termites. There is also loss of the fodder stored for cattle and the villagers are loosing their thatched huts too. So biochar proved to a good solution, I explained its value to the Chenchus and others to adopt biochar.

Venkateshwara Bawi

Venkateshware Bawi about 10 kms from Mannanuru is a beautiful place. Once the agriculture flourished well. The people had nutrient rich water and farm yard manure from the cattle. In this village all types of communities existed. Next to the forest area, it was the most scenic places for me to visit. I visited this place along with my friend Uma Maheshwar Reddy, he had relatives in this village. The houses in this village are well constructed. Majority of the main farmers have moved to the city and nearby towns for various reasons. So the houses remained vacant. Along the fringe of this village next to the forest area, I planned a place for the GEO Center. Although I got the piece of land of my choice, I could not purchase it as this area came under agency area. The non-tribals cannot buy the land. I abandoned the idea later, I started the center at Peddamaduru village near Jangaon. The memories of this village with all kinds of deer close to the village are still afresh.

Kothi Gundu, Kollapur: Visited the Kothigundu a place at the backwaters of Srisailam Reservoir near Kollapur. Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy sir has suggested me to visit this place. Someone from a village Regmangadda near Kollapur asked us to do a reconnoissance study regarding the feasibility of a lift irrigation project. There was this stream called Yerragattu vagu which joins the Krishna River. It was in the Peak of summer in May, I have visited the place. I stayed in a government school for three nights and spent four days in the field.

I got to drink the ragi and jonna gruel which keeps the body cool even in the hot summers. First day I went to the back waters to the point of Kothigundu. I wanted to see the water around so hired a Theppa (weaven round basket made water proof is used a a boat). This is a very dangerous way to ride on the waters. Saw some submerged tall trees emerging out of the water. They said there was village called Bollaram, submerged under the water of reservoir. Once under the same trees people gathered and had a great life. I felt very nostalgic having known about the life here before the dam was constructed. By stopping the boat along one of the trees, I have climbed it to get a glimplse of the surroundings. We crossed the river and reached the other bank. Here I saw the fresh water Otters living. They eat lots of fish and sometimes steal the fish caught in the nets of the fishermen too. With water and moisture and the scorching heat of hot summer day, it was very miserable. I have reached the village. In the evening went to the Kollahpur town and drank may cool drinks. I have also visited two other places in the valley of Yerragattu Vagu. I heard that once the Kolhapur king went in the same way for hunting in the forest area. The Chenchus living here had miserable life. Because of the summer heat, the same person did not accompany me the next day for the field visit. This place was found convenient for the lift irrigation project. After several years of my visit the Government has taken up the project called “Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme”.

Yerragonda Palem

One of the memorable, Geo Spirit meets was organized in the Nallamalai forest, near Yerragondapalem, Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh State, India.

Nallamalai forest is an important part of theEastern Ghats covering parts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh States. It is hosting the largest tiger reserve in Asia. The rock formations comprise mainly of quartzite and shales. The biodiversity of tropical dry deciduous forests and fauna makes it most beautiful. The forest trees with various forms in the background of quartzite add to the beauty. The streams and nalascreating beautiful valleys, gravel bed streams with adjoining magnificent trees made this place a paradise.

It was in the first week of February 2012 one of the Geo Spirit meets was organized with the support of an NGO working with local tribal communities. The participants from Hyderabad arrived one day ahead at Yerragondapalem. It is a small town. There were 18 participants from Hyderabad and 12 Chenchu tribes. After having breakfast started on a tractor trailer. To avoid the heavy vibrations on the rough forest path, the trailer was half filled with sand.

On the way saw Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, an ancient temple at Ganjivaripalli (16.033085, 79.200097), from here onwards the road towards Palutla (about 30 km away) is a rough earth road with gravel and small stones. The road and stream channel run parallel. Palutla is known for cotton cultivation, along the way saw cotton sticking to the branches of the trees when the vehicles laden with cotton moved.

On the way, had lunch with types of Sorghum rotis, i.e., plain roti, salted roti and hot roti (salt and pickle added while preparation). This is the traditional food of the local Chenchu tribes.

By around 4:00 pm we reached a place called ‘Peddamma Bayyanna temple’ Camp (16.097315, 79.124722) which is about 20 km away from Ganjivaripalli on the way to Palutla where Tribal people worship. Only the basic facilities were available such as a hand pump for water, one solar light and a bamboo hut built by the forest department.

Four groups were formed with two to three tribal people in each group and were asked to transect walk in different directions. All the groups’ members were instructed, not to go more than one km. All the teams have collected information on local biodiversity. After returning the teams shared their understanding and experience, against the sun setting over the hills.

In all the Geo Spirit meets modest food is preferred. On the way, we had crispy Rotis prepared with Sorghum flour, added with garlic, chilipaste, and salt. For dinner, the food was cooked on three stone stoves. A local variety brown rice and vegetable curries were prepared and served. For the first time tasted i.e. Deodar leaf curry, Istsapa kaya curry, and Medikaya curry — it was like egg scramble in appearance and taste. Next day breakfast was the tasty Ragi-ball and rice with sambar.

The Chenchu tribe living in the forest were more knowledgeable. It was decided to learn from them first about their life in the forest, wildlife encounters or sightings, and any other stories. Tried to know their aspirations. Many of them do not have any intuition to amasswealth but preferred to survive through what mother earth provides.

They are afraid of tigers which were rare to find. Leopards were most ferocious, but above all the bears caused more injuries and killed people living in the forest.

After breakfast, the team went to banks of a stream for appreciation and experiencing nature. Each one participated in the Geo Spirit exercises gets connected with nature throughthe activities such as –being Calm; bathing in the gentle rays of morning Sun;walking barefoot with closed eyes and experiencing the mother earth; hearing sounds of nature;listening to the calls of jungle fowls and birds; appreciating the trees; hugging trees, feeling the texture of tree parts; observing insects and birds; smelling surroundings; etc.

Having born on this earth experiencing the environment and being part of the earth enriches one’s spirit.

In the morning, the tribals prepared breakfast. By the time we all were hungry. We thought they would serve the breakfast immediately after cooking. But we were asked to wait for half an hour. They said that they would serve us only after offering prasadam (the sweet dish of rice and coconuts) to their gods. One of them had taken a bath, took the food in fresh leaves and placed before the stones (idols) as an offering. These stones locally available in millions were simple slabs. Although they have no significant shape, theypasted dots of red vermillion over yellow turmeric colored on them. They had specific names for each stone. If one of the stone is missing, they would have replaced with another stone and prayed with the same reverence. There were trees around the ‘Idols’. They were praying the stones and life around as gods. Nature and ecosystem are real Gods for them, which were sustaining life and created a living space. Ultimately their belief is that “God is in everything”, including non-living things like stones.

Mallela Teertham — Water fall

This is the place on the way to Srisailam, on the Amrabad Plateau. One need to travel about 10 km to the left. I heard about this beautiful and tranquil waterfall long back. One day I planned the visit with my family. By car we went. About 30 kms from Mannanuru, we travelled to a place where there are several shops. We enquired about the route to go. After travelling to about 10 kms it was more or less flat area. Now we need to descent through a series of steps into a valley. This valley was formed by the stream falling from a top. As we approached, it was so beautiful with high trees and a pool of water created by the waterfall. The waterfall was gentle and the pool was also shallow. To our surprise there were no people at this time. All four of us had taken bath under the waterfall. The water was fresh. Some of the pictures taken by me are still used by me for presentations, as cover page and brochures. This was one of the best time to spend in Nallamalai forest area. My children and wife also enjoyed a lot.

Remote Assam

I got a phone call from Mr. Shamim from Kolkata, regarding an assignment to visit the Tea Garden at Tonganagaon and suggest the biochar application for improving the soil fertility. I agreed, and within 3 days I need to visit the place. This was also my dream come true, that is visiting North Eastern Part of India. My purpose of the visit was to suggest ways and means to improve the quality and yield of the organic tea by eco-friendly technologies.

On Friday morning, from Hyderabad airport started to Kolkata. There I met the owner and chairman of the Tonganagaon Tea Estate. He is a nice gentleman and known for his expertise in the tea business. They are part of the group involved in tea business since 100 years and one of the largest producers and exporters of organic tea in India.

This is about 550 hectares Tea Estate more than 100 years old. There are about 1200 Households supported directly and indirectly by the tea estate by engaging them in work in the Tea Estates. This is a 100% organic tea, produces both CTC and Orthodox Tea and exported to several countries abroad. This place is adjoining the forest area which continues 600 miles to the border of Myanmar. The Himalayas of Arunachal are also visible during clear days.

The bulk tea produced from the leaves collected is packaged and sent to Kolkata for blending or directly exported. Some of the best chain brands buy the tea.

This place has the majority of Moran Tribes. Moran means the one who brings dead people to life. In the past it seems one of their community members could bring the dead to life, so since then, they are called Morans. Biochar is also a dead material of some life, which can rejuvenate and charge the soil and plant life in its presence.

They are very gentle and people who love leisure and joy. The women work hard as compared to men. The education is improving in the recent generation. From the 1990s there is an accelerated change in Assam.

Had been exploring the sources of biochar. Some of the local sources are as a byproduct from cookstoves. The fines usually left after charcoal production process is another source; otherwise, it is wasted. The rice husk biochar is also a source.Â

I have visited few houses to see their biomass stoves in use. They were very primitive, either made of three stones or annular single pot clay stoves. After discussions, I have decided to construct a stove as part of demonstration and training to the local people. We have chosen a family next to the factory. Within two hours the stove was constructed using 35 bricks, clay and few rods for the grate. The family tested it in the evening, the lady of the house was very happy. Soon, hoping to see at least 1000 such stoves in the area. They save 30% wood, release very little smoke, yield about 12% biochar. The factory has an obligation to provide fuelwood, which is uprooted aged Tea trees (bonsai) or prunings from the shade trees. They are locally spending about Rs. 150 for 65 kgs of wood supplied as a cycle load. One cycle load of wood is required for a family of 5–6 members for a week. They are spending about Rs. 450 to Rs. 500 per month. Otherwise, the Tea Estate gives a stack of wood i.e., 6x6x6 feet of wood.Â

The barter system was planned to exchange the biochar and ash for fuelwood. Say a person giving 1 kg of biochar in return would get a token which is worth to exchange for ‘x’ number times of fuelwood. They could also donate to anyone who is in need for more wood. They have agreed to this model, it is based on a value based system. If money is given, probably they will spend it for some other purpose and will not buy wood, causing hardship for women in collecting it.

While preparing the biochar compost, many aspects should be noted.

• Identification of the location — on an elevated place, which is clean and underneath a shade.

• Sanitized by smoke and fire

• The ingredients for biochar compost preparation should be collected and stored at a place. The soil microbes should be fresh.

• The jaggery water used for wetting during the biochar compost preparation should be stored in open containers and the sweetened water should be sprinkled just enough. The water should moisten, but not ooze when pressed. The whole material should be placed under a shaded place or underneath dry straw/gunny bags.

Some suggestions given for adoption in the estate are:

Smart Agriculture

Kite balloon with IP 360 degrees camera and zooming facility. At least 4 or 5 nos should be deployed in the 500 acres area.

Mini-weather stations

Automatic weather stations with wifi facility should be located in three areas to understand especially the temperature and relative humidity and its impact on the plantations.

Drones for identification of affected areas

Train the staff on flying the drones for identification of the affected areas by various pests. Planning of the harvesting and other management practices based on the observations made from the images from the drone.

Soil moisture

The soil moisture sensors at various depths to understand the fluctuations and also manage drainage and irrigation should be deployed. Enabled by GSM the data should be retrieved from the system and mobile devices.

Organic crops cultivation in the estate

In the wasted water logging areas

Along the roadsides

In the wastelands

All along the boundary of the estate

Designs for the crops or the plants that the workers could grow in their backyard and supply

Energy plantations in rotation in the designated areas.

Trap crops

Trap crop, also known as a sacrificial crop, is a plant that is grown to attract pests away from the main crops. Such as Marigold is used to attract insects attacking the main crop as the trap crop in the borders.Â

Siphoning of the waterÂ

Designing the siphoning systems for drainage of water from the water stagnant areas. This would save the electricity and the investment on motor pumps otherwise used.

Bird Islands and Bird Watch Towers

I like birds, in the year 2000 I was introduced to bird watching by Mr. Samuel and Mr. Kumar of the Central University. One required patience and will to watch the beauty of birds. Majority of the birds have only one partner in their whole life. Both the partners take almost equal responsibility to raise their chicks. It is even mysterious how they navigate and travel long distances during the migration. There is a lot for people to learn from birds and their life.

There are many bird species in and around Hussain Sagar Lake. In spite of urbanization and high density of people visiting the area every day, it attracts many types of birds. Many people are not aware of the existence of the birds. As part of the ecological restoration of the lake, I was working on the Hussain Sagar Lake and Catchment Area Improvement Project (HCIP), Hyderabad.

I have documented the birds through observation around the lake. Also referred the studies made earlier. Especially during winter, there are many migratory water birds are found. To improve their habitat, designed the bird islands. This bird islands were intended to be constructed with the sludge or sediments of the lake. Especially for the water birds, they would be safe heaven to lay eggs and for the young chicks. Also designed three bird watch-towers, two in Sanjeevaiah Park and one near P. V. Narasimha Rao Ghat. These designs were well appreciated by the media.Bird Islands, designed for Hussain Sagar, Hyderabad.

Ecology and awareness

The water bodies conservation in the urban areas is very important. Originally majority of the water bodies existing in the urban areas were meant for irrigation and recharge of the groundwater, especially in the semi-arid environments. Over years due to urbanization and disappearance of the irrigable land in and around the urban areas, they had been neglected, polluted, filled and encroached.

Hussain Sagar lake is one such important lake formed in the year 1563 now lies in the heart of Hyderabad city. It is one of the largest lakes in Hyderabad. It has a surface area of 4.4 sq. km. Its shape is also like heart symbol. Till 1950’s it was well preserved, protected and used. Its waster was used for drinking and for other uses. It had very good biodiversity of aquatic life. The fishes may types existed and in large numbers. It attracted the local and migratory birds too. Especially in the last 40 years, it is highly neglected and the polluted waters from the catchment area entered into it. There were efforts to protect and prevent the polluted waters entering the lake. One such recent project was Hussain Sagar lake and catchment area improvement Project, it was supported by JICA, Japan. I got an opportunity to join a consultancy organization which was coordinating the project for the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority. I was given the position as Geo-ecologist. I was given the task of creating the facilities for the people around Hussain Sagar Lake and restore its ecology.

It was my dream job, as I could observe closely the challenges of an urban water body and strive to find solutions. At first, studied the impact of human interventions on the ecology and environment of the Hussain Sagar Lake. Written a book on Hussain Sagar lake, covering its history, ecology and environment. Some of the aspects that I have dealt are:

Photo exhibition

I have taken pictures of the Hussain Sagar Lake and made an exhibition of photos in the Sanjeevaiah Park, that is close to the very large flag of India hoisted.

Open Exhibition at Lumbini Park

An Open exhibition was designed for an existing unused double-story structure at Lumbini Park.

To create large-scale awareness to the visitors at Lumbini park, two activities are proposed:

1) Audio-visual content (Motion Graphics + Live Action Video) would be screened with Back-lit projector installed at the existing open structure.

2) Images would be displayed, covering rest of the structure using back-lit flexi material.

The content developed — videos and images, would cover the environmental, ecological and historical aspects of Hussain Sagar. The content would also focus on the positive changes brought through HCIP project interventions. The videos developed would also be useful for official presentations and for publishing online for greater awareness.

This steel structure has openings of dimension about 15 feet width and 8 feet height. One opening would be used for projection of audio-visual content and about 20 openings would be used for display of images.

The open exhibition would be free of charge to the visitors at Lumbini Park. This facility would also address the post-project sustainability of awareness activity, this aspect would be very much effective.

3D Projection on Trees

Creating public awareness is one of the project components. Under which project activities included “Societal Awareness and Visitor Education” programme for the Conservation of Hussain Sagar Lake; and to focus on enhancing visitor & student awareness about the natural and cultural heritage value of the lake.

A 3D Projection on Trees system for Outdoor Display has been designed for Lumbini Park. Lumbini Park is a major attraction at the Hussain Sagar Lake visited by thousands of people every day.

Features of 3D Projection on Trees system for Outdoor Display.To create large-scale awareness at Lumbini park to the visitors through 3D Projection of audio-visual content on the existing Trees in the park. This would create a unique and immersive media experience and first of its kind in India. The concept is environment-friendly, as natural trees are used for projecting the audio-visuals. The Motion Graphics and 3D technology would be used for an awesome experience for the visitors.

The content developed would cover the environmental, ecological and historical aspects of Hussain Sagar. The content would also focus on the positive changes brought through HCIP project interventions. The content would be developed in coordination with HMDA. The existing trees would cover about 30 feet width and 30 feet height area.

The open exhibition would be free of charge to the visitors of Lumbini Park. As post-project sustainability of awareness activity, this aspect would be very much effective.

Exhibition on Tank Bund

For a permanent display of information on the Hussain Sagar — history, ecology and environment an exhibition along with a cafeteria has been designed on the tank bund road. This facility would also have a souvenir shop to sell products with information on the lake.

Underwater display and ecology near IMAX Theater

The people could see the underwater life and appreciate the life into. This facility is created using the underwater cameras linked to a huge LCD screen displayed near the IMAX theater. Fishing piers were designed for the lake view park ponds and the Siddhartha Ponds.

Cycling Track

While working as ecologist for the Hussain Sagar Catchment Area Improvement Project. I was given the task of creating the facilities for the people around Hussain Sagar Lake. Ms. Shalini Mishra, the HMDA commissioner suggested me to design a cycle track along the Siddhartha pond. The treated water from the sewage treatment plant enters this pond.

Cycling is non polluting and good for exercise too. In this regard, I have designed an elevated track along the necklace road of Siddhartha Pond. So that the people could have a clear view of the Hussain Sagar Lake while cycling. They could also halt their cycles on the elevated viewing bay to spend some time and return back. The pedestrians interference to the cyclists would be minimum as the track would be completely closed on either side. The track was extended into the lake-view park underneath the flyover bridge. The cyclists could see the lake waters, ponds, birds, floating gardens, fountains and information display boards all along the track. The cycles could be hired to the users or the users can bring their own cycles. This facility created was well appreciated.

Gaia Aquarist

Since childhood, I had a love for the ornamental fish. While I was working on the rural livelihoods project (in year 2003), I got interested in Ornamental Fish. Once I was passing by an Organmental fish shop got connected to my interest. Purchased a small bowl with two gold fish. I brought it home, within a week the fish died. I was felt very sad, what right I have to bring the beautiful fish and be responsible for their death. So I did not buy fish again. I was using the glass bowl for keeping my pens, pencils and other stationery and forgot it. After about one year, I saw the bowl again. Now, I started contemplating that I am working on environmental issues and it is my favourite topic, if I failed to understand the environment of fish and could not give a space in the bowl which would make them happy and live. I emptied the bowl and cleaned it. Now I bought a pair of gold fish and placed in the equarium. I started reading about the ornamental fish and how to take care. Soon, I could understand how to keep the fish happy and these fish did not die. I kept the bowl on my Computer Processing Unit Box. I started enjoying. As I started reading about types of ornamental fish, my interest in them was growing day by day. I visited several ornamental fish selling shops and started purchasing types of fishes. Now to keep them was a challenge. I started using the old buckets, containers from kitchen and also taken the bath tub of my kid. They were everywhere in my room. I now knew how to take care and they were happy too. The mortality rate was very low. It happened that on my job, I need to go on tours often. There was difficulty in maintaining them. My interest in the fishes was growing everyday and I wanted to keep and know about many fishes.

An idea stuck to me to have an Aquarist shop or the shop which sells ornamental fish and other accessories. Immediate reason was I could employ someone to take care of all my fish already in my possession. Secondly, I could buy more varieties of fish and see them everyday. I was working on the sustainable livelihoods project, we were also advocating people to have enterprises for diversification and sustainability. I was thinking what right I have without being and enterpreuner and never taking a risk, but advocating others to take up enter prises. Therefore the orgnamental fish shop would give me an opportunity to diversify and also to be an eterpreuner. Near my place of residence at Champapet, Hyderabad, I found an empty shop available for rent. I was on the main road next to a function hall. I liked it very much. I named by shop “Gaia Aquarist”. Mr. Sandeep a young college student he was also fish lover, he was having a small shop. I asked him to help me to set up the shop. Soon with his help learned to make the glass aquariums. He taught me how to cut glass pieces and stick them into aquariums using the silicon sealent. The work is done using hands. We have also got the steel frames made for keeping the aquariums. On a fine day started the shop. As ornamental fish hobbiests are few and mostly they are educated people and children. They were visiting mostly during the evenings and on holidays. After office hours and during holidays I spent time mostly at the shop. My wife with my elder son also used to take care. My elderson liked the fish very much, he used to hold fish with his hands from the aquariums.

Mr. Ramesh joined me to take care of the fish in the shop. He failed in the 10th class at that time. He was very young, but very enthusiastic to learn. In the first week on a sunday, I took him to a water tank, at Mailardevpally. This was a beautiful tank close to the main road. I wanted to learn more about the natural environment of the fishes, so I used to visit many tanks with a small fishing net. We both went into the water, and saw that there are so many leaches in it. Mr. Ramesh ran to the shore and saw that a leach sucking the blood came along with me. He was so young and afraid. So I asked him to stay on the shore and I stared exploring the underwater life. The other places I often visited are the stream of Esa behind WALAMTARI and Near Kidwai Gardens of Agriculture University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. There I often saw plenty of eel grass and other aquatic plants. Often caught some small organmental fish too. The Miralam Tank had plenty of Eutopis Suratensis or pearl fish from the family of ciclid. My learning on the ornamental fish improved through: observing fish both in captive and in nature and by joining the ornamental fish hobbiest groups.

Soon, my interest grew into breeding them too. The guppies and mollies often gave birth to small babies directly. But the adult fish ate them and very few survived. It was easy to breed somefish and difficult to breed others. Once I have visited the ornamental fish breeding place called Kolathur in Chennai too. The surprising thing is that with my knowledge on the fishes, I became an advisor on Ornamental Fish breeding to the Government Fish Breeding center at Rajendranagar. They knew to breed other fish with are eaten, but now the ornamental fish. I have also designed a training course on ornamental fish breeding for the Swamy Ramananda Teerth Rural Institute (SRTRI). I have also implemented a project on Ornamental Fish for an Organisation at Nagarjuna Sagar. This is for helping the rural school going girls of the tribal tandas in breeding the ornamental fish in their back yard. So that, they could earn while studying. Then need to spend just one hour or less in managing the fish. The cement rings were provided in the backyard of the houses where they were trained to breed the fish.

For me a great opportunity in facilitating the ornamental fish was, to teach and make the clients conscious of environment. To make a fish live happily, if one could create a space in an closed environment, they are far more sensitive to understand the space of the environment. The clients come with many complaints and I tried to understand why their fish is sick or died. Try to analyse and tell them how they could manage them better. Many children used to come, many times gave them fish freely and at a highly discounted price. I never made any profit selling the fish. But it gave a space of being humble, teaching everyone about environment, learn about enterprise, etc.

I need to go to the Secunderabad wholesale market for purchasing the fish every Sunday. This place was close to the secunderabad Railway station. The fish arrived on Sunday mornings by the train as parcel in plastic transparent packets. As soon as all the fish arrives the place, people picked up their packets with several numbers of the fish in each packet. Used to observe them for their colour, health etc, in the sunlight. The collected fish, was taken to the shop by tyeing them to my motorbike on either side. After reaching the shop transferred them to the different aquariums.

After taking care for about two years intensively, I was busy with my other works. I gave all the freedom to Mr. Ramesh to take care of the shop when it is convenient to him. Also encouraged him to join college and soon he passed his degree too. After about six years of managing the shop, I gave it over to Mr. Ramesh. Now he is still running the shop.

Black Bucks

One day evening I was having dinner with friends, it was about 8 pm. I got a phone call from Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy an Environmentalist. He said that regarding a Rapid Environmental Assessment on the black bucks and other wild life I am needed. He said that Mr. M. C. Mehta, Revered Environmental Lawyer would contact me now as he said that I could do this job. Mr. M. C. Mehta, briefly said that I am required urgently for this assignment, where I need to visit a area close to Delhi. I said okay and I will come tomorrow by early morning flight to Delhi and requested him to send the details of the place by SMS where I needed to visit. I returned home and booked my ticket for 5:00 am flight to Delhi. My priority was to go to Delhi and I did not get the address where I would go after that. I got down at Delhi and I opened my mobile phone and saw another message with the Driver Name and Vehicle number. The driver asked me where we are going. He was booked through online and was asked to pickup me. I called the driver and got into the vehicle and saw another message that I need to go to Fatehabad, Haryana. I have opened the Google Maps and searched the place. I showed him the directions on how to go to Fatehabad. We travelled till about 2 pm in the afternoon. As we were close to the town about 50 kms away. I got a phone call from Mr. Vinod. I was not sure who he is? I reached the town, I met Mr. Vinod on the outskirts he directed me to a small house in a narrow lane. It was summer and very hot. He said that he is a teacher and works for the conservation of animals. After brief introductions, he showed me a room and asked me to take bath and get ready for lunch. In the next door his family was staying. He served me hot chapatis with curry. He said sleep for one hour as he found that I am so tired. After I woke up I saw a picture of a Guru on the wall. I asked him who he is, he said that he is the revered Guru Maharaj Jambaji of the Bishnoi community in Rajasthan. They strictly follow the principles laid by him, it includes ban on cutting down green trees and killing birds or animals. In the history 363 Bishnoi villagers were killed as they prevented the cutting of the Khejrali forest by the Jodhpur Kings men. Whereever, Bishnoi community members are there there is plenty of greenery and wild animals and birds.

We started in a vehicle. I equipped my self with one Go-pro HD camera, Digital Camera, voice recorder and Garmin GPS. As there is hardly 3.5 hours of sunlight, I need to observe the environment and make an assessment.

The Government of India has planned a Nuclear Power Plant at the Village Gorakhpur. For which they have acquired the land for the plant, housing and other utilities. They made a fence of steel wire all around the acquired places. There is difficulty for the black bucks, Neel Gai and other wild life. Some of the animals having stuck in the fence have died recently. There fore I have visited all the areas and the villages. I could see heards of animals roaming freely. There was drastic difference between the villages where the bishnoi community were majority and the villages with other beliefs. The animals density was very high and they roamed close to the villages. After documenting and observing the surroundings, I returned to the Fatehabad town. Discussed with Mr. Vinod on what are the measures required to protect the animals. As it was late and the night journey would be dangerous going back to Delhi, he asked me to sleep at their place. As it was summer, we had dinner on the rooftop, I said I would like to sleep in the open. Summer evenings sleeping on the rooftop is like heaven with cool and cooler breeze as we approach the morning time.

Next day morning travelled back to Delhi to meet Mr. M. C. Mehta and his juniors. I explained all the details of my observations and with my notes they could file the case.

Fish Pond

While working at Action for Food Production (AFPRO), I saw that the office premises especially at the entrace was very shabby. I told our our head Mr. K. Shiva Prasad that the people entering an office should like the environment and feel happy. It was just few weeks joined in the office. Whereever one lives should own the space and strive to improve the environment. I made a suggestion that I would like to develop a garden with ponds. Where ever one works it is our environment one to strive to improve it. He gave a nod to go ahead and develop it. It was a small place, I made a plan, inlcuding a vegetable garden. Using cement rings created two ponds for fish and aquatic plants. All around planted with plants which do not shed leaves. Brought the Mollies, Guppies and orange color snails and released them into the pond. I found some water lettuce plants in a pond, placed them in these ponds. They appeared deep green in color and very well grown. Over a period observed that the attained the growth and size uniformly based on the amount of nutrients and sunlight received. The fish gave birth to many fingerlings. The garden developed during the begining of monsoon, developed well. Any visitor to the office, always used to spend some time observing the garden before entering into the office. All the staff appreciated and always enjoyed seeing the fish, flowers and greenery.

Education

Children and Sensors

While I was working as the Coordinator of the ClimaAdapt Project at WALAMTARI. Developed low-cost sensors for on-farm water levels and flows, canal water levels and flows; reservoir water levels; soil moisture; ambient air temperature; relative humidity; in the paddy fields surface and subsurface water levels. The data is remotely transmitted from the sensors to the mobile phones periodically as per the need. These are used for monitoring and decision making for ensuring water use efficiency through conservation and scheduling. These methods are useful for realizing “crop per drop efficiency” to cope with climate change.

I have involved school children, 6th to 9th class students from Government Schools, in a pilot demonstration of crop water management. This activity was initiated so that children would learn about Agriculture practices and technologies. With the support of my team and teachers initiated this activity.

Three schools in the project areas were involved. In Telangana State, Zilla Parishad High School (ZPHS), Kondrapole, Damarcharla Mandal, Nalgonda District covering 80 students. In Andhra Pradesh State, ZPHS Muppala, Muppala Mandal, Guntur District and ZPHS, Kanaparru, Nadendla Mandal, Guntur District. 40 students in each village.

For demonstration and learning, close to these schools, paddy fields were selected. The paddy control fields and fields with ‘Alternative Wetting and Drying’ practices were selected.

This is an innovative initiative under the ClimaAdapt Project involving school children, in many projects implemented children are not considered as stakeholders.

The children could learn the following through this activity.

Sensors for water monitoring

When introduced the children were very much fascinated with the technology of the sensors. They were taught to assemble the sensors for monitoring. Ultrasonic for water level; Temperature and relative humidity (local weather); soil moisture sensors — The soil moisture sensors helped them in understanding the Irrigation scheduling (or irrigation schedule for crops especially for other than paddy crops).They could learn about the hardware integrated with the sensors such as Arduino micro-controller boards (open source hardware) and SIM 900 GSM boards. Power options — batteries, solar power, etc.They were taught the basic computer C-language for programming the Arduino micro-controller for scheduling the information storage and sending as SMS. These are low-cost, efficient sensors developed costing only Rs. 2000 to Rs. 3000, otherwise in the market they cost around 20 to 30 times each.

The children were very quick to learn. With such an initiative the school lab concept developed. Where the children and the teachers could serve the society. They could be part of developing systems for facilitating sensors, soil testing, maintenance and service of sensors, data analysis and providing decision support to the local stakeholders. With this initiative children would be useful to the society while learning, instead of waiting for one day to serve the society.

With this initiative in the project villages, the children could learn and contribute.

• Awareness on the conservation of water, water use efficiency and increasing productivity through water measurement.

• Losses of water in irrigation

• The canal environment — the health of canals, structures, and conveyance systems.

• Different adaptation measures in Paddy Cultivation, data collection using sensors. RBC flumes used for measuring the water flows based on water level sensors installed in the unlined field channels. Bowman water tube — A simple tube used for measuring the surface and subsurface water level in the paddy field, which are fitted with ultrasonic sensors.

On the whole, the children are able to learn the science of Agriculture, local environment, irrigation systems and methods of irrigation. Traditionally the school education has not stressed the importance of educating children to learn from their local environments. Otherwise, there is not much scope for children to learn such things in their schools. Agriculture is a prime livelihood in rural areas, still, there is not much in the syllabus of children. These kinds of hands-on experience by children help them to learn from their own environment and also get connected with the livelihoods of their parents. The children would also disseminate their learning’s and impact at least for next five generations.

These children are in turn sharing their experience with the sensors and encouraging their parents to adopt them for water and crop management. In the future, their learnings would also help the farmers to maintain their equipment installed in their fields with the support of their own children ensuring the sustainability. Moreover, the cost of the sensors would be the least, as the children themselves would assemble and provide to farmers.

The teachers are also proud that the children are able to learn about their environment and also applied technologies. Otherwise, they would rarely learn in their life.

Other activities with children done as part of the project implementation. Children and Climate change training programme were undertaken to raise awareness of Water use efficiency, Canal environment, Crop management, soil management Climate Change and its impact. In about 50 schools and 4223 school children were trained in the project areas on water use efficiency, Canal environment, crop management and soil management. The activities conducted including organizing rally with the school children regarding the Climate Change issues. On the eve of World Water Day in 2014 and 2015, posters competitions were held. The topics covered under the programme are Gender and water, water use efficiency in agriculture, equitable water distribution, rainwater harvesting technologies, water sharing, Water and Sustainable Development. The prize winners were presented with appreciation certificates, and every student who took part has been given a participation certificate.

I am thankful to all the people associated with ClimaAdapt Project, for giving freedom and supporting me in this experiment with children. They are Dr. Nagothu Udaya Sekhar, Bioforsk, Norway; Dr. Tirupataiah Kota, Director General, WALAMTARI; Er. L. Narayan Reddy, Director General, WALAMTARI; Prof. Kaluvai Yella Reddy, Director WALAMTARI. My team Er. Laxman Bolleddu; Ms. Naga Mani, Er. Surya kumar and Er. Himam Hussain, Bhaskar, Ramesh and Nagesh. And finally the respective chidren and the school teachers.

Teaching

Teaching has two simple definitions i.e., to Impart knowledge or instruct (someone) as to how to do something”, and cause (someone) to learn or understand something by example or experience.

Within teaching, there are many methods such as Teaching, giving a lecture, and doing a Presentation. In teaching personal attention is towards the students or discussion between the teacher and the taught. Lectures is a talk that is given to a group of people to teach them about a particular subject, often as part of a university or college course. Lectures are generally broader than presentations. Presentations actually have many more possible outcomes. Presentations can be of various types, depending on whether the presentation is intended to: Educate, Inform, Motivate, Persuade, Advocate, Persuade, Entertain and Sell. During presentations, I let the participants relaxed, be present and not write anything. For this conversation, I am discussing all under a single term “teaching”.

I had been teaching for years for diverse people and age groups. Here sharing my experiences on teaching. A teacher should not be partial in teaching, that is looking only at those who seem to be listening and ignoring all others. A teacher should make eye contact with all the students. All the eyeballs should move along with the teacher. If the participants are writing. Writing deviates one to absorb the essence of teaching. It is like teaching a dead log, there is not much energy nor presence between the teacher and the persons listening. It is said that the book in which a person is writing becomes more knowledgeable than the person listening. The absorption and understanding of the person is essential. The teacher should provide all the notes and material (video of the lecture, audio of the lecture and written notes) instead of making every student write and waste paper. Each student should be given some time at the end of each class to write the essence or understanding of the topic covered in the class taken, if possible. It stands as an evidence for parents and the management to evaluate the teachers. Exceptionally for the subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, etc., there is a need to write while solving a problem or deriving a result or to practice. The teacher should use all the latest methods apart from talking, audio and video recordings, animation, charts, posters, etc.

A student should not just listen or try to understand a sentence as it is. Reading between the lines or sentences and also bringing the contextual learnings from the past is a must to expand the understanding and also for memorizing the things. While listening to the present, the mind swings between the past as well as sometimes anticipating the results and outcome the future also appears. The mind functions from subconscious to conscious states too.

Creating Awareness, Sensitization, facilitating Experience, sharing Information, giving Knowledge and making them Understand are the various levels and forms of teaching.

Among all the aspects, making a pupil sensitized about something is the most significant aspect of Teaching. Unless a teacher is sensitive, it is not easy to sensitize a pupil. Mathematics is a subject with less sensitivity, that is why it is difficult to teach this subject and make someone interested and practice.

Teaching is not so easy the teacher needs to be present and perform. Say, teaching for three hours is more than producing a Hollywood movie. How to make the listeners be present and attentive with concentration. All the subjects to a listener may not be interesting, but the teacher should be able to create interest in the listener. That too, you are not a hero or heroine, nor there are so many characters around.

Presentation

I have made hundreds of presentations to the people from all walks of life for more than 20 years. When I started giving presentations in 1993, there was only Over Head Projector. Using the transparency plastic sheets with a special OHP color pen the slides were prepared. The professors found it convenient and had been using some of the prepared sheets during the lectures for over a decade too. Using a white paper and covering some parts they could bring animation, i.e., showing only the required. Soon the power point in Microsoft came into existence, and people had been using them for presentations. There were some default slide designs which came with the software and people had been using them for presentations. I started using it for creating the pictures too and over a period gained all the required skills.

During the presentations, the presenter is not much visible. The LCD or LED projectors project the slides on a white screen or wall. Therefore the attention of the participants is on the screen. The person presenting has little to say if the presentations are self-explanatory and pictorial. Sometimes there are only a few points, and the presenter explains at length. The voice of the presenter with the slides on the wall, a presenter has two sources of media to sink and understand the content. The attention of the participants is achieved more due to the screen. To keep the presentations visible less light is allowed in the place, especially on the side of the screen. Some participants might fall asleep in the disguise of darkness if the presentation is dull.

The first slide is more important to attract the audience. I sometimes spent even half a day to create the first slide. There should be a theme or colors chosen aptly for the content of the presentation. The font size should be at least 18 no. Exceptionally one could use the smaller font if it is a lecture instead of a presentation. At the end of a presentation, if not notes is being given, one might add more information on the slides and share. No presenter should read line by line, should use the main points and explain, 90% of the time the presenter should face the participants and should not be facing the screen and reading the content all the time. The dress of the presenter should not be too loose, and the colors could be sober.

The purpose of presentations is mainly to sensitize the participants on the subjects. Many times the presentations are done to the already learned people. They are here to understand the new developments and concepts. At the end most often there are no exams for the participants. They should be present and be absorbing the content. To make them store the content, long-time each slide should be impactful. Using pictures, audio and videos in the slides will make them remember longer. During the lectures, the appearance of the lecturer plays some role, but during the presentations, the nature of the presenter is assessed through the presentations. The commitment and intention of the presenter is seen in every slide.

Once I was asked to give a lecture, and I had very less time to prepare slides, so I used only symbols such as Triangle, Circle, Line, squares, etc. to give my lecture on the subject. The slides can be a tool to make the participants concentrate and finally the listening to the presenter is also important. No presentation should be made dull, I always say one need not be serious to discuss serious things. Apart from content and subject, one could share stories, experiences, and there could be some humor too. Otherwise, the presentations would be just boring. If a presentation is a failure, what right one has to take the valuable time of the participants.

Some of my presentations were meant to teach the content, but finally, remind them of their duties and responsibilities in their position. One day Mr. Rajashekar an officer of an institute told me that, they know the subject mostly, often only the non-performing officers are sent on priority to the training, as their absence will not make a difference, so in your presentation let them realize their duties and responsibilities. The purpose of learning is to perform, therefore for such participants, I always give examples and make them understand their duties and responsibilities through the subject. I started enjoying giving such presentations too.

Some people prepare, rehearse and do a presentation. The slides are also timed to end as per the schedule. Ultimately it is the purpose, commitment to bring a change and create a long-lasting impact on the participants, which makes a presentation great. The continuity of thought and flow of words are necessary. Getting away and getting into the mainstream of presentation is also required, especially while sharing examples. It is like a beautiful song with a rhythm. Few examples or instances makes a person get connected to the presenter and continue to listen with concentration. Establishing such connections with each and every participant is required. Finally, the presenter and the participants should feel happy and contemplate on the contents of the presentation over a period of time.

Open Book

During my tenure as a lecturer at Engineering Staff College of India, while conducting the module Environment Management. I was very happy that I could teach them the subject. The Principal Mr. Padmanabhan had given me the syllabus and asked me to cover within the periods allocated to me.

I went to the classroom, it was an Air-conditioned room. As I am a field person, I don’t like the AC much. As environment being an open subject, I don’t want to teach them in a closed environment. This college was in a beautiful place with rocks and a small jungle. After taking few classes, I asked the students if they are interested in learning outside, they all liked the idea and said yes we will go to the place in the jungle and listen to my class. As they were frequently visiting the place, took me to a place about 200 meters from the building. There were some peacocks too. We all went to a place with flat granite rock and surrounded by small other rocks and some greenery. I took the class to them there on the environment. Also conducted a class on Industrial pollution by taking them into the highly polluted industrial area at Patancheru. There asked them to smell the pollution, see the polluted water, discuss with the villagers on the impact of pollution on their livelihoods and health. It was another great experience which they would not have never got in the AC classroom.

Dr. Geetha was working for imparting the experience to the children through experience in Bangalore. She asked to come to Bangalore and teach the children concepts of the environment. I wanted them to learn through the experience again.

By demonstrating an aquarium with ornamental fish, taught them about the aquatic environment, ecology. Told them the biotic and abiotic aspects of the ecosystem. Explained the three-dimensional aspect of space in an aquatic ecosystem. By showing the colors and variations of the ornamental fish taught them the genetics and Mendel’s laws of breeding. On community living, demonstrated the species of fish which can coexist. Explained to them how an aquarium can help people get connected to nature and other life. It also develops love and compassion for other beings, by being sensitive to them.

Again next day, I taught children created the fuel or pellets out of waste paper. The children were happy tearing the waste paper into pieces, which was soaked in the water and created a mash. With their tiny hands have squeezed and pressed the paper mash into small balls. Some could be used as pellets of fuel in stoves. With some pulp, they have created spheres and some animal shapes. It was great fun for the children. Some children who rarely spoke and interacted with otherwise, were happy and completely involved.

I have shown them a biomass stove designed by me to tell the values and create awareness. Through this device, they could understand the rural energy aspects. Made them aware of the difficulties faced by women during cooking every day. Impact on the health of women, children and indoor air pollution. The use of excess biomass in inefficient stoves leading to the loss of biomass and biodiversity loss. The CO2 emissions leading to global warming and climate change. They could learn about many impacts and the need to work on the rural energy issues especially for the poor.

Environment being an open subject should be taught to sensitize as the people could learn anytime being observable everyday and everywhere.

Energy

Cherangani Hills

I was in Kenya, Mr. Peter Kuria from Finland has invited me to train a network of NGOs on Good Stoves and Biochar. The campsite was organized on the Cherangani Hills (which is near the border with Uganda), there were no materials available. Therefore to demonstrate the TLUD gasifier stove I have used soil and stones to create the stove.

The program was not scheduled but gave space for all the participants to interact from morning till late night. Our discussions used to end until late night and early in the mornings. As this place was also closer to the equator, there used to rain in the evenings sometimes. To cope with the cold, the campfire was regularly organized. The dry wood was very precious, so I have designed a system using 200 liters steel drum. In this drum with little wood, one could get a roaring fire, with least smoke, and good heat in all directions through convection and radiation. If harvested, this system also yielded a good amount of charcoal (biochar) too. With two handles I made it portable, we used to shift if from open space to underneath a shed if it was raining. Everyone enjoyed the campfire because of this system. We spent a weeks time in this place.

Stoves for sex workers

SAI NGO invited me to design stoves for the sex workers and other slum dwellers of Mumbai. And also to train some of the sex workers in the production of stoves as an enterprise for their livelihoods.

To understand the existing stoves in use, visited some slum areas in parts of Byculla South of Mumbai. The stoves used by them were highly inefficient. A tin can of 15 liters is converted into a stove, by making two holes, one for fuelwood feeding and at the top for cooking on the flame.

I enquired about the biomass or fuel for the stoves. In some parts near the railway lane, people use wood from the packaging waste that is near Rheay road. Some of the poor women who go scouting for fetching the scrap wood and other materials to be used as a fuel. Some of them have to pay and also few of them were sexually exploited in exchange of fuelwood by the security guards. In places like Kamatipura, they are using wood, charcoal, and kerosene as fuel for cooking. In a few areas mainly coal is used for large scale cooking. For a family of 5 members, the cost on the fuelwood per month ranges from Rs. 500 to Rs 1500 per month. This is because they are not enrolled in the public distribution system. They buy fuels at a higher price in the open market or in black. The inefficient biomass stoves such as the makeshift three stone stoves or converted tin boxes in use also consume more fuel. The total amount spent of money spent for energy per capita for cooking is very high among the poor people for the above reasons.

Many times the government schemes are not accessible to the poorest of the poor. They also face harassment from the municipal administration for cooking in the open and on the streets. When caught, the fine is as much as Rs. 1500 if caught. It happened that during my visit along with the volunteers, thinking that we are the municipal people have come to fine them. The people cooking on the streets started extinguishing the flame in their stoves and ran into their homes.

The people living in the makeshift ghettos on the pavements have very little space to live. They cannot afford to have a kitchen. Their houses are so small that they are forced to cook in the open. The vehicular movement creates variable air pressure, with which the flame becomes unstable, and the cooking becomes difficult. During monsoons as it rains heavily in Mumbai for about three to four months. It is further harder to cook, as they cannot cook inside due to smoke and the biomass fuel remains moist. During the discussions, the community agreed to pay up to rupees 500 if they can have a good stove. Their willingness to adopt efficient stoves for saving fuel is very high.

So, I bought some used tin cans from the scrap shops. Started designing a stove for the requirement of people living on the pavements. This stove should be light weight, mobile and efficient. It should not get affected by the variable air pressure caused due to the vehicular movement. Considering these aspects, designed a stove and called it SAI Stove, named after the SAI Ngo. The stove was demonstrated to the staff and volunteers. There is a potential of at least 100000 number of efficient biomass stoves for facilitation in the Mumbai city itself. The local enterprises can be facilitated with community participation and networking in the dissemination of the Good stoves and also strive for creating livelihood opportunities to the Didis. All the SAI NGO staff and volunteers call the sex workers as Didis (Sister) and Bhaiya (Brother).

Facilitating stoves and getting scolded

The facilitation of stoves was one of the exciting things for me. This is an incident while facilitating stoves in a large slum area called Singareni colony in the southern part of Hyderabad. The people were poor and mostly working in the unorganized sector such as labor, domestic help, driving autorickshaws, etc. Upon request from one of my friends, I once went to this colony. I explained about the biomass stoves in a public meeting organized at a community center. After the meeting went into the slum area and started observing the stoves which are in use. Majority of the stoves are inefficient, and people use all kinds of combustible materials for cooking such as plastics, carton boxes, pieces of tyre’s, etc. I approached a tribal woman using a three stone stove for cooking. I asked her to test the efficient stove designed by me for one week, and if it is found useful, she could purchase it or else return the stove. Their stoves were produced using reuse material and were very cheap and highly inefficient. At no profit, the stoves were being facilitated by me. And this stove was one of the very low-cost efficient stove. She accepted to test the stove by using it. After one week along with the friends, I went to this ladies house. One young woman was sitting outside, and we asked her about the woman who took the stove. She went inside and told the woman that the people who gave the stove have come. The young woman returned and said that she is sleeping and asked us to come later. We asked her to wake her up and tell her that we have arrived and waiting outside. Finally, after making us wait for some more time she appeared. We asked her how the stove is? She replied that the stove is very bad and she did not like it. Then we said okay please return the stove. She became furious and said how can you ask the stove which is given and I have used. Okay keep the stove and pay the price of the stove if you like it. The issue was, she liked the stove and had been using it. But she did not want to pay for the stove. I thought of leaving the place by leaving the stove with her and not asking her any amount. But my friends insisted that I should collect the stove as she was lying about the performance of the stove and not willing to pay. The lady started abusing in her language for having asked her to return the stove. In my life, I got to listen to many words for facilitation of the stoves. We went off smiling by taking the stove. Gave the stove to a tea stall vendor on the way to use and test the stove. In the process of facilitation, gave many stoves freely to very poor people too.

When the community is unable to pay in cash for the stoves, I introduced the barter system too. The barter trade has been practiced since long before money became the dominant currency. Most rural homes — even if they do not have cash — have other goods that can be used as currency. I saw that in one village one women said that she would sell her chicken and pay for the stove. So I asked my team to collect the chicken if they cannot pay in cash, as it is more convenient for them and thee would be loss to her in exchange of chicken for money. The option to barter will improve the women’s purchasing power with respect to stoves as women manage the chicken at home.

Values in facilitating good stoves

One day I was in a village trying to understand the rural energy situation in India. A distinct observation was that in the courtyards of many houses, there was heaps of fuelwood. This fuelwood was collected, for use in cooking for several months. It was harvested from the village commons and / or the nearby-degraded scrubland. On an average, people spend up to 4 days a month collecting fuelwood. Considering the rural wage rates being currently offered under government programs, it amounts to no less than $ 10. A majority of the rural poor earn around $1 per day. Their spending on fuelwood sometimes works out costlier than the Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) promoted by the government through a range of subsidies.

I have visited about 50 household kitchens. I noticed that about half the stoves were, ‘three-stone’ stoves and the rest made from clay. Such stoves are highly inefficient, rudimentary and primitive. I will never forget those visits, for they made me realize what a large number of people are stuck with them and exposed to their harmful effects.

The stoves and the kitchens do not reflect the changes in the lives of the families over the years. Many people are now living in concrete houses, eating higher-value food, can afford mobile phones, can send their children to English-medium schools, have satellite television connections, motorbikes, tractors to plough fields… and so on. Despite all the winds of change and development, the kitchen remains a smoky place with dark-sooty walls and roof. Even traditionally, kitchens have occupied relatively small spaces inside or outside the house.

I decided that my first step would be creating awareness about indoor air pollution and its harmful effects. I went to communities and showed them pictures of their stoves through a projector. Although people-in-general were interested in watching the slideshow, women objected when it came to seeing their own stove. This is because the kitchen was not a place of pride for them, even though they respect the stove very much. I then explained to the communities the impact of indoor air pollution and its multiplier effects on them. They were quite interested in adopting efficient stoves, but were helpless, as they did not have access to them. In one of the villages, the state government had promoted chimney stoves with grates about 15 years back. Those stoves were nowhere to be found. Within a few years, the stoves had disintegrated, the chimneys had been choked with soot, the grates burnt down and the stoves disappeared. The design of the stoves did not take into account how adaptable they were to local conditions and practices. The stoves had been distributed under a government scheme and were subsidized. Nevertheless, they could not find acceptance or sustainable demand from the local community.

This exposure made me sensitive towards the issue of stoves in rural areas and I was motivated to help improve their stoves’ design. I realized that there could not be a single globally good stove, and that the challenge was adapting designs to fit local needs.

As I started off, I could not easily access specialists in the field of good stoves. However, through the internet, I found numerous, diverse stove designs that had evolved around the globe — in response to a variety of food habits, cooking methods, cultural traditions, types of available biomass fuel, family sizes etc. Studying them formed the basis of my initial understanding of stoves, and subsequent research and design efforts. Designed more than 50 biomass stoves, which are low-cost efficient and adoptable by the communities as per their requirement for diverse geographies and food habits. Facilitated them in parts of India and abroad. All the information on designs is published and also written a book titled “Understanding Stoves”, Published by MetaMeta. All the work on stoves has been declared as open knowledge for common good.

The stoves are a mean to address the following values: Reducing the drudgery of women in cooking and in accessing the fuelwood. The health of women and children is improved through less-emissions. Time is saved for women to spend on other aspects. The local biomass and biodiversity is conserved. Mitigating smog and CO2 emissions which is a cause of global warming and climate change. There are so many values around this simple initiative, I feel very fortunate having worked on this aspect.

Biomass Pellets

While designing stoves, for fuel, I wanted to use the loose biomass materials as fuel. By densification and forming the biomass into a shape, one could improve its usability as fuel in the stove. The transportation becomes easy as the fuel occupies less space. In this regard, I was thinking and remembered my mother was using a handpress to make a traditional dish called “Murukulu” (thick vermicelli like threads of chick pea flour, etc which are deep fried in oil). Soon, I have developed a low-cost biomass pellets making extruder.

I went to a place where the cooking utensils are sold. Found a heavy duty Murukulu making device which is pressed by tightening a screw at the top. In place of an existing plates used for extruding the murukul, made a new die. A circular die plate was welded with two 1 inch size diameter pipes of 2 inches in length, to create the guide for extrusion the material. This plate has very fine openings too so that some of the excess water could flow out. Also created the support for operation. Using this device created pellets with different combination of materials such as: cowdung + rice husk; cowdung+ charcoal powder. Different types of wasted loose or fine biomass mixed with binding material could be made into pellets with this device. The villages could use the biomass such as charcoal, cow dung, agriculture residue, etc. The cost of the device was Rs. 1,000 (one thousand only) or about $ 25 USD. Convenient to handle by women too.

http://e-lowcostextruder.blogspot.com

Trapped in the sludge

As a Geoecologist, I worked on the to the Hussain Sagar Lake and Catchment area improvement project (HCIP). The Hussain Sagar Lake is a more than 400 yrs old lake. A few Nalas or streams are joining the lake. As part of treatment, they were intercepted and diverted. Kukatpally Nala is a major Stream, covers a larger catchment area.

I was doing reconnaissance of the field for identification of spots for proposed bird watching towers. I went all along the shores of Sanjeevaiah Park, there was gravel, and at very few places the clayey mud was present. I could walk conveniently, except at very few spots, there was wetness. I could feel safer while walking here. All the pollution especially floating materials washed onto this shore because of wind direction. There were few water birds found.

I went to PV Narasimha Rao Ghat, there was no opening, so I have crossed the fence and reached the shore. This corner of the lake is a wetland with lots of vegetation and birds. I saw two people fishing with hooks earthworms were used as bait. I walked all along the fence and reached a place with tall trees. I liked this place, as I could see many water birds. This place is ideal for installation of a birds watch tower. The tower can be well hidden in the trees without much disturbance to the birds. Another area I explored was behind Jal Vihar and between the eat street eateries, on the shores of Hussain Sagar Lake.

Next day I returned that was on 10, July 2015, to the Kukutpally Nala area. Kukutpally Nala over the years carried polluted water and sediments from the catchment area covering residential and industrial zones like Jeedimetla and Balanagar. Recently interception and diversion drains were constructed to divert the polluted waters to Musi river. Still, due to excess flow of waters, it was not entirely diverted away yet. Over the years the sludge and silt deposited at the mouth of this Nala was not dredged.

After crossing the bridge across Kukutpally Nala, there is a small park. I went to the park asking the driver Mr. Raji Reddy to wait on the necklace road. There were very few people in this park, three young couples, and a lady Gardener. I went to the edge of the park, saw two people at a distance of about 800 meters on the shore of the lake collecting probably the plastic waste. I saw a good density of aquatic birds on the banks. Took some photographs using the camera at 30x zoom. I thought as it is dry I can walk across and reach those two people. My interest was to document the aquatic vegetation and birds. Due to the decision of the Municipality (GHMC) to empty part of the lake waters. The water in the lake has receded, exposing a large proportion of the shore. Avoiding the wet places and along the vegetation, I could walk about half a kilometer distance. At one location, there were many plastic papers carried by the Nala; it appeared completely dry. The dry plastic sheets made the place look whitish. I started walking over them. It looked like dry alkaline soil area. I was completely immersed in the surroundings. Suddenly to my surprise my left leg up to my knee just pierced into the lake bed. To lift myself back I stepped forward with my right foot. Both my legs are in the sludge now. I realized it is a mud trap, so I did not push my right foot. I bent down and leaned forward with the support of both my hands. With the distribution of weight on four points, I could remain still. Slowly I tried removing my left leg, I struggled but could not remove. The mud was like tar, dark black and sticky. It held my shoes. It is easy to imagine than experiencing.

I waited there for some time thinking what to do. For people in the park, it appeared that I was sitting, rather stuck. Even if I shout, my voice will not be heard. Also, there were very few people in the park.

There is a possibility that I might go deeper the more I struggle. I took out my mobile phone and called my driver, Mr. Raji Reddy. Told him that I am stuck in the mud, and asked him can he see me. Also requested him to come with a rope if possible so that I can get out. He said that there is no rope in the vehicle, but he will come to help me to get out. I waited for about 15 minutes; my position was such that, I was facing the lake. Suddenly from behind, I heard the driver’s voice calling me for help. He was behind me about 15 meters away; he was found with his two legs knee deep in the mud stuck.

I started laughing; I said already I am stuck, you know that, and you should have been cautious. One of us should come out first in any case. We don’t have any more options left, and we cannot spend more time for someone’s help. I struggled and by dividing my weight and force into the two hands and right feet, lifted my left leg up. By crawling slowly, I lifted my right leg also. Slowly reached a harder place. Now I helped him to come out by crawling and giving my hand. He said that his chappals are stuck. I asked him to abandon his chappals and take out his feet out. He could also manage to get out. We both were covered almost up to the waist in pitch dark color dark sludge. This sludge was like tar, with the smell of sulfur very sticky and repulsive.

We took some plastic sheets to wipe out some of the mud. Reached the park in an awkward situation and got into the vehicle. Reached our office, washed. I requested the driver to go my home and get me the clothes to change. Our driver was allergic to this highly polluted mud. He started scratching his feet and legs continuously whole night. He went for a checkup with the doctor the next day and got treatment. His problem continued for three days.

Hussain Sagar lake was in the heart of Hyderabad city, myself getting trapped in it and being helpless, I can never forget those moments. I could understand the issues of Hussain Sagar Lake its pollution and the degradation. Later when I shared this experience with Dr. J. P. Singh an educationist and a life-saving organization coordinator of the State, he said that in such situations even those who know swimming could die having trapped in the sludge.

Went to see Cyclone

I was leading the project Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change. The intensity of rainfall, the occurrence of cyclones and depressions have increased in the recent years.

While purchasing stationary incidentally, I heard on the radio about the intensification and the destruction caused by the rains due to the cyclone on 29th October 2005. The point of entry of the cyclone was mentioned as Kavali in Prakasham district. There was an intense depression between October 26 — October 29. The rains flooded 194,423 ha (480,430 acres) of crop fields and inundated many rail lines. Across Andhra Pradesh, 1,045 houses collapsed, and the rains killed at least 100 people. Living in Hyderabad, I have never experienced a natural disaster caused by rains. I don’t want to be an armchair specialist without understanding the implications of natural disasters. Immediately, I decided to visit the area.

It was around 11:00 am, at first, I asked the driver Mr. Ramu is he willing to come with me into the cyclone. Mr. K. Siva Prasad gave the permission although it was not our project area. We took a jeep with four-wheel drive. I have taken my cameras and biscuits for the emergency.

By the time we reached the Vijayawada highway, it was already dark. The traffic was high and so the road jam. There was water in pools all along with the road. As we had the jeep, we could conveniently take the rough path next to the road and overtake many vehicles stranded. We heard the news of Valigonda rail disaster which was close to the place we were traveling. A flash flood swept away a small rail bridge, and a “Delta Fast Passenger” train was moving on it derailed at the broken section of the line, killing at least 114 people and injuring over 200.

We arrived at Nalgonda town, and it was already late night. Stayed there in a small lodge and there was no power due to rains. Early morning started our journey towards Kavali. On the way saw people catching fish in the streams, they are the fishes escaped from the tanks due to overflowing.

After entering the Prakasham district, the destruction was more visible. Saw a vehicle with three dead bodies in it. In the rains, the driver did not anticipate the depth of the water along the roadside ditch and swept into it. All the people drowned.

At a distance saw a village marooned by water and in motorized boats, they were being supplied the food and water. Saw a floating dead body in the water close to the road. Some people were seen on the rooftops.

Saw the hanging railway lines, as all the material underneath swept. The movement of trains was suspended on this route. After reaching Kavali saw a place where the people evacuated from low-lying areas were given shelter. Their condition was very bad. Saw a pregnant lady and many children. It was very congested. Some people were found cooking on three stone biomass stoves outside the shelter. Felt the need for efficient biomass portable stoves for such emergencies to support communities during such disasters. I wanted to see the Bay of Bengal Sea. There was water everywhere. With some difficulty, we could go to the Buckingham Canal. The bridge over the Buckingham Canal connecting the sea was breached. It is an old canal made for navigation purpose along the coastline, but now no more in use.

As the boats there were not in operation, some men suggested us to walk through the canal. The water is about 3 to 4 feet depth. We waded through the waters holding the cameras up above the water level. Reached the other shore more than half drenched. As the cyclone has already passed the sea was calm and beautiful. It appeared it has cleansed the shores of the dirt made itself fresh again. There I was half submerged statues of the Hindu Gods. I asked the people, they said that before the arrival of the cyclone they prayed the gods and the sea for less destruction. The gods (status) have also become victims in the natures fury. Having seen the beautiful sea felt it was worth taking all the risk.

While returning at Budvel saw the breached Budvel tank in Kadapa District. People have pulled two pieces of the cement-current-poles across, and they were crossing the flood waters precariously. The roads were also breached at many points all along. Otherwise, they need to travel ten kilometers extra, people take risks for shortcuts. With these memories, I could understand the impacts of floods.

Living in danger — Afghanistan

I have come to Kabul, Afghanistan to work as a Team Leader for a project called “Developing Climate Change Scenarios for Agriculture of Afghanistan” in August 2016.

When I communicated with my colleagues and well-wishers, many of them told me not to go. As it is a high-risk place due to terrorism and political instability. I told them that this is an excellent opportunity for me to contribute to Afghanistan through this project. And I said the risk is always there, a road accident could be worst and it can happen anywhere on the earth.

Few days before going, I started searching the google on Afghanistan. This is to learn more about the people, culture, geography, economy, etc. But, I could see only the videos of war. It appeared like I am watching an English war movie. I also saw a bomb blast that happened a few days before in Kabul city where more than 100 demonstrators were killed by detonating a highly charged vehicle at a traffic junction. The pictures were heartening.

I went to Delhi to get my visa at the Afghanistan Embassy. It is sometimes tough to get the visa. I was given a tourist visa for one month only.

On 5th June 2016 I started my journey from New Delhi Airport to Kabul. At the immigration, the customs official by looking at my passport and the visa said are you going as a tourist to Kabul and gave a smile. I said yes.

It was a cloudy sky, next to me was a doctor traveling to Herat via Kabul. He wanted to do MD from an Indian medical college. He shared a lot about Afghanistan to improve my understanding. He told me if the sky is clear without clouds, it means we are flying over Afghanistan. Afghanistan is an arid and semi-arid country with less rainfall. Yes, I could see the clear sky as we approached Kabul. I took the beautiful pictures of the Hindu Kush mountains as the plane descended to land. He came along with me to the parking lot and helped me to find my vehicle. I liked the neat, clean Airport.

I greeted the driver and got in with the luggage. The driver was gentle and spoke with me in Urdu. He started the music, the songs were from bollywood Hindi Movies — 1970’s and 1980’s. It was so soothing and pleasant.

As usual, I started taking pictures using my mobile phone camera. I saw the beautiful trees on the roadside also saw the huge marriage/function halls. At a place saw two young ladies traditionally dressed, stopped the moving vehicles by showing their hands as a command and crossed the road. I liked their courage of these young girls.

I reached the hotel in Shar-e Naw at around 4 pm. This hotel is very close to the Indian Embassy and other important government offices. There were four barricades (or swing gates) before I could reach the hotel. Crossed at least 20 security men with machine guns and other automatic weapons, before I arrived at the last security check. First, they informed the reception about my details, only after confirmation they let me pass through the last security checkpoint. There are three bulletproof doors to cross. The security was with AK47 guns checked my all the contents in my suitcase. I am relieved and never encountered such a security in my life.

I came to the reception area and was given a room on the third floor. It is a hotel with five stories in a rectangular shape. There is a beautiful courtyard in the middle. I liked watching the bonsai pomegranates grown in the flower pots. As it was spring, the temperature was normal for me and it was comfertable.

My office was just opposite of this hotel, so I need not go to any other place for work. Strategically the office space was chosen. Soon, I recruited the staff for my project work. One day evening, I started walking in the streets of Shahr-e-Naw. One of my colleague Mr. Arif took me to a place where they sell antique items and precious stones.

One day my colleague Ms. Bibi came to office late. Her eyes were dark and she was a little bit shaken. I asked her what happened. Yesterday in the incident of bombing and attacking The American University of Afghanistan, Kabul by the Taliban, her sister, and a cousin (sister) were also there at the time of the attack. One of the armed terrorists tried to reach them by breaking open an iron grill, her cousin along with others tried to escape and has jumped from the second floor of the building to escape. Her sister was in the hostel at the time of the attack, so she escaped from the attack. She heard the knocking at the door and saw that her cousin was sitting at the door and was unable to stand. After some time with the support of the police and the military they got her admitted to the hospital, so she went to the hospital to attend her whole night. I came to know about this attack while having dinner. Almost everyone has witnessed or was close to a shooting in their life in Afghanistan. Or someone near and dear had been the victim. Life goes on here in Afghanistan in spite of so many incidents happening somewhere every day. If one has not heard a bomb blast, it means the blast was not for you, if you have not heard means you are already dead, and it was meant for you.

Recently I have met a person, who happened to be at the blast site just three meters away. His hearing was impaired. Probably his eardrum ruptured. He went to India for treatment and got a hearing machine.

My office is at Shahr-e Naw. About 200 meters away, the Taliban’s have attacked an international charity organization. It occurred the day after I left to India. Mr. Bahadur, my friend at the Hotel, sent a message that in the night the blast happened and the attack is still going on. All the hotel inmates were taken to the cellar or safety room, which was fitted with bullet proof iron door. Almost whole night they stayed there, the hotel management provided them the snacks. For the first time could interact with all the inmates. Otherwise, people are less social in big hotels.

One day while, I was in the office, heard a blast. It was the attack on the military area about eight km away from my place. Within a month I listened to another explosion happened close to my place, it was the attack on the Military hospital. More than 100 people were killed and several wounded in this incident. My colleague, Mr. Bhaktullah came to office late, he was very close to the blast site, and it happened during the morning rush hours. He had to walk all the way to reach the office. He was terrified having escaped the blast. Soon my colleague Mr. Emal got a phone call from his cousin working in the same hospital. He heard her crying over the phone, and there were sounds of the bullets firing in the background. He told me that she is trapped in one of the rooms along with a patient. And requesting him to help, and he can do nothing. The next morning he told the complete story. When the Taliban stormed the hospital, she was attending a patient in one of the floors. She heard the blast, and they remained in one of the corner rooms. Soon the gun shots sound was close to her. One of the terrorists aimed at her to kill. Luckily from behind one of the military personnel killed him. Between death and life, there were only a few seconds. Having seen the death of the terrorist before her eyes, she was shaken. One of the army personnel remained with her to console. After some time while coming out of the room, she saw heaps of dead bodies lying on the floor. She was in a shock, and the army personnel took hold of her hand and almost dragged her over the dead and wounded bodies.

The Indians living and working in Kabul have to register with the Indian Embassy upon their arrival, to let them know. They would also enroll into the WhatsApp Group created called Safe 2. They could give details of the incidents, possibilities of attach, kidnappings, demonstrations, and insecure places, etc. The collecect lots of intelligence reports even the details of where, when and how the next attack could happen. Sometimes they give details of the vehicles and the vehicle numbers which would be used to attack. The type of attack is explained in short form such as: — Body-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (BBIED), Magnetic Improvised Explosive Device (MIED), Suicide Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (SVBIED), Vehicle Born Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) and Improvised Explosive Device (IED), Grenade blast, etc. We would avoid those areas after seeing the messages. Some of the Indian colleagues in the group were very sensitive. Immediately after hearing the blast would send a message “Just heard a blast, where did it happen, please confirm”. After few minutes the embassy confirms the blast. So even the banging of car door or bathroom door would sound like a blast or bullet shot for us. The movement of helicopters in the city was a common sight. The sirens of ambulances loud and clear after an incident is heard more in numbers. The chirping of the birds from the cages kept by people as a hobby are the only sounds which do not signify a bad omen. Traditionally when two afghanis meet, they inquire about each other’s well being for at least a minute, this is apt in an environment of life and death and uncertainties. On a lighter part, if a friend is not seen for few days, the friend might say “Is he dead”. Every family has a tragedy or suffering due to the insecure situation in the country. I love the people; they are decent and loving people. Since hundreds of years, there are windows of spring in the life of Afghans. It is a vast expanse of desert with few oasis, surrounded by beautiful trees and birds.

Some of them working in Kabul since more than five years have lots of experiences which they have encountered such as blasts and terrorist attacks. When they narrate the incidents which happened in the past, we will get nightmares of a shooting in the middle of the night.

The kidnappings of the people for ransom also happens in the city. To avoid kidnappings, some of them disguise as Pakistanis or Afghans by wearing their traditional caps and dresses. I too had a “Pakol” a traditional cap and got stitched one traditional dress in the form of “Shalwar kameez”.

People are not shy to ask the salaries or income of the expats. If we don’t tell, they are offended. The poverty is so high in Afghanistan, any amount said is very high for them. Some people have learned to say a lie, most often they say they are working as a lecturer or professor in one of the private universities in Kabul and the income per month is about 500 USD. They will wear a simple dress and never show off their richness.

Being in this situation, sometimes there are threats of attacks in our area too. While having dinner and breakfast together, we discussed with seniors regarding the strategies to escape. I was staying in a room which is open to the neighbor’s open place with some trees near to the window. I always guessed that I would jump from the window onto the branches of the tree and would be able to catch hold of some of the branches and slowly land on the ground. There was a barbed wire beneath on the compound wall separating our hotel. If by chance I fall on the barbed wire, so I will wrap my body in the thick winter blankets and jump from the window. I could escape the sharp barbed wire and would fall with a soft thud. I once tried lifting my bed to find space underneath it. It is very heavy, and it less space underneath. So I failed to lift it. Tried to squeeze in the wardrobe but could not fit in. I tried the space between the wardrobe and the door, I would keep the door and windows open creating a scene that already I have escaped, but I will hide in the space between wardrobe and door or in the bathroom or behind the tall curtains. So many plans to escape, I think the terrorists can guess every space which could be used for hiding, as they also sometimes need to hide during the operation.

I asked my younger son over phone, in a situation of an attack what I should do. He said “Fight with them daddy, you will be famous.” He did dot guess that I will not have any weapon to fight back with them.

In our office converted one of the toilets into a strong room with a heavy metal door (bullet proof) installed. But with more than 25 people including our security it is a small space to hide. We have never conducted any dry-drill to see, how we all could fit in that space. Sometimes the presence of certain facilities gives confidence, if they are really useful or not.

Many of the operations conducted by Talibans are said to be done with the support of insiders. In such a situation everynew stranger and person in a facility appears as a threat. Everyone appears to be suspicious.

When I ask colleagues the very next day after an incident, they say “Yeh to hota hi hai, Kya kare” and life goes on.

If not blasts, one might encounter an earthquake. Which is also equally fearful for the people who are new to Afghanistan. My office and hotel are just below one of the tallest Apartment building in Afghanistan. I am afraid that it might fall in case of an earthquake, although it could fall in any of the 360 degrees direction. I have experienced several earthquakes. A small swing of my bed or chair makes me feel that it is an earthquake. Mr. Bhaktullah says, in case of an earthquake run and run. Even god will not help if you don’t run. I am not sure how far and where to run. The threat is everywhere there is no escape route on the Earth.

The Bollywood songs, movies and the traditional Afghan songs and music are some sort of relief and entertainment for the people living in stress in Afghanistan.

On 31st May 2007, I was working in the office on the final report of the project. It was about 8:30 am, I heard a blast sound and the glass windows in my room started shaking making some noise. I realised that it is a blast and thought it could be nearby, say one or two kilometers from our office. I went to the top of our three storied building. Saw a a huge cloud of smoke. Took a photograph and posted on the WhatsApp group of the Indian Embassy in Kabul. Telling that I heard a bomb blast, what happened. After some time there was a reply saying, there a bomb blast happened near the Indian embassy and some of the glasses of windows and doors have broken. That no one is injured and everyone is safe at the embassy. Then I realised that it is a very huge blast as the embassy is about 7 kms from my new office place and still I could feel the impact. On facebook and the whatsapp groups the photos of the impact of the blast were posted. It actually happened near German embassy, a massive bomb fitted in a truck (septic tank) was triggered by the terrorist. In this incident more than 90 people were killed and nearly 500 people were injured. I had to go to the market for printing the reports, saw that the streets were deserted and very few people were seen. It is one of the largest blast happened in Afghanistan and everyone was in shock. The very next day, while leaving to the Airport, I requested Mr. Najib our driver to take me through the place of the blast. I could see two mini-trucks filled with new glass panes were going in that direction. And the municipal staff and others were cleaning the scattered glass pieces strewn everywhere. Life goes on in Afghanistan, it needs so much courage for the people to cope with the challenges everyday.

The ten days in Kabul

This time, I came to Kabul for an assignment with our company to evaluate the international organizations working on Children. I arrived on 10th January 2018. There happened four major incidents in the last 10 days that is from 20th to 29th January 2018, which made me sensitive about the life and death.

While going to an organization, I saw the prominent Intercontinental Hotel. Which is on the top of a small hill. Next, to the hotel, there is an area where the majority of the Sikh community lived. There is also an abandoned Movie theater.

I have not visited the Hotel, but some of my friends have visited in the past. It was considered as one of the most secure hotels in Kabul. Exceptionally only a few hotels are left in Kabul which have not been attacked by Taliban’s. Even in this hotel in the past, one attack has happened luckily the loss of life was less.

This time on Saturday (20th January 2018) evening at around 21:00 hrs the hotel was attacked by 6 Talibans. At least 43 people have been killed in a siege by 6 gunmen at Kabul’s Intercontinental Hotel. The siege continued for more than 12 hours the Talibans were in army uniforms when entered the hotel. I had dinner and was just discussing with colleagues in the office at that time. It was about 6 km North from our office. We got the updates from the social media on the situation. As the fighting between the security forces and the terrorists continued till next day, we had a meeting in the Kabul city. We have left in another direction as the roads were blocked. To travel ten kilometers, it took nearly 2 hours. On Monday we could get the complete picture of the siege.

As per the sharing of news by media, the terrorists have moved into the hotel with arms and ammunition without the knowledge of the security. From the Kitchen on the second floor, where they were dining too, started shooting the inmates. Reached all the top stories by killing, burning and creating the carnage. Reached every room checked for inmates and killed them. Especially they targeted the foreigners and killed most of them. Some people jumped off the building, and few survived. Nearly 150 inmates were rescued.

Two days before I got the WhatsApp message from the Indian Embassy that the terrorists would be targeting some of the hotels in Kabul. In spite of knowing, what people can do, as there is no place as safe and in turns, almost all hotels were attacked over a period of time.

On 24th January two days after, the UK charity Save the Children office in the city of Jalalabad was attacked. It started at about 09:10 local time, when a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle explosive at the entrance to the Save the Children compound. Three members of staff and one soldier were killed in a suicide attack and siege of the building by Islamic State militants. Some 46 people in the building, many of whom hid in a safe room, were rescued. One of my colleagues in the present office was working in the same office till recently. He was worried about his ex-colleagues, tried to reach them by calling. The organizations working for the children being attacked is one of the most sensitive things. I was part of the evaluation of two children’s Internal Organisations and understand how important their work for the future of children. The charity said that while it had temporarily suspended its operations across the country, it remained “fully committed to helping the most deprived children of Afghanistan”.

Again on 28th, while I was working in the office, I heard a rattle of the windows. I thought there could have been a small earthquake tremor which caused it and ignored. After few minutes, I came to know from the message from a friend that a huge explosion happened near a place at Shahr-e-Naw. Learnt that, this explosion was caused by a suicide bomber driving an ambulance laden with explosives. This place is close to some of the embassies. One week before, I was walking down that street. There are so many antique shops too. Also, I used to buy ornamental fish from a shop close to this place. This explosion is one of the most tragic incidents, as more than 100 innocent people were killed and nearly 200 people were injured. This place was also close to my old office, and I have so many memories of the place. It is like an undeclared war, maybe in actual war, the number of causalities would remain less, as people are aware and take precautions.

Myself living in a colony to the south of Kabul is a residential area, our office building looks like a big house. Staying on the top floor. As my colleagues say living a simple life, traveling in a small car does not attract the terrorists. We often went for evening walks in this area, there are many restaurants and ice-cream shops. In the past, more than 10 years back this area came under heavy attack from all sides. Still I could see the bullet marks and damage from rockets. I work from a place which is close to a large window, one of my colleagues always warns me to close the window with a blinds-curtain, as someone might see an expat and shoot me.

On 28th January, while I was there with some of the colleagues in the office, some of the colleagues noticed that three people got down from a car just halted before the office. Three men carrying two suitcases and bags got down and let the vehicle go, and followed the same direction of the vehicle. This was strange, a persons carrying so much luggage would hire a vehicle to go to the destiny rather walk themselves. One of my colleagues jokingly told me that he saw three terrorists got down before our office. We had two cameras facing the road in front of the office. We went to the security room to see the footage. Yes, we could clearly see them. The three people were well built, completely covered with a shawl and wearing the traditional Pashtun Kurtha Pyjama dress. Carrying heavy suitcases and walking south towards the bridge on Paghman river. The security thought they could be some guests to our office, as they got down before the main office gate. Good, they were inside and did not open the gate for any other reason. Later it was learned that they were the security guards returning to attend their duties in the next building, to avert any misunderstanding of the existing security in their office they got down ahead and walked. Someimes suspicion leads to doubt and anxiety.

Otherwise there are incidences of people kidnapping people for extortion. One needs to be alert and always be accompanied by some local person or security guard to move around. If I am walking slow, one of my colleagues sees and returns back to step with me. There happened several kidnappings in the past too. Which are also common and many are not reported extensively in the press.

29th January was a day declared as mourning day and holiday as more than 100 people killed two days back. I woke up in the morning to see the White Kabul due to the Snowfall happened in the night. Today is declared as “White Kabul” day due to security reasons, there should be a limited movement of people unless it is necessary. I checked my WhatsApp as usual, got the message from security that at around 8:00 am the Military Academy was attacked, located to the west of Kabul.

Some people are trigger happy. After winning a cricket or boxing match, some people come out of their homes and fire shots in the air. I have listened to more intense shots fired on occasions like that. Although it is wrong to do so by law, the heads of the bullets fired into the air return back and hurt people in the open.

Again my thoughts are in case of an attack, how I should escape. Searching every possible place in the building, but rare to find. Everywhere I am visible, or I could be found. Jumping from the roof and into the neighbor’s plot is also difficult. The only way is the luck, and no such incident happens to me and let the peace return to Kabul.

Earth Leadership

Earth leadership emergence

Everyone is an earth leader. Leaders are not those proclaimed by one-self nor declared by someone. Leadership has dimensions such as taking right decisions and implementing things with the consensus and participation of everyone around is the primary trait. Having a long-term vision and mission is another character. There are so many other aspects of leadership. Each leader should have space for contemplation and reinforce the commitments. Many people working for a particular organization climb the ladder by taking more significant responsibilities and that kind of growth they consider as leadership, and it may not be an honest way.

Leadership is about being mindful and resolve the challenges. For any person to be a leader should undergo all kinds of situations with grace. There is nothing good nor bad, everything is a situation and will change for a leader. For the leaders exposure they should come out of the comfort zone. Being sensitive is another traits of a leader. Education need not make a person more sensitive and human. It is incidental, accidental or by choice, that the great leaders on the earth were never in a comfortable zone. They struggled and have got sensitized through exposure in the process their empathy, compassion and response also increased with time.

I have been conducting Geo Spirit Meets for the emergence of earth leadership. In which all types of people have participated including the children. During these meets, some activities were done which makes the participants mindful, sensitive, contemplative and determined.

The Geo Spirit meets are conducted mostly in the natural surroundings, where there is very less communication and they could have space for themselves. Especially the fire camps and discussions whole night, in a serene natural surroundings gives them space to be mindful, focussed, sensitive to the environment and contemplate. At the end they become more determined and committed to their common goals.

In every school, a space should be created for sometime to the children where they are taken to a natural environment for a few days to be mindful of the natural surroundings and also for them to contemplate on the common goals of their interest.

We are thinking human beings, and life is not a granted thing as we also spend so much time and efforts to make a person on education and facilities, which is 0ne-third to one-fifth of a person’s lifespan. Let us give a chance for everyone to live the way one loves to be and meaningful, which is earth leadership.

Being with Earth

The rationale of a person born on this earth is related to this earth alone. All the happiness and emotions of a person are pertinent in the context of earth alone. If one wants to take rebirth, the possibility is earth only. It is beyond the imagination of people being born again on some other planet. There are two imaginary worlds that is heaven and hell. Better than the earth is heaven and worst than the earth is hell. What is known and can be experienced presently is being with earth. “Being with earth”, is a compilation of memories, experiences and contributions of the author for being on this earth.

Every person does something by being. Being has some meaning if one strives for values. Striving for change in time is required as some values also change due to changed conditions. Therefore “Being with Earth” and “Strive for Change” is required in everyone for leading a complete and meaningful life.

Geo Spirit being

The author has been conducting the Geo Spirit Meets for earth leadership and consciousness. There several techniques. One of the methods is to connect to the earth or immediate environment through the senses.

1 Walking barefoot in the wilderness to connect to the earth. While walking one would feel the hardness and softness of the soil, texture of the soil, warm and coolness of the soil based on the sunlight falling on the ground through the leaves, feeling the dry leaves. Avoiding the thorns by the feel of every step. Felling the slope of the land. Feeling the sheet rocks, etc. With this exercise one can be present continuously and nothing else. It gives lots of peace through mindfulness. This exercise is also good for concentration and as a meditation, especially in the morning. The blood circulation also improves. The acupressure of the feet improves the health too.

2 Meditation like a tree. The tree does not have eyes but can feel all other things in the environment. It is non-reactive and always maintains the calmness and composure, even when it is in a difficult situation. Its consciousness and compassion for other beings which is far more than the humans. Without their sacrifice, there would not have been so much other life possible on this earth.

3 Smelling the plants: Plants have stomata to breath. While taking CO2 they will also breath other gases by default. Although they consume only CO2 as food in the presence of sunlight, but they can feel the presence of other molecules in the air. With the sense of smelling they can identify people, animals, and plants around. The can feel the life around and the relationships.

4 Temperature: Plants don’t like fire. They are also afraid as much as any other species on the earth. If observed when a fire is lit close to the plants, the leaves of the plant shake a lot. Although one might say due to the hot convection current the leaves are moving, still they would not have moved so much vigorously. They make lots of sounds while burning especially when they are alive. They orient themselves as per the requirement of the sunlight. All the morphological adaptation of the various parts of the plants are also to adjust to the temperature also.

5 Observing the trees physically: One could always feel the various parts of the plant by touching them gently. One gets energized by touching them gently. They also like the compassionate touch. It is like greeting them and appreciating them for the services they render. One can see that the plants which are touched and some good words are spoken appreciating them, they grow well. These plants also look very happy.

6 Hugging the plants: Hugging the plants, especially which are older than us gives lots of energy. One becomes cool, with least hypertension. The trees seem to take one’s problems and give back the unlimited love. In a world where hugging is a rare thing with other beings, at least plants are there to give a hug.

Earth Leadership

Geo Spirit is about everything that one strives for the harmony and well-being of one’s inner space and the outer space on this Earth.

Geo Spirit is the consciousness on earth. “Geo Spirit” consists of two realms — “Geo” is the Earth, including biotic and abiotic worlds and “Spirit” is the consciousness of peace, freedom, and harmony for oneself and everything else on this earth. Geo Spirit is the ever pervading consciousness on the earth at all levels, including the sub-atomic level.

The human beings are the single species disharmonizing the earth. Geo Spirit is for understanding and getting connected to the earth. Geo Spirit ultimately aims at the oneness of the earth integrating and harmonizing the diversities. Consistent earth leadership is needed, to understand and participate in these processes for positive change. One should be sensitive and should be the means and cause of earth resources sustainability.

Spirit manifests in oneness and freedom. Earth is a single living thing; in which we are also a part. Geo Spirit helps to understand why the earth has provided us everything to celebrate another day. One should also strive and question, why I am born on this earth? If I am living, what is the difference I can make? If there is no positive change that one is causing, then there is not much meaning to one’s life. That is the spirit of living.

Through Geo Spirit, one’s awareness, sensitivity, knowledge, understanding, actions, and spirit become relevant to the harmony and well-being on earth and the infinite space. Through the “GEO SPIRIT,” one could realize the possibility of becoming an “EARTH LEADER.”. Each individual is an earth leader — when one is able to unleash the potential to bring the positive change on this earth. Ultimately, whatever one does, it is important to get connected to the earth.

The communities are motivated to set up Geo Spirit centers. In these centers, Geo Spirit meetings are conducted for “Earth Leaders”. Earth-leaders are all those who contribute for the sustainability of the earth. They are the world leaders with relevant skills, knowledge, and technology for shaping a resilient future.

Geo Spirit centers would strive to imbibe the following principles in the earth leaders:

• Being earth conscious

• Being sensitive

• Self-realization

• One for all and all for one

• Love all

• Strive for change

• Strive for achieving sustainable development goals

• Strive for Good Earth System Governance

• Practicing open knowledge and sharing

• Living a life of freedom with integrity

Begining of Geo Spirit meets

I started organizing Geo Spirit meets and lectures from 2010 onwards. These meets are for encouraging earth leadership and environment. These Geo Spirit meets always energize my commitment to the cause of the earth. In the process evolved, Mother Tree, Geo Spirit Centre, Geo Spirit Communes. Conducted such meets in diverse geographies for children, youth, men and women from all walks of life.

The individual consciousness of being and the consciousness of one for all leads to the collective consciousness of harmony on this earth. Each conscious person is a leader of the earth. Each has the ability of change the earth.

After starting the organization Geoecology Energy Organisation (GEO) in 2007, it was the time for intensive work with communities. I started moving to different places too. The task is huge to bring happiness on this earth. My deep thoughts are on how to inspire more people committing to the common goals. The Non-government organisations and the first and second generation of the people, who came with commitment are becoming rare to see. The spiritual people attached to the God Men or Gurus are immersed in their activities as a close network. On the whole, it has become rare to see the committed people for a greater cause. We have enterprises and business models which are highly centralized and working for their goals of profit and amassing wealth. The number of countries are already high, and some more countries are being born. It gives freedom but also divides people in the name of nationalism. The nationalism is as reflection is as seen in the olympic games. Defeating the person of other nation and winning medals is the pride of a nation. Similarly, people exploit people and resources of other countries to amass wealth and try to make some people happy. Considering the earth as one living thing is more important than looking it in parts. The GEO SPIRIT is all about having that consciousness of oneness of the earth. The people from all kinds of disciplines and professions is an earth leader with the Geo Spirit Consciousness. The well being and harmony of the whole would make people happy. The unstable situation in the middle east is a concern for peace in America. So fragile and sensitive is the whole world. The interconnectedness is very high. Watching the global news or local news no one is happy. We all are emotionally connected to the earth. The earth is suffering, somewhere as its biotic and abiotic aspects are being exploited and causing imbalances. We all are connected to the same earth, it’s suffering somewhere transcends to the people through that connectedness. Every living thing is suffering on this plant is the suffering of each and everyone. With the development peoples suffering is increasing. People always love the past, which was more pleasant, emotional and connected. The future of everyone is isolation although living among millions. Human beings are the only species so well connected but living in isolation. The isolation is increasing with every passing year. The future is always hopeless and bleak.

My concerns and understanding lead me to deeply contemplate and brood over years on How to reverse the destruction of the earth. At the GEO Research center, I have declared a big neem tree as mother tree and conserved the biodiversity. When I counted the variety of species there were around 200 nos. By giving a scope to the nature to emerge, through protection and by doing almost nothing this much biodiversity is exisiting in a small place of half an acre. This mother tree became a place for me to contemplate and the concept of Geo Spirit evolved.

It happened that, I was giving lectures on Traditional Green Buildings at Contractor Development Society at the National Academy of Construction, Gachibowli. In one of the lecture, Mr. B. Pradeep Reddy and Mr. A. Bhargava attended it. They were inspired by my lecture and have recommended me to their principal to conduct Environmental Management module for Masters in Business Administration in their college, Engineering Staff College of India. I accepted to take the classes for the first year MBA students, they are their juniors. Within no time the seniors and juniors became very close to me. They were interested to listen to my lectures. One day while standing in the lobby of the college, I proposed to the seniors about the Geo Spirit Meet, that I planned to conduct for about three days. They immediately accepted to attend. This is how my Geo Spirit meets have started.

Initially, I thought three days intensive programme would be enough to sensitize the participants. I was not sure how to engage and the activities. I have also invited two people Dr. G. Chandra Shekar Reddy and Dr. Surya Prakash to take two sessions. The Geo Spirit meet was organized under the Mother tree at the GEO Research Center, the place which motivated me to conduct such meets. I could altogether conduct for two days complete. For night stay took them to Champak Hills and there conducted the camp fire, everyone enjoyed it. Next day facilitated the experiencing the nature activities with them. Mr. Raghava Rao of Champak hills took a session. I continued to discuss with them all the time, without very little intervals. I wanted it to be very engaging rather giving me free time to do other things. The second day evening after the respective self-declarations by the participants completed the first Geo Spirit meet.

Later the sessions were planned as per the situation. Lasting from one hour to 1 day. The overnight Geo Spirit meets in the wilderness were of great success.

Geo Spirit Center

The author has developed the concept of “Geo Spirit Centers” — the nuclei of life and the space for consciousness. This is to encourage conservation and facilitation for the continuity of local biodiversity, especially soil microbes. It would inculcate the expansion of the consciousness of the one’s mind in being there.

They are the “sacred spaces,” as declared by the communities. Such a sacred place includes specifically identified ‘ancient’ forests and other “natural landscapes” which are declared as the Geo Spirit Center. They are intended to be preserved, not only for the “mental health” of the people, but also (literally) to protect and preserve the Soil diversity and health — and, thus create a “legacy” that ensures both Food and Bodily health — the ‘body’ of the Earth itself — is held sacred.

Geo Spirit is defined as the spirit of the earth. These sacred spaces can be declared as Geo Spirit Centers, where people care for and come to respect “Mother Earth.” In the literal sense that the word “Earth” is also a synonym for the SOIL — which means that literally, they are places to protect, respect and care for “Mother Earth,” which literally could mean respect and care for the “Mother Soil.” It is true that the soil is really our “Mother” ~ for without healthy soils, NO LIFE (on land) would exist. The earth is a single living thing, which represents oneness and diversity.

And once we have created these “Mother Soil” sanctuaries — the “Spirit Centers” where soil (microbial) biodiversity is encouraged and left to flourish… we may then get an opportunity to use tools like biochar compost that has been inoculated by the “Mother Soils”, to help restore our badly degraded lands.

In this case, heat sterilized biochar could be considered the “carrier” of soil biodiversity, allowing the abundant microbes from the ‘Mother soil’ transferred as intact as is possible, from the point of origin [the ‘Sacred Spaces’], and be placed onto degraded lands, to act as the seed that can then re-populate these essential microbial communities back in the degraded landscapes. At a time when microbial biodiversity is suffering great losses and affecting soil health, these centers could serve as storehouses for microbes, which could be inoculated into the local soils by farmers using biochar.

When one spends time at the Geo Spirit Center, the interconnected and harmonious space will create a resonance leading to the superconsciousness of the mind, where oneness of micro to cosmos is realized in the being.

Earth Leaders Commune

There are many people who are working for the cause of the earth. These earth leaders have contributed relentlessly over years. They have chosen this path of service with commitment. Sometimes the extended services of these people also contributed to the efforts of Governments, Organisations and Institutions. In the recent past the civil society organization’s committed to the grassroots work have come down for various reasons. Although they have vast experience their services are not being utilized. They need to be recognized and organized for the sustainability of the earth. The following things need to be initiated for organization of the scattered earth leaders for a collective effort for making everyone an earth leader.

1 Recognize them as “The Earth Leaders”.

2 Organize them into communes with the earth centers

3 The earth centers would be the common places for capacity building and demonstration of eco-friendly technologies.

4 Through capacity building young people inspire for earth leadership.

5 Communes constitute the habitations with minimum facilities for living. The common kitchen, library and living places would serve them.

6 Facilitate the opportunities, to serve in the areas of their interest.

7 Facilitate basic needs such as insurance for health and life, savings, children’s education, etc.

Note: The members should be chosen based on the nomination and a set of rules.

Science, Religion and Spirituality

I have gone through this paper discourse on science, religion and development some aims and challenges… so there are two levels that we are addressing one thing is the scientific knowledge how it is applied in different ways whether it is applied for one’s own individual gains or for the common good this is one thing second thing is each individual how much aware he is on these applications which is related to the spirituality of an individual and at the same time looking at the society as a whole where the religion plays an important role in directing or leading the group or the social community for achieving the good things in society for all. Therefore I think we can start discussing on the role of individual, what is the role of an individual in influencing the society through his actions or through his work, or through the application of science and technology. How best can he contribute towards the common good of this society?

I think one of the issues we can discuss is on the spirituality of an individual, so the degree of spiritualism within an individual. It is not basically taught as part of subjects in childhood or it is not part of our jobs either but this is somewhat left to each individual to gather that knowledge or that understanding and there is not a means to standardize the spirituality of an individual, whereas science is definitely known, understood, principles, methods, proofs, so it’s application, results everything is seen. So this kind of intangible thing with the tangible thing how do we relate these two things. So there comes our difficulty in explaining each individual at community level or at different levels in making them understand the spiritualism or spirituality. So our efforts are in this regard definitely but the means to achieve that kind of level of understanding at each individual level are the challenges.

Apart from science I think it is also said in this paper about diversity. Diversity is as one thing as in a human body all cells which are different — different in their function, different in their own existence but they all work together to create a single human body so in the society also we deal with different types of challenges, people, developmental aspects all these diversities are there but at different levels and our application of science and technologies are also different say for a potter to make a pot is technology and a pot different but the spiritual element is the perfection that he would put into creating a beautiful pot. He will be literally meditating to create that particular pot. So we may not always say that spirituality means reading some scriptures or reading a kind of literature or understanding different religions but this is also something which we could call meditation or the dedication. If you are dedicated then the results would automatically come. So mere application of science and technology is not the result but trying to go towards perfection by using our diverse skills, diversity of materials and the knowledge’s that are existing and the innovations etc.

Yes I agree with one in this regard. The sustainability if you want to define it in terms of spirituality… in materialistic things it is the continuity of the product or the act say agriculture — so we continue to do the agriculture. But in the sense of spirituality, it is not that somebody would acquire spirituality to the top most level in a particular given time, it is not so even spiritual sustainability should exist to continue the materialistic sustainability. So both these things together — to say spirituality it can be called as a kind of persuasion (you can correct me) — a continuous effort that should go into every aspect that we will do. So that way the spiritual sustainability of an individual would definitely help in the materialistic sustainability also.

One more thing is the human heart and the environment. This is a critical thing if we see it in the context of environmental changes, global warming and climate change etc. The environment influences the human being and anything that happens in the environmental has definite impact on each individual and the community and also the overall ecosystem. How do we cope with these kinds of situations when there are so many negative things happening in the environment, do they really cause in our heart, in our actions, also certain negative energies influences. Therefore we need to think how we adapt to these changing environmental conditions without loosing our heart and as these environmental changes are not just related to the livelihood of humans but also to the existence of all life on this earth. Therefore with a positive thinking, spirituality and work towards improving the environmental conditions would also help the whole environment thereby we will have the positive energy.

Yes I agree with 1 and 2 in this regard but the thing is that that human needs and aspirations seem to be unlimited for a person who is not spiritual. All the materialistic things except food, water and air none of the assets, none of the things that he possess does not enters into his body. It is only spiritual satisfaction or his mental satisfaction that I have this much of assets, or this many people behind me, or this is my support … so this is a kind of a state of human being which tries to satisfy human needs which in fact are mostly his greed. So this is what is driving some of the humans they run for materialistic which in reality is only a matter which is never a part of the inner being of a human. So this realization should exist among all humans therefore once they start realizing these basic things then I hope the whole world and all the humanity will be more concerned and will be working for the common good.

I think now we need to discuss more about the application of the spirituality and the science and technology in the field level programs that we are doing. How do we bring the quality of results in the activities that we are into? So I think we can start with certain examples about how we are going about and what are the components that we would like to add on to the existing activities so that it would improve the over all quality of the program. So in our climate change program that is Vulnerability and Adaptability of Climate Change in the semi arid areas of India. It is basically we are trying to build the adaptability of the communities — adaptability has both, science and technology as well as strengthening the spirituality of the community because this vulnerability is a thing which is very critical for the communities to overcome and how do they cope especially during drought and other climate extremes -heat waves and including incessant floods which damage their natural resources, crops or their assets or their existing infrastructures etc. So I think some of our colleagues here who are also involved in the V& A program could also reflect on some of the activities that we are doing but how we are building the spirituality strengthening the communities or empowering them along with the introduction of technologies. Actually in this program what we have focused is more on the capacity building of the communities. This program is different from existing programs of AFPRO in away because we are trying to build the capacities through exposure, training, sensitization, awareness, networking, institution building and also through hands on experience in implementing certain pilot projects and programs so this way it is not just transfer of technology but also making people better cope with conditions of climate change, global warming and degradation of resources etc.

Yes I agree with one regarding the importance of this governance. The governance at different levels is also the cause of the present situation. The best example is global warming because some policies are right in a country and some policies are right at a level but there is no common policy for the developmental activity that we are doing. So each country or communities are behaving are developing using science and technology in their own ways and means and which is the cause for the present chaos that is all over the world therefore another important factor that comes into picture is the development for materialistic gains. Are we developing or are we using science and technology only for certain materialistic gains? If it is not profitable we might not be interested in that particular activity. And also gaining knowledge in a particular aspect is also more related towards the materialistic gains or financial gains or economic benefits. Therefore, the whole world is going towards certain aspects and not in the sense of true development as a whole that is called the holistic development. Therefore, in this regard there is a strong need to create awareness at all levels including at political and policy level so there is a through understanding of what is development and how do we go about it.

Yes as number 5 said this religion; we have to try to understand the definition of religion. Religion is the behavior of a group of people based on some scriptures or based on some principles or sects or some societies but we can see that there are so many religions all over the world and each religion is having some of the fundamental truths and beliefs which are almost similar there is not much difference as it is said in theosophy — each religion is trying to understand the truth. It is fine but presently the way the religion is molded by each group by each country to their own interest is also sometimes a cause of concern, therefore, within the religion also, how do you go and preach certain things which were not imagined when the religion was formed, especially the population growth and certain cultural practices in using the resources. How to go about this in population control? So there are so many things that are involved. Yes, some of the religions are definitely contributing towards literacy, empowerment, micro finance development, capacity building, training so they are involved in so many even philanthropic activities to. As Gandhi ji said even in politics also the religion should exist, then only it can become strong thing as a movement because only religions can bring the movement which we have seen in the entire world. Similarly in development also we do not take religion in the same sense as a religion. Religion is a common belief of common development a kind of understanding of how to live in the society; it is not Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. It is a universal religion that we are striving for, the universal religion which preaches how to use the resources in a sustainable manner, how do we live with one another, how do we achieve the common good. That is how it should be.

But I think in this regard it is very simple for God every being is same so God is trying to bring a kind of equity issue. He wants to resolve this equity issue in many ways. He had given equal opportunities but socially we have created certain barriers because of our loss, our principles and over a period of history this inequalities we have created. So in development what we are trying to do is exactly trying to create the equity that is between sharing of resources, between reducing the gap of rich and poor, empowering the gender issues, women, access to education for children. So ultimately what we are doing is what God wants in a society to be like. So we are trying to help in those aspects. If it is truly a materialistic world say a private industry they go by profit only, there equity issues are not directly addressed but in development definitely where we are working are the areas where there are gaps, where even the governments is also not able to fill up certain gaps there this civil society organizations have taken a role in addressing those issues which are not taken up by that materialistic world and also we are trying to help the governments in achieving this equitable issues. So this way I think already what we are doing in development programs is closer to the spirituality and closer to the subject that the God likes.

Actually we need to define this development sector. Yes as number 5 says development is not just the people who are working in the rural areas or in the civil society organizations it encompasses the government the most important, the private sector, public sector and the international organizations and the most important is the religious organizations too. As we are means the people who are discussing now are involved in the development of the communities at the grass root level especially in the rural areas, so our discussion is focused mostly on what we can do. So in this regard, we are sharing our concern of how we can go about this spiritualism / spirituality. Yes most of the development workers are the people, who are having very good qualifications, can compete and get twice or thrice the ….that they get but why have they chosen this path. Yes, there is some spirituality in them. Where Gandhi ji should have chosen that path there was spirituality and spiritual development within him too. So definitely this spirituality is helping us to work in this sector and to go and work with the communities and take a diff path and still we require by looking at the ongoing happenings around the world there is chance that the younger generations might get deviated. So this way we have to also build up within the development sector a kind of army who are spiritually well charged and who can contribute for the society in the future too.

Usually the religion and spirituality all these are related mostly with human beings alone, not with the other life that is existing on this earth. Yes, in the same paper we have read that from animal stage we have come to human in the evolutionary process. So the humanness has the spirituality element in to it and over a period of time we have become religious too, but we cannot imagine that this earth is created only for humans so there is other life which may not be spiritual which may not be as capable as human beings but there is equal right for all the beings on this earth. So if we see Buddhism, Jainism and other religions which also focus on environmental sustainability even the first civilizations in India they were worshiping the natural elements, had God’s and even though we are worshipping many such natural living things, so therefore this development should not sacrifice other ecological elements without them. Even the existence of human beings will be big questions.

Bodhi the Buddha

Plants life as an inspiration to acquire qualities to lead a complete and peaceful life.

All the plants have limitations as compared to other life on Earth. But they are the ones which existed and made possible for the existence of animal kingdom on the earth. Therefore, their very existence and continuity to become part of the energy and life systems are commendable. The algae, fungus, lichen are also no less than the plants.

The plant’s consciousness is continuous. Every cell of the plant is present and striving for the whole. The calendar of events in their life is related to the cosmos and the terrestrial environment. Being mobile the animal life need not be more intelligent than the plant life. There is more suffering to the plant kingdom as compared to the animal kingdom of life. The acceptance of a given situation is highest among the plants. The mobile — other life always has comparison, so the satisfaction is a variable factor. Never content with a given situation. Nothing is permanent, and the change is inevitable. This understanding is highest among the plants. The sustainability is not a factor of self-possession, but a factor of continuity of everything. It is not ‘me’, but ‘us’ that is more prominent among the plants. Even the birds and insects living on its branches are part of them. There is a body and extended body. A plant is the living symbol of connectedness of everything from micro to macro and cosmos.

The birds, insects are important as much as the wind which helps to pollinate and being part of its progeny for continuity. With just about 0.003 ppm of CO2 in the air, it is very difficult to breathe. They have no complaints on the percentage of CO2 in the air. Whereas with 21 percent of oxygen, people still breathe heavily and in hospitals, every sick person is given oxygen. The stomata of plants are far more superior than the lungs.

Plants are the mute witness to the happenings around. They being ‘present,’ most of the time enjoy the environment more than any other life on earth.

Everything that comes in contact with plants is happy. Even a burning wood creates happiness and helps one get spiritually get connected. The fire manifests itself as the sun the ultimate source of energy which made the possibility of the existence of a plant through photosynthesis.

The most resistant plants and which have multiple values including medicinal had been worshipped or revered. They consume the mother earth, water, and air and regenerate as fresh or anew. That is a manifestation of new from the old. Consume the compost, soil, CO2 etc., and give, food, wood, fuel, and oxygen. Their colour is green which is soothing and represents love. Their appearance and presence energises everything around. A bird returning to its nest in a tree is always happy, its chicks are also part of the plant. Anything crawling, pinching, boring is not an aversion. Some life evolved to protect the plants too. Such as ants protect some plants from aphids. The fungus has evolved to make the minerals and nutrients to make available to the plants. Also, they are a means of communication (the treads of fungus spread far and wide through an underground network) between the plants in an ecosystem. There are so many life forms which are working to sustain the plants on earth.

Some people tie holy threads to the plants for their wishes to become true. This implies that plants are superior to humans. We are dependent on them, and they can live without humans.

Even Buddha preferred a Bodhi Tree and attained enlightenment. All the teachings of Buddha are already embedded in the life and being of a Bodhi tree or any other plant. The calm and composure of the plants in spite of being cut are necessary. Which is taught and practiced by some of the great souls on earth such as Jesus Christ. Being present and non-reacting to pleasure or pain as a desire is what the Buddha taught, which is seen in the life of every plant. Ashtanga Marga is also practiced by the plants. If they follow every teaching of the Buddha then every plant much be enlightened. The unmanageable mind of a human being is the primary cause of sorrow.

Thinking is not a problem, thinking the same things again and again or thinking waste or useless things makes one deviate from the present. For building the body or for ones physical growth one could do things repetitively, but for the mental growth on should learn or strive to do new things.

The plants work their way steadily, the roots of a plant have the power to break the rocks. The is also umpteen power of the germinating seeds to break the strongest rocks. The rocks are the primary source of material for soil formation. The soil is the source for the plants. The destruction and creation are manifesting in this process as one.

Geo Spirit Retreat

The day before Deepawali or festival of lights that is on Wednesday (18th Oct. ‘17), I planned to come to ‘The Earth Center’ at Anmaspally Village, Kadthal, RR Dist, Telangana, India. This place is adjoining the wilderness of a reserve forest with few wild animals and great biodiversity. My wife and two sons have come along with me to leave me here, and they returned back the next day. I am grateful for their support and was very happy.

For me Geo Spirit Retreat is a form of freedom and experience the consciousness of everything. This being is a form of meditation. Observing the environment in every detail and experiencing nature. Consciousness without attachment, subconscious thinking on common aspects and consciousness of only breathing are the three-forms of meditation that I practice.

In the afternoon reached the Hillock at the Hanuman Temple. Walked up to the Buddha statue and spent sometime thinking about him.

This time of the year, I have been experiencing nature at its best. From Deepawali the winter cold just begins and the rainy season ends. As it has rained well in this season, there is greenery all around.

I explored the jungle and meditated for some time on the rocks. It was so peaceful.

To see the beautiful sunset went to the hillock next to the earth center. Was lying on the rocks seeing the sunset and the two Pyramids about two kilometers away. It was one of the most peaceful evenings with the sounds of the birds in the background and domestic animals returning to their shelters.

While climbing down to return, saw two “Ralla Kollu” of Chicken of the rocks. These were dark in color matching the background of the rocks color. They were walking instead of flying. It was a pair, probably roost everyday night on the safe hillock. They moved into the bushes and just flew to reach the higher branches.

At the time of dusk returned to the mango tree where my kids have pitched the tent. Removed it and placed it on the flat rock next to the Amla tree (Indian Gooseberry tree). It is on an elevated place and was convenient to stay.

As it was the new moon night, it was dark. Lighted the oil lamps made up of clay. Placed them next to the Amla tree and prayed. The Karthika Masam is just beginning in the same evening and praying Amla tree and sleeping underneath was considered auspicious. The tree had lots of Amla fruits and with good density of leaves. It was very clean underneath. I felt the air too very fresh and there were not many insects underneath to bother. This tree became one of my favorite places during my retreat, especially for sitting underneath the shade and writing. I could focus well and write.

Few lamps, I placed around the tent too. Mr. Shankar from the village has come. He said that he would stay with me all the nights that I would spend here. Although he is from the village and rarely slept in the open.

We had dinner and lit the campfire. Today is Deepawali (the festival of lights) and the most peaceful night as there no crackers being busted here. Shankar bought with him a very thick blanket and I slept in it near the tent. The tent had two layers, and with zips to close the openings, it was very secure even from insects. The temperature inside was very warm. It was a warm night and by 9:30 pm we both slept. I had a very deep sleep.

Srinu a farmer was staying on the Manche (a hut on stilts), especially during the nights. The wild pigs were entering into the fields during the nights and eating away the corn. He had a powerful LED torch light. When the pigs enter they make the noise while eating. He will ward them off by shouting aloud. So in the night after midnight, I woke up once listening to the sounds.

The next day morning, I woke up early and brushed my teeth using the Neem tree stick. There are some cows and buffalos kept by the farmers nearby. Got some fresh milk from them and made tea. As the milk was fresh and pure without adulteration, the tea prepared was very good.

I left for meditation in the rocks for about two hours in the jungle, i.e., till, 9:00 am.

Observed the plants, birds, flowers, rocks, etc.

A spider made its nest on the ground, with droplets of water from fog it was fresh and beautiful.

The dried purple flowers on the rocks.

The dried twigs of small forests appeared like miniature temperate forest.

The dried twigs lying on the rocks

A natural rock garden with grass and small herbs.

The Lantana camara plant is beautiful. There are two varieties here. Its flowers provide nectar to the insects and black color very small fruits in bunches are sweet. The plants have small thorns on the stems. They are the exotic species invading the jungles of India. The animals don’t consume the leaves. Excess presence of these plants degrade the health of the jungles over a period.

They make jungles impenetrable too.

The Thangedu Chettu is a bush plant with golden yellow flowers. It bark was used for tanning the leather. The flowers are especially used in the floral arrangement for Bathukamma — Telangana Floral Festival celebrated by women.

The rocks and plants together are always beautiful. It is an harmonious relationship between abiotic and biotic. These rocks are witness to the evolution of life around. They must be whispering the stories of the life since millions of years to these young plants. The granites in this region are about 2500 million years old.

Went to a secluded place and did meditation by listening to the sounds of nature.

I have selected a place with diversity of species and few stones as a place for Geo Spirit. The excess stones and few weeds need to be removed to make it convenient for sitting. This place is for praying nature and meditation.

My curiosity was highest as a child. I saw some miniature flowers which are part of the bloom, that happens after the rains.

The wilderness with natural biota

The bell shaped white flowers

The soil formation, algae and few small plants establishing the basic sequence.

The lizard is well camouflages with the background of the granite. It might have taken many years for this evolutionary process. The environment or nature is older than life and so life adopts to fit into the niche for survival.

Another variety of lizard is found which is yellow in color and looked different.

The pattern made by the algae on the rocks is a beautiful pattern depicting the universe at a micro-scale.

Some rocks appeared like the naughty boys hiding in the bushes.

My shadow although virtual, always gave me company and I never felt isolated in my life.

The Cattle and Egrets have a great relationship. The insects bothering the cattle are eaten by them and also the insects which come out of the grass due to the disturbance of the cattle while grazing are eaten. They sometimes take a free ride on the cattle too. Friendship and symbiotic relationship between two species is great to observe.

As I studied Geology it is easy to understand how the granite tors form over millions of years. They are the sculptures of nature created by the elements of environment. Still many stones seem to defy gravity and balance. A balanced person in life is dignified and appreciated.

The bonsai ficus plants surviving in the cracks of rocks are great. They adopted a minimalist approach, living is more important than comparing with others. Make the best use of every little resource and they look majestic. The size does not belittle but highlighted it. It also increases the value of the rock, and a feather in its cap.

Mini-flowers are the flowers of very small plants. They bloom after the grains. The create the beautiful gardens for the insects in the soil. For human beings considering their size, however beautiful they might be they could be insignificant. When ever I saw them, they always inspired me by their form and beauty.

This is a small insect which traps the ants by creating a funnel of fine sand.

The Amla is a useful food and medicine in Ayurveda. It is always clean. After eating it if one drinks water, the water tastes sweet. Fortunate to like under this plant.

There are many peacocks in the area. One day underneath the Amla tree, I found a peacocks feather. How come even after the feather detached from its the tail of a peacock still creating and make one remember and love the source peacock. Love and admiration is beyond life. Some symbols and parts have the potential to spread the umpteen light infinitely.

Returned back to the camping site. I have planned a Tiny tree house. In this regard, started working on the logistics. Left to Kadthal with Mr. Shankar and inquired about the materials. Returned back to the earth center. Designed the plan for the treehouse at a big mango tree. This place, I liked as it is cool all the time and had a good view of the Jungle.

In the evening again went on to explore the wilderness in the jungle and returned back by 6:00 pm. Met few people, cooked the dinner and we all ate.

There came a dog, it was so weak and recently it gave birth to puppies. Shankar became very emotional and said we should give it food. As in the jungle there is not much full and it is already week. It also need to give milk to the puppies. Given it some food, it ate voraciously. With campfire discussed for sometime before going to bed.

In the night saw a jungle cat called Janga villi.

In the morning woke-up with lots of fog. It was a chilly night. I was comfortable in the tent and did not know the chillness. Had a cup of tea with fresh milk given by Anjaiah. Started planning about the hut to be constructed. First I designed the tiny house next to the rocks. As there were many bushes and rocks strewn around, it could be a home for several creatures and not safe at night. Next, I planned close to the Amla tree where a flat stone is there, where I am camping now. As it is on an elevated place, it was safer. But during the daytime, as the Amla tree is small in size and doesn’t provide enough shade, and from the hot rocks the heat will be very high. During the summers too the rock radiates heat till late night. So this plan was also abandoned.

I wanted to the Tiny Tree House with minimum materials and to meet the basic needs only. Living in nature is the greatest gift. I needed a small place for one or two people to sleep during the night. A place for cooking. Also space for group discussions and sitting under and on the tree. Although a Mancha with a small hut costs very less, I don’t want to use the trees cut and used.

Earth is our only ultimate home. An house is only a small space in time meeting the requirements of a habitat partially.

Finally, I went to see the Mango Trees. There was this mango tree which yields very few mangos, but it is tall and sturdy. The leaves were very good, it had good foliage. Beneath the tree due to the shade, there was less grass and, it was clean. I made marking using the compass on my mobile phone, tent pegs, and thread. Planned the 12 feet x 8 feet structure. With a hut of 8 feet by 5 feet hut on the top and a height of 4.5 feet. This whole structure I.planned on the granite stone pillars so that the termites won’t eat away the wooden structure.

As it was the busy time people harvesting grains, nobody turned up for the work. Until afternoon, I waited. In the afternoon asked Shankar to take me to Thatikuntal Maisamma Temple in the forest. It was about 10 km away from Anmaspally village. Shankar asked Shekar his cousin to accompany. We three left by a motorcycle at around 3:00 pm.

It was a dirt road and was slushy at few places with small streams flowing. Or it also means we were using the stream bed as the road.

As we reached inside could see the Teak Plants. The biodiversity was healthy although the trees were not so tall. Encountered some small waterfalls and pools of water. There was also alkaline soils, and the place was slippery.

There was a beautiful place next to a small waterfall with a pool, ideal for meditation. I sat there for some time listening to the waterfall and sounds of birds. I felt like staying there only. As it was getting late, we started again.

The stream continued with cascading waterfalls all along the route parallel.

About a kilometer away from the temple, we kept the vehicle underneath a Tamarind Tree. Now we need to transect the rough path with so many sones and streams. I started asking Shekar the names of the plants and its uses. Every plant was useful and related to the local people, and nothing was a waste.

A wild lemon plant, the lemon. Its leaves had very strong smell.

Wild paddy seen in the wetland area near the shore of the tank.

Soon reached the foreshore of the tank. As it rained heavily, the water in the tank was full, the path to the temple was closed.

The path became very difficult as we approached the tank. We slowly navigated our path from the rough jungle on the banks.

Finally reached the bund where the Thatikunta Maisamma Temple was located.

There was another makeshift temple too.

In spite of the difficulties in reaching, people still come here with great reverence. An old man was staying in one of the makeshift sheds. Took a coconut from him and went to temple for prayer.

A huge very old tamarind tree on the tank bund.

There were some cattle, left in the jungle by the villagers. As there are no major predators, they are safe here. They don’t go home and continue to stay here. Occasionally the respective owners take them home. Having eaten good grass they have grown well.

Saw a nest with two chicks. The chicks were very small. They can’t lay the nest on a high branch to prevent predation from kites and other big birds nor they can’t lay at a low level.

The sun was setting, and it was a beautiful evening. We gain started our return journey. Reached the earth center, had dinner with Shankar. With campfire next to us discussed for sometime before going to bed.

On the way saw the land taken from people for the Pharma City. Considering the pollution caused by the pharmaceutical industries in and around Hyderabad, these are some of the highly polluting industries. My PhD was on the industrial pollution including the Phamaceutical industries, which I have see and studied. Hope this beautiful area does not become another hell in the name of development.

The day before I told some of the people to come for the construction of the Tiny Tree House. I was waiting, at around 10 am they have come. Mr. Giri also came from Hyderabad. There were eight people. For me, it took lots of time explaining to them how the structure should be. Brought the sticks and the granite stone pillars.

Groundbreaking for the Tiny Tree House. As I believe in Aspect and the elements of nature. Used the compass for orienting the house. The whole structure is facing East.

As per the planned layout, started building the structure. I wanted it to be eco-friendly and low cost, simple structure to meet the basic needs, such as space for sleeping for about 2 people, sitting place and place for cooking.

Also cleaned the sacred grove, which I have declared. This is a small place with plants such as Neem, Rela, Custard apple, Jeedi plant and few others. Nice cozy place with small rocks and comfortable to sit. This was opposite of the place where I am constructing the Tiny Tree House.

Till 3:00 pm very little work was done. After lunch, having see the beautiful structure shaping up started working intensively. By 8:00 pm except for the roof cover and floor almost all the structure was constructed.

We all had tea on the rocks and requested some of them to come tomorrow.

Today morning Shankar wanted to go to Hyderabad on a personal work. The Mestri (Mason) came in the morning to the center. We left to Kadthal to bring some materials for the construction of the Tiny Tree House. Till afternoon almost nothing happened. Returned to the Earth Center and saw three more people waiting for work. The two carpenters also arrived to lay the roof of the hut. As the hut is underneath the tree, I don’t want to spend much on the roof material So brought the plastic sheets used for covering gates as roof. Everyone started working. Also brought lunch for them. We had lunch together.

The work is going on very slowly. But people are showing interest and with enthusiasm they worked. For them, this is a new design and never tried.

Till 6:00 pm the roof laying work happened. Suddenly it started raining with thunderstorms. We all gathered inside and the new structure. We saw that, there were no leakages, good the testing also happened simultaneously. I was very happy sitting inside the structure.

In the night, I was thinking deeply about the Tiny Tree House and the improvements.

I requested Shankar to get one procliner machine in the morning . While I was waiting, I got a call that one person who agreed to do the job. Immediately with two workers, I left to the center. There was not much work without the machine, and four people were waiting there. At the Geo sacred groove, I asked them to clear the stones. This place is dedicated for nature. It has diverse species of plants, and I wanted to install the idol of Lord Shiva. In the presence of idols, people with reverence will not misuse a place and also will not cut plants. The fear of God also helps to conserve nature.

While waiting for the procliner machine, I spent some time with Gaddem Ramulu — The Shepherd. He is having about 50 goats which he takes to the forest area everyday. He had been doing since more than 50 years. He knows every rock and climbs well. He had his own language of communication and names for his goats. The goats consider him as their leader and follow and listen to him. He knows every species of plant. He sings songs and dances, he is in bliss always. I also learnt from him about the types of species in the jungle.

The procliner machine arrived at 2:30 pm. Moram is a good soil formed from the weathering of granite rocks. This soils withstand the erosion and has compactness. With lots of quartz and feldspar grains, it is very good for walking and often used for earth roads. I wanted the access to the Tiny Tree House convenient. So made a heap with Moram soil. It had a slope for the convenience of walking and reaching the Tiny Tree House.

Also moved the boulders with the same machine to create sitting places around the tree and other places. The work continued for about 3 hours. Bought some raw sand, found in an intermittent stream accumulated during the recent rains. Used it for construction of a sitting place beneath the Tiny Tree House. In the future wanted to create a small room beneath the Tiny Tree House for storage of things.

In the evening Dr. Indrasena Reddy an environmental scientist arrived he wanted to spend some time with me at the center. We went to the village and discussed with the Pundit of the Hanuman Temple to come and do pooja for the structure. The fire from lamps, smoke from incense sticks, sprinkled kumkum and haldi makes a place hygienic and sanctifies. Brought the Pundit to perform the Pooja. To our surprise, the lamp lit during the Pooja kept before the Tiny house lasted till next day although it was in the open.

We had a campfire after dinner and were discussing till late night on the environmental challenges, especially the impacts of The Pharma City, which is planned by the government sooner nearby.

After late night discussions, I slept in the Tiny Tree House, Gave the camping tent to Dr. Indrasena Reddy. Surprisingly no insects were present in the house and I had a very good sleep.

Next day morning, Myself and Dr. Indrasena went for a walk in the jungle. We observed the nature while brushing the teeth with neem sticks.

Cleaned the whole place again, removed the strewn stones around. Made few sitting places with the available rocks. Till lunch time we spent time at The Earth Center and left. Reached Hyderabad in the evening.

The Tiny Houses enables one to live in the environment with minimum space. To reduce the ecological footprint, using the local materials is essential. These housed enables one to live close to nature.

Work

One cannot work for oneself. For accomplishing a task a group of people coming together with strengths and diversity makes a team.

For the people who work with me, I give them an dairy on the first day. Request them to note the results and achievements that they have caused at the end of a day. Sometimes they write the process. For me process was less important as compared to achieving the results.

Everyone is valuable. One can create value only through good work which causes results. Everyday is worth and valuable. The number of days one lives, everyday is valuable. Create value in ones life. A valuable person can only create value for the organization. That is the reason, I wanted them to introspect and as self-evaluation write down the dairy. Rarely I see their dairies.

I had different approaches to interview the candidates. Attitude of the people is important than the qualifications. To test the attitude, once I gave the task of cooking to a person attending the interview. As the job was for facilitation of good stoves and also testing them. The way he prepared with all humbleness and served the cooked food, he was selected for the job.

In a team one should not force individual opinions on others. The collaboration, cooperation, patience and sharing is required in a team. The team spirit is taking the responsibility as a team and not to blame the individuals. Once it happened that one of my team mates while making the final presentation was questioning me. One of the participants asked her why asking now, as a team member could have discussed within the group before final presentation. She was part of the four members team and did not participate as a team member.

One of my team members said that he wanted to leave the job and would like to try for a position in the government. Considering his priority I said that, consider this is your organisation, go and attend the interview. If you get the job, well and good. If not consider this as your own organisation, come and join back. He left and tried, but could not qualify. After returning his attitude has changed. He was not much focussed on the work. Thought that I cannot do away without his presence. It is like someone said bye and but not leaving, the host feels discomfort. I was in that situation. After few months another team members was leaving the organisation for higher education. The same person without much reason, also wanted to leave at the same time. This time I said yes please and did not offer him to come back, if he failed to find a job of his choice. I felt the freedom by saying so. Within few days, I could find a more committed team to work. When one is seeking freedom, give complete freedom. Never tag with something to return back. An earmarked goat can never gain complete freedom in life.

My principal to achieve results in a given situation was simple, I follow the principle of “Nail in the Wall”. To cause a result start hitting a nail in the wall. If it happens it is fine, you are successful. Sometimes the wall is hard or nail is weak, one is unable to hit it into the wall. The nail might bend or one might get hurt in the process or bleed or the wall is getting damaged. In this situation we will try to straighten the nail and try for some more time to cause the result. If it is done fine or else one would change the position and hit the nail near by or change the nail to a different size and strength. If still one is not successful than change the decision that is use a different technology to achieve the result or give the decision of altogether trying to hit the nail in the wall.

Hitting a nail in the wall is an action for causing a result. In every situation one comes across this kind of a challenge thatis “Change or Change”. The first change is that the life is about bringing a Change for good by all means. Still if one is not able to cause any change (results) in spite of all efforts, ones decision on that action should Change, this is the second change.

That is one of the reason why some people try to change their jobs. Some of them having no motivation for any change, just enjoy the monitory and physical benefits and continue to remain as waste.

Innovation and learning inspires people in their work. Redundancy creeps in where there is routine. Every organization and people much evolve with time and adapt to change. As leaders striving for change is a continuous processes. One cannot stick to the traditions as the demands and possibilities change in time. Change is for present and future.

Freedom to do what one aspires is the highest value to an individual. Freedom with responsibility in ones actions is as one lives in an environment. The environments impacted by every action are: social, physical, natural and spiritual.

A leader is the one who inspires the team and makes them work. Who knows everything or at least something of everything can be a good team leader. The learning curve of a leader should be sharp. A leadership must adopt to changes and be able to take risk. A leader should be the first one to take responsibility for failures. Mannerism and character are the two basic traits of a great leader.

Policy and Advocacy

Conservation of Eastern Ghats

Council for Green Revolutions (CGR), an organization for environmental issues, was started on 22nd April 2010. One of the initiatives of CGR was the Greens Alliance for Conservation of Eastern Ghats (GrACE) formed on 5th June 2011. I am one of the founders. There are several other key members of the organization who had been contributing to the environment. CGR is the chief patron.

It was felt that protection and conservation of the biodiversity and forests are more important than planting. The Eastern Ghats stretch a to a length of 1400 kms from Orissa to Tamil Nadu is one the largest ecosystems in India. There was not much attention to conserve the eastern ghats as compared to the focus given to the Western Ghats and the Himalayas. To bring up consensus among the various stakeholders, state agencies and organisations we have conducted several seminars and public awareness meetings. In this regard led and completed the expedition on Eastern Ghats travelled 4,500 kms from Simlipal to Doddabetta covering parts of Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. To bring consensus among the parliamentarians representing the respective parts of Eastern Ghats in their states the issues and challenges are prepared to submit to them. The status report on the Eastern Ghats — forest area, ecology, environment, social and cultural aspects is also prepared.

Karma Bhumi

There are some places in my life where I have visited and could contribute in my life. They can be called as the “Karma Bhumi” or “Place (earth) of Work” of my life. Where ever I am on the earth that is my place, and it is my Karma Bhumi. Otherwise, there is not much reason that I have visited and done the kind of work and contributed as a whole in different parts.

One such village is the Peddamaduru village. After resigning from my job, I was focussed on the research on Good Stoves and Biochar. I was working from my home in Ramanthapur. I was testing the stoves in the Kitchen — ‘Kitchen Lab’ and doing experiments on the rooftop — ‘Rooftop Terra Preta Experiments.’ I was searching for a village for my research and extension with the community. Mr. Kumar had a common friend in Peddamaduru Village near Jangaon, who was working on the micro-finance facilitation to the farmers. As the biochar would help farmers to get better yields and help them to repay the loan, I thought it is a good option to explore.

One day I visited the Peddamaduru Village, met Mr. Jagan and his team. Asked them to show the village and the fields around. There was Prosopis Juliflore was growing in the fallow lands, and common lands and some people were engaged in the conversion of Prosopis Juliflora into charcoal. There was a stream to the Northern part of the village, and along one of the bank, there was a Shiva temple of about 500 years old. Near the temple, there was a village in the past. I started searching the soils to see the composition. I could find pottery shards, charcoal pieces, and bone pieces. This particular soil was very old with amendments done by the people since 500 years, and still, it was fertile. The crops cultivated in this village were almost every crop that is grown traditionally. This village had a population of about 5000, by evening I liked this village very much. I have chosen this village as the main village for a project on Biomass stoves and Biochar. It became very difficult for me to continue my experiments at the residence in Hyderabad. I have chosen a place in this village and started the ‘Geo Research Center.’ All my works are displayed there, it is having a museum on the good stoves, biochar applied plants, biochar production retorts or kilns, green buildings, and biodiversity of more than 150 species of plants. Several people have visited the place from far and wide for capacity building in this place.

In this village and the surrounding 50 villages implemented the project ‘Good Stoves and Biochar Communities Project,’ It is a climate change project with mitigation and adaptation initiatives. GSBC is one of the “Alternative Carbone Projects,” which is research-based having the potential to reduce the Green House Gases (GHG’s). This project was supported by the GoodPlanet.org, France. I lead this project with a team of 10 members who supported me during the 3 years period of implementation. Did the research, designed and developed the climate change mitigation products such as Good Stoves — efficient biomass cookstoves; Biochar for soil fertility improvement; and Efficient biochar production technologies. Facilitated field trials (the crops were: cotton, sesame, paddy, green gram, and mango plants) & monitored. Did capacity development to various stakeholders in parts of India & abroad on Biochar. This project supported rural communities mainly in parts of Andhra Pradesh state & other states Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, and Jharkhand.

Similarly, I was lucky to have traveled to different parts of India, there is a purpose (Karma) and meaning to my being in every place. Worked in parts of 18 states India and had been to parts of 12 countries abroad.

Spirituality for environment

There was a request from a law firm requesting to do a rapid environmental and social impact assessment of a proposed stone crushing unit at Parsayapally. Suryapet District, Telangana.

This hillock is historic with ancient remnants of ancient structures which could be related to the period of Phanigiri Buddhist Site in the neighborhood too.

Probably this hillock had an ancient Shiva Temple in the past, that is the reason it is called Jangala Bodu. Jangala’s are the followers of Shivaism. The nearby tank is called Jangala Cheruvu. The people take a bath and arrive at the temple to worship.

Even today some people worship occasionally underneath the Neem Tree situated at the peak of the hill. Considering its importance, people also least interfered at the peak of the hillock with great reverence.

Accompanied by the villagers, Mr. Koppula Vishnuvardhan Reddy, Mr. Chetla Gyanendar Reddy, Mr. Suresh Reddy and others we have visited the site on 5th November 2017. Mr. Uma Maheshwar Reddy, from CGR, also accompanied.

The Parsayapally hill is about 0.5 km from the village. The village road passes partly over the foot of this hill. On the left-hand side saw huge machinery being readied for cutting the hill. This hill is made up of Peninsular Gneiss or Archean Granites, which are at least 2,500 million years old. Traditionally few local stone cutters have taken limited stones for the local village needs. They have not interfered with the core of the hill.

As we approached the peak of the hill, saw the soil and moisture conservation works done under the MGNREGA. There were old trees and there was considerable biodiversity. It was very peaceful and serene. From here the view around was at least 20 km in radius.

The villagers accompanied said that this hill has spiritual significance too. This hill being located here does good for the village too.

The local hydrology is well established. The rainfall runoff from this area enters into the village tank, a source of irrigation for the crops cultivated by farmers. The Phanigiri Buddhist site confirms the fact that there was sustainable and prosperous agriculture existing in this area from even before 3rd century AD.

The mining activity as proposed if started using the stone crusher and other machinery for stones, metals of various grades and rock powder or dust will have environmental and social impacts. It is said the duration is for 15 years and will damage the whole area of about 40 acres and will have impact on the surroundings up to a radius of 1 kilometer. It will cause the following impacts:

1 The rock dust will cause silicosis will effect the lungs and the health of the people in the village and those working in the fields.

2 The rock dust falling on the fields will deplete the soil fertility.

3 The crop yields will be depleted with the rock dust falling on the leaves which will reduce the photosynthesis. The breathing capacity of the leaves will be reduced as the stomata will be closed by the dust.

4 The groundwater will deplete as they go deeper for more and more materials. Already the people are facing groundwater depletion in the area.

5 Being close to the village, the noise pollution of more than 100 decibels caused by blasting, drilling, crusher machine, movement of vehicles will impact the health of the villages, especially affecting the sick, old, children, etc.

6 The villages road with heavily laden trucks with materials will damage the village road and cause potholes. Sometimes there would be accidents to the people and animals too.

7 The blasting will cause cracks to the residential houses, leakages to the canal system which had been laid recently. There are very old houses of more than 50 years old, in the village. There will be leakages to the two water tanks in the village too. It will also affect the mission Bhagiratha pipeline running close to the proposed site.

8 Some farmers would lose the grazing rights around the hill, which is used a Common Pool Resource.

Considering the environmental and social impacts on the people, livelihoods, and environment. There is a need to reconsider the decision of leasing the place for mining.

I was told that the Sarpanch of the village and other local politicians have supported the contractor for mining. The villagers accompanying me wanted to know the impacts of mining and based on the report wanted to file a case in the court. There was no public hearing conducted to get the approval of the villages. The mining people have not shown, the lease document not the approval letters from the mines and geology department of the government of Telangana. The options to prevent the illegal activity was bleak due to the politics, business and corruption triangle.

After reaching the peak of the hillock, I saw a grove of plants. At the peak of the hill there was an old Neem tree. The hillock made up of peninsular gneiss belonging to archaean granites of about 2500 million years old, is about to witness its own identity. It has seen the evolution of life including human beings, but the same people would soon hurt it and make it disappear. Every villager is connected to this hill as a memory and spiritually being a landmark and close to the village. Generations have seen it in all shades and seasons and a mute witness to the history. Rocks are not just rocks, the same rock could be an idol, worshipped as gods and goddess.

A thought occurred to me, and I said let us build a Shiva temple here, let the god save himself and nature around. Shown the location underneath the Neem tree which is at the peak of the hill. Because to conserve nature sometimes, faith and fear will help. One of the examples is that sometimes to prevent people spitting or urinating people draw the religious symbols or gods of all faiths. And this system is working, and people won’t spoil and damage the place. Similarly by reviving the faith of the people through this temple, where some people had been praying already would make them connected spiritually and would prevent the demolition and mining of the surroundings. Sometimes, a religious place and a dead persons burial stone is more powerful and never disturbed. If required, it is more easy for the government to demolish a site and occupy, where people were living for generations.

Everyone agreed with me to the proposal of construction of the temple at the site. Requested them to order the coconuts, kumkuma, pasupu, insence sticks and other pooja materials. Soon everyone got involved and were committed to complete the job. Now it is their willingness to accomplish the task. The collective spiritual energies of people was so strong. We started the work at around 11:00 am and completed the temple by 3:00 pm. All the villagers prayed at the new temple at the end.

All the blocks of stones were existing around the hillock, were moved with the support of the villagers and a tractor. There was no idol, I spent some time around and found the Dolerite with Granite gneiss, it appeared like Shiva Lingam or Mt. Kailash. It need to the dressed up so requested the local stone cutter. It was used as an image to represent Lord Shiva. Everyone agreed to this. To sanctify the place, all the twigs lying around were made into a heap and was lit. The fire, smoke, charcoal, and ashes sanctifies a place.

The initiative was started by 5 people, by afternoon 30 people joined in the construction of the temple. Sure, all the villagers would visit the place and pray at the temple. The same villagers would not protect the hillock from mining, and the people could find another site for the required materials after doing an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment.

The intention was not to build temples, but it was one of the very few options left to conserve the environment. The collectiveness of people in spirituality is still there and very high. When leadership fails to address the people, the gods would lead and do good. When God is Good, it means bad will not happen.

Biodiversity

As a student, biology was a very interesting subject for me. Nature and biodiversity was always interesting to me. While applying for intermediate I applied for Biology, Physics and Chemistry subjects. Upon my fathers advice I was forced to do Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. In my life as a career, I am more connected to environment and life sciences. Dreams turn into reality through freedom.

When I came to know about Convention on Biological Diversity, which was declared to be organised in Hyderabad. I was very much interested to participate. Mr. K. Siva Prasad was working in the State Biodiversity Board. I asked him that I am very much interested to participate in the CBD. He gave reference of Dr. Faizi one of the key members of CBD Alliance. Through him, I sent my CV to Ms. Tasneem Balasinorwala, Coordinator of CBD Alliance. I was selected as the Resource Person for MOP6 / COP11, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It was organized in Sep 2012 — Oct 2012.

This was an important event conducted every two years in different countries as part of CBD. CBD Alliance is represented by civil society organizations relevant to biodiversity from all over the world. I could facilitate the accommodation by booking the guest houses for some of the representatives.

During the convention, I was responsible for improving the CBD process, addressing issues & concepts by producing a newsletter, called ECO. And at CBD meetings to maintain communication & capacity among civil society. Facilitated the civil society coordination & communication between inter-session & session periods.

It was very hectic for me, especially for a period of 18 days. My day starts are 5:00 am and would go to the press for collecting the ECO Newsletter printed copies. By 8:00, I would make them available to the participants. We were provided a hall, where the representatives of the civil society would have a meeting in the morning. They would discuss about the agenda and distribute themselves to participate in various sessions. Also collected the agenda notes given at the venue. I also attended few sessions and documented the happenings. Also took photographs and updated on the tweeter and facebook social media. By evening at around 4 pm, all of them gathered in the NGO room for sharing the happenings in brief. All their views were documented and along with a team of editors the new letter matter was prepared. I had some time by the time the inputs were edited and sent to me by email. The head of the Sakshi TV requested me to present the happenings of the day during new hour between 7–7:30 PM. Being in the CBD Alliance as resource person, I could grasp the happenings and share the gist. From the TV channel leave to the printing press to submit the soft copy for printing and be readied by next day early morning. By the time, I reached home it was around 11:00 am. It was one of the most hectic schedule in my life which was worth, especially to understand the International consensus efforts for a common cause.

Good should pervade

I was more into research and designing things. I was against the patents too. I never had any inclination to start a business with some of the initiatives that I have taken up.

One day along with Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy, I met Mr. Jaipal Reddy, then the Union Urban Minister. He had more than 4 decades of experience as a politician. He is a well read politician and an encyclopedia. I took one Magh 3G stove to gift him. He was at his home in Jubilee Hills. While interacting he asked how are you scaling it up. I told about my plans, but he said that do whatever possible but scale the facilitation of stoves. Achieving the numbers are more important. He took half and hour to explain, taking the historic examples. I also remembered two more people. Dr. B. P. Radhakrisha’s a famous geologist, said that, “Not publishing is like a drama with out audience”. Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy said that “no one will come and put Kiritam (helmet in honor), one need to put oneself”.

I explained him how the scaling up initiatives were taken up by me for reaching my goal of facilitating one million stoves and also biochar to the farmers. Also shared all other contributions. That is to achieve by my involvement directly or indirectly. On the whole Trained and encouraged the local artisans and masons; trained people in parts of 10 states in India and several other countries; published the information on stoves with pictures, videos and explanation; awareness created and sensitized thousands of people; through press and electronic media could reach lakhs of people; the information was published on internet and everyday more than 3 thousand people visit the sites; give lectures and address public meetings; written books and articles too. Also declared all my contributions as open knowledge, that is facilitating people to use the knowledge with all kinds of freedom. One of the reasons for sharing so much and in so many ways was to reach the maximum number of people by all means.

People need not come and recognize and give publicity to a good cause or work, if it is good work, with intention one need to spread it by all means. The good should pervade to replace the bad. There are many people on earth who spend much more time and take risk to spread the bad. For good things anytime is good time and everyday is auspicious. People doing good things take more time rather doing in time. Sometimes even good people might also be found in jail, while trying to do good by all means.

Entrepreneurship

I am not a good entrepreneur, but to scale up technologies we do need entrepreneurship.

Once I demonstrated my Top-lit updraft gasifier stove at the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad where the Prof. Rajeev Sangal, Director, Prof. P. Krishna Reddy and Prof. B. Bhaskar Reddy and others were present. They were very much impressed with the performance of the stove. Prof. B. Bhaskar Reddy, said that you have produced one stove and only you could use, we need many such stoves to be made accessible for the benefit of all. I said that I don’t have any funds. He came forward and said, I will give you Rs. 50,000 from my recent retirement benefits and asked me to invest Rs.50,000. I started production of the stoves with his support. I am no good at business. But could facilitate some of the stoves produced over a period of time. I returned his investment after few months, personally I have made a loss.

I understood and wanted to encourage anyone who is interested in facilitating the technologies which I have developed or improved.

One day, I got a call from Mr. Vidyadhara Buddhiraju, saying that he is interested in facilitation of the stoves. He along with his friends, Mr. Shobit Mathur and Mr. Santosh visited me. I explained them about all aspects relevant to stoves facilitation. They were coming in the evenings and continued till late in the night. In about three months time several discussions were held. I knew that they are very much interested in facilitation of the stoves on a large scale, but action was missing. One day at around mid-night finally I said that now I want to see them producing stoves rather discussing with me again and again. I have provided Magh 3G stove model specifications to them, based on that Mr. Vidyadhara Buddhiraju later produced a version of the stove for the requirement of the Chitrakoot people in Uttar Pradesh. Later Mr. Shobit Mathur was leading Youth for Seva, Hyderabad and The Vision India Foundation, New Delhi. I was happy that somehow and in some way the technologies are scaling up and reaching the needy. One cannot do oneself much, one can only contribute for others, that is ‘one for all’.

Mr. Srinivas had an NGO doing activities at Yerragondapalem, Prakasham District, AP. He was interested in production of the institutional gasifier stoves. As mentor to him, I have also supported him in production of the Institutional stoves. This is a gasifier biomass stove. He could facilitate an number of them.

Regarding Biochar, I was mentor for two earliest companies in India. Anulekh and C6 Agri-sciences.

Mr. Sagar Bhansali was doing his masters in business management in Dubai, when he contacted me. He wanted to meet me regarding the biochar and one day he came to Hyderabad from Mumbai. It was summer and I was at the swimming pool attending my kids. We met in a park and discussed about his interest. He said that he came to know about biochar and wanter me to be his mentor for the startup company that he is going to establish. I was ready to share the details on biochar and on that discussed a lot and sent him other information too. Soon he started “Anulekh” and started producing biochar. This is the first company on biochar in India. He is very intelligent and committed for the cause.

Similarly, I met Mr. Chaitanya, Mr. Pranav and Mr. Vikram three young entrepreneurs. They have recently completed their masters from abroad. They are natives of Hyderabad. I used call them early morning at 5 O’clock in the mornings for discussions on biochar. As they need to come from the city, early morning had less traffic and easy to reach me. I was also testing their commitment on their initiative. It was winter too, they came to me several times. As mentor to them, they started the company C6 Agrisciences. They were highly committed and could cater to the biochar needs especially in South India.

Service through Government

Initially my jobs were mostly with the NGOs. I got an opportunity to join the Andhra Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Programme (APRLP). This was supported by the DFID (UK). I was very young and this is the first job after marriage. I worked very hard too. Incidentally I was the first person to join APRLP which was lead by Mr. S. P. Tucker. He was the coordinator of the project. He is an innovator, leader and committed for the social cause. He was a very humble and down to earth person. I liked me very much. After scribbling the ideas, he turns back and asks me first, What do you say Sai Bhaskar. My reply was always positive and added value to what he it trying to tell.

Immediately after joining, during our first field visit to Mahabubnagar District, on the way we stopped at Jadcherla Government Guesthouse. Tea was prepared. He held the tray to serve us the tea cups. I was surprised and very much impressed by his humbleness. I started liking him very much. Some of his other mannerisms which impressed me are: He addressed women as Madam and supported them. One of our colleague could not attend the job as she was pregnant, he even permitted her to work from home and offered an office computer to use if required. Like other government offices, he never showed bossism. The milk and tea was made available at a point and everyone including him would go and make a cup of tea. Tea was never served at the work place. He used to be everywhere in the office, anything to say he approached the person to tell, rather calling them into his chamber. He supported the civil society organizations very much and always appreciated their work and achievements.

At the time of interview, I had chosen Ananthapur District which is farthest from home town Hyderabad. I told the reason that, it is arid and poor. And there is a lot to do. Initially, he gave me an opportunity to serve in Mahabubnagar District considering it as the model district.

I was also punctual and sincere, always scribbled the points and tasks told by him. During our next meeting updated on the progress of the tasks. Made a complete notes of all that he said. Kept every format and papers with me always.

He gave me umpteen opportunities irrespective of my qualifications. It happened that one day there came a person from Chennai to train on the 3CCD canon camera procured recently. Mr. S. P. Tucker called many people in the office to learn. At the end only I was there, seeing this he asked me to take the camera with me and shoot documentary films on the livelihoods in the project areas. I hired a cameraman and with his instructions went to the field and brought the footage. With this footage 13 documentary films were produced. Later he asked me to coordinate the documentaries production as part of documentation of Andhra Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Programme (APRLP). Soon, I established a digital studio in one of the rooms with the support of Prof. Hemalatha (Retd.) for writing the script, Mr. Rajashekar the cameraman, Mr. Surpirya for dubbing and editing of the documentaries. On the whole in three years produced about 100 documentary films of 5 to 10 minutes duration.

Mr. S. P. Tucker also assigned me another task of developing e-learning material on the watersheds and self-help groups. I used to meet Dr. Vinod Joshi and his team of SSI at Gachibowli. E-learning was new to me, it gave me an opportunity to learn and contribute.

I was also the subject specialist for the GMIS cell. It was headed by Dr. T. K. Sridevi, IAS officer. I also attended he Bayesian Belief Networks (BBN) training course and developed the models on sustainable livelihoods and watersheds. Ms. Anne Chappuis taught me the GIS tools and also excel. Later I was sent to Rouen, France for learning more. Mr. Tucker has given me this opportunity. I was in-charge for the Mahabubnagar District too.

He also gave me the challenges of reading all the sustainable livelihoods models and present only the gist of it. I said that diversification is required for the stakeholders to sustain their livelihoods. Myself, as I was advocating communities to start small enterprises for improved and sustainable livelihoods. Without experience and by just being in this position telling them is not justified. I had never taken risk in life by being and entrepreneur, what right I have to suggest to take risk. Soon, I started an aquarium outlet selling ornamental fish and other gift items. He was surprised and I told him the above reasons.

One day, in one of the minutes meeting against my name the designation was Additional Coordinator. I was surprised and asked the admin staff, they said I was promoted to that position and also my pay was increased. Without asking and the knowledge both things happened. During our next meeting, why he had done that. He said simply “you deserve”. It is very rare to have such encouraging, loving, innovative and the one who gives freedom.

At the end of the project he asked what are the reasons that I would like to continue with him. I told that I want to work with him and even if the honorarium is less. One day he himself suggested that I should continue in a government agency considering the family needs.

With this experience in APRLP, my attitude and respect for the government and some of the officers enhanced. I realized that government is the only agency which need to sweep the corners too. Whereas, the private agencies and civil society could be choosy in their approach of development.

(Mr. S. P. Tucker served as Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh State before retirement and still serving the government).

Prof. KPR Foundation

Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy is an eminent environmentalist. On 14th February 2018, his age was 45 years. Some of the close people associated with him have planned an event to celebrate his birthday by honoring him through a public meeting. When I came to know this, I suggested the formation of a foundation in his name. His lifelong work and contributions were for sustainable development and especially environmental conservation and protection. Through the foundation, there will be a declaration of awards to the people both at National level and International level. All of them agreed to this suggestion. Therefore a foundation was constituted with 32 trustees, including Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy as its Chairperson. The first meeting was held at Nizam Club on 14th Feb 2018. About 60 people associated with him attended, it was one of the most memorable days for all of us. He has given certificates “Earth Leader for Sustainable Development,” to 31 trustee members and few others. The Trustees are recognized by his as the “Earth Leaders” who had been contributing for Sustainable Development on the Earth, within the areas of their interest. All of them are inspired by the teachings and the works of Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy advocating Sustainable Development for more than 40 years in various parts of India. 14th February 2018 from here onwards, every year will be celebrated as “Earth Leaders Day”. This was an initiation ceremony for all of us to continue his efforts for achieving the sustainable development goals. It was also like passing the baton in the relay race. There should be continuous efforts, and sustainable development is a relative term, without conscious efforts the earth no more is livable.

The objectives of the foundation are:

– The Aims and Objects of the Trust are to recognize and honor the efforts and contributions of individuals or agencies or organizations contributions towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

– To Innovate, Facilitate and Implement Practical, Rational, Science-based next solutions that help achieve Equilibrium between Human and Natural Systems, promote Earth System Governance and Sustainable Development for the betterment of Communities.

• To mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technologies and financial resources to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

• Organizing Capacity Building programs like Lectures, Meetings, Seminars, Conferences, Workshops, Presentations, Exhibitions for achieving sustainable development goals of United Nations.

– Publication of materials such as books, magazines, newsletters, fliers, posters on relevant to sustainable development goals.

– Towards realizing its objects, the Trust focuses on Capacity Building and Empowerment in the areas of environment, renewable energy, climate change (Mitigation and Adaptation), ecological and Natural Resources Sustainability.

– Other objects of the Trust are:

Establishing scientific knowledge that can be made available to the Communities that help achieve objects of the Sustainable Development.

Promoting Research and Capacity Building activities to foster Sustainable Development.

Recognition of services and rewarding the youth through fellowships

To do all such other things as the Trustees deem fit for achieving the objects of the Trust.

Dr. D. Narasimha Reddy was declared as the Vice-chairperson and me as the Executive Director of the Prof.KPR Foundation. Supported by R. Dileep Reddy and K. Laxma Reddy who had been the principal members in the formation of the trust.

Water

Water Names

Drinking water is the fundamental right. People supplied or forced to drink contaminated water is a crime. Balkapur is one of the slum areas in Hyderabad, where 14 people died after consuming unclean contaminated water. The sewage got mixed with the drinking water. People buy water and are not sure about its quality.

Water is not just H2O. I tried to understand the names given to the water which are used. The names are:

Relative terms: Pure water, Clean water, Hot water, Warm water, Cold water, Snow water, Dirty water, Drinking water, good water, clear water, sparkling water, acid water, alkaline water, Healthy water,

Source: Rain water, Spring water, Artesian Water, Thermal spring water, Sulphur water, calcium water, Surface water, River water, stream water, pond water, reservoir water, lake water, Ground water, Spring water, Forest water, Open well water, Borewell water, Pit water, Puddle water, green water, brown water, blue water,

Mystic: Spiritual water, Sacred water, Mantrinchina Water,

Water plus: Soda water, Carbonated water, flavored water, oxyrich water, Zinc water, Mineral rich water, Micronutrients water, energy water,

Treatment: Reverse Osmosis water, chlorinated water, Distilled water, Treated water, Filtered water, Mineral water, drinking water, UV treated water, Boiled water, Sterilized water, treated water, activated carbon treated water, sand filtered water, demineralized water, Ionized water

Usage: Cooking water, washing water, washing water, garden water, mixing water,

Secondary source: Sump water, overhead water, Machine water, Tap water, leaking water

Taste: Salt water, fresh water, brackish water, sea water, saline water,

Smell: smelling water,

Bad water: Grey water, dirty water, polluted water, sewage water, black water, algae water, insects water, dusty water, Juta water, untouchable water,

Branded Water: Named after brands like Bisleri water, Auafina water, Kinley water).

Hand Pump water, Motor pump water, Supplied water, Tanker water,

Container: Bottled water, Bubble water, Pot water, Urn water, Conch water,

Nature: Running water, Stagnant water, Living water, Dead water, Active water

Water water everywhere but not a drop to drink. Not sure how many more types of water would emerge in the future for the needs of people and environment.

Biochar Bathrooms

One day I was discussing with an interior designer and was explaining how important it is to design the bathrooms. Sometimes they are close to hell, if not properly designed and maintained. Some bathrooms are well maintained and are more cleaner than the office table or keypad.

By integrating biochar as one of the materials used inside the bathrooms one could improve the environment. Biochar absorbs the emissions from the bathroom and keeps the air clean. It takes the excess moisture too. It is excellent for indoor bathrooms which are less spacious and having very less ventilation or with no exhaust fans.

Plants can be grown inside the bathrooms with the biochar as the media. It adds to the aesthetics and improve the oxygen level in the bathroom released from the plants. Some of these plants require less or no water as the moisture absorbed by biochar is sufficient for the roots. Water could be given sometimes if required. The creepers can also be planted which would climb using biochar pieces for grip. LED lights can be used as an option in the very dark bathrooms, serves the purpose of lighting and as well light for the plants for photosynthesis.

Floatigation

The water sources are polluted everywhere. The plants also require clean water, otherwise, there would be an accumulation of pollutants in the plants. Plants don’t grow well with polluted water. On the Earth, mostly salt water is existing which is not fit for irrigation of the terrestrial plants. The surface area occupied by water bodies is more than the land area. The floods also occur in some parts often and the plants get submerged. Due to the intrusion of sea-water and human interventions the brackish water areas are expanding. Considering all the above challenges, I was thinking deeply on, how to enable the plants to grow in such difficult conditions. In this regard designed the “Floatigation” system where plants could be grown on all types of waters such as salt, brackish, polluted, flood waters and fresh water. The system also could harvest rainwater. Some freshwater could also be harvested for consumption when needed. Therefore, the people could access clean water and food in all situations through the floatigation system.

For the floatigation to make the floats, polystyrene buoys, thermocol buoys, plastic buoys, synthetic buoys can be used. In this system preferably the biochar would be used as a media for the plants. The roots will be in contact with the water and grow well in the aerobic conditions of the water. The aerobic condition is more close to the surface of any water body due to wave action.

Floatigation systems for freshwater bodies.

Irrigation systems have the following features: dams for reservoirs, bunds for tanks, anicuts or barrages on rivers and streams etc. The purpose is to stop the flowing water for channelizing the water or the stored water is managed through the sluice gates. There are also irrigation canals and drainage channels in a irrigation system. Water either remains stagnant or flows in all these places for few days to months. The standing water in the reservoirs cannot be used immediately say during the rainy season or rainy days. It is a kind of dormant water when not used by the farmers. There would be large valuable areas remain under submergence. Water is lost due to evaporation from the stored surface water bodies. The places where the reservoirs are existing were once fertile lands too. The canal systems are either empty or just cesspools without much of a purpose when water is not flowing through them. During lean periods, sometimes for several months, they are idle without any use.

These surface water bodies could be used for biomass and crops production through floatigation without compromising on the purpose of irrigation water supply to the farmers. For any plant the transpiration is proportional to the production of biomass. Evaporation is a direct loss and has nothing to do with crop production. Moreover in all irrigation systems there are many ways water is also lost. Irrigating the soil rather the crop — water is lost as seepage into the ground; as run off it is lost into the drainage system; evaporated directly; etc.

In many irrigated areas paddy is the main crop cultivated. The density of population is also high in those regions. Paddy grows well in the water-logged conditions too. Through floatigation, using biochar (charcoal) as media one could grow paddy crop on these water bodies. These floats also prevent evaporation of the water. Underneath these floats due to protection the fish production also improves. There is no need to provide fertilizers as there would be enough nutrients in the water, especially the Nitrates and Phosphates. This system also prevents the eutrophication of the water bodies as the excess nutrients are consumed by the plants. Especially in the drainage channels there would be high concentrations of nitrates and phosphates. The methane emissions and Carbon dioxide emissions from these floating paddy fields would be least. The farmers would gain additional area through floatigation for the cultivation of crops apart from paddy other short duration crops like — fodder grass, vegetables, can also be cultivated. All plants below three feet in height are convenient to grow.

I preferred biochar as the media in floatigation instead of soil. The biochar is grounded in the form of sandy soil texture and applied. In the open systems there is enough oxygen in the water, which provides good aeration to the roots, therefore root-rot is averted. As the roots are hanging close to the water surface the water is relatively clean and clear. Any other floating matter on the water bodies does not obstruct the water intake by roots.

Floatigation using empty water bottles.

https://www.slideshare.net/saibhaskar/floatigation-with-biochar-plastic-bottles-design

Sewagigation

Especially in the urban areas, the land is precious, so for creating wetlands much more land is needed as compared to the traditional sewage treatment plants (STPs). At STPs physical and chemical treatment methods are used. These places are not so appealing and aesthetic to the public. Considering all other values I have proposed the floatigation for water bodies and sewerage systems. We could use already existing open sewerage systems and water bodies with floating gardens for treatment of the water. To explain this process, I have coined the term Sewagigation to describe these aspects especially using biochar as a media. We could use effective microorganisms and plants for fast treatment of the water bodies. The advantages are:

Oxygen from plants is good for already polluted air in urban areas.

• No additional space is required for greenery.

• Improved aesthetics and ambiance those living close to the open Nalas and open sewerage systems.

• Removal of nitrogen by the plants (which is very difficult to remove through traditional STPs)

• Would increase the presence of fishes in the water bodies. and appearance of birds.

• Would support recreation in the treated water bodies such as boating, fishing, etc..

• The biochar used in these systems as media for cultivation of the plants would treat the water too.

http://www.slideshare.net/saibhaskar/sewagigation

http://www.thewaterchannel.tv/features?start=1

https://www.facebook.com/floatigation/

http://flotigationirrigationsystem.blogspot.com

Glow Level

While working on water use efficiency in a Climate Change Adaptation Project I was thinking of low-cost solutions for the farmers to take decisions on irrigation management. During one of my visits to Pune, I met Mr. Chauhan Vivek. He was working on a device of LEDs which glow up on contact of a circuit with water. Using the light as a signal for remote observation is the purpose. Light is the cheapest means of communication from one to many especially for the open systems to monitor and decision making. Such applications were existing, but he has reduced the cost by developing them cheap. He was using these systems since several years for observing the water levels in the residential areas for overhead water tank and water sumps. He also asked me to name it, and I named it as “Glow Level”. Mr. Chauhan Vivek declared the device as open knowledge.

I liked it very much and I said it has many applications for monitoring and decision making in irrigation. They could be used for observing the canal water levels, reservoir water levels, flood levels monitoring, soil moisture, paddy fields water level, etc. They could also be used for observing the water levels in the overhead tank.

As the LEDs are cheap and they require very less power. For power the solar PV panels could be used, which are becoming cheaper.

http://glowlevel.blogspot.com

Irrigation Efficiency

Irrigation is necessary to increase the food production for meeting the basic requirements of the ever-growing population on the earth. It also sustains the livelihoods of farmers with little land resources. There is more enthusiasm to develop irrigation projects than Operation and Maintenance, distribution and achieving water use efficiency. Many of the irrigations projects are poorly managed hardly they achieve 30% to 50% water use efficiency as compared to the original design. Say less area covered, less water is provided to the fields, inequitable distribution of water i.e., tail-end farmers in a command area rarely get the water. Irrigation systems are like the nature of some people who know how much money they are earning and drawing from the bank but don’t remember how much is being spent where. Every drop of water counts i.e., crop per drop of water. There is a need for accountability from all the stakeholders how the precious water is used. Without monitoring the water resources, the management of irrigation is not possible. Therefore I have contributed to developing the irrigation monitoring and management systems.

I was associated with watershed projects and groundwater management in the past while working on Andhra Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Project (APRLP) where the work was for achieving sustainable livelihoods in 2500 watershed villages.

My work on irrigation projects started with an opportunity to work for the Andhra Pradesh State Irrigation Development Corporation (APSIDC). APSIDC is responsible for design, development, Operation and Monitoring and Social Engineering aspects of lift irrigation schemes. Is able to facilitate irrigation to 12,00,000 hectares of land. I have organized all the NGOs associated with APSIDC for community mobilization and organization for improving water-use efficiency and participatory management of lift irrigation schemes. In this regard organized many trainings in parts of the Andhra Pradesh and the Telangana States. Also developed social engineering indicators for the Lift irrigation schemes. Prepared a documentary on the successful lift irrigation schemes for awareness.

Again while working as coordinator of the ClimaAdapt project in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States, I focussed on irrigation systems monitoring and water use efficiency.

ClimaAdapt Project is an integrated science-stakeholder-policy approach to develop adaptation framework for water and agriculture sectors in the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Also called ClimaAdapt Project. I was the coordinator for the Telangana and the Andhra Pradesh States. The overall goal of the ClimaAdapt project is to improve the adaptive capacity of the agriculture and water sectors, through the development of appropriate adaptation measures and to provide inputs to climate and sector plans. Policy and Advocacy at the States and National Level conducted meetings and seminars with the Government officials of relevant sectors. Also coordinated the state level (for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh) steering committees.

• Improved the adaptive capacity of one lakh stakeholders in the agriculture and water sectors in the states of the Telangana and the Andhra Pradesh States. On the On-farm adaptation practices for crops and water use efficiency.

• The focus of ClimaAdapt project has been to provide timely information on resilient climate technologies, farming practices that farmers need to take up during a cropping season, soil management, planting, crop management, need-based fertilizer and pesticide applications, harvesting, marketing, etc.

• Established Climate Cell, Sensors Lab and Sensors Park at WALAMTARI.

• Developed Canal Network Flow Monitoring System (CNFMS) for irrigation efficiency and management.

• Developed low-cost sensors using open hardware and software, which transmit data to the mobile phones as SMS. The system consisted of Arduino connected to sensors, SIM 900 for sending SMS of information collected through Arduino, Battery connected to the solar power. They were used in the field to monitor:

◦ Sensors for water flow and levels monitoring: Installed sensors for monitoring water levels at Nagarjuna Sagar water reservoir and the irrigation canals.

◦ Developed sensors for environmental monitoring such as temperature and relative humidity in the fields of the project villages.

◦ To monitor the water consumption by field wise the ultrasonic sensors fitted to the RBC flumes were installed at the inlet and outlet points of the fields.

◦ Sensors installed with bowman water tube for monitoring the water levels at surface and subsurface level for irrigation efficiency and scheduling in the paddy fields. The sensors were used especially for the paddy crops cultivated with Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation method.

Other models developed were for other applications such as:

• Water management of tanks with sensors for water level and quantity to get periodically. For assessment of the water security in the villages.

• Water management in the overhead tanks used for drinking water using sensors for water levels.

• Glow-levels for canals, on-farm, borewells, canals, and tanks for assessing the level of water through LED lights.

For the benefit of the senior most engineers of Irrigation Department, Government of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh organized an exposure visit as a part of the Canal Network Flow Monitoring System (CNFMS) under ClimaAdapt Project activities, WALAMTARI. To a two — day “exposure visit to Indira Gandhi Nahar Project (IGNP), Bikaner, Rajasthan State on Canal Automation Systems being implemented” from 26th to 27th August, 2014. During the visit participants were exposed to Canal Automation of IGNP, Sensors installed, Canal Systems, Monitoring the Canal Water levels and flows, Software Systems, Decision Support Systems and the Water Management related aspects.

As a part of the Canal Network Flow Monitoring System (CNFMS) under ClimaAdapt Project activities, WALAMTARI organized training at Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) on “Canal Automation” from 29th September to 1st October 2014 (3 days) for 30 young engineers. During the training, the participants were exposed to Canal Automation systems, software, decision support systems and case studies of the existing systems in parts of India.

The decision makers of the current generation are not interested in improving the water use efficiency. At least the future generations should be aware and recognize its importance. Therefore involved school children creating awareness, developing sensors for monitoring the water use efficiency and environmental parameters in few villages under the ClimaAdapt Project. Technology is simple, but people may not be willing to adopt.

Mobile Gardens

Biochar Mobile Gardens is a concept that I designed as an example to show that plants can be grown even in the mobile vehicles as an option. Biochar compost is used for growing plants on the mobile platforms. I experimented having a Biochar Mobile Garden inside my car on the car deck. This has added vibrancy and energy to me while driving. During the traffic jams, I enjoyed looking at the plants. Some of the advantages are:

• Biochar compost absorbs the emissions in the car.

• The plants absorb the CO2 emissions as part of photosynthesis and useful as real air fresheners. This is a cheap and better option, instead of using air fresheners or other scents which are harmful too.

• Biochar compost is a light weight material so convenient to adopt.

• With very little Biochar compost by volume high density of plants can be grown.

• Conserves water and need to apply very little water.

• Aesthetic value to the inmates of the vehicle and other passersby.

• Aromatic plants would emit very nice smell

• Creepers would occupy the different parts in the vehicle

• Would make the interiors of mobile vehicles cooler during hot days.

• The food and salad plants would be of great value during long distance travels as readily they would be available for consumption.

The roof tops or rear end spaces of all types of vehicles can also be conveniently used for biochar mobile gardens.

Plants Library

Children study books and they have books library. Similarly, I wanted the children to have plants library in each school. So that children could see, observe, learn, experience and share.

The children would have access to the potted plants especially in biochar compost. The weight of biochar compost is far less as compared to the soil. The medicinal, aromatic and other herbal plants were convenient as they are small is size too. The children could carry these plants to their homes and keep them for about a weeks time. They would water them and take care and exchange for another new variety of plant after returning the first plant. They would share their experiences with friends and also parents. The children’s knowledge would increase on the plants and their uses.

In this regard, I discussed with Mr. Madhava Reddy the founder of Vandemataram Foundation. He liked the idea and asked me to give plants to two government schools near Amangal, Amangal Mandal, Mahabubnagar, Telangana, India. One day we both went to the Government schools in the Amangal Mandal and provided them to the school for issuing them. With all types of plants the school premises looked green. Asked the school to demarcate some area for them and issue the plants to the children as they lend library books.

Although this initiative did not continue and expand, but there is a scope and possibility for implementation on a large scale for the benefit of children and their knowledge and experience.

Rainharvester

In urban areas due to demand for fresh water and depleting water sources, there is a need to conserve and harvest rain water. In this regard, I have designed “Rainharvester”.

Rainharvester is for rainwater harvesting for reuse directly and rainwater recharge to improve the local groundwater table. The rainharvester can be covered over the top with a slab, through the manhole one can reach for silt removal and maintenance.

There are two chambers in this system (A & B). Those who want to do only recharge can use A-chamber alone. It can be constructed in Ferro-cement or can de prefabricated with plastic material. The whole system would be placed in the ground after digging a pit. After placing the system in the ground the gap between ground and the system is to be filled with gravel.

The rainwater from the roof top comes to a chamber (A) and the velocity of the downward flowing water also comes down, so that there is accumulation of silt and sand at the bottom, which can be removed conveniently periodically. Even if the silt is not removed, it does not totally affect its performance in recharging the aquifer. The innumerable holes on the walls of this cell (including bottom) would let the water slowly percolate into the ground from all directions. The increased surface area allows the water to percolate more effectively. The overflow water from chamber (A) enters in to the chamber (B). In chamber (B) there are layers of charcoal (biochar), coarse sand and gravel, filled up to half of this chamber depth. There won’t be much silt accumulation in this chamber as silt is already got accumulated in the chamber (A). The water percolates and gets collected through a pipe, which would be stored in regular sumps or containers for reuse. This water is clean and can also be used for drinking with minimum treatment.

Geo Filter

My friend Mr. Srinivas M. once came to me telling that he wants a device for rainwater harvesting. I went to his place in Secunderabad. Considering his requirement I drew the sketch of the filter on a waste paper. Within few minutes the design was complete. I asked him “now let us go and get the materials to make this”. In a shop by asking them the type of connectors and pipes available, we could procure and it was assembled. He asked me to name it, so I gave the name “Geo Filter”. For testing and demonstration, we both came to my home and fitted it to our dry borewell for recharging the groundwater during the rains. There were people who mystified the rainwater filters and in the name of patents were charging large sums of money. The world is simple sometimes it is complex because people want to make money.

This rainwater water harvester I called it as “Geo Filter” for injecting the rainwater (filtered through biochar or charcoal and sand) into the dry borewells for recharging groundwater and also to store water. They cost is less than Rs. 500 (INR) and can effectively recharge the groundwater. They are also very useful for harvesting the rainwater for direct usage. Mr. Srivias had been installing these Geo Filters on demand.

Fluorosis

It was in 1997, along with Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy and Mr. Reddy a Senior Journalist visited Shivanna Gudem village, Marriguda Mandal, Nalgonda District. This is the native village of Prof., it is one of the villages with a high concentration of fluoride in the groundwater. The local geology has granitic rocks with apatite that is Fluorapatite veins. Fluorapatite is a mineral with fluoride, which in dissolves in groundwater upon contact. Due to overexploitation of the groundwater in the area, the groundwater table has fallen down. As a result, people started going for deeper and deeper borewells every year. The groundwater is contaminated through contact with Fluorapatite as the depth of the borewells increased surface area and chances of contact. The surface water bodies are less polluted and relatively fluoride free. Being a semi-arid drought-prone area, the surface water is less available. Without any freshwater availability, the people are forced to drink water with excess fluoride. As a result, people got affected by fluorosis, resulted in dental fluorosis and/or skeletal fluorosis.

As we were close to the Marriguda village, I saw at a distance a dwarf person walking in the middle of a dirt road. We came to know that he is the head of a village. He was affected by fluorosis so could not grow well. It appeared like, I am in a different world, although this place was within 100 km from Hyderabad City. On the outskirts of Marriguda village, in a house, there I saw a person lying on a cot. His spinal cord is very weak and cannot get up on his own. There was a rope hanging above his bed, he barely could sit on his bed by pulling the rope. He needs support to walk too. His bones were affected and became very weak due to fluorosis. In the Marriguda village saw many children, young and old with deformities. Although rainwater harvesting is done and some defloridation plants were established, they were not sufficient to meet the requirements of all the people. Being in this area was a curse for the people and the successive governments have not done any concrete steps to provide the drinking water.

Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy was very keen to do something for these villagers. His native village is one of the most affected villages in the area too. He had seen in his lifetime how the fluorosis concentration increased in the groundwater and the people got affected.

It was in the year 2004, Dr. Y. S. Rajashekar Reddy was the most popular Chief Minister, of Andhra Pradesh state. Prof. wanted to bring this issue to the attention of the Chief Minister. He planned a meeting at Jubilee Hall, Hyderabad with the Chief Minister, civil society and the affected stakeholders. To sensitize him on the gravity of the issue, he asked me to make a documentary on the impact of fluorosis. The time was very less. Within 24 hours the task has to be accomplished. I took Mr. Rajashekar the cameraman and left to the Marriguda Mandal. As time was less, in the editing mode shot the visuals and edited the documentary on fluorosis. Media plays an important role in decision making and creating large-scale awareness.

Next day, Prof. has asked me to show the film to the Chief Minister at the meeting. The Chief Minister was touched by the visuals, and after listening to Prof. and others, he declared that he would provide the piped drinking water from the Nagarjuna Sagar to all the affected villages in the area. He was one of he dynamic leaders. Within no time all the villagers were supplied with the drinking water and the impact of fluoride is decreased. For more than 2 decades the people were demanding drinking water and their was fulfilled. The younger generations are no more affected by the fluorosis in the area.

For MetaMeta, I also got an opportunity to collect and compile content on fluorosis for a website on fluorosis. This was a resourceful website for awareness and information. It is heartening to see that more and more new areas are being affected by fluorosis as the groundwater is depleting in the granitic areas with fluoride. I observe the teeth of the school children, ask them to say “Cheese”, it is very sad to see when their teeth are tarnished brown color or enamel is removed. This is a preliminary stage of fluorosis. The governments should take the responsibility to provide drinking water as the people has the right to life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU4xDNlKyhw

Community Groundwater Management

Groundwater is ever depleting globally which is of concern, because of the life and livelihoods of people especially in the semiarid and arid parts of the world increasingly dependent on the groundwater. The annual recharging of the groundwater through a combination of diverse sources such as rains, rivers, surface water bodies, snow-melt or recharge water was keeping the water balance in an area. The input is the precipitation in a geographical area and the capacity of the aquifer to recharge. The borewells or tubewells concept emerged during the 1970’s period only. The government and the organizations like Action for Food Production played a key role in introducing the technology to various parts of India. As long as the open-wells were there the exploitation of the groundwater was limited. The game has changed, especially for agriculture and due to the schemes like free power to the farmers, people have heavily invested and drilled borewells even up to a depth of 1200 feet. With no restrictions on the number of borewells and the spacing in a geographical area, people started going for multiple borewells and now the situation has reached where the groundwater is completely depleted. The farmers dependent on water for irrigation are also suffering due to unreliable groundwater or drying of the aquifer. Groundwater is considered as a common pool resource, like in Hardin’s theory, everyone exploiting reached a stage where none had. In some areas, even people are exploiting the groundwater from paleo-aquifers too. There are limits to exploitation.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has taken up the revival and restoration of about 3000 minor irrigation projects in the State with World Bank assistance through the SMIP. This study would guide the GoAP on future policy, and in particular to build a stronger case for the Community Based Groundwater Management (CBGWM) component to be included in SMIP and APDAI. In this context, the World Bank has commissioned an assignment through the Irrigation and Command Area Development Authority (I&CAD) of the Irrigation Department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh

For this assessment, a representative selection of 30 APWELL/APFAMGS/CWS villages are included to cover the range of main aquifer typologies and socio-agronomic situations. These villages represent seven districts where CBGWM projects were/are under way, viz., Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Anantapur, Kadapa, Chittoor, Kurnool and Prakasam, with normal annual rainfall ranging from less than 500 to 1097 mm.

APWELL Project was supported by Netherlands government, and APFAMGS Project was supported by FAO and Center for World Solidarity (CWS) has few projects in one district. There were various models experimented in the project villages for adoption by the communities. It gave me an opportunity to study comparatively and to understand the prevailing situation. I was working at AFPRO and Mr. K. Siva Prasad has asked me to lead the study with the guidance Mr. Dilip Fouzdar a Water Resources Expert. I have taken a team of 10 members for data collected during the field visits. Dr. Joseph Plakootam was coordinating and provided support representing the Irrigation Department (CADA).

The data was collected regarding communication and awareness strategy, community participation, water resources, water resources management, groundwater management by the community, watershed implementation, agriculture, women, Community Based Organization (CBO), timeline analysis, individual stakeholder formats and case studies. The information collected was quantitative, qualitative and descriptive. The main observations were:

Participatory Hydrological Monitoring (PHM) and Crop Water Budgeting (CWB): Piloted in APWELL, PHM and CWB have been upscaled in all APFAMGS villages. Awareness on these two important concepts is being imparted during Farmer Field School (FFS), Groundwater Management Committee (GMC) and Hydrological Unit Network (HUN) meetings.

Community Awareness and Institution Development: It has been observed that in APWELL villages, out of the 329 Water User Groups (WUGs), 290 WUGs are still practicing water sharing. The level of such community mobilization in groundwater management towards water sharing is 88 percent which is a sustainable impact.

Gender Equity and Women’s Participation: In the APWELL project, this has been taken up to make women farmers equal partners with male farmers in agriculture, groundwater management, and allied activities. APFAMGS has continued to foster active participation of women in GMCs and HUN.

Based on the studies taken up, it can be summarized that all the objectives aimed at by the respective projects have been successfully achieved. The communication strategies used in the study area such as Kalajatha, meetings, workshops, wall writings, pamphlets, newsletters, TV/films, radio, wall magazines NGOs and AOs have played a very crucial and important role so far and have the same future, too. These were instrumental in creating community awareness leading to successful working of WUGs.

The findings of this study show that the concept of Participatory Groundwater Management (PHM and CWB) is very viable. The community decision-making capacity has strengthened the villagers towards their health, wealth and prosperity. This has brought in a great improvement in the income and livelihoods of the villages. Another important finding of the present study is that gender equity has been achieved leading to women participation in all the activities in the sample villages.

Godavari River Adventure

Ichampally Project site is at the border of Telangana and Chattisgarh states on the Godavari River. While working for the Forum for Utilisation of Godavari Waters, we had a series of deliberations and meetings on awareness. During one of the meetings, I mentioned that we should visit all the developed and potential sites of development along the Godavari River in parts of Telangana. The founder of the forum Mr. Shashidhar Reddy agreed and provided me a cameraman and a vehicle to assist me. I requested my friend, Mr. Uma Maheshwar Reddy to accompany me. I visited all the places on the Godavari River right from Sriram Sagar Project, Kadem Dam, Sadar Mat anicut, and finally reached Kaleshwaram a place at the confluence of Godavari and Pranahita Rivers. It is a historic temple town. It is an auspicious place as Triveni Sangam or confluence point of three rivers. In the evening reached the banks of Godavari River. Now the plan was

During the Nizam period, he has delegated french engineers to construct an anicut across the river Godavari at Ichampalli. They have started the work, but due to malaria caused by mosquitos, they have abandoned the project. Otherwise, this project would have been useful for the irrigation of the fields by farmers of Telangana and Chattisgarh.

To visit the Ichampally it was challenging as there is no road to go the site. I enquired with a person selling coconuts on the banks of the river Mr. Srinivas, he said that he knows an alternative route through Maharashtra and back could reach the project site in Andhra Pradesh. I asked if he could accompany me on this visit and said that I will pay him twice the amount he was earning in a day. He agreed but said that there is a concern from the presence of Naxalites in the area. The police are also suspicious of people visiting the area. He said that if the Naxalites are encountered he can explain them and I said, I could discuss with the police if we encounter them.

I stayed in a Dharmashala of the temple, and the next day morning, we started the journey. We took a boat and crossed into Maharashtra. After traveling a kilometer, we reached a small village and took an Autorickshaw and reached another town. Took a Jeep and reached another town and after changing different vehicles, in the afternoon we reached a village, here we took a bullock cart and reached the Godavari river at the confluence point with Indravati River. Here the river was beautiful, with small rapids and small eddies due to the outcrops. There we found a dugout boat, one person took us across the river. This was a perilous journey as dugout boats are not reliable. After reaching the banks, we saw a local tribal person. We wanted him to guide us to the Ichampalli site. He started walking briskly away from us, we stopped him and asked why he is going away. He said that I am the commander of Naxalites based on my appearance with a beard and a camera pouch sling, wearing jeans and wearing stone washed brown color shirt. Mr. Srinivas convinced him that we came for a study. He agreed and took us by walk to his hamlet about a kilometer away. Here we had a bullock cart to go to the Ichampalli site. First I saw an abandoned dilapidated house, which was once occupied by the French engineers. Walked close to the banks of the river and saw the wall like structure which was largely finished across the river Godavari. It is called anicut used to increase the level of the water for irrigation through canals. I was thrilled having reached the place. Took few photographs and started the return journey. I had only a few biscuits to eat for lunch, which I bought. By the time we reached the banks of the river, it was dark. I could see the stars in the sky. All the dugout boats were on the other side of the bank. The accompanying person said we could go only tomorrow as there are no boats. I said that we need to go and cannot stay tonight. He tried calling (shouting) people on the other side and also started whistling. The habitation on the other side was about 2 km from the place were where. After trying for about 15 minutes we got a response, it was one of his relative in the hamlet recognized his calls and responded. Could see the outline of a person with a torchlight approaching the river. He crossed the river and as it was night and very dangerous for all of us to go at once. So twice he crossed the river to take us to the other bank. I lost my spectacles in the waters on the other bank while getting down the boat. With great difficulty by grouping in the darkness in the waters, we found them. We reached the hamlet and again on a bullock cart reached a town. There it was already midnight. There was a night halt bus standing. So we are sure early next morning we could travel from there. But we were very hungry, we saw a hotel, but it was closed. He knocked and woke the hotel owners, we asked to give whatever food is left. We had dinner and slept on the seats in the bus. Early morning we woke up. For brushing teeth, we requested for tooth powder from the same hotel. As I started brushing, I was feeling giddiness, I came to know that they brush their teeth using Zarda which intoxicates. After brushing the teeth had a cup of tea and came and sat on the bus. I was feeling sleepy so asked Mr. Srinivas to take care of me and wake me up when we reach our stop. By evening we finally reached the Kaleshwaram town. It was one of the most memorable adventures in my life. The photos taken were useful during our presentations on the projects on the Godavari river.

Everyone is an earth leader. Leaders are not those proclaimed by one-self nor declared by someone. Leadership has dimensions such as taking right decisions and implementing things with the consensus and participation of everyone around, and it is the primary trait. Having a long-term vision and mission is another character. There are so many other aspects of leadership. Each leader should have space for contemplation and reinforce the commitments. Many people working for a particular organization climb the ladder by taking more significant responsibilities and that kind of growth they consider as leadership, and it may not be an honest way.

Leadership is about being mindful and resolve the challenges. For any person to be a leader should undergo all kinds of situations with grace. There is nothing good nor bad, everything is a situation and will change for a leader. For the leaders exposure they should come out of the comfort zone. Being sensitive is another traits of a leader. Education need not make a person more sensitive and human. It is incidental, accidental or by choice, that the great leaders on the earth were never in a comfortable zone. They struggled and have got sensitized through exposure in the process their empathy, compassion and response also increased with time.

I have been conducting Geo Spirit Meets for the emergence of earth leadership. In which all types of people have participated including the children. During these meets, some activities were done which makes the participants mindful, sensitive, contemplative and determined.

The Geo Spirit meets are conducted mostly in the natural surroundings, where there is very less communication and they could have space for themselves. Especially the fire camps and discussions whole night, in a serene natural surroundings gives them space to be mindful, focussed, sensitive to the environment and contemplate. At the end they become more determined and committed to their common goals.

In every school, a space should be created for sometime to the children where they are taken to a natural environment for a few days to be mindful of the natural surroundings and also for them to contemplate on the common goals of their interest.

We are thinking human beings, and life is not a granted thing as we also spend so much time and efforts to make a person on education and facilities, which is 0ne-third to one-fifth of a person’s lifespan. Let us give a chance for everyone to live the way one loves to be and meaningful, which is earth leadership.

Earth Leadership

Geo Spirit is about everything that one strives for the harmony and well-being of one’s inner space and the outer space on this Earth.

Geo Spirit is the consciousness on earth. “Geo Spirit” consists of two realms — “Geo” is the Earth, including biotic and abiotic worlds and “Spirit” is the consciousness of peace, freedom, and harmony for oneself and everything else on this earth. Geo Spirit is the ever pervading consciousness on the earth at all levels, including the sub-atomic level.

The human beings are the single species disharmonizing the earth. Geo Spirit is for understanding and getting connected to the earth. Geo Spirit ultimately aims at the oneness of the earth integrating and harmonizing the diversities. Consistent earth leadership is needed, to understand and participate in these processes for positive change. One should be sensitive and should be the means and cause of earth resources sustainability.

Spirit manifests in oneness and freedom. Earth is a single living thing; in which we are also a part. Geo Spirit helps to understand why the earth has provided us everything to celebrate another day. One should also strive and question, why I am born on this earth? If I am living, what is the difference I can make? If there is no positive change that one is causing, then there is not much meaning to one’s life. That is the spirit of living.

Through Geo Spirit, one’s awareness, sensitivity, knowledge, understanding, actions, and spirit become relevant to the harmony and well-being on earth and the infinite space. Through the “GEO SPIRIT,” one could realize the possibility of becoming an “EARTH LEADER.”. Each individual is an earth leader — when one is able to unleash the potential to bring the positive change on this earth. Ultimately, whatever one does, it is important to get connected to the earth.

The communities are motivated to set up Geo Spirit centers. In these centers, Geo Spirit meetings are conducted for “Earth Leaders”. Earth-leaders are all those who contribute for the sustainability of the earth. They are the world leaders with relevant skills, knowledge, and technology for shaping a resilient future.

Geo Spirit centers would strive to imbibe the following principles in the earth leaders:

• Being earth conscious

• Being sensitive

• Self-realization

• One for all and all for one

• Love all

• Strive for change

• Strive for achieving sustainable development goals

• Strive for Good Earth System Governance

• Practicing open knowledge and sharing

• Living a life of freedom with integrity

Being with Earth

The rationale of a person born on this earth is related to this earth alone. All the happiness and emotions of a person are pertinent in the context of earth alone. If one wants to take rebirth, the possibility is earth only. It is beyond the imagination of people being born again on some other planet. There are two imaginary worlds that is heaven and hell. Better than the earth is heaven and worst than the earth is hell. What is known and can be experienced presently is being with earth. “Being with earth”, is a compilation of memories, experiences and contributions of the author for being on this earth.

Every person does something by being. Being has some meaning if one strives for values. Striving for change in time is required as some values also change due to changed conditions. Therefore “Being with Earth” and “Strive for Change” is required in everyone for leading a complete and meaningful life.

Geo Spirit being

The author has been conducting the Geo Spirit Meets for earth leadership and consciousness. There several techniques. One of the methods is to connect to the earth or immediate environment through the senses.

1. Walking barefoot in the wilderness to connect to the earth. While walking one would feel the hardness and softness of the soil, texture of the soil, warm and coolness of the soil based on the sunlight falling on the ground through the leaves, feeling the dry leaves. Avoiding the thorns by the feel of every step. Felling the slope of the land. Feeling the sheet rocks, etc. With this exercise one can be present continuously and nothing else. It gives lots of peace through mindfulness. This exercise is also good for concentration and as a meditation, especially in the morning. The blood circulation also improves. The acupressure of the feet improves the health too.

2 Meditation like a tree. The tree does not have eyes but can feel all other things in the environment. It is non-reactive and always maintains the calmness and composure, even when it is in a difficult situation. Its consciousness and compassion for other beings which is far more than the humans. Without their sacrifice, there would not have been so much other life possible on this earth.

3 Smelling the plants: Plants have stomata to breath. While taking CO2 they will also breath other gases by default. Although they consume only CO2 as food in the presence of sunlight, but they can feel the presence of other molecules in the air. With the sense of smelling they can identify people, animals, and plants around. The can feel the life around and the relationships.

4 Temperature: Plants don’t like fire. They are also afraid as much as any other species on the earth. If observed when a fire is lit close to the plants, the leaves of the plant shake a lot. Although one might say due to the hot convection current the leaves are moving, still they would not have moved so much vigorously. They make lots of sounds while burning especially when they are alive. They orient themselves as per the requirement of the sunlight. All the morphological adaptation of the various parts of the plants are also to adjust to the temperature also.

5 Observing the trees physically: One could always feel the various parts of the plant by touching them gently. One gets energized by touching them gently. They also like the compassionate touch. It is like greeting them and appreciating them for the services they render. One can see that the plants which are touched and some good words are spoken appreciating them, they grow well. These plants also look very happy.

6 Hugging the plants: Hugging the plants, especially which are older than us gives lots of energy. One becomes cool, with least hypertension. The trees seem to take one’s problems and give back the unlimited love. In a world where hugging is a rare thing with other beings, at least plants are there to give a hug.

Nature and Spirituality

Nature is the existence of matter and energy in harmony. Forms and the characteristics existing in nature is variable in time and space. There is a symbiotic relationship between the biotic and abiotic. From nothing, there is everything and everything from nothing. Questions to ask are unknown, nor there are complete answers to every question. There is diversity and oneness in everything. Spirituality is also similar to nature as described above. Therefore a naturalist inspires towards spirituality.

Geo Spirit meets are a way to connect people to nature. A persons soul is connected to the whole universe. The soul is more connected to the immediate environment. People are happy in good natural surroundings. In the present way of a living people are rarely get connected and understand this intricate and essential relationship. The environment also influences the decision-making process in one’s life. Space is always filled with forms of energies.

By breathing one gets connected to the earth. The air has oxygen and other gases, which is the sum product of existence of biotic and abiotic aspects in a symbiotic relationship. Every cell in human body is conscious of the whole, whereas body as a whole may not be as conscious as the cells or parts of the body are. The state of being in conscious state is a form of enlightenment. The human mind thought process is the hinderance to enlightenment. The plants without mind as a whole more enlightened than the humans. Similarly, the crystals from micro to macro are more enlightened.

Beginning of Geo Spirit meets

I started organizing Geo Spirit meets and lectures from 2010 onwards. These meets are for encouraging earth leadership and environment. These Geo Spirit meets always energize my commitment to the cause of the earth. In the process evolved, Mother Tree, Geo Spirit Centre, Geo Spirit Communes. Conducted such meets in diverse geographies for children, youth, men and women from all walks of life.

The individual consciousness of being and the consciousness of one for all leads to the collective consciousness of harmony on this earth. Each conscious person is a leader of the earth. Each has the ability of change the earth.

After starting the organization Geoecology Energy Organisation (GEO) in 2007, it was the time for intensive work with communities. I started moving to different places too. The task is huge to bring happiness on this earth. My deep thoughts are on how to inspire more people committing to the common goals. The Non-government organisations and the first and second generation of the people, who came with commitment are becoming rare to see. The spiritual people attached to the God Men or Gurus are immersed in their activities as a close network. On the whole, it has become rare to see the committed people for a greater cause. We have enterprises and business models which are highly centralized and working for their goals of profit and amassing wealth. The number of countries are already high, and some more countries are being born. It gives freedom but also divides people in the name of nationalism. The nationalism is as reflection is as seen in the olympic games. Defeating the person of other nation and winning medals is the pride of a nation. Similarly, people exploit people and resources of other countries to amass wealth and try to make some people happy. Considering the earth as one living thing is more important than looking it in parts. The GEO SPIRIT is all about having that consciousness of oneness of the earth. The people from all kinds of disciplines and professions is an earth leader with the Geo Spirit Consciousness. The well being and harmony of the whole would make people happy. The unstable situation in the middle east is a concern for peace in America. So fragile and sensitive is the whole world. The interconnectedness is very high. Watching the global news or local news no one is happy. We all are emotionally connected to the earth. The earth is suffering, somewhere as its biotic and abiotic aspects are being exploited and causing imbalances. We all are connected to the same earth, it’s suffering somewhere transcends to the people through that connectedness. Every living thing is suffering on this plant is the suffering of each and everyone. With the development peoples suffering is increasing. People always love the past, which was more pleasant, emotional and connected. The future of everyone is isolation although living among millions. Human beings are the only species so well connected but living in isolation. The isolation is increasing with every passing year. The future is always hopeless and bleak.

My concerns and understanding lead me to deeply contemplate and brood over years on How to reverse the destruction of the earth. At the GEO Research center, I have declared a big neem tree as mother tree and conserved the biodiversity. When I counted the variety of species there were around 200 nos. By giving a scope to the nature to emerge, through protection and by doing almost nothing this much biodiversity is exisiting in a small place of half an acre. This mother tree became a place for me to contemplate and the concept of Geo Spirit evolved.

It happened that, I was giving lectures on Traditional Green Buildings at Contractor Development Society at the National Academy of Construction, Gachibowli. In one of the lecture, Mr. B. Pradeep Reddy and Mr. A. Bhargava attended it. They were inspired by my lecture and have recommended me to their principal to conduct Environmental Management module for Masters in Business Administration in their college, Engineering Staff College of India. I accepted to take the classes for the first year MBA students, they are their juniors. Within no time the seniors and juniors became very close to me. They were interested to listen to my lectures. One day while standing in the lobby of the college, I proposed to the seniors about the Geo Spirit Meet, that I planned to conduct for about three days. They immediately accepted to attend. This is how my Geo Spirit meets have started.

Initially, I thought three days intensive programme would be enough to sensitize the participants. I was not sure how to engage and the activities. I have also invited two people Dr. G. Chandra Shekar Reddy and Dr. Surya Prakash to take two sessions. The Geo Spirit meet was organized under the Mother tree at the GEO Research Center, the place which motivated me to conduct such meets. I could altogether conduct for two days complete. For night stay took them to Champak Hills and there conducted the camp fire, everyone enjoyed it. Next day facilitated the experiencing the nature activities with them. Mr. Raghava Rao of Champak hills took a session. I continued to discuss with them all the time, without very little intervals. I wanted it to be very engaging rather giving me free time to do other things. The second day evening after the respective self-declarations by the participants completed the first Geo Spirit meet.

Later the sessions were planned as per the situation. Lasting from one hour to 1 day. The overnight Geo Spirit meets in the wilderness were of great success.

Geo Spirit Center

The author has developed the concept of “Geo Spirit Centers” — the nuclei of life and the space for consciousness. This is to encourage conservation and facilitation for the continuity of local biodiversity, especially soil microbes. It would inculcate the expansion of the consciousness of the one’s mind in being there.

They are the “sacred spaces,” as declared by the communities. Such a sacred place includes specifically identified ‘ancient’ forests and other “natural landscapes” which are declared as the Geo Spirit Center. They are intended to be preserved, not only for the “mental health” of the people, but also (literally) to protect and preserve the Soil diversity and health — and, thus create a “legacy” that ensures both Food and Bodily health — the ‘body’ of the Earth itself — is held sacred.

Geo Spirit is defined as the spirit of the earth. These sacred spaces can be declared as Geo Spirit Centers, where people care for and come to respect “Mother Earth.” In the literal sense that the word “Earth” is also a synonym for the SOIL — which means that literally, they are places to protect, respect and care for “Mother Earth,” which literally could mean respect and care for the “Mother Soil.” It is true that the soil is really our “Mother” ~ for without healthy soils, NO LIFE (on land) would exist. The earth is a single living thing, which represents oneness and diversity.

And once we have created these “Mother Soil” sanctuaries — the “Spirit Centers” where soil (microbial) biodiversity is encouraged and left to flourish… we may then get an opportunity to use tools like biochar compost that has been inoculated by the “Mother Soils”, to help restore our badly degraded lands.

In this case, heat sterilized biochar could be considered the “carrier” of soil biodiversity, allowing the abundant microbes from the ‘Mother soil’ transferred as intact as is possible, from the point of origin [the ‘Sacred Spaces’], and be placed onto degraded lands, to act as the seed that can then re-populate these essential microbial communities back in the degraded landscapes. At a time when microbial biodiversity is suffering great losses and affecting soil health, these centers could serve as storehouses for microbes, which could be inoculated into the local soils by farmers using biochar.

When one spends time at the Geo Spirit Center, the interconnected and harmonious space will create a resonance leading to the superconsciousness of the mind, where oneness of micro to cosmos is realized in the being.

Earth Leaders Commune

There are many people who are working for the cause of the earth. These earth leaders have contributed relentlessly over years. They have chosen this path of service with commitment. Sometimes the extended services of these people also contributed to the efforts of Governments, Organisations and Institutions. In the recent past the civil society organization’s committed to the grassroots work have come down for various reasons. Although they have vast experience their services are not being utilized. They need to be recognized and organized for the sustainability of the earth. The following things need to be initiated for organization of the scattered earth leaders for a collective effort for making everyone an earth leader.

1 Recognize them as “The Earth Leaders”.

2 Organize them into communes with the earth centers

3 The earth centers would be the common places for capacity building and demonstration of eco-friendly technologies.

4 Through capacity building young people inspire for earth leadership.

5 Communes constitute the habitations with minimum facilities for living. The common kitchen, library and living places would serve them.

6 Facilitate the opportunities, to serve in the areas of their interest.

7 Facilitate basic needs such as insurance for health and life, savings, children’s education, etc.

Note: The members should be chosen based on the nomination and a set of rules.

Science, Religion and Spirituality

I have gone through this paper discourse on science, religion and development some aims and challenges… so there are two levels that we are addressing one thing is the scientific knowledge how it is applied in different ways whether it is applied for one’s own individual gains or for the common good this is one thing second thing is each individual how much aware he is on these applications which is related to the spirituality of an individual and at the same time looking at the society as a whole where the religion plays an important role in directing or leading the group or the social community for achieving the good things in society for all. Therefore I think we can start discussing on the role of individual, what is the role of an individual in influencing the society through his actions or through his work, or through the application of science and technology. How best can he contribute towards the common good of this society?

I think one of the issues we can discuss is on the spirituality of an individual, so the degree of spiritualism within an individual. It is not basically taught as part of subjects in childhood or it is not part of our jobs either but this is somewhat left to each individual to gather that knowledge or that understanding and there is not a means to standardize the spirituality of an individual, whereas science is definitely known, understood, principles, methods, proofs, so it’s application, results everything is seen. So this kind of intangible thing with the tangible thing how do we relate these two things. So there comes our difficulty in explaining each individual at community level or at different levels in making them understand the spiritualism or spirituality. So our efforts are in this regard definitely but the means to achieve that kind of level of understanding at each individual level are the challenges.

Apart from science I think it is also said in this paper about diversity. Diversity is as one thing as in a human body all cells which are different — different in their function, different in their own existence but they all work together to create a single human body so in the society also we deal with different types of challenges, people, developmental aspects all these diversities are there but at different levels and our application of science and technologies are also different say for a potter to make a pot is technology and a pot different but the spiritual element is the perfection that he would put into creating a beautiful pot. He will be literally meditating to create that particular pot. So we may not always say that spirituality means reading some scriptures or reading a kind of literature or understanding different religions but this is also something which we could call meditation or the dedication. If you are dedicated then the results would automatically come. So mere application of science and technology is not the result but trying to go towards perfection by using our diverse skills, diversity of materials and the knowledge’s that are existing and the innovations etc.

Yes I agree with one in this regard. The sustainability if you want to define it in terms of spirituality… in materialistic things it is the continuity of the product or the act say agriculture — so we continue to do the agriculture. But in the sense of spirituality, it is not that somebody would acquire spirituality to the top most level in a particular given time, it is not so even spiritual sustainability should exist to continue the materialistic sustainability. So both these things together — to say spirituality it can be called as a kind of persuasion (you can correct me) — a continuous effort that should go into every aspect that we will do. So that way the spiritual sustainability of an individual would definitely help in the materialistic sustainability also.

One more thing is the human heart and the environment. This is a critical thing if we see it in the context of environmental changes, global warming and climate change etc. The environment influences the human being and anything that happens in the environmental has definite impact on each individual and the community and also the overall ecosystem. How do we cope with these kinds of situations when there are so many negative things happening in the environment, do they really cause in our heart, in our actions, also certain negative energies influences. Therefore we need to think how we adapt to these changing environmental conditions without loosing our heart and as these environmental changes are not just related to the livelihood of humans but also to the existence of all life on this earth. Therefore with a positive thinking, spirituality and work towards improving the environmental conditions would also help the whole environment thereby we will have the positive energy.

Yes I agree with 1 and 2 in this regard but the thing is that that human needs and aspirations seem to be unlimited for a person who is not spiritual. All the materialistic things except food, water and air none of the assets, none of the things that he possess does not enters into his body. It is only spiritual satisfaction or his mental satisfaction that I have this much of assets, or this many people behind me, or this is my support … so this is a kind of a state of human being which tries to satisfy human needs which in fact are mostly his greed. So this is what is driving some of the humans they run for materialistic which in reality is only a matter which is never a part of the inner being of a human. So this realization should exist among all humans therefore once they start realizing these basic things then I hope the whole world and all the humanity will be more concerned and will be working for the common good.

I think now we need to discuss more about the application of the spirituality and the science and technology in the field level programs that we are doing. How do we bring the quality of results in the activities that we are into? So I think we can start with certain examples about how we are going about and what are the components that we would like to add on to the existing activities so that it would improve the over all quality of the program. So in our climate change program that is Vulnerability and Adaptability of Climate Change in the semi arid areas of India. It is basically we are trying to build the adaptability of the communities — adaptability has both, science and technology as well as strengthening the spirituality of the community because this vulnerability is a thing which is very critical for the communities to overcome and how do they cope especially during drought and other climate extremes -heat waves and including incessant floods which damage their natural resources, crops or their assets or their existing infrastructures etc. So I think some of our colleagues here who are also involved in the V& A program could also reflect on some of the activities that we are doing but how we are building the spirituality strengthening the communities or empowering them along with the introduction of technologies. Actually in this program what we have focused is more on the capacity building of the communities. This program is different from existing programs of AFPRO in away because we are trying to build the capacities through exposure, training, sensitization, awareness, networking, institution building and also through hands on experience in implementing certain pilot projects and programs so this way it is not just transfer of technology but also making people better cope with conditions of climate change, global warming and degradation of resources etc.

Yes I agree with one regarding the importance of this governance. The governance at different levels is also the cause of the present situation. The best example is global warming because some policies are right in a country and some policies are right at a level but there is no common policy for the developmental activity that we are doing. So each country or communities are behaving are developing using science and technology in their own ways and means and which is the cause for the present chaos that is all over the world therefore another important factor that comes into picture is the development for materialistic gains. Are we developing or are we using science and technology only for certain materialistic gains? If it is not profitable we might not be interested in that particular activity. And also gaining knowledge in a particular aspect is also more related towards the materialistic gains or financial gains or economic benefits. Therefore, the whole world is going towards certain aspects and not in the sense of true development as a whole that is called the holistic development. Therefore, in this regard there is a strong need to create awareness at all levels including at political and policy level so there is a through understanding of what is development and how do we go about it.

Yes as number 5 said this religion; we have to try to understand the definition of religion. Religion is the behavior of a group of people based on some scriptures or based on some principles or sects or some societies but we can see that there are so many religions all over the world and each religion is having some of the fundamental truths and beliefs which are almost similar there is not much difference as it is said in theosophy — each religion is trying to understand the truth. It is fine but presently the way the religion is molded by each group by each country to their own interest is also sometimes a cause of concern, therefore, within the religion also, how do you go and preach certain things which were not imagined when the religion was formed, especially the population growth and certain cultural practices in using the resources. How to go about this in population control? So there are so many things that are involved. Yes, some of the religions are definitely contributing towards literacy, empowerment, micro finance development, capacity building, training so they are involved in so many even philanthropic activities to. As Gandhi ji said even in politics also the religion should exist, then only it can become strong thing as a movement because only religions can bring the movement which we have seen in the entire world. Similarly in development also we do not take religion in the same sense as a religion. Religion is a common belief of common development a kind of understanding of how to live in the society; it is not Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. It is a universal religion that we are striving for, the universal religion which preaches how to use the resources in a sustainable manner, how do we live with one another, how do we achieve the common good. That is how it should be.

But I think in this regard it is very simple for God every being is same so God is trying to bring a kind of equity issue. He wants to resolve this equity issue in many ways. He had given equal opportunities but socially we have created certain barriers because of our loss, our principles and over a period of history this inequalities we have created. So in development what we are trying to do is exactly trying to create the equity that is between sharing of resources, between reducing the gap of rich and poor, empowering the gender issues, women, access to education for children. So ultimately what we are doing is what God wants in a society to be like. So we are trying to help in those aspects. If it is truly a materialistic world say a private industry they go by profit only, there equity issues are not directly addressed but in development definitely where we are working are the areas where there are gaps, where even the governments is also not able to fill up certain gaps there this civil society organizations have taken a role in addressing those issues which are not taken up by that materialistic world and also we are trying to help the governments in achieving this equitable issues. So this way I think already what we are doing in development programs is closer to the spirituality and closer to the subject that the God likes.

Actually we need to define this development sector. Yes as number 5 says development is not just the people who are working in the rural areas or in the civil society organizations it encompasses the government the most important, the private sector, public sector and the international organizations and the most important is the religious organizations too. As we are means the people who are discussing now are involved in the development of the communities at the grass root level especially in the rural areas, so our discussion is focused mostly on what we can do. So in this regard, we are sharing our concern of how we can go about this spiritualism / spirituality. Yes most of the development workers are the people, who are having very good qualifications, can compete and get twice or thrice the ….that they get but why have they chosen this path. Yes, there is some spirituality in them. Where Gandhi ji should have chosen that path there was spirituality and spiritual development within him too. So definitely this spirituality is helping us to work in this sector and to go and work with the communities and take a diff path and still we require by looking at the ongoing happenings around the world there is chance that the younger generations might get deviated. So this way we have to also build up within the development sector a kind of army who are spiritually well charged and who can contribute for the society in the future too.

Usually the religion and spirituality all these are related mostly with human beings alone, not with the other life that is existing on this earth. Yes, in the same paper we have read that from animal stage we have come to human in the evolutionary process. So the humanness has the spirituality element in to it and over a period of time we have become religious too, but we cannot imagine that this earth is created only for humans so there is other life which may not be spiritual which may not be as capable as human beings but there is equal right for all the beings on this earth. So if we see Buddhism, Jainism and other religions which also focus on environmental sustainability even the first civilizations in India they were worshiping the natural elements, had God’s and even though we are worshipping many such natural living things, so therefore this development should not sacrifice other ecological elements without them. Even the existence of human beings will be big questions.

Bodhi the Buddha

Plants life as an inspiration to acquire qualities to lead a complete and peaceful life.

All the plants have limitations as compared to other life on Earth. But they are the ones which existed and made possible for the existence of animal kingdom on the earth. Therefore, their very existence and continuity to become part of the energy and life systems are commendable. The algae, fungus, lichen are also no less than the plants.

The plant’s consciousness is continuous. Every cell of the plant is present and striving for the whole. The calendar of events in their life is related to the cosmos and the terrestrial environment. Being mobile the animal life need not be more intelligent than the plant life. There is more suffering to the plant kingdom as compared to the animal kingdom of life. The acceptance of a given situation is highest among the plants. The mobile — other life always has comparison, so the satisfaction is a variable factor. Never content with a given situation. Nothing is permanent, and the change is inevitable. This understanding is highest among the plants. The sustainability is not a factor of self-possession, but a factor of continuity of everything. It is not ‘me’, but ‘us’ that is more prominent among the plants. Even the birds and insects living on its branches are part of them. There is a body and extended body. A plant is the living symbol of connectedness of everything from micro to macro and cosmos.

The birds, insects are important as much as the wind which helps to pollinate and being part of its progeny for continuity. With just about 0.003 ppm of CO2 in the air, it is very difficult to breathe. They have no complaints on the percentage of CO2 in the air. Whereas with 21 percent of oxygen, people still breathe heavily and in hospitals, every sick person is given oxygen. The stomata of plants are far more superior than the lungs.

Plants are the mute witness to the happenings around. They being ‘present,’ most of the time enjoy the environment more than any other life on earth.

Everything that comes in contact with plants is happy. Even a burning wood creates happiness and helps one get spiritually get connected. The fire manifests itself as the sun the ultimate source of energy which made the possibility of the existence of a plant through photosynthesis.

The most resistant plants and which have multiple values including medicinal had been worshipped or revered. They consume the mother earth, water, and air and regenerate as fresh or anew. That is a manifestation of new from the old. Consume the compost, soil, CO2 etc., and give, food, wood, fuel, and oxygen. Their colour is green which is soothing and represents love. Their appearance and presence energises everything around. A bird returning to its nest in a tree is always happy, its chicks are also part of the plant. Anything crawling, pinching, boring is not an aversion. Some life evolved to protect the plants too. Such as ants protect some plants from aphids. The fungus has evolved to make the minerals and nutrients to make available to the plants. Also, they are a means of communication (the treads of fungus spread far and wide through an underground network) between the plants in an ecosystem. There are so many life forms which are working to sustain the plants on earth.

Some people tie holy threads to the plants for their wishes to become true. This implies that plants are superior to humans. We are dependent on them, and they can live without humans.

Even Buddha preferred a Bodhi Tree and attained enlightenment. All the teachings of Buddha are already embedded in the life and being of a Bodhi tree or any other plant. The calm and composure of the plants in spite of being cut are necessary. Which is taught and practiced by some of the great souls on earth such as Jesus Christ. Being present and non-reacting to pleasure or pain as a desire is what the Buddha taught, which is seen in the life of every plant. Ashtanga Marga is also practiced by the plants. If they follow every teaching of the Buddha then every plant much be enlightened. The unmanageable mind of a human being is the primary cause of sorrow.

Thinking is not a problem, thinking the same things again and again or thinking waste or useless things makes one deviate from the present. For building the body or for ones physical growth one could do things repetitively, but for the mental growth on should learn or strive to do new things.

The plants work their way steadily, the roots of a plant have the power to break the rocks. The is also umpteen power of the germinating seeds to break the strongest rocks. The rocks are the primary source of material for soil formation. The soil is the source for the plants. The destruction and creation are manifesting in this process as one.

Geo Spirit Retreat

The day before Deepawali or festival of lights that is on Wednesday (18th Oct. ‘17), I planned to come to ‘The Earth Center’ at Anmaspally Village, Kadthal, RR Dist, Telangana, India. This place is adjoining the wilderness of a reserve forest with few wild animals and great biodiversity. My wife and two sons have come along with me to leave me here, and they returned back the next day. I am grateful for their support and was very happy.

For me Geo Spirit Retreat is a form of freedom and experience the consciousness of everything. This being is a form of meditation. Observing the environment in every detail and experiencing nature. Consciousness without attachment, subconscious thinking on common aspects and consciousness of only breathing are the three-forms of meditation that I practice.

In the afternoon reached the Hillock at the Hanuman Temple. Walked up to the Buddha statue and spent sometime thinking about him.

This time of the year, I have been experiencing nature at its best. From Deepawali the winter cold just begins and the rainy season ends. As it has rained well in this season, there is greenery all around.

I explored the jungle and meditated for some time on the rocks. It was so peaceful.

To see the beautiful sunset went to the hillock next to the earth center. Was lying on the rocks seeing the sunset and the two Pyramids about two kilometers away. It was one of the most peaceful evenings with the sounds of the birds in the background and domestic animals returning to their shelters.

While climbing down to return, saw two “Ralla Kollu” of Chicken of the rocks. These were dark in color matching the background of the rocks color. They were walking instead of flying. It was a pair, probably roost everyday night on the safe hillock. They moved into the bushes and just flew to reach the higher branches.

At the time of dusk returned to the mango tree where my kids have pitched the tent. Removed it and placed it on the flat rock next to the Amla tree (Indian Gooseberry tree). It is on an elevated place and was convenient to stay.

As it was the new moon night, it was dark. Lighted the oil lamps made up of clay. Placed them next to the Amla tree and prayed. The Karthika Masam is just beginning in the same evening and praying Amla tree and sleeping underneath was considered auspicious. The tree had lots of Amla fruits and with good density of leaves. It was very clean underneath. I felt the air too very fresh and there were not many insects underneath to bother. This tree became one of my favorite places during my retreat, especially for sitting underneath the shade and writing. I could focus well and write.

Few lamps, I placed around the tent too. Mr. Shankar from the village has come. He said that he would stay with me all the nights that I would spend here. Although he is from the village and rarely slept in the open.

We had dinner and lit the campfire. Today is Deepawali (the festival of lights) and the most peaceful night as there no crackers being busted here. Shankar bought with him a very thick blanket and I slept in it near the tent. The tent had two layers, and with zips to close the openings, it was very secure even from insects. The temperature inside was very warm. It was a warm night and by 9:30 pm we both slept. I had a very deep sleep.

Srinu a farmer was staying on the Manche (a hut on stilts), especially during the nights. The wild pigs were entering into the fields during the nights and eating away the corn. He had a powerful LED torch light. When the pigs enter they make the noise while eating. He will ward them off by shouting aloud. So in the night after midnight, I woke up once listening to the sounds.

The next day morning, I woke up early and brushed my teeth using the Neem tree stick. There are some cows and buffalos kept by the farmers nearby. Got some fresh milk from them and made tea. As the milk was fresh and pure without adulteration, the tea prepared was very good.

I left for meditation in the rocks for about two hours in the jungle, i.e., till, 9:00 am.

Observed the plants, birds, flowers, rocks, etc.

A spider made its nest on the ground, with droplets of water from fog it was fresh and beautiful.

The dried purple flowers on the rocks.

The dried twigs of small forests appeared like miniature temperate forest.

The dried twigs lying on the rocks

A natural rock garden with grass and small herbs.

The Lantana camara plant is beautiful. There are two varieties here. Its flowers provide nectar to the insects and black color very small fruits in bunches are sweet. The plants have small thorns on the stems. They are the exotic species invading the jungles of India. The animals don’t consume the leaves. Excess presence of these plants degrade the health of the jungles over a period.

They make jungles impenetrable too.

The Thangedu Chettu is a bush plant with golden yellow flowers. It bark was used for tanning the leather. The flowers are especially used in the floral arrangement for Bathukamma — Telangana Floral Festival celebrated by women.

The rocks and plants together are always beautiful. It is an harmonious relationship between abiotic and biotic. These rocks are witness to the evolution of life around. They must be whispering the stories of the life since millions of years to these young plants. The granites in this region are about 2500 million years old.

Went to a secluded place and did meditation by listening to the sounds of nature.

I have selected a place with diversity of species and few stones as a place for Geo Spirit. The excess stones and few weeds need to be removed to make it convenient for sitting. This place is for praying nature and meditation.

My curiosity was highest as a child. I saw some miniature flowers which are part of the bloom, that happens after the rains.

The wilderness with natural biota

The bell shaped white flowers

The soil formation, algae and few small plants establishing the basic sequence.

The lizard is well camouflages with the background of the granite. It might have taken many years for this evolutionary process. The environment or nature is older than life and so life adopts to fit into the niche for survival.

Another variety of lizard is found which is yellow in color and looked different.

The pattern made by the algae on the rocks is a beautiful pattern depicting the universe at a micro-scale.

Some rocks appeared like the naughty boys hiding in the bushes.

My shadow although virtual, always gave me company and I never felt isolated in my life.

The Cattle and Egrets have a great relationship. The insects bothering the cattle are eaten by them and also the insects which come out of the grass due to the disturbance of the cattle while grazing are eaten. They sometimes take a free ride on the cattle too. Friendship and symbiotic relationship between two species is great to observe.

As I studied Geology it is easy to understand how the granite tors form over millions of years. They are the sculptures of nature created by the elements of environment. Still many stones seem to defy gravity and balance. A balanced person in life is dignified and appreciated.

The bonsai ficus plants surviving in the cracks of rocks are great. They adopted a minimalist approach, living is more important than comparing with others. Make the best use of every little resource and they look majestic. The size does not belittle but highlighted it. It also increases the value of the rock, and a feather in its cap.

Mini-flowers are the flowers of very small plants. They bloom after the grains. The create the beautiful gardens for the insects in the soil. For human beings considering their size, however beautiful they might be they could be insignificant. When ever I saw them, they always inspired me by their form and beauty.

This is a small insect which traps the ants by creating a funnel of fine sand.

The Amla is a useful food and medicine in Ayurveda. It is always clean. After eating it if one drinks water, the water tastes sweet. Fortunate to like under this plant.

There are many peacocks in the area. One day underneath the Amla tree, I found a peacocks feather. How come even after the feather detached from its the tail of a peacock still creating and make one remember and love the source peacock. Love and admiration is beyond life. Some symbols and parts have the potential to spread the umpteen light infinitely.

Returned back to the camping site. I have planned a Tiny tree house. In this regard, started working on the logistics. Left to Kadthal with Mr. Shankar and inquired about the materials. Returned back to the earth center. Designed the plan for the treehouse at a big mango tree. This place, I liked as it is cool all the time and had a good view of the Jungle.

In the evening again went on to explore the wilderness in the jungle and returned back by 6:00 pm. Met few people, cooked the dinner and we all ate.

There came a dog, it was so weak and recently it gave birth to puppies. Shankar became very emotional and said we should give it food. As in the jungle there is not much full and it is already week. It also need to give milk to the puppies. Given it some food, it ate voraciously. With campfire discussed for sometime before going to bed.

In the night saw a jungle cat called Janga villi.

In the morning woke-up with lots of fog. It was a chilly night. I was comfortable in the tent and did not know the chillness. Had a cup of tea with fresh milk given by Anjaiah. Started planning about the hut to be constructed. First I designed the tiny house next to the rocks. As there were many bushes and rocks strewn around, it could be a home for several creatures and not safe at night. Next, I planned close to the Amla tree where a flat stone is there, where I am camping now. As it is on an elevated place, it was safer. But during the daytime, as the Amla tree is small in size and doesn’t provide enough shade, and from the hot rocks the heat will be very high. During the summers too the rock radiates heat till late night. So this plan was also abandoned.

I wanted to the Tiny Tree House with minimum materials and to meet the basic needs only. Living in nature is the greatest gift. I needed a small place for one or two people to sleep during the night. A place for cooking. Also space for group discussions and sitting under and on the tree. Although a Mancha with a small hut costs very less, I don’t want to use the trees cut and used.

Earth is our only ultimate home. An house is only a small space in time meeting the requirements of a habitat partially.

Finally, I went to see the Mango Trees. There was this mango tree which yields very few mangos, but it is tall and sturdy. The leaves were very good, it had good foliage. Beneath the tree due to the shade, there was less grass and, it was clean. I made marking using the compass on my mobile phone, tent pegs, and thread. Planned the 12 feet x 8 feet structure. With a hut of 8 feet by 5 feet hut on the top and a height of 4.5 feet. This whole structure I.planned on the granite stone pillars so that the termites won’t eat away the wooden structure.

As it was the busy time people harvesting grains, nobody turned up for the work. Until afternoon, I waited. In the afternoon asked Shankar to take me to Thatikuntal Maisamma Temple in the forest. It was about 10 km away from Anmaspally village. Shankar asked Shekar his cousin to accompany. We three left by a motorcycle at around 3:00 pm.

It was a dirt road and was slushy at few places with small streams flowing. Or it also means we were using the stream bed as the road.

As we reached inside could see the Teak Plants. The biodiversity was healthy although the trees were not so tall. Encountered some small waterfalls and pools of water. There was also alkaline soils, and the place was slippery.

There was a beautiful place next to a small waterfall with a pool, ideal for meditation. I sat there for some time listening to the waterfall and sounds of birds. I felt like staying there only. As it was getting late, we started again.

The stream continued with cascading waterfalls all along the route parallel.

About a kilometer away from the temple, we kept the vehicle underneath a Tamarind Tree. Now we need to transect the rough path with so many sones and streams. I started asking Shekar the names of the plants and its uses. Every plant was useful and related to the local people, and nothing was a waste.

A wild lemon plant, the lemon. Its leaves had very strong smell.

Wild paddy seen in the wetland area near the shore of the tank.

Soon reached the foreshore of the tank. As it rained heavily, the water in the tank was full, the path to the temple was closed.

The path became very difficult as we approached the tank. We slowly navigated our path from the rough jungle on the banks.

Finally reached the bund where the Thatikunta Maisamma Temple was located.

There was another makeshift temple too.

In spite of the difficulties in reaching, people still come here with great reverence. An old man was staying in one of the makeshift sheds. Took a coconut from him and went to temple for prayer.

A huge very old tamarind tree on the tank bund.

There were some cattle, left in the jungle by the villagers. As there are no major predators, they are safe here. They don’t go home and continue to stay here. Occasionally the respective owners take them home. Having eaten good grass they have grown well.

Saw a nest with two chicks. The chicks were very small. They can’t lay the nest on a high branch to prevent predation from kites and other big birds nor they can’t lay at a low level.

The sun was setting, and it was a beautiful evening. We gain started our return journey. Reached the earth center, had dinner with Shankar. With campfire next to us discussed for sometime before going to bed.

On the way saw the land taken from people for the Pharma City. Considering the pollution caused by the pharmaceutical industries in and around Hyderabad, these are some of the highly polluting industries. My PhD was on the industrial pollution including the Phamaceutical industries, which I have see and studied. Hope this beautiful area does not become another hell in the name of development.

The day before I told some of the people to come for the construction of the Tiny Tree House. I was waiting, at around 10 am they have come. Mr. Giri also came from Hyderabad. There were eight people. For me, it took lots of time explaining to them how the structure should be. Brought the sticks and the granite stone pillars.

Groundbreaking for the Tiny Tree House. As I believe in Aspect and the elements of nature. Used the compass for orienting the house. The whole structure is facing East.

As per the planned layout, started building the structure. I wanted it to be eco-friendly and low cost, simple structure to meet the basic needs, such as space for sleeping for about 2 people, sitting place and place for cooking.

Also cleaned the sacred grove, which I have declared. This is a small place with plants such as Neem, Rela, Custard apple, Jeedi plant and few others. Nice cozy place with small rocks and comfortable to sit. This was opposite of the place where I am constructing the Tiny Tree House.

Till 3:00 pm very little work was done. After lunch, having see the beautiful structure shaping up started working intensively. By 8:00 pm except for the roof cover and floor almost all the structure was constructed.

We all had tea on the rocks and requested some of them to come tomorrow.

Today morning Shankar wanted to go to Hyderabad on a personal work. The Mestri (Mason) came in the morning to the center. We left to Kadthal to bring some materials for the construction of the Tiny Tree House. Till afternoon almost nothing happened. Returned to the Earth Center and saw three more people waiting for work. The two carpenters also arrived to lay the roof of the hut. As the hut is underneath the tree, I don’t want to spend much on the roof material So brought the plastic sheets used for covering gates as roof. Everyone started working. Also brought lunch for them. We had lunch together.

The work is going on very slowly. But people are showing interest and with enthusiasm they worked. For them, this is a new design and never tried.

Till 6:00 pm the roof laying work happened. Suddenly it started raining with thunderstorms. We all gathered inside and the new structure. We saw that, there were no leakages, good the testing also happened simultaneously. I was very happy sitting inside the structure.

In the night, I was thinking deeply about the Tiny Tree House and the improvements.

I requested Shankar to get one procliner machine in the morning . While I was waiting, I got a call that one person who agreed to do the job. Immediately with two workers, I left to the center. There was not much work without the machine, and four people were waiting there. At the Geo sacred groove, I asked them to clear the stones. This place is dedicated for nature. It has diverse species of plants, and I wanted to install the idol of Lord Shiva. In the presence of idols, people with reverence will not misuse a place and also will not cut plants. The fear of God also helps to conserve nature.

While waiting for the procliner machine, I spent some time with Gaddem Ramulu — The Shepherd. He is having about 50 goats which he takes to the forest area everyday. He had been doing since more than 50 years. He knows every rock and climbs well. He had his own language of communication and names for his goats. The goats consider him as their leader and follow and listen to him. He knows every species of plant. He sings songs and dances, he is in bliss always. I also learnt from him about the types of species in the jungle.

The procliner machine arrived at 2:30 pm. Moram is a good soil formed from the weathering of granite rocks. This soils withstand the erosion and has compactness. With lots of quartz and feldspar grains, it is very good for walking and often used for earth roads. I wanted the access to the Tiny Tree House convenient. So made a heap with Moram soil. It had a slope for the convenience of walking and reaching the Tiny Tree House.

Also moved the boulders with the same machine to create sitting places around the tree and other places. The work continued for about 3 hours. Bought some raw sand, found in an intermittent stream accumulated during the recent rains. Used it for construction of a sitting place beneath the Tiny Tree House. In the future wanted to create a small room beneath the Tiny Tree House for storage of things.

In the evening Dr. Indrasena Reddy an environmental scientist arrived he wanted to spend some time with me at the center. We went to the village and discussed with the Pundit of the Hanuman Temple to come and do pooja for the structure. The fire from lamps, smoke from incense sticks, sprinkled kumkum and haldi makes a place hygienic and sanctifies. Brought the Pundit to perform the Pooja. To our surprise, the lamp lit during the Pooja kept before the Tiny house lasted till next day although it was in the open.

We had a campfire after dinner and were discussing till late night on the environmental challenges, especially the impacts of The Pharma City, which is planned by the government sooner nearby.

After late night discussions, I slept in the Tiny Tree House, Gave the camping tent to Dr. Indrasena Reddy. Surprisingly no insects were present in the house and I had a very good sleep.

Next day morning, Myself and Dr. Indrasena went for a walk in the jungle. We observed the nature while brushing the teeth with neem sticks.

Cleaned the whole place again, removed the strewn stones around. Made few sitting places with the available rocks. Till lunch time we spent time at The Earth Center and left. Reached Hyderabad in the evening.

The Tiny Houses enables one to live in the environment with minimum space. To reduce the ecological footprint, using the local materials is essential. These housed enables one to live close to nature.

Work

One cannot work for oneself. For accomplishing a task a group of people coming together with strengths and diversity makes a team.

For the people who work with me, I give them an dairy on the first day. Request them to note the results and achievements that they have caused at the end of a day. Sometimes they write the process. For me process was less important as compared to achieving the results.

Everyone is valuable. One can create value only through good work which causes results. Everyday is worth and valuable. The number of days one lives, everyday is valuable. Create value in ones life. A valuable person can only create value for the organization. That is the reason, I wanted them to introspect and as self-evaluation write down the dairy. Rarely I see their dairies.

I had different approaches to interview the candidates. Attitude of the people is important than the qualifications. To test the attitude, once I gave the task of cooking to a person attending the interview. As the job was for facilitation of good stoves and also testing them. The way he prepared with all humbleness and served the cooked food, he was selected for the job.

In a team one should not force individual opinions on others. The collaboration, cooperation, patience and sharing is required in a team. The team spirit is taking the responsibility as a team and not to blame the individuals. Once it happened that one of my team mates while making the final presentation was questioning me. One of the participants asked her why asking now, as a team member could have discussed within the group before final presentation. She was part of the four members team and did not participate as a team member.

One of my team members said that he wanted to leave the job and would like to try for a position in the government. Considering his priority I said that, consider this is your organisation, go and attend the interview. If you get the job, well and good. If not consider this as your own organisation, come and join back. He left and tried, but could not qualify. After returning his attitude has changed. He was not much focussed on the work. Thought that I cannot do away without his presence. It is like someone said bye and but not leaving, the host feels discomfort. I was in that situation. After few months another team members was leaving the organisation for higher education. The same person without much reason, also wanted to leave at the same time. This time I said yes please and did not offer him to come back, if he failed to find a job of his choice. I felt the freedom by saying so. Within few days, I could find a more committed team to work. When one is seeking freedom, give complete freedom. Never tag with something to return back. An earmarked goat can never gain complete freedom in life.

My principal to achieve results in a given situation was simple, I follow the principle of “Nail in the Wall”. To cause a result start hitting a nail in the wall. If it happens it is fine, you are successful. Sometimes the wall is hard or nail is weak, one is unable to hit it into the wall. The nail might bend or one might get hurt in the process or bleed or the wall is getting damaged. In this situation we will try to straighten the nail and try for some more time to cause the result. If it is done fine or else one would change the position and hit the nail near by or change the nail to a different size and strength. If still one is not successful than change the decision that is use a different technology to achieve the result or give the decision of altogether trying to hit the nail in the wall.

Hitting a nail in the wall is an action for causing a result. In every situation one comes across this kind of a challenge thatis “Change or Change”. The first change is that the life is about bringing a Change for good by all means. Still if one is not able to cause any change (results) in spite of all efforts, ones decision on that action should Change, this is the second change.

That is one of the reason why some people try to change their jobs. Some of them having no motivation for any change, just enjoy the monitory and physical benefits and continue to remain as waste.

Innovation and learning inspires people in their work. Redundancy creeps in where there is routine. Every organization and people much evolve with time and adapt to change. As leaders striving for change is a continuous processes. One cannot stick to the traditions as the demands and possibilities change in time. Change is for present and future.

Freedom to do what one aspires is the highest value to an individual. Freedom with responsibility in ones actions is as one lives in an environment. The environments impacted by every action are: social, physical, natural and spiritual.

A leader is the one who inspires the team and makes them work. Who knows everything or at least something of everything can be a good team leader. The learning curve of a leader should be sharp. A leadership must adopt to changes and be able to take risk. A leader should be the first one to take responsibility for failures. Mannerism and character are the two basic traits of a great leader.

Happiness

The agriculture is done using chemicals for pesticides and fertilizers. Grafting is like replacing the head of a person with another young brain-dead person. The High Yielding Varieties developed like having only most intelligent children in a class and everyone gets maximum marks. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) created are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering.

The life existing on the earth is a natural evolution, which is being modified for the greed of humans. A weak animal is a source of food for a carnivorous animal, if there are no weak animals how a carnivorous would survive. The existence of weak and strong is the nature of life.

There is a suffering of life due to human-induced drastic changes. The plants are tortured to yield. There is a suffering of plants right from germination to its death. With so much suffering the final product is with the memory of pain. The chicken yield eggs with so much suffering in the cages in the poultry farm. The heavy bodied animals overfed in cages for non-veg products lead a life of suffering. The animals are given drugs, antibiotics and growth hormones. The veg and non-veg products through suffering they grow and are all polluted. People are drinking polluted water and are also breathing polluted air. They live in places where the indoor pollution is very high. See so much bad and hear bad things. The noise too much.

By consuming the products of suffering and living in a polluted environment, no person could be leading a healthy life and be happy. The human mind and sole is also suffering by all means.

Consciousness

The consciousness is achieved through a combination of means such as awareness, being, sensitivity, knowledge, learn, experience, understand and wisdom. For an individual, the logic and reasoning is the highest form of practice to be conscious. Belief and faith are the mean ways to be conscious. Religion is a source and a platform to launch one towards the conscious stage. It depends on the intensity of a person to be more conscious. The highest form of consciousness is superconsciousness.

From birth to death everyone is aware but less conscious. The body never rests, every part in the body is conscious and continuously working, unless the body is dead. Awareness works at the mind level and consciousness works at the soul level.

The universe is the manifestation of superconsciousness. Within this domain there is nothing good or bad. Extinction of a species and evolution of another species is the norm. Creation and destruction are part of the cycle. Men and women exist in the same body, i.e., two opposites culminate into one. That is the flow of energy which is nothing but consciousness.

Consciousness of human beings is a continuous effort. It is being. Being conscious and strive towards super consciousness is the ultimate path for great leaders.

I

I the subtlest of universe

There is neither you nor I

Who am I is everything

Everything is harmony

I responsible for everything

I the cause and effect

I the origin and infinity

Infinity is change

Change is inevitable

I the change

Change is the law of nature

Nature is my nature

Love is everything

Everything loves you

You are the love

Love is existence

Existence is continuity

Continuity is real

Real is present

Present is the next moment

Moments is I

I change

Change is growth

Growth is expansion

Expansion is life

Life is soul

Soul is consciousness

Consciousness is universe

Universe is I

When they return from school, if I am at home, a hug and a kiss from them makes me happy, and I will be stress-free too. I still cherish the memories of giving bath to my two kids when they were very young.

Once I took my elder son for a Geo Spirit meet on the rocks in a Jungle when he was 11 years old. He stayed late listening to the discussions and slept on the bare bedrock next to the campfire. Next day morning he asked me when will be the next such meet so that he could accompany me again.

The GEO Research Center was started at Pedda Maduru village, this place is in the fields and away from the village. There were all types of snakes, including the poisonous. The insects were innumerable. There was only one room constructed initially, at then and it was still wet. I went out to get some drinking water, by the time I reached the two kids were fast asleep. They were 10 and 8 years old. One of my colleagues was still searching for a safe place to sleep as he is afraid of snakes. I took them to a stream, and it was flowing after a long time. Some children of the village were having bath and lots of fun. My kids were also interested, I said what are you looking at just get into the water and have fun. They had a puppy too with them. Three of them had fun. There is no childhood if a child does not experience freedom. They always loved to play with dogs, cats, and turtle. Enjoyed the ornamental fish in the aquariums. Loved climbing trees and cycling. Football was their favorite game. Roller skating is another sport they like to do. My younger son wants a small story from me before he goes to bed. Younger one loves art, cooking, and piano. Elder one loves the signing, playing the guitar and watching animation videos.

When they were 11 and 9 years old, I planned a Dothi Ceremony for children. On this day the traditional single piece of cloth and Kurtha children wear as adults do. This is to celebrate their transition from childhood to adulthood phase. From that day they are not kids anymore. It was also an emotional moment because their dependence on parents starts diminishing slowly and they become friends to parents. This ceremony was organized in the temple premises. I have made prints of their pictures — a collection of memories from their since their birth and displayed them everywhere. It was one of the memorable days in my life to cherish their being with me. To the guests as gifts gave Rose plants, Medicinal plants, a bowl with ornamental fishes. I have printed the poems written by my elder son as a book and shared with the guests too. In marriage, the children are the beautiful creations. They inspire and motivate parents. The struggle for existence expands. The selfless serving of one’s children is the expression of love.

I stayed in Ramanthapur since childhood; we lived for about eight years in one house when I was very young. It was behind the Satyanarayana Swamy Temple.

This house had a compound and with a wooden wicket gate. There was a row of three rooms at the far end with Mangalore tiles for the roof. They are prepared from hard laterite clay and provide insulation from the scorching sun and excellent ventilation. Next to the gate in the northeast corner, there was an open well. In front of the house, there were lots of plants. In those days, toilets were always farthest from the living space. Nowadays they are attached to the living/bedrooms. As per the Vastu, east facing houses were considered good. Vasthu is a traditional science of space and energy. Therefore all the houses in this row were east facing. It was convenient to see the neighbors and have a conversation across the compound wall.

Third house from our house there lived a family. We called it the house of Doctoramma (Doctor+Mother). A spiritual lady, her husband was a medical doctor. So she has got the prefix Doctor. They had two sons and two daughters. Her children were very disciplined. Son’s heads were always found shaved. She was strict and does not want her sons to see any girls and also not get attracted to them. She does yoga regularly. Doctoramma was very compassionate for others too. She regularly read Bhagavad Gita and also preached it. My mother became a kind of follower. In her influence, my mother and elder sister both turned vegetarians. So my younger sister and I also turned to vegetarian food. There was a tin bath tub in their house. If some one got the fever, she used to let them lay in the bath tub with cold water up to the neck. Once my mother had a very high fever, and she was also treated similarly.

My mother recollects that, when I was around five years old, one day I was sitting on the parapet of the open well with legs hanging inside. It was the rainy season the water-table was very high. This is due to the seepage of water from the nearby water tank called Chinna Cheruvu; then it was also up to the full tank level. My mother’s friend Mrs. Saroja saw me sitting on the wall of the well. She approached my mom and told her my precarious position. Therefore asked my mom to pull me from behind. While approaching, also asked her not to shout, or else due to fear I might jump into the well. My mother walked gingerly from behind and pulled me backward by holding my shirt. She says my life was saved. Otherwise, I would have fallen in the well.

Another day, while I was studying in a school. I did not return home in time. My mother searched every house and asked every passerby while searching many places. Finally, she found my cloths on the bank of the water tank. I was then trying to swim with friends in the shallow waters of water tank. She took a very thin stick in her hand and called me to come out of the water. Once I was out of the water tank, she started beating me all the way home about 100 meters away. I began running to the home, crying aloud and without any cloths.

In those days my fathers earning was just enough. Once it occurred to my mother that, she could shave my head with the shaving blade of my father. Instead of taking me to a barber shop for cutting to save money. She always saw my dad shaving and thought it is so simple. She never had a practice of shaving, so it was uneven, and at some places, I was bleeding. Ms. Saroja my mom’s friend saw this and advised my mother to take me to a barbers shop for completing the shaving without much damage. I was taken to the barbers shop nearby and got my head shaved completely. Sometimes poverty leads to innovation.

During Ganesh Chaturthi, there was a traditional belief that if one gets scolding from others, it is good. Someone told me to break the tiles of our neighbor’s house by throwing stones on their roof. This was one of the easiest methods to get scoldings from the neighbors. I picked up some rocks and threw them on our neighbor’s roof; it had Mangalore tiles. I broke a few. They came out and started giving all sorts of galis (scoldings). Although I was outside, they did not expect me doing that. I slowly went into the house fully satisfied with the scoldings. Probably, as the Ganesh Chaturthi happens during the rainy season and to create additional work opportunity for the potters making tiles, this was made a tradition.

Behind our house, there was an open space. Lots of white quartz stones were there. The white quartz stones were very sharp. The pieces of stones tarnished with red soil, some curious patterns appeared when observed. The patterns looked like trees, images of gods, animals, etc. Myself, my elder sister and with few other friends often used to go and collect these curious white quartz stones. By breaking the bigger rocks we always explored to discover more and more curious figures. Probably this curiosity of the stones got introduced at an early age attracted me towards pursuing the Geology subject, later in my life.

The responsibilities at this age were nil. Life shapes up and the first impressions of ones interests surface at this age. The impressions last longer in life as they happened at an early age.

New House

In the first house at Ramanthapur, the groundwater table fell drastically, especially during the summers. In those days one need to pull water over a pully using buckets and rope. To deepen the well, it was tough as the granite bedrock surfaced. We employed people to blast the rock with Burma (or gunpowder), it became a burden, and it was a costly affair too. So my father sold the house. For few months we stayed in a rented house on the same street. Whenever we saw the house, we have memories of the old house it was very painful to leave the house. Soon purchased another house nearby, which was on the foreshore of the water tank Chinna Cheruvu. The same year it rained very heavily. While shifting the house, we carried all the things to the new house by wading through the knee-deep water. In the new place, the water of the tank almost touched our back door as it rainy season. This was a single room (Hall) with the asbestos roof in an open plot of 300 square yards. There were very few houses in the area. Our house was on the shore, at the full-tank level.

Before we had proper drainage in our Basti, all the water from washing clothes, cleaning dishes and the water from taking a bath was used for growing plants within the compound. It is also called backyard garden or kitchen garden. There were Banana plants, Shalgam plants, and Pudina, where the water was more. The Curry leaf, Coconut, Amla (sweet) and Neem trees were there in the compound. There used to be at least three big Neem trees in our compound. Climbing these trees was one of my favorite pass time. Made swings with ropes. In the summers, as we cannot go out in the scorching afternoons. We spent time under the neem trees in our compound. There was always a swing made with a rope. Sometimes, I used to study by sitting on the branches of these trees. Especially during the summers, the smell of the neem flowers was so lovely. Sometimes we used to brush using the Neem stick and also with the cow dung cake charcoal powder. Otherwise, we used to clean with Colgate white tooth powder or the black color Unani Farooqi tooth powder. In our family, no one had any dental problem in those days.

On the banks of a tank

There was a beautiful complex of granite rock outcrops in the middle of the water tank. During the summer, when the water recedes they were accessible. Our house was on the foreshore area. In the evenings, used to go there to climb some of them. As I was small, it was difficult to climb. Some of them who were regularly climbing taught me to hold some rough places with fingers and toes to hold and climb. I still remember the holds, which were critical to grip otherwise I would have fallen on the rocks. Each rock had a name. It was precarious to climb the rocks and sit on them. My mother always permitted us to go and climb them. She still trusted us and gave us the freedom.

There were so many types of fishes in the tank. The high density of small fish was always found close to the shore. They were mainly guppies with their colorful tails. By suddenly shoaling them onto the shore with hands, it was easy to catch some of them trying to escape back to the waters. Seeing guppies (fish) in the water and catching them was one of my favorite pass times. Often used to see the water snakes basking on the sides of the rocks on the shore. Sometimes used to sleep on the grass on the tank bed. During the night time, the water snakes used to catch the fish on the shoreline.

It was very common to see almost every alternative year someone drowning in the water tank. Especially small children found of water, but they don’t know swimming, playfully entered the tank and drowned. It is emotional to see the children drowned being taken out of the water. Mr. Rayanna after having drinks made a betting with someone that, he would go to the middle of the lake and return back. The bet was for Rs. 100. At that time the tank was full. As all the people watched, he drowned in the middle of the tank. Some people called Gaja Eethagallu (Expert swimmers) were also invited to find him. He surfaced floating only after three days.

In those days toilets were less frequent. In a house of 3 to 5 families, only one toilet was available. So the majority of the men preferred to go out to defecate in the open places. The tank shore was the most preferred place for the basti people. Early in the morning before the sun got brighter all the men were seen attending the natures call. Later with more houses coming up in the area and access to more number of toilets people are not found defecating in the open.

By lying on the grass used to watch the sky especially different shapes of the passing clouds. Some of the clouds appeared like the Hindu Gods too. Also observed the flocks of cranes returning to their nests. Their pattern made by them while flying and the white color was always interesting. By showing our finger nails asked the cranes to give their white color, and observe that the root of our nails turned white, in the shape of eye.

Milkmaid and guns man

When I was young from Ramanthapur village, one lady used to bring milk and curd in a basket and sell. Her name is Lalithamma. She was always seen eating some nuts or sacks all the way. My mother used to say she had baddshah teeth (ie., teeth projected forward in the shape of a chisel hammer used by carpenters). When she arrives in the morning, one of us should lift her basket from her head. For laundry works another woman used to come, her name is Satyamma.

For selling vegetables, a lady used to come everyday evening with a basket over her head with all types of vegetables in it. With lots of bargaining, my mother used to buy from her. Her husband died young, he had a health problem and was taken to a Hospital which is near the main road. He was given an injection and later he died. Similarly, there are many people in Ramanthapur who blame the hospital for the death of their near and dear. It was the only hospital nearby which is open all the time and has the facility to admit the patients for treatment. So people approach it. They always give by default an injection to any patient. Many people traditionally believe that injection does more good. When patients die because of any other complications, but finally blame the same injection for the death.

A person by name Mr. Tupakula Veeraiah was our neighbor. He used to repair the weapons especially guns, so in his name has the prefix “Tupakula” in Telugu it means guns. Many people used to visit him for getting their arms repaired. Sometimes to test his repaired guns he used to shoot the water birds in the tank. Whenever he was going to the tank with his gun, we children followed him to see. The guns which he often used were double barrel gun and the steel balls gun or cherrelu (steel balls) wala gun. In the cherrelu wala gun they load with the gunpowder along with the small steel balls. By pressing the trigger used to generate a spark and fire the gun. The steel balls disperse in the direction of shooting as precision was more important to kill the water birds moving in groups. At least one of two birds used to get injured, and a person swims to catch them. The tamarind tree along the banks of the tank and lots of grass in the water was his favorite place. His wife died and later, he married a young women and soon he died.

Initiative into service

While studying in Kendriya Vidyalaya №2, Uppal, I was in 7th Class. There was an annual day celebration of the school; the auditorium was about half a kilometer from the school in the survey of India campus. I volunteered along with the support staff of the school in carrying back the tables, chairs and other equipment from the Auditorium to the school. As the support staff was also tired and there were so many things to be carried back to the school. It was late around 8:00–8:30 pm, I was still working with them and felt the responsibility to this work. Most of my friends who participated in the Annual day celebration already left. Ms. Tara, our teacher, saw me volunteering and the very next day she thanked me and as an appreciation given me a storybook of Rabindranath Tagore. Probably this small gesture of appreciation for helping others had some impact in my life for getting into social service.

As a child, when relatives used to visit our house, I was good with everyone. All of them used to like me a lot. I always saw, that they are comfortable and never get hurt by my behavior in any way. I was ready to share my blanket too.

I was about 18 years old when, started a voluntary service called “Lackey Young Mens Social Service,” at Ramanthapur, Hyderabad. At that time, I was in the summer vacation after the 1st year of my intermediate course. It ran on an experimental basis during my summer vacation. Although, I had no idea but had the urge to support youth with various needs. Such as helping students with getting admissions in colleges through providing information on the courses, submitting applications and helping in applying for colleges. In this, I have requested the support of some people. Mr. Janga Reddy, who was supplying scientific instruments for the labs of various colleges has joined me in this initiative. We could provide services to some youth, but could not continue as I could not expand the services being a student. It gave me a lot of thought on serving others with various needs of the communities.

Marbles and Kites

Marbles and flying kites were my favorite games as a young person. Some children always played Marbles by betting. They used to play against the wall (Kanche). The wall sometimes gets holes due to the repeated hitting of the marbles. The marbles are basically were made up of glass. The small marbles are called putni. Big marbles are called pedda gotilu.

As a kid playing marbles like a squatted monkey jumping around was a good exercise for body and mind. Connected to the earth by feet and hands was also good.

I used to store my marbles on the sajja or shelf outside our house. Others cannot climb as it is challenging to reach. At first one needs to climb the parapet wall and with the support of projected bricks should climb to the top of the sajja. From here I could easily reach the top of the roof too which was made up of asbestos. There were few games with marbles called: Mumbai, Passi, Kanche, etc.

I liked flying kites especially during the Sankranthi festival, which happens in January. I made my own kits which were trendy but flew very well. My experiments of flying kites, probably motivated me to learn flying drones at a later stage in life.

Food and snacks

As children buying snacks was rare. Our favorite snack was peanuts freshly fried and pieces of jaggery. Whenever it rained, the above recipe was a must. I would go to the Marwadi shop ten streets away to buy. Instead of buying chewing gum, we sometimes chewed the wheat grains without swallowing, so it turned into gum. We had a Guava plant at home. Sometimes ate the leaves with a piece of tamarind calling it Pan (betel leaf).

Upma (cooked with coarse wheat flour) was the traditional tiffin. Rice was the principal food, eaten along with a vegetable curry, rasam, Pachi Pulusu (raw tamarind juice with onion, green chilly pieces, with salt) and Sambar, additionally had pickle and curd. Sambar or Pappu Charu was very common at home.

Bullock cart

Our school was about 3.5 kms from my home at Ramanthapur. My home was about 0.5 kms from the main road where we get the bus. We need to walk all the way with a heavy school bag up to the bus stand. Few parents had vehicles to drop their children at the school. Going by a dedicated vehicle such as an Autorickshaw was a luxury. There used to be very few buses, plying from either Koti or Charminar to Uppal. Our school Kendriya Vidyalaya №2 was in the premises of Survey of India Campus, Uppal. There used to be very few buses and especially during the school hours of around 8 am and 8:30 am and in the evening around 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM. As our bus stop at Ramanthapur was near to Uppal, all the buses used to be full already. There used to be no room to get into the bus. Hardly we used to push ourselves or sometimes need to hang on the footboard and travel. It was very risky and inconvenient to travel.

There used to be a train of bullock carts going from Chadarghat to Uppal empty during the same time. All along the banks of Musi River, the farmers used to grow Para grass, with the sewage water. Dairy was common within the Hyderabad. They used to go in the evening a day before and sell the grass by the very next day early morning and return home with empty carts to Uppal.

I saw these bullock carts going empty, one day all the buses were coming with full of passengers and there was no room to get in. I saw these bullock carts going towards uppal. Followed one of the bullock cart and placed my bag behind the bullock cart and started walking. The person driving the bullock cart asked me not to follow and go by bus. After reaching some distance, he understood, my problem that we don’t have enough space in the bus to get in, asked me to get on the bullock cart. I got on the bullock cart and while talking to him on the way got down at my stop. It became a regular thing for me, as the same person was coming every day at the same time, and if I missed my bus, just got on the bullock cart and went to school. Once I was half way, saw the bus with less rush coming, my friend brought the bullock cart into the middle of the road and stopped the bus, I got into the bus. Going to school had always been a great experience especially on the bullock cart.

Our buses always tilted on the left side, this is due to carrying more number of passengers always and especially people used to hang on the footboard too, often the women also used to travel on the footboard, the imbalance in weight of the bus caused the shock absorbers bent more on the left side.

Later in my life whenever there was an opportunity, I used to get on the bullock cart for traveling. I enjoyed most during the travel on a chain of bullock carts after the marriage of my uncle’s son while going to his wife’s place after marriage. I had a dream similarly to go after my marriage, so I have chosen for my wedding invitation card with a beautiful picture of bullock cart procession. It did not happen.

While returning from school we had the same problem. Mostly came out of the ‘small gate’ to catch the bus at Ampro biscuit factory. There used to be a row of beautiful very old ficus trees at this bus stop. The buses used to be full and rarely stopped or stopped far ahead so some to get down and not to pick up. Some children hated the buses so much that they used to throw stones at them. This bus stand used to have mainly school children and we all used to stand by extending our hands for the bus to stop. Used to have a lot of time as the buses were few and did not stop. The ficus trees became our interest so, some of us used to climb them. Eat its red color sour fruits and leaf buds tasted good to eat. Also with a stone used to dig the nodes for some kind of edible material from the tree trunks. Also used to mark initials of our names on these trees at our favorite places on the branches. Now, these trees are completely removed for the expansion of the road.

Sometimes we used to go to the next stop at Modern Bakery, at this stop the buses used to stop. For drinking water we used to go to the modern bakery and request the security and drink water from the cooler inside. Used to get the glimpse of the bread making. Evenings while returning from school, we used to feel hungry. Some workers were kind and upon request used to give us pieces of bread for eating. There used to be a Mirchi bajji and Masala vada selling cart. The stove was lit on coal and the smell of the smoke from stove, Bajjis, Vadas and the oil was so great, we used to just see and feel even more hungry. In those days never had pocket money to buy anything. If anyone had some money used to buy and share pieces of it with friends. Those days of going to school and returning home was a great experience.

Cycling

I repaired an abandoned bicycle left against the payment of rent by one of the tenants in our house. It was fun doing that. It had a leather seat. I used to go to college on this bicycle. All the cycles we were parking next to a tributary of Musi River next to college building. On the other bank ‘coranty’ hospital (quarantine term as pronounced locally) was there, now not a good place for patients to get well soon. The smell of sewage still lingers when I recollect my Junior college days. I often saw many kites (birds) flying over this stream. Sometimes they also caught the water snakes by diving into the waters. My intermediate education of two years passed without any other activities. I saw just two movies in the two years of Intermediate. In those days “Kumar” and “Chermas” dresses were trendy. One of my friends bought a shirt for Rupees Seven, and he was wearing to college.

Again during my postgraduate studies at IIT Bombay, I got an opportunity to use a bicycle. Our department was at a distance of about 1 km from the Hostel. During lunch, we need to come all the way from the department to the hostel. To save time, I wanted to have a bicycle. I came to know that in Hostel 1, they are auctioning the bicycles left by the old students. The students after getting admissions and jobs abroad they left their bicycles in the hostel parking area. Over a period there were several bicycles which were accumulated. Dr. Navaneetha Krishnan was our senior and was the secretary of Hostel 1. I went there and chosen one, it was in bad shape, I took it outside the campus and got it repaired. It had necessary things, and only the back wheel brake was functioning.

My friend, Mr. Biswajit Mahapatra, was staying in the same hostel. During lunch time I always took him to the hostel. Coming down from the department was easy as there was a slope. One day as we were coming to the hostel from behind the library building, someone came in between, and I tried to apply the breaks. Due to inertia due to motion, there was a jerk to the front wheel fork joint. My friend was sitting on the rod in front of me, and I was cycling. As this was an old bicycle, it got rusted at the fork joint and weakened over the years, so it broke. Suddenly we were diving, and the front wheel of the bicycle was going on its own detached from the bicycle body. We both fell down along with leftover cycle and got hurt. My friend was bleeding from his hand, and he was in a shock. I too got hurt. It was a comedy scene for many other students going for lunch at that time. I pushed the parts of the bicycle to a side, and we both rushed to the Institute Hospital for treatment. My friend had such a bad experience that he did not dare to ask lift from me later on.

After writing the semester exams, I felt very relieved and always floated with freedom. To celebrate the completion of my semester exams, I went on my bicycle in the night to parts of Mumbai. I took Mr. Regunathan (Reghu) and Mr. Vekata Krishnan (Venky) each one on the two occasions. I convinced them that we will explore the Mumbai in the night and its life. It was joyful, talking and riding the Mumbai in the night going in an unknown direction. Only after midnight reached back to the hostel. It gave me lots of freedom and joy.

Mother

My mother had greatest influence on my life. She gave me all the freedom to do many things. She was well disciplined and always made us go to school in time. We where three siblings, myself and two sisters — elder and younger. We almost never missed attending school or college. She does multiple tasks simultaneously and very fast. She can cook simultaneously on two stoves and also cut vegetables. She loves tea very much. I used to make tea for her whenever possible. She has taken care of my two nieces and my two sons too, when they were small and up to 5th class. She has lots of patience. Wakes up very early and does all the daily chorus even now. In the neighborhood my mother is the first one to wakeup and clean the place around the house. The sound of her sweeping with the broom stick and sprinkling of water are the first sounds along with the chirping birds.

As there was not compound the water used to come and touch our house during the rainy season. that is the full tank level. Once it happened that, my elder sister while carrying my younger sister while walking in the water, dropped her. Somehow she grouped in the puddle and found her. My father used to catch small fish using a pot. This method was simple, that he used to put some rice in an empty clay pot and place it in the water submerged and its mouth slightly tilted. Once the fish come into the pot by suddenly lifting the pot could catch the fish inside.

We used to buy some wood and also have some wood from the plants in the house compound. We always had a biomass stove outside the house and for inside cooking used the kerosene stove. My mother preferred to make Sorghum and wheat flour rotis on the biomass stove. This stove was usually made up of clay or bricks. Sometimes by adding sugar to the wheat dough made crispy sugar rotis. They were very good in taste. Avisha podi (flax seeds powder) with sugar was good with hot rotis. To remove any dust particle on the eyeball the smooth flax seed is put on the eye ball and rotated the eyeball. My mother also taught us to drink water after eating, if not the Wall Lizard would urinate in the mouth when we sleep. Any person who does not drink water after eating and after few hours when they open their mouth, it smells like the urine of wall lizards.

Everyday in the evenings, we used to sit outside the house on a mat made up of interwove leaves of palm date tree. We used to do homework and studies in the evenings and into the night. My mother used to see that we don’t deviate and focus on our studies. Soon after sitting for some time to do the homework and studies, I used to getup for toilet. My mother used to say, “if I say to study you remember going to toilet”. In those days we were not having regular electricity power supply. Those days we were using the kerosene lamps for light. There were three types of kerosene lamps — Pedda Kandil (with glass, it is well protected from wind and big in size), Chinna Kandil (small glass lamp) and Seesa Buddi (a used glass bottle most often “Quarter” whisky bottle, with a wick pierced into the cap, it is without glass). Sometimes for enough light used to bend a lot, close to the lamp. Sometimes smelt the burning hair. The hair used to burn from lamp heat. And then try to sit straight. My mother used to clean the lamp glass every evening with ash and a cloth. The light from the lamp was yellow and attractive. Seeing the flame was very interesting, now a days we dont feel like seeing the electric bulbs which are switched on such as filment bulb, CFL bulb and LED bulbs. They are boring and also harmful. The dancing yellow flame is more interesting as compared to any other light source.

Once I jumped over our compound wall and got my ankle sprained. My mother wanted to take me to Qurshid Doctor. The hospital was about half a kilometer. I could not walk. I was about 10 years old. My mother lifted me and took me to the hospital. I wanted to get down and tried to walk but could not. Mother is mother, has all the energy to even carry a grown up son. The problem with my ankle continued for many years, when ever I had pain. My mother cured it by heating Saraswathi Akulu over the pan with some oil and tying it at the place with a cloth. Also took me several times to Shalibanda Katla Dawakana near Charminar. It is a traditional hospital of a muslim family. The whole family was in the service of treating the broken or sprained parts. They did massage with oil and tied with bandage. It worked very well for many people.

One day myself along with a friend, were catching crabs by putting our fingers in the crab holes. My mother saw me doing that and immediately called me home and started beating me. Saying that if there are any snakes in the hole, what would happen. I learnt never to go blindly to explore unknown things. Then, she told me incident that in my mothers village, some children were playing with a ball. The ball fell into the hole of snake hill. One kid pushed his hand into hit to take the ball. A snake living in the hole had bitten him. Not realising and afraid to tell his parents the child died with in few hours.

In our house there was at least one biomass stove in the compound always. My mother preferred cooking on the biomass stoves. The stoves were simple, mostly made with three stones or bricks. Since childhood, and in all the seasons, we always had bath with warm water. We were buying cow dung cakes from Lachaiah, they had about 20 buffalos. They make dung cakes by hitting the balls of dung on the walls or on the ground with rice husk or dry paddy straw. Sometimes we were buying the dry wood from the Kattela Mandi (wood selling shop) near Girnikada (near floor mill). Especially in the winters, we always preferred to sit near the biomass stove while my mother made rotis, rice and vegetables on these stoves. The taste of the food cooked on these stoves is the best as compared to the food cooked on Kerosene or LPG stoves.

She shared her childhood memories such as how she used to go with her Peddamma to see relatives in other villages riding a horse or in a small bullock cart (Buggi). There is a Esi River (called Pedda Vagu) which flows close to Regadi Mamidipally Village. It is the tributary of Musi River. They had a land on the other side of the river. Once while returning with her elder borther, due to heavy rain in the upper reach, it just started flooding. Her brother took her on shoulders and swam across the river back to the village. She also shared how difficult her life after marriage at a young age in the joint family living with in-laws. Getting up early to make the flour for Jowar rotis. Going to the field for work.

Father

In a child’s life both Parents are equally important. As mother is close to the child and having given more time it is obvious that mothers role in upbringing of a child is more explicit. The love of a father towards a child is no less. Mostly due to the division of work within a family, the father takes the responsibility of earning. Due to the such a responsibility the father needs to be away from the family.

Fathers love is less explicit as compared to mothers. Out of sight is out of mind, makes a child remember less the service of a father. To earn in all situations sometimes is a challenge. May do insecure things for the security of the family. Sometimes the the life expectancy also reduced and may suffer illhealth by adopting the challenging things. To motivate children to be disciplined and achieve things in life might appear less sensitive. May let tears sink in the eyes and not let the emotions seen. Might sacrifice many things for the sake of children. Want to spend time with the family but might br too busy with the work. Might take up multiple things for securing the family. When a child comes home late everyday, the father waiting to open the door and asking the child you are late is also an expression of love of a father. Some parents may not have gestures to express love, no child should think that their parents don’t love much.

My kids

I named my two sons as Magh (Cloud) and Avan (Earth). As I love nature, exposed them to live with minimum facilities since they were young. They never complained about the conditions when I took them for camping outside in the natural surroundings. I was happy when they were with me while doing adventurous things. They don’t demand anything from me, even reject the pocket money that I offer to them.

When they return from school, if I am at home, a hug and a kiss from them makes me happy, and I will be stress-free too. I still cherish the memories of giving bath to my two kids when they were very young.

Once I took my elder son for a Geo Spirit meet on the rocks in a Jungle when he was 11 years old. He stayed late listening to the discussions and slept on the bare bedrock next to the campfire. Next day morning he asked me when will be the next such meet so that he could accompany me again.

The GEO Research Center was started at Pedda Maduru village, this place is in the fields and away from the village. There were all types of snakes, including the poisonous. The insects were innumerable. There was only one room constructed initially, at then and it was still wet. I went out to get some drinking water, by the time I reached the two kids were fast asleep. They were 10 and 8 years old. One of my colleagues was still searching for a safe place to sleep as he is afraid of snakes. I took them to a stream, and it was flowing after a long time. Some children of the village were having bath and lots of fun. My kids were also interested, I said what are you looking at just get into the water and have fun. They had a puppy too with them. Three of them had fun. There is no childhood if a child does not experience freedom. They always loved to play with dogs, cats, and turtle. Enjoyed the ornamental fish in the aquariums. Loved climbing trees and cycling. Football was their favorite game. Roller skating is another sport they like to do. My younger son wants a small story from me before he goes to bed. Younger one loves art, cooking, and piano. Elder one loves the signing, playing the guitar and watching animation videos.

When they were 11 and 9 years old, I planned a Dothi Ceremony for children. On this day the traditional single piece of cloth and Kurtha children wear as adults do. This is to celebrate their transition from childhood to adulthood phase. From that day they are not kids anymore. It was also an emotional moment because their dependence on parents starts diminishing slowly and they become friends to parents. This ceremony was organized in the temple premises. I have made prints of their pictures — a collection of memories from their since their birth and displayed them everywhere. It was one of the memorable days in my life to cherish their being with me. To the guests as gifts gave Rose plants, Medicinal plants, a bowl with ornamental fishes. I have printed the poems written by my elder son as a book and shared with the guests too. In marriage, the children are the beautiful creations. They inspire and motivate parents. The struggle for existence expands. The selfless serving of one’s children is the expression of love.

Progeny and Parents

In marriage, children are the beautiful outcome. Every life on earth strives for the generation to continue.

The dilemma for many is, to support aging parents or young children. Everyone loves one’s parents. When they express before others, it appears that they love them so much that they want them to live a complete life of 100 years.

Old people often ask their grandsons and daughters “Nevu Nannu Nadupthava Bidda,” naduptha means would you take care. Some say “Nane Nennu Choosta,” it means I will see you. Taking care includes, I will see you. I will see you could be superficial, means when a real need comes to attend even physically, the people may ignore.

Someone started a foundation, the priority was to support the young people, rather supporting the older people. Because older people are closer to expiry, probably their returns on investments are not much. Like if a person has two cars, mostly the new car gets more attention and maintenance than the old car.

If all the property is sold, every parent’s life can be extended. It is very rare to see when children have sold all their properties for paying the medical bills so that their parents would survive till the last breath. Yes, one could see many such examples if it was their own children. If the medical bill amount very low, often seen the siblings fighting at the bill counter that I will pay, I will pay. It is like two friends fighting at a tea shop violently with currency notes of the game “Let me pay.” This game ends when the bill amount is high. One among them would become silent or disappears slowly from the scene, and other person pays the bill with a heavy heart.

In villages, say a family having two sons who are married and having parents. They often get split into two separate families soon after the marriage of younger son. Now the same house is divided into two, and all other assets are also divided accordingly. Usually, the father is taken by elder son and mother is taken by the younger son. There is a good reason. Mostly the younger son would have young children, so the mother would give a good bath and take care of the children at home. For the elder son, long back married so having grown up children. Because the father is there, as long as he is capable of working in the field he will engage him, and when old, he would bring a buffalo and goats, so that he would take them for grazing every day. Splitting the parents at such an old age and keeping them separate is also heartening.

If there is only one parent living, they keep them in turns say six months in each family.

If there is only one sibling, then the parents would stay with the child, or they stay on their own with their own resources. If not, finally they are sent to an Old Age Home. Some families who could afford, keep them in the village and provide a nurse.

In a family, there was only a mother and son living. All other siblings got married and living elsewhere. The mother was in 70’s and once was very sick. The Son was taking care of her. The daughters all got married and were busy with their families, they could visit for few days in turns and gave up. This family was not so rich, so the Son was taking care of his mother. The stage came when she could not even move for toilet and did everything on the bed. Still, the son has taken care. She became depressed, and after gaining some strength, one day she committed suicide by hanging herself.

Another elder lady once fell down from the pillion of the scooter that her son was riding. Her hip bone has broken. She was a relatively heavy woman, and she could not stand and move. Because of her age, the doctors could not guarantee her recovery. The Son has brought her home, and they were taking care of her. Her toilet needs should be taken care on the bed itself. Initially, the daughter-in-law and sometimes daughters were caring. For old people, even slightest expression of displeasure or act would affect their pride. After few days she started eating less so that she could reduce the burden of the people taking care. Soon she became weak and died.

There was an old lady, with two daughters and one son. Only one daughter was taking care of her. The other two consider that she has not shared enough property, so they don’t talk with her. She was strong, but with age, she started loosing memory and became weak to take care of her daily things. She began throwing tablets outside, sometimes left home without informing, started shouting, etc. The worst part is that the daughter sometimes started abusing and beating her to make her listen. She was also locked in a room to prevent her going out. One day when no one was at home, she died.

People love those who died recently more, I think the memories are fresh. In the first year after their death, their photo is nicely framed, kept in the front room with a lamp and flowers. After one year the same photo is shifted to another place inside with less care. The lighting of the lamp is forgotten. After few years the photo also disappears into a corner, and the person is almost forgotten. This shows that love also degrades with time.

People keep some photos especially as a display to show others that how great their family is. In reality, they are not so great, but cause an impression for personal gains or just cause an impression on others.

Sometimes the people attending a funeral, the cost incurred for everyone in reaching the place and the total time invested by people, if spent on the person who died could have extended the life and would have made it better.

When parents fall sick seriously, children admit the parents in a corporate hospital. This also is a kind of prestige, to let the society know that they are taking care of their parents so much. Initially many relatives come to see. If the hospital appears like some kind of star hotel, everyone feels happy. The attending person should continuously pay the bills. Once it reaches their planned budget, the attending person meets and asks the Doctor how many days it might take to get well. If the number of days are few, they somehow continue and get discharged. If they find that it is going to be longer and he bills are going to be beyond their planned budget they start thinking. They start having the second reference and sometimes start blaming the doctors and hospitals that they are not treating the patient well. Now they try to shift the patient to another hospital where the fees is low. If it is assured that the patient is not going to be cured soon, they start thinking about other low-cost means. Such as there is a person who gives “Chettu Mandhu” or tree extract and it will cure the patient. They take the patient to far off place, in spite of doctors telling that the patient’s condition is very bad. Now the initial prestige of admitting in a corporate kind of hospital is no more. Currently, only a few relatives and friends bother to see the patient. People invest in working things, old things get little attention for servicing and putting to use.

There was another option instead of letting the patients die a destitute death. I have advised at least some of them to take to the Government Hospital. The government if it is social welfare and committed, then the government hospitals are the best. In the past when any complication happens to a patient the private doctors and hospitals advice to take them to the Government hospital. The Government hospital doctors are highly respected, they have their own individual practices (private) going on very well too.

I like Osmania General Hospital, it is on the banks of Musi River, more than 80 years old. Its architecture is beautiful the rooms have a very high ceiling, with good natural ventilation. Oxygen is the best medicine for any sick person, and in this building it is plenty. It is like patients in a palace. As a child, I visited several times this hospital as all sick persons in our relationship got admitted here. For delivery women often got admitted in the “Judge Khana” it is next to the High Court and also at Koti Women’s hospital. In general, the Government hospitals in Hyderabad are called “Sarkar Dhawakhana.”

In the recent years due to many corporate and private hospitals, only poor people are going to the Government Hospitals. Some VIPs also visit when they are arrested for crimes, they get health problem immediately (appear to be), so for a checkup, the police bring them to the government hospitals only. They get complete health checkup freely and are given better rooms and facilities in the name of security too. Then they are produced before the court for a trail.

I had taken few of our relatives to the hospital when they failed to continue with the private hospitals because they could not bear the bill. The security at the entrance of a government are always corrupt. People also don’t follow the timings of the hospital, so they take some money to let in the friends and relatives of the patients. The attendees of the hospital are rare to be found. One has to go into the emergency ward and get the stretcher by placing some valuable thing with the Nurse there. They ask us to keep the mobile phone to get a stretcher and return it only when the stretcher is brought back to the same place. They are prompt in attending the patient. In private hospitals, even before admitting a patient the duty doctor sees the patient in the ambulance and then tells about the possible bill. If you are ready for paying so much anticipated bill, bring into the hospital or else advice, us to take somewhere else. One night, with one of our relatives who had multiple fractures, visited three private hospitals and finally upon my suggestion he was brought to the Osmania Hospital. He soon got well, and his recovery was a case study for other young doctors too. While leaving, he was also given bus charges to reach the village.

The trainee doctors have most advantageous doing the apprenticeship in a Government Hospital. Because they get so many diverse patients and complications they learn very well in less time. Once we have admitted an old lady of 80 years with her ankle bone broken in an accident. The young doctors attended her immediately and operated. She recovered soon and also started walking after few months. I liked their promptness and always appreciated their service. Here the doctors try to tell the truth, unlike the private hospitals, for them every complication is a source of money. Even if a patient is going to die, still they admit and try to do the best by taking money.

For private hospitals it is business and the person admitted is a “case” and not a human being. Doctors are the people with stone heart. The suffering of someone is a source of livelihood. They knew that many patients could be treated and their life extended, but being professional they reject some and accept some based on the payment of fees. It means they are seeing the death of the people even before they die. Doctors are not just to be blamed. Ignorance is bliss, a person dying a death without knowing the cause appears more natural death, than the death of a person after knowing that through treatment the persons life could be extended. In the past when there were few hospitals, a person sick means not able to get up from the bed since few days. The try to get treated locally, then they send a messenger to all the relatives to tell that so and so person “pandindu” or slept and also means sick. Now all the near and dear visit the person, over a period if they get well it is okay, or else one day they die. People have only two words to say “Pandindu” and “Poindu” (died). The common terms used are Fever, Vatham (heaving of the body), Pakshavatham (Paralysis), Daggu Dhammu (cough and breathing problem), etc. If a person dies while everyone is sleeping and in the sleep, they say “Manchiga Poindu” means Gone Well (S/he). Any person without falling sick and dying suddenly at an old age say above 75 years people say they have gone well. All though the near and dear feel sad, but the procession taken appears like a joyful mood. This is also a form of respect for the dead. When my grandmother died, at around 80 years of age, there was a procession with her dead body taken in the whole village. The people beating the leather drums and playing the pipes danced up to the burial ground. Death is a celebration if it is complete, that is living longer and seeing the grandchildren. After the death of old people when someone takes birth they are given their name. Sometimes they say they are reborn and give all the love and respect to the younger one. Life goes on.

Sometimes if the ailing old people are sent to their village, the chances are they would live longer. Because in the villages there is someone always to enquire about ones well being at least. In the urban areas, people care less, there is no one to see and do not spend some time with the patient. That is the reason many people from villages prefer to go back to their village at the peak of their sickness rather dying with pain and in isolation in the urban areas.

Sometimes people go away from near and dear for their happiness and love.

Open well

In our house, there was an open well in the middle of the plot. Part of the well was dug by my parents. We drew water over a pully with a bucket tied with a rope. There were many sparrows which made nests in the holes made on the wall of the well. These small holes are used to climb up or down using a rope. They bring straw and other material to create the nest. Sometimes their eggs fall into the well and break. The whole water in the well smelt like a rotten egg, and it was tough to drink the water. Once someone gave a turtle and we have placed in the well. During clear days we could see it. It happened one day that we were going on South India Tour. We all woke up around 3:00 am, it was so dark. As we take a bath every day with hot water. The water in the well is usually warm during early morning as compared to the already stored water. While drawing water by mistake, the Turtle came in the bucket, and it was poured in the pail. The water was heated on the biomass stove. While pouring the water in the bucket, saw the turtle. By the time due to heating, it is dead. This incident an accident always haunts me.

Well was the only source of water for about 2 decades. Particularly, in the summers myself, my two sisters and my mother used to draw water to give it to the plants. We used to carry the water in small pails. One of us or sometimes, me and my sister used to draw water together. For pulling the heavy bucket and to do the job faster, sometimes used to jump by pressing the leg on the parapet wall of the well. Giving water to plants by running was fun. We wanted to complete the job as soon as possible so that we could go out and play. By the time all the plants are given water, we would be almost drenched in water. With the contact with the water, the dry seeds of Kanakambaralu flower or Crossandra infundibuliformis (firecracker flower) plants used to shoot out like bullets making a “tic” sound. It was so fun.

Memories of villages

I have so many memories of childhood — time spent in the villages. Regadi Mamidipally about 75 km from Hyderabad is the native place of my mother. I was also born here in the house assisted by Mantrasani (midwife). In the 1980s there were very few transportation means. To reach the village, we used to walk about 10 km all the way from Koukuntla gate, via Chanugomla village crossing Sangamla Vagu. During the rainy season, as this village had black cotton soils predominantly, it was almost impossible to walk with chappals as the soil will hold the feet and slippers. Especially after reaching the village, it was even more difficult. The thorns of “Nalla Thumma” or Acacia nilotica used as fencing to protect the fields from domestic animals, pierced the wet foot without any mercy. Some thorns were mixed with the black damp mud too finding it challenging to identify.

The Soppa (stalks of Sorghum) is kept in the fields as heaps after harvesting. Soppa is used as fodder, its outer bark is thin and razor sharp, and sometimes one might get cuts. I loved to jump from the soppa heaps. It was very dangerous. My Mama warned me not to jump. The white color soft pith and the sharp bark of the stalks were used for making artifacts. We made beautiful bullock carts, pull carts and ornaments with it.

In the Pedda Vagu (a big stream or it is also called Esi River) very close to the village, Mama had a Mota Bhavi that is an open well adjoining the stream. It is recharged by the subsurface flow continuously. From this well, the water is pulled using a Girka (pully wheel made up of wood) with a large-sized iron bucket, two bullocks are usually used for pulling the bucket to an fro. The bucket opening is made up of a leather opening, while pulling the bucket up it is closed with a string, while letting the water flow, it is released. I used to sit on the frame connected to the large iron bucket and the bullocks and go to and fro while my Mama irrigated the fields.

In the villages, how one could guess that they are very close to the village habitation. At first, one would smell the Farm Yard Manure or compost from the Pentalu (farm yard manure compost pits) on either side of the village main road. Some people had Dodis (a place with domestic animals with their feed and compost pits) just before the villages. Sometimes we used the Dodi place as an open toilet in turns.

The Farm Yard Manure is taken from the compost pits and spread in the fields in the peak summer, before rains. Often it is dug using Dante (a wooden handle with sticks as scrappers) and collected in the vine baskets. It is lifted onto the Bullock carts and dumped in the fields. The mature compost always smells very good as it has matured over the past 10 months. The compost appears in the color of coffee or dark chocolate.

As I visited the village during the summer holidays. Jonna Ambali (Sorghum Gruel) was the favorite drink to beat the heat. It was taken by munching the fresh mango pickle and with pickle or raw onions. Pachhi Pulusu is made up of the liquid extracted from tamarind pods by squeezing with hand. And some onions and green chilly pieces are added init with a pinch of salt. We drank it or ate by mixing with rice or with rotis. This gave a lot of coolness to the body from the summer heat. Shega (the burnt sensation while passing urine) was very common when we spent time in the summer heat. To beat shega we also drank lots of water.

Mulkatte or stick with a steel needle at the end is used to ward off stray animals eating the crops or to make the bullocks move tied to a bullock cart. One can see the wounds on either side of the bullocks. Some people use Charnakola (or whip) to control the animals. This is made up of leather and jute.

The onions are usually harvested in the summer. For storing the onions, the Ulligadda Mandelu were constructed — An elongated structure with walls of Kandi Katte and waterproof room made up of grass sometimes housed in between stone pillars. The porous shelter with aeration increases the storability of the onions. The women by sitting under the shade of tamarind trees cleaned them of the straw and stored in them.

When people see the Kodangalu or Langurs in a village they are afraid. As they damage the crop and also break the roof tiles. The monkeys (Rhesus macaques) in the villages also cause lots of damage.

In those days electricity supply to the villages was less. To pump water from open wells and from the stream bed, some people used diesel pump sets. To start them cattle dung water is poured into the pipes first. And by rotating the handle, the engine is started. They made lots of noise and heard up to a kilometer or more distance.

Chelma or water oozing from depression in the stream bed is used as drinking water. This water was always cool and fresh. People rarely used pesticides and chemical fertilizers, so the water was clean. The animals also drank from those chelimas. As the water always flows out of a chelima it is never contaminated. People also drank like animals with their mouth directly touching the surface of water and bending of knees and two hands.

At my mother’s village, my uncle had two big bullocks bought from Belgaum. They were called Ramaha and Bheemaha. These animals were next to the house for extra care. Once I was standing at the main door and they have just arrived. One of them hit me with its horns. I fell down, and there was a fracture to my hand. It took several days, we went to Shalibanda for a bandage, and later my mother using Saraswathi Leaves heated on a pan with a pinch of oil tied every night.

Bullock cart was very interesting for me. I traveled many times in the villages, I have visited. After my brother-in-law’s marriage, we all traveled on a chain of bullock carts to their wife’s place. It was so beautiful and always cherished this journey. Once my sister was playing on the road, and there was a bullock cart which came very fast, and it went over her, but nothing happened to her as a miracle. In the villages, we find many people who have broken their bones while traveling on the rough roads of the villages and especially while crossing Vodkalu (small streams). My dream was to have bullock cart procession with family members at the time of my marriage. I did not happen as I got married in the city, so on my marriage invitation card, the bullock cart picture was there.

In the evening sitting on the Arugu (a platform along the wall of the house) was the favorite place. It facilitated many visitors and friends to come and sit for discussions and socialization. As this home centrally located and was in an elevated area facing the village well, many people preferred to come. Also, we used to listen to the songs on the loudspeaker played the gramophone records.

The commotion of women and the Girka chappudu (noise of the pully wheel) used for drawing water starts early in the morning and in the evenings. People daily preferred to consume the clean, fresh water every day. So they never drank the stored water for many days. Once a woman fell in the well while drawing water, my brother-in-law saw and jumped in the well to save her.

The loud noise of cicadas in the summer was continuous mostly during the heat of the day. Close to them, the sound is more than 100 decibels. It is the mating call of the male cicadas. The sounds are made to attract the partners and for territoriality. The sound is not produced by vocal chords, but rather by the buckling of the ribs, the vibration of a membrane and amplification in the cavities of the cicada’s abdomen.

The local variety of Mangoes was plenty. Some women were bringing mangoes, nalla jeedi pandlu and other local fruits in the baskets. In exchange of grains, they used to give them.

In the villages the swings were tied to the Doolam (the wooden roof frame). Or sometimes climbed onto the Thottela (bed swing used for small babies) and enjoyed the swing.

Then in the afternoon slept for sometime, the summer heat sucks the energy and makes one drowsy after heavy lunch. Late afternoon, played the Oman guntala peeta with dried tamarind seeds, or Ashta chemma and Paila pachisu with shells as dice and pawns. I also went to play marbles with some children underneath a Neem tree.

Unethical Leader

Today, I got a call from my father saying someone is leveling our land using bull-dozer. It was raining heavily since yesterday night in Hyderabad city and outskirts too. I thought some good public leaders are involved in cleaning the drainage so they brought a bulldozer (Procliner / JCB) and started clearing the blockages. As an emergency measure, they have the right to do, to prevent the submergence of houses. On the way, I saw water flowing everywhere. This place is about 17 km from the place where I live. My parents and myself booked a taxi and went there. Very close to our land saw an intermittent stream overflowing across the road and also flooded several houses in the neighborhood. My guess was very strong and told my father that some good samaritan is helping people and clearing the water using the procliner from our plot. He told me immediately “don’t guess”. It was raining, as my leg had a problem, I should not get wet. My mother and son went very close to the place to see what happened. There were four people still waiting underneath a building which is under construction. My mother asked them who are you and why are you leveling the land. They simply said it is their land. I called over mobile and asked my son to give the phone to them. I told them who are you to trespass and say this land is yours which we purchased about 32 years back. They asked us to come to their office to discuss. This is a brokers office, who deal with empty plots for a commission. There were four people sitting. One person with clean white shirt is the Sarpanch (publicly elected representative, head of the village). He is also involved in the business of buying and selling lands. They kept a file with all the layouts of the area. They are showing a survey number which they want to claim as their own. Our survey number was different, but they are insisting the place they are cleaning is their survey number. They are asking us to approach the government to get our land identified. Presently the government is on a mission to survey all the lands in the state and all the surveyors are busy for next 3 to 6 months period. Probably they are in hurry to use this opportunity for encroaching into the empty lands, as no support comes from the government at this stage. Still, they are insisting that this piece of land belongs to them.

When the public representatives themselves stoop down to encroach into the peoples land on a day who are supposed to rescue the people they represent, who will save the government. Where is the justice and right to live on this land with peace and security.

Learnt to swim

There were few open farm wells near our home in Ramanthapur. The farm lands are being converted into real estate and sold as plots. The open wells remained abandoned for some years, and the local residents filled them with the garbage. I wanted to learn swimming, so it happened that I went with friends from our basti to one such abandoned wells which still had fresh water. Recently the farmer has sold all his land as plots, and this well is no more used for irrigation. This place was close to the Musi river, so there was plenty of water even in the middle of the summer. I was studying in seventh class. For float friends have suggested bringing a five liters ‘gas nune dabba’ i.e., the reuse tin can of Castrol oil. I took a small rope with me to tie it to my waist. I went along with the other gang of children from our Basti. There were many children swimming and jumping in the water. With a rope I tied the tin to my waist with the help of friends. Slowly went into the water by climbing down the steps in the well. Along the wall of the well I started swimming. After few rounds, as I was going into the deeper water suddenly found that the rope knot loosened and the tin can is floating above and I am sinking in the water. As all the children were busy swimming, I could not alert too. I got hold of the granite rocks by pushing my hand into the open gap of the well’s wall. Slowly moved along the wall back to the steps and climbed up.

In one summer, my brother-in-law (my mother’s brothers son) came from the village and said he would take me to the village for making me to learn swimming. I had only 10 days of vacation and it was a very hot summer. He took me to Mamidipally my mothers birth place. There was an open well close to the village with lots of water. It was well lined with granite rocks and had steps all the way to the bottom of the well. The local soil is black cotton soil, need to protect the walls otherwise in no time the well would collapse.

I remembered my mother telling an incident happened in one such well in the village. Once a person came to take bath in the well and was washing cloths while sitting on the steps in the well close to the water. Suddenly a dead body surfaced from the well and started floating. Having seen this happening unexpectedly, he feared so much that he ran away from the well leaving the cloths then and there. He had severe motions after that and was in shock for several days. This particular lady committed suicide by jumping in this well and people were searching for her since three days and no body knew that she jumped in this particular well.

So while going to this well, I had my fears. At around 10 am in the morning, the first day, my brother-in-law requested a boy to give the float. This float is a piece of dry Shagamatta plant trunk. Shagamatta is an agave plant, from a mature plant, a trunk emerges from the center of the plant about 20 to 30 feet in height. It is one of the lightest wood materials available locally. It absorbs water very slowly, so every day after swimming, it should be dried. So we would keep it on the hot tin roof for drying in the sun. It has a diameter of about 20 to 30 centimeters. A piece of this wood about 2.5 feet in length is tied with paggam (a thin rope used for tying the bullocks to control them). It is a very strong rope made with Janumu (Jute). We could see old people, especially in the summer, making such ropes by rolling Janumu on their thighs. It is tied to the waist in such a way that the piece of this wood is on the backside of the waist.

Summer is the best time to learn swimming. The water would be warm and shallow. Some children are afraid of water. Along with me my brother-in-law wanted to take one boy Mr. R__. But having come to known this boy started running all over the village. With the help of five other children finally, could catch him. We left to the well. This well was favorite for children as it is close to the village and had clean water. Many boys were swimming and diving already. There was shouting, and water splashing sounds. It had beautiful granite steps all the way down. I took off shirt, and with my Chaddi, I was ready. My brother-in-law tied the float and took me down the well over the steps. He asked me to make cups with my palms and push water underneath my belly continuously and start hitting the water with my two legs alternatively. I started practicing it and soon it was convenient. I went to the well to reach the place where the steel pipes were submerged into the water, for drawing water attached to a diesel engine. It was so crowded with many other children enjoying the cools waters in hot summer. Some children were playing games such as diving deep and getting the soil from the bottom or finding a coin thrown intentionally. Hiding underneath the steps and inside the water holding the breath (police and thief game). Or catching someone by chasing. Some were bullying other small children by drowning them in the water for some time and making them cry. It was a mess altogether. I had to wade through this kind of situation to learn. But with scorching mid-summer bright and hot day, and the cool water also gave us a chance to escape from the hot weather, it was great swimming. We returned home in the afternoon after spending 2 to 3 hours in the well and continued for the next eight days. By the time we returned home hungry and tired. Had some Ambali (hot gruel made with the flour of Sorghum / Ragi), Jowar roti with pickle and dal. And very little rice. Also ate lots of onions to beat the heat.

Within eight days, I could learn to swim. On the last day as I need to leave the village early. My brother-in-law wanted me to practice more before I left. He took me to the well again by 6:00 am. It was slightly chilly outside He asked me to jump from the top of the well directly into the well. I jumped, the water was warm, and we both did swimming for some time and left back to the city. For teaching my sons swimming, we had few swimming pools unlike the sweet memories I had.

Banamathi

“Banamathi’ is a forgotten word nowadays. About 30 years back and before, it was a common term heard in parts of Telangana. When some women used to have Banamathi, frequently women get into a trance and make some strange noises and shake their body. People considered it as a witchcraft performed on the victim by someone else intentionally. Some people say the enemies engage Mantragallu (the people who know Mantra / Tantra and invite the witches to pervade on them). As a result, so some people suffer from Banamathi.

In some villages, it was more prevalent than the others. In the rich families, the Banamathi was very less. In the poor families, women suffered Banamathi more. Otherwise, women suffering from Banamathi had different family problems. I have observed that as the family started earning a good income, the Banamathi started disappearing from such families. The insecurity and weakness of women in a family could be the reason, in disguise the women through Banamathi could let their emotions out.

People in villages identify some people as Mantragallu. Sometimes, they break their front two teeth, and some of them were killed by the villagers too. I heard that once there was a good Mantragadu who made a cot with four legs, even if four people held the four legs it jumped on its own. He is said to be having the power to cure women with Banamathi. No men ever got Banamathi. With the improvement in communication and Television at present, there is no one suffering from Banamathi. Probably any such cases are treated by the Psychiatrist.

Traditional Medicine

My mother and younger sister had jaundice almost every alternate year. Apart from having allopathy medicines plus lots of glucose to drink and eat they also had the traditional chettu mandhu (medicine from plants) and followed Pathyam. Pathyam is eating food with almost not vegetable oil. Preferably had Sorghum roti with red chili powder with garlic paste. There are some others along with chettu mandhu they also recommend to have, cows milk, sugar cane juice, puffed rice and sometimes mutton Biryani too.

The cause of jaundice was because we were drinking the water from the open well and probably it was contaminated. I always went to Rakamcherla a place close to Ghanapuram. There was a person who was giving Chettu Mandhu (Plant Medicine). Its source is still kept as a secret by the person giving such a medicine. Every week he gave dose which is are lumps of green leaves made into a paste. I bought for my sister and mother whenever they had jaundice. They got cured by this method and stringent pathyam.

Musi River

Walking on the banks of Musi River was fun. I had a friend, Mr. Vasu. He had few friends, and I am one of them. Many were afraid of him because he used to fight for any little provocation. Especially in the summers, we both used to go to the banks of Musi River. It was flowing south of my home at a distance of 1.5 kilometers. On the way, there were many grasslands. We used to see many people from Ramanthapur village were found cutting grass cultivated all along its banks and loading it on their bullock carts. The place was serene with grasslands. The sunset with the green foreground of the grass always looked great. The evenings were cool with chirping birds. At a point very close to the banks of the river there were many trees including some fruit trees like Cheema Chintakaya (Sp. Pithecellobium dulce) with cool shade. Once we felt thirsty, the villagers directed us to a spring. This spring was very close to the Musi River; the water was so refreshing and sweet. Once we both challenged ourselves to walk along the banks of the river towards Nagole Bridge. We don’t know the path, but still, we were walking. On the way, we got into knee deep mud. As the fields were being irrigated from two parallel irrigation canals upstream. These canals carried the drainage water from the urban areas. The Para grass grows well with the drainage water and even in the waterlogged condition. Para grass, when used as fodder for the milch buffalos, give the good yield of the milk. People preferred to buy the fresh milk. The bunds separating the fields were narrow at some places and as we were new to the place, fell several times in the fields with grass and mud. We made our dress dirty with wet mud, which was sticking to our dress like grease. The Musi River was beautiful, seen many water birds all along the way. Finally emerged at the Nagole bridge. We washed our clothes and legs and hands with relatively clean water and left to home. Never shared this incident with my mother.

Buffalo and animals

We bought the new house on the banks of a tank in the 1980s. It was a big room in the center of a plot of 300 square yards. My younger sister was very young. We were buying milk for her regularly. As there was grass growing on the tank bed, buffalos were commonly seen grazing around. With receding water in the winter and summer, the lush green grass used to grow. So, My Mama Mr. Veera Reddy, that is my mother’s elder brother had sent a Buffalo from his village, Regadi Mamidipally. To take care of this buffalo — for grazing, providing drinking water and giving it a bath once every day, my mother engaged one girl called Munni. The milking was done by my father or mother daily twice. Then we had good quality milk and curd every day. We had plenty of cow dung for sprinkling around the house and cow dung cakes as fuel for the biomass stove. As we were small, we watched it with curiosity and sometimes took it for grazing with a rope. There were paddy fields nearby. Sometimes the buffalo attracted and drifted into the paddy fields for grazing. We were having trouble from the farmers. After few months we have sold it.

After a few years of getting into the house, we had a compound wall built. Then we started having dogs and hens at home. We had country chicken at our home for several years. They were free range chicken. For the chicken, we made a small makeshift house. In the nights they were staying in them. To protect them from cats it was protected with a tin door. The whole day they roamed and fed in the neighborhood and on the banks of the tank. They liked eating earthworms and other insects very much. We were also giving grains as feed sometimes.

Inside our house, near the ventilator, there was a pair of sparrows always living there. They brought in the straw and twigs from outside to make a nest. My mother used to wake up early and also the birds. The chirping of sparrows and the calls of the chicken was the natural wake-up call for us. Nowadays it is very rare to see the sparrows living inside houses. The corrugated asbestos roof sheets above and the supporting wooden beams always gave a chance for the birds to have a nest. In the new building architecture, there is very less scope and niche for birds to have nests. The sparrows altogether disappeared for various reasons, only recently I can see some sparrows reappear in our neighborhood.

The pet dogs we had in the home were all local breed. Rani, Tomy, Subramanyam were the names of our three dogs that we had in a span of 10 years. The first dog Rani once gave birth to a litter of puppies. It was raining heavily, and the water entered into its den. My mother brought them inside the home, cleaned them with a cloth and made their stay comfortable. As our house was the last house in the basti (a lower-middle-class and middle-class residential area) and we had the threat of thieves, so they provided lots of security and company too.

In 2008 I brought a few love birds, pigeons, and rabbits. Although I gave them lots of space to live and I did not like caging them like that. So, soon released all of them.

At the research center started near Jangaon, again I started having some pets. This place was very open. I brought the local breed of cocks and hens from the Thanda’s (Lambada Tribal Hamlets). They were so majestic with bright and colorful feathers. Also brought some Guinea fowl, it was said that the snakes are afraid of the Guinea fowl because this place had lots of snakes including Cobras, Banded-kraits, and Russel vipers. This place was half a kilometer away from the village and surrounded by the fields. In the night the wild cats locally called Janga Pilli visited the center and ate them, in a few weeks time all the Guinea Fowl disappeared.

A cat called sweetie, dogs named Biochar (it was pitch black in color), and Mallanna were there at the center for a couple of years. As they were living in isolation and there was no one at the center in the nights, after few months they left the center and started residing in the village with other dogs. Recently the Labrador dog named as Zen was brought home as my children wanted one. But as space was less for its activity, it was left in one of our village with a family. Recently, when I met after five months, it was so joyful. I felt its love and warmth.

Betel Leaves

Betel leaves are consumed in almost all part of India. Although betel leaves, arecanut and other ingradients in different part of India, which are used to make types of pans. A Pan literally unites different parts of India, the Betel leaf might come from Kolkatta, arecanut could come from Kerala, sand Kasu from Madhya Pradesh, Chunna (lime or calcium carbonate) from else where, etc.

In the history it is mentioned as consumed during various periods. It must be good for health, otherwise why people would have consumed it regularly. If only betel leaf is consumed also it is good for health. It has the taste of a combination of Chilly+Sweet+Bitter (vogaru).

When I was very young, when ever some of our relatives especially old women come home, they would ask me to go to a shop and get some betel leaves. After getting the betel leaves, I used to sit with them to have a pan for myself. The women had a Chekkudu Sanchi (a small cloth bag with small pockets to store the Betel nuts and the nut breaker, Sunnam (Calcium Carbonate), Kasu (Katta), Cloves, Elachi, etc. They also were happy to make a pan for me too.

Eating Pan regularly would tarnish ones teeth. The people in olden days were not much concerned about the colour of their teeth. Now a days with so many dentists people are concerned about the tarnishing of their teeth, that could be one of the reasons why people are less consuming Pan.

During the marriage the Groom is given a Nut Breaker to hold in the hand. The Betel leaves and Areca nuts (black colour) are offered in the traditional marriages performed in parts of Andhra Pradesh. At almost all the parties the Pans are offered to the guests.

Young ladies now a days prefer Meetha Pan. It is like a Bomb of sugar. It has so many very sweet ingradients.

I always prefer, Kolkatta Me Saada Pan. Kolkatta leaf, which is dark green in color, smeared with Kasu and Sunnam (lime), with areca nut pieces, Soamp, and cardamom pieces. Always I consume two Saada Pans one after another. In hyderabad, on the main road, one finds many pan shops, but some are more preferred than the others. If we are on a four wheeler, the parking of the vehicle matters the most. Secondly the person who makes Pan is an art. They are often seen consuming a pan always. I think their interest in Pan and as a habit made them to become good Pan wala. One I like the Pan, I regularly go to the same person. Often they see my vehicle and start making my pan even without asking. Similarly we find may such regular customers coming. There is also a relationship that develops between the both Panwala and the customer. In Hyderabad, many Panwalas are Muslims. Especially with every Irani Chai hotel one Pan Shop exists by default. After consuming the Irani Chai, people consume a Pan. Sometimes some people have a pan and also smoke a cigarette. My father while going to office regularly consumed a pan.

In almost all the Pujas performed to various gods Betel leaves are a must. There is a puja performed with Lord Anjaneya Swamy with one lakh Betel leaves. They stick all the leaves on the Chandram of the Anjaneya Swamy statue by reciting mantras. It is said that Lord Krishna consumed many small pans with one of his wives Satyavathi after dinner.

Even the movie industry could not ignore the pan. There are so many famous Hindi and Telugu film songs on Pan. The Banaras pan is considered as famous in India. I always like to taste pans while traveling in different parts of India. In Bangladesh also vide varieties of Pans are consumed. I have tasted many varieties of Pans in Bangladesh during my visit.

It is vary famous with the traditional musician to consume Pans at the time of performance of music.

It is good for digestion, as its chewing releases saliva juice in plenty. On the whole it reduces the acidity. Especially people consume when they have a sumptuous meal. The pan shop or pan dabba are common at many street corners. Each pan dabba has its own clientele.

The consumption of Pan benefitted especially old women. Women especially suffer from Osteoporosis. The Betel leaf is rich in calcium and also some extra calcium carbonate (Sunnam) added to the pan, the deficiency of calcium is reduced. These women suffer less from the osteoporosis and strengthen their bones. That could be the main reason in olden days women consumed more pan as compared to men. Even now especially the womens functions called “Parantam” or Satyanarayana Vratham the women who attend at the end of the event are offered two betel leaves with areca nut pieces and a Banana.

Youth have taken to intoxicants in the form of Gutka and Pan Masala, etc. Which is not a pan but highly harmful for ones health and people might also get mouth / throat cancer for continuous consumption. These Gutka eating people spit continously, therefore may people don’t like them as they spit very often and everywhere. Its smell is also very repelling. The pan eating people are sometimes not allowed to enter into the cinema theaters as they spit.

I have introduced the Pan eating to my Kids too. My wife and two sons eat especially the sweet pan. When ever children have sour throat due to cough and cold, we insist the kids to eat a pan.

B Hostel

While studying at Osmania University MSc, Geography, I was staying at B Hostel (now known as Krishnaveni Hostel). This is a historical hostel, where mostly the science students stay. It is said the former prime minister Mr. P. V. Narasimha Rao also stayed here and started the Vandemataram Movement for the freedom from British Rule. It has students from all disciplines of science. Because of demand for space as more students are there, students need to adjust, say in small room 3 to 4 students and in large size rooms up to 10 students used to stay. This is 2 storey building in triangular shape. The main entrance was very elegant. My seniors from PG College of Science Saifabad, OU, were also studying here. Some of them those students are now leaders representing the youth wings of political parties. Although there were no elections for students in the university, but the student leaders with affiliations used to conduct some activities in the university. In year, 87/88 due to clashes between the students, causing death of some students, the elections in all the collages are banned by the state government.

With the recommendation of my seniors, Mr. Ramana Reddy, he has offered to give his cot in the hostel, as he has completed his course. With a nod from senior leaders Mr. Kasam (Physics) and Mr. Srinivas Reddy (Chemistry), I got the cot. This room was on the first floor on the rare side or corner of the building. It had three beds, I was sharing with Mr. Rajendra Prasad (Botany) and Mr. Murali (Chemistry).

Coming from IIT, Bombay, I was simple. After joining the college, I was wearing rubber slippers, jeans, and a T-shirt. I always kept the beard and never died my gray hair. Once my brother-in-law saw me at the entrance of Arts College Building. He said that this is not IIT this is Osmania University, you should wear a better dress and don’t wear the slippers. My habits from IIT did not change much. The university students used to have mostly a white shirt which is well ironed. Rarely they used to wear T-shirts. A Reynolds pen with blue cap in the front pocket was the mark of the university students usually.

B-Hotel was dominant with ABVP students. In the hostel, I used to wear a short, instead of Lungi which majority of the students were wearing in the hostel. The ABVP students did not like me wearing the shorts.But short was more comfortable to me than lungi. They had some regular activities. On one of the weekdays regularly they used to organize Baitak (means sitting in Hindi). Some students used to bash at the door and say, “Baitak”, so that all in the room should go and attend. it was in the Television Room in one corner downstairs. The ABVP leaders used to give a lecture on some topic or party activities. Only once, I went there to see what it is like, I did not like the way it was organised. Although they used to invite I ignored and never participated. Some of the leaders chelas (followers) had a grudge, used to whistle and make cat calls behind me to provocate. I never minded and walked straight without turning back. As I did not respond nor react to their cat calls and whistles they got insulted themselves and never did again. Because the leaders knew me and my interest in studies, they did not bother much. I was preparing for civil services competitive exam in those days. I always walked alone to the mess which was about 100 meters from Hostel and never went in a group to be the cynosure of the leaders. Some of them who did not attend or heed to the leaders were bashed too. My roommate Mr. Rajendra Prasad was beaten seriously because he and his classmates from Botany Department were independent and were not actively participating in the activities of ABVP. I was called by one of the ABVP leaders into their room, Mr. Rajendra Prasad, was there sitting on the edge of a bed. His face was bent down and he was bleeding from the mouth. He was completely shaken and in shock. He was only pleading sorry to the few leaders standing in the room. I came to know that he along with his other friends were beaten by them before the Astronomy department and was later brought Mr. Rajendra Prasad to this room. I was asked to accompany him to the hospital for treatment. Although they have beaten, they had the concern to take him to the hospital. I took him along with few other junior leaders to the hospital. The doctor did not ask how he got hurt but gave an injection and medicines. Things are understood.

But in spite of contrasts, B-Hotel has given me so much energy and inspiration. The students from this hostel have achieved so many things in their later life.

Each hostel had its own mess. The sambar of B-Hostel and A-Hostel was excellent. Every student loved the sambar. Nobody demanded curry if sambar was provided. Rice and sambar were the basic in the menu. It was like intoxication and addiction. Once in a year, a lizard or cockroach lands in the sambar by accident. The students’ fury goes up to abusing and beating the staff of the hostel mess. The hostel used to be closed for few days and reopens again. The way students used to through the food, plates, chairs and upturn the tables. Once I was witness to this situation.

Spirituality

One day while retuning on a full packed Bus from Koti to Ramanthapur in 1995. In the bus on the rare seat, I was a person in saffron robes, with a big round vermillion on his forehead. It was evening, I could see a very large size sun setting in the background. I was standing, as the bus was full. In spite of so much rush, I suddenly felt the tranquility. I also saw peace on this persons face. I started discussing with him. Within no time he gave an address and asked me to visit once. After few days, I went to Saidabad, to meet him. This was “AnandhaMargi” ashram. Their head office is in purulia. They are running a school here. All the ashramites were wearing safforn color robes. I met the person. He asked me to wash my legs and wait up stairs. I went their, what he would say or teach. He asked me to take the Padmassan Position and explained me to close my eyes and imagine the light of hundereds of suns as rays entering the tips of my main fingers of the feet and join at the base of the spinal cord then slowly moving upwards and finally coming out of the middle of the head. I imagined several times and liked it very much. There was so much peace in my mind too. To teach more, he asked me to take a oath, that, all that I would achieve and being is dedicated in the name of the main guru of Ananda Margi ashram. I was surprised, I did not like this. I said that I cannot lie and take a fake oath. I would like to know more about the Guru first and only if I like than, I will take the oath. He said unless, I take the oath, he cannot teach anything more on meditation. I requested him to give some books which would explain about his guru. If I like, I would return myself and take the oath. I purchased few books, thanking him I left. I always respect the good deeds of anyone, try to understand people, but never surrendered to anyone nor any belief, faith or philosophy. Otherwise there is no meaning for being.

The Spirit of knowing oneself and Spirituality are same for me. My quest to understand the spirituality led me to study many spiritual leaders and their writings. I have read Swamy Vivekananda’s writings and inspired by him a lot. I read and understand but never get attached to any spiritual leaders. Similarly I admire the good thoughts of every religion and don’t follow any religion.

Mr. K. Shiva Prasad introduced me to The Theosophical society Lodge in Hyderabad. It is about 100 years old building in the heart of the Hyderabad City at Abids. Mr. Vacha’s A Parsi, his father has constructed this lodge. It has a very good library with spiritual books. In the main hall the reading happen every Tuesday evenings and on Sundays. Close to this place there are also buildings of Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, etc. Probably about a century back this was the center of reformists and spiritual leaders.

I regularly attended the lodge and participated in the readings with the group. Hardly 5 to 10 people attended the lodge. Mr. Shiva Prasad said one day that they also give a Diploma in Theosophy for those who attend the lodge regularly and participate in the events. I was curious to get one certificate as I believed I understood theosophy. He said many people who attend the lodge for about 3 to 5 years also could not get it. After about one year of attending the Lodge, I one day asked for my Diploma. They said you need to wait. I asked what is the procedure. If there is a test please conduct or ask me questions, I will answer. Having known me and my understanding about theosophy Mr. Vacha recommended my name for the award of the Diploma in Theosophy. One fine day I got my Diploma certificate issued by The Theosophical Society, Adyar, Madras, India.

When ever I got a chance visited the ashrams and met some of the Gurus to know their teachings. But never surrendered to any one teaching, faith, belief or religion. My understanding of God is the universal energy which manifests in matter and matter in the form of energy.

Preparing for service

While doing graduation, my brother-in-law Mr. S. Bal Reddy, i.e., my elder sisters spouse was interested me to get into the civil services. He is a school teacher. One day he has taken me to meet his friend, Mr. Narender who had experience of preparing and appearing for the civil services exam. He has introduced me to the preparation for the civil services exam. I understood that a person with good knowledge and understanding of many things (History, Culture, Environment, Politics, Economics, Science, Mathematics, current affairs, etc.) and excellent knowledge on the two optional subjects would get through the exam. Civil services in the Government is considered as one of the highest jobs, for serving the people and the nation.

While I was brooding on this option of joining the civil services. I got admission at IIT, Bombay to study Master of Science in Applied Geology. Our library was excellent, and it used to remain open up to 10 PM to 11 PM. Everyday night after having dinner, I used to go to the library and study every kind of book to improve my knowledge on various aspects. Sometimes used to read the weekly magazines for understanding the current affairs. I loved the subject Geology too. My senior Mr. Patra called “Brother” had some experience of appearing for the exam. He used to guide me too. I decided Geology and Geography as optional subjects. I was just an average student while doing graduation and the post graduation.

After completing the Applied Geology, many of my classmates were preparing for GATE exam. One need to qualify and based on the score could do M.Tech. I have decided, not to write this exam and after completion of MSc Applied Geology returned back to Hyderabad. I started preparation systematically for the civil services exam. My second optional was Geography, and I need to study that subject too. Someone suggested I should get admission into Masters in Geography, Osmania University as it is my one of the optional subject too. And by being on the campus, I could prepare well.

As I need to prepare for the entrance exam, I started going to the State Central Library at Afzal Gunj. It is a beautiful library on the banks of Musi River. Its edifice with two story steps was often shot for court scene in the movies. It had a reading room for competitive exams, where all the books were available. I am also used to visit this library during my graduation. It had a good collection of books. With about one month’s preparation going every day there, I appeared for the entrance exam. I got admission into the MSc Geography at the Osmania University. It was difficult to get admission as anyone who has done graduation could do MSc Geography. Mostly the students who are preparing for the competitive exams with Geography as an option used to appear for this entrance. Like me, many of them have already completed one post graduation already joined as my classmates. I have joined the B-Hostel too so that, I would get more time for preparation.

Soon, I started appearing for the classes in the university and also preparing for the competitive exam. In the first year, both MSC Geography and MA Geography students had classes together. I started going to the RC Reddy coaching center at Ashoka Cross Roads for the General Studies paper. This was about 4 kms from the University Campus.

Mr. Ramachandra Reddy was highly knowledgeable, he was an expert on public administration. Listening to him was so great especially the Constitution of India. All the subjects were interesting, as they were teaching mostly the fundamentals or basics so well that, it appeared I am going to school again. Being an average student during school days, this gave me another opportunity to learn again. There used to be at least 100 students in each classroom. The noise from the traffic on the busy road and smells of food from the hotel below did not bother anyone.

I appeared the civil services preliminary exam with geography as one of the subjects. I got good marks and qualified and started preparing for the mains. I could not fare well in the mains as I was going for knowledge rather the strategy of getting marks.

I got to know Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy of Political Science Department soon after joining the Geography Department. Once there were no classes going on. Someone told about him, being the neighboring department I have gone to see him. He was sitting along with other Professors in a hall. I introductions, he started sharing about the environmental issues and his initiatives to mitigate. I liked him, once invited him to give a lecture to all my classmates. I used to interact with him, whenever time permitted. Once on 31st December 1994, he gave me the book, “One Straw Revolution” written by Masanobu Fukuoka. It was on natural farming and sustainable agriculture and his lifetime experiments, I liked it so much, read it the whole night. The early morning of 1st January 1995, I was a different person.

I was preparing myself for the geography, and I was well in all the subjects. One Professor Vital Reddy senior geography professor said that you don’t require attending the class as you already know everything. This was a complement and his greatness to acknowledge me. One of our Professor was teaching Agriculture Geography and I knew, it was correct as he was teaching from old references and textbooks. After the class, I went to the staff room and explained him. During another class in the second year, I was discussing with another profession during the class on the subject of urban geography. Some of my classmates did not like, I went to the Professor and told him, I am not going to attend the classes again and would not cause disturbance to the students. This was in the second year of my Post graduation. I almost did not attend any of the classes, except the practicals. My routine was going by bus to the coaching center and study till midnight. I used to go out for tea at the makeshift tea shop opposite the B-Hostel. Sometimes, I used to request them to bring tea for me and serve in the room. My roommates Mr. Murali and Mr. Rajendra Prasad were very cooperative never bothered even when I used to keep the lights on for studying till late night.

There used to be many friends coming to my room. I used to teach them and also study. Some of them used to come from outside the campus too. Mr. Surya Prakash Bheri, Mr. Narayan Reddy, Mr. Sridhar, Mr. Balaji, etc. I wrote a quote and kept in the window, “The More you Give the More You Receive”.

I used to write some of the important points on flash cards and go on for long walks in the campus reading them. Sometimes used to climb the rooftop of the hostel and study.

Now I appeared for the preliminary exam second time. This time, I got good marks. My answer paper became the key for many to calculate their scores. I scored 114 out of 120 marks in Geography. Everyone was expecting that; I would get qualified for the Mains too. As my second year completed, I need to vacate the hostel. Instead of returning home, I started staying with friends Mr. Chandrapal and Mr. Chakri by taking a room at Ramanthapur, next o Public School lane. My home was less than a kilometer from here.

Although I started preparing for the civil services exam, I started becoming sensitive. We were on the top floor of the house. In the next portion, there was a family — a mother and a young girl of 10 years old. They were mysterious, the mother was bedridden and the girl used to rarely come out for collecting the water downstairs. I could not get how come one could live in isolation and suffering. Somehow, I got sensitive to this situation, and one-day tears started rolling over my cheeks. After a month, as my friend Mr. Chandrapal was insisting on moving to another place, we searched and took a room at Mettuguda. This area had Anglo-Indian’s. The landlady was a good person. This house had spacious rooms. I took a small room for my studies. Mr. Chakri was a good cook. We had lots of time for studies. In the next house, there were German shepherd dogs. They were breeding and selling the puppies too. Sometimes the owner used to beat the dogs if they fought or barked in the night. The cries of the dogs were unbearable. One night between him and his wife there was a fight, he started beating her just like the dogs with a belt. Her cries and the dogs barking were so sensitive for me. I could not sleep properly on that night.

I was not feeling like studying for the exams anymore. Became very sensitive. Used to read many books especially for knowledge but not the exam point of view. Apart from the Geography, Geology, General Knowledge, read with intensity especially on Swamy Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore.

In that situation once, I went on to meet a very senior Swamy (pontiff) of Ramakrishna Matt, Tank Bund, Hyderabad. I used to keep a beard and have lots of white hair already. They thought I am interested in joining the Math or Organisation and said that there is no vacancy as such to take in. Then one good advice came that is “do what you love”. On that day I liked that statement, although it is simple. It means freedom. I started thinking a lot about this advice. It opened up a lot of options for me. So I started thinking is this the only way of getting into a permanent government job to serve the world. About 15 days, I started thinking a lot.

At that time, I was living with my friends, Mr. Chandrapal and Mr. Chakri to prepare for the civil services exam. I have qualified for the prelims with excellent marks, and everyone was expecting that I would do well in the Main exam too. All my friends and well wishers encouraged me a lot.

But my mind was occupied with other things. I used to go on long walks in the Mettuguda, Railway Colony area.

Things were also not so great at home, my younger sister needs to get married, and my father was struggling to arrange money. He had plans to take voluntary retirement from his service. In this situation, I met, Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy, I shared about my situation and said that I would like to work on environment and developmental issues and give up writing the civil services exam. He was surprised but got convinced and encouraged my decision.

I declared to my father on 1 November 1995, that I will not strive for the regular government jobs like civil services nor group one, declared that I would work on environmental and development issues. My father was annoyed and highly disappointed. He tried to explain and convince me, but that was my declaration. Already, it took some time for me to contemplate on this decision and declare. I thought it is my responsibility to share with my parents; this declaration gave me lots of freedom and happiness.

Having known me any my understanding of the subject, my Geography Professor. Prof. K. Vithal Reddy asked me to teach at the civil services Institute. This institute was started at the Raja Bahadur Venkat Ram Reddy Hotel, Abids. He gave me a chance to teach in 1995 itself when I appeared for the civil services exam. It happened that some of my classmates in Geography enrolled in the same coaching institute and I did not teach that year as it would be difficult to teach own classmates. After giving up the civil services, I started teaching from 1996 to 1998. I used to take classes on Physical Geography. There were students from all disciplines. My classes used to last for up to 3 hours. Prof. K. Vithal Reddy used to come and advice me to give breaks. I used to say, as they are listening I am teaching. My students used to request me to appear for the exam, I used to tell them that, I have already declared and would not appear. There was demand from other coaching centers too for teaching. For me initially, it was good teaching. Later on, it became routine and I gave up teaching. Preparation for the civil services improved my knowledge and understanding on various things such as Political science and constitution, current affairs, general knowledge, history, culture and environment, and in-depth knowledge of my two options, Geography and Geology. The whole process has also made me sensitive, human and increased my determination to strive for the communities.

Being Curious

I studied till fourth Class at the Good Shepherd school. It was considered as one of the good English medium schools in Ramanthapur. This school was about one km distance from our home. We used to walk all the way. As there were few houses and lots of open spaces, we always went walking by the shortcut path.

This place was where the Brindhavan park came up later; it was an open area with lots of exposed pieces of quartz rocks. These rocks were sharp. In those days mostly we were wearing slippers to the school. One of my classmate’s younger brother got hurt while going to the school. The first toe of one of his foot got cut with the quartz stones. He was profusely bleeding, one of the friends told that by pissing on the wound, it would get healed quickly. So my friend and I pissed on his foot targeting the first toe. He cried a lot with the pain. Later in life learned that fresh urine is sterile, it has ammonia which has therapeutic properties. Someone suggested applying the juice from the leaves of tatha tatha thai. This plant has a yellow color flower with a long stalk. We used to break the flower from the stalk with a snap and say “tatha tatha thai”. In Telugu Tatha means grandfather. It was fun playing with these flowers on the way to school.

It was interesting to see the millions of Velvet Mites in the same place appearing in the rainy season. Out of curiosity we often collected some of them in our hands and observed. Their legs gave a tinkling sensation to the hand while they crawled. Sometimes we caught Jinganna, a beautiful rainbow colored beetle. Sternocera aequisignata is a species of beetles belonging to the Buprestidae family. The green color bugs were common which gave very unpleasant smell when caught; they are called Jewel Bug or Shield Backed Bug in the family Scutelleridae.

There were many guava trees near our schools. During the season the fruits hanged from the compound walls. On the way home, we friends used to pluck them or hit with stones. Although they are so small and not yet ripened, we ate them with interest. In the process sometimes we got scoldings from the owners.

I was in the third class and poor in Mathematics subject. My father and elder sister sometimes taught me. Remembering tables was the most difficult part. Tried my best till fourth class to remember up to Table 12. My elder sister told a secret that is to add the same number to get to the next one. I was saved from memorizing the tables. I always remembered few things like number x five and same number x same number. My elder sister was anxious too, tried her best to teach mathematics by scolding, threatening and beating. During the annual exam, I did not write my math exam well. It was Saturday, and my father was at home. He would ask how I wrote the examination. I would get the scolding. I was frightened. On the way, I stopped for urinating and slowly released the question paper in it. Pretend that it fell by chance. After reaching home, my father asked me where is the question paper. I said it fell while passing the urine and got drenched, so I did not get it. He was furious and asked me to get the question paper immediately. All the way, I returned and collected the question paper, by the time it was dry. Shown the question paper to my father. I got the beating with a wooden scale on the backside of my hand for two reasons, throwing the question paper and also for not doing well in the exam.

On the way home near the school, there were a group of Palm trees. There were also many local breed pigs. These pigs were pitch dark and were eating all sorts of things. Below the palm trees, there was always a small pool of domestic waste water with lots of mud. The pigs always loved to play and sit in the puddle. The fruits from these trees were sweet. During the season when the fruits fell, the pigs consumed all the juicy sweet part of the fruit and leaving behind the hard nuts or seeds. After a few days, these nuts would become dry and found strewn all around the base of the palm trees. We often collected them. They were very hard, so by throwing the granite stones we break them open to collect the hard nut inside (when fresh it is very soft and slippery called Munjalu). By washing with water, rubbed the exterior brown color fibrous material against the rough cement walls. Finally, this turned into a white color hard nut. It took few days to consume it bit by bit. Eat the same thing again and again.

Also, there was a Sapodilla (or locally called Sapota) orchard near our school. The unripened Sapota’s we often collected by throwing stones at the trees. They were tough. By rubbing the brown outer layer on the roughened cement walls, the inner milky brown color fruit was exposed. This was not sweet, but we ate it with so much interest.

I had and intuition that I would become a scientist during the third and fourth class. I enrolled my friend Venkat. I brought a few old toys; these were mechanical toys with spring action. He also brought some of them. Imagined that would make a new machine. We both have chosen the tall Cheema Chintakaya (Sp. Pithecellobium dulce) plants near the school. During the lunch time went there and broke them into parts and we tried to make something which we don’t know.

One in school, I found a small piece of steel wire. In our classroom, there was a switchboard with a facility for plugs. I wanted to know if there was current on the board or not. Two of my friends were sitting next to me. They also encouraged me to test. I pushed one end into one of the holes; nothing happened, probably it was neutral. I pushed another end into the next whole. With a spark and shock to me, the wire broke into two pieces. In the process, it generated lots of heat, and one of my forefingers also got burnt. It was by chance that, I escaped the shock, and also this incident made me conscious of not meddling with electricity in life again.

One of my friends Mr. Srinivas was very enterprising. He started a small poultry at home on his own. He told the story of how to become rich from a pair of hens, they would lay eggs and make the eggs incubate and chicks would emerge and so could multiply them thereon. It was fascinating to me. I went to his home to see myself his poultry shed. Later in life, he was involved in the real estate business and made enough money. This was my first exposure to entrepreneurship by a friend.

My father bought once a cigarette lighter. By pressing the button, I could see the fire. It was curious to know how the fire was created through the spark. I took the lighter to a friends house without informing anyone at home. There I tried to open the components to see myself. I could not open it, tried using hands and mouth. Finally, I decided to open it using a granite stone. It got crushed, but lastly, I could see the cotton soaked in petrol inside. As I was immersed in my experiment, my mother came searching for me. She found that I have completely broken the lighter beyond repair. I remember the day because she started beating me all the way home for damaging the lighter. I also got the name at home as a person who destroys the things. In life sometimes destroying something is to understand and strive for creating something new. Probably my curiosity in exploring things lead me to pursue Doctor of Philosophy and continue the research in life.

Value of life

In an organization, each person is worth and important. There is no less job and more job.

Each person should create value for herself/himself in a day by being resourceful. Only the person who could create value for oneself could be valuable to the organization and the society.

Here is a small story of creating value to one’s job. It is said that there were two people. One of them the priest in a temple and a person who attends to cleaning the temple premises. The priest everyday recites the prayer and always felt elevated as even the devotees gave him lots of respect as a communicator between the devotees and the god. The person who cleaned the whole place including the items used in the prayer. Both of them spent their lifetime in their respective services. Both the persons died. The priest was surprised to see the cleaner had gone to heaven and was given more prominent position by God. The priest also went to heaven but was offered a smaller position. The priest asked the God, although he prayed him every day, how come he deserves a smaller position as compared to the cleaner. The God clarified, by saying that while cleaning the person has dedicated entirely and has looked into every detail. He has performed the task with love and commitment. The cleanliness of the place and the items used in the prayer were very clean. But while the priest recited the prayers, sometimes his mind was wandering around with other thoughts too. The priest was not so much focussed and dedicated as the cleaner. Therefore he is more pleased with the cleaner of the temple rather the priest.

The earning of a person always seems to be less as the needs grow. A person dissatisfied with the earning, should not disgruntle and show less performance in the organization. Only a fool would sit on the branch of the tree and cut it.

Making a day useful in one life is also valuable to the organization and the society

Each persons being is the relationship with the environment. Usefulness and scale are the two important decisive factors for causing an impact.

Geo Spirit is the only way of being on this earth. Spirit is a constant question of asking on-self the purpose of being.

Goal and job

One’s goal need not be the same as the goal of the boss or the organization one is working for. The common goals are related to the society at large. The organizations are like the launching platforms for one doing greater things and reaching the stars. If the interest of a person and the interest of the organization are similar than it is the right job. People continue to do jobs, even when they are in the wrong place. People would suffer in doing such a job. Some people want to bargain for all the facilities, but their performance is least in the job.

Selecting right Candidates for the job is one of the challenges that the organizations face. The education or qualifications are one of the criteria usually adopted for shortlisting the candidates. But interview plays an important role, on how well the candidate fits into the system and team. The candidate’s looks, communication skills, spontaneous response to the questions, geography, age, sex, etc., everything matters. The cultural values of the society that they represent and the baggage of individuals own experiences matters a lot.

Sometimes people read a lot of interview books and try to answer everything convincingly and pass the interview. They could deceive by the looks, dress, and the ready-made answers. I have devised some other methods of selection.

Once three candidates came for the interview to work with me on facilitating stoves. I took them to the GEO Research Center, it was about 10 am in the morning. After brief introductions, I asked them who knows cooking. One person said he can cook. I asked him to go to the kitchen and cook the lunch for all of us. I started interviewing other candidates. He cooked the food very nicely, and the way he served impressed me. At the end, he asked me that I did not interview him. I said he has passed the interview. The dedication and commitment of a person could also be seen in small acts.

Once, I need to choose candidates for the field coordination. Asked them to sit on the ground in different positions. Asked them to demonstrate how they would convince a farmer to come and attend a meeting. Finally told about the hardships in the field. Before finalizing asked them to consult their parents. I have rejected a candidate with top-level academic performance too. To my satisfaction, they have played an important role in doing capacity building for about 50,000 people in 15 months time period.

Once there appeared eight candidates for an interview. The job was in the field area. A person needs to travel with least facilities. Only one girl was there among the candidates. Because of the late hours to travel and the difficulties in the field, it was more suitable for the male candidate in the area. One girl Ms. Nagamani said she is ready to do the job in all kinds of hardships. Meanwhile, halfway through the interview four candidates left considering the challenges of the job. She proved her worthiness and was the right candidate. Sometimes by telling the challenges one could assess the interest of the candidates who really want to contribute in all kinds of situations. People always wanted a comfort zone.

The recommendation is not bad if the right person is recommended. I had once Mr. N, he was okay in his job. Whenever he left to his native village saying that I need three days of leave. But never returned to the job after the leave period. He also kept his phone switched off or did not respond to the phone calls even when it is ringing. Nor never informed that he requires a number of leave days. In my organization, I never deducted the salaries of the people even if they are absent beyond the leave period.

In a job, I asked the candidates to keep the record of what they have done every day. Always gave a dairy and insisted them to write at least one page on the results accomplished on that day. Discouraged writing the process at length.

Some people wanted to do all the personal things in the office hours only. Consider it as their birthright such as:

1 Studying the share market and investing in the shares.

2 Writing poetry or books

3 Making phone calls to friends

4 Social networking on the sites

5 Bank transactions

6 Watching sports

7 Eating breakfast in the office

8 By not doing anything some people feel high.

9 Talking bad about boss and other colleagues day long.

Some people misrepresent or create hype in their CVs. Someone said that I am improving my CV. He sent me a copy of his CV to suggest improvements. He has written his designation, and below which written all the projects the company is doing. It appeared that he is involved in every project and doing everything. It is deceiving people. Some of the organizations to get a consultancy themselves modify the CV of the resource persons. Some of the job seekers have become cleaver and are doing the same.

There are some people, who donate their CV to one of their friend who has similar qualifications but was not having much experience. By changing the basic details, such as name, age, address, he submitted the CV with his friend’s experiences. He could get the job. Both the friends are happy. The people who try to cheat others don’t keep their CV in the public domain nor share their CV with others. Because they know that they could be caught.

Sometimes jobs are given due to recommendation or favor. In the sanctioning of a project, one person has done a favor, so it became an obligation for the company to hire a person recommended by them. This person comes to office, was given a perfect place to sit. Regularly takes breakfast, lunch, tea, and snacks. He was given a computer, so he is happy using social media. Leaves early to attend spoken English classes. He smiles a lot and happy always. He knows there is not much work for him to do. Still, his confidence is high because the boss is known to him and was recommended. Some of them are given smaller roles or jobs even when they have higher qualifications. Often, highly educated officials work as secretaries for an illiterate, least performing and corrupt politician.

How much one person deserves a job? This a highly variable question. People sometimes demand more because the organization is able to pay. Sometimes the honorarium taken has nothing to do with the performance in a day or in a month. People taking honorarium daily feel more guilty than those taking the pay at the month end.

The Government people get dearness allowance from time to time. When the prices plummet, the dearness allowance is not taken back. In my lectures to sensitize the officials on the plight of the farmers, I used to say that the employees should be paid based on the percentage of the average received in a particular month. Then they would understand and be sensitive to how uncertain the life of farmers is like. Then everyone would pray for good rains and would take initiatives such as planting trees and reduce carbon emissions. To this proposition no one is ready. They say to avoid those uncertainties we have studied and chosen a job which is secure and with an assured income.

The Government people are good people. For good people, they have convenient timings. They also have holidays and enjoy all kinds of leaves. Some of them also come late and go early. There are mostly more than the required number of people as the overall efficiency is low. Some people never listen to anyone because they are government employees and permanent. They are also part of the employee’s associations, and some are leaders. The good people through Good Governance are committed to development. There is an age for retirement. In some of the most corrupt departments’, colleagues are so generous they give gold rings and other gifts. They praise a lot about the services that the person has done. For the good people the time is less, and sometimes they do good things during the auspicious hours. Although for doing good, anytime is good and no time is bad.

Whereas the anti-social elements are bad people. They never take leave. They ultimately strive for the result. They risk their lives while performing their duties. Their, income, happiness and life is mostly uncertain. To fight bad and pervade goodness, the good people must be working harder than the bad people. The comforts created for good people are not helping them to get motivated as much as the bad people. So the world is more turning bad, with very less good people emerging with commitment. It is easy to identify some of the most corrupt government officials who perform their duties mostly well beyond the office hours. One could easily see the lights shining in all those corrupt departments till late night hours.

Once someone with his experience said that don’t believe the honesty of an accountant in a company, who is very punctual to the office, wears mostly white color cloths, never takes leaves, works beyond office hours and also sometimes too religious or spiritual. The most corrupt politicians even try to create their charisma through their dress and looking good factor.

A politician’s looks are cunning, their jokes are at the cost of insulting someone. When they meet others, their interest is to know what are you doing, how much you are earning, how much amount he could demand corruption. To do any work they think What is my profit? If this personal gain factor is less than the whole world would have been different. Say, a doctor may not pray saying that, all the patients treated by me should be healthy and never again return to me. But many doctors request the patient to come back and see after two or four days. They are practicing with the patient’s life and not assuring the diagnosis as experts even after so many years of experience.

Majority of the people are corrupt by the mind, some are corrupt by deed. And only some are caught and branded as corrupt. Even a product exorbitantly priced as compared to the manufacturing price is also a form of corruption. There is a line between corruption and honesty. Everyone crosses the line knowingly or unknowingly in their lifetime. In this world, some are more corrupt, and some are less corrupt and very few are nearly honest.

Bulls fight

There used to be lots of white sparkling white sand on the banks of the tank near our house. The water was also shallow. This place was close to the surplus weir. In the Ramanthapur Village, there were many people belonging to Golla or Yadav community people living. Dairy was their primary occupation. With the abundant grauss cultivated on the banks of Musi river, the dairy was a flourishing activity. In every house with a compound, they used to have a large number of buffalos and few cows. Every house had a bullock cart. They used to organize sometimes the fight between the bulls. It was always organized in the foreshore area of the tank on the sand. Suddenly they used to announce the bull fights, and all the people used to gather around within minutes. Small children and women used to climb on to the tank bund to have a safer and clear view. The bulls are well fed and groomed. It is a feast to look their muscular body and stature. They used to lure the bulls into the fight by introducing a buffalo in between them. The bulls used to take some time to get into the fight. Maybe they are assessing how worth the introduced buffalo is to get into the fight. They used to take some time and go staring each other and going in rounds. And suddenly they used to get into the fight. The bull fight used to be short for a few minutes always less than 30 minutes, at the end the loosing bull used to run away at a very high speed charged by the winning bull. The bulls used to go back into village knocking people and bicycles on the way. The bulls were followed by cheering crowds and the owners to catch and stop their bulls. Especially, in the village, the lanes were narrow, and it was very dangerous to everyone. The fight between the bulls served the purpose of selecting the competent bull for animal husbandry and progeny. It was entertaining for the people, and the people also used to bet. This place was hardly 100 meters from our home. Such kind of bull fights are rare to see; the bulls have no place to live. With artificial insemination, it is uncommon to find those beautiful bulls. In the animal husbandry world, the males have less scope and chance to live and contribute. Most of the fights among males in mammals are common over a female or a group of females. It is the natural selection process for improving the qualities of progeny. In human beings, it goes beyond, and every male competes through wealth, education, class, race, religion, place of origin, etc.

Thieves

During the period 1980 to 1986 our house located in Indiranagar, Ramanthapur, Hyderabad was the last house. To the south, there was a water tank, and the house was in the foreshore area. In those days thieves were common in our area.

Once a group of thieve’s robbed a goldsmith’s family they were living behind the Satyanarayana Swamy temple. The have targeted this house mainly as they know this particular family was busy doing ornaments. They have locked the doors of the houses in the lane by latching them from outside. Then they broke the door of the Goldsmiths family with massive granite stones. There were about 10 people living in the house. They have beaten everyone in the family and took all the gold, including the gold ornaments they were wearing. On the way, they also tried another house. This house had steps from inside to reach the rooftop. So the owner of the house Mr. Swamy climbed the rooftop and called for help. The people in the neighborhood heard and they came to the rescue, by the time the thieves ran away. In the morning, it was a shock for everyone in our area. The police came with their sniffer dogs and started searching for the clues. The thieves escaped by running on the tank bund. After this incident, everyone in our area became alerted. This kind of thieve’s are also called “Bandi Potlu” in the local language. They not only steal by force but also harm the people.

To prevent any such incidents in the future, My father and his friends living in our area wanted to have a vigil in the night. They bought the Lathis (a five to six feet long sticks) and blower whistles. In a rotation, they used to do ‘gasthi’ or walk in groups in the streets all the night. Soon, they engaged the Nepali Gurkhas for guarding the area. The Gurkhas are from Nepal and are known for their bravery and honesty. They always kept a Gurkha knife with them. The whole night they walked in the streets. They tapped with their sticks now and then on the stones to make their presence felt. Their making sound did not disturb us, but those who woke up slept with more confidence feeling their presence. They did this voluntarily. At the beginning of every month, they came to each house with a notebook and a pen. Each person gave money as per their willingness and wrote the same in the book with their name. And they never complained about whatever they were given. Many times people busy with their daily chorus, asked to come again, they went of and returned again on some other day.

Later in 2006, a theft happened in our house when there was no one at home for few days. I went to Delhi for a workshop. My parents went to our village and after returning saw that the main door of our house was broken. When they went inside, found that the two almirahs (cupboard) doors were found broken. We lost all the gold in the house. We went to the police station and made a complaint that is First Information Report (FIR). After two years, the police called and said that the thief was caught and he is under custody. Asked us to come and see the thieve. I was curious to see the thief. My father and myself, we both went to the place near ECIL, where all the thieves caught are kept for interrogation. I saw the thief; he was chained to a window bars and locked. There was no remorse or sorry attitude in him. I thanked him because for not making a significant loss to the almirah doors which he broke so skillfully. We could easily get the doors and locks repaired without much spending. Asked him, how and why he has chosen our house for committing theft. Our house was the corner house and had roads on two sides. He said that they made a reconnaisance for about two days and found that our house is locked and confirmed that we all are away, so chosen to commit theft. During the interrogation, the police got some information regarding our stolen gold.

The police told us a great story regarding the stolen gold. After committing the theft, he sold the gold at a place near Bangalore. They have committed many other thefts and were caught. The Bangalore police could retrieve our gold and given it to the victim from an influential family as a replacement, as they could not recover their gold from the same thief. After settling all that, the Bangalore police have handed him over to the Andhra Pradesh police. Therefore now they have the thieves and the story but not the stolen gold. This was one of the methods of doing justice by the police. Police pose for a photo with the thieves standing behind them and the statement below says, “the thieves are caught”. I just laugh. I told the police finally, to not to bother us further by calling us again with any relevance to this case. They are not able to return the gold which we have lost and already we lost sometime in filing the FIR and following it up. And don’t want to waste our time listening to their stories. Anyway, they are not going to arrest the Bangalore police and retrieve our lost gold.

Cattle and dung

In parts of India, and as a tradition and culture especially among the Hindu families cow dung plays an important role. Especially in front of every house, women after clearing the floor sprinkle the cow or buffalo dung slurry. It is done almost regularly during the winters and other times at least once on every Friday. After some time given for the drying of slurry, women and young girls apply Muggu, i.e., the floral or geometric patterns and designs are drawn with white color calcium powder (in some places the flour of rice is also used). Every woman is an artist and it is an expression of a women’s innate freedom through art. The preferred drawings are usually flowers and birds. The patterns are also an identity of the house lady. My mother also used to do regularly early in the morning, before we wake up. For getting the dung myself and my elder sister used to go to the banks of the water tank and wait for the buffalos to come out of the water after their bath. These buffalos mostly used to give dung only after having the bath. They used to walk gently, and we used to observe which one is going to raise its tail slightly. It is an indication that it is going to deliver dung. There used to be so much competition from other children too, waiting for the dung. Secondly, we need to catch the fresh dung, before it touches the sand on the ground. Once the buffalo was identified, we used to run with a pan and grab the dung before it fell on the ground. Or sometimes trying to hold with both hands and later shifted it into the pan, but it was so much to handle. Sometimes my mother used to give pocket money of 10 paise for getting the dung.

Traditionally in parts of India, dung is considered as auspicious and used for sanctification of a place too. Although cow dung is preferred, as the cows are becoming rare, buffalo dung is also used. It is auspicious in the Hindu temples, especially the dung of traditional cows. It is a major sanitizer too, and its presence attracts no houseflies. Especially in the traditional low-income families with earth floors, it is nice to contain the dust too. The walls are regularly maintained by plastering with a mix of dung and clay. With pieces of undigested straw and semi-digested straw, after drying it forms a good insulation material. The people sleeping on the earth floors, feel the warmth during the winters and coolness in the summers.

The cattle are an integral part of the life of people living in the traditional villages.

Playing Table Tennis

Once while I was studying in school, I was playing cricket with friends. I was batting, and one ball bounced and hit one of my eyes. My vision of that eyeball was blurred. For next three days, I could not see well, and I did not tell my parents too. I thought this game is dangerous because the ball is very hard. And also I felt that to get a chance of bowling or batting or during fielding one has to be attentive and be spending lots of time waiting for the chance. Even among friends, those who own the bat, the ball would sometimes bully and get more time for batting or bowling, and others need just to spend time fielding. There are a hierarchy, oppression, suppression and many things a weaker person could face in the team games. Therefore the other game which I liked is Table Tennis. I found so many advantages while playing the game. The ball is small; one will never get hurt. It is an indoor game, and one can play anytime. The place required is less and maintenance is very less. The grounds need to be maintained with grass and lots of water is required. The movements are quick, and decisions are very fast. In one’s life, this game might also train in taking quick decisions and respond too. Improves eyesight with so much exercise watching the ball movement. And it is an individual sport and fewer politics in getting into a team. The so many other advantages that I am learning even now.

There was a Table Tennis table lying in one corner of the school. We never thought about it. Our junior Mr. Srinivas (the tall one), knew the game. He some others with some knowledge requested our Physical Training teacher and got it placed. We saw they were playing and the game interested us. With friends sometimes visited the recreation club of Survey of India next to our school building. We started playing table tennis with the bats and balls available there. Mr. Aravindan, my friend, gave a piece of a bat without a handle. One day we both went to Beerappagadda, Uppal and got the handle made by a local carpenter. Now I have my own bat. Some of our classmates, Narendra, Aravindan, AM Prasad, T. Srinivas and some of our juniors started playing table tennis in the school. There was only one table, and we were many. We need to wait and sometimes fight for a chance to play. Soon we friends got addicted to this game especially during the 8th and 9th class. Sometimes we used to play late in the evening until the time the school doors closed. But we were not satisfied, wanted to play move. Some of us found a secret door and way to enter the school and play the table tennis. There used to be a door at the far end, connected to a corridor. By keeping the bolt open, it appeared as though the door is closed, we would enter the school again by pushing the door. Another approach was by jumping over the partition at the stair which was connected to the second floor. Once entered, without anyone to disturb we used to play till late in the evenings. One of the reasons for going home late was we usually would not get the bus as all the buses were full of all the children used to come out of school at the same time.

After school, next two years I did not play. I joined for my graduation degree in PG College of Science Saidabad. This college had an excellent sports room and table tennis too. Soon, I started playing. When I was in the first year, I even fought with my seniors once as they were not giving me a chance. They said that you have two years to play and you can wait. My obsession with this game started increasing, used to play even in the university hostel. My immediate senior Mr. Arun Kumar became my friend, and we both used to play a lot. In this college, the classes were few, as most of the students rarely attended the classes, so I had lots of time playing the game. Soon, I became a good player and started beating everyone in the match. In my game spinning the ball was my favorite. At home, I used to practice the spin of the ball on the wall. During the first year annual sports, I won over my seniors including the seniors who fought with me too. They accepted and appreciated by interest finally. Now my confidence increased, I was dreaming that I could become a state or national player. I requested my father to give money for buying a GKI bat. Now, I was feeling confident of my game. I found that YMCA at Narayanguda is the place where many state players practice. I went and took membership there for playing Table Tennis. On day one, I was waiting at one of the tables; two girls were playing. After some time, one of the girls gave me a chance to play. I had more confidence in my defense and spinning. But with the least score, I was defeated. Now, I was shattered, as I thought, I am a good player. So, I gave up going to the YMCA but continued to play the game. Mr. Arun Kumar, took me to the Osmania University campus to improve our game. The university was about ten kilometers from our college. I was first time introduced to the “Lounge” at the University, which was in the basement of the Osmania University Arts College building. This place had Three Table Tennis tables and few carrom boards to play. It was like a den with full of smoke from the cigarettes. Some of the students while playing the games also smoked. We together especially played doubles with so many players and improved our game. Also used to visit the Lounge of the science college which was opposite of the Geology Department. This continued until the end of third year happily.

Again when, I joined the Master of Science in Geography ie., after two years, our college was in the Arts College building of Osmania University. My classmate Mr. Chandrapal was also a good player. So we both used to play a lot in both the same lounges again. Recently, again I started playing Table Tennis. I met my classmate, Mr. T. Srinivas, again here and we often played the game. I never lost my interest in the game. This game helped me especially to take decisions without wasting much of my time.

Falling in the manhole

It was in year 2013, Dr. D. Narasimha Reddy the founder of Chetana organization offered me a consultancy for WaterAid project. Through this project, they were creating awareness on the quality of water in the slums of Hyderabad. In May 2009, 14 people in Bholakpur area, Hyderabad died after consuming polluted water. The municipality supplied this water through regular pipe connection. Such incidents happened was due to the mixing of sewage water with the drinking water. The situation in many slum areas and other low-income residential areas is same. Especially the threat is more during the summer and rainy season every year.

I liked this task as it would give me an opportunity to visit some of the poor people living in slums and contribute to their awareness of the quality of water. I visited at least a dozen slums.

I once visited Rasoolpura, it is a big slum close to the old Airport, Near Begumpet. The roads are a maze and very narrow. One should be familiar to get in and get out of this area. I have visited several houses and checked how they are collecting and storing water. Seen the water collecting pits. People make pits, as they get more water due increased potential energy. Mostly the pipes do not have taps so sometimes the excess water leaked or collected in the pits, flows back in the pipes. It is responsible for contamination of the water.

I along with volunteers and staff of Chetana, used to go and meet people and enquire about the water quantity and quality being supplied and their hardships in some areas.

The roads are very narrow, and the drainage system runs in the middle of the road. Manholes are placed on this drainage system at very 30 to 50 meters distance, which is used for cleaning them. Many manholes are also the drainage leakage points, or sometimes water comes out as springs, due to blockage in the downstream. The manhole lids are removed for various reasons. If they are made up of wrought iron, some people steal them and sell it. Therefore nowadays, the manholes are made up of thick concrete blocks. They are removed if there is any blockage or during the rainy season to let the excess flood water to pass through. We have several incidents in Hyderabad, where some people have fallen in them and lost their life or got seriously injured.

On this particular day, a meeting was organized with the women in one particular area of Rasoolpura. I was going to the community hall. As usual, I was more curious to observe the people and various aspects of the slum area. I had a very bad habit of testing things while walking. I step on the manhole lids also to test if they are strong. While walking, I stepped on this particular manhole where something was lying over it. I was not so mindful on that day, as I also need to give a live interview on a TV show, on the water quality in Hyderabad. When I stepped with my left leg over it, it suddenly went in. It bruised against the sides of the manhole and went it. I could not understand what is happening. The staff who were following me came to my rescue. My left leg got stuck, I realized that there was a used pillow, someone placed over the manhole, and it went along with my leg inside. The pillow obstructed me from pulling out my leg. My right leg was on the ground. I got out and saw there was red blood oozing where I got hurt, and my leg and trouser was completely dark with drainage sludge. Never imagined that one day I would also fall in a manhole. Usually, in the comedy scenes, it is shown, someone falls inattentively and we all laugh. So, I also laughed inside, in spite of the pain. A lady from nearby house saw all this, she brought a container full of water and poured over me. I pulled down my pant legs, and I don’t want to see the damage anymore. Went to the meeting with wet pant and created awareness on the water quality. Left to the TV studio (TV9 Telugu) for the live interview on water quality. Returned home and just slept. Went to the hospital in the evening and only then I saw that some part of my bone is also visible. It took about two moths to get cured. This incident taught me that one could be working on serious issues, but could have incidents of comedy. Always watch and walk, and don’t test everything.

Kamatipura, Mumbai

The Social Activities Integration (SAI), is an NGO in Byculla, Mumbai. Mr. Vinay Vasta invited me to study the use of biomass stoves in Mumbai slums. Also requested me to design an efficient biomass stove for them. SAI NGO is the organization focussed on the livelihoods, health, and rehabilitation of the sex workers.

One day at around 11:00 am we all went to the Kamatipura area, this is one of the main Red Light areas in Mumbai. It appeared like a slightly well off slum. On the way, saw many shops and workshops of various kinds.

As we entered the Kamatipura Area, I saw a woman us coming in the opposite direction and said “Namaste Bhaiya” (greetings brother) to Mr. Vinay Vastha and quickly went into her house. After few minutes she came, dressed up decently. She told that she was not properly dressed and that was the reason for her to disappear and came back to meet him. Although professionally they are the prostitutes, they wanted to live like any other human beings with dignity.

We went to another ladies house she was in her late 40’s. She has come from Bidar many years back. Settled in Kamatipura and she is into Prostitution. It was a small room with two chairs and a bed. I saw that, in a corner, a wooden bracket shelf is there with small size idols and pictures of many Hindu Gods and Goddess. There was an oil lamp lit and burning incense sticks and flowers offered to the gods. Their belief in the Gods and spirituality is no less than any other ordinary person. She offered us tea, cool drinks, and few biscuits. Although we insisted not to offer anything, but she insisted that we should not leave without having something in her house. I could see her as a compassionate human being with lots of love. It is a contrast, which by night it’s a den for prostitution and now it appears like any other home. Her son of about ten years old has just arrived from the school for the lunch. She started taking care of him like any other mother.

In the same street, I saw another young girl of around 18 years old sitting on a portable bed (Kaat) outside her house. She was completely immersed in observing a small chick in her hands. She was playing with it. We was not diverted even in our presence. I became very sensitive and felt that she is the chick trapped in the hands of men.

A mobile ambulance used as a mobile clinic of SAI NGO followed us. There was one doctor and support staff in the ambulance. The doctor took blood samples and checked some of the women for HIV/AIDS with an instant HIV testing kit. Also gave medicines to some of them for the common ailments and suggested them to take nutritious food for keeping good health.

I also visited SAI Ashram (a rehabilitation center) being planned in the Bhiwandi District in the northern part of Mumbai. It is a shelter for destitute women sex workers and some of them with AIDS. I came here to advise the SAI NGO on the initiatives to be taken up for addressing the livelihoods of the women who would soon start living here. This place has very beautiful surroundings with the green hills. There were several tribal villages nearby.

On the way observed that the grass in the hilly areas was being burnt. Also in many places traditionally people burnt the crop residue. There was a need to educated and create awareness among the local people on not to burn biomass openly. Planned a micro- enterprise initiative with the inmates of the Ashram and the local community, for biochar (charcoal) production from the otherwise burnt biomass. This biochar would be used in the preparation of Biochar compost. The biochar can be utilized for plant nurseries too. The bio-intensive vegetable gardens could be initiated for meeting the vegetable needs of the SAI Ashram too.

There was a stream with water source from. a spring. The groundwater potential in the SAI ashram was good. Mumbai is known for ornamental fishes marketing. There was an excellent potential for raising ornamental fishes and sale with the involvement of the inmates of the Ashram. I identified three varieties of ornamental fishes in the stream passing by the proposed site of the Ashram. As they are adaptable, the same fishes could be raised in numbers for sale as ornamental fish. The women working on the breeding of the ornamental fishes would be happy as they get connected to the beautiful other life.

The SAI team was found highly motivated and committed. The work of SAI is inspiring and through their work could realize the livelihoods security of these poor and vulnerable women.

While in Mumbai, I was given accommodation at The Salvation Army hostel, at Byculla, Mumbai. It is a place where blind people were staying. I was completely absorbed by seeing how these people were sensitive even without vision. When I was walking in the corridor, they understood from the sound of my steps that I am a new inmate. They asked me who am I. It was a great experience to listen to their soulful, beautiful songs sung by them in the evenings.

Some of them played musical instruments too.

I saw an old lady was sleeping on the footpath near the Salvation Army hostel. If felt empathetic about her living condition. I enquired about her; someone said that she has a duplex makeshift tiny house on the footpath, which she has given for rent to two families. And she survives on the rent and alms. It did not matter for her sleeping on the footpath, as she has spent all her life like that and many more are leading similar life.

I also interacted with the ex-sex workers, presently volunteering and working as staff with the SAI NGO. They were the human beings with all the sensitivity. They have the experience of exploitation and victims of the desires of human beings. It made me more sensitive and increased my empathy for the downtrodden people. Through this task, I could get to see many worlds in the dense Mumbai city.

Going to Bombay

It was the first time that I was going alone to Mumbai (earlier it was called Bombay), so my parents have asked a regular Mumbai — Hyderabad Bus driver This was for writing the entrance exam for Master of Science in Applied Geology at IIT, Bombay. Mr. Reddy, who lives near our house took the responsibility to take me to Mumbai. It was a great journey, he gave me the first seat next to him. The whole night I was watching the vehicles coming from opposite direction and the road side trees passing by.

In the morning, he took me to the IIT Bombay campus. I was given accommodation at “Hostel Number 6” one of the farthest in the campus. I saw that on my Hall Ticket it was written the subject Physics instead of Applied Geology and I could not get it corrected at the administrative building office. I was very afraid as I approached the auditorium hall, and there I met Mr. Raja Sen Gupta, he also appeared for the entrance, he asked me to approach the invigilator and inform. I met Prof. Jadhav of earth sciences and told him, he said don’t worry, please sit here and write the Geology entrance exam.

I wrote the exam and next day we all were waiting at the Earth Sciences Department for the results to be announced. I was sitting with Gyanaranjan Patnaik, he went in and got to know that he was selected. I also went in, and there were three professors, and they said I was selected. I felt thrilled. Now I need to pay the fees to confirm my admission. I left immediately to Hyderabad. My father was gardening at that time. I told him that I got the admission. In those days my father had very little money. His salary was less and as I had two sisters elder sister got married, and the other sister was studying. It was tough for my father to pay the fees and especially the monthly mess bill. My monthly expenses would be around Rs. 1000 to 1200 per month. He told me to join the Osmania University, as I got the admission here too. I was very much inspired by the IIT Bombay. I said as I am the first person from our family or relationships it would also inspire others in the future to study at the ivy league institutions like IIT. My brother-in-law encouraged me to join. So both my brother-in-law and father took the responsibility to support me.

I left to IIT Bombay with the same bus driver, I was given accommodation in Hostel 9. This was relatively new building. Initially, I shared the room with Mr. Darwin was my classmate from Tamil Nadu. After one month we had our own single rooms. My room was on the ground floor close to the mess. It was facing huge mango trees. It was the rainy season, and I am not used to so much wetness. Soon I bought an umbrella from the Chedda Market, which was opposite of the Institute. I had a cough and cold so always carried a cough syrup bottle in my pocket. To escape the ragging from my seniors, this cough syrup bottle helped me, to tell them that I am sick. Our immediate seniors most of them were staying in hostel 6 which is next to hotel 9, called us in the nights for ragging. The ragging was gentle, and it only improved our relationships with our seniors.

Mother Tongue

Mother tongue is the native language, which a person has grown up speaking from early childhood. In every family, there are at least two tongues (languages), i.e., spoken language by mother and father.

When a child is very young, say between one and three years old, most often we see people don’t teach them the grammar nor pronunciation. The adult people while interacting with them sometimes speak the meaningless language of blabber and also make strange sounds. Because children also make different sounds and they love their sounds. We get down to their level and get immersed in their sounds. An educated person is also not ashamed while interacting with the children like that. If the same person records and listens to the sounds, made while conversing with very young children would laugh at oneself. The connectedness with the children and out of love, makes a person make such sounds. It is all communication with love. In contrast, an educated specialist would make his language more complicated with jargon. As a doctor would spoil his handwriting for writing a prescription to a patient. Which is understood mainly by the pharmacist. They would never make it simple for the understanding of the ordinary people.

My mother tongue is Telugu. The mother is the first teacher for a child. Naturally, the language known to the mother is the language taught to the child. Education spoils the mother tongue in the name of the refined language. Writing is required to be grammatically correct. People are less concerned about the grammar while speaking. Spoken language is like a shot arrow and cannot be corrected once said. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are two large size states with so many dialects and historical background. But the government is not concerned to print the textbooks covering all the dialects for the children in a State. Based on the literature and the board members constituted for preparing the textbooks the language is decided. In the name of the common language, the local dialects are being lost.

A child in mother tongue should get the highest marks. But I saw many times that the children get more marks in another language, such as Sanskrit rather in their mother tongue. Sanskrit is called as scoring marks language by students. That is the motivating factor for many choosing Sanskrit even in the higher education as a language. As a child, I was a poor student in learning including Telugu. Although I learned Telugu till fourth class, my mother tongue, i.e., local dialect did not change. So the definition of my mother tongue is that I still retain the language spoken by — mother + family members + Gully language spoken by friends and others + the mix of other languages spoken in the locality + reading + listening to the media, etc. Therefore being a Hyderabadi, I had a particular flavor of spoken Telugu with a mix of 85% local Telugu language, 10% Urdu and 5% English (because I studied in English Medium school). This part of Andhra Pradesh was never ruled by the British, so there was less influence of English on the local language. I took Hindi, Sanskrit and English languages for my studies in the school. If I studied the Telugu Language in school till 10th Class, I would have lost my mother tongue and learned the Telugu called Grandhika Telugu (or bookish Telugu). I would not have never got good marks too. Because I need to unlearn my mother tongue and learn so many new words. To appear as a learned person, people even with difficulty speak the Grandhika Telugu rather speak in their native tongue. Sometimes laugh at people speaking the mother tongue. There is another spoken Telugu called, Vyavaharika Telugu (used Telugu). It is the Telugu language commonly used for the understanding of everyone which is close to Grandhika Telugu. It is spoken by the Media people such as in Radio and Television. I did not learn even the Vyavaharika Telugu which is understood in general by all the people in the state. It is a difficult challenge to make everyone understand a commonly spoken language, when the state is so vast and diverse.

Once it happened that, while studying Geography, once a lady from the All India Radio came for a short bite on the environment for a radio program. She asked me few questions, and she recorded. Before leaving she said one thing “Your spoken Telugu is not suitable for broadcasting on the radio”. For the first time in my life, I realized that, although all my life people around me have understood me now felt alien. Still, I preferred and continued to speak the Telugu language that I knew. It gave me lots of freedom of thought and choice of words. I could focus on the subject more rather on the words which I need to speak.

Once I went to Bhimadole a town in West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. The Telugu language spoken in the West Godavari District has a typical dialect with accent and charm. I was the program officer for the National Environmental Awareness Campaign program. The program was organized by the Gowthami Social Service Society. It was my first public address in life. The venue was in the coconut and mango trees grove. About 100 people gathered. I started speaking but saw that no one is listening and there is no expression on their face. They are not able to understand my spoken Telugu. It was a mix of Telangana Telugu, Urdu and few English words. I thought the Telugu people could understand my spoken language. Finally, the organization head understood my problem. The issue was resolved by arranging an interpreter to convert my Telugu into the local dialect Telugu.

Although I faced so many challenges, but never lost my dialect. It had the geographical identity and especially liked by the local people where it is becoming a rarely spoken language with the influence of media and school education. I spoke several times on Television and gave lectures on diverse topics but always spoke in my mother tongue. People from Telangana are simple, hardworking and straight. The sentences are also simple with a punch and slight humor. I am thankful for the geography, history, and culture which taught to speak Telugu language; it has become part of my personality too.

Gurus in Life

Gurus or Teachers are those who inspire, teach and guide. There is something to learn from every teacher. One interacts more with the teachers when one is learning to see the world and understand everything. Based on the teachers and their method of teaching one gets inspired in those subjects.

When I was in primary school, I remember two teachers Ms. Leela and Ms. Mary. I was afraid of exams and homework. Sometimes I prayed to God in reverse, i.e., if I don’t want a particular teacher to come to the class, I prayed that the teacher must come. It worked like miracle many times, my reverse prayers were addressed by God, and I am relieved from tension on that day. The outcome of prayer was important and it was understood by God. Ms. Mary was a great teacher. While leaving the school to join another school in the fifth call, Kendriya Vidyalaya №2 Uppal, she was pleased. She arranged a farewell party, the first party, I danced a lot with friends. She liked my natural dance, she gave snacks and a pen as a gift.

After joining the Kendriya Vidyalaya №2 Uppal, I was a weak student already. Mr. Shastry, with his excellent spoken Hindi, was our Hindi language teacher. Soon he understood that we don’t know even “Varnamala” (Hindi Alphabets). He started teaching us the Varnamala and especially how to write. I understood the beauty of the Hindi letters, every curve and line was beautiful. “Shirorekha” (the line above the head of letters connecting them into a word) became very straight. He always said”Likne se likna aatha hai” and “Paddne se paddna aatha hai” it means one by writing one can learn writing and by reading one can learn reading. Its meaning is great, now I apply to everything. Say, by listening I can listen better. Although I thought, he is wasting our time instead of teaching the lessons. But fundamentals are more important to learn as compared to the whole.

Our Sanskrit Sir, Mr. Mahalingam, was a gentleman. It was a difficult language to learn. We tried to ‘buttify’ (memorise things) to pass the exam. As my memory was not great, once in the exam, I tried to copy few things by writing on the hand. It was very fearful of being caught, I never did try copying again in life.

Ms. Tara madam involved us in the extracurricular activities. I learned painting from her. At that time we had no Drawing teacher in the school. She taught spray painting with the used toothbrush. My father always brought the watercolor cakes and pencils. Which were used for drawing and painting. Painting the scene of a Railway Station was one of our favorite things in those days. I got a few prizes in Painting too.

Writing the slogans or saying on chart papers and pasting on the walls was very interesting. One of the writings on the wall in large letters that impressed me was “Work is Worship”, got imprinted on my mind and I always remember it, including the place where it was pasted.

Our Mathematics teacher Mr. Devendran was an easy person. The subject Mathematics subject was the most fearing subject. It was the most difficult too. He made the subject very easy for us. He did not teach much and nor gave homework. During the exams, when we were afraid on how to pass. He offered simple solution for 20 marks. There were 10 marks for “Yes” “No” questions. He asked us to blindly write alternatively, Yes and No. For the match the following questions, he asked to match one with two and two with three. With our little intelligence, we strived to get 15 marks. So blindly by following his technique, Mathematics became so easy for passing. We liked him very much among all other teachers as he was so kind. But as we got into 9th and 10th class, Mathematics became subject to worry. I many times had a nightmare that I am failing in the subject. Everyone in the class started taking private tuition’s to cover up the subject. Being poor in Mathematics never got inspired to become Engineer in life. I always admire him for influencing my destiny.

Our science teacher Ms. Satyawathi taught us very well. I liked the subject too. Participated in the annual science exhibitions conducted. I got a few prizes also. Our English teacher Ms. Mehta, she was very senior, here teaching did not inspire me to learn English language very much. She smiled less and was always serious. Mr. Shaik, took english classes for one year, his teaching was great.

Mr. Sharma, he taught us Yoga. Yoga was just introduced in the schools as the then Prime Minister’s Guru taught Yoga and told her the importance. I liked doing Yoga. My body was very flexible. Except “Shirshasan”, I was good at doing all kinds of Asans (postures). I also represented our school in the yoga demonstration competition.

My photo memory was good, I got first prize in “Kims Game”. That is seeing things in a box for some time and later recollecting and should write all the names. It boosted my confidence in life.

After completing Tenth Class, I was interested in studying Biology, Physics and Chemistry. But my father insisted I should do Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry. Again the fearful subject (Mathematics) became my companion. I joined a private Junior college near, Qoranti (it got its name from — “Quarantine”, Sir Ronald Ross, Institute of Tropical Diseases). This was next to the tributary of Musi River. There flowed the sewage. It was a private building the college is no more, and now I see a busy Liquor Shop in its place.

For improving my Mathematics, I started going for private tuition, Mr. Srinivas, was our teacher. He was an excellent teacher. My fear of Mathematics was slowly gone away due to his teaching. At the tuition, we played Table tennis on a mini table with the dusters and cricket in the gully. He taught us a technique of bringing the “soul” for predicting the question paper. We all sit in a circle with the questions numbered on a chart. A small steel cup is placed in the middle. But putting our fingers over the cup, closed our eyes. Usually odd number of people are required. He invited the invisible soul to come and help us with the question paper. The cup moved slowly in a direction, and the number indicated the question already numbered. It was fun doing that. Realized that the soul is the collective soul of the will of all those participated, which moved the cup in a direction.

Mr. Charles was our great English teacher. He fell in love with the Novel “Pride and Prejudice”. While teaching, he also taught us the historical, social life of England too. Our Physics, Chemistry, and Hindi teachers were also great. In the second year just before final year exams, I saw a group of my classmates were discussing with Mr. Murthy, Mathematics teacher regarding the future courses. I just happened to listen to him saying that Geology is a good subject and one could travel to different places as part of the profession. This interested me as I wanted to go places. In those days doing Bachelor of Engineering course was in great demand. There were hardly few seats to get a chance. I was afraid of Mathematics subject too. A casual listening to a conversation has changed my destiny in pursuing Geology as a subject for Degree.

I searched for the colleges in the city offering Geology as one of the subjects. I got the seat at Post Graduate College of Science, Saifabad of Osmania University (OU). I joined the Bachelor of Science with the subjects — Geology, Mathematics and Physics. There were very few colleges under OU, teaching for the graduates. We had both advantage and disadvantage. The teachers were mostly professors, teaching the postgraduates and also guiding the Ph.D. students. We had an excellent library and sports facilities. Our professors were very senior, when they taught it was very interesting. Many students here were not interested in attending the classes regularly. Therefore the teachers also did not show much interest. Prof. Lachi Reddy was punctual and taught us Mathematics. Prof. Narayan Rao an English language teacher always came in a white lungi (a cloth tied from the waist and downward), but almost never took classes for us. I liked the subject of Optics taught by Prof. Appa Rao. Soon joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC), every Sunday attended the military training and attended camps. I have qualified the NCC ‘C’ certificates. I studied Geology with interest, mostly on my own. I loved the rocks, minerals, etc. It was a multidisciplinary subject, which made me get connected to the diversity of topics. I spent most of my time whenever there are no classes in the sports room playing table tennis. Hindi was my second language, I was also afraid of passing the exam as our teacher was never found in the college regularly. I took about 45 minutes to one hour time to reach from our home to college. Therefore I used to get on the bus at RTC Colony Ramanthapur and always tried to get the seat. I used to read Hindi textbook on the bus every day. And I could pass the exam easily.

I wanted to study Master of Geology. I got to know about Prof. K. Narender Reddy he had coached me for the entrance exam of Osmania University. He had the confidence and suggested me to appear for the MSc entrance at Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. I appeared the exam and got the admission to study Master of Science, in Applied Geology. His teaching was very simple and stressed on the fundamentals. His definitions were short, simple and to the point. He is one of the best persons, I got the opportunity to learn.

At IIT, Bombay, excellent teachers were there. Prof. Dilip Saha taught us structural Geology. He was the most intelligent person. Taught us so many things, it was tough to pass his exams too. Some of us got zero marks in his exam too. He has taken us for the field visit to Ghatshila in Bihar. It was a geologically rich area. We all had great experience to learn and observe in the field. On the last day of the field work on the banks of Subarnarekha River, he asked me to identify a rock. I felt very honored. Prof. K. V. Subba Rao was a specialist on volcanic rocks. He taught us to map the volcanic rocks of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra. Prof. Chandra Shekaram also exposed us to the basalt formations. While studying the rocks we have climbed the Mt. Kalsubhai the highest peak in Maharashtra. For my Master’s thesis, I have chosen the topic: “Structural and Geological Study of the Parts of Chitradurga Schist Belt”, under the guidance of Prof. K. V. Subba Rao. He was a very well know geologist in India. He was also strict, he gave me a warning and sent me from the chemistry lab for not bringing the lab book. While in the field, the local geology expert from Geological Survey of India, Dr. E. B. Suguvanam, Dr. R. H. Sawkar, of Hutti Gold Mines taught and exposed to the geology and structural geology of the Chitradurga Schist belt. This place had the oldest rocks of India, including the primordial crust. Javanahalli thrust formed the divide between the eastern and western Dharwad. I learned a lot under the able guidance of the stalwarts in Geology. The micro folds found in the rocks also indicated the macro-happening on the earth. Prof. K. V. Subba Rao taught me not to be lazy while in the field.

When I joined the MSc Geography, I got inspired by Prof. Vitthal Reddy. He gave me an opportunity to teach the Civil Services aspirants. At that time I was preparing for the Civil Service exam, I came to know about Dr. Satish C. Jayanthi my super senior at the Geography Department. He has volunteered to coach me on the Geography subject for the civil services exam. He was an excellent teacher. He took time to coach few of my friends and me. His commitment was great.

I got inspired by Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy of the Department of Political Science, Osmania University. His department was close to the Geography Department. I visited him having known that he committed to the cause of the environment. He inspired me, and I am aspired to pursue the subject environmental science for my Doctor of Philosophy. He still encourages, and our relationship is now more than 2 decades. He has set higher goals in my life, and I am trying to achieve them. He has taken to the field has shown me the problems. Took me with him to several of his lectures. I could participate with him in the public interest litigations filed in the High Court and Supreme court of India for the common cause of environment.

I qualified the Council for Scientific Research Fellowship. I had the opportunity to choose any institute in India for my Ph.D. Also got admission a the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. At this juncture, I met Prof. K. Narender Reddy, who coached me in Geology Subject. During the discussion, he said that “If you want freedom, you can join for Ph.D. under my Guidance”, or else you could choose any other institute or university, you have all the options. I have decided to join him for having Freedom to do my Ph.D. I have chosen the topic of doing Ph.D. on the polluted waters of Patancheru Industrial area.

Apart from all those Gurus in my life while pursuing education, there are also many Gurus in my professional life too.

White Horse

If someone says do you “Drink”, it means the liquid that intoxicates. The sign board “Don’t Drink and Drive” means the same. Otherwise, everyone drinks something or the other including water. Sometimes a person after having enough lassi (buttermilk) also feels drowsy, and thinking becomes slow. People say drinking Toddy is like getting on a white horse. Here I am sharing on the cultural and traditional aspects of the Toddy.

Drinking is considered as wrong in some cultures and religious faiths. Myself coming from Telangana State in India, it is a culture, especially in the rural areas. Traditionally the Toddy (Palm Wine) was the primary source of drink. It is a natural and pure drink extracted from trees. It is called “Kallu” in Telugu, which is white in color, tasting sweet and sour. It is an alcoholic beverage created from the sap of various species of Palm trees such as the Palmyra (Thati Kallu) and date palms (Eetha Kallu).

There is a particular community called “Gouds or Goundla,” or in General, the collectors are called “Kallu Geetha Karmikulu,” or Toddy Tappers. They traditionally collect Kallu every day morning and evening and make it available to the villagers. People collect Toddy by climbing the Palmyra and Date Palm trees. Palmyra is one of the tallest trees. They had been collecting Toddy from some of the trees since generations. They know the exact taste of Toddy from each tree. Climbing trees is the most difficult task, which they have learned with practice. They always wear a ‘Budda Gochi” or small lion cloth for convenience to climb. They tie a thick rope around their waist the tree. This rope has rubbers too for increasing the friction. By pushing the body away and lifting both the feet to a higher hold they climb and by doing the reverse, they climb down. A small ring of rope connects the two legs for the extra grip on the tree trunk. The toddy is always tapped from a place just below the crown of the tree. They go with a sharp blade made up of iron and clay pots. They make a “Geetha” or Line exposing the sap near the neck of the tree. The sap is directed into the empty pots, with small guides. The pots are tied to the tree. The plants which are in a farmers field, he would let the people harvest, they would give the landowner some part of Toddy as share. Rest they would sell to others in the villages. In the past Toddy was never sold for money, the farmers shared part of their produce after harvesting for the Toddy served to them throughout the year. The bonding between the consumer and the person serving was lifelong.

In the past toddy was sold in earthen pots specially designed with a wide bottom and narrow neck. I have seen mostly, Toddy sold in the glass bottles (called Kallu seesalu), such as reused beer bottles. Ironically in the past, it was sold in the reused Glucose glass (saline) bottles too. Toddy also has sugar, some people say the old man requires glucose, it means toddy. Some old people with arthritis walk straight with confidence after consumption of some Toddy. Now-a- days saline comes in disposable plastic packets. The nickname of Toddy and other beverages is “Mandhu” It means medicine in Telugu language. The doctor prescribes for one’s health, and the other is self-prescribed by the people for their mental freedom and happiness. Too much consumption of anything would finally lead to consuming the real medicine prescribed by a doctor.

Eetha Kallu is very sweet and less intoxicating. Whereas, Thati Kallu is stronger (sweet in the morning, becoming sour to bitter-sour in the evening) and is highly intoxicating. People enjoy Kallu right at the trees where it is brought down. They drink out of leaves by holding them to their mouths while the Toddy tapper pours the Kallu from the Kallu Muntha (Toddy pot). There are different types of toddy (Kallu) according to the season. Especially the toddy tapped during the summer from the male Palmyra trees is called “Pothuganti Kallu”. Toddy is considered to cool the body from heat so there is more consumption of Toddy especially during the summers. The people suffering from Jaundice also consume Toddy as part of traditional medicine treatment. There is more demand for the Toddy in summers, so there is plenty available. The villages might have less drinking water but the Kallu is plenty in some villages.

When just collected from the tree fresh, it is very sweet and nice. It ferments and turns into alcohol with time. The toddy collected consumed within 12 hours is good and has the effect of alcohol on the people who drink. These days adulterated “Kallu” is being sold which also leads to addiction. When people stop consuming such Toddy they go insane. It is also called “Mandhu Kallu”, again calling the adulterated material also “Mandhu.” This is because the demand is more, and there are few trees to meet requirement. To tackle the situation, the government has introduced the “Indian Made Foreign Liquor” and encouraged the National and International brands entry into the rural markets. This system controlled the adulteration, but many people dependent on the decentralized traditional Toddy Tappers lost their livelihoods. The government considers. Liquor of any kind is bad, campaigns against consumption. And at the same time facilitates its selling through licenses, with a high percentage of tax. Therefore the habit of the people is a source of revenue for the government. Sometimes it is calculated that the source of income to the government from the sale of the liquor in a village is more than the total subsidies and freebies that the government gives to the same villagers. In that case, why Milk is never stopped from going out of the village. For the benefit of the farmers, the government could have levied a higher tax on the consumers for the benefit of the farmers. So that at least some milk the farmers could have consumed.

When relatives come home they are served Toddy has honor. I was ten years old when I first tasted the Toddy. It happened that my family visited our relatives in the village Pulmamidi. They brought the Toddy for the adults. They were kept in a place which is used for storing the onions called “Ulligadda Mande”. It is a hut like structure created with the dry sticks of pigeon pea plant. It is very cool inside. I and my “Alludu” (cousin sisters son) were alone sitting in that place as all others were busy. He has shown me these Toddy bottles stored there for cooling it was around 4:00 pm. He said its taste is like sugar water and good to drink. I tasted a little bit, and it tasted so good. Soon, I have completed drinking three bottles, that is about two liters. I felt drowsiness and soon fell into deep sleep. I am not sure what happened next. In the midnight, I called and woke up my mother telling that I am hungry. My mom said that I was in a deep sleep after consuming the toddy. They brought me home in a bullock cart from the field. First time in life drank so much that I was knocked.

The majority of the old generation people had the habit of drinking toddy. Men drink more than the women and almost more regularly. Children don’t drink, and they are discouraged. Men visit the “Kallu Compound” a place where Toddy is sold and also interact with friends. The eateries are mostly sold by women. No person ever misbehaved with the women selling the eateries in such a place. They had lots of respect for them too. They sell items which are not found else where, such as very big size papadalu, Ulvalu, Bobberlu, Chenagalu (Chick Pea), Chudva, Mirchi bajjilu, boiled eggs, etc. The taste of the these items being slightly spicy were always tastey. I always loved to eat those items.

For nearly all kinds of occasions or events, drinking is common. The birth and death of a person is also an occasion to drink. The happiness is an obvious reason to celebrate. On the day of the death of a person, people cry so much in sadness. To forget the sorrow, some of the relatives offer the Toddy to the bereaved family members. It is called “Chedu Idavali” or lose the bitterness. During happy occasions, the host provides the Toddy, and during the sad occasions, the guests sponsor the toddy to the family members.

There is a festival called “Bonalu” celebrated in reverence to the goddess Durga. Sacrificing the animals and offering the toddy is common in many temples. They pour the toddy before the entrance gate of the temple, called “Saka Petadam”. It is an offering to the god. They also let the sacrificial animal also drink some quantity of toddy before sacrificing it in front of the temple.

The agriculture labor called for work in one’s field is often given daily wage and also one bottle of toddy. This is a common practice for both men and women laborers. They say only by drinking they could get deep sleep and forget the pains of a day’s hard work and be prepared for next day’s work. I met an old couple involved in pottery in Peddamaduru village they cook their evening meal by 4:30 pm and consume the fresh Toddy and sleep before 7 pm. They woke up early morning by 5:00 am. This routine was good for their health and lived happily and making pottery even in their 8os.

In the rural villages, both women and men work equally. Sometimes women work more than men. Toddy is a family drink in our families, especially among older generation people. Except for children and few adults, everyone drinks Toddy. In quantity, women won’t drink much and as regularly in comparison with men. Sometimes a son drinks and takes Toddy to the aged parents. It is a kind of respect and honor. Recently Toddy is replacing the Beer and Whisky. It is a burden on the people and also not so good for the health of the people consuming. It benefits only the multi-billion liquor barons and never address the social and local environmental issues.

After drinks, I saw women speak on par with men. They talk with an open heart even with their husbands, and there is no hatred in their minds. The jovial mood of the whole family makes a day complete with some toddy. In villages, every occasion is cherished with drinks and made memorable.

Confession

One day Professor K. Purushotham Reddy, asked me to come for a meeting with Mr. Aziz Mushabber Ahmadi, the former Chief Justice of India (1994–97). He has come from Delhi on some personal work. It was the house of a person selling exotic Attars (scents). He is doing good business. Often meets celebrities to sell the scents, so has a large collection of photographs of him with the celebrities.

We all were waiting in a Nawabi style hall. Mr. A. M. Ahmadi has arrived, after introductions we shared about the environmental activities that we had been doing. It was evening time and the mood was very light and jovial. We were offered tea. Mr. A. M. Ahmadi refused to take tea with sugar. He told that he had been traveling a lot in the past and in the hotels they always kept fresh fruits so he consumed them a lot, probably that lead to diabetes in him. So advised not to consume because they are accessible or available, but one should have control on ones food habits.

He is a gentleman, so I wanted to ask one of the fundamental questions about commiting sin and punishment.

In those days in the year 2011, The Indian anti-corruption movement was in full swing it was started by Social Activist, Mr. Anna Hazare. There were a series of demonstrations and protests across India intended to establish strong legislation and enforcement against perceived endemic political corruption. At that time, I saw three people in Tihar Jail for three reasons. Three Members of Parliament one for taking the bribe, for giving the bribe, and Mr. Anna Hazare for protesting against corruption. It means a person being in Jail could be any reason.

I was watching the media everyday and was also feeling how honest I am. So, I asked Mr. A. M. Ahmadi that I wanted to go to jail too for some of the reasons such as I have paid bribe to the police for getting my passport verification (a routine for no reason they take some money having visited the residence for verification). For getting the prior permission of a project again I have paid bribe to the officer. Paid admission fees for joining my children in the school, where, I did not get any receipt. For getting permission for our house paid money to the town planning officer, etc. All these acts also amount to sin. And I dont want to go to hell for these sins and want to get punishment here it self. Because the jails punishment is far better than the punishment given in hell. Being a hindu, I will go to the hell of Hindus. There, I learnt that for every sin there is a particular punishment, such as burning in fire; hanging upside over fire; beating; burning in oil; piercing the body through a huge stick from bottom to the head, etc. Those punishments are far worse. Although I tried taking holy dips in the rivers on the auspicious days, still not sure, if my “Papam” (sin) will go and would get the Punyam (good deed).

VIPs who committed financial crimes are given a seperate room with television and news papers, they could also play badmention in the evenings, etc. They are given free food, security and medical attention as part of punishment. Some people also study and complete their higher education without any hinderence in the Jails. They get plenty of time to read and meditate. Some people also write books too. So getting punished in the jails is sometimes not a great punishment. The jails are a burden on the tax payer.

Mr. Ahmadi said, okay you have confessed before everyone, so there is no need for you to go to jail. I said even in the courts people confess before everyone finally, but they are sent to the jails. Sometimes the judges asking a culprit to take oath that I will only tell “Truth” on holy books, even the characters in the book could be sent by the judge as per the law of the land. Every judge is a human being and not 100% honest human being. Finally Mr. A. M. Ahmadi said that you need to go to a police station for and First Information Report (FIR), most likely the police who makes FIR, may ask you bribe for the FIR. This is an unending loop of sin. Therefore, ending the conversation I said that I got it. Each person need to be as honest as possible in life. Unknowingly if one does something work, there is an excuse, but for each person the guiltyness is the ultimate punishment. Guiltyness is for human people not for heartless people.

Some people are very honest for small issues. But if the amount is high as per their expectation they would become corrupt shamelessly.

In 1995 while discussing with Mr V. R. Reddy the founder of Deccan Development Society regarding the corruption and how bad it is. He said okay “you are less corrupt”. I started thinking for next two days, how come he could say I am also corrupt. I was thinking I am the most honest person till that day.

Being in a polluted environment as one also gets the impact of pollution. Being in a corrupt world one also gets corrupted directly or indirectly. Therefore I got the fact that there are degrees of corruption. If everyone need to go to jail for every small act of corruption or wrong, the jails are not enough. The persons who judge are not 100% honest too. Like a police catching a thief need not be a honest and clean person. The world is only looking at the extremes and trying to prevent by punishing a few as an example. The guiltiness of a person is coming down as they think are thinking many are also doing similar things. Means of unclean acts are never thought as part of education, but how come people over a period in their life learn the trade of being corrupt.

I asked a fundamental question to Mr. A. M. Ahmadi, if he has come across any case where someone has come to the court for divorce, because their life partner is corrupt. He said he has never come across such an incident. A person has come to court for divorce for simple reasons such as their partner has seen an opposite sex and doubting their intentions sought divorce.

Regarding getting corrupt, say if someone has offered tea, one would have it, but would never ask if this tea was made from honest income. By drinking such a tea would some one also share the corruption. This also pertinant to the religions offering made to the Gods by people. If a corrupt person has made a offering in the form of money or other things, does “God” also would be corrupted. By offering such money how could they seek favors.

The Valmiki who wrote Ramayana (an epic) was a thief once called by the name Ratnagar. He waited for people to pass in the isolated forest areas and looted them. He was the only bread earner for his family. Once he encountered a saint passing by, the saint was not afraid of him. Instead told him few the basic facts. By theft you are commiting sin and only you would go to hell and not your family members. Ratnagar did not believe, he said his family loves him and they would also share the sin with him and together would go to hell and live there again. He went and asked his family members. He got the reply from parents, wife and children that you are doing your duty towards us as son, husband and father. We are not doing anything wrong, so why would we share your sin. Ratnagar realised how isolated he is and was shattered by the truth. The holy sage was “Narada” the wandering sage and disciple of Lord Narayana. Ratnagar gave up everything and under the guidence of Narada started meditating on Rama. An anthill grew over him, so got the name Valmiki. He has written the Ramayana, called Valmiki Ramayana.

Similarly, the corrupt people should realize all that they are doing to their families in the name of love and security is a sin being shared by them alone. Therefore when a corrupt official is caught the family members enjoyed the wealth are never sent to jail or punished. If the family members are sent to atleast for few days to jail, I think the family members would also ask the earning person to earn honestly.

Corruption manifests in different forms. People might call differently but the forms of corruption are: a) Basic is taking or giving money for an unjust favor b) Taking money for being an authority although the work is honest c) Thinking in mind bad about someone or something d) Not doing the duties correctly for example a driver is more attentive in his duty than a person working in a office and thinking something else, coming and going in time is not duty e) Exploitation of resources f) Causing direct or indirect impacts negatively through an action g) Not paying the rightful amount to a person for example: A person purchases vegetables from a farmer at a low price by unethical bargaining although the cost of producing the tomatoes does not match the purchasing price h) selling goods at a higher price exploiting the customers i) Escalating or devaluation of shares through hype created j) Making the offering to gods or goddesses for favor which is unethical i.e., making partner to unethical favor, etc. Therefore considering the economy and way of life there is no one who is not part of the corrupt system. Therefore the statement “Everyone is Corrupt, and the degree of corruption varies”.

Leaders in Politics

At an young age, I got in contact with the politicians or political leaders. While doing the PhD research work, I was got in contact with Mr. Marri Shashidhar Reddy, we was an Member of the Legislative Assembly. He had done his higher education in the United States of America. He was a learned politician and had many skills. He was tech savy and used the laptop and mobile phone with ease. He was introduced to me by Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy.

Mr. Shashidhar Reddy started an organistion called, Forum for Utilisation of Godavari Waters (FUGW), this was to create awareness and consensus among the technical people, politicians, farmers on the utilisation of godavari waters. About 500 TMC or the equivalent of the water utilised in the Krishna Water was just flowing into the Bay of Bengal without utilisation. The parts of Telangana face severe droughts frequently and there is migration of people for livelihoods. Thereby utilisation of the Godavari water, could develop the agriculture and dependent livelihoods and improve the economy of the state. I liked the cause. I started participating and coordinated the meetings of FUGW along with Mr. Shashidhar Reddy and Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy, with the representative of all the political parties for the opinion and consensus. Also conducted technical committee meetings with the chief engineers and engineers in irrigation. Also organised meetings in the districts with the farmers and other local leaders on this issue in the parts of Telangana in the Godavari river basin. For all the meetings, was was writing the minutes and documenting the programme. Right from preparation of the brochures, pamplets, material for distribution, I participated. In the process, I learnt how to conduct and organise meetings, seminars, conferences, etc. I also knew how people spoke on the subject with their hidden intentions. The development is like this because there is some bias among people. I could meet and see many political leaders including Late Mr. P. V. Narasimha Rao (Ex- Prime Minister of India). I appreciate Mr. Marrishahidhar Reddys discipline and meticulous planning in implementation of an event.

Prof. K. Purushotham Reddy Sir was instrumental in introducing me to several political leaders. He made me one of the Intellectual committee members in designing the Manifesto for the General Assembly elections for Congress Party (INC) of the Andhra Pradesh State. For two periods (2004 and 2009), I participated and shared my views on development and the issues to be considered in the Manifesto. The points were well appreciated and some of them were incorporated in the manifesto. Both the times congress party won the elections with absolute majority. Dr. Y. S. Rajashekar Reddy was the Chief Minister.

Once Mr. Vamshi Chand Reddy has organised an event of demonstration and lecture on stoves in Gandhi Bhavan or the Head Quorters of Congress Party. He was the leader of Youth Congress. It was surprising that all the youth congress leaders have attended and have listened to me with enthusiasm. Mr. Keshav Rao the head of the congress party also visited an gave a lecture on the improtance of stoves. I liked the interest of these leaders on the common issues. While implementing there is something which pulls them back.

Recently, I got an opportunity to give lecture for the first chief minister of Telangana state Mr. K. Chandra Shekar Rao, His Ministers and all the elected representatives from his party. He organised a training camp of 3 days at Nagarjuna Sagar. Dr. K. Tirupathaiah has invited me to share on environmental issues. The training was well organised, many of the elected representatives were newly elected. Mr. Rao insisted that no mobile phone should be switched on. All of them are great orators as they have come from public life. Bur for the first time seeing them listening with pindrop silence, it was great. Because of the leadership of Mr. Rao this could happen. We were given about 3 hours to speak. I have taken about 45 minutes for speaking about the Environmental challenges and the way forward. They liked my way of explaining things. Mr. Rao and others appreciated my lecture.

Politicians mainly spend time with the people of their constituency during elections. But otherwise they are not so much connected, except a group of interested people who want to get their things done. Over a period a political leader fails to understand the ground realities. Being very much local or restricted to few areas in their respective states they also not understand the relative developmental activities happening else where. Mostly politicians are less educated. They might study after becoming a leader, but only few understand the ground reality. To sensitise there is a need to take politicians to different parts of India and abroad for exposure and improving their understanding about the development indicators and other challenges. Before completing their tenure they should travel every year covering all the parts in their respective constituencies. It is like a teacher not attending classes if they are elusive and dont mingle and understand the problems of the people.

Once, I was insisting that the politicians should also have a course on initiation. That is they should sleep one night on the foot path like millions or in a slum area or in a poor peoples house. A leader is the own who is sensitive, empathetic, responsive and cause change.

(leader is not a leader from Geo Spirit)

I love my feet

In the Indian tradition, people touch the feet of elders as a mark of respect. They say namaskar with folded hands. Although, it is more hygienic to shake hands rather touching others feet. Why do people touch the feet was the puzzle to me. In the quest for answers, I started respecting and honoring my own feet.

Recently in the science of Climate Change, the term Carbon Footprint is often used. If someone from space is observing a person fitted with the Global Positioning System, the person would move from one point to another to and fro in one’s lifetime and release the emissions in every act. If one tracks the animals, the footprints are only seen. Therefore the feet of people seem to be causing the ultimate impact. As a result, so many footprints have emerged, such as Carbon Footprint, Ecological Footprint, etc.

Carbon Footprint: The amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels by a particular person, group, etc.

Ecological Footprint: The impact of a person or community on the environment, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain their use of natural resources.

Pressing the feet of the older adults after a day’s hard work when they return home was common in the past. It is a form of affection and love shown towards the elders.

Lord Sri Rama of Hindu Mythology was in exile in a jungle. His brother, Bharatha loved him very much. He came to the Jungle in search of him and requested him to return to the kingdom and rule. Committed to his father’s order, he did not want to return. So Bharatha requested Rama to give his chappals so that he would keep them on the throne as a mark of respect and rule the kingdom in his place.

In the Hindu temples, the Shatagopam placed on the devotees head at the time of praying God is common in Vaishnavaith temples. It has the symbolic small size chappals at the top of the conical shaped metal cap. In many ashrams still, we find the chappals of their gurus after their demise are still kept and prayed with reverence. At the Mother Theresa center in Kolkatta, her slippers displayed speak a lot about her work. The impressions caused on the slippers due to usage are unique for each person.

The footprints of Lord Krishna are prayed with reverence. Similarly, on the Krishna Ashtami day, the footprints of toddlers or very young kids are collected and stored as a memorable gift.

As a witness to say that so and so God has visited a place, people show the footprint like impressions on the rocks. Say if one goes to Yadagirigutta Narasimha Swamy old temple, on the Granite rocks there are impressions or cavities on the granite rock. They are not exactly of the size of an average human being, but people say in olden days the people were big in size. These are the weathering of the rocks due to rainwater flowing in swirls with pebbles and sand grinding the weak rock. Still, people believe and show the impressions as evidence of the God having visited.

Traditionally, greeting with folded hands is common among the Hindus and many Indians. Touching the hands or shaking is not common, but touching the feet of the older adults is a common thing. When a guest comes home giving water for washing the feet is the first thing done, even before giving water to drink.

People touch the feet of the dead people with great reverence as a mark of respect.

Energy transfers from the first fingers of the feet and through the spinal cord and shoots up through the center of the head. It is called the activation of the seven chakras.

For diabetic people the symptoms start from the foot, it is an indicator to understand the levels of sugar in the body.

Feet are the only part of the body without any complaint would carry the whole body. Sometimes the hands may complain, say while carrying a heavy bag, the feet carrying the body weight and the weight of the heavy bag did not complain the pain, but the hands complain. When people dance with joy it is the feet that are under maximum strain, everyone sees other body parts more and appreciate than the feet.

While taking a bath, the time spent on each part and the time spent to clean the feet should be more.

It has taken me to places unimagined, in day and night, in the thorns and grass, in the hills and plains. Feet are trigger happy with the thought of the brain to take any risk to achieve the goal.

“My foot” a slang often used by some people is an is an “Expression of disbelief.” Here people are not honoring the foot much by using such a slang.

If by mistake someone touches another person with foot, immediately they would say sorry and also fold their hands or take one hand towards forehead as an expression of respect. One should not touch or kick the valuable things like food, books, stove, etc.

Lord Krishna in the Hindu Mythology lost his life as his first finger of one of his foot, was hit by the arrow of a hunter in the jungle.

Radio and television

In those days radio was the primary source of entertainment. Listening to the radio was the only pass time. We had a radio box. The Radio itself was so big in those days, it was well protected in a box made up of wood and with a glass door. After the Radio was damaged over a period, later we used it for storing important documents, and we called it “Radio Dabba” or “Radio Box.”

In the 1980’s the televisions were new. They were beyond the purchasing capacity of the majority of people. The government has facilitated one Television to the Gram Panchayat of Ramanthapur. In those days there were only Black, and White Television sets available. The Doordarshan, the Government Television Studio, was located at Ramanthapur. Every Sunday in the evening at around 5 o’clock they used to telecast a movie in Telugu. People used to gather at the Gram Panchayat, even before the movie starts. Some used to sell snacks like Chudva (mixture) and pulla (stick) ice-cream, etc. I have also gone and seen a few movies along with the crowd. Over a period, few families could afford to purchase the Television Sets. I used to visit their homes to watch the movies. Few families also started showing the movies on weekends, by charging 25 paise per movie as ticket price. We bought a Television set by name Urvashi of Bharath company. We had a low voltage supply so caused the television to break down regularly. Because of low voltage, there used to appear black bands running on the Television and most often we watched the tv with a prayer for good voltage. The good voltage used to come only during late night when the majority of people slept. It had a door to close the television too. It was a pride, so many times had a photo with the Television. There was only one channel initially, everyone watched the same. Apart from weekend movies, I liked to watch the serials such as Rajni, Yeh Jo hai Jindagi, Buniyad, Ramayan, and Mahabarath, etc. The National and Local News also was very good to watch.

Basti

Almost 35 years in my life I lived in a Basti, it was called Indiranagar. In this place, people settled from different parts of the states such as Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Hindus, Muslims, and Christians resided next to each other. People from all castes and professions were living together. Uppal industrial area is very close by, so many workers were representing different trades and skills. Majority of them are from poor or lower-middle class. The residential plots were mostly 100 to 150 square yards. Many people here lived in rented portions.

In a Basti, everyone is a king,  queen, prince or princess. Their pride is always high. People live in houses, but in a basti, they live some of the time on the streets also. The streets are never dull. In the Bastis people preferred to live more on the streets. For children, the roads were the playground. Have seen, children evolving into the leaders on the streets. The street corners are the favorite places for youth to hang over and discuss till late night. For youth, it is a place for gossip, networking, and socialization. They could discuss the politics, sports and also about a girl that they are interested in. For antisocial elements, it is a place to show their strength and making mischief. People whistle for no reason to get the attention of everyone. People take sides in no time by involving in any fight between the people and groups. Although everyone has fought one time or the other, their statements made by intervention to pacify the warring groups reminds me that they have turned messiahs and great.

In the past, about 20 years back, people were found even sleeping and cooking on the street. Â In Basti almost there is not a single day when there is no fight among some residents. Often police come to pacify the fighting people or sometimes in search of catching someone who has done something wrong and absconding. Any incident in the Basti would draw everyone’s attention. The fighting between husband and wife is also an issue of public interest. For me seeing people fighting was very common. The families around were interested in fighting both verbally and physically and for the slightest of provocation. We could get the intensity of verbal fighting and expect the physical fighting too. Would come out of the house to watch the fighting and see who wins. Sometimes a couple fights with another couple, but suddenly one couple starts fighting among themselves leaving the other couple and get inside. I have heard all kinds of Galis (abuse or denunciation or revile) and seen people breaking their heads and bones too. As though some people have never fought in their life, they would come and intervene between the two warring parties for reconciliation. I finally realized one day that there is no Gali as such, it is a statement that is about relationship or state or sex, that is not true. So I never gave Galis into anyone intentionally, although I learned every Gali in Telugu and Urdu at an early age.

There was an old lady with three daughters and three sons. All of them were married. When we were small, often used to see the fighting among themselves. The whole families and their children used to fight violently. Sometimes they threw bricks and rocks too against each other. Over years as some of them died with age they are peaceful now.

In the last ten years, a lady is staying in a rented house across the street. This lady emerged into a kind of leader.  She is loud-mouthed and fought with everyone in the street already. Reconciles with people supports the common issues such as on water supply, electricity failure, drainage overflow, etc. There is a water tank placed in the street next to our house. The municipality supplies water through a borewell. It is the center of activity from morning to dawn. Over the years the groundwater receded in our area. She dominates in deciding who should take water from the public tap. During the elections period, one could see a stream of people gathering here; she pays people for accompanying the campaign. The local politicians use her services. She was selling vegetables near the main road, as seen during my childhood.

When I was young, used to play glass marbles and Gilli danda (small and a medium stick) on the streets. I was knowing everyone in the street and mingled with everyone like a Basti boy. But one day when I was about 13 years old, my mother told me not to go out and play with the Basti friends. I stopped going out and completely gave up meeting childhood friends nor made any new friends after that. To ignore many deviations and distractions while coming in or going out of the Basti, I learned to walk very fast and mostly by looking down.Â

Near Jandakada in the Basti, there was a mentally insane lady called Yellamma. The children used to tease her by calling her “Yellamma Pui Pui”, she often gets infuriated by their calls. She then threw stones at the people giving all kinds of Galis.Â

The asbestos roof was not appropriately laid by Babu Mestri (Mason), during the rainy days, it used to leak at several points. Although we had “Charminar” Brand Asbestos sheets, there was a famous advertisement on the radio, …Ramayya enduku chinta. Charminar brand rekulu undanga…”. We were using three rooms when I was in 10th Class. We could easily sense the intensity of the rain with the sound made by the raindrops. Sleeping during heavy rains with the sound was difficult.Â

On the way from home to the main road, the distance was about 0.5 kms. The street dogs were many, but there are few dogs without any provocation they would ferociously bark and try to attach. I always learned to ignore and respect them, just like the troublemakers on the streets.

We had typical names for the places near our house such as Janda kada-Near the flag, as flag is hoisted during Republic and Independence days; Girni kada- The flour mill; Chinna dukanam — Small shop; Yapachettu kinda dukanam — The shop below the neem tree; Marwadi shop — A shop run by a Marwadi from Rajasthan; Imarat Building — Imarat means building; Gudi kada — Near the temple; main road, masjid kada — near mosque, etc. These names were understood by everyone in the Basthi.

In the Bastis some people are poor too. The children don’t aspire much for higher education. Because of the culture of a Basti, some children were dropouts too. Fighting is a common trait of the basti people. Few of them become Goondas or Rowdies too. To have their presence felt, sometimes unnecessarily they shout a load of make catcalls and blow whistles to have the attention of others. Sometimes they make their motorcycles sound a loud by tuning the silencers. Some of them have typical horns for their motorcycles and make annoying sounds. While walking, I always ignored such sounds and never made an eye contact with such persons. By ignoring them, they also ignored me, and I always had my one space and freedom.

Shop and School

My father was enterprising. In those days my father had less income. To improve his income, he did surveying of the lands and prepared the plans for of houses. Once his friends owned a rice mill, where the paddy is converted into rice. He started a shop at home for selling rice. Soon there was demand for other groceries too. It became a full-fledged shop selling all kinds of items. I also used to go with my father to the wholesale market for bringing the goods. It functioned for about one year successfully and then removed as he invested the money in purchasing some land.

My elder sister after her graduation started teaching in a school. Soon she got married. My father one day said why don’t we start a school, which both my sister and brother-in-law could manage. Soon, our house got converted into a primary school. We called it “Parijatha Public School.” Parijatha is an auspicious small white color flower with a lovely fragrance. All the rooms which we were using are now the classrooms. In our area, as we were living since many years everyone knew us and joined their children in the school. Over a period, up to 7th standard, the students were attending. Whenever I had time, I used to teach children in the school. My experiments of teaching started here. I used to ask children to choose a lesson of their choice and teach them, rather starting in sequence. When children had chosen their lesson, they were very much interested in listening. By the end of the class, the children could memorize the whole lesson. Children learning by choice had more interest and could learn very fast. I also taught yoga to the children. Children were very happy doing it too. At the end, their favorite exercise was rolling overhead on the floor. Children love what they love to do given a chance.

Living with Gods

Around my home, we have highest density of temples. Almost all the temples were built on the tank bed area, reclaimed by dumping the waste material. The temples are Sri Rama Sahitha Satyanaranaya Swamy, Pochamma Temple, Sri. Gangamatha Temple, Kattamaisamma Temple, Baktha Markandeya Swamy Temple, Sri Panduranga Swamy Temple, Sai Baba Temple, and there is also a Mosque and a Church nearby. All these within half a Kms radius from my home.

Sri Rama Sahitha Satyanaranaya Swamy temple is the first temple. My father Mr. N. Pochi Reddy, along with his friends played an active role in the construction of this temple. Since beginning for about 15 years he was the secretary of the temple. Later it was taken over by the state government under the Endowments department. Now it has a complex of gods idols. My childhood was mostly spent around this temple. I used to attend the Brahmotsavams, Seetha Rama Kalyanam, Karthika Masam poojas etc. With so many loud speakers around with Bhakti songs and the prayer from mosque, played early morning and evening, I got used to listening them and started liking.

On the opposite across the water tank, there was a burial and cremation ground. When ever someone died, with lound sounds of dappu (leather drum) the funeral procession is taken from their house upto the Burial ground. The sounds are very intensive and heard upto 1 kilometer distance. When the bodies are cremated the fire and its reflection in the water was clearly seen from our house. As children we were afraid to see in that direction during the nights.

Ganesh Chaturthi is an important festival among the Hindus. It is celebrated with great reverence in parts of India. The elephant headed god is auspicious in almost all part of India. The statues are see in almost every temple and also at the t-junctions to ward of the potu or hit.

The leaders are not made through the printing of pictures on the flexi sheets and hosting them at every street corner or at every electric pole. They are so cheap. People eliminate a person for a job based on the qualification, skills, knowledge, etc. How come we select such idiotic people as our leaders. The fixers are not leaders. The followers of the leaders in todays world are all those who anticipate some favour based on their position and influence. Almost all the present leaders are the potential candidates to go to jail any time. There are various reasons why they are not in jails.

During the Ganesh Chaturthi, people place idols made up of plaster of paris at the junction of the roads. The roads are blocked, as the leaders organising consider it as important and block the roads. The other people think who is this guy blocking the road. The collection of the chanda or donation for the pandal, Ganesha idol and other expenses are borne by the same gully or basti people. The people praying god or showing reverence need not be good people. The habit of collecting donations now, and in the future asking for political donations becomes easy. Soon collecting money from the contactors, engineers for the works and corruption in the all kinds of schemes become so habituated to them. Have seen majority of the politicians with the filthy mouth. They don’t have any respect and decency. Nepotism is at the highest for the politicians. There is no school which teaches how the children should become future political leaders. People are fedup with the current leadership and not able to see even a ray of hope of finding good leaders in the happening.

During the Bonalu festival, the loudspeakers are the loudest. Apart from praying god, many people are in a different mood of eating the non-veg food and drinking liquor whole day. Some women also get “Shigam”, its is a trance in which they dance with the rythm of the drums, sometimes balancing a pot with offering on their head. Men become Pothu Rajulu or Male Buffelo King. The had a fiersome attire, a short red colour dothi, two yellow colour thick ropes in both hands and gajjalu or legs and at the waiste (they are made upof brass make sounds when they dance). The whole body was smeared with Turmaric. The red colour kumkum smeared at the fore head. The eyes are made darker with Kajal. They also go to the temple dancing all the way to the beat of the drums. Almost for every bonalu, it rained. Pochamma temple where the Bonalu was celebreated was about 100 meters from our house. Thottela is a bamboo sticks structure and transparent colour paper and stickers is also offered by some people to the temple. At the end of the festival, we children used to go to the temple and collect these bamboo sticks and make Bow and arrows. By sticking some tamarind at the end of the arrows used to play. The transparent colour plastic papers are collected to see the things, everything appeared colourful.

During the special occassions, I attended the special shows such as Harikatha, Burrakatha, Tolubommalata (Leather puppetry), etc.

Bathukamma is the floral festival of Telangana. It is for women. Different types of flowers are arranged in layers into a beautiful cone it is called Bathukamma. From each family one or two such Bathukammas are brought together into a common place and women sing and go in rounds by clapping their hands in rhythm. After playing for few hours, they are immersed in natural water bodies. As the water tank was very close to our house, all the Bathukammas are brought from the Basti for immersion near our house. The bathukammas floating in the water was so beautiful to see.

Holi

Holi is the festival of colors, celebrated in India. I loved playing Holi (throwing colors on friends) as a kid. On one such Holi, Mr. Shiraj had thrown me in the drainage water stagnated in a roadside ditch. I felt bad and washed with water after walking all the way to home. Apart from Suner (silver color) and Gulal (pink color) other people were using other colors which are dangerous such as the dyes used in textile industries, used oil and grease taken from the vehicles, etc. It was always difficult to wash the colors after Holi. Usually, on that day we ware a very old dress, and that dress is no more useful to wash and wear again, so at the end we just throw it. Stopping vehicles on the main road and asking money was fun. Once I participated with friends as a gang in collecting the money. With the collected money, children buy sweets and other snacks. The people are afraid that we will through colors on them, so they give us some money. Till noon we play Holi and then go to a water body for washing. Often a water tank or an open well is chosen. At home, it is difficult to fetch so much water to clean, so it was the choice. The colors won’t go so easily, for few days the colors still seen on the face and ears, especially the Gulal (pink) color.

Fishing

During my childhood being very close to the water tank, I fell in love with the life in and around the water bodies. Liked to observe fishes, insects in water, water birds, and water-snakes. During Sundays and other holidays, it was very common to see many people fishing with a fishing rod around the water body.

In our water tank, there were many snakehead fishes. They can survive in less oxygen conditions too. Its name is Channa striata or Murrel Fish; the local name is “Korramatta” or “Korrameenu”. It is a sought after fish for its taste and having fewer thorns (prickly bones). There were many other types of fishes, but this fish was in great demand. Because of the presence of two tanks in Ramanthapur, many fishermen are living in the area. They have formed a society called, ‘Gangaputra Sangam.’ The Sangam permitted fishing with the fishing rods. During the summer, the fishermen community used to harvest all the fish in the tank using nets. They replenish the tank with fingerlings in the rainy season.

I got interested in fishing. I asked my mother some money. Went to a small shop near the temple, bought a hook and the fishing wire. For bait earthworms were used. The favorite place to look for earthworms was at the outlet of domestic water left to seepage in an open ground. There we used to dig for earthworms with a small rod. It is easy to find the place where we could find the earthworms, as already the ground is dug by someone else. The earthworms collected were kept in a plastic cover with some wet soil, to keep the earthworms alive.

For the right spot to fish, used to see where the experienced people are sitting. Secondly, the fish loved to wade into the grass grown in the water, so a clear area with water surrounded by tall grass was also a good spot. The depth of the water at that spot is also necessary, considering on how to tie the float for making the bait stand at the desired depth. Because each type of fish prefers a particular depth. The floats are primarily made with the pith of Sorghum plant stalk called locally “Bendu”. By tying a piece of lead wire near the hook, it was stable and easy to throw the hook at the right spot. I hated to pin the live earthworm to the hook. I always took help of someone to do the job for me. After slipping the earthwork over the hook, people spit on it and then throw in the water. Probably the fish also liked the saliva of humans. I tried fishing with wheat flour as bait, but it was not so effective.

For the fishing rod, mostly used to select the long stick of Ipomoea plant which grew abundantly in the water. The most important thing, I liked in this kind of fishing is waiting for the fish to come and find the bait. Watching the water and the bait continuously in hope is like meditation. The float starts dancing when the fish comes and starts biting the earthworm. One imagines the thinking of the fish at the moment. We always consider how intelligent it is because every fish coming to the bait is not caught. Some fish cleanly eat away the bait without swallowing the hook as a whole. I feel that they have also become intelligent with experience gained in life.

After a long wait, finally, the chance comes when the fish swallows the bait and starts running away from the spot. The float moving away from the spot or drowning is an indication that a fish has swallowed the hook. Lifting the rod with a jerk is also an art, the hook needs to be held in its mouth. Otherwise, the fish would slip. The fishing rod with the fish at an end is the final moment of happiness.

Catching two to three big fishes at the end of the day is a great achievement. I remember one Sunday; I could catch three big Murrel fish of about 1.5 kgs in total. It was one of the costly freshwater fishes. On that day our relatives have come home. My mother was happy seeing my catch. Then she cooked them. To remember my catch, I have stored the skin of one of the fishes. During childhood, myself, two sisters and my mother never ate non-vegetarian food.

During another occasion, the water level in the water tank reached its full level. It means the water just touches our compound wall. I saw lots of small fish near the shore. I was not having any fishing hook with me at the moment. I took and allpin and bent it in the shape of a hook. Took a small stick as a fishing rod and with earthworms as bait started fishing. These young fish may not be so intelligent, so started falling into the trap. On that day I caught so many fishes and directly fed them to the hens that we had at that time. The hens were happy and gulped them with competition.

Once I was returning from school. There were no buses as it rained heavily. The tank adjoining the main road at Ramanthapur was full, due to the heavy rain on that day. The excess water from the tank was let out through the culvert underneath the main road. I started walking home along with few friends and saw that many people were doing something under the culvert. They were catching small fish with bare hands. The small fish were flushing out with the flow of the water. I was curious to know how they were able to catch the fish. My friend Mr. Srinivas was with me at that time. We left our bags on the shore asking our brothers and sisters to take care. And got into the flowing water as many others were already there. Someone told the technique to search for small holes or niches on the sides of the channel, where we could find the fish. The water arrived with the recent rains so it was turbid and reddish soil color. By grouping for holes and suddenly clasping with both the hands, we could catch the fish. The sense of tingling made by the fish with the touch of the fish made us catch them. We need to keep all the fish somewhere, so we have used our socks to hold them. We both caught about 25 fishes each and returned home with dangling socks in hand. After reaching home thoroughly wet. I have fed all the fishes to our hens at home.

In the recent past about three years back, once I went to Charminar for shopping. I saw a shop selling all kinds of fishing gear. They were selling the readymade kits. I thought of teaching my two sons how to fish. I bought three fishing rods, hooks, floats and the wire. I asked the shop guy, about the place for fishing around Hyderabad and which is close to my residence. He said that the Edulabad Cheruvu (Tank) is a good option. One next Sunday, I took my family with me for fishing. On the way for bait purchased some wheat flour and the powder of the dry fish. I mixed with water and made a paste for using as bait. Reached the tank, it was winter so fish surface less as compared to summer period. This tank receives water from a canal which channels the drainage water in the upper reaches of Musi River. The domestic sewage also gets mixed in it. The water was not so clear and clean, but the tank was full. There were very few people found fishing. We got on to the tank bund and our whole family — myself, two sons and wife, were engaged in fishing. The whole family enjoyed it, a moment to cherish.

During a field visit, my team and I were returning to Miryalaguda town. The Nagarjuna Sagar water is used for irrigation through a canal network. The water is relatively clean. At one place along the roadside, I was few people were fishing with simple fishing rods. It was about ten kilometers away from Miryalaguda town, and it was evening, I asked my driver to stop the vehicle. I requested the fishing people to give me one of their fishing rods. The puddle of water adjoining the road and paddy fields had lots of fish. Within few minutes I could catch three fishes. It made my day, and I was happy. My colleagues also tried their luck.

The water tank next to our house in Ramanthapur has deteriorated over the years. The residential houses have come up and contaminated with the sewage water. The quality of the water is now completely deteriorated and turned into a cesspool of dark water. The encroachment of the foreshore area and the solid waste dumping in it has shrunk it further. It is heartening to see the death of a lake which has given me so much space to get connected with nature and environment.

Digital Media and beyond life

Can a person’s memories extend beyond the life? Can the decisions continue beyond one’s life through artificial intelligence integrated with a person’s lifelong contributions and memories? The answers seem to be yes and possible. Between mind and body, the mind could exist beyond the existence of the body with digital media processing for decision making.

Photography became my hobby when I was very young. A friend of my father Mr. Shetty, who was working in Dubai gave an automatic canon camera as a gift. I was about 15 years old then. I learned to take photos on my own, without any training or guidance from anyone. Soon I became official marriage photographer to all my relatives. My relatives were mostly farmers and could not afford a photographer. They used to give money for a roll of color film, and I need to take all the essential photographs with a single role, i.e., 36 photos. They used to like me a lot, and I almost agreed to takings photos on demand as most of the marriages were in summer during my academic vacation period. I started becoming a good photographer too in the process. Sometimes, I used to take black and white photographs too, as the camera roll and developing cost was cheaper. I used one of my friend Mr. Mustafa to improve my photography skills. Also experimented along the Musi River and Osmania University campus taking the landscape photos. Photography became a voluntary service for me to the people requesting me to take photographs. For documenting the environmental problems, I have used the pictures very effectively in decision making.

I started using the digital camera from 2000 onwards. Digital cameras are more convenient and less costly as compared to the traditional photography using camera rolls. The storage, editing, retrieval, and sharing became very easy with digital cameras. Now I use the mobile phone with the camera very efficiently. Sometimes I have used the IPAD and Samsung Notebook for taking the pictures. I was working in an office which is on the outskirts of the city, daily I was traveling across the city as my residence was on the other end of the city. I used to commute daily on a car covering the parts of new and old parts of the city. I took this as an opportunity to take pictures for one month (December 2015) and made a book with photographs covering the diversity of Hyderabad city. This book is titled “Hamara Hyderabad.”

From roll cameras to digital cameras, and now using the mobile phone and drone cameras for photographs. Mobile phones are more convenient to take pictures as they will not distract the subject. They are improving very fast and very cheap too. I got very interested in the photography and had been taking photos using the drones. All the recent photographs have metadata, such as the GPS location, Date, Time, The details of the instrument used to take the picture, aperture, etc. Which are very useful for research, analysis, and authenticity.

In the last 33 years time-period, I have taken more than a lakh pictures. I have uploaded all of them to Google Picasa photo album. I have used them as pictures in my book, in the powerpoint presentations, the posters, websites, blogs, etc. Declared all of them as Open Knowledge for anyone to use them. They are also useful for me to recollect and refresh my memory of the space and time. They are the moments in my life which became immortal, through digital storage and sharing. Thankful to google for giving access to free storage of the digital media.

I also took several video clippings and recorded audio of my lectures. Most of the videos are uploaded on the youtube. The audio files of more than 500 hours are with me in digital format. One day with artificial intelligence, these media files, the browsing history, all the documents created, could be fed into a robot to create a similarly thinking person and one could continue to contribute for the betterment of the society beyond the life. If good media is intentionally shared and made available on the open source it will make the world better.

Tribal Culture

Malto people are very cultured, consider guest as the most important person and give highest respect. When I walked with the EFICOR team to one of the villages, they were ready with flowers and water. I learnt that they wanted to wash my feet with water in a big plate. I politely rejected their request. I am touched by their simplicity. Tribals live in the remote areas in the forests.

In the villages around Jagdhalpur, Chattisgarh State, the local tribals greeted me with flowers and a garland. Almost in every tribal culture that I have visited they have given very good respect to the guest.

Once in a village near Kuntala waterfalls, Adilabad district, Telangana State, I went to the house of a tribal head. There were so many chicken around, I asked why so many? He said that they are mostly for the guests or visitors. Including the government officers visiting their village. Their simplicity, honesty and respect for guests could be another reason for their exploitation historically by the so called civilized people living in villages and towns.

Food Security

Once EFICOR (NGO) asked me to do an evaluation of the project they have implemented i.e., ‘Food security and Livelihoods project,’. The stakeholders were the vulnerable Malto tribal community living in Rajamahal area near the foot hills of the Himalayas, Jharkhand State. I was very must interested in this evaluation.

As part of the evaluation, I wanted to understand the following aspects relevant to the food security of the Malto Tribals. Visited some of the households to see the grains that they have stored in their home and how long they would last for consumption? What do they eat everyday? Do they have kitchen gardens and domestic livestock to supplement their food needs? How the natural resources are existing, which would support their livelihoods? Do they have alternative livelihood opportunities?, etc. I found that they store grains to last for months, as their production or income is seasonal and also at risk. With limited access to the Minor Forest Produce from the forests, the food security and dependence of the tribals is at risk. The carrying capacity of their immediate environment is also reduced.

Poor and destitute

People often discuss about poverty and poor. Unless one was poor and experienced poverty will not understand exact meaning of the terms. Still being sensitive on can strive to understand by observing the poor and discussing with them their concerns.

In one of the projects, we wanted to support the poorest of the poor. Therefore to understand, I started searching for the poorest of the poor in the villages. That is, Who are they and how are they?

In a village during the focussed group discussion with community it is easy to get the list of very poor families. Usually they don’t attend meetings or village gatherings. They also live in isolation or away from the main community. I still remember having seen one old very poor lady in a village about 18 years back, in Mahabubnagar District, Telangana, India. She was the poorest person in the village among the poor and also destitute. When, she came out of her makeshift hut, I saw her frail body holding a stick in her hand and all her hair was white. She lives on the food given by others through compassion. She could not speak much and also did not ask anything from me. Her picture still lingers in my mind when ever I think of poor.

Poverty need not lessen pride

Once in Bundelkhand, I was doing impact assessment of a project. It was late evening. There was no power in the village. There was one solar street light where I was sitting with villagers. I was one girl sitting at a distance was studying under the solar street light. It was inspired by her, although she was poor struggling to learn.

I had been visiting Azadpur, a village in the remote Mau Block in Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh State. Thrice, I had visited in the years 2012, 2014 and 2017. This particular habitation was selected by EFICOR for a project. This area falls under the Bundelkhand Region a drought-prone area. It is a rocky area with very thin soil. They belong to scheduled caste and very poor.

In 2012 when I visited the streets were dusty and the houses did not look clean. Majority of the houses has no plaster. I saw some children there, I took their pictures. I liked two girls who were very young and their smile attracted me. They were playing at that time. One of the girls made ear-rings out of Neem leaf spines. The other girl was wearing a thread attached with Iron ring. This picture, I liked especially the smile and the language of their eyes. I also took pictures of two other girls, they too looked so sharp. There was pride in everyone in spite of whatever they are. I visited the same habitation again in 2014 and 2017. Went to the same place and enquired about the children by showing them their earlier photographs. Took their pictures again. I missed only few children as they were not present at that time. In every picture, I could see how their habitation improved over a period and also their looks have changed. But the common thing is that their pride has not come down in any way. Pride is through accepting and accomplishing all the challenges in life with dignity. These people have seen and experienced all the shades in their life.

Gaia Aquarist

Since childhood, I had a love for the ornamental fish. While I was working on the rural livelihoods project (in year 2003), I got interested in Ornamental Fish. Once I was passing by an Organmental fish shop got connected to my interest. Purchased a small bowl with two gold fish. I brought it home, within a week the fish died. I was felt very sad, what right I have to bring the beautiful fish and be responsible for their death. So I did not buy fish again. I was using the glass bowl for keeping my pens, pencils and other stationery and forgot it. After about one year, I saw the bowl again. Now, I started contemplating that I am working on environmental issues and it is my favourite topic, if I failed to understand the environment of fish and could not give a space in the bowl which would make them happy and live. I emptied the bowl and cleaned it. Now I bought a pair of gold fish and placed in the equarium. I started reading about the ornamental fish and how to take care. Soon, I could understand how to keep the fish happy and these fish did not die. I kept the bowl on my Computer Processing Unit Box. I started enjoying. As I started reading about types of ornamental fish, my interest in them was growing day by day. I visited several ornamental fish selling shops and started purchasing types of fishes. Now to keep them was a challenge. I started using the old buckets, containers from kitchen and also taken the bath tub of my kid. They were everywhere in my room. I now knew how to take care and they were happy too. The mortality rate was very low. It happened that on my job, I need to go on tours often. There was difficulty in maintaining them. My interest in the fishes was growing everyday and I wanted to keep and know about many fishes.

An idea stuck to me to have an Aquarist shop or the shop which sells ornamental fish and other accessories. Immediate reason was I could employ someone to take care of all my fish already in my possession. Secondly, I could buy more varieties of fish and see them everyday. I was working on the sustainable livelihoods project, we were also advocating people to have enterprises for diversification and sustainability. I was thinking what right I have without being and enterpreuner and never taking a risk, but advocating others to take up enter prises. Therefore the orgnamental fish shop would give me an opportunity to diversify and also to be an eterpreuner. Near my place of residence at Champapet, Hyderabad, I found an empty shop available for rent. I was on the main road next to a function hall. I liked it very much. I named by shop “Gaia Aquarist”. Mr. Sandeep a young college student he was also fish lover, he was having a small shop. I asked him to help me to set up the shop. Soon with his help learned to make the glass aquariums. He taught me how to cut glass pieces and stick them into aquariums using the silicon sealent. The work is done using hands. We have also got the steel frames made for keeping the aquariums. On a fine day started the shop. As ornamental fish hobbiests are few and mostly they are educated people and children. They were visiting mostly during the evenings and on holidays. After office hours and during holidays I spent time mostly at the shop. My wife with my elder son also used to take care. My elderson liked the fish very much, he used to hold fish with his hands from the aquariums.

Mr. Ramesh joined me to take care of the fish in the shop. He failed in the 10th class at that time. He was very young, but very enthusiastic to learn. In the first week on a sunday, I took him to a water tank, at Mailardevpally. This was a beautiful tank close to the main road. I wanted to learn more about the natural environment of the fishes, so I used to visit many tanks with a small fishing net. We both went into the water, and saw that there are so many leaches in it. Mr. Ramesh ran to the shore and saw that a leach sucking the blood came along with me. He was so young and afraid. So I asked him to stay on the shore and I stared exploring the underwater life. The other places I often visited are the stream of Esa behind WALAMTARI and Near Kidwai Gardens of Agriculture University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. There I often saw plenty of eel grass and other aquatic plants. Often caught some small organmental fish too. The Miralam Tank had plenty of Eutopis Suratensis or pearl fish from the family of ciclid. My learning on the ornamental fish improved through: observing fish both in captive and in nature and by joining the ornamental fish hobbiest groups.

Soon, my interest grew into breeding them too. The guppies and mollies often gave birth to small babies directly. But the adult fish ate them and very few survived. It was easy to breed somefish and difficult to breed others. Once I have visited the ornamental fish breeding place called Kolathur in Chennai too. The surprising thing is that with my knowledge on the fishes, I became an advisor on Ornamental Fish breeding to the Government Fish Breeding center at Rajendranagar. They knew to breed other fish with are eaten, but now the ornamental fish. I have also designed a training course on ornamental fish breeding for the Swamy Ramananda Teerth Rural Institute (SRTRI). I have also implemented a project on Ornamental Fish for an Organisation at Nagarjuna Sagar. This is for helping the rural school going girls of the tribal tandas in breeding the ornamental fish in their back yard. So that, they could earn while studying. Then need to spend just one hour or less in managing the fish. The cement rings were provided in the backyard of the houses where they were trained to breed the fish.

For me a great opportunity in facilitating the ornamental fish was, to teach and make the clients conscious of environment. To make a fish live happily, if one could create a space in an closed environment, they are far more sensitive to understand the space of the environment. The clients come with many complaints and I tried to understand why their fish is sick or died. Try to analyse and tell them how they could manage them better. Many children used to come, many times gave them fish freely and at a highly discounted price. I never made any profit selling the fish. But it gave a space of being humble, teaching everyone about environment, learn about enterprise, etc.

I need to go to the Secunderabad wholesale market for purchasing the fish every Sunday. This place was close to the secunderabad Railway station. The fish arrived on Sunday mornings by the train as parcel in plastic transparent packets. As soon as all the fish arrives the place, people picked up their packets with several numbers of the fish in each packet. Used to observe them for their colour, health etc, in the sunlight. The collected fish, was taken to the shop by tyeing them to my motorbike on either side. After reaching the shop transferred them to the different aquariums.

After taking care for about two years intensively, I was busy with my other works. I gave all the freedom to Mr. Ramesh to take care of the shop when it is convenient to him. Also encouraged him to join college and soon he passed his degree too. After about six years of managing the shop, I gave it over to Mr. Ramesh. Now he is still running the shop.

Encounter with snakes

While living in the Ramathapur along the banks of a water tank, our house was on a Dolerite Dyke with red soil and partly with alluvium. Near our house about 80 meters away, there was a snakes hill or nest, locally called ‘Pamula Putta”. The terrestrial snakes prefer to reside especially in the red soils, which are more comfortable and relatively remain dry during the rainy season. These are the original resting places of the ants or termites after they have abandoned occupied by the snakes. The Hindu women especially workshop snakes. Especially, once every year during the Nagula Panchami. The putta mannu or ant hill soil has a great value for maintaining — biomass stoves, the earth floor and the mud walls in the traditional houses.

It was during the summer vacation; I was studying in 6th class. It was a hot day. As we were living in the asbestos corrugated roof house, it was even hotter. The electricity was never continuous to run the ceiling fan. It was very hot outside, as it was afternoon. My mother did not permit me to go out and play in the scorching heat. She asked me to sleep for some time. So I have chosen a room partitioned in our kitchen. This place was relatively cool. Although there was no window, the floor was plastered with cement.

I slept on the bare floor, for about an hour. My elder sister woke me up, telling that kerosene has come in the ration shop and I should go and get it. In those days one need to hurry up to collect the Kerosene as and when it arrives at the ration shop. Otherwise, it will be over soon. We don’t know when the next stock would come. The shop owner also sells some of it in the black market and always creates a shortage. Some people use it as fuel in the autorickshaws and other vehicles, replacing the petrol or diesel as it was low priced due to the subsidy. So there is always the shortage of kerosene. We had two kerosene wick stoves and also a biomass stove in the courtyard. LPG was limited, and it was a luxury in those days, so we could not afford one LPG stove. I left to Narsing’s ration-shop with the empty Kerosene Dabba, i.e., five liters reuse Castrol tin can. Even for getting kerosene we need to stand in a queue. Getting sugar, kerosene and sometimes wheat from the ration shop was a big task for me, especially waiting to get it.

I returned home, as I was close, I saw a huge crowd around the house. At first, I thought, there must be some street fighting going on a typical scene. But my doubts were clearing, and anxiety was increasing as I saw people turned towards our house. Someone told me that there is huge cobra snake inside our house.

It happened that when I left to the ration shop, my elder sister Subhadra, started cleaning the room with a broomstick. She went into the place where I was sleeping in the afternoon. As she reached the corner of the room, she heard some sound. She was afraid and called my mother. My mother, she also heard the hissing sound, for her it appeared as though two cats were fighting and making the hissing sound. This room was dark at that time, and there was no current. She at first thought that the sound might be coming from the trunk box in the corner. She opened the hinged door, on the top, there was a cloth cover, which fell backside of the trunk box. She did not find anything. Still, the sound was coming, and it was even louder. She slowly dragged the trunk box and saw the cloth which fell backward in the corner. Now she lifted the cloth, suddenly with a shock she saw a huge cobra it stood on its hood. She ran out of the house out of the house in fear. Called some people to do something about the snake. That is when I have arrived.

Many people have the experience of killing the snakes, but they were not interested in killing this particular snake. Because in this room one of the shelves was used for praying. All the idols and images of the gods were there with a small lamp lit. This snake pointed towards that shelf with its full hood was not moving at all. Everybody said it is a gods snake and they would not kill it. Traditionally we also pray Cobra, consider it as Naga Devatha or Cobra Snake God. So my mother slowly approached towards the snake from a safe distance prayed it to go away. It was not moving at all. She thought of finding someone who could do something regarding this. She left the doors open and was walking briskly towards the temple. The priest of the Satyanarayana Swamy temple was preparing himself to go to the temple. He was putting the vermillion on his forehead and body at that time in the courtyard. He saw my mother rushing, asked her what the problem is? She told the situation. He said although we consider it as a god, it is a poisonous creature, we cannot live with it. He stated that he would come and see himself. He also tried let it away from the room; it did not move an inch, it was still focussed and remained the same. Now he took the task to himself, he said, I do pooja and pray God every day, so if I kill it, there is no problem to him. He took a boulder and from behind climbed the separating wall in the room and just dropped the boulder on it. With a thud, the snake was killed, and there was blood splashed all over the place. Now people slowly came in to see and pulled it outside. Someone put a copper coin in its mouth, and the people cremated it with due respect. The burnt copper coin later is tied to the thread tied around the the waist of children. It was considered as auspicious. The traditional belief is that if they burn it, its soul will not take revenge. Later in the life of the poojari, there were many problems, and he became very poor and sold his house and left the temple too. My mother used to say that because he killed the snake his life became worst.

Finally, the surprising thing is that how I could sleep with a cobra in the same room. Because when I left, my elder sister immediately started sweeping the floor and the snake was there already. Some people said I passed the pamu gandam or threat to life from a snake which was supposed to happen in my life.

Another time, a small baby cobra entered our house. In those days the power cuts were for hours together. We used to have a kerosene lamp. It was around 7:30 pm. My father was also there at home. We just returned from the ration shop and kept the bag leaning against the wall. My mother lifted the bag to take out the things from the bag and found this baby cobra. My father killed it.

Another time, my mother was doing the gardening work during the rainy season. She saw a small banded krait snake emerging from the hole of our neighbor’s house basement. She saw this and, with the bricks lying nearby, she killed it and went out to throw it outside the compound wall. When she returned saw another one emerging out, killed it too. She was waiting to see if any more would emerge. On the whole 18 snakes appeared, including a big snake, probably its mother. She killed all of them. With so many poisonous snakes within the compound, it would have been risky to our lives too. We still appreciate her courage to deal with the poisonous snakes.

The GEO research center started at Jangaon is surrounded by fields. In the beginning few days after procuring the land, one day, I was walking towards the GEO Meet place. This place had very dense plants. I was observing the birds and looking upwards. Suddenly with a hiss, a cobra opened its hood. I turned and saw just behind me a big cobra. I still remember the pipe in its mouth opened during the hiss. It immediately went under the asbestos sheets placed on the ground. I realized, we are in the natural habitat of the snakes, so should give respect to their space. Since then, whenever, I walked in the wilderness or bushes, walked with caution and with full presence of mind. Sighting of snakes in the GEO Research Center has become common, have seen many varieties of snakes.

After completing one of the rooms at GEO Research center, I decided to stay at the center. The first day I stayed is memorable. I came with my two kids. Mr. Mahesh was working with me was staying in the town. This day I said we are going to stay tonight at the center. Having seen so many snakes around, he was afraid. There was no power and the room was just completed. My kids feeling secure in my presence did not have any fear and they agreed to stay tonight at the center. There was a lamp made with an empty liquor bottle by inserting a wick. The light wobbles with the slightest of the wind. My children slept in the middle, Mahesh was searching for a place guessing, if snakes enter into the room how and in which direction they would move. After about 10 minutes of planning, he had chosen a place which is safer for him to sleep. Later we bought some foldable beds, whenever I stayed there, I always slept on the foldable bed laid outside in the open. Letting the snakes pass by without any hindrance to their natural paths. No animal harms humans unless they are threatened, or else it is just and accident.

In one of the rooms which was constructed with the earth walls, there appeared a huge termite mound about 1.5 meters above the floor. Initially tried to remove it by chiseling away the soil and also sprinkled Kumkum and Haldi. But it appeared again. People said it would attract snakes and could become a habitat. I left it as it is. Considering that this house is situated constructed in their habitat, and there is nothing wrong in giving some space for them to live with us.

Khetri

It was in the summer of 1992; I was at Khetri Nagar for an internship at Khetri Copper Complex (KCC), Rajasthan. These are old underground and open cast mines in the Aravalli mountain range, one of the old mountains of India.

Khetri Nagar is a town in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan in India. It is part of the Shekhawati region. Khetri is two towns, “Khetri Town” founded by Raja Khet Singhji Nirwan and “Khetri Nagar” which is about 10 km away from Khetri. Khetri Nagar, well known for its Copper Project, was built by and is under the control of Hindustan Copper Limited, a public sector undertaking under the Government of India. Khetri Nagar is also very well known by the name of ‘Copper.’

I came to this training with my classmates Dr. Sundar K. who loves philosophy and Dr. Nihar Sahoo who was jovial. For the first time, I got a chance to live in the Rajasthan during the peak of summer. It was very hot and the temperatures were often reaching greater than forty-five degrees centigrade. It was very exhausting; the heat is intense that the sweat dried into salt immediately. The clothes never became wet due to sweating. Coming from Hyderabad, I used to wonder, because when we sweat our clothes become wet. I used to feel very thirsty and drink lots of water. In the evenings we used to go out and drink lots of sugarcane juice with ice in it. There was a Kerala hotel where we used to go for morning breakfast. It was famous for Dosas and Idlis. The sambar was excellent.

For accommodation, we were given a dormitory in the Khetri Mining colony. It was a large hall, with few beds. We were sharing with few students from Kothagudem Mining school, Andhra Pradesh and one intern from Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh.

The water stored in the steel drums at the bathroom was too hot. Even when we took a bath within a minute, we used to be dry and never felt we took a shower.

All the windows were welded with sheets of iron. We could not understand how could they close all the windows when we need proper ventilation. Within few days of our arrival into the dormitory the interns from Kothagudem by hand broke opened all the windows. The management of the dormitory having known the damage caused summoned all of us. The reason was before we arrived during the winter it was so cold so they have closed all the windows. One of the interns said we should have windows which could be closed in the winter and opened in the summer rather having the windows permanently closed. Everyone laughed at this simple reply, and they did not give any punishment for this act of breaking the windows.

As part of field work of mapping, myself and my two classmates used to climb the hogback or sharp crests of the peaks of Aravalli mountain range. And also we used to go down deep into the mines, these mines were inclined. In the mines, it was sultry with lots of moisture. This was my first experience of getting into the mines. I can never forget the earth smell of an underground mine. We learned a lot about, sampling, mining methods, mapping the ores, etc.

Apart from the regular field visits and visits to the underground mines, I made it a point that during the evenings I would climb some of the hills around the place we lived. As it was summer the sunlight used to last till 7:30 p.m. One day I saw a hill nearby which was close to the village Singhana. It appeared round and very attractive. It was of quartzite rocks, due to diurnal variation of temperature and other natural forces such as the wind, rain, etc., broke into pieces. The rocks were not firm, and they were crumbling, especially more than half way up the hill.

One day, I went walking there and managed to climb the steep hill, although the rocks were crumbling under my weight. I have reached the peak, could see the beautiful sunset, along with a local passenger train in the distance and desert sands. I was feeling thirsty, and now I need to climb down before it is dark. As I was getting down — due to loose quartzite rocks — with my body weight acting downwards — I was just sliding downwards. It was becoming darker and harder for me to climb down smoothly. Now, I cannot spend much time to find a safer path to climb down. I have finally decided to slide down over the loose rocks. After some time I was at the foot of the hill, with few bruises. I could see the lights of the Singhana village. It was around 8:30 pm when I reached the dormitory. Climbing hills always inspired me although it was dangerous sometimes.

Exploring caves

I was in 8th class then, our school was in the Survey of India campus, at Uppal, Hyderabad. At about two kilometers distance from school there was a hill of granite rocks it was called Elugu Gutta (17.405088, 78.547603). It was about 100 meters in height from the base. The view of the city was beautiful from the top. The top of the hill had a bench mark. There were many caves and tunnels inside formed because of joints in the granite rocks and the rubble. The tunnels were like a straight line maze. Very little light reaches the floor through small spaces in the roof. It was very steep. One huge bolder was there at the top, separated by a deep open joint of hardly two feet wide. We need to cross on to the main Boulder over a stone stuck in the joint. I was fascinated by the deep valley created by the joint which was about 30 meters deep.

I used to visit this place many times during my school days. One day with my classmates, I was there. We friends challenged our selves, who will reach the bottom of that valley by climbing down. And none of us knew how to reach the bottom of this joint between the rocks. We literally ran like monkeys but without any skills of rappelling. Crawled, jumped and ran. Among all of my friends, with great difficulty I managed to reach the bottom. This was one of the most dangerous challenge for me. What if I slipped and fallen, it would have been fatal.

During another visit, while climbing down we saw some youth who were collecting some dry grass, sticks and waste papers. We asked what are they doing. They said there is a very dark cave and trying to enter into it. For light they were collecting the materials. They were elder to us and were from the Government School, Uppal. They asked we could accompany them if interested to explore the cave. We liked the idea, but we don’t know how it would be inside. We all slowly crawled inside. After reaching some distance it was pitch dark, they tried to light the material bought with us. The fire was there for sometime we could see, it is a huge cave inside. But suddenly, the fire went off and there was so much smoke. Could not light the material again. Everyone suffocated with smoke. By touching the walls we barely managed and came out of the cave. Some of us had bruises and lots of dirt on our dress. My new pant was also tore at some places.

It became an interesting place to explore the natural rock formations. One of the cave was favorite, I used to visit always. There were lots of bats found hanging in the cave. I can even now smell the pungent ammonia smell from the excreta of the bats. These are the beautiful memoirs of rock climbing and adventures during the school days.

Living in danger — Afghanistan

I have come to Kabul, Afghanistan to work as a Team Leader for a project called “Developing Climate Change Scenarios for Agriculture of Afghanistan” in August 2016.

When I communicated with my colleagues and well-wishers, many of them told me not to go. As it is a high-risk place due to terrorism and political instability. I told them that this is an excellent opportunity for me to contribute to Afghanistan through this project. And I said the risk is always there, a road accident could be worst and it can happen anywhere on the earth.

Few days before going, I started searching the google on Afghanistan. This is to learn more about the people, culture, geography, economy, etc. But, I could see only the videos of war. It appeared like I am watching an English war movie. I also saw a bomb blast that happened a few days before in Kabul city where more than 100 demonstrators were killed by detonating a highly charged vehicle at a traffic junction. The pictures were heartening.

I went to Delhi to get my visa at the Afghanistan Embassy. It is sometimes tough to get the visa. I was given a tourist visa for one month only.

On 5th June 2016 I started my journey from New Delhi Airport to Kabul. At the immigration, the customs official by looking at my passport and the visa said are you going as a tourist to Kabul and gave a smile. I said yes.

It was a cloudy sky, next to me was a doctor traveling to Herat via Kabul. He wanted to do MD from an Indian medical college. He shared a lot about Afghanistan to improve my understanding. He told me if the sky is clear without clouds, it means we are flying over Afghanistan. Afghanistan is an arid and semi-arid country with less rainfall. Yes, I could see the clear sky as we approached Kabul. I took the beautiful pictures of the Hindu Kush mountains as the plane descended to land. He came along with me to the parking lot and helped me to find my vehicle. I liked the neat, clean Airport.

I greeted the driver and got in with the luggage. The driver was gentle and spoke with me in Urdu. He started the music, the songs were from bollywood Hindi Movies — 1970’s and 1980’s. It was so soothing and pleasant.

As usual, I started taking pictures using my mobile phone camera. I saw the beautiful trees on the roadside also saw the huge marriage/function halls. At a place saw two young ladies traditionally dressed, stopped the moving vehicles by showing their hands as a command and crossed the road. I liked their courage of these young girls.

I reached the hotel in Shar-e Naw at around 4 pm. This hotel is very close to the Indian Embassy and other important government offices. There were four barricades (or swing gates) before I could reach the hotel. Crossed at least 20 security men with machine guns and other automatic weapons, before I arrived at the last security check. First, they informed the reception about my details, only after confirmation they let me pass through the last security checkpoint. There are three bulletproof doors to cross. The security was with AK47 guns checked my all the contents in my suitcase. I am relieved and never encountered such a security in my life.

I came to the reception area and was given a room on the third floor. It is a hotel with five stories in a rectangular shape. There is a beautiful courtyard in the middle. I liked watching the bonsai pomegranates grown in the flower pots. As it was spring, the temperature was normal for me and it was comfertable.

My office was just opposite of this hotel, so I need not go to any other place for work. Strategically the office space was chosen. Soon, I recruited the staff for my project work. One day evening, I started walking in the streets of Shahr-e-Naw. One of my colleague Mr. Arif took me to a place where they sell antique items and precious stones.

One day my colleague Ms. Bibi came to office late. Her eyes were dark and she was a little bit shaken. I asked her what happened. Yesterday in the incident of bombing and attacking The American University of Afghanistan, Kabul by the Taliban, her sister, and a cousin (sister) were also there at the time of the attack. One of the armed terrorists tried to reach them by breaking open an iron grill, her cousin along with others tried to escape and has jumped from the second floor of the building to escape. Her sister was in the hostel at the time of the attack, so she escaped from the attack. She heard the knocking at the door and saw that her cousin was sitting at the door and was unable to stand. After some time with the support of the police and the military they got her admitted to the hospital, so she went to the hospital to attend her whole night. I came to know about this attack while having dinner. Almost everyone has witnessed or was close to a shooting in their life in Afghanistan. Or someone near and dear had been the victim. Life goes on here in Afghanistan in spite of so many incidents happening somewhere every day. If one has not heard a bomb blast, it means the blast was not for you, if you have not heard means you are already dead, and it was meant for you.

Recently I have met a person, who happened to be at the blast site just three meters away. His hearing was impaired. Probably his eardrum ruptured. He went to India for treatment and got a hearing machine.

My office is at Shahr-e Naw. About 200 meters away, the Taliban’s have attacked an international charity organization. It occurred the day after I left to India. Mr. Bahadur, my friend at the Hotel, sent a message that in the night the blast happened and the attack is still going on. All the hotel inmates were taken to the cellar or safety room, which was fitted with bullet proof iron door. Almost whole night they stayed there, the hotel management provided them the snacks. For the first time could interact with all the inmates. Otherwise, people are less social in big hotels.

One day while, I was in the office, heard a blast. It was the attack on the military area about eight km away from my place. Within a month I listened to another explosion happened close to my place, it was the attack on the Military hospital. More than 100 people were killed and several wounded in this incident. My colleague, Mr. Bhaktullah came to office late, he was very close to the blast site, and it happened during the morning rush hours. He had to walk all the way to reach the office. He was terrified having escaped the blast. Soon my colleague Mr. Emal got a phone call from his cousin working in the same hospital. He heard her crying over the phone, and there were sounds of the bullets firing in the background. He told me that she is trapped in one of the rooms along with a patient. And requesting him to help, and he can do nothing. The next morning he told the complete story. When the Taliban stormed the hospital, she was attending a patient in one of the floors. She heard the blast, and they remained in one of the corner rooms. Soon the gun shots sound was close to her. One of the terrorists aimed at her to kill. Luckily from behind one of the military personnel killed him. Between death and life, there were only a few seconds. Having seen the death of the terrorist before her eyes, she was shaken. One of the army personnel remained with her to console. After some time while coming out of the room, she saw heaps of dead bodies lying on the floor. She was in a shock, and the army personnel took hold of her hand and almost dragged her over the dead and wounded bodies.

The Indians living and working in Kabul have to register with the Indian Embassy upon their arrival, to let them know. They would also enroll into the WhatsApp Group created called Safe 2. They could give details of the incidents, possibilities of attach, kidnappings, demonstrations, and insecure places, etc. The collecect lots of intelligence reports even the details of where, when and how the next attack could happen. Sometimes they give details of the vehicles and the vehicle numbers which would be used to attack. The type of attack is explained in short form such as: — Body-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (BBIED), Magnetic Improvised Explosive Device (MIED), Suicide Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (SVBIED), Vehicle Born Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) and Improvised Explosive Device (IED), Grenade blast, etc. We would avoid those areas after seeing the messages. Some of the Indian colleagues in the group were very sensitive. Immediately after hearing the blast would send a message “Just heard a blast, where did it happen, please confirm”. After few minutes the embassy confirms the blast. So even the banging of car door or bathroom door would sound like a blast or bullet shot for us. The movement of helicopters in the city was a common sight. The sirens of ambulances loud and clear after an incident is heard more in numbers. The chirping of the birds from the cages kept by people as a hobby are the only sounds which do not signify a bad omen. Traditionally when two afghanis meet, they inquire about each other’s well being for at least a minute, this is apt in an environment of life and death and uncertainties. On a lighter part, if a friend is not seen for few days, the friend might say “Is he dead”. Every family has a tragedy or suffering due to the insecure situation in the country. I love the people; they are decent and loving people. Since hundreds of years, there are windows of spring in the life of Afghans. It is a vast expanse of desert with few oasis, surrounded by beautiful trees and birds.

Some of them working in Kabul since more than five years have lots of experiences which they have encountered such as blasts and terrorist attacks. When they narrate the incidents which happened in the past, we will get nightmares of a shooting in the middle of the night.

The kidnappings of the people for ransom also happens in the city. To avoid kidnappings, some of them disguise as Pakistanis or Afghans by wearing their traditional caps and dresses. I too had a “Pakol” a traditional cap and got stitched one traditional dress in the form of “Shalwar kameez”.

People are not shy to ask the salaries or income of the expats. If we don’t tell, they are offended. The poverty is so high in Afghanistan, any amount said is very high for them. Some people have learned to say a lie, most often they say they are working as a lecturer or professor in one of the private universities in Kabul and the income per month is about 500 USD. They will wear a simple dress and never show off their richness.

Being in this situation, sometimes there are threats of attacks in our area too. While having dinner and breakfast together, we discussed with seniors regarding the strategies to escape. I was staying in a room which is open to the neighbor’s open place with some trees near to the window. I always guessed that I would jump from the window onto the branches of the tree and would be able to catch hold of some of the branches and slowly land on the ground. There was a barbed wire beneath on the compound wall separating our hotel. If by chance I fall on the barbed wire, so I will wrap my body in the thick winter blankets and jump from the window. I could escape the sharp barbed wire and would fall with a soft thud. I once tried lifting my bed to find space underneath it. It is very heavy, and it less space underneath. So I failed to lift it. Tried to squeeze in the wardrobe but could not fit in. I tried the space between the wardrobe and the door, I would keep the door and windows open creating a scene that already I have escaped, but I will hide in the space between wardrobe and door or in the bathroom or behind the tall curtains. So many plans to escape, I think the terrorists can guess every space which could be used for hiding, as they also sometimes need to hide during the operation.

I asked my younger son over phone, in a situation of an attack what I should do. He said “Fight with them daddy, you will be famous.” He did dot guess that I will not have any weapon to fight back with them.

In our office converted one of the toilets into a strong room with a heavy metal door (bullet proof) installed. But with more than 25 people including our security it is a small space to hide. We have never conducted any dry-drill to see, how we all could fit in that space. Sometimes the presence of certain facilities gives confidence, if they are really useful or not.

Many of the operations conducted by Talibans are said to be done with the support of insiders. In such a situation everynew stranger and person in a facility appears as a threat. Everyone appears to be suspicious.

When I ask colleagues the very next day after an incident, they say “Yeh to hota hi hai, Kya kare” and life goes on.

If not blasts, one might encounter an earthquake. Which is also equally fearful for the people who are new to Afghanistan. My office and hotel are just below one of the tallest Apartment building in Afghanistan. I am afraid that it might fall in case of an earthquake, although it could fall in any of the 360 degrees direction. I have experienced several earthquakes. A small swing of my bed or chair makes me feel that it is an earthquake. Mr. Bhaktullah says, in case of an earthquake run and run. Even god will not help if you don’t run. I am not sure how far and where to run. The threat is everywhere there is no escape route on the Earth.

The Bollywood songs, movies and the traditional Afghan songs and music are some sort of relief and entertainment for the people living in stress in Afghanistan.

On 31st May 2007, I was working in the office on the final report of the project. It was about 8:30 am, I heard a blast sound and the glass windows in my room started shaking making some noise. I realised that it is a blast and thought it could be nearby, say one or two kilometers from our office. I went to the top of our three storied building. Saw a a huge cloud of smoke. Took a photograph and posted on the WhatsApp group of the Indian Embassy in Kabul. Telling that I heard a bomb blast, what happened. After some time there was a reply saying, there a bomb blast happened near the Indian embassy and some of the glasses of windows and doors have broken. That no one is injured and everyone is safe at the embassy. Then I realised that it is a very huge blast as the embassy is about 7 kms from my new office place and still I could feel the impact. On facebook and the whatsapp groups the photos of the impact of the blast were posted. It actually happened near German embassy, a massive bomb fitted in a truck (septic tank) was triggered by the terrorist. In this incident more than 90 people were killed and nearly 500 people were injured. I had to go to the market for printing the reports, saw that the streets were deserted and very few people were seen. It is one of the largest blast happened in Afghanistan and everyone was in shock. The very next day, while leaving to the Airport, I requested Mr. Najib our driver to take me through the place of the blast. I could see two mini-trucks filled with new glass panes were going in that direction. And the municipal staff and others were cleaning the scattered glass pieces strewn everywhere. Life goes on in Afghanistan, it needs so much courage for the people to cope with the challenges everyday.

The ten days in Kabul

This time, I came to Kabul for an assignment with our company to evaluate the international organizations working on Children. I arrived on 10th January 2018. There happened four major incidents in the last 10 days that is from 20th to 29th January 2018, which made me sensitive about the life and death.

While going to an organization, I saw the prominent Intercontinental Hotel. Which is on the top of a small hill. Next, to the hotel, there is an area where the majority of the Sikh community lived. There is also an abandoned Movie theater.

I have not visited the Hotel, but some of my friends have visited in the past. It was considered as one of the most secure hotels in Kabul. Exceptionally only a few hotels are left in Kabul which have not been attacked by Taliban’s. Even in this hotel in the past, one attack has happened luckily the loss of life was less.

This time on Saturday (20th January 2018) evening at around 21:00 hrs the hotel was attacked by 6 Talibans. At least 43 people have been killed in a siege by 6 gunmen at Kabul’s Intercontinental Hotel. The siege continued for more than 12 hours the Talibans were in army uniforms when entered the hotel. I had dinner and was just discussing with colleagues in the office at that time. It was about 6 km North from our office. We got the updates from the social media on the situation. As the fighting between the security forces and the terrorists continued till next day, we had a meeting in the Kabul city. We have left in another direction as the roads were blocked. To travel ten kilometers, it took nearly 2 hours. On Monday we could get the complete picture of the siege.

As per the sharing of news by media, the terrorists have moved into the hotel with arms and ammunition without the knowledge of the security. From the Kitchen on the second floor, where they were dining too, started shooting the inmates. Reached all the top stories by killing, burning and creating the carnage. Reached every room checked for inmates and killed them. Especially they targeted the foreigners and killed most of them. Some people jumped off the building, and few survived. Nearly 150 inmates were rescued.

Two days before I got the WhatsApp message from the Indian Embassy that the terrorists would be targeting some of the hotels in Kabul. In spite of knowing, what people can do, as there is no place as safe and in turns, almost all hotels were attacked over a period of time.

On 24th January two days after, the UK charity Save the Children office in the city of Jalalabad was attacked. It started at about 09:10 local time, when a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle explosive at the entrance to the Save the Children compound. Three members of staff and one soldier were killed in a suicide attack and siege of the building by Islamic State militants. Some 46 people in the building, many of whom hid in a safe room, were rescued. One of my colleagues in the present office was working in the same office till recently. He was worried about his ex-colleagues, tried to reach them by calling. The organizations working for the children being attacked is one of the most sensitive things. I was part of the evaluation of two children’s Internal Organisations and understand how important their work for the future of children. The charity said that while it had temporarily suspended its operations across the country, it remained “fully committed to helping the most deprived children of Afghanistan”.

Again on 28th, while I was working in the office, I heard a rattle of the windows. I thought there could have been a small earthquake tremor which caused it and ignored. After few minutes, I came to know from the message from a friend that a huge explosion happened near a place at Shahr-e-Naw. Learnt that, this explosion was caused by a suicide bomber driving an ambulance laden with explosives. This place is close to some of the embassies. One week before, I was walking down that street. There are so many antique shops too. Also, I used to buy ornamental fish from a shop close to this place. This explosion is one of the most tragic incidents, as more than 100 innocent people were killed and nearly 200 people were injured. This place was also close to my old office, and I have so many memories of the place. It is like an undeclared war, maybe in actual war, the number of causalities would remain less, as people are aware and take precautions.

Myself living in a colony to the south of Kabul is a residential area, our office building looks like a big house. Staying on the top floor. As my colleagues say living a simple life, traveling in a small car does not attract the terrorists. We often went for evening walks in this area, there are many restaurants and ice-cream shops. In the past, more than 10 years back this area came under heavy attack from all sides. Still I could see the bullet marks and damage from rockets. I work from a place which is close to a large window, one of my colleagues always warns me to close the window with a blinds-curtain, as someone might see an expat and shoot me.

On 28th January, while I was there with some of the colleagues in the office, some of the colleagues noticed that three people got down from a car just halted before the office. Three men carrying two suitcases and bags got down and let the vehicle go, and followed the same direction of the vehicle. This was strange, a persons carrying so much luggage would hire a vehicle to go to the destiny rather walk themselves. One of my colleagues jokingly told me that he saw three terrorists got down before our office. We had two cameras facing the road in front of the office. We went to the security room to see the footage. Yes, we could clearly see them. The three people were well built, completely covered with a shawl and wearing the traditional Pashtun Kurtha Pyjama dress. Carrying heavy suitcases and walking south towards the bridge on Paghman river. The security thought they could be some guests to our office, as they got down before the main office gate. Good, they were inside and did not open the gate for any other reason. Later it was learned that they were the security guards returning to attend their duties in the next building, to avert any misunderstanding of the existing security in their office they got down ahead and walked. Someimes suspicion leads to doubt and anxiety.

Otherwise there are incidences of people kidnapping people for extortion. One needs to be alert and always be accompanied by some local person or security guard to move around. If I am walking slow, one of my colleagues sees and returns back to step with me. There happened several kidnappings in the past too. Which are also common and many are not reported extensively in the press.

29th January was a day declared as mourning day and holiday as more than 100 people killed two days back. I woke up in the morning to see the White Kabul due to the Snowfall happened in the night. Today is declared as “White Kabul” day due to security reasons, there should be a limited movement of people unless it is necessary. I checked my WhatsApp as usual, got the message from security that at around 8:00 am the Military Academy was attacked, located to the west of Kabul.

Some people are trigger happy. After winning a cricket or boxing match, some people come out of their homes and fire shots in the air. I have listened to more intense shots fired on occasions like that. Although it is wrong to do so by law, the heads of the bullets fired into the air return back and hurt people in the open.

Again my thoughts are in case of an attack, how I should escape. Searching every possible place in the building, but rare to find. Everywhere I am visible, or I could be found. Jumping from the roof and into the neighbor’s plot is also difficult. The only way is the luck, and no such incident happens to me and let the peace return to Kabul.

Nature and Spirituality

Nature is the existence of matter and energy in harmony. Forms and the characteristics existing in nature is variable in time and space. There is a symbiotic relationship between the biotic and abiotic. From nothing, there is everything and everything from nothing. Questions to ask are unknown, nor there are complete answers to every question. There is diversity and oneness in everything. Spirituality is also similar to nature as described above. Therefore a naturalist inspires towards spirituality.

Geo Spirit meets are a way to connect people to nature. A persons soul is connected to the whole universe. The soul is more connected to the immediate environment. People are happy in good natural surroundings. In the present way of a living people are rarely get connected and understand this intricate and essential relationship. The environment also influences the decision-making process in one’s life. Space is always filled with forms of energies.

By breathing one gets connected to the earth. The air has oxygen and other gases, which is the sum product of existence of biotic and abiotic aspects in a symbiotic relationship. Every cell in human body is conscious of the whole, whereas body as a whole may not be as conscious as the cells or parts of the body are. The state of being in conscious state is a form of enlightenment. The human mind thought process is the hinderance to enlightenment. The plants without mind as a whole more enlightened than the humans. Similarly, the crystals from micro to macro are more enlightened.

Happiness

The agriculture is done using chemicals for pesticides and fertilizers. Grafting is like replacing the head of a person with another young brain-dead person. The High Yielding Varieties developed like having only most intelligent children in a class and everyone gets maximum marks. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) created are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering.

The life existing on the earth is a natural evolution, which is being modified for the greed of humans. A weak animal is a source of food for a carnivorous animal, if there are no weak animals how a carnivorous would survive. The existence of weak and strong is the nature of life.

There is a suffering of life due to human-induced drastic changes. The plants are tortured to yield. There is a suffering of plants right from germination to its death. With so much suffering the final product is with the memory of pain. The chicken yield eggs with so much suffering in the cages in the poultry farm. The heavy bodied animals overfed in cages for non-veg products lead a life of suffering. The animals are given drugs, antibiotics and growth hormones. The veg and non-veg products through suffering they grow and are all polluted. People are drinking polluted water and are also breathing polluted air. They live in places where the indoor pollution is very high. See so much bad and hear bad things. The noise too much.

By consuming the products of suffering and living in a polluted environment, no person could be leading a healthy life and be happy. The human mind and sole is also suffering by all means.

Consciousness

The consciousness is achieved through a combination of means such as awareness, being, sensitivity, knowledge, learn, experience, understand and wisdom. For an individual, the logic and reasoning is the highest form of practice to be conscious. Belief and faith are the mean ways to be conscious. Religion is a source and a platform to launch one towards the conscious stage. It depends on the intensity of a person to be more conscious. The highest form of consciousness is superconsciousness.

From birth to death everyone is aware but less conscious. The body never rests, every part in the body is conscious and continuously working, unless the body is dead. Awareness works at the mind level and consciousness works at the soul level.

The universe is the manifestation of superconsciousness. Within this domain there is nothing good or bad. Extinction of a species and evolution of another species is the norm. Creation and destruction are part of the cycle. Men and women exist in the same body, i.e., two opposites culminate into one. That is the flow of energy which is nothing but consciousness.

Consciousness of human beings is a continuous effort. It is being. Being conscious and strive towards super consciousness is the ultimate path for great leaders.

I

I the subtlest of universe

There is neither you nor I

Who am I is everything

Everything is harmony

I responsible for everything

I the cause and effect

I the origin and infinity

Infinity is change

Change is inevitable

I the change

Change is the law of nature

Nature is my nature

Love is everything

Everything loves you

You are the love

Love is existence

Existence is continuity

Continuity is real

Real is present

Present is the next moment

Moments is I

I change

Change is growth

Growth is expansion

Expansion is life

Life is soul

Soul is consciousness

Consciousness is universe

Universe is I

Spirituality for environment

There was a request from a law firm requesting to do a rapid environmental and social impact assessment of a proposed stone crushing unit at Parsayapally. Suryapet District, Telangana.

This hillock is historic with ancient remnants of ancient structures which could be related to the period of Phanigiri Buddhist Site in the neighborhood too.

Probably this hillock had an ancient Shiva Temple in the past, that is the reason it is called Jangala Bodu. Jangala’s are the followers of Shivaism. The nearby tank is called Jangala Cheruvu. The people take a bath and arrive at the temple to worship.

Even today some people worship occasionally underneath the Neem Tree situated at the peak of the hill. Considering its importance, people also least interfered at the peak of the hillock with great reverence.

Accompanied by the villagers, Mr. Koppula Vishnuvardhan Reddy, Mr. Chetla Gyanendar Reddy, Mr. Suresh Reddy and others we have visited the site on 5th November 2017. Mr. Uma Maheshwar Reddy, from CGR, also accompanied.

The Parsayapally hill is about 0.5 km from the village. The village road passes partly over the foot of this hill. On the left-hand side saw huge machinery being readied for cutting the hill. This hill is made up of Peninsular Gneiss or Archean Granites, which are at least 2,500 million years old. Traditionally few local stone cutters have taken limited stones for the local village needs. They have not interfered with the core of the hill.

As we approached the peak of the hill, saw the soil and moisture conservation works done under the MGNREGA. There were old trees and there was considerable biodiversity. It was very peaceful and serene. From here the view around was at least 20 km in radius.

The villagers accompanied said that this hill has spiritual significance too. This hill being located here does good for the village too.

The local hydrology is well established. The rainfall runoff from this area enters into the village tank, a source of irrigation for the crops cultivated by farmers. The Phanigiri Buddhist site confirms the fact that there was sustainable and prosperous agriculture existing in this area from even before 3rd century AD.

The mining activity as proposed if started using the stone crusher and other machinery for stones, metals of various grades and rock powder or dust will have environmental and social impacts. It is said the duration is for 15 years and will damage the whole area of about 40 acres and will have impact on the surroundings up to a radius of 1 kilometer. It will cause the following impacts:

1 The rock dust will cause silicosis will effect the lungs and the health of the people in the village and those working in the fields.

2 The rock dust falling on the fields will deplete the soil fertility.

3 The crop yields will be depleted with the rock dust falling on the leaves which will reduce the photosynthesis. The breathing capacity of the leaves will be reduced as the stomata will be closed by the dust.

4 The groundwater will deplete as they go deeper for more and more materials. Already the people are facing groundwater depletion in the area.

5 Being close to the village, the noise pollution of more than 100 decibels caused by blasting, drilling, crusher machine, movement of vehicles will impact the health of the villages, especially affecting the sick, old, children, etc.

6 The villages road with heavily laden trucks with materials will damage the village road and cause potholes. Sometimes there would be accidents to the people and animals too.

7 The blasting will cause cracks to the residential houses, leakages to the canal system which had been laid recently. There are very old houses of more than 50 years old, in the village. There will be leakages to the two water tanks in the village too. It will also affect the mission Bhagiratha pipeline running close to the proposed site.

8 Some farmers would lose the grazing rights around the hill, which is used a Common Pool Resource.

Considering the environmental and social impacts on the people, livelihoods, and environment. There is a need to reconsider the decision of leasing the place for mining.

I was told that the Sarpanch of the village and other local politicians have supported the contractor for mining. The villagers accompanying me wanted to know the impacts of mining and based on the report wanted to file a case in the court. There was no public hearing conducted to get the approval of the villages. The mining people have not shown, the lease document not the approval letters from the mines and geology department of the government of Telangana. The options to prevent the illegal activity was bleak due to the politics, business and corruption triangle.

After reaching the peak of the hillock, I saw a grove of plants. At the peak of the hill there was an old Neem tree. The hillock made up of peninsular gneiss belonging to archaean granites of about 2500 million years old, is about to witness its own identity. It has seen the evolution of life including human beings, but the same people would soon hurt it and make it disappear. Every villager is connected to this hill as a memory and spiritually being a landmark and close to the village. Generations have seen it in all shades and seasons and a mute witness to the history. Rocks are not just rocks, the same rock could be an idol, worshipped as gods and goddess.

A thought occurred to me, and I said let us build a Shiva temple here, let the god save himself and nature around. Shown the location underneath the Neem tree which is at the peak of the hill. Because to conserve nature sometimes, faith and fear will help. One of the examples is that sometimes to prevent people spitting or urinating people draw the religious symbols or gods of all faiths. And this system is working, and people won’t spoil and damage the place. Similarly by reviving the faith of the people through this temple, where some people had been praying already would make them connected spiritually and would prevent the demolition and mining of the surroundings. Sometimes, a religious place and a dead persons burial stone is more powerful and never disturbed. If required, it is more easy for the government to demolish a site and occupy, where people were living for generations.

Everyone agreed with me to the proposal of construction of the temple at the site. Requested them to order the coconuts, kumkuma, pasupu, insence sticks and other pooja materials. Soon everyone got involved and were committed to complete the job. Now it is their willingness to accomplish the task. The collective spiritual energies of people was so strong. We started the work at around 11:00 am and completed the temple by 3:00 pm. All the villagers prayed at the new temple at the end.

All the blocks of stones were existing around the hillock, were moved with the support of the villagers and a tractor. There was no idol, I spent some time around and found the Dolerite with Granite gneiss, it appeared like Shiva Lingam or Mt. Kailash. It need to the dressed up so requested the local stone cutter. It was used as an image to represent Lord Shiva. Everyone agreed to this. To sanctify the place, all the twigs lying around were made into a heap and was lit. The fire, smoke, charcoal, and ashes sanctifies a place.

The initiative was started by 5 people, by afternoon 30 people joined in the construction of the temple. Sure, all the villagers would visit the place and pray at the temple. The same villagers would not protect the hillock from mining, and the people could find another site for the required materials after doing an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment.

The intention was not to build temples, but it was one of the very few options left to conserve the environment. The collectiveness of people in spirituality is still there and very high. When leadership fails to address the people, the gods would lead and do good. When God is Good, it means bad will not happen.

Soon the power point in Microsoft came into existence, and people had been using them for presentations.

There were some default slide designs which came with the software and people had been using them for presentations. I started using it for creating the pictures too and over a period gained all the required skills.

During the presentations, the presenter is not much visible. The LCD or LED projectors project the slides on a white screen or wall. Therefore the attention of the participants is on the screen. The person presenting has little to say if the presentations are self-explanatory and pictorial. Sometimes there are only a few points, and the presenter explains at length. The voice of the presenter with the slides on the wall, a presenter has two sources of media to sink and understand the content. The attention of the participants is achieved more due to the screen. To keep the presentations visible less light is allowed in the place, especially on the side of the screen. Some participants might fall asleep in the disguise of darkness if the presentation is dull.

The first slide is more important to attract the audience. I sometimes spent even half a day to create the first slide. There should be a theme or colors chosen aptly for the content of the presentation. The font size should be at least 18 no. Exceptionally one could use the smaller font if it is a lecture instead of a presentation. At the end of a presentation, if not notes is being given, one might add more information on the slides and share. No presenter should read line by line, should use the main points and explain, 90% of the time the presenter should face the participants and should not be facing the screen and reading the content all the time. The dress of the presenter should not be too loose, and the colors could be sober.

The purpose of presentations is mainly to sensitize the participants on the subjects. Many times the presentations are done to the already learned people. They are here to understand the new developments and concepts. At the end most often there are no exams for the participants. They should be present and be absorbing the content. To make them store the content, long-time each slide should be impactful. Using pictures, audio and videos in the slides will make them remember longer. During the lectures, the appearance of the lecturer plays some role, but during the presentations, the nature of the presenter is assessed through the presentations. The commitment and intention of the presenter is seen in every slide.

Once I was asked to give a lecture, and I had very less time to prepare slides, so I used only symbols such as Triangle, Circle, Line, squares, etc. to give my lecture on the subject. The slides can be a tool to make the participants concentrate and finally the listening to the presenter is also important. No presentation should be made dull, I always say one need not be serious to discuss serious things. Apart from content and subject, one could share stories, experiences, and there could be some humor too. Otherwise, the presentations would be just boring. If a presentation is a failure, what right one has to take the valuable time of the participants.

Some of my presentations were meant to teach the content, but finally, remind them of their duties and responsibilities in their position. One day Mr. Rajashekar an officer of an institute told me that, they know the subject mostly, often only the non-performing officers are sent on priority to the training, as their absence will not make a difference, so in your presentation let them realize their duties and responsibilities. The purpose of learning is to perform, therefore for such participants, I always give examples and make them understand their duties and responsibilities through the subject. I started enjoying giving such presentations too.

Some people prepare, rehearse and do a presentation. The slides are also timed to end as per the schedule. Ultimately it is the purpose, commitment to bring a change and create a long-lasting impact on the participants, which makes a presentation great. The continuity of thought and flow of words are necessary. Getting away and getting into the mainstream of presentation is also required, especially while sharing examples. It is like a beautiful song with a rhythm. Few examples or instances makes a person get connected to the presenter and continue to listen with concentration. Establishing such connections with each and every participant is required. Finally, the presenter and the participants should feel happy and contemplate on the contents of the presentation over a period of time.

I always share my presentations as of when prepared, please see https://www.slideshare.net/saibhaskar/