Sunday 16 November 2014

                                         . Nature’s calling From India..!!! By - Niyati Bhatt
                                      “सुजऱ ां सुफऱ म् मऱयजशीतऱ म् शस्यश मऱ म् म तरम्।”

 (Pure is the Water, Pure are the Fruits, Soothing is the clear winds, Dark fields waving to mother’s might, such is our mother Earth..!)

Independent India being the 7th largest country and most populous democracy of the world did ever stopped for a while from these increasingly stressful, hurrying, races of life and gave it a thought what exactly we have and what are we missing..??? When asked about India we all describe it as a vast country with all diversified cultures and customs, rich spices, festivals, different communities, different regions, politics, the great film industries, mega business clubs, varied geographies from snowy mountains in north to lush green plains at south, a 7,517km long coast line, etc..etc.. In all these pomp and shows we usually overlook the most essential yet neglected part of India i.e. our Nature, our Biodiversity, our Wildlife, our Natural Recourses, our Farms and our Villages, which are equally worthy of our attention and affection. In this changing modern India, are we still drinking and eating pure water and fruits? Are we really breathing that soothing clear winds all mentioned in our national song..??? No, No we aren’t. Why every third child born has some or the other deformities or in-born disease? Why we have alarming increase in rate of diabetes, cancer, T.B, Asthma patients? Why we need to import good quality fruits and veggies when we have quite more land space, natural and human resources than any other foreign countries whose grown food we eat. Why a doubt whether cleanliness will be maintained or not after some mega costing projects of cleaning our rivers and forest??? Yes we all have the answers deep down. We need to accept that we have grown so selfish through the years that for flourishing our factories, for getting better amenities, and for our recreation we never bothered even to check if we are intruding or harassing other beings or natural creations. Incidents of animals straying into residential localities are on rise in recent times. Man-animal conflict has become a common occurrence resulting high losses to wildlife and also to man. But why such cases happen, when we start destroying their habitats they will certainly enter ours in search of new homes. Illegal trades, poaching, deforestation, waste dumping in oceans and plains, enjoying the zoo and circus shows are no lesser the sin if compared to animals attacking us. “NATURE” has been here since four and a half billion years ago; 22,500 times longer than MAN. Nature doesn’t really need people but people definitely can’t survive even for a day without nature. Yes our past, present and FUTURE depends on it. When nature thrives we thrive when nature falters we falter, (Any need to mention about the fright of Hud-Hud and Nilofar disasters..!!). Being here for years Nature has not only feed but also have starved species greater than us. If it has the power of creating creatures it also has the power of making them extinct. It is India’s Nature, India’s Oceans, India’s Fields and Forests they all can take us or leave us. How we choose to live each day whether we regard or disregard Mother Nature doesn’t really matter one way or the other it’s just our actions which will determine OUR FATE not nature’s. It is Nature, it will go on and on it is prepared to evolve, are WE..??? What more is our Nature, our Biodiversity asking for?? Just our attention, affection, care and a bit of co-operation. Why do we hesitate in taking stands for ourselves? Why can’t every single individual be vigilant and careful enough to take care of his/her surroundings? Nature’s message is quite simple and clear: “we can’t keep exploiting it more now like we did for years. Clean sustainable energy is crucial and can’t wait now we need to listen to nature.” The nature and wildlife is not dying, it is being killed, and we are the killers. So better let’s decide are we going to stop exploiting and start conserving or we want our upcoming generations to wage wars on things like food, water and air..??
“And Our Choices Will Make Difference…”

Wednesday 5 November 2014

                                      WOMEN IN RURAL INDIA: A PRACTICAL INSIGHT
                                                                                 By
                                                                 
Shilanjani Bhattacharyya
                                                     TATA INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, HYDERABAD

                      
The position of women in the society has been subject to perennial debate and discussion.  Women have been denied independence and liberty since ancient times. Such instances of injustice and discrimination in the treatment of women have been most rampant in rural areas due to dearth of adequate awareness and education. Rural India seems to cling on to the traditional view of the subjugated position of women in the society.

Through a case study conducted in the Bolghatpally village of Mehboobnagar district in April 2014 , I have attempted to understand the everyday life and future aspirations of several village women. The following is an account of the most striking lifestory that I have encountered in the process of the case study. This particular account amply reflects the fact that there are exceptions to the traditional view of the subjugated position of women that the larger part of rural India seems to cling on to. 
It was yet another day of fieldwork in the Bolghatpally village of Mehboobnagar District. In the course of conducting the case study, I was looking out for women who would consent to participate in the same. Suddenly, the sound of a baby laughing in the courtyard of a house caught my attention, making me walk up to him. As I inched closer to the child, I observed that a lady was seated beside the baby, and was deeply engrossed in reading something. Fascinated by this rare sight in such rural settings, I requested our field coordinator, Mr. Mahaboob to seek permission for entering the house and speaking to the lady.
The lady warmly welcomed us and gladly consented to participating in the case study. A Hindu by religion, she was eighteen years of age and was also a member of the Lambada Tribe. She had studied till intermediate in the Government Girls’ Junior College, Achampet and was presently a housewife.
There were 6 members in the family of the lady, inclusive of herself. Her husband, who had studied till intermediate, worked as a conductor in the APSRTC (Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation) Bus Services. Her brother in law was presently pursuing M.Tech at an engineering college in Hyderabad after having successfully completed his B.Tech degree from the same institution. Her father in law was the head of the family, as he was the main bread winner. Though he was uneducated, he efficiently carried out agriculture and cultivation of crops. Extremely capable of managing his own lands, his efficiency seemed to have stemmed from his years of practical experiences rather than formal education. As asserted by the lady, he took great care of his family and especially her and was the major reason for their self-sufficiency and prosperity. The contentment and financial stability of the family was amply reflected in the well maintained house and the well manicured garden that surrounded it. The other members of the family were the one year old baby of the lady, and her mother in law. Like her father in law, her mother in law was also uneducated, but that did not deter her from helping her husband in agriculture. Thus, it can be inferred that the support and aid provided by the mother in law to the father in law in practising agriculture was also a major determinant of the family’s financial well being and welfare.
The lady also conveyed the vital information that she played a major role in the proper functioning of the family by religiously carrying out her duties of a housewife. She supported the other working members of her family by managing the domestic chores and also providing care and nurture to the baby.
Though a housewife at present, the lady had pursued her studies till the intermediate level. Due to lack of proper educational facilities in her own village, her parents had sent her to residential schools, in order to ensure that she received a good education. Such an attitude of the lady’s parents is praiseworthy, as most parents do not prefer to adequately educate their girl children in such rural surroundings. As conveyed by her, she had done her primary schooling at the Government Girls’ Residential School, while residing at the Kalvakurthi Hostel. From class 6 onwards, she had studied at another Government Girls’ Residential School at Lingala. Thus, the fact that she had stayed away from her home at a very early age, in pursuit of proper education, marks her and her family as brave hearts who refused to succumb to the prevalent practises of denying education to the girl child in the rural society.
She continued her studies at the Government Girls’ Junior College in Achampet, where she studied till the intermediate. She reflected that during her school days, she was keenly interested in sciences as well as dance. Though she wished to pursue Science in the 11th standard, she failed to do so as her school did not have proper laboratory facilities. Thus, she was forced to pursue History, Economics and Civics at the higher secondary level.
As her eleventh standard exams came to an end, she was shocked to know that her marriage has been fixed. When she confronted her parents and resisted their decision, she came to know that she will be allowed to continue her studies even after marriage. Thus, she agreed to get married only on grounds of being allowed to continue her education and realising her dreams. It can be inferred that she was resilient and unconventional as she held education in higher esteem rather than submitting to the shackles of domestic duties of women.
She continued to commute to her school daily from her in-laws house. She proudly mentioned that she had not missed her classes even for a day as her husband dropped her to school daily. Even so, she found it increasingly difficult to balance her studies as well as her housework. As all the other members of her family went out to work, she had to manage most of the domestic chores herself. When her baby was born, she devoted most of her time in taking care of her child, making it very cumbersome for her to carry out her studies smoothly. In spite of such difficulties, she managed to overcome them and perform well in her final examinations.
The very instance of a woman pursuing her studies after marriage and child birth is unusual in a rural setting. Here we see a perfectly well balanced example of the same. The lady asserted that she had received immense support from her family, and especially her husband who was beside her in every step of the way. She narrated how her mother-in-law took days off from work and stayed at home to take care of her child while she went to school. Though uneducated themselves, her in-laws perfectly understood the importance of educating the girl child and hence never restricted her from pursuing her studies. She conveyed that though she had taken a break for a short time after her intermediate due to certain health issues, she was planning to get enrolled in a college and soon get involved in preparing for the Teacher’s Training Course, as she aspired to become a teacher. Thus, it can be inferred that the unusual trajectory that the lady had embarked on was possible only because of the great deal of love, care, support and encouragement that she had received from her extended family. 
The most significant life event that had a great effect on her life was her marriage. She viewed it as both negative and positive as initially she was apprehensive of the stagnation of her studies that would result as an aftermath of marriage. But as time elapsed, one can infer that the lady’s marriage ultimately proved to be a positive life event for her, as it was with her husband’s support that she was able to continue her studies successfully. The lady also added that the birth of her baby son was also a positive significant life event for her, as it made her evolve into a new realm of maturity and motherhood.
As our interaction progressed, the lady humorously conveyed the fact that she owned a treasure trove of resources that has helped her in steering forward in life. She did not seem to attach much importance to her physical prowess, but she gladly declared that her greatest resource has been her wonderful husband and the loving family she has been married into. She also said that her own family and especially her own sister have also been extremely supportive in her ventures. She also asserted that her friends at school have also helped and encouraged her greatly. She also seemed to believe that the very fact that she has been empowered with education has been a perennial source of strength for her. One could infer that her progress in life also seemed to be fuelled by her traits of resilience, confidence, determination, a strong sense of belief in herself, and a thirst for knowledge which provided her the essential strength to strive on.
The lady’s eyes glittered with hope as she expressed her dream of becoming a teacher. She aspired to improve the standard of education in villages and bring about a change in the lives of children. She also dreamt of pursuing her childhood interest in dance and teaching the same to the children in school. She also hoped that she will be able to successfully perform her duty as a mother and bring up her child as a good human being.
Donning a generous smile, the lady also conveyed the fact that she was very happy in her current situation and that she does not have any problems. Although there are certain practical constraints that she has to encounter in day to day life, she does not get perturbed by them and instead strives to overcome them with the available resources. Once again, an attitude of this kind portrays the strength of the lady’s character and her ability to derive happiness in any circumstance whatsoever.
My interaction with the lady gave me a rare insight into the life of an extraordinary woman who is an epitome of resilience, strength and optimism that steers her forward and keeps her going even when she is faced with unfavourable circumstances. The inspiring words of the lady motivated me to a great extent and kindled in me a desire to strive towards realizing my dreams. I also realized that education arms us with a keenness to question the traditional tenets of society and hence it is of utmost significance in alleviating miseries and discrimination of women in rural India.

Saturday 25 October 2014

Life is like sitting in a classroom, where the process of learning takes place. The learning starts from the time of birth and ceases only after breathing ones last. In this classroom one gets to meet different people, some might be good, while other might not, but the process of learning never stops. While in today’s life ‘Learning’ has been replaced by ‘earning’ by the deletion of ‘L’, yet each and every experience will be a lesson.
Most of us look up to people from history to resolve life’s mysteries, to seek inspiration, to garner ideas and commitments in life. But by just observing people or events from our day to day lives, we can find live examples to follow.   
As part of a volunteering team studying man-animal conflict near Tumkur, Karnataka, I had to interact with agriculturists regarding the movements of wildlife in their vast farmlands.This opportunity changed my perspective towards life. The reason for which was the humble farmer, whom we take for granted almost every time we eat food. While most of us pray / thank the Almighty for providing us the meal, seldom does farmer make an appearance in our thoughts. How many of us would have thought about the source of our food before having it? How many would have thought about the back breaking work put in by a farmer, before throwing the leftover food in the dustbin?
Having to spend the whole day on the farms, interacting with the farmers made me realize the immense dedication that a farmer puts into his profession. From the time of ploughing to planting the seeds, from the time of irrigation to the time of harvest, a farmer can never postpone his work, lest he wishes to risk his entire hard work.  The word “Later” does not seem to exist in a farmer’s dictionary.
Agreed that the life we live in cities is very different from the life of a farmer in the countryside, but the basic essence of both our lives is the same. Both our lives revolve around completion of works taken up by us. While the famous verses of Kabirdas “KaalKare So AajKar, AajKare So ab, Pal Mein PralayaHoyegi, BahuriKarogeKub(do the work planned for tomorrow today, and the work for today do it now. The world may end in a second and then you shall have no time left to do the work), are known to most of us, it looks as if it is only the farmers who are inculcating them in their lives.
In our modern day cities, while children and adults alike are fighting a seemingly losing battle with obesity, hypertension and various other ailments, in the country side, the life looks much better. Just to make my case, here is an example.  As part of the survey, I came upon a farmer who was carrying bundles of fodder to feed his cattle. The source of fodder was a good 3 km away from his cattle shed. I was impressed by his stamina, because at the time I was interacting with him, he must have been carrying a weight of at least 15kg. For a city dweller like most of us, walking 3 km may be a part of a tough fitness regime, but for this man, it was his day to day life. I was shell shocked, when on asking his age, ’75 years’ came the reply.
India now holds some embarrassing records to its name, like the diabetes capital of the world.While in some countries, army training is mandatory to all its citizens, if children of India can have one month of farm experience in their growing years, it shall lead to a health India. Also by working in the fields, they will get to know the basic essence of being an Indian.
If we inculcate the habits of a farmer, if we learn from him, our lives will be systematic and healthy. A farmer provides food for our stomachs, now it’s time for thoughts as well.   


Wednesday 15 October 2014














Monday 13 October 2014

Unsung Heroes by Niyati Bhatt

Posted by Unknown 04:29
UNSUNG HEROES

Niyati Bhatt

“If you want to live and thrive, let the insects run alive...”

Yes, most of us think that all insects are bad, we hate and ignore them and eventually either kill them by the brutal broom or by the infectious insecticides. But actually, a lot of insects are very useful for us. Without them, the world would have been a different place.
Whether it's the whiteflies blanketing your tomatoes and potatoes or those squash vine borers worming their way into the pumpkins and berries patch again, you're probably already well acquainted with the bad guys in your garden. Now what’s the good news is you don't have to rely on synthetic or organic pesticides to be rid of insect pests. Turns out, there are plenty of good insects that are perfectly happy to work for you; such are the insect whom I call beneficial heroes.
They not only do a lot of pest management but also are helpful to us in many other ways like ones mentioned below.

v  INSECTS PRODUCE USEFUL PRODUCTS:

HoneyHoney bees are kept by beekeepers because they produce honey and wax. In some countries people collect honey from wild bees.


 

Silk: Another insect that produces products for people is the silk worm. The silk worm is not a worm but it is a moth. On a silk worm farm, the caterpillars (silk worms) are fed with leaves of the mulberry tree. When the caterpillar pupates they spin a cocoon made of one long thread of silk. These cocoons are harvested to produce silk.



v  INSECTS ARE USEFUL IN AGRICULTURE:

Pollination: Farmers need insects because without the insects many crops would not produce fruits. The insects are needed to pollinate the crops. Insects such as bees, wasps and butterflies visit a flower to collect honey. At the same time they pick up some pollen and carry it with them to the next flower they visit. In this way they help to cross-pollinate the plant, which will then produce good fruits.

A bee visiting a flower A butterfly visiting a flower

Biological control: There are many other insects that are useful to farmers because they help control pest insects. For example assassin bugs are predators that feed on caterpillars. If a farmer has many caterpillars that are destroying his crop he will be happy to see assassin bugs which are the natural enemies of these caterpillars. This control of pest insects by other insects is called “biological control”. Also many types of small wasps are beneficial to the farmer because they can kill pest insects. Such beneficial insects naturally reduce the numbers of many other, not-so-beneficial bugs, either:

·         By preying on them directly ( like: Ladybugs, Green Lacewing Larvae, Praying Mantis)
·         By parasitizing them - laying their eggs in or on the host insect of their choice. (like: Parasitic wasps)

Assassin bug Cotesia wasps with caterpillars  


Recycling Biomass: Many insects live as scavengers and feed on dead animals. Others feed on dead plant materials. In this way they help recycling of biomass in nature. This recycling process helps to create fertile top soil in which new plants and trees can easily grow. Examples of insects that are important in this biomass recycling are ants, termites, flies and cockroaches. Another example of this recycling process is the way dung beetles feed on feces. They help recycling the dung and at the same time return nutrients to the soil.
Dung beetles in action Termites

 Used By Researchers: Insects are easy to rear and multiply in large numbers. That’s why researchers often use insects to do all kind of experiments. A very famous laboratory insect is the common fruit fly (or vinegar fly). This insect has been studied a lot by researchers interested in genetics.

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSwaSV2aeqPBpsofi_4R29-oLjnss3QQ8vWG94e9DSU9jDD5LS0mg

v  INSECTS ARE BEAUTIFUL:

The beauty of insects can be best enjoyed in nature. Especially butterflies and beetles can be very beautiful with a large variation of patterns and colors. Many poets are inspired by the beauty of insects and write poems about butterflies, fireflies and other insects.

Beetle http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2010/top10_insects/firefly.jpg https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTS0If6Nzl75qrRkkvjLDMLuZf_miocVjj-DRMtUi7h42k7OqjI

 

Hurt no living thing: Ladybird, or Butterfly, nor Moth with dusty wing…”

– Cristina Georgina

 


 

Sunday 5 October 2014

Internship opportunity in Grameenmall :

Posted by Unknown 22:20
Internship opportunity in Grameenmall :

Description of Internship: 
Grameenmall looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic individual to join the team. person will be able to work as a part of a team as well as under own initiative. person will be passionate about developing tool to document the activities of Grameenmall Foundation. Its a fantastic opportunity to work to support the community movement, where creativity , integrity ,quality,diversity, open communication and team working are highly valued.

Grameenmall Brief introduction:

We, at GrameenMall Foundation , working towards promotion of Community Sustainable organic agriculture - which is a production system that sustains the health of soils, Eco-system , Food and Nutritional security of Rural people .We not only look at well-being of present generations or environment, but also adapt cycles to local conditions, rely on ecological process and minimize the usage of inputs that have adverse effects. To reach this goal, we are focusing on grass root levels to co-ordinate women farmer groups to educate, train and assist them through all phases of organic farming till it connect with end user. we are thankful to you for having given your valuable time to understand our work . But for people like you, our movement would not have gained this momentum.  
following links of our Facebook page, blog, can give you a better idea of our working lines.

Once again, we immensely thank you to allocating us your most valuable time and we look forward to associate/work with you in future.

Loacation : Hyderabad.

For details contact : prerana@grameenmall.in  or  info@grameenmall.in   040-65159555 , 9849328503














Butterfly farming by Niyati Bhatt

Posted by Unknown 08:15
BUTTERFLY FARMING

 By  Niyati Bhatt

Today we live in a rapidly decaying world. From global warming and depletion of the ozone; deforestation, fouled air and water and species extinction; the absence of coherent political leadership and the decay of whole societies in general, the human species is confronting a slew of hugely complex issues. In our incessant quest for food, shelter and the raw materials necessary to maintain our modern economies and lifestyles, our short-term interests are supported at the expense of the long-term viability of our planet.   One of the challenges of our day is to discover and develop industries, economies and even living patterns that minimize the effects of our presence on earth. So why can’t we think of something which not only conserves the nature but also gives a sustainable and diversified income source to the ones based back in villages???

*    Why butterfly farming?
An appropriate technology is one that is readily understood by the people who are using it, is environmentally non-destructive, incorporates locally available raw materials, is economically and environmentally sustainable, and is not dehumanizing or degrading to the people who use it. Butterfly farming fits all of these characteristics of an appropriate technology.  If properly undertaken, butterfly farming is an alternative and progressive endeavor with respect to impact on the immediate surroundings to which we and other living organisms depend. In contrast to traditional farming methods in tropical countries which require the clear cutting of natural habitats, butterfly farming is dependent upon the native vegetation.   In most cases, a butterfly farmer is encouraged to keep areas of land (sometimes quite large) in its intact natural vegetation.  At the very least, a farmer must plant a number of native plants in and around the farm which act as a reliable food source for the larvae. Therefore, butterfly farming has an inherent mutual relationship with native plants and the habitats which they create. In addition, butterfly farming contributes to other favorable factors. These would include the generation of rural employment, thereby supporting the rural economy and stemming rural to urban migratory patterns. If placed near a forest, such as a national park, the local human population would not only benefit economically from the park's existence, but would have a stake in the park´s integrity and survival.

*   The Farming Process:
In butterfly farming a small netted enclosure is prepared. It is planted with the food plant for the target species of butterfly. A female butterfly is caught and placed in the breeding cage to lay her eggs on the food plant. The freshly laid eggs are harvested by the farmer and placed in a pest free container, where they will hatch after 10 - 14 days. Upon hatching the caterpillars, or larvae, will be transferred to their particular food plant in the farmer's plant nursery. The growing larvae are tended by the farmers until they are ready to pupate, approximately 14 days after hatching. At pupation, larvae attach by their abdomen to a suitable leaf or stick and shed their skin to form the pupae. At this point the pupas are harvested by the farmer to be sold. To ensure sustainability and unnecessary collection from the wild, the farmer will retain a proportion of pupa to provide the next generation of adults for the breeding cage.

*     Benefit to the community:
Most types of agriculture in tropical countries require forest clearance and this habitat destruction is a major cause of species extinction. Butterfly farming requires intact forest, thus providing an economic incentive to conserve habitats. As butterflies are bred and reared in enclosures with limited extraction from the wild, farming has a negligible impact on the health of wild populations. Butterfly farming allows the local community to diversify their income generating activities and to work at home around childcare and domestic duties. It also raises awareness among residents and decision makers of the benefits of conservation.

*    Butterflies and their larval foodplants:
Butterflies can be attracted to your garden by providing suitable flowers from which they can obtain nectar. Most butterflies can utilize a wide variety of flowers, including those of many cultivated varieties, as nectar sources. However, a more critical need is for the plants that provide food for the larval (caterpillar) stages, and most species will accept only one or a few species of plants at this stage. If a butterfly is found near your area, you can probably attract it and increase its population by planting the correct foodplants for the caterpillars. Although the caterpillars will feed on the leaves of these plants, the damage is usually minor and only temporary. Caterpillars of some species feed on plants that are usually considered weeds, and you can benefit populations of these species by not removing all of the weeds. The following table lists the larval foodplants for most of the butterfly species:

Sr.No:
Butterfly Name:
Foodplant Common Name:
1
Pipevine
2
Willow
3
Wild Anise, Woolly-fruited Lomatium
4
Various citrus species
5
False Indigo
6
Alfalfa
7
Milkweed
8
Willow and Cotton wood
9
Grasses
10
Himalayan Sergeant
(Athyma opalina)
Grasses, and Weed plants
11
Buckwheat
12
 Indian Fritillary
(Argynnis hyperbius)
Viola plant
13
Indian Purple Emperor
(Mimathyma ambica)
Ulmus
14
Mongol
(Araschnia prorsoides)
Urtica angustifolia Fisch
15

Indian Eastern Courtier

(Sephisa chandra)

Quercus mongolica Fisch 
16
White- Edged Bushbrown
(Mycalesis mestra)
Orchid Tree
17
Green Commodore
(Sumalia daraxa)
Populus bolleana
18
Plain Tiger
(Danaus chrysippus)
Calotropis
19
Blue Glassy Tiger
(Tirumala limniace)

Common Rose, and Tylophora flexuosa
20
Himalayan Jester
(Symbrenthia hypselis)
Filipendula




















Himalayan Sergeant
(Athyma opalina)




Indian Fritillary
(Argynnis hyperbius)


Indian Purple Emperor
(Mimathyma ambica)


Mongol
(Araschnia prorsoides)

 

 

Indian Eastern Courtier

(Sephisa chandra)



White - Edged Bushbrown
(Mycalesis mestra)


Green Commodore
(Sumalia daraxa)


Plain Tiger
(Danaus chrysippus)



Blue Glassy Tiger
(Tirumala limniace)



Himalayan Jester
(Symbrenthia hypselis)












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