tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47410451425973970802024-03-14T12:24:24.111+05:30my roomKavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-61243032314186726092019-08-27T11:46:00.011+05:302020-08-08T22:04:41.960+05:30Konark Sun Temple : Odisha : India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Konark Sun Temple: Odisha , India<br />
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Konark Sun Temple is a 13th century temple at Konark ,Odisha. It is a UNESCO world heritage site. Check more on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konark_Sun_Temple" target="_blank">Sun Temple Konark</a>. Sharing few pictures of our recent visit to the temple.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uh7mZfEo5a0/XWTEdLpL7PI/AAAAAAAAHD4/5e1wU56sAIIBeMdpiAlzsMTtX59BW2IcQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190401_220921.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="992" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uh7mZfEo5a0/XWTEdLpL7PI/AAAAAAAAHD4/5e1wU56sAIIBeMdpiAlzsMTtX59BW2IcQCLcBGAs/w640-h320/IMG_20190401_220921.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
We reached Konark in the afternoon , it was very hot and humid but less crowded compared to morning hours. Taking a guide is a good idea to know the history and many local stories related to the temple.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZyZyaKiQBU/XWTHz-lZaPI/AAAAAAAAHEE/ipeDuCBArJIuwrekzPqk7EV6c-lC8xY1wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190401_151420.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZyZyaKiQBU/XWTHz-lZaPI/AAAAAAAAHEE/ipeDuCBArJIuwrekzPqk7EV6c-lC8xY1wCLcBGAs/w320-h640/IMG_20190401_151420.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The temple has a huge parking area.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPwrwQQwljM/XWTIA3QwD4I/AAAAAAAAHEI/PFTz7t6uHdQVElmNI1E8RM-gCx9FL72_gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190401_152256.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tPwrwQQwljM/XWTIA3QwD4I/AAAAAAAAHEI/PFTz7t6uHdQVElmNI1E8RM-gCx9FL72_gCLcBGAs/w320-h640/IMG_20190401_152256.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Visitors can buy local handicraft from small stalls on both sides of the road approaching temple<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RYxs-N9BOw/XWTJ44fq2EI/AAAAAAAAHEk/AWSPb-GHIkIx59RTfY6ciwiazsCCblGCgCLcBGAs/s1600/Konark.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RYxs-N9BOw/XWTJ44fq2EI/AAAAAAAAHEk/AWSPb-GHIkIx59RTfY6ciwiazsCCblGCgCLcBGAs/w640-h360/Konark.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Our guide explaining the history of the temple<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LZdhbrFGERM/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LZdhbrFGERM?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
to be contd</div>
Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-61808504794791032002012-12-23T18:05:00.001+05:302020-08-08T22:05:03.496+05:30Weaving at home <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-toaGygp3-hA/UNWxdwve3tI/AAAAAAAAGMY/UmnjkvRFirw/s1600/DSCN1346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-toaGygp3-hA/UNWxdwve3tI/AAAAAAAAGMY/UmnjkvRFirw/s640/DSCN1346.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Weaving and spinning is an integral part of almost every household in villages of Assam. In addition to agriculture, the weaving and spinning supports rural economy of the state. This beautiful art truly reflects creativity and the artistic skills of the people of Assam. As a new bride when I touched Koka's ( Chandan's grandfather/ my mother-in-law's dad) feet, along with the blessings came this request that he would be very happy if I make an effort to learn weaving. I promised him that I would, whenever I have the opportunity and time. Ma ( my mother-in-law) is an expert weaver. She is gifted. The Tatkhal ( the loom frame in the above picture) you see here is about 70 years old. It was her mother-in-law's. It was at our Shillong house all these years. In the beginning of thisyear Chandan and I gifted ma this room so that she can keep her loom here and start weaving that she loves so much. She weaved about 17 <a href="http://www.kavitasahariamyroom.com/2009/06/gamosaits-undeniable-importance-in.html" target="_blank">Gamosa</a> in a period of two month . A Gamosa is basically a hand woven white rectangular piece of cloth
with primarily a red border on three sides and a red woven motif on the
fourths. Last time I picture documented the whole process. Last week we again started another project where she will weave boarders (for sarees/mekhela sador). And in this project I am going to be hugely involved as a learner and help</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cEOWYb70Ae8/UNW3_yELwlI/AAAAAAAAGM0/qt6k9AnpDK0/s1600/Another+weaving+tale1-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cEOWYb70Ae8/UNW3_yELwlI/AAAAAAAAGM0/qt6k9AnpDK0/s640/Another+weaving+tale1-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I removed myself temporarily from social sites so that I can fully concentrate here. I get up an hour earlier so that can complete all my regular chores before my usual time. This way I get about 30-40 minutes in the morning as I leave for my clinic at around 9.00am. This work is so interesting, addictive and makes me feel very happy. In the above picture you can see me helping Bulu, the lady in red shawl. Bulu is my household-helper Mahendra's wife. She is a very clean weaver, her work is flawless. While Mahebdra lives with us ( he is with us for last 18 years) she lives in village along with her son and daughter who study at Govt school.We specially invited her to our home for few days so that she can help us in initial steps.The small girl you see in the picture is Trishna their 12 years old daughter and trust me she really bullies me when I make mistakes. I like my little teacher.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YvKItqOPAFY/UNZ4-cF23NI/AAAAAAAAGOI/sfK9piirro4/s1600/DSC00133-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YvKItqOPAFY/UNZ4-cF23NI/AAAAAAAAGOI/sfK9piirro4/s640/DSC00133-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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At first depending on the kind of clothing material one wants to weave, the thread is chosen i.e. either cotton or silk. The thread comes in two forms one is called ketcha ( raw, this thread needs washing and starching) and the other is called pokuwa( this can be used straightway). Threads come in various thicknesses. Last time we used cotton thread no 80 which was slightly thicker than the one we are using at present which is cotton thread no 90. The length of our present work is about 25 mts. while our last project was of 15 mts. The above picture is of last Friday's.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVv53_sNm8U/UNbXV7lLLvI/AAAAAAAAGT0/JlddSz-LOPg/s1600/DSCN1335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVv53_sNm8U/UNbXV7lLLvI/AAAAAAAAGT0/JlddSz-LOPg/s640/DSCN1335.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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After choosing the desired color and type of thread it is then wrapped in the bobbins as you see in above picture. Now according to the desired length the thread is stretched. The breadth again depends on the kind of clothing material one wants to weave. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2wU3rFs8rOI/UFx4U-0wReI/AAAAAAAAFyY/dq4tFJZC22M/s1600/DSCN1317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2wU3rFs8rOI/UFx4U-0wReI/AAAAAAAAFyY/dq4tFJZC22M/s640/DSCN1317.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A guide is fixed on the other side/end. This process is called Batikahrah. This is the most tough and time consuming part. It took us about three days to complete this step. Between their office and household work ladies and many other friends living nearby kept visiting and helping us. It is nice to see my kids taking interest in knowing and learning the art. While my daughter was allowed to help a bit my son was kept away because he had threatened his aaita that he might break some of the threads if he feels like. May be he was kidding but ma was careful not to take any risks.<br />
Last time when I shared some of these pictures on facebook, my multitalented blogger friend <a href="http://kaimhanta.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Suranga Date</a> wrote a beautiful poetry on one of the picture where my nine year old daughter Gauri is holding an umbrella over her grandmother's head. With her kind permission I am sharing that beautiful poem here. Thank you Suranga.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KOCVUgaIvJc/UFx7SwlhK2I/AAAAAAAAFyo/UO9g_k4PqxI/s1600/DSC08447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KOCVUgaIvJc/UFx7SwlhK2I/AAAAAAAAFyo/UO9g_k4PqxI/s400/DSC08447.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">Brilliant white threads of life</span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[1]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[2]">their years</span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[4]">wrapped round and round</span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[5]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[6]">the cylinders </span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[7]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[8]">standing attentively </span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[9]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[10]">next to each other,</span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[11]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[12]">looking on </span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[13]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[14]">at the new purple ones. </span></span></span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGSD8NBp8lk/UFx7nrxD9LI/AAAAAAAAFyw/cOnQ6vBhXiA/s1600/DSC08455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGSD8NBp8lk/UFx7nrxD9LI/AAAAAAAAFyw/cOnQ6vBhXiA/s400/DSC08455.JPG" width="400" /></a><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[14]"> </span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[19]">So many solid folks in dark wood,</span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[20]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[21]">standing and lying down</span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[22]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[23]">connected to each other,</span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[24]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[25]">magically creating the </span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[26]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[27]">warp and weft of life</span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[28]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[29]">in the Loom Room. </span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[32]">And grandma,</span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[33]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[34]">who knows them all,</span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[35]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[36]">and how to manage them all </span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[37]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[38]">without them </span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[39]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[40]">getting entangled and knotty,</span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[41]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[42]">puts and arm around her little </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[19]"></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[42]">granddaughter</span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[43]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[44]">holding an umbrella for her,</span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[45]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[46]">and says,</span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[47]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[48]">"Gauri,</span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[49]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[50]">for everything ,</span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[51]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[52]">there is a science </span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[53]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[54]">and there is an art.</span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[55]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[56]">We've just done the science;</span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[29]"></span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[30]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[58]">now come,</span><br id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[59]" /><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment3822146480675_4131424}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[60]">I will teach you the art......"</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXvG8LQhLEQ/UFyB7-Y-B8I/AAAAAAAAFzc/lyfQQvDUox0/s1600/DSC08472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXvG8LQhLEQ/UFyB7-Y-B8I/AAAAAAAAFzc/lyfQQvDUox0/s640/DSC08472.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
After the threads are stretched to the desired length, it is now smoothed and is carefully checked for broken ends. Smoothing and knotting the broken threads takes a great deal of time. It is done inch by inch.<br />
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The long black stick/rod that you see in the picture is called Raa, this helps in keeping the threads in place. The other plane bamboo sticks are called Seri , they support the thread frame throughout the process. A fine comb is also used to detangle the threads.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-srE8_aT3zw8/UNXCRyGLZqI/AAAAAAAAGNs/P_5fc-xvydE/s1600/DSC08473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-srE8_aT3zw8/UNXCRyGLZqI/AAAAAAAAGNs/P_5fc-xvydE/s640/DSC08473.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Look at the difference between the smooth and the other rough side. The smooth portion is rolled onto this wheel as you can see in the picture. After the whole stretch is finished being rolled it is ready to be transferred to the loom. Further work can now be carried out indoors.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3OSaRV1RaPw/UNaXgKF_lGI/AAAAAAAAGRo/AN6IZoOF68g/s1600/DSCN1585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3OSaRV1RaPw/UNaXgKF_lGI/AAAAAAAAGRo/AN6IZoOF68g/s640/DSCN1585.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The wheel now is transferred to the loom frame and this is how it looks.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A54G-9C5STY/UNZ_eA6mT2I/AAAAAAAAGOk/VGd4RfM9w_U/s1600/DSC08482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A54G-9C5STY/UNZ_eA6mT2I/AAAAAAAAGOk/VGd4RfM9w_U/s640/DSC08482.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
A design is selected, calculations are made and the work starts. I am not going to explain more technical details here.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W2zG5aWzLb8/UNaAzRh2NqI/AAAAAAAAGPA/gTSqJB9eeOE/s1600/DSC08483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W2zG5aWzLb8/UNaAzRh2NqI/AAAAAAAAGPA/gTSqJB9eeOE/s640/DSC08483.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The real weaving starts now with the help of shuttle and paddle. The one we use is fly shuttle which is called uda maku in local language.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r1fUaLa6XzE/UNaItkgGToI/AAAAAAAAGPc/aJxU6pJqiqw/s1600/DSCN1582-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r1fUaLa6XzE/UNaItkgGToI/AAAAAAAAGPc/aJxU6pJqiqw/s640/DSCN1582-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
A look from above. A closer look at the shuttles and the sticks which keep the cloth in proper shape and form .<br />
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A closer look at the back side of the design weaved.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ulKI_nSvLA8/UNaOMdVudGI/AAAAAAAAGQU/jrBHT0xV4jc/s1600/DSCN1584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ulKI_nSvLA8/UNaOMdVudGI/AAAAAAAAGQU/jrBHT0xV4jc/s640/DSCN1584.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Side view. Ma weaved 17 Gamosas last time. We don't do it for business purpose. She gifted 12 gamosas between friends and relatives and we kept 5 for our personal use.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kO3CsQz7OWs/UNaV8AE6EGI/AAAAAAAAGRM/b8ZfP1qZI1I/s1600/DSCN1671-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kO3CsQz7OWs/UNaV8AE6EGI/AAAAAAAAGRM/b8ZfP1qZI1I/s640/DSCN1671-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
A look at the completed gamosas. <br />
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At present we are done with wrapping the threads to the wheel. Tomorrow we will transfer wheel to the loom. Would have done it today but had guests visiting us throughout the day. (In case you are wondering- We used empty gas cylinders to keep the frame in position). This project will take about three to four months to complete because we get very little free time in between work, kitchen and kids. This picture was taken this morning. Bulu and her daughter are back to village and have reached safely. Had a phone-conversation with them few minutes back.</div>
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A funny thing happened this morning. This young man came to our house to sell handwoven sarees and mekhela sador but when he saw us busy weaving our own stuff he was not happy. First he told me that I should wear more of sarees and mekhela sador instead of churidar kurtas to promote hand loom. Secondly he went near ma and said that she must stop working at this age and should enjoy watching serials on tv . All of us had a hearty laugh.</div>
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Now my son wants me to tell you that this is his kitchen garden which he maintains with the help of Gauri and Aaita. He also wants to add that mom hardly helps in here. He is very proud of his work. Good thing is that both the kids eat greens and other vegetables without any fuss because the stuff comes from their own kitchen garden.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-667KrPAGVTs/UNaonpvafiI/AAAAAAAAGTY/urgyIO3FJKo/s1600/DSC00168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-667KrPAGVTs/UNaonpvafiI/AAAAAAAAGTY/urgyIO3FJKo/s640/DSC00168.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
And this is us Saharias wishing all of you Happy Holidays And Happy New Year. I will be on vacation till the first week of January. See you all next year. <br />
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Blog updated 09.01.12<br />
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Ma working on her first boarder (paree) .<br />
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Due to some reasons we could not complete our weaving project in time. Family went through a turbulent time and we are still trying bring back ourselves back to normalcy. Here are first few parees that came out from loom last week.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JGQ1vba7fD0/UmizZDz5S5I/AAAAAAAAGdc/NeBzFXDgldk/s1600/Ma+weaving+completed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JGQ1vba7fD0/UmizZDz5S5I/AAAAAAAAGdc/NeBzFXDgldk/s640/Ma+weaving+completed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com107tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-60163813517352606552012-12-06T20:58:00.000+05:302013-02-26T17:51:41.956+05:30A day with Mamta at IGNCA <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Last month I visited Delhi to meet one of my closest blogger friend Glenda from Hawaii. She along with her husband David was on a week trip to India. We finally met and it was a dream come true. Read more on our dinner-meeting here - <a href="http://gigihawaii.wordpress.com/2012/11/04/a-friendship-that-transcends-all-boundaries/" target="_blank">India: A friendship that transcends all boundaries. </a></div>
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Though meeting Glenda and David was the highlight of my Delhi visit, I also had and opportunity to visit various interesting places. IGNCA is one of them where my younger sister <a href="http://www.kavitasahariamyroom.com/2011/06/bless-you-my-darling-to-mamta-with-love.html" target="_blank">Mamta </a>works as a senior research fellow at conservation unit. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vmZYs2BoDsk/UJkke7NBZ6I/AAAAAAAAF-I/tYA5XE9TLuA/s1600/DSC03042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vmZYs2BoDsk/UJkke7NBZ6I/AAAAAAAAF-I/tYA5XE9TLuA/s640/DSC03042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As a centre for research, academic pursuit and dissemination in the field of arts IGNCA (<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> <b>Indira
Gandhi National Centre for the Arts</b>) was established in 1987 as an autonomous institution under the Ministry Of Culture India.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">The Arts' encompass</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">a wide range of subjects - from archaeology and</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"> anthropology to
the visual and performing arts, enveloping them in a
complementary and non-demarcated vision. (info courtesy- IGNCA).</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a5BK3Pk95hM/UJkubkwZdYI/AAAAAAAAF-o/xGo8pRZHqMY/s1600/DSC02910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a5BK3Pk95hM/UJkubkwZdYI/AAAAAAAAF-o/xGo8pRZHqMY/s640/DSC02910.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">As we entered the building she showed me this interseting piece of </span>Australian Aboriginal rock art<b>.</b> Aboriginal rock art has been around for a long period of time.Traditionaly it is composed of organic colours and materials, but modern artists often use synthetic paints when creating aboriginal styles.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sTqqarBQKwE/UJkxSa3QsaI/AAAAAAAAF_A/tUNrGrTN8k4/s1600/DSC02919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sTqqarBQKwE/UJkxSa3QsaI/AAAAAAAAF_A/tUNrGrTN8k4/s640/DSC02919.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mamta took me to her lab where she and other senior reaearchers perform various conservation and preservation activities. I was greeted by her very nice and friendly colleague Nuruddin. Later he explained and demonstrated different process involved in preserving rare, old, valuable books.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1E69ICfVQ-I/UJk0V9s2ngI/AAAAAAAAF_Y/AiLgn6tRQLQ/s1600/DSC02916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="481" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1E69ICfVQ-I/UJk0V9s2ngI/AAAAAAAAF_Y/AiLgn6tRQLQ/s640/DSC02916.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Village Poems written by Dr. Manmohan Singh </td></tr>
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Nuruddin showed me few books on which he is working at present. The above book titled Village Poem was surprising to me, all because it is written by non other than our Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Had no idea that he writes poetry . This book is from personal collection of Kapila Vatsayayan a leading Indian scholar of classical Indian dance and Indian art and architecture. She donated her collection to the centre library. Kapila was the founder-director of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (Indira Kalakendra) in Delhi.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DtHx9W9cam4/UJk7HHbAGEI/AAAAAAAAF_w/vcFbYxbVYac/s1600/DSC02917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DtHx9W9cam4/UJk7HHbAGEI/AAAAAAAAF_w/vcFbYxbVYac/s640/DSC02917.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The books looks brittle and hence is in need of repair and restoration.</div>
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The thin transparent tissue sheet you see above is called Japanese tissue. It is used in the conservation of books and manuscripts. It is a thin, strong handmade paper made from vegetable fibers.
The tissue comes in varying thicknesses and colors, and is used for a
variety of mending tasks, including repairing tears, mending book
hinges, and reinforcing the folds of signatures. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IX60PywbTVE/UJlH7Z8KudI/AAAAAAAAGA0/hsr2xjGNMFI/s1600/DSC02926-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IX60PywbTVE/UJlH7Z8KudI/AAAAAAAAGA0/hsr2xjGNMFI/s640/DSC02926-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A Mylar sheet ( a heat resistant plastic sheet) is placed on a glass top .</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j0L41MGjLfg/UJlE5YIvU5I/AAAAAAAAGAk/SIc-5cC1mtg/s1600/DSC02928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j0L41MGjLfg/UJlE5YIvU5I/AAAAAAAAGAk/SIc-5cC1mtg/s400/DSC02928.JPG" width="350" /></a></div>
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Japanese tissue in a color close to that of the paper to be repaired is chosen. A strip of tissue is torn away from the main sheet using a water tear.
This is done by wetting the paper along the area to be torn and then
pulling sideways so as to have feathered edges. The fibers
in these feathered edges allow the tissue to have a firmer hold on
the mended paper and also to blend in with it once dried.</div>
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This is how the page looks once dried.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fu0ig3CK8bc/UJlLNRMGTmI/AAAAAAAAGBM/ScQlaNQSY6Y/s1600/DSC02931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="441" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fu0ig3CK8bc/UJlLNRMGTmI/AAAAAAAAGBM/ScQlaNQSY6Y/s640/DSC02931.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Heavy felt sheets are used to press the treated papers.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ou2lFddEQrY/UJlMJQZQVSI/AAAAAAAAGBU/7Ey7QdKPtAQ/s1600/DSC02932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ou2lFddEQrY/UJlMJQZQVSI/AAAAAAAAGBU/7Ey7QdKPtAQ/s640/DSC02932.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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They showed me one book cover which is recently mended.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_W0-Vga9weQ/UJ3mn8aUBeI/AAAAAAAAGBw/bMactlLr4lw/s1600/DSC02935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_W0-Vga9weQ/UJ3mn8aUBeI/AAAAAAAAGBw/bMactlLr4lw/s640/DSC02935.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
A closer look.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pdNUMdAIW4s/UJ3o1SOXSuI/AAAAAAAAGB4/oqYyOiRh-Bg/s1600/DSC02936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pdNUMdAIW4s/UJ3o1SOXSuI/AAAAAAAAGB4/oqYyOiRh-Bg/s640/DSC02936.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Now the binding process .<br />
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The binding frame.<br />
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Enjoyed watching the process of book binding.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c18NLM2vcV4/UMAwYfcdAPI/AAAAAAAAGJM/b8bUBynmjkw/s1600/DELHI4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c18NLM2vcV4/UMAwYfcdAPI/AAAAAAAAGJM/b8bUBynmjkw/s640/DELHI4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Another interseting book in line.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QFooKJS0HH0/UMAyBBwLwHI/AAAAAAAAGJU/TopO2T5NQ7o/s1600/DELHI6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QFooKJS0HH0/UMAyBBwLwHI/AAAAAAAAGJU/TopO2T5NQ7o/s640/DELHI6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Amrita Shergil's book .<br />
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An original hand painted movie poster . Later I visited their library which was awesome and her colleagues were so kind to show and explain me the process of scanning manuscripts, books and documents and also the way books are microfilmed . All that and more in my next post.</div>
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com84tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-32300706521229588572012-11-26T07:31:00.000+05:302013-03-22T18:56:41.571+05:30Climbing the ladder of success <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The picture used for the book cover</td></tr>
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It has been long. And I am back with a pleasant update . Recently one of the picture that I clicked was chosen as a cover picture for a newly published Hindi book "Chaurahe Par Seedhiyan" authored by one of my blogger friend Kishore Chaudhary. He noticed this picture on my facebook wall and asked if he could use it as cover picture for his upcoming book. I agreed. His debut book has already set new records in terms of very high number of online pre-orders even before it was published. The book now published is receiving rave reviews from the readers across the world. I want to share more<br />
on how it all happened but before that let me first introduce him to you. <br />
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<b>Kishore Choudhary </b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JHeNArhb3Lc/ULG07VcB6PI/AAAAAAAAGHg/Iz7g4lKzcY0/s1600/535006_264526460314343_536344224_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JHeNArhb3Lc/ULG07VcB6PI/AAAAAAAAGHg/Iz7g4lKzcY0/s200/535006_264526460314343_536344224_n.jpg" width="168" /></a></div>
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Kishore Choudhary is a Hindi writer and a broadcaster with All India Radio. He lives in Barmer, Rajasthan with his lovely wife Abha and two adorable kids, daughter Manvika and son Dushyant. He owns two equally popular and widely read blogs Hathkadh and Kahaniyan. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> "Kishore is a classic example of what online media can
do as a tool of communication, when you are practically sitting in the farthest
end of the country, with no access to literary festivals and the likes. Kishore
has created his fan </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">following base purely out of his blog and he now has wide
reader base coming to his blog from all across the globe. <br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">With simple yet unique metaphors drawn from the culture and place he
belongs, Kishore writes about feelings that are universal - love, pain, loss,
fear, loneliness, companionship, hope and fantasy. His stories are that of
longings, of relationships gone awry, of heartbreaks and betrayals, and yet
there is a sense of hope and life that continues to flow. <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Most of the readers and followers that </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">he has are from far-flung places
and Tier II cities, who would want to read him but wouldn't know how to. Not
only that, he has a wide listener base also, which is awaiting his work </span><br />
to be
published. Kishore's columns in local newspapers of Rajasthan are immensely
popular, and he is a known name in the literary circles." ( intro -- by Anu Singh Choudhary).<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br />
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<b><u>Contact Kishore Choudhary </u>:( post updated on 28.11.12)</b><br />
<b> </b>In response to the queries regarding Kishore's contact details , I am updating his eid here - kishorejakhar@gmail.com<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsXOgIt7UjA/ULLQl_tIdcI/AAAAAAAAGIY/liOFpGHjPtg/s1600/Chaurahe_Par_Sidhiyan_Cover_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsXOgIt7UjA/ULLQl_tIdcI/AAAAAAAAGIY/liOFpGHjPtg/s640/Chaurahe_Par_Sidhiyan_Cover_01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Book Cover </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span>Kishore
himself feels that blogger is a very strong and effective platform for
writers like him.<br />
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I
am a huge fan of Kishore's writings be it stories, his articles or
poetry. Once I started reading him, the Hindi books that I had collected
over a period of time came out of book shelf to my hands. In a way it
is his writing that made me go back to reading Hindi books in a much
serious way. Like me each of his reader has their own reasons to like
him. It is through him that I came to know good people like Varsha
Mirza, Pratibha Katiyar, Darpn Saha , Anjali Mitra Grover, Shailesh.</div>
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I requested my blogger friend <a href="http://giribalajoshi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Giribala Joshi</a>
to share her views on Kishore's writings , here is what she
says,"Kishore Choudhary's blogs Kahaniyan and Hathkadh are two of the
few
Hindi blogs that I follow and read. His writing impressed me on my very
first visit to his blog. The blogs clearly showcase his impeccable hold
on the language and his knowledge of the work of bygone masters of the
craft. His fine Hindi infused with passion and vibrant metaphors makes a
heady combination. I believe his writings will add value to the canon
of Hindi literature. I congratulate him on the publication of his books
and wish him success.''<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>The book- Chaurahe Par Seedhiyan</b><br />
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The book is being widely read and appreciated. Here are the
links where you can buy this book online</div>
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1. <a href="http://www.infibeam.com/Books/chaurahe-par-seedhiyan-kishore-chaudhary/9789381394281.html" target="_blank">Infibeam : Chaurahe Par Seedhiyan- Kishore Choudhary</a></div>
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2. <a href="http://www.flipkart.com/chaurahe-par-seedhiyan-9381394288/p/itmde87yfy757zjw?pid=9789381394281&ref=89952745-69a5-4f4b-ab21-11da637c4655&srno=s_1&otracker=from-search" target="_blank">Flipkart: Chaurahe Par Seedhiyan- Kishore Choudhary</a><br />
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A review by Rajendra Rao, Literary Editor, Dainik Jagaran<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">प्रिय शैलेश भारतवासी जी,</span><br />
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}" style="font-size: large;"><span class="userContent">
<span style="font-size: small;">आपके द्वारा कृपापूर्वक भेजा गया कथा संकलन 'चौराहे पर सीढ़ियां'
मिला।आपके पत्र में दी गई जानकारी से चकित होकर इसे पढ़ना शुरू किया तो ऎसा
मन रमा कि पढ़ता चला गया।इस पढ़त में कभी तो धारोष्ण कच्चे दूध ्जैसा
स्वाद मिला तो कभी खट्टी कैरी जैसा।इससे पहले मैंने कभी किशोर चौधरी का नाम
नहीं सुना था लेकिन इन कहानियों ने अपनी संरचना और टटकी हुई धारदार भाषा
से लगभग मोहाविष्ट कर दिया।इनमें गजब की ताजगी और कमनीयता है।यह सचमुच
आश्चर्य का विषय है कि यह खूबसूरती से पल्लवित हो रही प्रतिभा अभी तक
प्रकाश में क्यों नहीं आई है।आभासी संसार बहुत क्लीनिकल और सेनिटाइज्ड
है।इसमें जीवन के ताप से झुलसी त्वचा वाले कठोर पाठक कम हैं।मेरे विचार से
किशोर चौधरी को हिंदी के रंगमंच पर </span><span style="font-size: small;">अवतरित होना चाहिये।मैं भी अपने ढंग से
प्रयास करूंगा।<br /> इस किताब से रू ब रू कराने के लिए आपके प्रति आभार व्यक्त करता हूं।<br /><br /> -राजेन्द्र राव</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="font-size: small;"> साहित्य संपादक: <br /> दैनिक जागरण पुनर्नवा</span></span></span></h5>
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Kishore's second book Baatein Bevazah is now published. Here are the details-<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uq6cfeMj7k8/UMICJhiWIwI/AAAAAAAAGJ8/H868UfptNtY/s1600/319547_303284336438555_872424209_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="505" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uq6cfeMj7k8/UMICJhiWIwI/AAAAAAAAGJ8/H868UfptNtY/s640/319547_303284336438555_872424209_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>An interesting review:</b></div>
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Have a look at one of review posted by a reader in Flipkart .</div>
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A remarkable story collection:<br />
This
wonderful story collection takes readers in an exceptionally joyful
voyage of a colorful cosmos of human feelings and emotions.<br />
Writer constructs a multifaceted world of human psyche which consists of various
emotions and feelings like love, happiness, desire, lust, hate, greed,
anxiety, apathy, jealousy, pain, melancholy, pity, stress, confusion,
angst, guilt and compulsions etc. This world is carefully conceived,
crafted, weaved and enriched with literary endowments by Kishore. In the
labyrinths of castles of these emotions anybody would love to get lost
in. To walk on the lanes of this world is an unparallel experience.<br />
Most of the stories explore the very complex and convoluted
psychological world lying between man and women of our time. Writer
observes, experiences and perceives his surrounding very deeply. He sees
something which is hidden, something which is not spoken but happened
right within and beside us. <br />
Kishore’s pristine style of
narration hold the unique capability to captures the unexpressed. This
man can make Intangible entities which form the complex psychological
world of ours speak, play, sing and dance. <br />
His words are like
beautiful butterflies flying in the garden of emotions; his language is
as adorable as colors playing on the canvas. His literary craft is just
superb. Writer’s unique proficiency of expressing the
subtlety of emotions through beautifully crafted imagery is something
which will keep you reminding about him for a very long time. His
skillfully crafted metaphors are so powerful that even non-living things
and simple natural processes start pulsating with emotions and are
forced to behave like characters of a play to communicate the feeling
and emotions. <br />
In a time when repetition and imitation are not
very unusual literary habits, Kishore breaks the ‘prison of prevalence’
at the level of language. He comes to us with an unfermented and
pristine language.<br />
-by Gargiputra.</div>
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com84tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-70151579604515669612012-06-07T12:52:00.001+05:302013-11-01T15:29:44.398+05:30NH40 And Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zaotFUIS7og/T9AtvBrA6JI/AAAAAAAAFqE/DqaaHhO4oFg/s1600/DSC08292-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zaotFUIS7og/T9AtvBrA6JI/AAAAAAAAFqE/DqaaHhO4oFg/s640/DSC08292-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Most of you my friends already know my love for Shillong. Though living
in Guwahati for more than 25 years we still have a house in Shillong,
the same one where my husband is born and brought up. We spend most of
our short school breaks,long weekends,Rongali Bihu, Durga Puja in
Shillong. Not more than two years back travelling to <br />
<a name='more'></a>Shillong used to be
so much fun because of the hassle free two and half hour drive and
the extremely picturesque landscapes that NH40 offered.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TXB2EE8xDm4/T9AvFy3nARI/AAAAAAAAFqM/Hrh_lo27PdU/s1600/ghyshillongjuly113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TXB2EE8xDm4/T9AvFy3nARI/AAAAAAAAFqM/Hrh_lo27PdU/s640/ghyshillongjuly113.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
NH 40 is a National Highway of India entirely within the state of
Meghalaya. It covers a distance of 216 km.It is the only lifeline for
Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and the Barak Valley districts of Assam. At
present a mega project is underway to widen a 61.8km section of
Jorabat-Barapani section of NH-40 into four lanes. <span style="font-size: small;">This project was approved by the Central Government to ease <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">traffic</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> snarls on NH-40, which </span><span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD12" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">connects</span> Guwahati with the State Capital and extends to Barak Valley in Assam and Mizoram through NH-44</span>.
Authorities say that the improvement of this NH to four-lane standard
would bring in prosperity and development of the region.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gOGExBO2ECc/T9CdaUbCyGI/AAAAAAAAFss/80DHtus5sNQ/s1600/DSC08272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gOGExBO2ECc/T9CdaUbCyGI/AAAAAAAAFss/80DHtus5sNQ/s640/DSC08272.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This ambitious project has not only hit the daily road blocks, traffic
congestion creating immense suffering to the travellers but also
completely changed the previous lush green terrain into a muddy mess.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gsFEv-od6PI/T9A4nsPptoI/AAAAAAAAFqo/fM10348Lcww/s1600/ghyshillongjuly112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gsFEv-od6PI/T9A4nsPptoI/AAAAAAAAFqo/fM10348Lcww/s640/ghyshillongjuly112.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Slashed hills ,boulders of all sizes .<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B9P289ShyqA/T9A6-qKR2-I/AAAAAAAAFqw/qACsW8tWR08/s1600/DSC08273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B9P289ShyqA/T9A6-qKR2-I/AAAAAAAAFqw/qACsW8tWR08/s640/DSC08273.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Busy machine.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FYdq5Jgvu3k/T9A9fUGBt5I/AAAAAAAAFq8/ERZ6BBXVXyw/s1600/DSC04791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FYdq5Jgvu3k/T9A9fUGBt5I/AAAAAAAAFq8/ERZ6BBXVXyw/s640/DSC04791.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A lone wall standing with a beautiful painting of Jesus on it.Wonder what made the machines stop here! I captured this picture last year .<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6H-wBWlPgms/T9BACRW0swI/AAAAAAAAFrI/-LeTf1niIX8/s1600/DSCN1289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6H-wBWlPgms/T9BACRW0swI/AAAAAAAAFrI/-LeTf1niIX8/s640/DSCN1289.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Noticed this new wall painting near the same site where once stood that wall with Jesus painted on it.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7esQ_2Pn81U/T9BBOyagOyI/AAAAAAAAFrU/5amqYG21G5o/s1600/DSC04798-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7esQ_2Pn81U/T9BBOyagOyI/AAAAAAAAFrU/5amqYG21G5o/s640/DSC04798-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It used to be a beautiful house on top of the hill .</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Odo9lZnBDrI/T9BEcgGXyjI/AAAAAAAAFrg/j7NDkTcOosY/s1600/ghyshillongjuly111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Odo9lZnBDrI/T9BEcgGXyjI/AAAAAAAAFrg/j7NDkTcOosY/s640/ghyshillongjuly111.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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En route from Guwahati to Shillong, most of the travellers stopped mid
way at Nongpoh to freshen up and get some refreshments as there were
many coffee-tea shops around.This place was also visited by Rocky and
Mayur of Highway On My Plate fame. Nongpoh is also a good place to pick
up bamboo pickles,fresh local fruits ,vegetables and other
condiments.Look at the above pictures ,this is how it stands now. I hope the
people who lost their homes and shops have received handsome
compensations from the government.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zB_nS6FLWJw/T9BFgGIV6CI/AAAAAAAAFro/vcozeYmlY9U/s1600/DSC08266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zB_nS6FLWJw/T9BFgGIV6CI/AAAAAAAAFro/vcozeYmlY9U/s640/DSC08266.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now travelling to Shillong needs strategic planning so as to avoid
getting stuck in traffic jams.The large-scale of overloaded coal trucks
have ruined NH 40 over the
last few years. An increasing number of ten-wheeler trucks are playing
havoc with NH 40. Besides, the
number of trucks plying on this highway is increased from around 1,500
per day to about 2,300 per day which has now become a nightmare for
travellers because of the traffic jams occurring almost every day<span style="font-size: small;">.<b style="font-weight: normal;">On January 14th this year, the
Union Minister of State for Water Resources was caught in such a jam
which lasted for two days and the minister reached Shillong on a
friend’s motorcycle.There are news of people missing their flights, babies being delivered on ambulances.</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Zk2WXt98OU/T9BGOkSgMyI/AAAAAAAAFrw/e4uopDUR9cI/s1600/DSC04759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Zk2WXt98OU/T9BGOkSgMyI/AAAAAAAAFrw/e4uopDUR9cI/s640/DSC04759.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"> After last month's trip we have a toy truck at home which looks exactly like this.</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GzotDsMRAR8/T9BJ8YDXj6I/AAAAAAAAFr8/j9jSIX_P3jc/s1600/DSCN1284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GzotDsMRAR8/T9BJ8YDXj6I/AAAAAAAAFr8/j9jSIX_P3jc/s640/DSCN1284.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">A pretty cabbage farm. Not sure to find it the next time we are on NH40.Many
farmers have already lost their agricultural fields.</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W_Yfq3Qbbto/T9BNZV1F80I/AAAAAAAAFsI/oqpU4WrTr1s/s1600/DSCN1285-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W_Yfq3Qbbto/T9BNZV1F80I/AAAAAAAAFsI/oqpU4WrTr1s/s640/DSCN1285-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"> These lovely trees are next in line..</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7gtPSoMDTY/T9BUGOZ7vHI/AAAAAAAAFsY/HnoXrj5avMw/s1600/DSCN1280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7gtPSoMDTY/T9BUGOZ7vHI/AAAAAAAAFsY/HnoXrj5avMw/s640/DSCN1280.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"> </b></span>This mini-truck was loaded with packs of match sticks.The truck driver fell asleep
while smoking his bidi , so here is the result. Driver was not hurt in
this .<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qSEa4Ygdgio/T9BVvzSVujI/AAAAAAAAFsg/WeciEQOyUEA/s1600/DSCN1287-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qSEa4Ygdgio/T9BVvzSVujI/AAAAAAAAFsg/WeciEQOyUEA/s640/DSCN1287-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
This is me reporting from NH40.</div>
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com121tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-79148553794404611022012-06-01T11:09:00.000+05:302023-01-07T19:05:17.294+05:30The menu this Bihu<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> </span>"<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Would love to see your Bihu celebration menu!!" </span>This post is inspired by this comment made by Deepak Amembal (Magiceye) in one of the pictures that I had uploaded on facebook during Rongali Bihu .Onset of the Assamese new year(at around 15 April every year) and coming of spring is celebrated as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rongali</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bihu</span> or also called as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bohag</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">bihu</span>. This marks the first day of the Hindu solar calendar and is observed all over India though called by different names.It's a time of celebrations and feasting which continues for seven days. The topic how the seven days of Bihu are celebrated in itself deserves an individual post . Today I focus mainly on feasting part , the way my family does.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A4ihNesw9Ac/T8yoi1kA1rI/AAAAAAAAFms/KH0EgUltnqI/s1600/my+food1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A4ihNesw9Ac/T8yoi1kA1rI/AAAAAAAAFms/KH0EgUltnqI/s640/my+food1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j04ON6eRQmU/T8xKG7HowbI/AAAAAAAAFmE/fWOKWRt7kAA/s1600/Nikon+D5006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j04ON6eRQmU/T8xKG7HowbI/AAAAAAAAFmE/fWOKWRt7kAA/s640/Nikon+D5006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RmfAa1y5d6I/T8xNx37HH1I/AAAAAAAAFmQ/0DP2Tv-9ycs/s1600/Nikon+D5004.jpg"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RmfAa1y5d6I/T8xNx37HH1I/AAAAAAAAFmQ/0DP2Tv-9ycs/s640/Nikon+D5004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hAgcxU6UqqU/T8xSvC5kOsI/AAAAAAAAFmg/M24rcKCjGIY/s1600/Shillong+Bihu+April+2012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hAgcxU6UqqU/T8xSvC5kOsI/AAAAAAAAFmg/M24rcKCjGIY/s640/Shillong+Bihu+April+2012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br />
</span></div>Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-30140209425032064042012-04-04T16:18:00.002+05:302013-11-01T15:30:16.295+05:30Assam's Jadav Payeng : The Man Who Made A Forest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"My folks had been telling me for long to do stories on the Northeast. Good stories can be found in plenty over there. But when the Sunday Times editor himself asked me to find good stories from the Northeast, I actively started looking for some. My parents knew a wee bit about Jadav Payeng as we had spent eight years in Jorhat in the 90s. I was speaking to my mother one day when Payeng suddenly came up. She asked to speak to my uncle, Shashi Phukan of Bismoi, for more information. That I did. Through him, I spoke to a few more people before finding Payeng himself. We had the story in February, but couldn't get proper photos, which is why we had to wait till the end of March to put it on the page. I am no nature lover, honestly, but I bow before people who show a high degree of commitment and dedication to nature and wildlife conservation." This is what Manimugdha said when I asked him what inspired him to write this brilliant story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><u>Manimugdha Sharma :A brief introduction </u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-59osLXNyEDU/T3wGSq0lkcI/AAAAAAAAFG4/mbp1-DslX64/s1600/MANIMUGHDHA+SHARMA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-59osLXNyEDU/T3wGSq0lkcI/AAAAAAAAFG4/mbp1-DslX64/s200/MANIMUGHDHA+SHARMA.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I met him through Fried Eye Magazine about three three years back and since then we have been very good friends. Manimugdha is a renowned quiz master from Assam who has been associated with print media since last seven years.Presently he is working as a chief copy editor in Times Of India.This is how he likes to introduce himself -An ardent history buff, disgruntled movie fanatic, frustrated lover of literature and the Indian cricket team, romantic fool of the highest order,journalist, die-hard quizzer, random thinker, well-known chatter-box, brilliant architect who builds castles in the air, self-proclaimed philosopher, a truly wandering soul with a desire to leave my mark in the sands of time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><b>The Man Who Made A Forest</b></u></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">This story is written by Manimugdha and it was previously published in Sunday Times TOI. I thank Manimugdha for sharing this story here on my blog.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jadav Payeng :The man who made a forest.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> French author Jean Giono’s 1953 epic tale, <i>The Man Who Planted Trees</i>, seemed real to many readers. They thought the central character, Elzeard Bouffier, was a living individual until the author clarified that he created the character only to</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> make his readers fall in love with trees, and more importantly, planting trees. Assam's Jadav Payeng has never heard of Giono's book. But he could be Bouffier. He has single-handedly grown a sprawling forest on a 550-hectare (55 square kilometres) sandbar in the middle of the Brahmaputra. It now has many endangered animals, including at least five tigers, one of which bore two cubs recently. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Sunday Times </b>found this sprawling forest and the man who made it after a hard negotiation with Mother Nature, literally. The place lies in Jorhat district, over 350km from Guwahati by road. You have to go off the main road at one point, take a smaller and shabbier road for about 30km to reach the riverbank. There, if you are lucky, you will find a boatman to ferry you across to the north bank, from where you must trek for another 7 km to reach destination. Locals call it ‘Molai Kathoni’ (Molai’s woods) after Payeng’s pet name, Molai. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The genesis of the forest dates back to 1979. During the floods that year, the barren sandbar had crawling visitors washed ashore by the torrent. When the water receded and it once again became safe to navigate the river, a 16-year-old Payeng went to the sandbar one day and found it dotted with dead snakes. That was the turning point of his life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> “The snakes died in the heat, without any tree cover. I sat down and wept over their lifeless forms. It was carnage. I alerted the forest department and asked them if they could do something to grow trees over there. They replied in the negative and said nothing would grow there. Instead, they asked me to try growing bamboo, which I did. It was painful, but I still did it. I was alone; there was nobody to help me; in fact, nobody was interested,” says Payeng, now 47. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">He left home and education behind and made the sandbar his home—a decision that was criticized by everyone dear to him. But he didn’t flinch. Unlike Robinson Crusoe, Payeng willingly accepted a life of isolation. And no, he had no Man Friday; he himself watered the plants every morning and evening and did the necessary pruning. After a while, results started to show; and after a couple of years, the sandbar transformed into a bamboo thicket. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> “The experiment was successful and I decided to grow proper trees. I collected seeds from here and there and planted those in the sandbar. I also transported red ants from my village, and while doing so, I was stung multiple times. That was some experience!” Payeng says, laughing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> In 30 years, Payeng says, he has grown thousands of trees all by himself. And this he did without any monetary help from either the government or any NGO. </span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">“There’s a variety of flora and fauna and endangered animals like the one-horned rhino and Royal Bengal tiger. After almost 12 years, we have seen the elusive vultures. And migratory birds, too, have started flocking here. There are hundreds of deer and cattle, which has attracted the predators.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">By predators, Payeng means humans, too. He cites a recent incident when locals killed a rhino seen in his forest at another forest in Sibsagar district.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">“Somehow, people find it difficult to give up primitive habits. Nature has made a food chain; why can’t we stick to it? Who would protect these animals if we, as superior beings, start hunting them? I don’t think the rhino harmed the people who killed it.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Poaching has been one of the biggest problems in the national parks of Assam. Payeng himself had alerted the forest department after he spotted a bunch </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">of
poachers in his forest. “I think they were part of an inter-state gang,
two of which were caught on camera inside the Kaziranga National Park
two weeks ago. After I alerted the department, a handful of guards came
to my forest and nabbed those poachers,” says Payeng. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Assam state forest department learnt about Payeng’s forest only in 2008 when a </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">herd of 100-odd wild elephants strayed into the forest after a marauding spree in a few villages at Aruna Chapori nearby. Among</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">the homes destroyed was Payeng’s hutment. It was then that assistant conservator of forests Gunin Saikia met Payeng for the first time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> We were a tad surprised to find such a dense forest on the sandbar. Locals, whose homes had been destroyed by the pachyderms, wanted to cut down the forest; but Payeng dared them to kill him instead. He treats the trees and the animals like his own children. Seeing this, we decided to pitch in at an individual level. Help from the government wasn’t forthcoming; in fact, it was only last year that the social forestry division decided to extend Payeng’s work and took up plantation work on a 200-hectare plot. This forest is acting as a corridor for the movement of wild animals from Kaziranga to other parts, which is good. This way, the scope of man-animal conflict will reduce substantially. And there lies the importance of Payeng’s work. It is easier to construct a building, but very difficult to grow a tree. What amazes me is Payeng’s grit and dedication—he has been at it for 30 years. Had he been in any other country, he would have become a pre-eminent authority in environmental issues,” Saikia says.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">He corroborates Payeng’s version on animals in the forest. “We counted at least five tigers here of which one was a female. She bore two cubs here and that’s incredible, given the fact that there’s growing concern about India’s missing tigers and efforts are being made for their captive breeding.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Nevertheless, the government has been found wanting when it comes to taking steps to declare it a conservation reserve. Former Doner minister and Congress MP from Jorhat Bijoy Krishna Handique has recently taken interest in the forest. “I am going to moot a proposal to the Centre on behalf of Assam government to declare it a conservation reserve under provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. We will meet in New Delhi just before Bihu (April 13-15). I am hopeful of a positive result,” the MP told <b>Sunday Times</b>. He, too, agrees that it is time for the world to stand up and take notice of the man who grew a forest. Payeng would be happy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><b>BLOG UPDATED : 17.07.12 :</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Received this mail from Manumugdha,sharing it here -</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: x-small;">I am writing this mail with the intent of
sharing with you all a moment of joy.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: x-small;">I believe all journalists report issues
with the hope that somebody somewhere will take notice and do something to
change things for the better. And whenever somebody does take notice, we feel
encouraged all the more to find more stories that have the potential to touch human
lives. This year’s Shanmukhananda Awards have given me one reason to be happy
about—five of the seven awardees this year were selected on the basis of The
Times of India reports of which three were mine. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: x-small;">In a letter to TOI, V Shankar, the
president of Shanmukhananda Fine Arts & Sangeetha Sabha, a charitable trust
based in Mumbai, confirmed this. The trust is celebrating its diamond jubilee
this year, and to mark the occasion, they are conferring seven ‘Diamond Awards’
on people “who by dint of devotion to duty and exceptional commitment to the
field of pursuit have added to the reservoir to goodness of our ancient land.
Most of them have been unseen, unsung but have gone about their work, despite
the sufferings and the hardships that the system have inflicted on them”.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: x-small;">The trust has decided to give out the
awards in the following categories: ‘dignity to human body’, ‘honesty and
probity’, ‘healthy mind, body and longevity’, ‘folk art’, ‘environment’, and ‘nation
building’. And the awardees are T Mahadeva from Bangalore, M C Suresh from
Kerala, Manohar Aich from Kolkata, Jadav Payeng from Assam, Nemi Bhagat Baba
from Rajasthan, E Sreedharan and Horizon (NGO) from Pune.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: x-small;">Assam’s Jadav Payeng took 30 years to
single-handedly convert a 550-acre barren sandbar in the Brahmaputra into a
lush, green forest. I wrote about him on April 1 this year; the story had the
headline ‘The man who made a forest’ (http://timesofindia.<wbr></wbr>indiatimes.com/home/sunday-<wbr></wbr>toi/special-report/The-man-<wbr></wbr>who-made-a-forest/articleshow/<wbr></wbr>12488584.cms).
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: x-small;">Manohar Aich from Kolkata is the world’s
oldest Mr Universe at 100. Even at this advanced age, he is still ripped and
continues to be a model of health (‘But what do you eat, Mr Aich?’ dated March
25, 2012. Web-link here: http://timesofindia.<wbr></wbr>indiatimes.com/home/sunday-<wbr></wbr>toi/special-report/But-what-<wbr></wbr>do-you-eat-Mr-Aich/<wbr></wbr>articleshow/12398977.cms)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: x-small;">Horizon is an NGO by ex-Army men, who have
swept minefields in different parts of the world. I had broken their story to
the world on March 4. The report had the headline ‘Mr Rao is all mine’ (http://timesofindia.<wbr></wbr>indiatimes.com/home/sunday-<wbr></wbr>toi/Mr-Rao-is-all-mine/<wbr></wbr>articleshow/12129715.cms?)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: x-small;">The awards will be presented by former
President of India, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam at an elaborate function to be held at
the Shanmukhananda Theatre in Mumbai today. Each award carries a cash prize of
Rs 2.5 lakh, a citation, a trophy, and a lamp.</span></div>
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com111tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-13764349330191972792012-03-23T12:42:00.001+05:302013-11-01T15:31:14.860+05:30A trip to a small tea garden : Bamonjuli Assam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">road from Naamkhola to Bamunjuli</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The second part of my post :<a href="http://www.kavitasaharia-myroom.com/2012/02/magh-bihu-2012-fish-catching-meji-and.html" target="_blank">Magh-bihu-2012-fish-catching-meji-and a sagolir puwali</a><br />
Assam is the world's largest tea-growing region .Tea industry in Assam is about 170 yrs old playing a significant role in state economy . It produces approx 51% of the tea produced in country and about 1/6th of the tea produced in world.The distinctive black teas from Assam is known for its body, briskness, malty flavor, and strong, bright color. Assam teas, or blends containing Assam, are often sold as "breakfast" teas . The Assam tea bush grows in a lowland region. Assam mainly exports its tea to Europe ,Middle East countries and also to Pakistan ,Eygpt ,Israel and Japan. Most of the large tea gardens are located in the Upper Assam and Southern Barak Valley region. . I always <br />
<a name='more'></a>wanted to write a post on one such lush green tea garden with a detailed account on how things work in there BUT my post today is based on a trip to a very small tea garden which is in its initial stage .Small tea growers are also contributing to the develpment of tea industry .My brother-in-law is one such small tea grower.</div>
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Two years back he bought this tea garden which is situated at Bamonjuli a village around 40km away from our native village.His garden shares the border with the famous Borengajuli Tea Estate.The above picture is of Borengajuli Tea Estate. Borengajuli Estate produces the most fabulous graden teas popular all over the world .Read more on it <a href="http://www.annebarone.com/borengajuliteaan.html" target="_blank">here</a> and here at <a href="http://www.culinaryteas.com/Store/Assam_Borengajuli.html" target="_blank">Culinary Teas</a> . </div>
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Bamunjuli is about an hour drive away from our village Naamkhola.The road condition is not that good. Kanu da made this double storey house as a safety measure because of regular wild elephant visits .<br />
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It is a very very quite village. Most of the villagers here work in gardens as labourers .</div>
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This is Kanu da's nursery where they grow and store small tea plants.He usually sells the tea leaf to the tea auction centre of the area like all other small tea growers but recently a Canadian delegate visited his garden and showed their interest in buying organic-tea directly from him.The delegate had come to visit mostly small tea growers of Assam.He is also keen on growing green tea and is working on it.</div>
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This is how a tea flower looks like.<br />
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These are the homes of the villagers he bought the garden land from . They are the one who keep an eye on the garden in his absence. <br />
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An educational tour for the kids by their dear uncle . Kids come up with different stories everytime they see me sipping my tea .<br />
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This house belongs to a comparatively rich villager .<br />
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The village has a govt school but most of the kids don't go there. Kanu da tried to convince the villagers to encourage their kids to go to school but it made no difference. Most of the kids here are sent to the city and nearby towns to work as domestic helps.<br />
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A view from the house .Watering and taking care of the trees is a tough work . Soon the tea leave plucking season will start and a lot of activity is expected here. <br />
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Kids had fun running up and down . My son got some tea leaves tucked in his jacket pocket for me knowing how much I love tea.<br />
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To protect their crops and houses villagers use these arrows to chase away the wild elephants .They put fire on arrow and shoot it into the air when elephants attack.There are many sad stories related to animal poaching but because of legal reasons I can't share it here.<br />
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After lunch the group returned to Naamkhola ,had tea and refreshments. Bablu and Puja helped in packing sweets ,home made pithas , curd/yogurt for me and eggs for their cousins.<br />
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After a tearful farewell they came back to Guwahati.<br />
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com85tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-23397251408889883072012-02-22T18:34:00.002+05:302013-11-01T15:31:58.748+05:30Bermuda touches soil for the first time in more than 10 years :By Siew Te Wong<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><i> </i></i><u><b>Siew Te Wong</b></u> :. Siew Te Wong is a renowned Malaysian wildlife biologist who is at present the CEO of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Sabah which he founded in 2008. . He is also featured in the book <a href="http://www.wildlifeheroes.org/" target="_blank">Wildlife Heroes :40 leading conservationist and the animals they are committed to saving</a> written by Julie Scardina and Jeff Flocken . It is a great privilege to have him as my guest writer today.Here is more on Siew Te Wong .<br />
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Born in 1969 and raised in Penang (a state in the northern Peninsular Malaysia), Wong has always been an animal lover. As a kid he kept all kinds of animals like cats, rabbits ,mice ,birds,fishes,civets and many carnivorous insects too as pet.His father always supported and encouraged it. By the time he was a teenager he became a very successful breeder breeding dogs ,birds and fishes. After high school he went to Taiwan to obtain a diploma in animal science and vetrinary<b>. </b>Four years later he pursued his Bachelor degree at the University of Montana USA ,followed by a Master's degree and Phd all from the same university. Due to unforeseen circumstances he could not finish his doctorate. He studied the ecology of Malayan sun bears and the effects of selective logging on bearded pigs on his doctorate. In 2008 he founded BSBCC in Sepilok ,Sandakan, Sabah and holds the position of Chief Executive Officer since then.</div>
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.<i><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></i></i><b>In his own words</b> : Animal lover all my life. Decided to choose working with wildlife and help them as much as I could as my mission in life. Our own kind kills and eats them, destroy their home, and lock them in cages. I am here to help. Help the voiceless as much as I could. I try to influence other people as much as I could. Make others aware of the conservation issues. On the other hand, I am just like other people. I like food, I like to cook, I like to prepare good and tasty food. Asian food, especially is my favorite .Chinese, Malay, Indian, Thais, are some of my favorite food. I have some secrete recipes, maybe one day I will have my own restaurant when I retire as a conservationist and a wildlife biologist.Know more about him here at <a href="http://www.ecoknights.org.my/component/content/article/28/1317-bear-necessity-a-walk-on-the-wild-side-with-dr-wong-siew-te.html" target="_blank">Ecoknights :Beer Necessity -A Walk On Wild With Wong Siew Te</a>.</div>
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<b><u>How this post happened </u>:</b> I was surfing through some wild life pictures and articles on net when I came across this beautiful write up on Sunbear by Siew Te Wong .Honestly speaking I knew nothing about Sunbear until then .The moment I finished reading it my heart was full of love for sunbear and admiration and respect for Wong's work. .I wrote a very short mail to him where I introduced my self and told him about my blog and requested him to be my Guest Writer.I told him that how I knew nothing about sunbear until I came across his write up .Soon I received a very nice reply from him where he kindly accepted my request and agreed to share Bermuda's story here at My Room .We exchanged few more mails in relation to this post .I am sharing few lines from one of his mail here :</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">I often tell people do what they do best to help us and the sun bear. For you as a blogger, blog about our work and sun bear. Like what you experience personally, you never know about sun bear until you read my blogs. This is the reason why I have to write more so that they can reach people like you and together we help spread the word on the plights of the sun bear. FYI, India also have sun bears but they are even little known about sun bear in India. They are found in the eastern tips of India, in Arunachal and Assam Provinces. So people in India need to know more about them as well.Hope one day sunbear will be a well known bear.</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>So friends here we are taking you to a lesser known world of beautiful Sunbears.I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Mr. Wong for being my guest writer and also for providing me pictures and all the information that I needed for this post.</div>
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<u><b>About Sun Bear :</b></u><br />
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In the tropical forest of Southeast Asia, lives a bear species call sun bear. These bears are small, the smallest of all the eight living bear species, and have black fur that are not easy to be spotted when they forage on the dark forest floor under the multi-layers forest canopies.Sun bears are the tree loving bears. They are forest dependent species. They live their life completely in the forest. Without forest, there will not be habitat for the sun bears. They need healthy forest to survive as in the forest that they find sufficient food, shelters, mates, and propagate.Sun bear holds many world’s records.They are the world’s smallest bear species. However, they have the longest tongue, longest claws, and largest canines relatively to their size if compared to other bear species .They are the world’s most arboreal bear species. Yet, sun bear is the world’s least known bears. They are the least studied bear species. Wong often refer them as the forgotten species.</div>
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<u><b>Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre</b></u><br />
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<b> BSBCC </b>aims to conserve sun bears through improve animal welfare for captive sun bears, raise conservation awareness for sun bear with educational programs, conduct research to learn more about this little known bears, and rehabilitate pet sun bears into the wild.Know more on BSBCC<a href="http://sunbears.wildlifedirect.org/category/bsbcc/" target="_blank"> here</a>.</div>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Bermuda touches soil for the first time in more than 10 years</span></b></u></div>
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Caged, pet sun bears have a sad life. From the day they were captured and kept as pet, most of them will NEVER touch the soil, climb the trees, and dig the ground again.Many of our rescued sun bears also have the same fate. However, with our state of the art forest enclosure, the rescued sun bears at BSBCC have the chance to enjoy the forest.</div>
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Bermuda, a 10 year old male sun bear at BSBCC, was rescued by Sabah Wildlife Department on October 10, 2002. He lives on a concrete floor since the day he was captured from the wild as a little sun bear cub. For him, the ground is always a smooth layer of concrete floor, until today.</div>
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Bermuda finally passed his electric fence training lately. We let him out to his forest enclosure for the first time on Valentine Day Feb 14th. We put food, and honey (all time favorite food for bears) on the ramp to encourage/lure him out of his den. What he did that entire day was pocked his head out to reach the food and honey on the ramp without stepping a foot on the ramp.</div>
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This is a very pathetic story for all caged sun bears. To all of them, confined and locked up in a small cage is life. They do not know the world beyond the cage. Rain, soil, trees, leaf litters and other natural vegetation and natural elements in the forest all are something that they never come in contact. The only time when they walked on the forest floor was during the first few weeks or months of their life, until their mothers were killed and they were captured by poachers. To them, forest is an alien nation, fills with unknown bugs and unknown noise; the place that is so strange, insecure and uncertain. All of our adult bears decided to stay inside the den and not wondering into the forest enclosure when we released them out to the forest enclosure for the first time. It sometime took them weeks if not months to wonder out from their den. Only the young once would go out immediately and enjoy the forest without second thoughts.</div>
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Bermuda’s reaction when we let him out to the forest enclosure was not exception on Valentine Day. Over the next week or so he still kept himself safe under the protection of his den although the door to forest enclosure was staying open all day long. The food that we left on the ramp and the forest floor has attracted troops of forest bandits – pig-tailed macaques and long-tailed macaques, to enjoy their free meals. Bermuda, sometime I questioned his “male-hood,” just stood in his den and watched his food being stolen away by these intelligent primates.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vAs44a68nR0/T0OKeKnexBI/AAAAAAAAE0s/8-D_r0U7a3k/s1600/bermuda2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vAs44a68nR0/T0OKeKnexBI/AAAAAAAAE0s/8-D_r0U7a3k/s640/bermuda2-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A smart pig-tailed macaque robbed the food that we placed on the ramp to encourage Bermuda the sun bear out from his den to explore the forest enclosure.</td></tr>
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A smart pig-tailed macaque robbed the food that we placed on the ramp to encourage Bermuda the sun bear out from his den to explore the forest enclosure.</div>
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Three macaques ganged up to rob food from the bears. The scene is like hyenas gang up to steal lion's prey in African savanna.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAG3LmtjRDI/T0OLssLgZdI/AAAAAAAAE08/Q_pC6ACXex8/s1600/bermuda4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAG3LmtjRDI/T0OLssLgZdI/AAAAAAAAE08/Q_pC6ACXex8/s640/bermuda4.jpg" width="430" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only thing that Bermuda did was watching the bandit took his food and sticks his tongue out! </td></tr>
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This afternoon as I was writing another blog on Fulung and Mary, Marianne our volunteer from UK rushed into the office, “Bermuda is out to his forest enclosure!” Wai Pak and I grasped our cameras and went down to witness this historic moment. This is the moment where he step foot on the forest floor for the first time in more than 10 years and we do not want to miss that! Although he did not wonder off far from the guillotine door of his den, we can tell from his fast pacing behavior that he was nerves and wanted to go back. Wai Pak then scattered some bread in the enclosure to encourage him foraging and exploring a bit more. He just ate the bread that was close to him without much exploration. After tens of minutes, he finally found his way back to his den and did not come out to explore again.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jtfEMblP2Dg/T0OMLSvpqfI/AAAAAAAAE1E/EhDR1XUernQ/s1600/bermuda+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jtfEMblP2Dg/T0OMLSvpqfI/AAAAAAAAE1E/EhDR1XUernQ/s640/bermuda+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bermuda is finally out to explore the enclosure. Although not much area covered, it is a good try for sure!</td></tr>
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That was a good start for a captive sun bear willing to wonder off his den on the 7th day. Gutuk, another old male bear still decided to confine himself in his den although the door to the forest enclosure has been open for the past 3 months. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jqehlDxlQus/T0ON12d3LeI/AAAAAAAAE1M/9lE6_BTYrDw/s1600/bermuda6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jqehlDxlQus/T0ON12d3LeI/AAAAAAAAE1M/9lE6_BTYrDw/s640/bermuda6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bermuda finally walking on soiled ground, not cemented floor. It may seem nothing for a bear, but for Bermuda, this is a big deal!</td></tr>
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I am sure Bermuda soon will gain more confidence to explore the forest enclosure. What he need is time and encouragement. In BSBCC, we will give him both!<br />
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com91tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-69401641380623476692012-02-18T01:39:00.004+05:302013-11-01T15:32:52.438+05:30Magh Bihu 2012 : Fish Catching, Meji And A Sagolir Puwali .<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a huge tree captured on camera by sobbing Gauri</td></tr>
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Magh Bihu / Bhogali bihu of Assam is a harvest festival which marks the end of winter harvesting.The term Bhog means enjoyment,merriment and luxury.Granaries are full and there is lots of feasting and enjoyment all over Assam during this time (mid Jan to mid Feb).The same festival is observed all over India as Makar Sankranti/Pongal/Lohri.My old friends already know that every year during this time, I alongwith my family go to my husband's ancestral village Naamkhola .This year<br />
<a name='more'></a>too we had similar plan but because of a very bad flu bout I could not accompany my family and had to stay back at Guwahati .This is was the first time that I spent three days alone at home without my kids .</div>
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<tr align="justify"><td class="tr-caption"> another shot by her : a guy walking on bamboo sticks </td></tr>
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Surprisingly my son who is otherwise very clingy , little shy and mommies around most of the time was least bothered while my daughter who is quite adjustable to any given situation was devastated.I gave her my camera and requested her to bring some real good pictures for viewing and my blog post .Given project helped and she agreed to go without me . In this post I have used some of her clicks and rest of the pictures are captured by Chandan.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prityotama and Ganesh </td></tr>
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They reached Naamkhola in two hours and in those two hours I received three calls and more than ten sms from my concerned daughter.We communicate in Assamese most of the times but her calls were in Hindi ."Apna Khyaal Rakhna (take care of yourself)" said a heavy and concerned voice over the phone. I knew the frequency of calls and messages is going to drop down once she meets her cousins .And I was right .While refreshments were being arranged for them Bablu ( my nephew ,Chandan's cousin's son) took them to show this sagoli (goat) goat Priyotoma and her puwali ( kid) Gonesh.</div>
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On the field nearby village folks were busy preparing meji. Mejis are made particularly by the menfolk,with bamboo sticks,hay and wood pieces. Meji burning is a ritual where fire(Agni) is worshipped on the day of Sankranti. Know more about it<a href="http://www.kavitasaharia-myroom.com/2010/02/mejibhogali-bihu.html" target="_blank"> here</a>.</div>
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In few minutes my son and sagolir puwali (as he fondly) remembers Ganesh) became good friends and were inseparable. Soon it was time for fish -catching for Uruka feast .Celebration of this bihu is mostly centered around community feast on <i><b>Uruka </b></i>i.e. the eve of Sankranti. On this eve people organise <i><b>Bhoj</b></i>(feast) either within the family or in groups.We like to keep it as an only family feast.You can know more on Uruka <a href="http://www.kavitasaharia-myroom.com/2010/01/bhogali-bihu-of-assamuruka-bhoj-and.html" target="_blank">here</a> .</div>
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This is our fish-pond .It is typical of almost most of Assamese village houesholds to have their own fish pond as fish is an integral part of Assamese cuisine.Soon Kanu da and his staff proceeded towards the pond to catch fish for Uruka bhoj. My brother-in-law Bhaskar (popularly known as Kanu Da amongst family and friends) takes full care of this pond , farm and fields.Brought up and studied in Shillong he finally opted for farming and transport business .Happily married and father of two kids he and his family love every minute of their village life . Both the kids go to a good school in nearby town.</div>
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I had instructed both my kids to keep a safe distance from pond and they obediently followed that .And also they were under constant observation and excellent care of ma( my mother -in-law) and Jonali their aunt (my sister-in -law).<br />
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Bablu was already in the pond trying his hands on fish catching .All the invitations to join him were flatly refused by Gauri telling him ,"Ma ie manaa korisee"( ma said no ).<br />
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The pond is not very deep but because my kids are not good swimmers as yet I am not comfortable in letting them try .This is how our pond looks when emptied for half yearly cleaning.<br />
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The fish net was already placed in position .The net used here is called Tana -Zaal ( meaning pulling net) .It was time to pull it out slowly and check the catches.The man in blue shorts is our Kanu da.The different variety of fish found in this pond are Kandhuli(Feather back) ,Chetal(humped feather back),Rau (Rohu),Common carp ,Grass carp,Silver carp and few other small ones.</div>
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The net gets heavy because of too many fishes in it .You can see fishes jumping .<br />
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Each fish is carefully selected depending on it's size and variety .Immature ones are thrown back to the pond .The one above looks like a great catch.<br />
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They found a snake too in there which was thrown back to the pond.After an hour fish catching session was over .<br />
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Happy people here.Each fish weighed between 2- 3 Kg .More than fifteen fishes were caught that day .Kanu da kept eight and rest were distributed amongst staff and some other close friends.<br />
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Babloo with his catch.<br />
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Saharia men ready for Uruka Bhoj (feast).<br />
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They also collect pumpkin flowers to make fritters.This picture is from one of our previous trips.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an old picture</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Kanu da takes them on a short tractor ride if time allows.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pic from our previous trip</td></tr>
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Some cricket is played .<br />
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A trip to the smelly pigsty is a must.<br />
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Kaustubh and Gauri are very fond of milk so they get their special share .<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6CJX7oKk6C8/Tz6nCrlFDPI/AAAAAAAAE0I/BFuemF_cepU/s1600/DSC00289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6CJX7oKk6C8/Tz6nCrlFDPI/AAAAAAAAE0I/BFuemF_cepU/s640/DSC00289.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an old pic</td></tr>
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The evening is enjoyed by watching making of <a href="http://www.kavitasaharia-myroom.com/2010/01/bhogali-bihu-of-assamuruka-bhoj-and.html" target="_blank"><u>sunga peetha and uruka feast</u></a> later.<br />
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Next morning people gather around Meji .<br />
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Soon after meji burning ritual we usually go on village round visiting friends and relatives but this time Kanu da had planned a picnic at his newly bought tea garden which is in it's budding stage.I will take you there in my next post .<br />
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<i><b>A Special Request </b></i>: <span style="font-size: small;"><i>Dear friend Rachna who blogs at <a href="http://www.rachnaparmar.com/" target="_blank"><b><u>Rachna Says</u></b></a></i><i> has started something very interesting to help everyone here at <a href="http://rolodexo.com./">Rolodexo.com.</a> It is a simple concept that allows a person to create a virtual business card that looks exactly like a physical business card free of cost.</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The idea is to help every self-employed person, professional, housewife and student get a unique identity by creating own Biz Card. They can share this card via email, embed on blogs/websites, use on their resumes and even attach as signatures on Gmail or Outlook.Very soon there will be an Android App for those wishing to share this card through cellphones. No paper, no physical card, environment friendly and absolutely free. Try it today, and let us spread the word for the benefit of common people.The website URL is<a href="http://rolodexo.com/">http://rolodexo.com</a> .The FB page of the Application is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rolodexocom/235758923168750?ref=ts"> https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rolodexocom/235758923168750?ref=ts </a></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black;"> <b style="color: white;">Thanks</b>. </span></i></span><br />
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-24321528995705110602012-01-12T13:53:00.003+05:302013-11-01T15:33:22.391+05:30Sri Sri IswarHatiSatra Of Sualkutchi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Institution of Satra/Xatra is a unique feature of Vaishnavism in Assam. The <b>Satra</b>, or Vaishnavite Monastery, is an institution which was established by great social reformer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srimanta_Sankardeva" target="_blank">Sankaradeva </a>and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhavdeva" target="_blank">Madhavadeva</a>.Satras soon became centres for education and symbol of the art of harmonius living in Assam. Today, the number of Satras in Assam is well over five hundred.Couple of months back we visited Sualkutchi to see the Annual Boat Race.As preparation for the race were on way we were invited to the house of Mr .Hemchandra Bharali and Mrs Dipali Bharali . Mr . Bharali had served for Govt as an Asst . Director Of Sports and Youth Welfare Dept .He is the key member of the race commitee.During conversation I expressed my desire to visit <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majuli" target="_blank">Majuli</a>(</b>abode of the Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture)<b> </b>someday to <br />
<a name='more'></a>see the Satras there.Hearing this Mr . Bharali suggested that we visit three hundred and fifty years old Sri Sri Iswarhatisatra which is famous for it's great wood carvings and paintings.We readily agreed to it and soon followed Mr. Bharali as our guide.(In the picture : Mr. Bharali ).</div>
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A Satra has been defined as:-<b><i>ekanta vaisnava yot nibasa karai . jibako saran diye, tak Satra kai </i></b>- which means Where the single-minded Vaishnavas reside,where they offer shelter to the souls, that place is called a Satra.They are of great importance because of the fact that they contain manuscripts, artifacts and antiques of immense historical value. <br />
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Here we were introduced to the present Satradhikar or the head of the satra.. The bhakats, monks, live here under the guardianship of the Satradhikar .All important activities are conducted under his guidance and supervision.He told us that by calculating working years of different Satradhikars the estimated age of this Satra is over three hundred fifty years old .In the Satras, the Nama Prasanga/prayers are generally held three times a day.The most sacred space is the Manikut . It is the sacred room where the Guru Asana (sacred throne) is located. Manikut literally means 'house of jewels'. It is also here that the other-Satra valuables, wood carvings, metal works, ancient manuscripts etc. are housed. It is a sacred area and beyond a certain limit general devotees are not allowed in.I have pictures of Manikut entrance but not sharing it here on request .</div>
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These Instituitions work both as the hub of religious learning and as residential schools.Here is a view of the assembly hall .The hall always faces the east.<br />
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Satras have always encouraged the arts and crafts, like dance, drama, music, book-illustration for the beautification of the Satra interiors .The above carving depicts the scene from Ramayana .Those who are familiar with Ramayana can see the war between Laxman and Kumbhkaran , Hanuman bringing Sumeru Parvat ,Lord Rama and Lanka king Ravana. <br />
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Doors with carvings of lion motifs are called Shimhaduar .The doors had beautiful brass work on them.Wish that the ripped paint and the dirt over the paintings were taken care of.We were told that soon this site is going to be developed as a tourist destination.<br />
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Another panel depicting Sita Haran by Ravana ,the fight between Jatayu and Ravana and Sita at Ashok Vatika.<br />
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This is how the complete wood walls of the main prayer hall/assembly hall look like .The walls are usually left with railings or perforated wood carvings of devotional imagery, which allows light and air at the same timeThe floral carvings look gorgeous on closer look For many days I repeatedly kept on looking at the pictures of these amazing art work.</div>
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From Ramayana : Lord Rama ,Laxman and the fight between Sugreeva and Baali. Because of time limit as we had to go to the Boat Race venue we could not see the carvings on the other side .<br />
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These are the pictures of founder Satradhikars.As told by the present Satradhikar they are kown to have lived very long life .<br />
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Later 'Bhakats' invited us to their kitchen for some light refreshments.Though the term 'bhakat' means any devotee -Many devotees live outside the Satra and generally lead a family life.The celibate Bhakats known as Kevaliaa which popularly applied to mean those devotees who either hold office of the Satra or lead the life of a celibate within the Satra campus.We were served Chira ,Curd topped with delicious cream and generous amount of sugar .</div>
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<b>info courtesy :attribute to sankardeva.org.</b><br />
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Pukhuris or water tanks are used either for sacred or utility purposes. Each tank or <b>pukhuri</b> is allotted for a specific purpose such as rice washing,bathing etc. The environment around had a number of flowering and fruit bearing trees, which provide ample shade. The height of the main structures do not exceed those of the trees around them. </div>
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Soon we had to rush as the procession towards the boat race was about to begin.We left the premises with a promise to the villagers that if possible we will visit this beautiful Satra again so as to see the interiors of the assembly hall which we missed this time.<br />
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I will be away for a week visiting our ancestral village for celebrating <a href="http://www.kavitasaharia-myroom.com/2010/01/bhogali-bihu-of-assamuruka-bhoj-and.html" target="_blank"><b>Magh/Bhogali Bihu</b></a> (harvest festival).I wish you all A Very Happy Bihu.<br />
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(This new feature of reply thread in blogger comment section is great , go to comments- settings and choose Embedded option in Comment Location)</div>
Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com102tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-90989511623716507052011-12-24T11:34:00.005+05:302013-11-01T15:33:46.964+05:30Merry Christmas And Happy New Year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Merry Christmas And A Happy, Healthy And Prosperous New Year To All My Friends</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">May this new bring for you promises of new dreams to fulfill, new </span></span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;">goals to reach and new joys to discover </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">!</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-88206536853745480822011-12-15T11:53:00.005+05:302013-11-01T15:34:22.674+05:30Please Pray For My Friend Gigi Hawaii<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Z66wu4xr1A/Tul-XaYd48I/AAAAAAAAEfs/pG_-wnOFxvk/s1600/drum+major-2011-2-longhi-me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Z66wu4xr1A/Tul-XaYd48I/AAAAAAAAEfs/pG_-wnOFxvk/s400/drum+major-2011-2-longhi-me.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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“Gigi-Hawaii” is a blog nickname for Glenda Chung Hinchey, a third-generation Korean-American, born and raised in Hawaii. She graduated from the University of Hawaii (BA Sociology) and then traveled solo around the world for seven years, living in California, Thailand, Europe, and New York. She taught English at Thammasat University, Voice of America, and AUA Language Center in Bangkok and was a graduate student in music at Columbia University. A former Hawaii Public Radio commentator,<br />
<a name='more'></a>she has published an anthology, three memoirs 1 .Like a Joyful Bird: A Memoir 2. Love, Life, and Publishing: A Second Memoir 3. Look for Me in Hawaii: A Third Memoir, and many newspaper columns. She lives with her husband David in Honolulu. They have two daughters, a son-in-law, and two lovely grandchildren.I met Glenda two years back through her beautiful blog <a href="http://gigihawaii.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">gigi -hawaii</a> .We are regular at each others blog and many of you must have noticed her in comments.She is a warm ,wonderful ,bright and an inspiring person. Above all she is a great friend .</div>
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About a week back Gigi had to go to the emergency room as she could not close her left eye and the left side of her face dropped. The diagnosis is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell%27s_palsy" target="_blank">Bell's Palsy</a>. This is her second Bells Palsy attack ,<a href="http://gigihawaii.wordpress.com/2010/01/16/marias-wedding/" target="_blank">she previously had it in 2004</a> on the right side of her face. E.R.doctor referred her to neurologist. She is going to see her neurologist on Thursday. </div>
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I have been praying for her and would also request all my blogger friends and who so ever is reading this to wish and pray for her fast recovery and complete cure .Thanks.</div>
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-88487185142778502822011-11-28T08:45:00.011+05:302013-11-01T15:35:00.150+05:30Magical Mayong Pabitora Festival 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The picture at the entrance gate shows King Of Mayong and his parliamentarians</td></tr>
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Mayong a small and beautiful village near Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon district is situated about 40-45 km away from Guwahati. Mayong is famous for its history of magic,sorcery and herbal therapy. During the medieval period in ancient India, Mayong is said to remain the Indian Capital of Black Magic and Witchcraft<b>.</b> Mayong is full of supernatural stories. .Except for the few most of the magic secrets and spells were not documented but passed <br />
<a name='more'></a>from mouth to mouth from generation to generation.It is said that people came from far off and abroad to learn magic here. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is mainly famous for its great Indian one horned Rhino. Besides Rhino the other animals are Leopard, Wild boar, Barking deer,wild buffalo etc. Assam’s Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to more than 2000 migratory birds and various reptiles. It is also an Important Bird Area ...(info courtesy wiki).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pics showing the main entrance of the sanctuary ,the way to the event and an interesting cycle parking area.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To highlight the significance of flora and fauna and other historical aspects of Mayong-Pobitora </span>for the first time, Morigaon district administration in association with local people of Mayong Pobitora and supported by Assam Tourism Development Corporation successfully organised the Mayong-Pobitora festival 2011 at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary from November 25 to 27.<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="color: white;">Live exhibition of the rural life of Assam , magic practitionary,cultural procession , traditional food and handicraft,Kayaking events,boating ,elephant safari ,sighting of rhinos and migratory birds were the main attraction of the event</span></span><span style="background-color: black;"></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_DMFEHbHYk/TtJv2C-TD8I/AAAAAAAAEdg/2OpSKMd7SY8/s1600/mayongpobitorafestival16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_DMFEHbHYk/TtJv2C-TD8I/AAAAAAAAEdg/2OpSKMd7SY8/s640/mayongpobitorafestival16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We noticed some migratory birds on our way from car parking towards the event area.</td></tr>
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The festival was inaugurated on 24th Nov but because of Friday being a working day we could not attend it .On inaugural day a cultural procession was headed by the King of Mayong, Tarani Kanta Raja, and Kanak Chandra Deka Raja of Raja Mayong village. Along with them, Braja Kanta Deka, the Raja of Hati Murai Mayong, was also present. Around 200 people participated in the cultural procession.On Sunday which was the concluding day of the festival me and my husband visited the place.After about an hour and half beautiful drive we reached Mayong.The day was sunny and pleasant.The crowd was huge but very well managed by the organizers.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sq0MDkibrXE/TtJuQjuVY8I/AAAAAAAAEco/pBxS8IlvwAg/s1600/mayongpobitorafestival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><u><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sq0MDkibrXE/TtJuQjuVY8I/AAAAAAAAEco/pBxS8IlvwAg/s640/mayongpobitorafestival.jpg" width="640" /></u></a></div>
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As we entered the venue the first thing that we saw was this competition of traditional game where the players eyes are blindfolded while they hit an earthen pot with a stick .People from electronic and print media were present in big number.Villagers were kind and sweet enough to give me a spot from where i was able to capture these pictures.Out of about six participants i saw only two girl succeed in breaking the pot .</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fX-ydgDF7jE/TtJuodbaokI/AAAAAAAAEcw/ChtPW4cOmtU/s1600/mayongpobitorafestival2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fX-ydgDF7jE/TtJuodbaokI/AAAAAAAAEcw/ChtPW4cOmtU/s640/mayongpobitorafestival2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the pics ..Bejs/Magic practitioners feel that this event will go a long way in promoting old tradition of magic. </td></tr>
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As we moved further we saw people seeking advice from Tantriks/ magic practitioners ( Bej - in local language).Must read this interesting link if you want to know more on this : <a href="http://theshillongtimes.com/2011/11/26/a-spell-of-ancient-mayong-magic-in-pobitora-rhinoland/" target="_blank">A spell of ancient Mayong magic in Pobitora rhino land </a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OFnbsgn8sJc/TtJufz2_yXI/AAAAAAAAEcs/uOT_oxcPp8s/s1600/mayongpobitorafestival1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OFnbsgn8sJc/TtJufz2_yXI/AAAAAAAAEcs/uOT_oxcPp8s/s640/mayongpobitorafestival1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Work of famous local artists were showcased in this handicraft exhibition .Beautiful wood carvings , masks , paintings and other exhibits were on display.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gb2AsLFOWM8/TtJ5KjEh8QI/AAAAAAAAEd8/9F2sP8DYGYY/s1600/DSC07066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gb2AsLFOWM8/TtJ5KjEh8QI/AAAAAAAAEd8/9F2sP8DYGYY/s640/DSC07066.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Look at this beautiful bamboo art work .</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ChKHvwc4p4U/TtJuvswSc2I/AAAAAAAAEc0/d_a2Y2va8Bs/s1600/mayongpobitorafestival3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ChKHvwc4p4U/TtJuvswSc2I/AAAAAAAAEc0/d_a2Y2va8Bs/s640/mayongpobitorafestival3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">The historical remains</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">of the ancient Mayong kingdom displayed by the conservation society of Mayong.The volunteers told us that some of these were gifts from Britishers .</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6J9ZfWaT8I/TtJx8ZB7kiI/AAAAAAAAEdo/Xo3nBXjkL6U/s1600/mayongpobitorafestival18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6J9ZfWaT8I/TtJx8ZB7kiI/AAAAAAAAEdo/Xo3nBXjkL6U/s640/mayongpobitorafestival18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mayong central museum and emporium in the village has preserved some of the ancient manuscript of Black Magic and Ayurveda.You can see old manuscripts ,silver jewellery, coins and other relics.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayong_%28Assam%29#cite_note-ab-0"></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Toqkj4XKqfk/TtJyBycymhI/AAAAAAAAEds/zg0GqtJZv2E/s1600/mayongpobitorafestival19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Toqkj4XKqfk/TtJyBycymhI/AAAAAAAAEds/zg0GqtJZv2E/s640/mayongpobitorafestival19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Displayed here is one Palki /Dola (Palanquin) used to carry brides .The thick net was used to trap Tigers and Deers. An armour made of Rhino skin .Traditional brass utensils used in King's kitchen.</div>
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I faced one on my worst fear here .... this friendly TV camera and reporter caught us and we had to say few lines about our experiences at the event .Hope they don't air it .</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-czAbN1esDSk/TtJu3N6-k_I/AAAAAAAAEc4/yPYkV8ROiZ4/s1600/mayongpobitorafestival4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-czAbN1esDSk/TtJu3N6-k_I/AAAAAAAAEc4/yPYkV8ROiZ4/s640/mayongpobitorafestival4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It took me sometime to recover from that interview shock .We avoided going to the shops that sold local hand loom ,woolen clothes and other items.The other ground was completely dedicated to the ethnic -food. The area smelt of smoked/grilled meat from pork ,mutton ,fish to chicken .Chandan tasted some mutton while i stood there only to take some pictures.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WjAPJ4yPfgc/TtJvDSiyT8I/AAAAAAAAEdA/i8uT64-2VV0/s1600/mayongpobitorafestival6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WjAPJ4yPfgc/TtJvDSiyT8I/AAAAAAAAEdA/i8uT64-2VV0/s640/mayongpobitorafestival6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Other neighboring villages had also participated.Ethnic food of various origin like Assamese ,Deori ,Karbi ,Nepalese was being cooked .The stalls were jam packed.<br />
<b style="color: #f9cb9c;">Post Updated on 29.11.11</b>: Many of you want to know about that white ,round idli like snack in the above picture.This delicacy is known as Tekeli Pitha ,click<a href="http://rupascloset.blogspot.com/2011/10/tekeli-mukhot-diya-pitha.html" target="_blank"><u><b> here</b></u></a> to know more about it .</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qiVHqjj8NrM/TtJvc2YX6zI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/nza0nMNcs7g/s1600/mayongpobitorafestival12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qiVHqjj8NrM/TtJvc2YX6zI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/nza0nMNcs7g/s640/mayongpobitorafestival12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On walking little further we saw this pretty and small lake where visitors enjoyed boating .</div>
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The event beautifully covered the traditional and cultural heritage of Assam .<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
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An old way of extracting oil from mustard seeds on display .</div>
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For wild life enthusiasts elephant safari and jeep safari was arranged .</div>
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Traditional Assamese Jewellery designs , bamboo jewellery(unique of NE).</div>
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Brass metal traditional decorations ,wood carvings ,bamboo and cane furniture.</div>
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We had our lunch at this small resort nearby which offered veg and non veg buffet priced at Rs 150(veg) and Rs 250 (non veg).The food was good and was served in this tent very neatly and cleanly.I was surprised to find there a spacious and squeaky clean toilet .</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xHeM0IsIXVU/TtJvmgmBvbI/AAAAAAAAEdY/7y3YBRGQtG8/s1600/mayongpobitorafestival14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xHeM0IsIXVU/TtJvmgmBvbI/AAAAAAAAEdY/7y3YBRGQtG8/s640/mayongpobitorafestival14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some more colors of the festival. The above picture of 'My Room' is featured in my dear friend Clytie's beautiful blog <a href="http://clytie-randomhearts.blogspot.com/2011/12/guest-heart-thursday-86.html" target="_blank"><b style="color: #6aa84f;">Random Hearts</b></a>.Thanks Clytie.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-og01wjYIEX0/TtJvh0m_dNI/AAAAAAAAEdU/JXVaacVZW6w/s1600/mayongpobitorafestival13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-og01wjYIEX0/TtJvh0m_dNI/AAAAAAAAEdU/JXVaacVZW6w/s640/mayongpobitorafestival13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After spending more than three hours we headed back to Guwahati .We bought two flutes for my kids and really regret doing it now .They played the thing the whole evening.</div>
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Here are some pictures of the lovely sights on our journey back to home .</div>
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com66tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-53419853185366234142011-09-29T21:24:00.008+05:302013-11-01T15:35:53.818+05:30Durga Puja(Sharadiya Navratri) In North East India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq7h1v3SVI/AAAAAAAACcE/_VRfBjXxX2M/s1600/typical+pandals.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524434082961246546" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq7h1v3SVI/AAAAAAAACcE/_VRfBjXxX2M/s400/typical+pandals.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>A Very Happy Durga Puja (Navratras) To All Of You .</b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Sharad</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Navratri</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> is widely celebrated in different ways throughout the India.In Sanskrit the word </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Navratri</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> means nine nights.In the North East part of India it is celebrated as </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Durga</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b> -</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Puja</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The dates of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Durga</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Puja</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> celebrations are set according to the traditional Hindu Calendar in the month of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Ashwin</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> which is the beginning of the winters.It falls in the months of Sep -Oct.As </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Durga</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Puja</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> represents celebration of the Goddess as </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Shakti</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> ,all her nine different forms are worshipped during these nine days.I would like to share my experiences on how i have been celebrating </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Durga</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Puja</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> all these years living in three different states of North -East( Assam,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Arunachal</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Pradesh</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Meghalaya</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">).With its religious significance this festival</span></span></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> has turned into a huge </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">socio</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> cultural event here.People participate in this celebration irrespective of their religion,backgrounds and beliefs.</span></span></span></span></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq7DJWC94I/AAAAAAAACb8/Jv9VFpQtXlE/s1600/DSC02584suwalkutchi+sep2010.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="225" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524433555645724546" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq7DJWC94I/AAAAAAAACb8/Jv9VFpQtXlE/s400/DSC02584suwalkutchi+sep2010.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You know the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Puja</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> is near when you find these </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Kumars</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> (potters) engaged in making the clay images of the ten handed Goddess that we all worship later.The tradition of clay image making in India is as old as from 18 </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">th</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> century.The above picture is of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Lachit</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Nagar</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> area ,it is the hub of this art here in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Guwahati</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.</span> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq6q633ZLI/AAAAAAAACb0/v-23wA2rnHw/s1600/DSC02579%281%29suwalkutchi+sep2010.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="262" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524433139444180146" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq6q633ZLI/AAAAAAAACb0/v-23wA2rnHw/s400/DSC02579%281%29suwalkutchi+sep2010.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: justify;" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This job is very hard , lengthy and back breaking .The artist hardly noticed me when i clicked this picture.At a later stage these idols are decorated with beautiful clothes and jewellery.Beautiful </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">pandals</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> are build in different areas of the city(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">pandals</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> are temporary structure made with bamboo and cloth ,these </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">pandals</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> are used as temporary temple to worship the goddess).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">While some of the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">pandals</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> are simple structures, others are often elaborate works of art with themes that are based on history, current affairs and sometimes pure imagination</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Pujas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> are mainly financed by the local people and communities, now a days we see some corporate houses coming forward as sponsors .In many part of Assam and other neighboring states the festival is celebrated in community prayer halls or </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Naamghar</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> too.</span> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq6Rxtp-GI/AAAAAAAACbs/chMer5vHFJ8/s1600/DSC02585%281%29suwalkutchi+sep2010.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="341" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524432707488708706" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq6Rxtp-GI/AAAAAAAACbs/chMer5vHFJ8/s400/DSC02585%281%29suwalkutchi+sep2010.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The shops and malls are fully packed up from twenty to twenty five days from the festival as people shop for new clothes for themselves and their relatives.Lot of gift exchanges happens amongst friend and relatives during this time of the year.The festival starts with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Mahalaya</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> ,it is the day of invocation of the goddess to ward of evil from this earth.She is invoked by the chants of mantras and other devotional songs.We also pray and pay homage to our ancestors on this day.It is on the sixth day or </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Mahasashthi</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> that the idols are inaugurated on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">pandals</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.It is said that Goddess arrives on this day to Earth accompanied by her children.Amongst the chanting and beats of drum the face of the Goddess is unveiled this day.The main </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">puja</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> takes place on 7th,8th and 9th day which are called </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Mahasaptami</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Mahashtami</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Mahanavami</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq5oGs-QNI/AAAAAAAACbk/MZS1LNATCBA/s1600/2010_0927ashtami090008suwalkutchi+sep2010.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524431991568482514" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq5oGs-QNI/AAAAAAAACbk/MZS1LNATCBA/s400/2010_0927ashtami090008suwalkutchi+sep2010.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="300" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The above picture is of a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Naamghar</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> which has been celebrating the festival since 1935.The picture below shows the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">unvieled</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> faces of the Goddess and the other Gods which are Ganesha,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Laxmi</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Saraswati</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Kartika</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.You can see the very familiar pose of Ma </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Durga</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> unleashing her wrath on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Mahishasura</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> a demon .It signifies the victory of good over evil.</span> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq5Sif2L5I/AAAAAAAACbc/lcVMnEqxqiU/s1600/2010_0927ashtami090003suwalkutchi+sep2010.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524431621072498578" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq5Sif2L5I/AAAAAAAACbc/lcVMnEqxqiU/s400/2010_0927ashtami090003suwalkutchi+sep2010.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Expert priests are appointed to perform the rituals as the whole process is very detailed and complicated.Now the next three days consists of chanting of mantras,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">shlokas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> ,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">aarati</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> and offerings.Red being the favorite color of the Goddess ,one finds the head priest always dressed up in red.On the 7thday <b>Mahas</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>aptami</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> before the dawn nine types of plants are worshipped as a symbol of ma </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Durga</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.These nine plants are of Banana, Cola-cassia,Turmeric,Wood Apple,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Jayanti</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">,Pomegranate,Arum,Rice and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Ashoka</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.A tree is dressed up as the goddess and is installed besides the gods and is worshipped.</span></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq1k20N09I/AAAAAAAACbU/ih6iZil61Fc/s1600/devisthapna.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524427537717777362" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq1k20N09I/AAAAAAAACbU/ih6iZil61Fc/s400/devisthapna.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">As the priest continue with their rituals,crowd starts gathering up at the venue for offering their prayers. A welcome speech by the organizers announces the timings of different rituals and other cultural events .</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Durga</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> is worshiped in the form of cosmic knowledge -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Mahasaraswati</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq1S8ssFoI/AAAAAAAACbM/Ql4Oy_upG10/s1600/cheifguest1.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524427230059173506" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq1S8ssFoI/AAAAAAAACbM/Ql4Oy_upG10/s400/cheifguest1.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Traditional drummers are called from nearby villages/areas. They are an integral part of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">puja</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.The beautiful images ,the sound of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">sankha</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(conch shell)the chanting of mantras,beating drums , the smell of scented flowers and incense sticks add a lot of charm to the rituals.</span> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq0qMveRdI/AAAAAAAACbE/Cg13BINcf2c/s1600/drummers.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524426529991181778" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq0qMveRdI/AAAAAAAACbE/Cg13BINcf2c/s400/drummers.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Inside the hall/</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">pandal</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> ladies gather to sing </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">durga</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">-</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">naam</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">( devotional songs for the goddess). The whole community becomes one family during this festival.</span> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq0eqUlmcI/AAAAAAAACa8/TLwj1M_kaUg/s1600/gathering.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524426331773049282" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKq0eqUlmcI/AAAAAAAACa8/TLwj1M_kaUg/s400/gathering.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">During evening hours </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">aarti</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> is performed-it is one of the main attraction as the priest offers the light from the wicks soaked in ghee to the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">deity</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> in a rhythmic dance like manner .The drummers play the drums non stop throughout the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">aarti</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Aaarti</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> is done in the spirit of humility and gratitude.It symbolizes five elements,earth,wind,fire,water and ether.</span> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqz_WdrvMI/AAAAAAAACa0/A3hhKDpGmHA/s1600/2010_0927navamiarti0051.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524425793866546370" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqz_WdrvMI/AAAAAAAACa0/A3hhKDpGmHA/s400/2010_0927navamiarti0051.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: justify;" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">On the 8th day or<b> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Maha</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>-</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>ashtami</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b>,devotees gather again to offer </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">pushpanjali</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> (flower-offerings).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Kumari</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>puja</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> is performed where little girls are worshipped at the goddess.Important </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">sandi</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">puja</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> is performed later to interlink </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">ashtami</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">navami</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> .</span></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqzr2C7liI/AAAAAAAACas/mqy54wwssLQ/s1600/kumari+puja.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524425458746889762" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqzr2C7liI/AAAAAAAACas/mqy54wwssLQ/s400/kumari+puja.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It is also the time when we prepare </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Boloy</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">,a yellow colored holy wrist band made of cloth which contains rice grains,mustard seeds,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">aparajita</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> leaves and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">durva</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Boloys</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> are distributed on the day of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Dasahami</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> amongst the devotees.</span> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqziYRqEUI/AAAAAAAACak/t_C3lA85aTI/s1600/plum+aunty.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524425296136769858" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqziYRqEUI/AAAAAAAACak/t_C3lA85aTI/s400/plum+aunty.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You can see yellow cloth and the ingredients that are used in making of a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Boloy</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.</span> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqzWTr5oTI/AAAAAAAACac/4OLWB-k85qQ/s1600/yellowthread.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524425088746234162" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqzWTr5oTI/AAAAAAAACac/4OLWB-k85qQ/s400/yellowthread.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">On morning hrs outside the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">pandals</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">/prayer halls one can notice many stalls where ladies group sell their home made sweets ,clothes and other handicrafts.</span> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqzJyKbDBI/AAAAAAAACaU/THgRVyYMvCE/s1600/ladiesclub.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524424873589017618" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqzJyKbDBI/AAAAAAAACaU/THgRVyYMvCE/s400/ladiesclub.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">To encourage the young kids for more active participation various competitions are held .After </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">aarti</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">prasad</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> distribution people enjoy cultural evenings.Evening also includes visiting various </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">pandals</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> of the city/town.</span> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqy2xnkEaI/AAAAAAAACaM/5jCR37Br9fk/s1600/gauriartcomp.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524424547025293730" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqy2xnkEaI/AAAAAAAACaM/5jCR37Br9fk/s400/gauriartcomp.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The 9th day or </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Mahanavami</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b>is the concluding day of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">puja</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">.As usual chanting of mantras and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">puja</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> is offered to the goddess.A </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">bhog</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> is offered to the goddess which is later distributed amongst the devotees.Another attractive feature of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">puja</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Khichuri</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">prasad</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> on the day of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">navami</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> .It is a dish made with a mixture of various lentils and rice grains.</span> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqyZe2rTyI/AAAAAAAACaE/PihsVuOoq3k/s1600/aarti.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524424043772202786" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqyZe2rTyI/AAAAAAAACaE/PihsVuOoq3k/s400/aarti.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Dashami</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> or the 10th day is the day when the devotees bid a tearful farewell to the goddess.It is a very highly emotional day for all.</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Goddess is prepared for her departure -- sound of drums,chants,devotional songs and offerings of flowers and the rice grains are showered at the images.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqxj5_djrI/AAAAAAAACZs/CWU4eT_1YN8/s1600/liftingdebi.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524423123343871666" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqxj5_djrI/AAAAAAAACZs/CWU4eT_1YN8/s400/liftingdebi.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">As the goddess is finally lifted the roaring sound of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Durga</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Ma Ki </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Jai</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> almost deafens ones ears.Moist eyes are norm .Finally the idols are carried in a procession around the locality and immersed in a nearby river or pond.Devotees bid her farewell with an invitation to come back again the next year.</span> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqxMV3PZGI/AAAAAAAACZk/qcgvyKFAq5c/s1600/naambidai.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524422718508721250" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqxMV3PZGI/AAAAAAAACZk/qcgvyKFAq5c/s400/naambidai.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">With tearful eyes and songs we say goodbye to her !</span> <br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqxMKPghpI/AAAAAAAACZc/R124ot35T9o/s1600/debibidai.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524422715389281938" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-bTyxNXBeVM/TKqxMKPghpI/AAAAAAAACZc/R124ot35T9o/s400/debibidai.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: justify;" width="400" /></a><br />
Will be away for two weeks from blogger as i am visiting my mom and my brother's family .Until then Happy Blogging .<br />
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<b>Related Link : do check this link if interested to know more on Durga Puja <a href="http://indian-writer.blogspot.com/2010/10/many-facades-of-ma-durga-and-her.html">Evolution Of Durga Puja </a></b></div>
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com90tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-90461884550011595922011-09-21T14:15:00.008+05:302013-11-01T15:36:27.594+05:30Finding Them A Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It is with great pleasure that i introduce you to one of my closest and dearest friend Rupa. Ruprekha Mushahary is working with ICCW (Indian Council for Child Welfare), New Delhi, as a life member as well as the Secretary of the Council's Assam State Branch. She passionately works for child rights and causes. Being a keen observer of the world she believes there is so much to learn and so much to do that there is no time to lose. Her hobbies include reading, writing, traveling, gardening, blogging, needlework/embroidery and of course cooking.Her interesting blog <a href="http://rupascloset.blogspot.com/"><b>Feelings</b></a> is also a treasure trove of Bodo indigenous recipes.I thank her for sharing here a true story that is most close to her heart. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> <b>Finding Them A Home</b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">pic courtesy :<a href="http://www.photohome.com/"> photohome.com</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 24px;">I had almost completed my walk in the morning that day when the phone rang in my pocket, jerking me out of my reverie. My hand mechanically entered the pocket of the sweat shirt I was wearing, but 'wait', I told myself, should I or should I not answer the call ? Being too sure of the fact that a call in the wee hours of the morning or middle of the night can carry either a very good or a very bad news, hence, my reluctance to pick up the phone. The last time I received a call at 3 in the morning was not one to cheer me in any way..</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Perking myself on the cane sofa of the balcony where I usually take my much needed morning cup of tea after the walk, I reached for the phone. I could still hear the pounding of </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">As I drove to the hospital that morning to see the baby which was by then rescued and shifted to the hospital after informing the CWC(Child Welfare Committee), I was wondering, what might have happened to the mother, what made her throw the child away to die on a cold winter night ! Was she unwed, was the child taken away from her by force, had this sad incident occurred only because it was a baby girl ? The baby was in a critical condition with some portion of the head injured severely and wounds of insect bites all over her tiny body. Passing by a garbage dump I shivered at the thought of the baby lying there the whole night. My heart cried out. I realized my vision was blurred with tears, so slowing down the car I wiped my eyes and said a prayer "My good Lord, just save this child, give her life and I promise </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>you, she will never be without a home."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">While wondering why had the mother left the baby to die in a garbage dump, the face of Dipali came to my mind which softened my heart. The faraway look in her eyes always disturbed me, as if her eyes searched for someone in particular in the distance. She rarely smiled. I saw a faint smile the other day when I once wore a saree on one occasion and probably mistaking me for her mother she pulled the pallu of my saree calling out "maa...maa..". Turning around I had picked her up that day in amusement, asking her to say it again. Smiling the same faint smile she repeated once again, but soon went back to her original quiet smile less self again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dipali was not thrown away by her biological parents like many heartless ones in the garbage dump or abandoned in the hospital. Her helpless, young mother who was under aged to bear a child was betrayed by her lover and left her to fend for herself once she got pregnant. She lived for sometime with her father and step mother, but was soon thrown out on the street with a year old Dipali in her arms as soon as her father died of an accident while at work. During this time she had befriended a man who wanted to marry her but wouldn't take Dipali in. After a lot of pleading he did finally let Dipali too be carried along when she entered her husband's home. But soon he started torturing both Dipali and her mother. When it became unbearable she came to us with Dipali to surrender her, perhaps that was the only option left before her. There was absolutely no alternative. After a month </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">long counseling and producing before </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">CWC, the procedure was completed and Dipali was surrendered for ever. In just all of eighteen months, Dipali's world came crumbling down in such a harsh manner that she probably couldn't react to the situation. With the same faraway look in her eyes she kept staring towards the road as her mother left, never to return to see how her daughter grew or how she looked in the last two years. Dipali never got an opportunity to smile. Although in Sishu Greh she gradually learnt to smile her faint smile, her lost faraway look remained in her eyes, no matter how hard we tried to cheer her up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Parking the car out side, I ran up the four flights of stairs to the floor where I was told the baby was kept. Could barely make out anything as I looked through the glass door of the ICU, she was just a tiny bundle with a bandaged body and several pipes going in and out of her. Oh, what had the little thing done to suffer so ! The doctor assured me, he would do his best, yet probably unsure of himself, added, "...but you never know, outer injuries have been tackled well, although only the test reports will confirm of any infection or inner injury." Two days later I was informed she was suffering from jaundice too. There was nothing we could do but pray and wait, never losing heart even for once.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">After almost a month finally she was allowed to leave the hospital and come home, come to the home where we bring them up with all the care and love these infants were denied by their biological parents for reasons best known to only them. Carrying her in my arms as I came out of the hospital to get into the car, she saw her first sunlight and shut her eyes hard finding it too bright. I choked in happiness, planting a kiss on her eyes I sat in the car securing her on my lap, holding her firm, and whispered in her ears, "you are safe now sweet heart .... "</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Everyone in Sishu Greh was over enthusiastic to welcome the newcomer in their midst and in finding her a suitable name. Supervisor, helper, ayah all flocked around the baby with their usual chirpy and loving inquisitiveness. Mira said, "Mirinda", Latika said, "Lata", "Ah, so you want her name to match yours, no, Mala sounds much better", said Malati. Amused at their quest in finding a name for her as they playfully argued with each other, I sat smiling, listening to them. Finally they seemed to give up and decided I might as well come to their rescue finding her a nice name. The first name that came to my mind was Tora, as the irresistible sight of her blinking her eyes once in the bright sunlight and closing hard like a small yet bright twinkling star was still fresh in my mind, Tora was all I could think of, so, Tora she would be !</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I carried Tora around to introduce her to Junak, the naughty fellow who was now a year old and everyone's pet, Lily who won us all by her pretty smile at barely seven months of age, Dibya showing off her two little teeth with pride when lifted up from her cot and Naina, at nine months had alread</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>y </i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">found loving parents, home, grand parents, who came often to play with her till all papers, formalities were completed and Naina could be finally taken away to her home where she can grow well, never to be thrown away or abandoned .</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">All this while two and a half year old Rahul,jumped around Tora cheerfully and would not leave Tora's side even for a moment. I could see that a bond had already been established, a bond that was out of any human power to decipher. He pulled me towards the cot which was waiting for Tora, ready with fresh new sheet, small side pillows and blanket in pastel hue. Oh how I love this sweet fresh smell of the </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">baby room ! He gestured me to put Tora in the cot with his tiny pink fingers. Doing exactly the way he had directed me, like an obedient student, I lifted him up now in my arms after laying Tora gently down on the cot, kissing his pink fingers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">My mind raced back to that particular day looking at Rahul's full round face with chubby pink cheeks, eyes now smiling his brightest inquisitive smile, all exited at the arrival of a new baby. How could I forget that day when our Childline team had rescued a new born baby boy from the railway tracks and had brought later to Sishu Greh, whom we fondly named Rahul. It was a humid summer afternoon, although it</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> had been raining for the last two consecutive days. Most of the roads in the city were over flowing with flash floods, electricity was almost non existent and poor telephone net works played havoc with our lives. That was the day when following a phone call, our Childline team with the help of Police personnel had set out to rescue the baby, lying on the railway track for God knows how long. Walking several kilometers in that heavy downpour wading through water, the team rescued Rahul. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">During his treatment in the hospital and the following months of care at Sishu Greh were like ages, but slowly yet </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">certainly, Rahul did recover, to be fit enough today to welcome yet another beautiful 'God's gift' who was unwanted/abandoned by the person who brought her to this world, to our home of love, care and life, Sishu Greh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">While many Rahuls, Junaks, Nainas and Toras happily grow up in Sishu Greh, under the loving care of a trained team of doctors, nurses, supervisors, helpers and ayahs, another team gets down to some hectic job of planning their future in a new home with adoptive parents. Sishu Greh is a Special Adoption Agency(SAA), as per provisions of the JJ Act, licensed by CARA(Central Adoption Resource Authority), for in-country adoption, under the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Through a systematic procedure and guidelines notified by the Government of India, we move forward with our aim of turning these orphaned, abandoned, surrendered children into the legitimate children of their adoptive parents with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities that are attached to a relationship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">We go through endless number of PAP(Prospective Adoptive Parents), give per-adoption counseling to couples, followed by registration, submission of documents, our team's home visit and finally selection of PAP. Then the selected couple is invited to Sishu Greh to mingle with the children and pick the child of th</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">eir choice. The rest of the procedure then follows, medical test of the child again if the PAP so desire, per-adoption foster care after signing of deed between PAP and SAA, filing of petition in the court of the Session's Judge within ten days of pre-adoption foster care and appearance before court on evidence date. The formalities are complete once the honorable Judge gives his order for legal adoption. Our job doesn't end here, even after two years of follow up when we practically have nothing left to do with a child, as he/she gradually settles down in the new home, with his/her adoptive parents and the family as such, the bond that binds us together doesn't get snapped so easily.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Our Tora soon grew up to be a sweet little darling, winning everyone's heart with her twinkling eyes, the habit of shutting her eyes hard, pressing both the eye lids remained with her, making her smile irresistibly beautiful now. How time flew, soon Tora was a year old, and as per procedure left us for her new home with her adoptive parents. I couldn't witness the moment of her departure from Sishu Greh, couldn't put her on the lap of her adoptive mother with these very hands which so lovingly, carefully brought her from the hospital a year ago, these very eyes which were fixed tirelessly on the bandaged bundle that lay in the tiny cot of the ICU of the hospital from outside the heavy glass doors. Why, why did I feel the way I did ? Wasn't it what I wanted, wasn't it why our whole dedicated team worked so hard ? Didn't we want a home, parents and family for every Tora, every Rahul ? Then why did I cry every time when each of them left ? This was one of those days I would quietly sneak out, shut the door of my room and weep like a child in sorrow of losing, yet, blissfully happy and contented in finding a home for a child, till exhausted I fell asleep. "God, do keep the twinkling smile on her face always."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dipali's look still says she waits for someone, yet forces a smile when someone appreciates her drawings, which she paints mostly with black or pale shades. Tora visits us with her parents on occasions like Bihu or Durga Puja bringing lots of gifts for new babies in the Sishu Greh. She is looking prettier with each passing year, and God, couldn't believe my eyes, she looked so much like her adoptive mother ! Rahul cannot visit too often as his father is posted to another district now, although he mails me the pictures he draws in the computer. Last time Naina visited us, she insisted that we attend her birthday party and we did. Her happiness knew no bounds seeing us at her home. "Junak came first in his class this year, after all he is my son", declared his proud father. This is bliss, ultimate bliss, I told myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The journey continues .... bless those parents who give a home, a family and lots of love to these Toras, Rahuls, Dibyas and Nainas.......</span></div>
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<dt class="comment-author " id="c7946865834592562025"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Post Updated on 22 .09.11</b></span></dt>
<dt class="comment-author " id="c7946865834592562025"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ruprekha replies : </span></dt>
<dd class="comment-body" id="Blog1_cmt-7946865834592562025" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thank you all for your kind words of appreciation. While writing this piece, I was wondering where to start and where to end, as during my association with this organization over a decade now,I have come across so many children each having a different tale to tell. Every day some where some one is abandoned or orphaned. On the other hand, there are so many parents who want to adopt a child but actually do not know how to go about it the right way which is adopting legally. Govt of India is giving utmost importance in this field to curb child trafficking and abuse. Our effort and main concern is to hand over the baby to the right parents, the right way. </span></dd></dl>
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-26218330377163645972011-08-31T03:26:00.007+05:302013-11-01T15:37:24.959+05:30Naw - Khel : The Annual Boat Race Of Sualkuchi 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Apart from it's silk Sualkuchi (also known as <a href="http://www.kavitasaharia-myroom.com/2010/10/day-in-sualkuchi-manchester-of-east.html">The Manchester Of The East ) </a>is also popular for its annual boat festival.Sualkuchi is among the places where this indigenous sport still survives.This race is organized to commemorate the death anniversary of <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srimanta_Sankardeva">Srimanta Sankardev</a> ( 1449 -1568)</b> .He was a scholar -saint and a great social-religious reformer. Srimanta Sankardev is considered as a colossal figure in the cultural and religious history of Assam.In the year 1965 a rowing competition committee was formed not only to revive this old age tradition but also to strengthen the harmony ,unity and integrity amongst the people belonging to different cast and communities of the area. Both Hindus and Muslims participate</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A View Of Mighty Bhramaputra From Babaji Parbat Gondmow Assam Tourism Cottages Sualkuchi</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We had planned for this in advance .Tuesday is a working day for us so to adjust the work load we worked overtime for the past few days.I had contacted Kishore Bharali a young energetic and extremely helpful member of the organizing committee through a cell number provided by the regional language newspaper .He told me that the race would start at around 2 in the afternoon.He asked me to give him a call once i reach Sualkuchi.Our destination was just an hour away from Guwahati. As we started early from Guwahati ,we had some time in our hand to visit this hilltop named Gondmow ,a tourist spot just three kms before Sualkuchi.The view from the hilltop was a pleasant surprise .Later at Sualkutchi we came to know that very few people know about it .</div>
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The day was probably one of the most hottest day of the year .The Sun was too bright so we had a very clear view of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraighat_bridge"> Saraighat Bridge </a>.We left the place after ten to fifteen minutes .</div>
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The lanes of Sualkutchi are very narrow and are often used more by pets than by the people.</div>
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I walked most of the road while Chandan drove very slowly .It was my job to clear the road by patting away these beautiful creatures .I missed my kids ,they would have loved to help me. </div>
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Kishore gave us directions through the phone .After initial greetings he took us to the house of this wonderful couple Mr .Hemchandra Bharali and Mrs Dipali Bharali . Mr . Bharali had served for Govt as an Asst . Director Of Sports and Youth Welfare Dept .He is the key member of the race committee .He told us a lot about this race .What i understood from him was that the idea of this race is based on the principles of Sankardeva who was a great social reformer. All the existing communities/tribes have different festivals of their own to observe. This race is a common event that can be enjoyed by all the people irrespective of their caste ,community and tribe .Because this year Eid fell on the same day as Sankar Dev Tithi there was no participation from Muslim community .Number of participating boats were very less this year because of that.</div>
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Women used to participate the event before but not anymore because of lack of interest .How sad. According to Mr. Bharali another worrying and alarming reason of less participation was the changing level of the depth and banks of Bhramaputra river . For the last few years the water has been shallow and not enough for using bigger boats he said.After some nice refreshment offered by Bharalis we joined this procession which lead towards the venue . Can you locate me ? </div>
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All of them sang Naam ( devotional songs ). I have got great video clips that i will upload on You tube and update the link to this post at a later time.</div>
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The chief guest a high official of State Bank Of India ( a co sponsor of the event) opened the event.</div>
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The venue , the banks of the river Bhramaputra was packed with the spectators as well as the participants.We saw TV Crew of some of our popular regional TV channels .</div>
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This is cameraman Manab from NE Tv news channel. He was busy adjusting his camera but spared a moment to smile for my picture.</div>
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Colorful audience . </div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Lokpal_Bill">Anna</a> influence was noticeable here (my non Indian friends might not know about Anna ,they can check the link if interested ) . Many of the participants wore Main Anna Hun (I am Anna )Caps . </div>
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Each boat had either a coconut or some fruit plus incense sticks lighted on their boats.</div>
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On the left side the committee was having a tough time hoisting the event flag because of a sudden occurrence of strong wind.The wind was so fierce that it caused big ripples on river water and my camera too fell of my hands. The volunteers tried their best to retain the tent but that too finally fell .</div>
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We saw women running back to their houses ,the reason was to collect the washed clothes from clothesline . But soon they joined back .</div>
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Boats started taking positions .There were several rounds of race.The wind was not favoring the event but the participants were least bothered. </div>
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The cheerful crowd roared every time a new rounds started . </div>
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<b> I no longer took pictures .Here is a video clip for you to see one of the round.The clip takes little time to appear on the post .</b></div>
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After spending more than two hours we decided to head back to Guwahati so as to avoid the expected traffic jam once the event was over. We had such a great time there .</div>
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One final shot from the venue of this plane which was about to land at Guwahati airport . </div>
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com76tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-71017351014936257142011-08-16T01:46:00.007+05:302013-11-01T15:41:58.227+05:30Sacred Grove/Forest : Law Lyngdoh At Mawphlang Meghalaya<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As a part of their cultural and religious beliefs the people of Meghalaya practice an age-old tradition of preserving primary forest patches near their settlements .These forests are a deep insight into the history and religious beliefs of the people of Meghalaya .A <b>Sacred Grove</b> is a rich patch of undisturbed forests that serve as a natural habitat for many endemic, rare and valuable plants. I had never heard of Sacred Groves until few years back . Located about 25 km from Shillong after an hour of beautiful drive one can easily reach <b>Sacred Grove of Mawphlang</b> , one of the most famous grove that attracts botanists and naturalists from all over the world.This grove has also been named as <b>Nature's Own Museum</b> as it has a varied form of plants,flowering trees ,orchids and butterflies.Sacred groves serve as <b>Gene Bank</b> of the ecosystem in modern times .<br />
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This young boy named John at this ticket check point stopped us .The grove is open to visitors on all days from 9 am to 4.30 pm .After issuing the tickets John drew our attention to this sign board .Most of the forests of Meghalaya are owned by communities or individuals.</div>
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Khasis have very strict rules and regulations for those who enter the sacred groves and they have been following this for ages.They believe that their Sylvan deities live inside them so any harm procured to the plants or the animals would offend them.No one is allowed to enter SG without prior permission.Vehicles are not allowed after a certain point.Littering is strictly prohibited in and around them.Cutting,peeling ,chopping of any tree or plucking of flowers ,orchids is not allowed.One can not enter the SG without an authorized guide.Hunting ,trapping or killing of living creatures inside the grove is strictly prohibited.</div>
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We also saw another new sign board ready to be installed .It too had many important points to follow. John agreed to be our guide for the tour . He asked for Rs 150 /hour ,to which we readily agreed. .John knew few English words and fewer of Hindi .Pranab and Chandan had little knowledge of Khasi words.Together all of us made an interesting team.From the check point John boarded our car , after covering a distance of approx 100-150 mt he asked us to stop and park the car in the nearby grassland.</div>
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As we got down he firmly instructed us 'Chalo' ( meaning Walk -- his favorite word through out the tour).We could see SG from distance , the grove proudly stood in sharp contrast to their surrounding grasslands .These groves have an outer edge of a densely grown Castanopsis kurzii trees, which forms a protective hedge which stops the intrusion of Khasi pine which otherwise dominates all areas outside the sacred groves.The contrast is clearly visible in the picture above.</div>
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We noticed several ancient monoliths ( Mawbynna in local language) erected in the memory of the departed respected community members. </div>
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After ten minutes walk we reached near the entrance of the grove which would have been difficult to guess or locate without John's guidance.<br />
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As we entered the grove it felt like stepping into another world .Words fail to express that feeling ,it was magical. The tall trees cover the area like an umbrella .There was a considerable difference in light ,it was dimmer. The forest really looked untouched .It strongly reminded me of the Florida Disney world Dinosaur ride.There was one strange thing though ,we heard no bird chirping .<br />
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As we looked around in complete amazement John's CHALO startled us .Where are you taking us i asked him in broken Hindi "Kidhar zata ?" To which he replied Bhagbaan ( we assumed that he meant 'Bhagwaan' the Hindi word for God ).I once again asked him "kitna dur "( how far it is ) to which he replied "dus minute"(ten minutes).Later we realized that everything was just 10 minutes away according to John.He knew the path by heart .He stressed that we do not loose each others sight .</div>
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The trunks ,branches of the tree and shrubs were loaded with many ferns ,orchids ,lichens and mosses </div>
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.The green Foliage of the Sacred Grove changes from deep green to light green, depending on the seasons and availability of rainfall.John told us the best time to come here is spring when the forest is covered with blooms.<br />
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John pointed at this plant telling us that the snakes come here to eat this fruit . I was not very sure if the information was true .Chandan asked him what would happen if one tries to eat it .John pointed at a monolith nearby . His answer was loud and clear.</div>
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Many monoliths were scattered through out the forest .The vertical ones are for men, while the horizontal ones represent women.John described each monolith with words like father ,mother,son,daughter .( which meant male ,female ,male child ,female child).</div>
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We saw many beautiful orchids there .<br />
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Nobody collects anything from the forest, not even fallen branches of trees .The humus-covered grounds likewise harbour myriad varieties of plant life, many of which are found nowhere else.<br />
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John showed us this spot which we at first thought was again a cluster of monoliths.He said 'ye bhagabaan'( meaning here is the Gods/Diety). All three of us removed our shoes ,sat down on the ground in front of the dieties and paid our respect . </div>
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We spent about forty five minutes inside the SG exploring more .John wanted to show us something more .As i saw Chandan and John leave the SG ,it almost felt like i was looking at them through a secret forest window .Once again bright light hit the eyes and we were back to our usual world.</div>
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We had no other option other than to follow John's 'Chalo' .Only 'dus minute'(ten minutes).It took us more than twenty minutes to reach the spot he wanted to show us .We crossed this ground where local festivals are celebrated by the villagers.</div>
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We looked back at our car that was very far away .Soon we reached the highest point over a cliff from where this beautiful view awaited us.</div>
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The point offered a breathtaking view of villages nearby .We had many rounds of 'Dus Minute Chalo' afterwards . Saw many similar views over the area .</div>
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As we moved back to our car i once more captured Sacred Grove in my camera .</div>
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We thanked John for his company and dropped him at the check point .There are many sacred groves in Meghalaya hills.I hope they remain untouched and protected and not fall prey to urbanization.Sacred groves harbor great genetic diversity. Sacred groves act as "lungs" to the surrounding areas as well, providing much needed environmental cover.</div>
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com67tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-89202561843404981362011-08-07T00:19:00.014+05:302013-11-01T16:43:47.593+05:30A Day In Mawlynnong of Meghalaya - The Cleanest Village Of Asia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Contd from <a href="http://www.kavitasaharia-myroom.com/2011/07/shillong-to-mawlynnong.html"><u>Part 1 Shillong to Mawlynnong</u></a><br />
<a href="http://www.kavitasaharia-myroom.com/2011/07/jingkieng-jri-living-roots-bridge-of.html"><u>Part 2:Living Root Bridge Of Riwai</u></a><br />
<a href="http://www.kavitasaharia-myroom.com/2011/07/sky-view-mawlynnong.html"><u> Part 3 :Sky View Mawlynnong </u></a><br />
Mawlynnong of Meghalaya has won the acclaim of being the cleanest village of Asia in 2003 by Discover India Magazine and also the cleanest village of India in 2005.Cleanliness is almost like an inborn trait of the residents of this more than hundred years old village .All its residents can read and write .As you can see in picture - bamboo dustbins called Thapa in local language are placed in every nook and corner of the village.Every single piece of litter and fallen leaves /flowers are collected here which later are shifted to a pit to be used as manure by the villagers.The village has a very strong and strict council.Smoking is completely banned here.<br />
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The main occupation of the villagers is agriculture and also selling of broom sticks. They mostly grow areca nut. About 82 to 85 families live in Mawlynnong.</div>
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Lush greenery all around ,beautiful flowers makes this village a picture perfect place.Like i said in my previous post ,it was like visiting a well maintained Botanical Garden.The council has imposed a fine for anybody found guilty of throwing litter or cutting tress unnecessarily .Each and every house goes through a strict inspection at regular intervals for their sanitation facilities by the village council.I loved walking on these narrow pathways surrounded both side by trees and flowering plants.<br />
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The cute looking bell at local school.</div>
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There was this board mentioning that the village is adopted by this particular bank..<span style="color: white;"> </span><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><b>highly recommend an</b></span> article written by internationally renowned photographer Timothy Allen , here is the link <a href="http://humanplanet.com/timothyallen/2011/03/living-root-bridges-bbc-human-planet/">Timothy Allen : Living Root Bridges</a> .Henry ( I will tell about Henry later in my post) suggested me this link. </div>
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The local church which is under some repair work at present .<br />
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We entered into the church campus and looked around.<br />
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Saw some women most probably local volunteers chatting after performing their regular sweeping and cleaning job .Through out our visit we never heard any loud voices.Residents were very polite and soft spoken.</div>
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Beautiful little cottages - some had installed modern amenities like dish tv antenna .<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E2cck0lDDkU/TjeSTfkBP0I/AAAAAAAAEIw/n-dXi00S8v8/s1600/DSC05045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E2cck0lDDkU/TjeSTfkBP0I/AAAAAAAAEIw/n-dXi00S8v8/s640/DSC05045.JPG" width="640" /> </a>We tried our best but failed to find any litter anywhere.The place was impeccably clean.My blogger friend <a href="http://irfanurs.blogspot.com/"><u><b>Irfan </b></u></a>had been to Mawlynnong few weeks back .I thank him for sharing with us his views on that trip here .This is what Irfan expressed <span style="font-size: small;">-"Honestly speaking before reaching Shillong I didn’t had any idea about Mawlynnong. All I knew in Meghalaya was Cherrapunji as the wettest place of world and some near by tourists places. It was only after reaching Shillong that I came to know about Mawlynnong, “the cleanest village of India”. And the adjective “cleanest village” made me curious to know little more about the place.Because when we think of village, there comes an image of being muddy, dusty and unkempt struck by poor hygiene. Therefore something like cleanest village, that too in such a remote area of India was simply unimaginable to imagine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The trip to Mawlynnong was just like any trip with in Meghalaya – SPECTACULAR! Breath taking beauty around every turn and in between one can enjoy the views of rock formations, streams, water falls, river beds and the best of all – Lazy village scenes.Once we reached Mawlynnong, I was immediately awe struck by its cleanliness and aesthetic beauty. On first view it was like a fairy tale place that too in India. The view from the 80 ft high bamboo platform is something which has been captured on my mind’s eye. Though it’s not that easy to goat the top and come down but once you reach at the top then it’s a breath taking moment for any body. Imagine yourself swinging with the wind at a height of about 80 ft from the ground. Believe me it’s a life time experience".</span></div>
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lWe also saw many pineapple plants .The area smelt of pineapple and jack fruit.<br />
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To sweep the roads ,clean the drains and water the plants the village council have specially appointed hired help but the free volunteers i.e.residents of the village take turns to sweep the road .We saw this little girl cleaning the playground behind the church.This was such a contrast to the behavior of some of our city kids who in spite of going to expensive schools throw chocolate ,candy ,chips wrapper just anywhere.</div>
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Here we met <b>Henry </b>the best guide and the most helping person around the village.He greeted us with a great smile and asked where have we come from.After knowing that we were there for few hrs he suggested us to come in the month of September for trekking experience.If you ever plan to come here and want to know more about local site seeing ,trekking and also about accommodation ,you can contact him here at this number -<b>09615043027 ( *speaks English/Khasi )</b>. For accommodation you need to call him at least ten -fifteen days before you plan to visit the place.He has helped me many times with information while writing this series.In fact last week he was the one who suggested me to look for Timothy Allen's article .I can't thank him enough for that.Timothy Allen too has mentioned him very fondly in his <a href="http://humanplanet.com/timothyallen/2011/03/living-root-bridges-bbc-human-planet/"><u>article</u></a> .</div>
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I loved this cutting tool which was unusual in shape hence took the picture.<br />
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He took us inside his kitchen and showed this barrel like bamboo made thing that they use to dry their washed clothes when there is no Sun in rainy days.<br />
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The heat from the kitchen wood fire helps the drying process he explained.I have seen something very similar in Arunachal Pradesh where people keep their meat mostly goat and beef over the kitchen fire to give smoky flavor .</div>
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A tea addict that i am i was delighted to see this board. <br />
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The board lead us to this tiny cottage .The villagers also rain harvest .We saw few water reservoirs like this there.</div>
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Because they were hungry Chandan ordered lunch for three of them .It was Monday ,my fast day so i just ordered some tea.The cook asked us to wait for twenty minutes as everything was freshly prepared there.<br />
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With their permission i peeped inside the kitchen and was happy to see a clean and nicely arranged working area.</div>
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I still think about the tea that i had that day there - it was perfect .While three of the men waited for lunch i was busy looking around .It was then that i saw Brian standing nearby the guest house.We greeted as we saw each other .He asked me where have we come from and thus the conversation started.I came to know that he was living in Mawlynnong for the past one month .He had arranged a photo contest for the villagers where they can use his camera for clicks and the prize was a basic digital camera.Soon Chandan too joined us in conversation.</div>
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After talking for sometime came to know that we had one thing in common -- both of us were bloggers.Let me tell you more about Brian .He is a fresh off finishing a Masters from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. After two years in Washington, DC,as he says in his words " i am shaking the ants out of my pants with a trip to northeast India and southeast Asia".Recently his write up on Bhramaputra Dam was published in our local daily Assam Tribune (4th June 2011).You can read more about his Indian and other travel experiences in his interesting blog(do check it) which has an equally interesting name<a href="http://jalebiyatra.tumblr.com/"><u> Jalebi Yatra.</u></a>Why he named it so .....</div>
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To which he replies -"Literally, ‘sweet journey’. <i>Yatra</i> means journey, often to a religious pilgrimage site. Journeys have paths and, if my past paths indicate future ones, then the circular, overlapping shapes of the Indian sweet <i>jalebi</i> is a good representation of my likely path on this journey. I also love to eat <i>jalebi</i> and expect to have many along the way".After exchanging contact details we said bye to each other and shook hands twice one as farewell and another for our common love towards North East .Right now he is in Thailand , got a mail from him this morning where he told me to feel free to use his pictures on my blog .Thanks Brian.<br />
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The lunch was ready - it had chicken curry ,a mixed vegetable preparation , a tomato based chutney with lots of fresh coriander and some rice and dal .The food was simple but cooked and served very neatly.We paid a total sum of Rs 270 for the tea and lunch.Very reasonable.Now we wanted to see Machaan the tree house we had heard so much about .<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i4iyvhaNAhc/TjzN8JR-lJI/AAAAAAAAEKs/lEU-wboO47w/s1600/DSC05006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i4iyvhaNAhc/TjzN8JR-lJI/AAAAAAAAEKs/lEU-wboO47w/s640/DSC05006.JPG" width="640" /> </a>This lovely lady from a nearby house smilingly offered her help by sending her cute little daughter to guide us to the Machan.</div>
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Here emerged sweet Theba ( she had a long name ,i shortened it) .</div>
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Awed by her manners and confidence we followed her .</div>
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She pointed at the board .Before she went back to her mom i gave her the biggest chocolate bar that i had with me and in a very sweet voice she thanked me .</div>
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From distance Machan looked like this .It is also a guest house with a bamboo double bed ,clean linens and a clean bathroom too.</div>
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This is the entrance </div>
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A connecting hanging bamboo bridge </div>
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I noticed these decorations at many houses in the village.</div>
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The dining hall ... the smiling care taker .</div>
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The tree house is suspended approxm 60 -80 ft in the air constructed and supported by bamboos .This is the extended balcony again connected by a hanging bridge to the machan.</div>
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We sat there for only few minute as the day was too hot and sweaty.</div>
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Mrs and Mr Saharia .</div>
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We moved back to the parking lot where noticed many cars .We rushed to see the natural balancing rock .</div>
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Balancing Rock (Maw Ryngkew Sharatia) was an ancient Khasi shrine that pre-dated the advent of Christianity in Meghalaya.<br />
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A beautiful natural phenomenon of a boulder balancing on another rock.</div>
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Another strange thing that i noticed was that some tree had this foamy appearance .Chandan,Pranab and Dulal all brought up in Shillong told me that they always kept away from such trees in their childhood as the elders told them that it was 'Jokhini's Thui' meaning Witches Spit .lol.</div>
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The day light was getting softer and it was time to head back to Shillong .Soon we left Mawlynnong </div>
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(a cavity or dent in the rock) with a wish in our heart to come back again for the trekking experience we missed this time.</div>
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com77tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-605521121704192442011-07-28T12:35:00.006+05:302013-11-01T16:36:33.025+05:30Sky View : Mawlynnong the cleanest village in Asia <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Welcome Message At Parking Place : Mawlynnong<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Contd from</b><a href="http://www.kavitasaharia-myroom.com/2011/07/shillong-to-mawlynnong.html"> <u>Part 1: Shillong To Mawlynnong</u></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.kavitasaharia-myroom.com/2011/07/jingkieng-jri-living-roots-bridge-of.html"><u>Part 2: Living Root Bridge Of Riwai </u></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u> </u>It was almost two in the afternoon as we reached Mawlynnong .The first thing that catches your eyes is beautiful flowers and well maintained colorful plants everywhere.It is almost like stepping into a gorgeous botanical garden or a beautiful place from fairy tales.Mawlynnong is also called God's Own Garden. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We were the first ones to visit the place that day .It was clean and empty .We parked our car and looked around</span></span> .</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Sumer a resident of the village busy cleaning the fallen leaves.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We saw this young boy collecting fallen leaves from the area .As he got up we greeted each other .His name was Sumer.</span></div>
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He took us to the verandah of this community hall .Here visitors can offer donations which is further used by the residents for the maintenance of the infrastructure of the village .To our surprise unlike other places they were not very eager to collect the donation.Instead he advised us to go straight away to the Sky View as the weather was most suitable at that time.Sky wa<b style="font-weight: normal;">lk is a 85 feet Bamboo structure made by the locals, which offers a bird's eye view of the village and a panoramic view of Bangladesh plains.</b><b>Post updated In response to Balachandran's comment : this structure is designed by a forty five years old school teacher named Rishop Khongthongreh</b><b style="font-weight: normal;"> </b>.( thanks to Henry who is constantly helping me over the phone with the queries - i will introduce him to you in my next post).</div>
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Suddenly emerged this lovely Kong( a term in Khasi language to lovingly address a lady ) who was kind of expecting me to take her pictures .Which i did later.After few pictures she very politely asked us in English to follow her .</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Dent /Cavity On The Rock :Mawlynnong</td></tr>
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The path was narrow and was made of flat stones.We noticed and photographed rocks like this ,the rocks had cavities or dents on them created by the rain water .Later we came to know that the word Mawlynnong comes from the Khasi term which means A Dent /Cavity On The Rock.</div>
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The shade and the gentle breeze offered by the surrounding trees was bliss.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sky View : a bamboo and cane structure that offer a bird's view to the village and Indo Bangla Border</td></tr>
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Kong pointed at the sky view and asked us to take a picture .She was well familiar with the best picture spots.Good for us</div>
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Before we started Kong advised me to leave back my scarf as she was scared that i might trip over it while climbing the bamboo bridge.</div>
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This is the entrance that lead us to the bamboo platform built on the highest branches of the area.</div>
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The smart design and craftsmanship was outstanding .Though the structure looked rickety it was very strong and safe to walk.</div>
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Bamboo canes are tied together with the help of cane ropes to make a sky pathway.Not even a single iron nail is used her .Very eco- friendly.<br />
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All of us were busy taking pictures and videos.</div>
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The initial climb was little steep that required holding the sides of the bridge with both the hands.</div>
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Branches touching our cheeks while crossing one tree from another was a never to forget experience. </div>
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Another view as i looked back to see how high we climbed.</div>
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Never stopped gushing at the amazing skills of the locals. .</div>
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After Chandan ,Dulal was next to reach the highest platform .</div>
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Pranab was right behind me .</div>
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Not admitting but he was panting for breath and so were we.</div>
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The first view from the top .This is the plains of Bangladesh .It was the highest point of the forest.</div>
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After few pictures i told Chandan that i was feeling little dizzy .Very firmly i was holding the bamboo wall.To my surprise all three of them said that they too were feeling the same .Later we realized that it was not us but the platform that we were standing on was swaying with the wind . Scary ...nah !!</div>
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We started counting and found that the whole structure was standing on the branches of five to six trees.</div>
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The extra retention </div>
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Looking down we saw nothing but the surrounding tree tops.</div>
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Time to go back .</div>
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The way back was much trickier than climbing up .</div>
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A view of the platform from next level.</div>
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The walk was completed.</div>
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Now we walked towards the village through this beautiful king's way. I knew i was about to see the most cleanest village of Asia and meet lovely residents of the same but not in my imagination expected to meet a Blogger and that to from USA who has been living in the village from last one month.<b>Contd </b></div>
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<b>A Message </b>: i have been receiving lot of queries through mails and also few phone calls for more travel information on Mawlynnong .Please give me some time ,i will try to dedicate a section on the same on my next blog post . At the same time would like to make it clear that i don't own a traveling agency nor do i am directly or indirectly linked to any that i might mention in my post.</div>
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-45304421222758403882011-07-19T18:27:00.004+05:302013-11-01T16:37:27.686+05:30Jingkieng Jri : Living Root Bridge Of Riwai of Meghalaya<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thatched cottages in Riwai Village</td></tr>
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<b style="color: #f6b26b;">Contd from the <a href="http://www.kavitasaharia-myroom.com/2011/07/shillong-to-mawlynnong.html">first part</a> :</b> . It took us a little more than three hours to reach Riwai Viilage which is just two km before Mawlynnong .The outside temperature at 31C was pretty hot for Meghalaya .Sun was sharp .Pranab did a good thing to bring a Sun Cap .We parked our car near first way to the living root bridge (another was just few mt away) .We had heard so much about the living root bridges of Meghalaya and finally we were about to see one . There was this small sign board which pointed at the narrow pathway to the bridge.<br />
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To quench the thirst visitors can buy fresh and very juicy Pineapples if they want .The local sellers peel ,cut and beautifully serve it on a stainless steel plate with some red chilli flakes and salt . Pineapple is one of the major fruit crops of Meghalaya.The area smelt of ripen Jackfruits which we saw in abundance here.</div>
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Villagers occupied with their daily work hardly noticed the visitors until called . They were polite,friendly and readily agreed to let us photograph them.Broomstick has always been a fence crop here and most of the villagers are engaged in the business of making and selling brooms. A biodiversity paradise that Meghalaya is ,it is home to a large number of medicinal plants .</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ticket stand </td></tr>
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This is the place where we bought entrance tickets .A village teen issued us the ticket .The fee was 10 Rs /head .The spot is managed by village authorities and thankfully there is no govt interference here.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stone pathway </td></tr>
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We followed a stone pathway .These kind of path are known as King's Way . Khasi villages are inter connected through these.At some places we saw the old stone path was replaced by new stones. We met some visitors who after seeing the steps gave away the idea of going to the bridge . How sad ,they had no idea what they missed .<br />
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The beauty of the path and it's surrounding took my breath away .I kept on looking back and around .Walking this path barefoot i felt so alive .After walking for ten to fifteen minutes we heard the sound of river water splashed against rocks.We were about to reach this fantasy land .It was like a place from the movies Harry Potter / Lord Of The Rings. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">living root bridge Riwai : view as you approach </td></tr>
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First glimpse of the bridge almost stopped my heart beats .I was looking at one of the most extraordinary piece of art and engineering work done by human and nature as a team.As an old tradition Khasi's have been growing / creating living root bridges to cross the rivers.Most of these bridges are fully functional and are being used till date.Khasis used/use Rubber Plants (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficus_elastica">Ficus Elastica</a>) for it as the tree grows many secondary roots.Some of these bridges are over hundreds year old.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to Pranab for this picture : stone path on the bridge</td></tr>
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The process is long and takes great deal of care and patience .Rubber trees on the banks of the river are selected. A root guidance system is used by hollowing out a Kwai/Tamul (Bettel Nut) Tree trunk .This hollow helps in containing and guiding the young and soft roots of the rubber tree from spreading out till they reach straightway to the other side of the river.They are further allowed to take roots in the soil .As the time passes by they become strong .Later stones are added to the gaps in between to create a path .The whole process takes ten to fifteen years the bridge to be fully functional.Some of these can bear the weight of up to fifty people at the same time.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a view from the back </td></tr>
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The roots are naturally self-renewing and self-strengthening as the component roots grow thicker.As a rule if any villager notices a new root they carefully arrange it accordingly.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stone and root path over the bridge : thanks to Pranab</td></tr>
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There are many such bridges in the state .One of the most amazing and hugest is in Umshiang's Double Decker Root Bridge.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A top view : image courtesy Pranab</td></tr>
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We almost forgot about Mawlynnong. Took lots of pictures .There were not more than six to ten visitors there.But we did notice many villagers passing through .Even the concrete bridges shake a little when the vehicles or people pass over it but not this one .</div>
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Look at the roots : nature's brilliant art work.Even after so many days i still have a dekho at my album at least twice.<br />
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This is how the bridge looks from the front .A better view could have been captured from the river down .But we skipped it as we had already spent a lot of time there.<br />
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Some parts of the bridge looked like beautifully designed picture frame - each one of us took the opportunity to pose . <br />
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As i mentioned earlier village rules prevail here ..... read the warning .<br />
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How we wished that we had more time in hand .We moved back to where we had parked our car .The way back was little tiring as we had to climb many steps .Took some rest in between.<br />
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We had some company too.<br />
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Now we moved towards Mawlynnong : a km or two and we reached there ....<br />
<b>To Be Contd </b><br />
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-25537287075599949662011-07-16T19:07:00.006+05:302013-11-01T16:46:43.104+05:30Shillong To Mawlynnong- The Journey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Mawlynnong was on top of our travel list for last couple of years . Had to hold our plans earlier for various reasons .Finally came the day when the time was right as everything was perfectly placed. We were on a five day trip to Shillong.My mother -in-law and dear Suniti ( our housekeeper Dulal's wife) offered to look after my kids for the day so that Chandan and i could visit the place. Pranab ,Chandan's childhood friend and Dulal accompanied us to this unforgettable journey. Mawlynnong is an over hundred years old village situated in the pristine East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya ,India. In the year 2003 it earned the distinction of being the 'Cleanest Village Of Asia ' declared by Discover India Magazine .Though this beautiful and little village attracts visitors from all over the world throughout the year i would still prefer to call it under explored . A large part of North East India still remains undiscovered and there are very few travel guides to help the visitors coming to these parts .I will be posting my travel experiences through my pictures as a<br />
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series. In my view Meghalaya is one of the most beautiful , peaceful and safest place in India. No inner line permit is required to travel here. The nearest airport and railway station is approx. 128 km away in Guwahati . The state capital Shillong is well connected to rest of India through regular buses/taxis from Guwahati(Assam) .Mawlynnong is situated about 90 km from Shillong. Except for Sundays ,rest of the days it is well connected from Shillong through private taxis/sumos (at Khasi Hill Sumo stand Bara Bazaar). It takes about two and half hrs to reach there . We had our own vehicle and it took us about three hours to reach there as we stopped at many places throughout our journey.The drive was extremely picturesque.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meghalaya has many rivers. Most of these are rain fed and are therefore seasonal</td></tr>
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We started our journey at 8.30 am .Being the most wettest place on earth Meghalaya is known for its unpredictable weather .Raincoats or umbrellas are must.We carried along drinking water ,some fresh local fruits and a good stock of snacks like biscuits ,sweets ,dry nuts and chocolates .The scenic drive from Shillong to Mawlynnong offers a spectacular view of changing landscapes .</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road diversion : right goes to Cherapunji and the left to Mawlynnong</td></tr>
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Starting early was a good move as we had enough time in our hands to stop at every beautiful view. The cloud covered mountains below prove that it indeed is The Abode Of Clouds , the literal meaning of the word Meghalaya .<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="st"> cloud covered mountains</span></td></tr>
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We were lucky to have a clear view of beautiful surroundings as in monsoons most of the times it is obscured by thick clouds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QwJBPrErGtI/TiElsXXqWKI/AAAAAAAAEBo/5lb3J8iJuME/s1600/DSC04864+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QwJBPrErGtI/TiElsXXqWKI/AAAAAAAAEBo/5lb3J8iJuME/s640/DSC04864+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful waterfall cascading down hill slop</td></tr>
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The state possess numerous waterfalls with mesmerizing surroundings .The heavy rainfalls have created many natural rock formation and waterfalls ..Meghalaya has some of the thickest surviving forests in the country and therefore constitutes one of the most important ecotourism circuits in the country today.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X2QHxhcAvnA/TiEoaKsan5I/AAAAAAAAEBs/zhVFGwidG0w/s1600/DSC04880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X2QHxhcAvnA/TiEoaKsan5I/AAAAAAAAEBs/zhVFGwidG0w/s640/DSC04880.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small but beautiful church </td></tr>
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We came across numerous churches on our way .I clicked this picture from moving car.The state has a Christian majority with 70% of the population practising Christianity .One of the unique features of the State is that a majority of the tribal population in Meghalaya follows a matrelineal system where lineage and inheritance are traced through women.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zl2-DtFAn6g/TiEo33iY1BI/AAAAAAAAEBw/7l172V391UM/s1600/DSC04877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zl2-DtFAn6g/TiEo33iY1BI/AAAAAAAAEBw/7l172V391UM/s640/DSC04877.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock textured hill</td></tr>
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As i mentioned earlier the landscape abruptly kept on changing ,it was like nature's own slide show .<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5GtT_wZdv6M/TiErMB9bn2I/AAAAAAAAEB4/YGqnU9cZ8dM/s1600/DSC04885+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5GtT_wZdv6M/TiErMB9bn2I/AAAAAAAAEB4/YGqnU9cZ8dM/s640/DSC04885+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Church At Wahlyngkhat</td></tr>
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I had to share picture of this beautiful isolated church . We stopped here and spent good twenty minutes ,exploring the area around . I have a tip for those who love photography ( not on photography skills) ,please bring extra batteries as one is not enough.<br />
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The weather was getting warmer. We were about to reach Pynursula .<br />
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We halted here to buy more bottled water .It is a very small town and half way point of the journey.Those who travel by private taxi services get a fifteen to twenty minute tea break here.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road to Pontung Villge </td></tr>
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The road which leads to Pontung village also is the road towards Dawki .The road was under heavy construction .It was bumpy but not uncomfortable but same could not be said for private taxi/sumos who follow a faster speed.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nSfOb0b2dZs/TiEv1TmOWRI/AAAAAAAAECI/3qEhadZEo4w/s1600/DSC04896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nSfOb0b2dZs/TiEv1TmOWRI/AAAAAAAAECI/3qEhadZEo4w/s640/DSC04896.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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After driving another 15 km we reached to this diversion .The way straight was towards Dawki and the right lead to Mawlynnong .Now the road ahead was very narrow . Both sides of the road were covered with ferns and thick shrubs.</div>
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Crossed this rusty old bridge over a small river .</div>
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Another breathtaking view .</div>
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The road had many diversions and with no sign board we took a wrong turn .We met these two good men who explained us the direction in fluent English.Throughout our journey whenever we asked for direction ,the response was in English.I almost forgot to mention that these gentlemen(don't go by their clothes) were here for fishing and they had the most advanced fishing equipments with them.</div>
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Finally we were about to touch the prettiest village we had heard so much about .</div>
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As planned we decided to see the Living Root Bridge of Riwai first.It was one of the most amazing thing that i had ever seen in my life </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the one way distance between Shillong and Mawlynnong as per our car meter</td></tr>
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<b>To Be Contd. Click on the links below for next parts :</b></div>
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<b> <a href="http://www.kavitasaharia-myroom.com/2011/07/sky-view-mawlynnong.html"><u>Sky View Mawlynnong </u></a></b></div>
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<b> <a href="http://www.kavitasaharia-myroom.com/2011/07/jingkieng-jri-living-roots-bridge-of.html"><u>Living Root Bridge Of Riwai</u></a><u> </u></b></div>
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<b> <u><a href="http://www.kavitasaharia-myroom.com/2011/08/day-in-beautiful-mawlynnong.html">A Day In Mawlynnong : The Cleanest Village Of Asia</a></u></b></div>
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-32506367324494253742011-07-07T11:55:00.005+05:302013-11-01T17:04:24.043+05:30Bordoisila<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">had tried to capture the arrival of Bordoisila March 2009 from our terrace</td></tr>
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It was a Saturday most probably in the month of March approximately thirty five years back.My dad was newly posted to this small town of Assam.The town had a tiny market comprising of not more than five to six shops.I still remember it had a small general store ,one tea shop ,a vegetable stall and another meat and poultry shop. It was a ritual to visit the nearby town Tejpur which was just forty kms away every Saturday for our weekly shopping.We were returning to our house after one such very initial trip.The weather was bit cloudy but pleasant .All of a sudden the sky turned almost black .A fierce and strong wind changed the whole weather in few secs.There were thunders and lightening in the area and we could hear and see the flashes of thunderbolt .Soon it was accompanied by heavy downpour .It was impossible to move further . My dad parked the jeep on the side of the road by positioning it in such a way that it faced into the wind.The jeep was shaking badly and all three of us (me ,my sis and brother) were pretty scared .My dad was cool though .He looked back at us and said ," don't worry ,it's Bordoisila ,she is visiting her mother's house .Everything will be fine in few minutes". Thousand questions cropped up on my mind ..who is she ?why is she so angry ? why is she doing this ? But at that moment<br />
<a name='more'></a>i was too scared to ask any question.Soon the weather calmed down and we reached home safely. Later that night mom narrated us the legend of Bordoisila. All this time i was waiting for the right pictures to write this post .I am posting it today even if the pictures are not right , will update the post later once i have them .</div>
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Bordoisila is a wild ,fierce wind which announces the arrival of spring season in Assam.It occurs in the month of March -April ,just before <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bihu">Rongali/Bohag Bihu</a> one of the most famous festival of Assam.The wind carries dust,dry leaves,twigs and plastic wastes in case of cities/towns and anything that comes on its way.It is soon accompanied by huge mass of dark clouds and heavy rainfall .It softens the dry fields .Many times it leaves behind a trail of destruction.<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bordoisila"><b>The Legend Of Bordoisila </b></a>:<br />
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Legend has it that just like a young, married woman would hurriedly, fly back to her mother destructing literally anything that comes her way; Bordoisila comes to Assam. The meaning of the word "Bordoisila" still draws a lot of controversy. People from upper Brahmaputra valley may define it as derived from Ahom word "Sila" means a kind of kite. "Bordoi", could be her name. Then down the valley they say "Bor-" means big, "-doi-" means water in Bodo language and "-sila" from 'Shikla' in Bodo which means girl.The Bodo word for Bordoisila is "<b>Bardwisikhla</b>" which breaks down to "Bar-" meaning wind, "-dwi-" means water and "-sikhla" means girl in Bodo language. It represents the mythological Goddess of Nature, and it marks the beginning of the festival month of Bwishagu (Spring season).</div>
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As a traditional belief in Assam people offer her a special comb to comb her hair and a wooden stool to sit her on.The comb is made of Bamboo and is called<b> Kakoiphoni</b> ,it was used for combing hair in ancient times by Assamese people .The stool is called <b>Borpira</b> .Some keep in their courtyard a bamboo strainer which is used for clearing dirt from the grains specially rice .It is called <b>Salooni</b> ( as the word Chalni in Hindi).Many throw rice in their courtyard ( sutaal) to calm her down.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aVFQ46iT7lA/ThFJZxB33MI/AAAAAAAADhg/7sfLo4yAdI0/s1600/2009_0502rain0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aVFQ46iT7lA/ThFJZxB33MI/AAAAAAAADhg/7sfLo4yAdI0/s400/2009_0502rain0003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bordoisila returns from her mother’s home after the end of the month ‘Bohaag’ (April – May) which is the first month of the Assamese calendar , and the same is repeated again. This time instead of being angry she becomes emotional and burst out into tears. Blame it on Global warming or other climatic phenomenons ,it's frequency and occurrences has seen some drastic changes over the years .If i am not wrong Bordoisila never showed up in it's true spirit here in Guwahati this year<br />
<b>Updated </b>: Thanks to <a href="http://www.rupamsarma.blogspot.com/">Rupam Sarma</a> for providing me the picture below<br />
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com65tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-33766574461986623152011-06-26T14:10:00.004+05:302013-11-01T17:06:12.517+05:30Sharmin Assam Foodie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharmin </td></tr>
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<b> It's an honor to have Sharmin as my guest writer today.</b></div>
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Sharmin, is a freelance writer and stylist based in Dubai. Her work has appeared in several magazines, with a focus on health, beauty, travel and the culinary arts. She has published more than 200 features till date. Her passion for food from Assam, where she hails from has led her to create the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/assameserecipes">Assamese Cuisine And Recipes</a> fan page on Face Book, which currently boasts <b>over 12500 members</b>. She also enjoys travel and photography . </div>
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I first met Sharmin through my blog .Few mails later realized apart from our love for Assamese Cuisine we also shared a common 'Shillong Connection'. It was then that i came across her popular <a href="http://www.facebook.com/assameserecipes">fan page</a> on Face Book .On asking her that what inspired her to start this page her answer was - <b><i>away from Assam ,and with no access to any Assamese cookbook ,I realized that there was no barely any resources on the web on Assamese food and with the modern kitchen in use, many traditional recipes were no longer used.The page was created to show case our wonderful cuisine to the world and to preserve some of out ethnic recipes for generations to come .I believe, food connects us to our culture, It reflects our history . It is is everything we are .</i></b>Since than she has my greatest admiration for her work and for the person she is.Today she shares with us this wonderful<br />
<a name='more'></a>photo feature and recipes related to Bora Saul , an integral part of Assamese Cuisine. Thank you Sharmin .</div>
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<b> BORA SAUL </b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhFZRF2RYLI/TgXTx13fLcI/AAAAAAAADgI/PM7zY6FvRIU/s1600/johaborasaul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"> <img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhFZRF2RYLI/TgXTx13fLcI/AAAAAAAADgI/PM7zY6FvRIU/s400/johaborasaul.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">johabora saul </td></tr>
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<i>Bora Saul</i>, a variety of sticky rice found in Assam, plays such an important role in Assamese culture that it is not surprising to find many festivals and traditions revolve around this particular rice. Bora rice is believed to have been introduced to Assam by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahom_people">Ahoms</a>. During the Ahom reign in Assam, a sticky rice mortar was made by adding Egg and Black Lentils to mortar materials. The resulting material was used in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rang_Ghar">Ranghar </a>(meaning Amusement House), a double-storied pavilion located in Sibsagar, Assam and many other structures. The grains can still be found in its original form even after hundreds of years of its construction.</div>
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<b>Types</b></div>
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There are over forty types of sticky or glutinous rice in Assam. They are classified into two groups, <b>Bora </b>and <b>Chokuwa</b>, based on their Amylose and Amylopectin content, starches responsible for their sticky quality.<b> Birain</b> is also another class of glutinous rice, popular in Barak valley of Assam. This group of rice is called glutinous in the sense of being glue-like or sticky and not in the sense of containing gluten. They range from Black, Red to White. Popular varieties of Bora are, Bogabora, Johabora, Rangabora, Kolabora and Rupahibora.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NN_Z1EflUbs/TgXdBq-e2oI/AAAAAAAADgM/JWhxbGb8YwU/s1600/kolabora_pitha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NN_Z1EflUbs/TgXdBq-e2oI/AAAAAAAADgM/JWhxbGb8YwU/s400/kolabora_pitha.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kola bora pitha</td></tr>
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<b><u>Uses</u> :No</b> Assamese festival is complete without snacks made from Bora Saul. The rice is ground to make rice flour.This flour is then made into snack items called Pitha , which are an integral part of the festival called Bihu .Snacks such as Hurum, a type of puffed rice ,Cheera a type of beaten flat rice and Mah Korai ,a combination of black lentils ,sticky rice grains,sesame seeds and nuts made fropm Bora Saul ,Sunga Saul ,anothetr Assamese favorite ,are all an inevitable part of Assamese festivals.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gxe58jgI29o/TgXjopVEZnI/AAAAAAAADgQ/2dCtMscNyrs/s1600/bora_jaggery_cream.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bora saul with jaggery and cream</td></tr>
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<i> </i></div>
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Sticky Rice is also served as dessert, where cooked sticky rice is combined with sugar or jaggery and curd made from buffalo milk.<i> </i>In certain parts of Assam it is eaten for breakfast with sugar and curds or mustard oil and salt.</div>
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It is also used for preparation of indigenous rice beer. The thick, milky alcohol can be enjoyed with a meal or by itself. It is said to have medicinal and curative values. It is also offered to deities by certain tribes and is an essential part of their certain religious and cultural ceremonies.<b> </b></div>
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<b> <u>Recipes</u> </b></div>
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<b> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>1 : Maah Korai</u></span></span></b><b> </b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mah korai</td></tr>
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<u>Ingredients</u></div>
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1 cup White sticky rice (Bora saul)</div>
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½ cup whole black gram (Mati dail)</div>
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3 tbs white Sesame seed</div>
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1 tbs grated ginger</div>
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1/2 cup peanuts</div>
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1/4 cup chopped toasted coconut bits</div>
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Salt, to taste.</div>
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Dry roast the ingredients<br />
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separately,</div>
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other than the coconut.</div>
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Mix together in large bowl. </div>
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Season with salt and serve.<b> </b></div>
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<b><u>2 : Til Pitha</u> </b></div>
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<u>Ingredients</u></div>
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500g Sticky rice (bora saul)</div>
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200g jaggery, grated</div>
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200g Black sesame seed.</div>
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Soak the rice for few hours<br />
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until soft . </div>
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Drain the excess water and<br />
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grind the </div>
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rice to a fine powder.</div>
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Sieve, cover with a damp<br />
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cloth and </div>
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keep aside </div>
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Toast the sesame seeds and<br />
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crush them </div>
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while still warm.</div>
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Mix the sesame seed with<br />
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the grated </div>
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jaggery.</div>
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Heat an unseasoned griddle<br />
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(tawa)</div>
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Take a handful of rice power<br />
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and </div>
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spread it in sweeping motion<br />
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to form a </div>
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disc of roughly 4"diameter.</div>
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Sprinkle sesame and jaggery mixture in</div>
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the center. Roll into cylindrical shape.Move it to the side of griddle.Remove when crisp.Serve with tea.Black sticky rice (kola bora saul) can be used to make the above recipe, although not common.</div>
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For more recipes from her you can check here too ...<a href="http://www.friedeye.com/2011/07/01/assamese-cuisines-easy-eats/"> Easy Eats </a>.<br />
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<b>UPDATE :</b>Because many readers wanted to know if Bora Saul is similar to Thailand Sticky Rice ,Sharmin sent me this picture where the similarity is quite evident .I am adding same picture to the post .<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tX7oa3BKkx4/ThGwkpwqGkI/AAAAAAAADh4/YLjwv3TBfgA/s1600/264732_10150683192455551_871930550_19411406_118197_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tX7oa3BKkx4/ThGwkpwqGkI/AAAAAAAADh4/YLjwv3TBfgA/s400/264732_10150683192455551_871930550_19411406_118197_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com66tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4741045142597397080.post-5789311207259296152011-06-20T18:21:00.004+05:302013-11-01T17:06:51.169+05:30Bless You My Darling - To Mamta With Love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif; font-size: small;"><b>Bless you, my darling, and remember you are always in the heart - oh tucked so close there is no chance of escape - of your sister. ~Katherine Mansfield</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6a_66pVeWoY/Tf8AQgkpsOI/AAAAAAAADfA/0EJMEppGcW4/s1600/240578_200102576698708_100000969007377_489493_7616531_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6a_66pVeWoY/Tf8AQgkpsOI/AAAAAAAADfA/0EJMEppGcW4/s400/240578_200102576698708_100000969007377_489493_7616531_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sculpture from Goa with real gold paint . </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: small;">It all started with an album uploaded on facebook by my dear sister Mamta .The album displayed few of her conservation work .It was flooded with comments in no time .Partha S Mukherjee who is an active member of International Council Of Museum ICOM commented : </span></span><b> <span data-jsid="text">Good job! I hope you have kept a detailed documentation of all the restoration work you have done so far.</span></b><span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The comment caught my eyes as it echoed my</span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> thoughts.As </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am always fascinated by her and her work ,</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia,bookman old style,palatino linotype,book antiqua,palatino,trebuchet ms,helvetica,garamond,sans-serif,arial,verdana,avante garde,century gothic,comic sans ms,times,times new roman,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I called her up later requesting her to think about it seriously .She took the call and now for the last ten days both of us are working together online on this.Initially i got myself involved just to support her but as the time passed the beauty of it got me totally interested in her work .Now i am totally hooked . The documentation will take months to complete.In this post i am sharing with you few things about Mamta and glimpses of her work as an art conservator.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HY9WEtUjRB0/Tf8RBcr_ErI/AAAAAAAADfE/VMdXBg_IwHU/s1600/131131_160045654037734_100000969007377_273212_7123105_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HY9WEtUjRB0/Tf8RBcr_ErI/AAAAAAAADfE/VMdXBg_IwHU/s640/131131_160045654037734_100000969007377_273212_7123105_o.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">paintings by Raja Ravi Verma:before and after restoration</td></tr>
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Mamta completed her masters in Conservation and Restoration of work of art from Delhi's National Museum Institute of History of Art ,Conservation and Museology after doing her Bachelor Of Fine Arts in Sculptures from Fine Arts & Craft College Lucknow .Later she did her internship on sculpture art at National Museum Liverpool ,London.She is married and has got two kids .Right now she is working as visiting faculty and organizing seminars ,preparing policies and database and keywords under the HOD conservation.She is also associated with Jamia Milia Islamia University and Conservation Lab National Museum Institute Delhi.She is a freelance sculpture artist and art conservator. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hni20_9MJUc/Tf8YshOddMI/AAAAAAAADfI/eizRq7x5Eh4/s1600/243203_200962136612752_100000969007377_493534_2355769_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hni20_9MJUc/Tf8YshOddMI/AAAAAAAADfI/eizRq7x5Eh4/s400/243203_200962136612752_100000969007377_493534_2355769_o.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
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<b> A Damaged Tanjore Painting On Wooden Base Done With Gold Leaf And Original Stones </b></div>
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This profession is devoted to the preservation of cultural heritage for the future.It includes examination,documentation,treatment and preventive care.All this work is supported by research and education.The goal is to keep the property in its original condition as possible for as long as possible.The antiques she works on are mostly owned by Royal Families and other Art Collectors.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59qOX2IBydk/Tf8ZK8zmKxI/AAAAAAAADfM/VsIAV0TNwuw/s1600/243203_200962139946085_100000969007377_493535_6954552_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59qOX2IBydk/Tf8ZK8zmKxI/AAAAAAAADfM/VsIAV0TNwuw/s400/243203_200962139946085_100000969007377_493535_6954552_o.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
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<b>The Same Painting After </b></div>
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Working on these kind of antiques and original work is a huge responsibility as most of the art work is generally appreciated in value and are collectibles.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ly8TQi1QzvM/Tf8gcy7f4VI/AAAAAAAADfQ/tdnniLvjJdQ/s1600/243203_200962149946084_100000969007377_493538_6919352_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ly8TQi1QzvM/Tf8gcy7f4VI/AAAAAAAADfQ/tdnniLvjJdQ/s400/243203_200962149946084_100000969007377_493538_6919352_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b>This Is The Original Vintage Film Poster Of The Classic Hindi Movie Guide </b></div>
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This is one of her most favorite work (up) </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ucvM4299m4/Tf8h9cUDVRI/AAAAAAAADfU/HN98xBo7MUQ/s1600/131131_160045640704402_100000969007377_273208_1127862_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--ucvM4299m4/Tf8h9cUDVRI/AAAAAAAADfU/HN98xBo7MUQ/s400/131131_160045640704402_100000969007377_273208_1127862_o.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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<b>Above : Wedding Doli /Palanquin Of Celebrity Ritu Nanda (Raj Kapoor's daughter)</b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0TUvTtUxKns/Tf8mQYt_LvI/AAAAAAAADfY/onx0579CsyM/s1600/243353_200963666612599_100000969007377_493540_5424627_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0TUvTtUxKns/Tf8mQYt_LvI/AAAAAAAADfY/onx0579CsyM/s400/243353_200963666612599_100000969007377_493540_5424627_o.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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<b>Above : An Oil Painting By Famous Painter Raja Ravi Verma ( 1848 -1906)</b></div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raja_Ravi_Varma">Raja Ravi Verma</a> was an Indian painter from princely state of Travancore Kerela. He is considered among the greatest painter in the history of Indian Art.His paintings fetch amazing prizes in the art market .</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TNRTH-U16Fw/Tf8o9QhyrHI/AAAAAAAADfc/8uDGzKGfZVY/s1600/243353_200963669945932_100000969007377_493541_7333307_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TNRTH-U16Fw/Tf8o9QhyrHI/AAAAAAAADfc/8uDGzKGfZVY/s400/243353_200963669945932_100000969007377_493541_7333307_o.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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<b>Above :The same painting after restoration </b> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_sM12QYzOk/Tf8tsLlQoRI/AAAAAAAADfg/TmeOJQjAP3c/s1600/243203_200962143279418_100000969007377_493536_5671395_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W_sM12QYzOk/Tf8tsLlQoRI/AAAAAAAADfg/TmeOJQjAP3c/s640/243203_200962143279418_100000969007377_493536_5671395_o.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<b>Above :Silk Cloth Painting :Before </b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADfCMsBVYtU/Tf8uoq03YrI/AAAAAAAADfk/osXIUThY0Aw/s1600/243203_200962146612751_100000969007377_493537_3778893_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADfCMsBVYtU/Tf8uoq03YrI/AAAAAAAADfk/osXIUThY0Aw/s640/243203_200962146612751_100000969007377_493537_3778893_o.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<b>Above :After </b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tmMoQdfS45o/Tf8vS4FA-5I/AAAAAAAADfo/P3_Y7hXc1OM/s1600/52343_160048137370819_100000969007377_273261_2596694_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tmMoQdfS45o/Tf8vS4FA-5I/AAAAAAAADfo/P3_Y7hXc1OM/s400/52343_160048137370819_100000969007377_273261_2596694_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>Above : This broken glass painting is owned by Nafisa Ali .It was restored successfully .</b>This kind of work needs lots of patience and hard work.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-obH1hrpVLG8/Tf8wjbupuXI/AAAAAAAADfs/vfsG7t9LJms/s1600/243353_200963676612598_100000969007377_493543_3280733_o.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-obH1hrpVLG8/Tf8wjbupuXI/AAAAAAAADfs/vfsG7t9LJms/s400/243353_200963676612598_100000969007377_493543_3280733_o.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<b> Before Restoration:Thanka Painting </b><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0LvGd1mH22c/Tf8x31uaQCI/AAAAAAAADfw/rT1AFZRKt1w/s1600/243353_200963673279265_100000969007377_493542_3553752_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0LvGd1mH22c/Tf8x31uaQCI/AAAAAAAADfw/rT1AFZRKt1w/s400/243353_200963673279265_100000969007377_493542_3553752_o.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
<b> After Restoration</b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zr0urcAYI48/Tf8zpjHipNI/AAAAAAAADf0/ittZBhLLaa4/s1600/family+photo+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zr0urcAYI48/Tf8zpjHipNI/AAAAAAAADf0/ittZBhLLaa4/s400/family+photo+107.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b> This Picture Needs Some Real Good Restoration .</b>Here is Mamta and our former President Abu Kalam Azad shaking hands .She had done a project on conservation of dome painting at President's house ,Ashoka Hall ,New Delhi.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KoxbPXYyPZg/Tf8-Q8vri7I/AAAAAAAADf4/JlGq940-Bok/s1600/52526_160258690683097_100000969007377_274228_1713910_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KoxbPXYyPZg/Tf8-Q8vri7I/AAAAAAAADf4/JlGq940-Bok/s400/52526_160258690683097_100000969007377_274228_1713910_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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At Liverpool :her topic was laser cleaning of stone sculptures .She is the first Indian who learned it from Father Of Laser Cleaning ,John Larson.</div>
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Mamta i am proud to have you as my sister.May God bless you with all his love , luck and care.</div>
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I hope you love this surprise post.</div>
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Kavita Sahariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11342095914702911870noreply@blogger.com60