| Africa promises one of the best safari experiences in the world, enabling you to see the five big wild animal groups: the lion, the leopard, the elephant, the rhino and the buffalo. Capturing a good photo of these beautiful animals is not always easy, and very often, it comes down to being at the right place at the right time. But, the pictures below are pretty incredible. So, get ready to enjoy some animal watching with this great photo series! |
| Male lion ignoring a group of Thomson’s Gazelles.
|
They saved their friends, parents, and neighbours from drowning, electrocution, thieves and a lot more – these 25 children, who were honoured with the National Bravery Award this year, displayed immense courage and risked their lives to protect their loved ones. Here are their awesome stories.
New Delhi witnessed the gathering of some of India’s bravest children on January 24, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented the National Bravery Awards to them. From a 16-year-old who fought off a tiger, to a 13-year-old who lost his life while trying to save his friend from drowning – these three girls and 22 boys showed incredible bravery in the face of some very dangerous situations.
“For the award winners, this act of bravery should not become an end in itself. Life must continue to evolve and the children should continue to develop their careers and continue to serve society to the best of their abilities,” the Prime Minister told them during the event.
The National Bravery Award scheme, initiated by the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW), was started with the aim of awarding children in the age group of 6-18 years, who display outstanding bravery and inspire other children with their actions. The awards consist of five categories including the Bharat Award, Sanjay Chopra Award, Geeta Chopra Award, Bapu Gaidhani Award and the General National Bravery Awards. The awardees receive a medal, a certificate, and a cash prize. Bharat Award winners get a gold medal, while the others receive silver. As a part of ICCW’s sponsorship program under the Indira Gandhi scholarship scheme, each child is also receives the financial assistance to complete his or her schooling.
Here are the astounding stories of this year’s winners.
8-year-old Shivampet Ruchitha became the youngest person to receive the award this year. On July 24, 2014, Ruchita saved two of her school mates when a train hit their school bus. She noticed that their bus had stopped on a railway track and a train was coming towards them. Showing extraordinary presence of mind, she pushed two students out of the window and jumped off the bus herself too. Unfortunately, she could not save her younger sister who was sitting in the front row. Her younger brother sustained severe injuries, but he has recovered now. 16 students, the driver, and the conductor lost their lives in that accident. She was honoured with the Geeta Chopra award.
“It feels good to have the limelight and get an award from the Prime Minister. But I wish I was able to save my sister, too, as we all miss her,” she told The Indian Express.
In July 2014, a tiger entered 16-year-old Arjun Singh’s house in Uttarakhand. He showed extreme courage and fought it off, saving his mother’s life who had fainted as soon as the tiger entered. Arjun went into a room and picked up a sickle to fight the tiger. As it was too small to hit from a distance, Arjun grabbed a stick and waved it towards the tiger. He did not stop until the villagers reached there and the animal ran away on seeing the crowd. Arjun received the Sanjay Chopra award.
Shivansh Singh, a 14-year-old medal-winning swimmer from Faizabad, was posthumously honoured with the prestigious Bharat Award. He lost his life while trying to save his friend from drowning in the Saryu River.
“I wish he was here. Seeing all these boys and girls enjoy their moment of glory, I wish my son could have been part of this,” his mother, Neelam Singh, told The Telegraph.
Gaurav was only 15 when he lost his life while rescuing four of his friends from drowning in the Ambazari lake. He was a good swimmer and had gone to the lake one afternoon in June 2014. While playing in the water, his friends suddenly started drowning. According to the police, Gaurav swam for 20 minutes and rescued them all. But while trying to pull out the last boy, he hit his head on a submerged stone and drowned. He received the Bharat Award.
12-year-old Aromal is one of the six winners from Kerala. He saved two women from drowning in a 14-feet pond and was honoured with the Bapu Gaidhani Award.
This 13-year-old received the Bapu Gaidhani Award for saving a boy who accidentally fell into a well.
On January 2, 2015, Ramdinthara saved two boys who were stuck on a transformer fence. The 15-year-old pulled the boys out with his bare hands and took them to the hospital. Son of a tea-seller, Ramdinthara was walking past the transformer when he saw that two boys were struggling to free themselves after falling on the fence. He overcame his fear in just a few seconds and grabbed their hair to pull them up. He received the Bapu Gaidhani Award.
Abinash Mishra, 12, saw his friend drowning in Kushabhadra River. Without thinking twice, he just jumped into the river and swam to the shore after saving his friend. He is one of the recipients of the General National Bravery Award.
13-year-old Chongtham Kuber Meitei became a local hero after he jumped into a 10-feet deep well to save a girl from drowning. He was awarded with the General National Bravery Award.
“I won’t lie, I was really scared. But I had to jump into the well to get to her. She would have drowned,” he told The Telegraph.
10-year-old Kashish protected his 15-months-old sibling from a German Shepherd. He received the General National Bravery Award.
14-year-old Muhammad Shamnad showed outstanding courage when he risked his life to save a little girl from drowning in a pond. He received the General National Bravery Award.
14-year-old Mohit saved his 10-year-old neighbour from drowning in Banganga Lake last year. When Krishna Pashtye slipped into the lake, Mohit was the only one of the hundreds of onlookers who had the courage to dive into the lake and save her. He was honoured with General National Bravery Award.
“I knew how to swim and so jumped in confidently. I saw the girl’s leg had stuck in mud in a ditch. I tried to get her leg out and managed to pull her out. When we came out, others rushed and helped us,” said Mohit, an orphan who lives with his paternal aunt.
15-year-old Abhijith was honoured with the General National Bravery Award for saving his friend from drowning in a 25 feet deep pond.
Sarwanand Saha received the General National Bravery Award for saving a man from drowning in Mahanadi River.
This 15-year-old saved his mother from electrocution. His mother came in contact with a live electric wire at their residence in Agapura when she was washing the floor. Sai Krishna was quick to think on his feet and he instantly rushed forward to turn off the mains supply while making sure that he did not step into the water. He was honoured with the General National Bravery Award.
On April 4, 2015, Dishant Mehndiratta was at his home in Panchkula, with his mother and younger brother. His father had just left for work when a stranger knocked at the door asking for him. The family invited him in and Dishant’s mother, Archana, called her husband to inform about the visitor. His father couldn’t recognise the man and asked him to come later. This was when the stranger asked if he could use the toilet. And while Archana was leading the way to show him the bathroom, he suddenly took out a knife and put it on her neck. He started threatening the children, asking them to bring out all the cash and valuables. Dishant made a quick plan and fell down on the man’s feet pretending to plead with him. And after a few seconds, he suddenly stood up, grabbed the knife from his hand, and threw it away. The family raised an alarm and got him arrested. Dishant received the General National Bravery Award for this courageous act.
When a man snatched away her father’s mobile phone, 10-year-old Joena Chakraborty started running after him without wasting a single second, and brought the phone back.
“I knew he would head for a narrow alley, so I reached there before him and caught his legs even though people were shouting that he had a knife,” she said.
Nilesh Bhil from Kothli was awarded the General National Bravery Award for saving a boy from drowning.
14-year-old Beedhovan saved a boy from electrocution and was honoured with the General National Bravery Award.
13-year-old Nithin was honoured for saving his neighbour’s family after their house caught fire in a cylinder blast.
On November 16 last year, a boat got overturned in Sarayu River. 12-year-old Bhimsen, who was present on his own boat, jumped into the water and saved 14 people from drowning.
Angelica Tynsong, 13, from Ri Bhoi district, saved her 7-month-old brother when their house caught fire on February 1, 2015. Her brother was sleeping while she was washing clothes, and their parents were not present in the house at the time of the incident.
14-year-old Anandu Dileep was going to his tuition class with his friends. They were crossing a bridge when his friend slipped and fell into the 10-feet-deep canal. Anandu jumped into the water and rescued him.
Maurice was playing on the terrace with his friend who suddenly got an electric shock. Had it not been for Maurice’s presence of mind, his friend would have lost his life. The 14-year-old picked up a cane chair and started hitting him till he was free.
Vaibhav Ramesh Ghangare from Wardha also received the General National Bravery Award. He saved a 6-year-old child from drowning.
Source……..Tanaya Singh in http://www.the betterindia.com
Natarajan
At an age when many people want to relax and lead a peaceful life, 81-year-old Bagicha Singh is on a unique mission. He has been walking since the last 23 years and has covered the length and breadth of India more than 21 times. His aim? To spread awareness against tobacco and alcohol consumption, child labour, corruption, and other such social issues.
A resident of Panipat, Bagicha Singh started his non-stop journey from Jammu to Kanyakumari on February 22, 1993. After his Class 12 exam, he told his parents that he will never get married because he wants to dedicate his life to the country. He carries a 90 kg backpack with two Indian flags waving on 18 feet long poles.
Throughout his journey, Bagicha Singh met many people including politicians and celebrities. And he has several interesting stories to share:
“On my way from Tezpur to Guwahati in Assam, I had to cross a forest… One has to carry dozens of bananas to cross the forest, as herds of elephants stop their human counterparts and don’t let them go unless they are given their ‘tax’. I carried six kilo bananas, and indulged the elephants. Not far ahead on this journey, I was surrounded by a group of Naga tribesmen…They demanded that I hand over all my belongings…That’s when the elephants came to my rescue! The biggest one among them ran towards the group. The men panicked and fled. The elephant then picked up my bag with its trunk and the whole herd walked with me. Once we reached the road, I was given my bag and the herd walked back in,” he told The Time of India in November 2015, when he was on a break in Hyderabad during his 22nd trip.
After waking up at 5:00 each morning, he walks till 12:00 noon, rests for an hour, and again walks till 7:00 pm. Freedom fighters like Subhash Chandra Bose, Chandra Shekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh inspire this octogenarian, who takes a new route in every trip.
Bagicha Singh hopes that the country’s youth will slowly understand the ill effects of tobacco and alcohol. Watch him talk about his journey here:
Source…..Tanaya singh in http://www.the better india .com
Natarajan
A sofa made from the discarded portion of an Ambassador car, a table made from a tractor, rugs made of old gunny bags, and so many other handmade products – welcome to the super creative workshop of PRiti International. Started by a Jodhpur-based couple in 2005, it is a company that takes waste material and turns it into something very useful and unique.
“We don’t just want to make things for decorative purposes. We want them to be useful as well,” says Hritesh Lohiya, who founded PRiti International with his wife Priti Lohiya.
Hritesh and Priti Lohiya
“We started many different businesses, but all of them failed. We started a chemical factory, then a stone cutting factory, and a washing powder business. This was the final one,” says 42-year-old Hritesh.
Today, they have spread their work to three factories with over 400 people designing these products. They manufacture many things like handbags from old gunny bags, military tents and denim pants; furniture from waste tins, drums, as well as waste machine parts; and lamps from bike headlights etc.
“We started a handicrafts business in 2003. We were not getting any orders, and it had become very difficult for us to sustain. That was the time when we found some waste tin boxes in the factory. They were chemical boxes and drums. We turned them into chairs and tables. Fortunately, one customer visited our factory that time and liked those items a lot. This was how we entered into the recycling business,” says Hritesh.
They are now exporting to more than 40 countries including China, US and Australia every month, and the company has a current turnover of $8 million. They usually get their raw material from scrap dealers, but as the business is growing, they have also started attending auctions organized by Indian Railways and Army to purchase waste material. The item is first brought to the factory where the couple brainstorms on how to use it in the best possible manner. Once the design is ready, the final product is manufactured by the factory workers. Currently, they are only exporting their products, and they also participate in several exhibitions worldwide where they get several orders.
Take a look at their brilliant work:
Source…..Tanaya singh in http://www.the betterindia.com
Natarajan
The Indian Society of Agribusiness Professionals has been working for the empowerment of farmers in India since 2001. It is bridging the gap between rural communities and other stakeholders through innovative use of ICT across the country.
T here’s a farmer in a small village in Bidar, Karnataka, who needs help with setting up a green house. He doesn’t know how to go about it. That’s when his neighbour tells him about a helpline – Kisan Call Centre. The farmer connects with experts. And within no time, he is equipped with all the information he needs.
Kisan Call Centre is one of the many initiatives of ISAP – Indian Society of Agribusiness Professionals – an organisation that is engaging more than 150,000 farmers across India.
ISAP, which has been active in the field of agriculture for the last 15 years, is a non-profit organisation working for the empowerment of rural communities by providing them sustainable agriculture solutions.
ISAP was the brainchild of Sunil Khairnar. After extensively working in the agribusiness industry in India, he realised there was so much potential in the field of Indian agriculture that hadn’t been tapped as yet. He wanted to bridge the gap between farmers and experts. Mr. Khairnar also realised the way to fill this gap was by using the power of information. In fact, ISAP’s mantra has been ICT – information and communications technology.
An awareness workshop being conducted in Aurad.
“The organisation, which started out with just a few employees, now has as many as 330 employees,” says Senior Project Manager Gaurav Vats.
ISAP is currently implementing various projects across India. From an integrated farming system project in Rajasthan to an agriculture extension system project in Karnataka, ISAP is proving to be a backbone to farmers across the country.
The organisation’s targeted interventions ensure economic development in rural India.
“Our processes are very meticulous,” says Karnataka project head, Chandrashekar Maradi.
ISAP organises farmers into groups at various levels. At the grassroots level, the farmers are divided into Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs). At the taluk level, FIGs come together to form Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
“We believe that there is strength in numbers. When the farmers are organised into groups, they have more bargaining power. For instance, because they purchase seeds as a group, they get them at wholesale prices,” says Mr. Chandrashekar.
The organised groups are also guided on selling their produce. ISAP helps them by providing training on the best harvesting methods, gives them access to warehouses, and so on.
The Agriculture Extension Project was started in 2010 in north Karnataka.
Farmers being taught the dibbling method.
It was launched to improve the production of pulses. In order to achieve this goal, the project stressed on soil and nutrient management. ISAP also helps farmers in marketing their produce.
“We have started Kisan Fresh, a grocery mart, in north Karnataka. Farmers sell fresh vegetables, organic jaggery, pulses, masala powders, and much more,” says Mr. Chandrashekar.
Gundappa, a farmer in Pattan village, is one of the beneficiaries of the project in north Karnataka. This farmer, who used to only cultivate red gram, was introduced to ISAP’s integrated farming system. Now, he cultivates pulses, grows vegetables, and also raises cattle on his farm.
By expanding his produce, Gundappa has shielded himself from the vagaries of the weather, thereby cushioning himself against disaster in case one crop fails. Gundappa’s success story is an inspiration to many — he is often invited to lecture farmers in his region.
For instance, it provides training to rural youth to help them create small and micro enterprises. Together with the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management in Hyderabad, ISAP is running an entrepreneurship development programme for unemployed youth in 12 states. After the training, it helps students set up their own ventures. Under this scheme, ISAP has trained over 4,000 people so far.
ISAP also uses community radio stations to reach out to farmers. It gives out information on agricultural practices, government schemes, etc. Kisan Vani (90.4 FM), at Sironj in Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh, was the first agriculture-based community radio station in the state. ISAP now plans to set up more such stations in Rajasthan.
The organisation has provided training to women’s self-help groups (SHGs) in poultry farming, washing power production, vermi-compost, and other relevant businesses. It has also helped SHGs in opening bank accounts through the NABARD-SHG bank linkage programme in Rajasthan. ISAP is funded by various organisations and grants.
It has applied for the HCL Grant and through this grant it wants to set up three skill development community colleges in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Through these colleges, it aims to provide certified skill training and a recognised Bachelor of Vocational Training (B.Voc.) degree to unemployed rural youth. The project aims to directly impact 3,600 beneficiaries from poor households.
To know more about ISAP’s initiatives, contact the team on their website.
There are about 3.3 million NGOs in India doing commendable work in various areas aimed at inclusion and development. The HCL Grant has been launched to support the institutionalization of the Fifth Estate comprising individuals and institutions formed and led by the citizens of the country through the creation of strong governance frameworks and management capabilities. An endeavor of the HCL Foundation, HCL Grant envisions to build sustainable communities by supporting NGOs and individuals who are doing path-breaking work towards high impact transformation in rural India. In the first year, HCL Grant has identified the best NGOs in the area of rural education. To know more about the HCL Grant: http://www.hcl.com/hcl-grant
Source……..Meryl Garcia in http://www.the betterindia.com
Natarajan
How many women does it take to start an all-women travel company, set up a women’s welfare network for women in distress, write tirelessly on social and environmental issues, win a bronze at the National Ice Hockey Championship, and keep training an ever-growing number of women to be professional trekking guides in the harsh terrain of Ladakh? Just one, if that woman happens to be Thinlas Chorol.
Back in 2009, Thinlas Chorol set up the Ladakhi Women’s Travel Company, which has the distinction of being Ladakh’s first travel company completely owned and operated by women. It is also known for promoting ecotourism.
Thinlas Chorol
Having lost her mother when she was a baby, her father was all Thinlas had. Scared that “something might happen” to him if he were to venture into the mountains alone, she went with him. Today, as one of Ladakh’s best trekking guides, she looks back on that incomparable training fondly, as “the bliss of my childhood.”
Her Journey
What was far from bliss was the assortment of obstacles Thinlas encountered on her way to becoming the pioneering and inspirational woman she is today. Societal restrictions, taboos and narrow mindsets had to be countered for her to become a professional trekking guide at a time when female trekking guides were unheard of.
Most men, on the other hand, were hired as trekking guides even without any professional training or knowledge of trekking routes or awareness of environmental impact. She was repeatedly told that a Ladakhi woman going into the mountains with a group of foreigners would be frowned upon by society. But she didn’t let the rejections and social taboos stop her.
Thinlas had met a few female travellers who had been harassed by their male trekking guides and were keen on trekking with a female guide they could trust. With the encouragement she received at SECMOL (Students Education and Culture Movement of Ladakh, an organization that helps educate children from remote regions of Ladakh) and the support of her American English teacher, Thinlas went on to gain some commendable professional expertise. She attended a mountaineering course at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (Uttarkashi) and spent a semester at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Ranikhet, Uttarakhand, where she picked up wilderness and leadership skills. She even worked as an instructional aide at NOLS and was the first Ladakhi to do so.
Trekkers with the Ladakhi Women’s Travel Company
Since then, many Ladakhi women have approached her to train them as trekking guides and, today, the company has 8 guides, 4 trainees and 20 employees in all. It takes a minimum of one year with the company to become a trekking guide. Thinlas also co-founded the Ladakhi Women’s Welfare Network in late 2013, which helps women report crimes against them and works towards their general welfare.
Responsible Travel and Ecotourism
Given Thinlas’ deep sense of connection with the land, responsible travel is a huge part of LWTC’s work. Having seen a lot of garbage dumped on the mountains by irresponsible campers and tourists, the women at LWTC ensure that the ‘leave no trace’ rule is respected on their treks and the environmental impact minimized.
Trekkers make halts at homestays run by rural women and learn from Ladakhis about their way of life. Clients are told to avoid plastic bottles and instead refill water bottles at the homestays. Thinlas says that since homestays are unprofitable for travel agencies many of them don’t offer this option to clients unless the latter specifically insist on them. As LWTC’s website states, homestays help rural women achieve the same status as their men who are out earning for their families. Homestays also encourage people to remain in their villages instead of seeking jobs in cities.
The women of LWTC are also highly knowledgeable about the local culture, history, flora and fauna and are glad to share that knowledge with the trekkers. A trek with them can give a city dweller an experience of the real Ladakh more than any typical ‘touristy’ visit could.
The Challenges
The main challenge for LWTC is the seasonal nature of their work, with the season being barely four months from June to September. LWTC has to stretch out the income made in these few months for the rest of the year. In the winter, LWTC offers snow leopard treks but, because this is the off-season, there aren’t many takers. The team also looks forward to more people volunteering to teach English to the Ladakhi women training with the company.
The Vision
In empowering herself, Thinlas has empowered a host of other women as well.
In her own words: “Women should think for themselves and not depend on their families. If they believe in themselves, they can achieve what they want. Women should not listen to what society is saying. They should listen to their own ability to work. Then, definitely, they will succeed if they work hard.”
Her vision for LWTC is to see her trekking guides spread their wings across the globe and, in turn, inspire many others to actualize their dreams.
If you’d like to help, please donate to the Ladakhi Women’s Welfare Network (LWWN). It is not affiliated with any religious or political institution and works independently for the welfare of the women of Ladakh.
Source…..Namita Kulkarni in http://www.thebetterindia.com
Natarajan
பாகற்காய் உடல்நலனுக்கு நல்லது. நீரிழிவு நோயைக் கட்டுப்படுத்துவதில் முக்கிய பங்கு வகிக்கிறது. அதன் கசப்புத் தன்மை காரணமாக, பலரும் அதை நெருங்க பயப்படுவார்கள். அப்படிக் கசப்புத்தன்மை இல்லாமல், பாகற்காயின் குணநலன்களையும், அதை விஞ்சும் மருத்துவ குணங்களையும் கொண்டது பழுப்பக்காய்.
“கசப்புத் தன்மையில்லாமல், துவர்ப்புத் தன்மை கொண்ட இந்த விநோதமான காயை எங்கள் கிராமத்தில் பன்னெடுங்காலமாக உணவாகப் பயன்படுத்திவருகிறார்கள். மேற்குத் தொடர்ச்சி மலையோர கிராமங்களில் விளையும் இந்த அரிய காயை அக்டோபர், டிசம்பர் பருவத்தில் நூற்றுக்கும் மேற்பட்டவர்கள் சந்தைக்குக் கொண்டுவந்து கிலோ ரூ.100 முதல் ரூ.150 வரை விற்கிறார்கள். அந்தக் காயை தமிழகத்தின் மற்ற மாவட்டங்களில் காண்பதே அரிதாக இருக்கிறது. இதை விவசாய, இயற்கை ஆர்வலர்கள் அனைத்து பகுதிகளுக்கும் கொண்டுபோய் சேர்க்கலாமே?” என்று கேட்கிறார் ஆர்.கணேஷ்குமார்.
துவர்ப்பான பழுப்பக்காய்
இவர், கோவை பீளமேட்டில் உள்ள தனியார் மருந்தியல் கல்லூரியில் 4-ம் ஆண்டு மருந்தியலாளர் படிப்பு படிக்கிறார். இந்தத் தாவரத்தின் மருத்துவப் பலன்கள் குறித்து, கடந்த இரண்டாண்டுகளாக ஆராய்ச்சியிலும் ஈடுபட்டுவருவதாகத் தெரிவிக்கிறார். பழுப்பக்காய் குறித்து அவர் மேலும் பகிர்ந்துகொண்டது:
என்னுடைய சொந்த ஊர் நெல்லை சிவகிரி வட்டத்தைச் சேர்ந்த ஆத்துவழி மலைக்கிராமம். இங்குள்ள தலையணை அருவியின் அடிவாரத்தில் பழுப்பக்காய் நிறைய விளைந்து கிடக்கும். இதை பழுவக்காய் என்றும் சொல்வார்கள். இதோட தாவரவியல் பெயர் ‘மொமோர்டிகா டயோகா’ (Momordica Dioica). படர்கொடி வகையான இந்தத் தாவரம் வெள்ளரிக்காய் குடும்பத்தை சேர்ந்தது. இதில் கார்போஹைட்ரேட் அதிகமுள்ளது. பாகற்காய்க்கு அடுத்தபடியாக மருத்துவ குணம் வாய்ந்த இந்த காய், துவர்ப்பு சுவையுடையதாக இருப்பதால் எளிதாகச் சாப்பிடலாம். பழுப்பக்காயில் துவர்ப்புத் தன்மைக்குக் காரணமாக இருக்கும் வேதிப்பொருள் ஆந்த்ராகுயினோன் கிளைகோசைட்ஸ் (anthraquinone glycosides).
மானாவாரி விளைச்சல்
பாகற்காயில் இரண்டு வகைகள் உண்டு. கரம்பக்காய் என்பது ஒன்று, சராசரியான பாகற்காய் மற்றொன்று. அதில் கரம்பைக்காய் உருண்டையாக இருக்கும். இது சர்க்கரை நோயைக் கட்டுப்படுத்த பயன்படுகிறது. அதே குணநலன்களைக் கொண்டது இது. பொரித்தும், தண்ணீரில் வேகவைத்து வெங்காயம், தேங்காய் போட்டுப் பொரியல் செய்தும் இதைச் சாப்பிடலாம். எவ்வளவு வேண்டுமானாலும் சாப்பிடலாம். விதைகளையும் மென்று சாப்பிடலாம். இலங்கையில் மட்டன், சிக்கன் வறுவல் செய்யும்போது, இந்தக் காயையும் சேர்த்துக்கொள்கிறார்கள்.
மழைக்காலத்தில், எங்கள் ஊரைச் சுற்றி 40 கி.மீ. சுற்றுவட்டாரத்தில் மானாவாரி நிலங்களில் இது அதிகமாக விளைகிறது. குளசேகரப்பேரி கண்மாய்க்கரையோரம் வண்டல் மண்ணில் செழித்து வளருகிறது. இதன் அடிப்பாகத்தில் உள்ள கிழங்கை நட்டு வைத்தால் மூன்று மாதங்களில் கொடிபோல வளர்ந்து காய்த்து, காய்ந்து விடுகிறது. இதன் பூ, பழத்தைப் பயன்படுத்துவது இல்லை. அக்டோபர், டிசம்பர் மாதங்களில் இது காயாக இருக்கும்போது பறித்து வாசுதேவநல்லூர் பேரூராட்சி சந்தையில் நூற்றுக்கு மேற்பட்டோர் விற்பதைக் காணலாம். இதைச் சாப்பிடுபவர்களுக்கு சர்க்கரை நோய் கட்டுப்பாட்டுக்குள் வருகிறது.
பரவலாக வளர்க்கலாம்
ஒரு நாளைக்கு, ஒரு நபர் கால் கிலோவரை சாப்பிடலாம். இதைச் சாப்பிடுபவர்களுக்கு மலச்சிக்கல் அகலும். குடலில் நூல்புழுக்களை அழிக்கிறது.
சிவகிரிக்கு அடுத்தபடியாக இந்தத் தாவரத்தைப் புளியங்குடியில் பார்த்திருக்கிறேன். அசாம், மேற்கு வங்கத்திலும் இந்த பழுப்பக்காய் பயன்படுத்தப்படுகிறது. இதை தமிழகத்தின் அனைத்துப் பகுதிகளிலும் வளர்க்கலாம். குறிப்பாக மேற்குத் தொடர்ச்சி மலையோரக் கிராமங்களில் நன்கு வளரக்கூடியது இந்தத் தாவரம். இதைப் பரவலாக வளர்க்கலாம்” என்கிறார் கணேஷ்குமார்.
பழுப்பக்காய் தொடர்பான இவருடைய ஆராய்ச்சிக்கு மருந்தியல் கல்லூரி ஆசிரியர்கள் சிவக்குமார், சாமுவேல், சியாமளா ஆகியோர் வழிகாட்டிகளாக இருக்கின்றனர். இது குறித்த ஆய்வை தொடர்ந்து மேற்கொண்டுவருகிறார் கணேஷ்குமார்.
ஆர்.கணேஷ்குமார் தொடர்புக்கு: 96595 05947
படங்கள் உதவி: ராஜாஜி.
Source……..கா.சு.வேலாயுதன் in http://www.tamil.the hindu.com
Natarajan
Always love and follow only truth; falsehood is never beneficial. Some people may respect, but you will find that no one honors falsehood, deceit, and injustice all the time. On the contrary, everyone respects truth, honesty, integrity, and justice. Who is a divine person (devatha)? It is just a name for the person who observes truth as their vow (vratha) in daily living. The right conduct (dharma) as prescribed in the scriptures(Vedas) is tested, proven and capable of standing the test of time. It is impartial and just. Faith in it grows with practice. The worship of the Divine must follow the rules prescribed in the Scriptures (Vedas); through this means, people get strengthened in leading a righteous (dharmic)life. This dharma is the command of the Lord; it is the authentic voice of God, so it might as well be followed by all. Dharma brings goodness to all; it confers bliss (ananda) here and hereafter.
F or most Indians, it’s been customary to be glued to the television every Republic Day. The grand parade at the Rajpath, with all its frills, is a visual treat. The celebrations have changed over the years. Here’a trip down memory lane:
King Tribhuvan of Nepal was the Guest of Honour for the Republic Day in 1951.
Photo source: Twitter
Lama Dance from West Bengal during the Republic Day parade in 1956.
Jacques Chirac, President of France, was the Guest of Honour for Republic Day in 1998
Photo source: Twitter
IPS Kiran Bedi leading Delhi Police in Republic Day Parade in 1975.
Photo source: Facebook
Nelson R. Mandela, President of South Africa, was Guest of Honour on Republic Day in 1995.
A view of the Republic Day Cultural Pageant in 1952. This tableau is depicting youth and progress.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the President of India, driving in State towards the Saluting Base, during Republic Day celebrations in 1952.
The first Republic Day parade in 1950.
A section of the huge crowd that witnessed the Republic Day parade in 1952.
Kenneth Kaunda, President of Zambia, was the Guest of Honour for republic Day in 1975.
The tableau from Madhya Pradesh was a replica of Mahatma Gandhi’s hut (Bapu Kuti) at Sevagram, during Republic Day in 1956.
Photo source: photodivision.gov.in
Source…..Meryl Garcia in http://www.the betterindia.com
Natarajan
To attain the knowledge of righteousness (dharma), first, you must receive training under wise people, who are imbued with righteousness (dharma). Next, you must aspire to purify yourself (Atma shuddhi) and practice truth (sathya). Thirdly, you must realize the value of knowledge of the scriptures(Vedas), which is the voice of God. When these three steps are completed, you will clearly understand the truth and discriminate it from untruth. This enquiry into truth must be done in amity and cooperation. Everyone is entitled to attain spiritual wisdom. Everyone must be equally eager to discover the truth and benefit from it. All opinions must be tested on the touchstone of dharma, of universal goodness(sarvaloka-hitha). The principles that pass this test alone must be chosen and practiced, and shared with the world. Then will help humanity to progress. Then, everyone will develop joy and happiness in equal measure. All of you must use this method and perform noble and pure deeds consistently.
Take off with Natarajan 
