Varanasi is set to join the 'experience tourism club' with state tourism department deciding to start a heritage walk in the temple town, soon. 'Circle of life' walk, promises to be an experience of the Banarasi way of life and will have 16 major attractions in the stretch between Assi Ghat and Dal Mandi.

A meeting of tourism officials with representatives from International Center for Sustainable Cities took place here on Thursday to finalise the route map and work out logistics. Consultant on the job and heritage walk specialist Sameeha Sheth said experience is the work in the tourism sector these days and Varanasi is full of elements to provide a bagful of memories.

"The heritage walk would link all unique tangible and intangible assets of Varanasi, its historic core and significant establishment along the river Ganga. Covering approximately 4 km, the heritage walk would also allow visitors to experience, rituals and expressions performed at different ghats, temples, maths and other significant cultural escapades," she said.

Talking to TOI, UP Tourism director general Amrit Abhijat said, "More than 160 lakh tourists including 6.5 lakh foreigners head to the city annually. Each comes with his own idea of the world's oldest city but many fail to get the real feel of the city and go back dissatisfied. Heritage trails are a good way to showcase the best in a place and prepare individuals for a person to person publicity."

He added that infrastructure on and along the spots on the route and would be augmented. For this the department is collaborating with the local municipal corporation and administration. List of work to be undertaken includes raising signage, putting up waste bins, installing lights, creating public toilets and parking spaces, setting up ticket information kiosks and providing drinking water facilities. Landscaping and creation of photo-points will also be taken care of. CIRCLE OF LIFE

- State tourism department plans heritage walk in Varanasi, UP's favourite tourist destination after Agra - Name proposed for the walk is 'Circle of life' promising a visitor experience of Banarasi way of life through its craft, culture and cuisine. - Consultants said at least three private heritage trails were operating already

- Private tours not giving complete view of Varanasi. Also, very expensive - Training of guides and volunteers to begin mid-May and walk to commence from July

- The Times of India, May 1, 2015

Going by photographs of some lakes in Bengaluru, one could have been alarmed to notice snow spilling onto the streets. But it does not snow in the city, and the lakes do not frost over.

For at least the third time in five years, at least three lakes in the city spat foam onto the roads in their vicinity on Wednesday, shocking motorists and residents of the area. The lakes – Bellandur, Varthur, and Yemalur lakes – looked like giant pools of foam, even as civic authorities passed the blame on to each other. Chairperson of the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) Vaman Acharya said that it was the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) which is responsible for both water supply as well treatment.

The BWSSB, meanwhile, has said that the KSPCB must identify the polluter and issue them notices. However, officials of both departments insist that the foaming was due to detergents which were discharged by households and had flown untreated into the lake. Studies conducted by the Indian Institute for Science show that Varthur lake – the second largest in the city – is eutrophic, meaning that it has high concentrations of nutrients which stimulate excessive plant growth.

One study, titled Status of Varthur Lake: Opportunities for Restoration and Sustainable Management also found the presence of the E coli bacteria in some parts of the lake, and that it was contaminated with fecal matter. It also found that local people rely on the lake heavily for irrigation and cattle fodder. Although the study said that no ground water samples were contaminated, it recommended further studies. City in-charge minister Ramalinga Reddy has said the Bangalore Development Authority – which has ownership of most lakes in the city – has already initiated talks with NGOs for lake development projects.

A multi-agency approach has been planned to resolve the problem of foaming of these lakes, said Reddy. The government also proposed not just to de-silt the lakes, but also to work out ways to use the recovered material for other productive purposes.

- The Hindustan , May 1, 2015

The research of MS Swaminathan led to India reaching agricultural self-sufficiency in the 1970s. He reflects on scientists’ role in feeding the world The great Bengal famine of 1943 shaped my career. I was still a student at the University of Kerala when the acute rice shortage resulted in the deaths of 3 million Bengalis. At the time all our young people, myself included, were involved in the freedom struggle [from British imperial rule], which Mohandas Gandhi had intensified, and I decided I would use agricultural research in order to help poor farmers produce more.

My early research as a plant geneticist focused mainly on studying the structure and function (cytogenetics) of potato cells and after developing a frost-resistant variety of potato as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Wisconsin, I returned to Indiaand turned my attention to rice and wheat. In 1960s India food insecurity related largely to the large gap between food need and food production. This was partially addressed by importing wheat from the US in such volumes that many experts referred to India as a nation leading a “ship-to-mouth” existence. My research was designed to help small farmers increase their income by increasing productivity per unit of land and water. Join up to access commentary and insight from development experts across the world.

The breakthroughs that led to the green revolution were scientific but also political. In 1966, Indira Gandhi became prime minister of India and was keen to work with me and other researchers to build up the country’s food grain buffer stocks. She readily accepted my request to visit rural villages and understand how our semi-dwarf strain of wheat were working for farmers. This was beginning of our friendship based on mutual admiration and respect.

The prime minister was also supportive of our vision to bridge scientific know-how and farmers’ do-how by the effective use of the radio and television. Within just three weeks of coming up with the concept forKrishi Darshan (one of India’s longest-running TV programmes, aimed at disseminating agricultural information to rural farmers) the programme was launched. By combining scientific research with local knowledge, enabling policies and communication technology, wheat production went up from 10 million tonnes in 1964 to 17 million tonnes in 1968. Production now exceeds 97 million tonnes. My career has been long and I think many would agree successful. In reflecting on the crises we faced then and the challenge we face now to feed the world, here are some key lessons I have learned.

Nutrition security should be our new goal: today there is a new challenge; not just to address food security (India is still home to a quarter of all undernourished people worldwide and 28% of children are born underweight) by increasing crop yield but also to attain nutrition security. Nutrition security involves paying concurrent attention to undernutrition (not eating calories), protein hunger and hidden hunger arising from inadequate consumption of iron, iodine, zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, and other micronutrients. It also involves access to clean drinking water, sanitation, primary healthcare and nutrition literacy. It is an integrated approach which, unfortunately, is lacking in most of the programmes designed to end hunger.

Do not be afraid to push the boundaries: the feeling that scientists are tempted to “play God” is still widespread among the public. This is particularly true in areas like genetic modification (GM) and nuclear research. GM is part of an ongoing process in the progress of genetics. It provides uncommon opportunities for breeding varieties with rare genetic combinations. It is a powerful tool for shaping the future of agriculture along environmentally sound lines. I believe that we should make full use of all available technologies so long as they are studied carefully for risks and benefits.

Chronic hunger does not move the media: the main reason for the prevalence of undernutrition is inadequate purchasing power, and malnutrition is often caused by poor understanding of nutrition. We should have plans to attack this problem in an integrated way, giving attention to undernutrition, protein hunger and hidden hunger caused by micronutrient deficiencies. Hunger is persisting because while famines attract public and media attention, chronic hunger does not receive the same attention. Science can contribute both by leveraging agriculture to end malnutrition through biofortified crops and by helping to improve the productivity and profitability of small farms.

We must preserve biodiversity: biodiversity is the feedstock for crop and animal improvement. The loss of every gene and species limits our options for the future. I proposed in 1983 that we should establish gene banks and I’m happy that this idea has become a reality with the government of Norway in setting up the Svalbard Gene Vault, often referred to as the “doomsday vault”.

Young scientists, remember your humanity: to the younger scientists, I will suggest that they should do science which can create new knowledge and technologies and at the same time help in taking science to society. The expectation has shifted from science for the sake of human knowledge to science to meet societal needs. This is evident in the choice of agricultural research topics that get funding with greater emphasis now on issues related to climate change, biotechnology and human health. Young scientist can help bridge the gap between research and reality and in all such work, they should keep in mind what Albert Einstein and Bertrand Russell wrote in their manifesto:

“Remember your humanity, and forget the rest. If you can do so, the way is open to a new Paradise; if you cannot, there lies before you the risk of universal death.” Professor MS Swaminathan is founding chairman of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation. Follow @msswaminathan on Twitter.

- The Guardian, May 1, 2015

Deepa Subramanian hosted the opening of an exhibition by Rekha Rao at Galerie De'Arts recently, which saw the city's art fraternity present. Over drinks and canapes, they bonded with art talks, as they looked at the paintings on display. The chief guest for the evening was Lt Gen Arjun Ray, while Parag Shirname was the guest of honour.

- The Times of India, May 1, 2015

Away from the media glare, Hindu organisations are putting up a massive effort to provide aid to Nepal earthquake victims and aid in reconstruction of the rich cultural heritage of Himalayan kingdom. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is at the forefront of this mission. As per a media report, the VHP has written to all major religious heads, temples and mutts in the country, urging them to adopt atleast one of the temples/heritage sites destroyed by the quake. The VHP will also bring orphaned children from the country to India and provide for their education and upbringing at its numerous educational institutions spread across the country.

“The VHP will provide free boarding and education to Nepalese kids who have lost their parents in the earthquake. We will bring them to our 150 residential schools and 50 orphanages spread across the country,” VHP International working president Pravin Togadia said. “Besides, the VHP will help the people of Nepal in rebuilding their houses so that they could start a new life after having endured so much of pain,” he said. Togadia also appealed to corporate houses and common people to support the VHP in its endeavor.

Last Saturday's temblor ravaged a slice of Nepal's cultural and architectural heritage, destroying a host of brick-and-wood monuments, temples and stupas. The casualties include the Kasthamandap temple that gave Kathmandu its name, the landmark Dharahara Tower that turned into a grave for over 200 visitors, and three of the seven monument zones that complete the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage property.

These seven monument zones are the Durbar Squares (urban centres with palaces, temples and public spaces) of the three cities of Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu), Patan and Bhaktapur; the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhu and Bauddhanath; and the Hindu temples of Pashupati and Changu Narayan. Several temples, including Kasthamandap - an early 16th-century wooden monument - Panchtale Temple, Dasa Avtar Temple and Krishna Mandir have also been demolished in the earthquake; Kathmandu's nine-storey Basantapur Durbar has suffered extensive damage.

- http://zeenews.india.com/, May 1, 2015

letter submitted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has put former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh under scanner in which he "assured" the Shahi imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid that the mosque would not be declared a protected monument. According to a report published in Times Of India, the fact was disclosed after the letter was submitted to the Delhi High Court.

The affidavit submitted in the court by the ASI disclosed how the ex-Prime Minister in 2004 had assured Syed Ahmed Bukhari in 2004 that the Mughal era mosque will not be declared a protected monument. If the government declares any historical monument as protected one than it will mean that the control and maintenance will pass on to the central government. In the letter, Singh said he had "instructed" the ministry of culture and ASI to complete repairs sought by him in his letter of August 10, 2004 "within a specified time frame". He also informed him that the ministry had decided not to declare the Jama Masjid a protected monument.

n its reply, submitted to the court a fortnight ago, ASI said that "the issue of notifying Jama Masjid as a centrally protected monument was raised". Several restrictions apply to a monument that's declared protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958.

A protected monument cannot be used for meetings, receptions, parties, conferences or entertainment programmes except with special permission by the Centre. However, the Act does not provide for any ban on prayers being offered at sites that are already places of worship. For the past 11 years, several benches of the Delhi High Court headed by successive chief justices have been asking for a copy of the file regarding the decision not to declare the Jama Masjid a protected monument.

- http://www.indiatvnews.com/, May 1, 2015

The district administration has asked the concerned officials to furnish an action plan to make necessary arrangements in the heritage zone from Rajghat to Assi Ghat for providing world class facilities to denizens and tourists visiting the city.

Inspired by the technologies adopted by Kyoto and after studying the heritage byelaws, liquid waste and solid waste management, urban transport, zero hoarding policies, assistance for textile cluster and tourism, the administration is gearing up efforts to replicate the same in Kashi.

The divisional commissioner, RM Srivastava convened a meeting with mayor Ramgopal Mohaley, district magistrate Pranjal Yadav, vice-president of Varanasi Development Authority (VDA) Sarvaram Mishra, municipal commissioner Umakant Tripathi, and other officials in this regard earlier on Friday. During the meeting, Srivastava asked officials to prepare an action plan to conserve all ancient and heritage buildings of the city.

He also emphasized on zero hoardings at heritage zone and an action plan for maintenance of serpentine lanes which have remained neglected for years. Taking cognizance of lack of dustbins, he asked municipal commissioner to prepare a detailed report ensuring cleanliness at heritage zone by providing dustbins and daily collection of wastes from the site. Officials of Jal Nigam and Ganga pollution control unit were asked to conduct a survey and prepare a time plan for organized sewage system.

He also asked officials to examine areas for parking lots and use vacant plots available under Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) after conducting a survey for the same. He emphasized on consideration of emergency routes for quick plying of ambulance and easy availability of emergency services for people.

- The Times of India, May 3, 2015

For long, India has been promoted as a spiritual hub. Now, the government wants to promote it as a honeymooners paradise, and everything that may fall between these two ‘destinations’.

To promote India as ‘Must Experience’ and ‘Must Revisit’ destination, the Narendra Modi government has come out with a national tourism policy 2015 draft. The new policy gives direct access to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in deciding the course of the crucial sector that is expected to contribute 6.7 per cent to the country’s GDP.

One of the key co-ordination committee announced as part of the policy will be under the PMO, many aspects of Modi’s vision like Make in India, Swachh Bharat, Smart Cities, International Yoga Day and Skill Development are part of the draft policy. The policy aims to cash in the tourist wanderlust to increase India’s share in world tourist arrivals from the present measly 0.68 per cent to 1 per cent by 2020 and then take it to two percent by the year 2025.

What makes the new policy different from the last one is the hike in ‘tourism products’ being offered, and the concrete roadmap to achieve that. It calls for putting tourism—currently a state subject—to the concurrent list to help the Centre play a significant role instead of being a mere accountant disbursing funds. From setting up a new university, volunteer force, policy for vintage cars, promoting separate boards for yoga, Ayurveda, heritage tourism, wellness and using the 25 million Indian diaspora, the 50-page policy touches on all aspects.

The policy will give something to everyone—from catering to weary souls looking for spirituality, India will market spirituality circuits based on Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism to ancient India’s contribution now discovered world over through yoga. It will also offer products based on medical and rural tourism, Ayurveda and heritage.

The draft policy released this week also lists beaches, rivers, backwaters, cruises, adventure, wildlife, festivals, shopping destinations, cuisine trails showing the diversity of food, cinematic tourism, emerging concepts like heritage walks, and lesser-known wedding destinations. If Hollywood is coming to India to get married in opulent palaces of Rajasthan in colourful and elaborate rituals, then Honeymoon Tourism will be a part of it. The new policy says it all.

“India is over-blessed with an array of offerings, each able to create a compelling invitation for travellers. This, however, risks causing confusion for travellers as to what to experience. It also risks overwhelm when travellers try to do too much on one trip,” says the policy, explaining the reason for careful preparation of these tourism products to help the discerning tourist decide on their itinerary.

The action plan suggests setting up of a National Tourism Advisory Board headed by the Union Tourism Minister and state tourism ministers as members and an inter-ministerial coordination committee headed by the principal secretary in the PMO and comprising babus from other ministries. The Authority will also have ministry officials and industry representatives for execution of policies. Officials said these bodies would help in addressing problems faced by state governments and stakeholders who offer services.

The new policy has also recommended setting up of a full-fledged university to prepare skilled workforce for the hospitality sector. The policy says that a certification mechanism will be started that will give an “India Specialist” certification. This certificate will help tourists to seek their services in choosing from an array of products and packages on offer. The policy also suggests using the 25 million strong NRI community in 189 countries to act as brand ambassadors.

- The Indian express, May 3, 2015

Their excessive presence without being treated adequately is leading to the death of lakes.

It seemed like a Bollywood movie-set but was a main road next to the Varthur lake. Foam was billowing and floating around and the landscape seemed surreal. Immediately it has made news all across India as citizens are agitated by what they see as the utter destruction of their lakes. What causes the foaming? In our homes and apartments detergents have made a rapid entry as shampoos, soaps, clothes wash powders, utensil wash soaps and liquids and even toilet cleaners.

Now these detergents need to do many things in a sequence. They have to first remove the dirt, oil and dust from the clothes, keep them from reattaching back and finally wash them away. This will make clothes whitest, hairs shiniest and utensils brightest, meeting our aspirational needs.

Detergents have also to work in all water conditions. As increasingly water becomes hard all over India, the first things that detergents have to do is to make the water soft else it will not lather. So phosphates are added which bond with calcium and magnesium present in the hard water and make it soft. Then surfactants kick in. Made of alkalis and petrochemical products such as sodium and potassium hydroxides as well as sulphur trioxide and mild sulphuric acid. These surfactants adhere to the dirt stains and oil and remove them and keep them from re-adhering by foaming agents.

On agitation such as in hand-washing or in washing machines these foaming agents and surfactants clean up the stain and dirt. Hot water helps further in the cleaning process. As you can see detergents are complex substances which have to deal with an end result where the original environment is not necessarily known such as the hardness of water, the amount and nature of dirt etc.

After the washing of the hair or the clothes or the utensils the detergent is now in the environment. This water contains phosphates which is a limiting nutrient for many water bodies. Once the phosphates reach a lake or a stagnant water body it can result in an explosion of algal, water hyacinth, water weeds and other growth, thus eutrophying or killing a water body by depleting it of oxygen.

On the other hand the surfactants and foaming agents, when agitated in certain warm atmospheric conditions such as while falling from a waste-weir of a tank or dropping through a sluice valve, can start to foam. This is what we see in the lake at Varthur or Bellandur in Bengaluru or near the Byramangala tank.

So what can be done about the foam and how can it be avoided? The first thing is to realise that the foam is a symptom of a problem. The problem being the excessive presence of detergents in water without them being treated adequately. A well functioning sewage treatment plant followed by a constructed wetland can completely eliminate the phosphates and foam. Each and every one of our lakes should have a small well-functioning waste-water treatment plant followed by a wetland so that the waters stay alive and clean.

At the individual level one can use alternatives to detergents such as soap-nut or soapberry-based products or borax-based products. These will be less harmful on the water environment. One can also think of reusing the washing machine and bath water for plants and the garden if one has one though only certain plants such as the canna or the banana can absorb and deal with detergent water. At an apartment level, well-functioning STPs which reuse the water for flushing and gardening purpose can minimise the negative impact on the environment.

Under the Extended Producer Responsibility principle, manufacturers of detergents can work at improving their products such that they do not kill water bodies. Stringent regulation on the sector will also help. Eventually we will as a society have to pay the true price of water, which means the price at which it is treated sufficiently to return back to nature at the same condition and quality that it was appropriated.

We will also have to demand from product manufacturers and institutions responsible for treating waste-water that they do their job diligently and with full accountability. Only then will we not see foaming lakes and rivers. That will be water wisdom.

- The Hindu, May 3, 2015

They go back hundreds of years, and many of them still offer an unblemished glimpse into the past. The beautiful heritage houses that dot the towns and countryside of Goa stand testimony to an era bygone; many of them still bearing witness to the history their aged walls have stood silent witness to.

Many of them are still family-owned, with descendants of their first owners inhabiting them. Then there are others, falling apart; relics of good times they may never see again. Still others are in a pristine condition, but with a twist — their new owners have developed them into locations from where they can conduct their businesses.

Take the Chogm road, that connects Porvorim to Sangolda, for instance. A quick walk down the busy street exposes one to a number of such houses that have been restored and now host successful businesses. And it's not a one-off; all over Goa, heritage houses, under their new owners or lessees, are playing a different kind of role. Architect Gerard da Cunha tries to explain this trend. "The architecture of a lot of these houses is not made for present-day living, it makes good sense to use them as something else," he says. "Running a business or an organization in there also pays for restoration."

Nilofer Rustomji used to run a successful venture in Mumbai. Then, in 2001, she and her husband Reshad established RUST, a furniture, furnishings and artifacts store, in Sangolda. The house that hosts RUST first caught Nilofer's eye when she was down in Goa on a business trip. But only later, back in Mumbai, did she discover the house after seeing it in a photograph.

"The house was locked so I left my card wedged in the main door," Nilofer recalls. "The weekly cleaners gave the card to the owner of the property and he called me. We got the papers in place and purchased the property from him."

A little distance away from RUST is Saudades (a Portuguese word that's notoriously impossible to translate to English). For over thirty years, Jacinta Moorthy and her husband dealt with colonial furniture in Mumbai. In 2000, their "fascination for Goa" led them to buy an Indo-Portuguese manor house, over a hundred years old, to host (and sell) their wares — furniture, tableware, textiles, lighting, home fragrances and the like.

Some buy these houses, others lease them. Latika Khosla leased a house from its owners, the D'Cunhas, and started her Freedom Tree home store in it. She recalls her first tryst with the house. "We fell in love with the house; it had a wonderful energy and was so well-maintained," she says. "Being a beautiful property, we left it as is, respecting the lovely proportions only to put up shelving as required for product displays, adding lighting and staging home in the wonderful spaces."

Away from the busy Chogm road and deep in the hinterlands of Bardez is One School Goa, a photography institution that Shantanu Shorey founded in a house he leased in Uccassaim. He explains his choice thus: "Beauty and quiet are important for creative education," Shorey, whose studio in Mumbai was in a 100-year-old building, says. "I don't like the architecture in our country right now. We want people to think of us as an institution, not a cement block building. There should be some level of grandeur in a photography institute."

Before settling on his Uccassaim house, he searched the interiors of Porvorim, Assagao, Vagator and even Fontainhas. Only Uccassaim appealed to him. Why? "The place feels like Goa."

Whether in Sangolda or Uccassaim, many of these houses have unique architectural elements. The RUST house, for instance, has thick walls and arches, natural light and circulation in each room. Saudades has intriguing woodwork and uniquely-designed windows. Freedom Tree has its original timber work intact, and a long verandah overlooking the courtyard. The One School House is different. It's modernized with concrete tiles and re-plastered walls. Thermal padding below the roof reduces the heat and a bunch of air-conditioners keep the place cool and dry.

The intricate woodwork presents its own share of problems. Since the Goan weather "attracts a lot of termites", extra care needs to be taken. Says Nilofer, "one should be attentive and timely with regards to annual maintenance and repairs. For the roof, access to the right 'roof man' in the village is necessary. Also, don't start panicking with leakages and water seepages; they are part and parcel of the beautiful Goan monsoon." Shorey, who modernized his house in Uccassaim, says that there needs to be good electrical lines and internet connectivity to make it more contemporary.

Maintenance apart, many of these heritage houses' new owners feel more serious measures need to be put in place. Jacinta of Saudades says, "The authorities need to seriously look at preserving and conserving the architectural heritage of Goa, both domestic and religious. They should put in place stringent regulations. There are several areas that need the same attention given to places like Panaji's Fontainhas."

- The Hindu, May 3, 2015

Over 200 traditional villages in China with rich heritage have been documented to protect their historical and cultural legacy after a nationwide survey."More than 2,500 traditional villages had been included on a protection list since a nationwide survey started in June 2014. Over 200 of those villages have since been fully documented," chairman of the Chinese Folk Literature and Art Society Feng Jicai said.

The documentation of traditional villages includes 25 items of information under eight categories based on academic perspectives from anthropology, history, folklore and cultural heritage, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

"With recorded words and pictures, the intangible cultural heritage of these villages is officially identified," said Feng, who is also a writer, artist and calligrapher.

The survey brought together several organisations of domestic artists, photographers and writers as well as the ministries of housing and urban-rural development, culture and finance along with the state cultural relics bureau in 2012.

- http://zeenews.india.com/, May 3, 2015

Sharks are one of the oldest creatures in the planet and were in existence even several million years before the dinosaurs. Surprised? Visit the science centre and planetarium to be opened at Lawspet in Puducherry on Sunday to learn about more such intriguing facts. The centre designed and developed by the National council of science museums under the Union culture ministry jointly with Puducherry government at a cost of 5.5 crore will inaugurated by Union minister of state for culture and tourism (independent charge) Mahesh Sharma. It will be open to the public from May 4 from 10am to 5.30pm on all days except national and notified holidays.

The centre includes two exhibition halls on marine biology and fun science and a digital planetarium with a science park displaying outdoor exhibits. Marine biology gallery includes five sections - marine ecology, marine diversity, marine resources, threats to marine resources and marine tourism. Fun science gallery houses 40 exhibits that are completely interactive in nature. The digital planetarium with an eight-metre dome and sophisticated projector system brings alive the night sky with various astronomical phenomena. The shows in English and Tamil will be fully digitized and automated.

The centre also includes children activity area, science demonstration hall, science park with interactive exhibits to understand scientific concepts in fascinating play way methodology. The park will also include sculptures of great Indian scientists. The centre's total built up area is 2,000sqm approximately of which 700sqm earmarked for galleries and 300sqm for planetarium. Entry to the science centre and planetarium is free for students of government and government-aided schools. Nominal fee of 5 and 10 will be collected from children below 12 years and 10 and 20 for adults for entry into science centre and planetarium respectively. The entry fee for foreign nationals are 20 and 40 to gain entry into science centre and planetarium respectively.

The National Council of Science Museums came forward to establish the centre after the department of science, technology and environment approached the council in an effort to popularize science among students in the Union territory.

- The Times of India, May 3, 2015

A first-time visitor to Nepal is likely to be surprised by the amount of time people spend around their monuments. Soaking in the sun on the stunningly crafted steps of Bhaktapur's temples, resting in the shade of the 17th century palace courtyards in Kathmandu's Durbar Square, or even hosting street plays in the ancient squares of Patan.

So when a large chunk of this architectural heritage collapsed in a dusty heap in the April 25 earthquake, it did more than destroy some priceless monuments. It also took with it the favourite social and cultural spaces of Nepalese people.

"Our life is tethered to these temples. Every good or bad thing, from marriage to birth to death, involves a temple visit. As a teen, they are our hangout spots. We would come with a bunch of friends and sip tea on the steps. Those days will never come back," says local journalist Sagar Mahajan. Thirty-year-old hotel employee Nirmal Ranabhat's eyes well up when he talks about the Dharahara Tower. "I remember bunking school to visit the tower. Recently, my friends set up a Facebook page where a message over the rubble of the tower read: 'I was weak... I was old... But you stay strong.' It left me teary eyed the whole day."

Nepal's temples, palaces, squares, pillars and water spouts are all a part of a living heritage. Anne Feenstra, a Dutch architect and former visiting faculty at the Tribhuvan University, points out that unlike monuments elsewhere, heritage there is not about a single landmark building but a mix of different structures that make up squares, complexes and settlements. "You walk through them and you have heritage to your left and right, and it is all living. There is worship at the temples, the water spouts are still being used, an antique merchant's mansion may now be selling mobile phones but it is not a dead structure," he says.

Kathmandu valley had four historical cities — Kathmandu itself, Patan, Bhaktapur and the less visited Kirtipur. The beautifully embellished temples and palaces here are built in the Newari, multi-tiered, pagoda style, with intricate detailing using stone, brick, timber and tile. Some structures date back to the 5th century and many others to the 17th century. They are also unique in the way Hindu and Budhhist influences can be seen mingling in them — a Shivaling and Buddhist iconography can coexist easily.

German scholar and author of the threevolume Architecture of the Newars, Niels Gutschow, who was part of the team that took part in the first bilateral conservation project in Bhaktapur in 1971, recalls being fascinated by the "urban rituals" around Nepal's historic cities. "This was the 'the idea of a town' as architectural historian Joseph Rykwert said of Rome — a place with meaning beyond supermarkets, functionality and traffic. Nepal has given a unique urban culture to world history and it developed since the 5th century without any major hiatus. Its rituals are not touristy events but staged by the urban population. And these urban rituals were almost unknown to the outside world in the early 1970s when we arrived as young research students," says Gutschow.

The Nepalese sense of pride and identity is uniquely tied up to these structures. The Dharahara tower had come down in the 1934 quake and the rebuilt structure became a strong symbol of collective resilience. To see it collapse was almost like losing self-belief. "Every Nepalese has climbed it at least once and looked out on to the valley," says Deepak Pant, who teaches heritage preservation at Tribhuvan University.

Pant recounts the myths tied to the temples that are a firm part of Nepalese lore. The stone pillar in Patan Darbar Square with the head of medieval ruler Yog Nagendra Malla, protected by a serpent and a dove, was believed to be unshakeable. "He is supposed to have told his subjects that as long as the dove didn't take flight, the pillar would survive. People held that as true so when it collapsed during the quake it was really heartbreaking," says Pant.

But experts are emphatic that most of Nepal's ruined ancient structures can be restored because they are well-documented. "In 2013, we documented the Vatsala temple in Bhaktapur's Durbar Square which has totally collapsed. In Patan, two important temples have been lost on the Durbar Square and a few others in smaller squares. In Kathmandu, three temples collapsed and that turned the scene into a disastrous landscape. But an assessment tells us that not everything is lost and in a joint effort, we will be able to let these temples rise again within five years," says Gutschow.

The New York-based Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust had managed on Wednesday to clear the two sites in Patan with the help of the army and the police and store the fragments. Another campaign in the US has been joined by the South Asia Institute of Heidelberg University. Gutschow is rallying support in Germany given its special connect with Bhaktapur. (Additional reporting by Deeptiman Tiwary in Kathmandu)

- The Times of India, May 3, 2015

The Cathedral Church of Redemption traces its origin to the early 1900s. Built in eight years and completed in 1931, the church has high arches and delicate domes and is said to resemble a birthday cake with a candle placed on top. For the first time, it will undergo a comprehensive conservation programme conducted by the church committee under the supervision of India National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage. The project is being completely funded through donations by churchgoers.

Located east of Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhavan which was used by the British Viceroy, the Cathedral Church of Redemption derives its name from Palladio's Church of Il Redentore in Venice. According to historians, the church's centralized plan blends neatly with Sir Edwin Lutyens' city plan.

"With Viceroy Lord Irwin's keen support, the church, built according to Henry Alexander Medd's (1892-1977) design, was opened for public worship on Sunday, January 18, 1931. Medd's design was inspired by the Palladio Church of Il Redentore in Venice as well as Lutyens' Hampstead church," reads a description of the building. Through the decades, however, the building has suffered wear and tear.

While the interiors have seen repairs over the years, this is the first time the exterior facade will be the focus of conservation. Construction work of the church started in 1927 and was completed in 1931. The domes were added by 1935. "The church was considered a majestic part of the new capital city and has witnessed history. A few years ago, the interiors of the church saw elaborate restoration including rewirings, repairing, flooring and polishing. Now our focus is on the conservation of the exteriors of the church. Church members are all pledging money for the work over a period of a year in installments," said Rev Paul Swaroop.

The project would cost approximately Rs 1.3 crore. Major areas of concern seen in the church are algae growth, accumulation of dust, water seepage, flaking and disintegration of plaster, vegetation growth, paint layer over fenestrations and at the fixing joints, weathering of red sandstone at plinth and flooring of porches. "The column capitals are also defaced and have stains on them. Superficial cracks can be seen wherever the surfaces have been plastered," said an official.

- The Times of India, May 4, 2015

There is a strong case for the scientific validation of products of traditional systems of medicine, given that there is a proliferation of ‘pseudo-Ayurvedic’ and other herbal medicines in the market claiming to promote good health and other benefits (Editorial, May 4). Helpless patients, who are dissatisfied with allopathy, fall in this trap and waste hoards of money and time. Infertility is the favourite target area. All this happens because there is a complete lack of credible and accurate information about these medicines — how they work, their potency and side effects. In setting this right, the Ministry of AYUSH should take the lead.

Amritpal Singh,
Amritsar The validation of drugs is a colossal task which requires highly trained manpower and sophisticated infrastructure. AYUSH may have been elevated to the level of a ministry, with a large number of laboratories across the country and manpower trained both in traditional and modern systems of medicine, but I gather that poor coordination and squabbles have come in the way of output despite taxpayer’s money being given to the organisation.

M. Saleemuddin,
Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh It is painful that India has still to confront the ugly reality of female infanticide and the commerce and market for products that promote this social evil in an indirect way. For any form of acche din or for ‘Make in India’ to flourish, such regression must be tackled. The broader idea should be to educate and create an awareness among the weaker sections of the society as they are the ones who are more vulnerable to falling prey to these bizarre ideas. Also, the importance of a girl child should permeate through all the sections of society.

Vidushi Uniyal,
Dehradun Any ready-made formula of the Ayurvedic system of medicine cannot be patented since such an invention — in effect, traditional knowledge or duplication of known properties of traditionally known components — has been made non-patentable under Section 3(p) of the Patents Act, 1970. Substantial improvements in traditional medicines which meet the requirements prescribed for patentability in the Patents Act, 1970, can be granted patents. Section 6(i) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 requires an applicant to obtain the prior approval of the National Biodiversity Authority before applying for a patent for any invention based on biological resources obtained from India. The Patents Act also requires an applicant to obtain the necessary permission from the National Biodiversity Authority and submit the same to the office of the Controller General of Patents Designs and Trademarks before the grant of patent. Hence, ayurvedic medicines like “Putra Jeevak Beej”, if patentable, can be put through such a process.

K.M.K. Murthy,
Kochi

Historical monuments are symbolic of a country's rich culture and past. Ambient air quality that is conducive to the delicate monuments, must be ensured in order to preserve them and protect our national identity

The damage inflicted by increasing levels of pollution is no longer limited to human health, the environment or the economy. Besides creating innumerable challenges for the coming generations, air pollution is threatening to obliterate the illustrious historical monuments in India.

Recently, an RTI query revealed that it would take nine long years for the Archaeological Survey of India to complete the mudpack therapy on the outer marble surface of the Taj Mahal to remove yellowness caused due to air pollution. The sheer intensity of the pollution will require the therapy to be repeated every six to seven years in order to save the monument from certain ruin.

The seriousness of the issue has prompted the Parliamentary Standing Committee on environment to direct the ASI to submit an interim action plan for the restoration of the Taj. The Taj is not alone in facing the pollution predicament. The white-marbled Lotus Temple in Delhi, an architectural feat of the Baha’i faith, is wilting under the onslaught of pollution.

The temple, built in 1986, attracts nearly 4,00,000 visitors every month. But the pristine marble has been fading, despite regular maintenance. The 400-year-old landmark Charminar monument in Hyderabad is facing a similar fate. Incredible quantities of dust, grime and pollution have transformed the once radiant exterior to a sooty appearance.

Unregulated sources of pollution, such as vehicular emissions, burning of trash, rubber and plastic, besides fly ash, a residue of coal combustion are combining together in form of suspended particulate matter to form a complex challenge to the fitness of the monuments.

This threat is even more pronounced in the case of marble structures, as the air pollutants react with marble by masking the original colour and lending a yellow hue to the surface. The ASI currently uses the clay-pack method to remove harmful deposits from the marble surface.

This method is considered safe as it involves minimal use of chemicals and almost no mechanical efforts, but it is a painstakingly slow process that is now unable to keep up with the pace of pollution. In order to contain and reverse the harmful impact of pollution on monuments, the Government must ensure that the restoration and preservation efforts for the monuments are technology-based and have a faster implementation period.

For instance, the laser technology based restoration project of the temples of the Acropolis in Athens is an apt example. The temples surrounded by the city of Athens, with a population of four million people, had fallen prey to a film of black crust from car-exhaust fumes, industrial pollution, acid rain and fires.A team of Greek engineers and restorers used an innovative laser technology system to clean the surface of the ancient monuments and in the process were able to uncover colours and ornamentation hidden for decades.

The marble sensitive technology was able to remove the black pollutant layer without discoloring the surface. The technology also enabled the restorers to scan the marble surface with ultra-sound and an infra-red imaging followed by spectroscopy. This helped in providing a clear picture of what art forms lay beneath the black pollutant layer, thereby helping to preserve them.

Besides technology-based conservation efforts, timely intervention is also crucial in achieving early success in the fight against pollution. Various State Government authorities, especially the Government of Uttar Pradesh, can derive inspiration from the initiative taken by the Punjab Government to preserve and protect the Golden Temple in Amritsar from getting irreversibly damaged by pollution.

Heavy industries have signified the growth and development of Punjab, but they have also caused a rapid increase in pollution levels. Recognising the latent threat posed by pollution, the Punjab Government moved quickly to protect the Golden Temple by commissioning a study conducted jointly by the Punjab Pollution Control Board and Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.

The study concluded that vehicular pollution combined with industrial emissions had discoloured the main building’s facade and the golden plates affixed on the shrine at the Golden Temple. Moving fast on the findings, the Government created a monitoring station at the temple to measure and report high levels of pollution. Steps were also initiated to ban cars older than 15 years old in the direct radius of the templebesides shutting down polluting units in the temple vicinity.

Historical monuments are symbolic of a country’s rich culture and heritage. Ambient air quality that is conducive to the delicate monuments must be ensured in order to preserve them and protect our national identity.

- The Pioneer, October 8, 2015

- The Hindu, May 5, 2015

Reconstructing Kathmandu Valley’s heritage sites is going to be a difficult task

The April 25 earthquake in Kathmandu Valley in Nepal has not only killed more than 6,000 lives and injured more than 14,000 people but has also impacted severely the country’s most iconic edifices and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We now know that centuries-old pagoda temples have crumbled, statues have been thrown off high pedestals, and watchtowers have been reduced to fragments.

Even as volunteers dig through rubble to locate survivors, and officials continue to devote their energies to feeding and sheltering the injured, the fate of the unguarded architectural fragments remains uncertain. Despite the Nepal government’s pleas that people should refrain from stealing what is left of these structures, a few pieces are likely to be picked up by individuals aspiring to profit from their sale. What will happen to the vast majority of these fragments in the months to come? Will they remain unprotected and begin to disappear in the face of development pressures? Or will they be assiduously gathered and transported to godowns?

Robert Bevan, an architectural critic, recently wrote in The Art Newspaper, “If a group’s cultural identity is eradicated, this has a similar end result to eradicating that group physically; they cease to exist as a distinct cultural entity.” Yet, preserving settlements and edifices that have shaped and reflected a group’s cultural identity are not easy tasks. The efforts to reconstruct European cities that were bombed in World War II and to restore Buddhist enclaves that the Taliban destroyed in Afghanistan in 2001 have demonstrated that such projects pose enormous intellectual challenges, logistical demands, political complexities, and economic strain.

The reconstruction of the extraordinary historical fabric of settlements in the Kathmandu Valley is going to be difficult. Over the past few decades, collectives such as the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust have inventoried individual monuments and worked with architects and local craft persons to conserve homes and public spaces. However, these collectives lack solid funds and expansive multidisciplinary teams. Christian Manhart, the head of UNESCO’s Kathmandu office, has been quoted in The New York Times saying that his organisation will be unable to independently undertake the task that lies ahead.

India has long prided itself on its civilisational ties with Nepal. Since the earthquake rocked the Valley, India’s government and citizens have responded vigorously. Teams of Indian defence personnel, diplomats, engineers, paramedics, pilots, social workers, and truck drivers have been working alongside their Nepali counterparts and rescue and relief specialists from around the world to locate missing persons and provide succour to the affected people there. However, can India support Nepal in rebuilding the Kathmandu Valley’s monumental heritage? Can it swiftly assemble and dispatch a rapid action team of expert archaeologists, art historians, conservation architects, and urban planners to the Valley?

The bitter truth is that as things stand, India is not in a position to do very much. The Archaeological Survey of India is itself understaffed and remains susceptible to being drawn into political controversies. The condition of some State archaeology departments is similar. For instance, Uttarakhand, which shares a border with Nepal, has hundreds of lithic monuments and is also prone to natural disasters, does not even have a formalised state archaeology department. Demoting study of history

As Vishakha N. Desai, a cultural policymaker, recently wrote in The Hindu, India’s educational system has systematically demoted the study of ancient culture and history. Only a handful of colleges and universities have departments in the history of art and archaeology. In recent years, a few departments with relatively greater autonomy have successfully aligned themselves with the burgeoning contemporary art market, and made interventions in the establishment of art fairs and private museums. However, they have mostly been unable to undertake the pressing task of imparting instruction in epigraphy, landscape archaeology, historical preservation, and the study of the material and visual culture of the SAARC neighbours.

India’s inability to contribute substantially to the preservation of some of the most significant antiquities in the Kathmandu Valley and its rich urban fabric should encourage those of us who are involved with teaching cultural history to begin rethinking our responsibilities. India’s public institutions, charitable trusts and academic departments need to create milieus in which archaeologists, art historians, conservation architects, environmentalists, and urban planners can come together to formulate innovative curricula that can equip students to interpret and protect the many building types that stand across South Asia and that are in various states of preservation and vulnerability.

Taken together, such measures might allow us to build an army of ‘monuments men’, well-trained and unswerving individuals who can offer support and advice to local communities and authorities that are seeking to conserve their own built heritage and material culture. Even if another tragedy strikes, we must be able to sustain the markers of cultural identities. (Nachiket Chanchani is Assistant Professor of South Asian Art and Visual Culture at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, U.S. E-mail: [email protected])

- The Hindu, May 6, 2015

Record March rainfall this time could have helped the city tide over its summer water crisis had the water been tapped properly, but most of it just flowed down sewers after flooding roads and jamming traffic. It isn't that the city lacks a rain-water harvesting programme (RWH), but for about two years now it has been on the backburner despite keen interest from residents. during the AAP government's budget consultations in Mayur Vihar, people made a strong pitch for RWH.

The city's groundwater levels have plunged after years of indiscriminate pumping and RWH is the only way to replenish aquifers. But for that the programme has to be implemented citywide, not in a few demonstration projects.

The Sheila Dikshit government had created awareness about RWH and people who wanted to set up these systems got financial assistance. But later, the programme got pushed to the background in an atmosphere of political flux.

"There is no significant increase in RWH within the city between last year and now. Some mandatory work has been done for new buildings but nothing substantial," said Jyoti Sharma, director of Force, an NGO. Delhi Jal Board had appointed Force and heritage body Intach to set up RWH pilot projects in two zones.

"We had created several designs for RWH structures and submitted them to the government for construction through the My Delhi, I Care' fund. While the fund has not been scrapped, no assistance has been granted from it in the past year or so," Sharma said.

It is mandatory for all buildings that discharge 10,000 litres or more of sewage every day, and those that are built on plots larger than 100sqm, to harvest rainwater. Under the My Delhi, I Care' programme, each district magistrate had Rs 7 crore to Rs 8 crore for RWH and could allocate Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7 lakh to each resident welfare association. Individuals could not apply for the assistance, though. In 2010, it was decided that borewells would be allowed on plots larger than 200sqm only if RWH systems were installed. However, there is no monitoring or enforcement of this rule.

DJB says it will actively promote RWH this summer. Sanjam Chima, consultant PRO of the board, said, "We are giving a rebate of 10% to households that have RWH and 15% if there is a water recycling plant on the premises. The water utility will take up a public awareness programme to sensitize people and encourage them to install RWH systems."

- The Times of India, May 6, 2015

For years the city has drawn more water from the ground than what rain puts back inside. At most places, water is found at more than 50-metre depth. Aware of the approaching crisis, Delhi high court had forced the city government to enforce rainwater harvesting on a large scale. The court regularly monitored progress of the programme and the chief secretary was required to submit a status report every six months. But the last time such a report came was two years ago.

Vinod Jain, director of Tapas, the NGO on whose PIL the court issued the order on rainwater harvesting, says the programme has failed in Delhi because there is no institutional framework to guide it. "Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was made the nodal authority but no single agency is responsible for ensuring that it is done. Delhi Jal Board gives permissions for borewells and billing incentives, municipal corporations are supposed to ensure implementation but take no interest, and CGWA does not have staff for monitoring. I will now take the case to National Green Tribunal," he said.

No agency has any information on RWH structures in the city. DJB only has data on permissions granted for borewells. Due to lack of maintenance, many RWH structures are useless. "RWH is pointless if any part of the structure is blocked, or pollutants are going into it," said Jyoti Sharma, director of Force, another NGO. "Lack of maintenance has rendered many RWH structures useless. Also, unless RWH is done across the city its benefits are limited," she added. But Sushmita Sengupta from Centre for Science and Environment says maintaining a harvesting structure is extremely easy. "We have about 17 structures at CSE and spend just about Rs 1,000

to maintain them every year." There's no clear policy on RWH. In 2001, the urban development ministry made rainwater harvesting mandatory for any structure occupying 100 sqm land or more. But the current master plan allows 90% ground coverage for such plots, leaving hardly any space for RWH structures. Last year, the environment department found that many people dig up pits claiming that they will harvest rainwater but actually withdraw ground water.

Many experts say it is best to build these structures at the colony level, or in parks, flyovers and wetlands. Manu Bhatnagar, who heads the natural heritage division of conservation body Intach, said RWH structures should be sturdy. "The design is often not right. Large volumes of water pass through narrow pipes which get clogged in no time." He gave the example of check dams in Sanjay Van that have helped recharge an old well. "The water table is at 60-70m in that area but we found water at 4m in the well. The Hauz Khas Lake has probably managed to put around 1,000 million litres of water into the ground. Wetlands are equally important recharge zones."

- The Times of India, May 7, 2015

The devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake took away centuries-old traditional valuables in a matter of seconds. A lot of buildings of cultural and heritage importance are damaged, and for the people of Nepal, it's a part of their life taken. Kathmandu valley is a like a museum. It has seven UNESCO heritage sites - the largest number for one single city. And even as its government fight back to get back its people up on their feet, it definitely needs to pay more attention in getting back its history.

The important cultural heritages that Nepal lost partially are Taleju Bhawani, the top of the Jay Bageshwori Temple in Gaushala, Swyambhunath, Boudhanath Stupa, Ratna Mandir inside Rani Pokhari, and Durbar High School have been partially destroyed. In Bhaktapur, most of the historic monuments, including the Chardham temple, Fasi Deva temple, the Chardham temple and the 17th century Vatsala Durga Temple, were fully or partially destroyed. In Tripureshwor, Tripura Sundari – the historic structure suffered a significant damage whereas the Kal Mochan Ghat (a Mughal-architecture inspired temple) collapsed completely.

The monuments that were partially damaged outside the Kathmandu valley are- Manakamana temple of Gorkha, Janaki temple of Janakpur, Gorkha Durbar, Palanchowk Bhagwati of Kavrepalanchowk, Rani Mahal of Palpa, Churiyamai of Makawanpur, Dolakha Bhimsensthan of Dolakha and Nuwakot Durbar. Changu Narayan (One of the oldest Hindu temples in Nepal), Lumbini (oldest Buddhist shrine in the world as well as the legendary site of the Buddha’s birth) suffered but not unlike other temples. World Heritage site of Sagarmatha National Park that includes Mount Everest too was affected badly. The fifth-century AD stupa is among the largest ‘stupa’ in the world and serves as a center of pilgrimage for both- Nepalese and Tibetan Buddhists. The 1500-year-old stupa has survived, with reports of cracks in the spire whereas the Boudhanath stupa is relatively undamaged.

Swayambhunath was bit damaged in the deadly earthquake. This fifth-century historic structure of Nepal with colourful eyes of the Buddha adorned on its surface was one of the most loved tourist site. The 17th-century Pratapur Temple adjacent to the stupa collapsed, which was heavily damaged by lightning in 2011. Even after the quake, regular puja of this deity continues as usual at her abode, Kumari Ghar. The three storey architectural marvel stands unharmed in the midst of the rubble of ancient temples and old palaces. “Pashupatinath Temple’’ one of the oldest Hindu temple of Nepal (5th century temple) is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

Though, people used to bring their near and dear ones to perform their last rites in Lord Shiva’s premises -now; this place is busy in serving the earthquake victims for their last rites. It just suffered minor cracks on the boundary wall when the quake jolted Nepal. It is one of the seven monument groups in UNESCO’s designation of Kathmandu Valley as a cultural heritage site. Let’s pray for the departed souls and wish Nepal and its survivors may gain the glory back again!

- http://www.indiatvnews.com/, May 7, 2015

They do not log in to Facebook or Twitter, but dolphins do, in fact, form highly complex and dynamic networks of friends, a new research has found. The surveys conducted along the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) over a six and a half year period revealed that individual bottlenose dolphins exhibited both preference and avoidance behaviour - so just like humans, they have dolphins they like and associate with and ones they avoid.

"One of the more unique aspects of our study was the discovery that the physical dimensions of the habitat, the long, narrow lagoon system itself, influenced the spatial and temporal dynamics of dolphin association patterns," said Elizabeth Murdoch Titcomb, research biologist at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) at Florida Atlantic University.

"For example, communities that occupy the narrowest stretches of the Indian River Lagoon have the most compact social networks, similar to humans who live in small towns and have fewer people with whom to interact," Titcomb noted. The IRL is a 156-mile long estuary located on Florida's east coast. The lagoon is long and narrow and composed of three distinct water bodies; Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River, and the Indian River.

Through intensive photo-ID surveys conducted along the IRL, the researchers were able to learn about the association patterns as well as movement behaviour and habitat preferences of some 200 individual dolphins. The study also found that IRL dolphins clustered into groups of associated animals, or "communities," that tended to occupy discrete core areas along the north-south axis of the lagoon system.

In addition to providing a unique glimpse into dolphin societies, this novel study provides important insight and knowledge on how dolphins organize themselves, who they interact with and who they avoid, as well as when and where. The study was published in the journal Marine Mammal Science.

- http://zeenews.india.com/, May 7, 2015

Without archaeologists, the history and traditions of the world’s civilisations would have always remained a mysytery. Their work entails meticulous surveying and documenting of remains from the past and maintaining heritage sites. Pratap Bhanu Singh Sengar, the former director (monuments) of the Archaeological Survey of India was introduced to archaeology by his college principal.

His contribution towards maintaining the Taj Mahal as a tourist friendly monument fetched him the National Award of Excellence by the ministry of tourism in the nineties. “The biggest challenge was to ensure that the monument was taken care of without inconveniencing the visitors. Visitors have high expectations when they come to visit a popular heritage site and we had to make sure, we live up to them,” says Sengar. Several measures were taken by his team to ensure better maintenance and visitor facilities at the Taj Mahal. Some of these included the shifting of car and scooter parking from the Taj premises and closing the monument one day in a week for special maintenance.

Sengar also carried out excavations at Mehtab Bagh, situated opposite to the Taj Mahal across the river Yamuna. He has an interesting story to recount about the ‘Black Taj’ myth associated with the Taj Mahal. According to the French traveller Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan intended to build his own tomb, in black, to contrast with the white Taj at Mehtab Bagh. The construction work was interrupted by his son Aurangzeb, who dethroned Shah Jahan and imprisoned him. The entire site was abandoned and later there was thick silting everywhere. Without any authorisation, the local farmers were also cultivating crops on half of the monument area while the other half had an overgrowth of wild grass and bushes.

“The site was taken up for excavation by ASI under my direction. The excavation brought to light the most significant remains of a chahar or char bagh consisting of pavilions, corner towers, a gateway, and an octagonal and central water pool with fountains. This finding provided a basic idea of the original layout design and also suggested that the garden was a part of the Taj Mahal complex, since its alignment and dimensions tallied with the Taj,” says Sengar. A garden was developed by the ASI’s Horticulture Branch based on the evidences obtained from the excavations of the site as a part of a ‘green belt’ to guard the Taj Mahal from pollution.

Sengar has also conducted excavation activities at Fatehpur Sikri to expose the patterns of medieval town planning. Extensive research was done on the settlements of the Kushan period and the town planning patterns of the early medieval period. He had also led a team at a conference in Seoul, Korea to discuss the impact of tourism on historic villages.

Sengar has graduated in science from Government Science College, Gwalior, and pursued a master’s in archaeology from Jiwaji University, Gwalior. He has also done a postgraduate diploma in archaeology from School of Archaeology, Archaeological Survey of India in 1976. All you need to know about a career in Archaeology

Lowdown Archaeology is the scientific study of the history of past activities. An archaeologist often makes important discoveries through explorations and excavations to generate new information and unfolds myths associated with historical places. They also maintain and manage archaeological sites, ancient and historical monuments and museums throughout the country.

Institutes * Institute of Archaeology, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi, www.asi.nic.in * Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune,http://www.deccancollegepune.ac.in * Delhi Institute of Heritage Research and Management, New Delhi,http://dihrm.delhigovt.nic.in Eligibility

Those with history as a subject in class 12 can opt for a BA in archaeology in their respective state universities. To be eligible for a postgraduate degree in the field, one needs to pursue a BA/BSc in subjects like ancient Indian history, culture and archaeology, anthropology , geography, fine arts, geology, botany, architecture or languages like Sanskrit, Prakrit or Pali Skills and traits

* You excavate archaeological or ancient or historical sites, inspect monuments and draft conservation notes, prepare conservation plans, pursue all legal cases in courts of law relating to monuments and prepare periodical reports for world heritage monuments * Work hours depend on projects.

* The pay is usually low for a starter Dig & discover * Dedication with analytical and inquisitive mindset. * Capability to organise research work Salary package

Rs. 20,000- Rs. 55,000 a month I love my job because New discoveries can be made through excavation. Opportunity to travel Expert gyan India is an ancient civilisation and more archaeologists are needed to unearth the secrets of its past. There is a big demand for trained professionals

- The Hindustan Times, May 7, 2015

Venu Vasudevan’s abrupt transfer from the post of National Museum’s Director-General raises questions about the government’s approach towards culture

These are, for sure, not so achhe din for the world of culture in India. Sample this: In its first budget after coming to power in 2014, the BJP government announced the setting up of Hastkala Academy in the premises of Crafts Museum. Even as the Ministry of Textiles proclaims on its website that the Academy would be set up at the Crafts Museum premises, without dismantling any of the Museum galleries and without disturbing Museum activities,

Crafts Museum’s future seems bleak. The museum was under much-needed renovation which has been stopped and it is headless once again. Its last director Ruchira Ghosh’s tenure ended in April 2015. While a lot of people would have appreciated Dipali Khanna’s tenure as Member-Secretary, Indira Gandhi National Centre of Arts (IGNCA), continuing for second term to carry on with her mission to revitalise the institution, all she got was an extension of six months. She finished her term on March 31, 2015. IGNCA is also headless, once again.

Kalyan Kumar Chakravarty was to head the apex body of visual arts in the country, Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA), till 2017, as its Chairperson but he was removed all of a sudden, last month, shocking every well-wisher of the Akademi. It is believed he was in the process of cleaning up the institution and freeing it of corruption and inertia.

And now another performer’s fate has been decided which is the biggest shocker of them all. Venu Vasudevan, the man who successfully accomplished the task of turning around National Museum — Delhi’s biggest but dullest museum — is being transferred to Sports Ministry. He was to head the institution till December 2016. Poornima Sardana, a former volunteer with the Yuva Saathi Programme of National Museum, has started an online petition “PRIME MINISTER INDIA: Kindly stop the transfer of Dr. Venu Vasudevan, Director General, National Museum Delhi”.

For a cultural body’s head to receive this kind of attention is unusual but Venu Vasudevan’s tireless effort at National Museum is too hard to ignore. But for Government of India which seems apathetic towards cultural institutions, their progression or regression isn’t really a matter of concern.

“When you experience change, and radical change, within a year, right from programming and outreach, to visitor experience and signage, when you see packed halls for exciting exhibitions, people from different sections of society, some of whom might have never felt so drawn to the museum before, you know the place is being led by a person who has truly understood its purpose,” responds Sardana over email. She is currently studying arts and culture management at New York University Ruchira Ghosh, former director of Crafts Museum, who led the space to recovery, is equally disappointed with the decision.

“Even just considering that Dr. Venu was given a written order that he was being appointed to the National Museum for three years, until December 2016, this decision to transfer him to the Ministry of Sports is totally arbitrary. But if his performance during the short period he has been at the helm is reviewed, then the decision to move him out is not just random –– it is extremely callous and short-sighted, and a tragedy for the National Museum and the country. Dr Venu has managed, in less than 18 months, to totally revitalise the museum, opening up galleries closed for years, organizing many exhibitions of excellent quality and, perhaps most significantly, bringing in a new work culture, enthusiasm and excitement, in what was for all purposes a dead institution,” Ghosh, whose five year tenure saw a snazzy café, a refurbished store, refurbishment of dormitories of the visiting craftsmen, revamp of galleries, and an increased number of visitors.

“I do feel that government generally, and as a body, does not always understand the value of culture and heritage. And often when it tries to, it does so in such a ham-handed fashion that it does more harm than good! This is perhaps even more true of crafts where we are constantly battling against the general perception in government that craft is a ‘sunset’ industry! As regards cultural institutions, the essential problem is that there is no care of institutions in government.

If the government was concerned about the National Museum, if they had done their homework and taken the trouble to understand the huge transformation that has taken place, could they have ever suggested that Dr. Venu be moved out?” adds Ghosh revealing that the recruitment rules for the post of Senior Director were recently severely downgraded from a technocratic post requiring a Ph.D and many years of experience in the crafts sector, to a completely bureaucratic one, where all that is now required is 12 years experience in government administration!

Like Crafts Museum, there is a lot of unfinished work at National Museum which will get impacted by his transfer. What happens to the eight exhibitions planned for 2015 including a large scale exhibition on the Parsi minorities’ heritage, publications and academic research on collections, will depend on the timely appointment of his successor and many more things. “National Museum was headless for several years which really affected the institution. After Dr. Venu joined it, he made it alive not just through some incredible exhibitions but internally too through archiving, documentation. He should be allowed to continue,” says Jyotindra Jain, a museologist who has headed National Crafts Museum and IGNCA in the past. He has signed Sardana’s petition.

Hoping and praying for National Museum to continue on its current path, Sardana cites a particular remark by a signee, “The National Museum of India, the face of India’s culture to the world and its own people had just begun to communicate with people. Is it then prudent to cause his transfer? He is doing incredible work and being untimely moved to another Ministry, I wish such erratic decisions were unheard of and hope that this petition is heard.” Museum on a roll under Venu Vasudevan

* One of the highlights of his tenure is Yuva Saathi Programme under which college students were trained as guides for visiting school groups at the museum. * For the public there is Volunteer Guide Programme (VGP) or Path Pradarshak. Visitors interested in visiting the museum with the help of a guide can book their requirement of a guide on National Museum’s website in advance. On this 90 minutes tour, the trained guides introduce highlights from the displayed collection which runs into lakhs of art works. * “The Museum in 90 Minutes’ was another initiative launched to make the whole experience easy and quick for those who are pressed for time. A booklet titled “The Museum in 90 Minutes”, given to visitors free of cost, introduces them to 25 most unique pieces of the museum. With the help of the book and the audio-guide, navigating the museum is like a breeze.

* Some major exhibitions like “Musical Landscapes & The Goddesses of Music Recent Advances in Interactive Art”, “A Passionate Eye Textiles, Paintings and sculptures from the Bharany Donation”, “Unearthing Pattanam – Histories, Cultures, Crossings. Union Culture Minister Dr. Mahesh Sharma to Open Exhibition; Trench Replica, Select Excavation Findings”, “Nauras: The Many Arts of the Deccan”,

“The Peranakan World: Cross Cultural Art of Singapore and the Straits of Malacca” and “The Body in Indian Art” — a stunning exhibition of 300 art works from 44 institutions, studying representation of body over 4000 years across regions, religion and culture. * Before Venu Vasudevan joined, six crucial galleries were shut at the museum for years. While four of these galleries have been opened, a new one launched, and the remaining two — Bronze and Manuscripts – are to open later this year in 2015.

* In collaboration with UNESCO, the museum organised a seminal workshop on ‘Making Museums Accessible for Persons with Disabilities’ in April this year. The workshop coincided with the exhibition “Cadence and Counterpoint: Documenting Santal Musical Traditions” wherein a Braille booklet, tactile graphics and an audio-guide are being used for the first time for the benefit for visually-impaired people.

* Nearly 10,000 objects have been digitised and put online making it accessible to public. * A number of publications, lectures, talks, public programmes, children’s programmes. * He also played an important role in organising the Kochi Biennale 2014. * A theatre practitioner, he performs with his theatre group “Abhinaya”.

In protest Lalit Kala Akademi’s cause has also been espoused on different fronts. While on the one hand artists have moved the High Court questioning the removal of its Chairperson Kalyan Chakravarty and its take over by the Government, on another, former bureaucrat, poet and author Ashok Vajpeyi has filed an online petition protesting the random move.

- The Hindu, May 7, 2015

The performing arts of Kerala are varied. They are a meeting point of several cultures. It is a treasure we need to not only preserve, but also bring into our daily lives,” said director Kumar Shahani

For the past six years, Kerala has been like a second home to Kumar Shahani. A regular visitor to Thrissur, the Delhi-based veteran filmmaker was intrigued by ancient temple artforms of the state, such as Kutiyattam and Mohiniyattam.

“The performing arts of Kerala are varied. They are a meeting point of several cultures. It is a treasure we need to not only preserve, but also bring into our daily lives,” said Shahani, 75, speaking after the Delhi premiere of When the Bird Became a Wave, a biopic-style documentary on him by MR Rajan. The film was screened on Monday.

In fact, it was during one of Shahani’s several trips to Kerala that he met Rajan, his former student and now a documentary filmmaker, who has also served as a jury member in the Indian Panorama section at the International Film Festival of India in 2004. The two had endless conversations about cinema, life, politics, society, performing arts and economics, among other topics.

The result was this 72-minute documentary directed by Rajan, shot using a borrowed digital handycam. “I shot it in a very informal style. This was not meant to be a documentary when I started out. I was just recording the footage from our meetings and decided to stitch it together to form a documentary on the man,” says Rajan, who started the project in 2010.

Shahani is regarded as the pioneer of the parallel cinema movement in India, being inspired by filmmakers such as the late Ritwik Ghatak and Mani Kaul. His 1972 National Award-winning feature Maya Darpan looked at India on the cusp of independence and how it tackles Nehru’s socialism and the feudal system. His other two features — Tarang (1984) and Khayal Gatha (1989) — were also acclaimed, with the former winning the National Film Award.

The film presents Shahani’s views on the crumbling social structure, its militaristic style of running and the apathy of creative filmmakers in the country. “One gets an idea of Shahani’s real personality,” says Rajan, an FTII graduate, who studied under Shahani during the ’80s.

- The Indian Express, May 7, 2015

A plan conceptualized by city-bred professionals two years ago — and gathering dust ever since — to infuse life into Tiretti Bazaar has finally been revived.

Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and the state tourism department are partnering with Singapore-based Buzzmedia to implement the 'Cha' project. It promises to take you back to the last decades of the 18th century, when the Chinese, much like the British, had started trickling into the city to become permanent settlers. From food and drinks to street shopping, the 'Cha' project will bring give a Singapore 'touch' to Kolkata. Mayor Sovan Chatterjee is keen to get the project going as soon as possible. He will meet Buzzmedia next week to give the plan a final shape.

The firm had conceived the project and had approached the state for support. The plan, along with artists' impressions of food kiosks, cafes, street-shopping concepts and promenades generated a ripple. Buzzmedia collaborated with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) while doing a recce of Tiretti Bazaar and Tangra before drawing up the proposal. TOI had reported last year when the two-phase project report was submitted to the state tourism department. The latter involved the KMC in the project and had inspected the area with Kolkata Police before tweaking the proposal a bit.

For the time being, permission will be given to bring the first phase to life. Since the area is extremely crowded, Buzzmedia will be asked to restrict the revival to Chatawala Gali, Blackburn Lane I and II Row and Sunyat Sen Street. Traffic around the place will be re-arranged to ease congestion. "The original plan suggested some more lanes but that would make it chaotic since it is an extremely crowded and the plan needs large-scale demolition, removal of existing facilities and restructuring," explained a KMC official.

The revival will have the Toong-On church, the oldest Chinese church in the country, at its centre. The biggest problem in the area is the open garbage dump that is being replaced by a compactor station for clean garbage disposal. "There are six other old churches dotting the place. They need to be saved. This apart, we will remove all encroachment to give Chinese houses the original look," said G M Kapur, state convenor of Intach. An elaborate entrance gate to showcase the 18th century Chinese architecture has been planned.

Buzzmedia has already networked with the Chinese community of the city to involve them in the project. "The food street will serve authentic Chinese varieties from mainland China, Hong Kong and Singapore along with popular Chinese cuisine from India. This will need a lot of training by chefs who we plan to fly in," explained Rinkoo Bhowmick, the spokesperson of the 'Cha' project.

Chatterjee sounded happy. "This project is definitely going to be a showpiece. After Tuesday's meeting, we will finalize all details and work will start immediately," the mayor said. Tourism minister Bratya Basu agreed. "It's a brilliant idea and I am happy that the Singapore team thought about it. They were in discussion with us for a long time. Finally it is taking off," Basu added. Deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Solomon Nisha Kumar felt a complete traffic re-arrangement was a must before the project takes off.

- The Times of India, May 7, 2015

Jayant Sriram recounts his week covering the Nepal earthquake: the devastation, the human tragedy, the scramble among journalists and the hashtag that won’t go away..

It was a Sunday, the day after the quake, and my Spice Jet flight to Kathmandu took off at 12.30 pm full of passengers: they were divided equally into eager journalists and anxious Nepalis rushing home to their families.

An hour into flight taking off, the pilot came announced on the intercom that another earthquake had struck Nepal. The plane was now being diverted back to Delhi, but infuriatingly, he had no more details. A group of journalists sent the head steward multiple times to ask whether it was aftershock or another earthquake. What did it measure on the Richter scale? Most importantly, would we be able to get on another flight to Kathmandu today?

Within minutes of landing back in Delhi the phones flashed the news. It was a 6.9! The Kathmandu airport was shut for now but may reopen in the evening. Because I was with a group of journalists at this time, our first thoughts were jealous ones – we heard that an Air India flight had taken off at 10 am with several journalists in it while our travel agents had told us that the first flights out started at noon. Already, those journalists had the advantage. It didn't look like we would get to Kathmandu before nightfall.

The laborious process of check-in, immigration and security was undertaken once more. The immigration officer, seeing my Indian passport, says I must be from the media. “Everyone else is coming back from there,” he says. We piled into a new Spice Jet flight that took off at 6.30 pm. It circled for an hour around Kathmandu because of bad weather. It landed at about 9.30 pm. We had finally made it.

As we waited to disembark I spoke to two Government servants who were returning from a training workshop in Delhi. They had left on Saturday morning, almost as if providentially escaping the earthquake, one of them wryly noted. They gave me a quick run-through on the situation: electricity and basic services were down in Kathmandu and most people had left their houses and were sleeping out in tents.

“I doubt you will even find a taxi from the airport,” one of them said. He intended to go to Gorkha district near the epicenter where the damage was the worst. “I have heard that 90 per cent of the houses there are destroyed. I lost my father-in-law. But first I have to meet my family here and make sure they are okay.” As we get off the plane we see the airport's long and narrow departure lounge to our right. It's usually empty I'm told, but tonight there are hundreds packed in, peering out into the rain at our aircraft, wondering if it has come to take them out of Nepal. Hundreds of people have also camped outside the airport when we get out and for the first time, you begin to realise the extent of the panic.

Rumours about Mars A taxi is got for an exorbitant price and as he drives through the city you notice that there is almost no police presence or armed forces on the roads – something I was expecting in an emergency situation. The taxi driver first insists on showing me the remains of the Dharahara tower, an iconic Kathmandu landmark that has been reduced to a stump of wood. In the dark it is difficult to see.

In every hotel I went to, I found there were guests sleeping on sofas in the lobby rather than in their rooms, while the staff slept on the floor. In every hotel I went to, I found there were guests sleeping on sofas in the lobby rather than in their rooms, while the staff slept on the floor. Except in the Radisson: funny how people equate five-star comfort with greater safety. The receptionist at one hotel tells me that he has rooms, but he cannot let me go up as he doesn't know what could happen. “I heard on the news that there are rays from Mars that are striking Nepal. People are saying that there will be an earthquake measuring 9 on the Richter scale that will strike soon.” I would hear that rumour a lot over the next few days.

As it happened, I finally found a hotel and a sleepy receptionist, with great doubt written on his face, let me take a room on the second floor. You can't really feel it when you are out on the road, but inside here you can feel a tremor almost every half an hour or so. Just the rattle of a window most times but with sometimes the building shook like there was a great churning in the ground beneath. On three or four occasions I found myself racing down the stairs. I hadn't changed or taken off my shoes and I only kept a rucksack filled with a few essentials at my side.

The persistent rain of the previous night let up on Monday morning, allowing those of us a chance finally to assess the situation. The destruction seemed illogical. It wasn’t as if entire neighborhoods were brought down, but dotted across Kathmandu were random buildings that had fallen while others, of similar sizes continued to stand. Competition & camaraderie

As we followed the work of rescue teams working across the city, trying to find survivors among the ruins, it was evident that the bigger problem was the huge number of people who were sleeping out in the open. A Nepali army major I spoke to said he was the first to take a helicopter up to do a recce of the city minutes after the earthquake struck. A keen photographer, he showed me pictures clicked from the helicopter of thousands of people running thought the streets of Kathmandu, making a beeline for big grounds and parks.

All through Monday and Tuesday, the persistent rumour was that a larger earthquake would hit and, despite the rain that followed the next day, no one was willing to go back into their houses. “Better to be out here where nothing can fall on us,” one family I spoke to reasoned. For journalists, the initial story was the destruction in Kathmandu, especially the demolition of its historical monuments – the Basantapur and Patan durbar squares along with the ancient city of Bhaktapur.

The next targets were the areas near the epicentre. As more and more journalists from all over the world started arriving in Kathmandu there was intense competition to see who could make it to the areas most affected. Gorkha suddenly became a kind of buzzword and the place that every journalist had to go to. Several went by road, travelling solo or with NGOs. But the feedback we got was that that some affected areas were so remote they could only be accessed by helicopter. The majority of journalists ended up staying in the same two or three hotels around Lazimpat so it was no coincidence that everyone seemed to have similar ideas, even if there was competition.

Very early on, the Indian army had managed a landing in Barpak, the exact point of the epicenter and the news soon spread that they had taken a team of TV journalists with them. It was no secret, of course, that Indian journalists were given preference and soon the Army airfield near the international airport was filled with TV teams trying to do the same. A chopper trip allowed you more access to remote areas that could not be reached by road but the downside was that you had less time to spend there and therefore less time to find the mandatory human interest story that went beyond just the logistics of the army mission. Stranded with only rum for supplies

The day after I had arrived in Kathmandu I had put in a request with the Nepal army to let me go on one of their relief and rescue flights. My name figured with a whole bunch of international journalists and after two days of reporting in Kathmandu my turn had come. I travelled in a supply chopper which landed in Sindhupalchok district, another region badly affected, about 6 miles from the Chinese border north east of Kathmandu. Despite my requests for more time there I was told that this was a short mission – the helicopter would drop food supplies in a small village called Narantan and pick up injured persons from the surrounding mountains to bring back to Kathmandu.

In a bizarre twist, while I hurriedly tried to talk to people for my story, the chopper had gathered up several injured people and left me behind! Perhaps they assumed I wanted to stay back or the Nepali army personnel coordinating assumed I was a local in no immediate need of rescue. In any case, it seemed for a while that I was going to be in Narantan for the foreseeable future and I tried to gather some supplies. Amusingly, the village's only shop had run out of water or soft drinks but had liberal amounts of beer and rum! Food, I was told, was shared in the evening between the villagers and the people who had been rescued from the surrounding areas. I was one of them now, they said jokingly.

Places with no name Luckily another chopper did arrive a couple of hours later though it was much smaller than the one I had come in. I explained the situation to the pilot who smiled and said he could give me a ride to Kathmandu. But first, he said, he had to make a stop at the district's local army camp. As the smaller chopper covered the small distance it allowed me to see the scale of the destruction in this difficult terrain.

The majority of houses, grouped together in small settlements, appeared damaged. I would share the chopper back to Kathmandu with six people in urgent need of medical help including a young girl who had a deep scar across her forehead. Her mother kept clutching her chest and appeared to be coughing blood. I asked an army officer there where they had been rescued from. He pointed to the mountain across where a shiny structure was set among a small group of houses. “Some of these places have no names,” he said. Rumours that won’t go away

Kathmandu on Thursday and Friday looked a different city than when I arrived. Rumors of a third quake refused to go away but several people had clearly decided it was time to regroup. Public transport had started plying and shops and restaurants began to open. Though the search for survivors still continued in some areas the focus had shifted to transferring relief materials to villages and on clearing the debris from fallen buildings. Thousands had left Kathmandu in days immediately following the quake. Instead of tourists, the hotels were now filling up with people from NGOs and aid organisations who would gradually take over relief work. In the city outside there were tents in the open. People had slowly started moving back to their homes.

Around this time I also began to hear, from local Nepalis, complaints about how the Indian media, specifically television, was overplaying the drama of the earthquake and its aftermath and focusing too much on India's relief efforts. They were grateful of course, for the swift aid that India sent but there is a strain of thought, quite perceptible all over Kathmandu, that India sometimes acts like a Big Brother and its embassy is actually a parallel power centre.

The two sentiments combined to create the hashtag #GoHomeIndianMedia on Sunday. As for the tremors, they continued and will probably do so for a month. The surreal moments when the earth seems to move beneath you will be a reminder of what had passed.

- The Hindu, May 8, 2015

The unique aspects of Indo-Trinidadian culture need to be branded and marketed to promote tourism and thereby achieve economic growth and development, said an expert at an event here to mark the 170th anniversary celebrations of the arrival of Indians in Trinidad and Tobago.

“There is a need to market (our) food, rituals, festivals and heritage from the perspective of selling the unique experiences as part of a tourism product,” said economist, playwright, dancer and choreographer Satnarine Balkaransingh at a seminar organised on Wednesday by the National Council of Indian Culture in Divali Nagar, Charlieville, Chaguanas. Balkaransingh said plastic arts could be used “to document and tell our stories, market our rituals and festivals without sacrificing or compromising their sacredness”.

Underlining the contributions made by Indian migrants in nation building, he said: “We are the successors of a migrant society. Our ancestors improved the economy and fostered national development. The attitudes and values inherent in the Indo-Trinidadian culture, now in its 170th year of existence, has contributed to this national development.”

The East Indian diaspora was sourced from the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar between 1845 and 1917. They were brought here by the then colonial government to rescue the dying agricultural economy following the end of slavery by the British Parliament in 1834. The first batch of East Indians was the beginning of several journeys amounting to approximately 148,000 East Indians. They brought with them new cuisine, habits, traditions, customs and Hinduism.

Balkaransingh pointed out that major public events that Indians brought to Trinidad and Tobago were now national events such as Diwali, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Ram Lila, Phagwa and Hosay. “The promotion of Indo-Trinidadian culture must not be done with arrogance and insensitivity to the detriment of other culture,” he said, adding that “we must ensure fruitful coexistence and harmony”.

Pandita Indrani Rampersad, the first official woman priest in Trinidad, said the Indian culture in Trinidad and Tobago is an identity. “This identity is passed on from one generation to the next but it is not static, and to remain relevant, culture changes with time and space.” A series of programmes have been planned for the Indian Heritage Month this year to mark the 170th Indian Arrival Day, which is celebrated on May 30. The first ship carrying Indian immigrants reached Trinidad and Tobago on May 30, 1845.

The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago has organised an art exhibition with the theme “Drawing from our heritage – Colours of our East Indian culture”. “This exhibition aims to create a space for the public to reflect on our nation’s East Indian heritage and to continue to envision a beautifully diverse and harmonious multicultural future,” the bank’s governor Jwala Rambarran said in a message.

- http://www.newsindiatimes.com/, May 8, 2015

There are a number of notifications and orders on rainwater harvesting but few of them have been implemented. Experts and residents also complain that there is no policy detailing how to pursue the projects and which agency is responsible for monitoring of them.

The ministry of urban development and poverty alleviation made rainwater harvesting mandatory as early as 2001 for all new buildings with a plot size of more than 100sq m by modifying the building bylaws, 1983. Subsequently, Delhi Jal Board (DJB) had issued a notice in 2007 saying for all new water connections, it will first certify that the applicant has made a facility for rainwater harvesting according to the modified building bylaws.

Even the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) had in 2009 issued directions to individuals and housing societies, large institutions like schools, colleges, hotels or even industries located in "over-exploited" zones to adopt rainwater harvesting by May 2010.

Then the environment department of the Delhi government had issued a direction in 2010 that the permission to draw groundwater through borewells and tubewells for commercial or industrial purposes would be subject to whether the establishment has provisions for rainwater harvesting.

But here is why none of these ensured that Delhi secures a precious resource like rainwater, even in those areas where groundwater table is alarmingly low. On May 6, TOI reported how the water table in some parts of south and southwest Delhi depleted 60 metres below ground level (MBGL).

"I think there is no implementation of these orders because the job of sanctioning building plans lies with the municipal corporations but they have no expertise to monitor or ensure that people build functioning rainwater harvesting structures. Though it has a mandate, even Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) hasn't taken the onus to ensure that people harvest rainwater. There is no system of penalizing residents who don't follow these notifications either," said a lawyer who represents one of the government agencies.

A R Shiva Kumar, senior scientist at the Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology (KSCST), who has studied Delhi's water harvesting system, said, "Delhi may have made it mandatory but nobody follow up on what happened to it. We in Bangalore have a rainwater harvesting policy and take a systematic approach to implementation. For instance, now we have 1,800 trained professionals, including plumbers, technicians, architects besides a helpline for constant support. We have also ensured that the water meter readers who visit homes also check if the water harvesting system is working," he said. In Bangalore too, all new constructions post 2009 with an area of more than 111sq m have to build a water harvesting structure. "If it's not done, water connection can be severed by the Bangalore water supply department," Kumar added.

The environment department officials in Delhi said that they can't monitor these projects because they have only two to three scientific officers while DJB also washed its hands off. "The municipal corporations can do it because building plans go to them. I don't think we are supposed to do it," said a DJB official.

Municipal corporation officials said the current master plan allows 90% ground coverage for 100sq m plots, which leaves hardly any space to set up the structures. "We insist on harvesting only for structures that have plot area of more than 250sq m."

- The Times of India, May 8, 2015

Nagawara Lake, along Outer Ring Road in north Bengaluru, is a picture of contrasts. One side of it makes for the perfect outing spot — with a boating facility, children's play area and beautiful landscaping, there's plenty to keep visitors engaged. The other half is an eyesore: It's covered with hyacinth and sewage inflow has polluted the water.

The lake, ironically, is located close one of the biggest IT hubs of the City, Manyata Tech Park. The portion of it that's maintained under the public-private partnership model is a favourite hangout among locals.

But not everyone is happy with what's happening on the picturesque side of the lake. Fishermen complain that fuel spillage from motorboats is affecting aquatic life. A small strip of forest in the area maintained by the Lake Development Authority has become an unofficial garbage dump.

Tejaswi Uthappa, a resident of Godrej Woodsman Estate, has witnessed the water body deteriorate. "Considering the paucity of lung spaces in the concrete jungle that north Bengaluru has become, Nagawara Lake should have been a paradise on the other side. Lakefront highrises are fine, if one can be assured of clean water, a proper sewage system and fresh air on the otherwise smog-ridden highway. Water bodies and open spaces are essential to our ecosystem. It is about time governments and corporates took up sustained efforts in preventing infrastructure giants and others from vandalizing the very selling point of the cityscape," Uttappa asserted.

According to Gopal Krishna Raj, director of Lumbini Gardens (that manages a part of the lake), boating does not cause pollution. "It helps in aerating water and increase dissolved oxygen levels, which is beneficial for fish. We do not let sewage flow into the Nagawara Lake and have diverted the inlets. The lake has its own natural way of filtration and some of it happens through water hyacinth," he said.

C K Shivanna, CEO, Lake Development Authority, promised to look into the matter. "Efforts have been made to stop sewage from entering the lake. But we are yet to control the growth of weeds. I will instruct my officials to take steps," Shivanna told TOI.

THE HISTORY As per the Lakshman Rau Committee report, which looked into the rejuvenation of city lakes in 1985, Nagawara Lake was originally spread over 108.3 acres. It was proposed that it be turned into a tourist spot. Proposals made under the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) suggested it be converted into a park and open space. The committee recommended foreshore planting around the lake bed. And the forest department and Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation were entrusted to look after it. Involve residents

Lack of enforcement by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board is the fundamental problem. Decisions of the high court have not been implemented effectively, giving rise to encroachments and encouraging commercial use of the lake. The best way it can be revived is through involvement of residents. Civic authorities should begin with an inspection, after which residents can be actively involved in its maintenance. Sewage should be treated before being discharged into the water body - Suneeth Katarki, vice chairman, United Way Bengaluru Increase utilitarian value

The part of the lake that is accessible to visitors is well-maintained. But the rest of it has been neglected and is eutrophic (promoting growth of algae, weeds). The lake's utilitarian value should be increased. This will encourage the neighbourhood to consider the lake as its own - Hita Unnikrishnan, ecologist Inputs by Arunima Chakraborty, Alisha Deshmukh

- The Times of India, May 8, 2015

In response to a recent change suggested in the draft wildlife policy by ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) regarding distinction between hunting and use of wildlife for cultural practices, the ministry has been urged to drop the new clause by leading NGOs.

Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), along with other NGOs, in a letter to the MoEFCC has urged to disallow use of wild species for blind faith. Real values behind cultural practices do not warrant such use, they said.

BNHS said it believed that nature conservation should follow a multidisciplinary approach and should ensure community participation, with strong scientific field research. India, an ancient civilization, has been mostly successful in conserving its biodiversity in the past through sustainable lifestyles followed down the ages. While most original practices had scientific or symbolic conservation meaning, many had got perverted to unreasonable rituals often based on non-scientific blind faith, it said.

A suggestion in the recent draft wildlife policy, circulated by the MoEFCC allows "use of wild species for religious and cultural practices". In order to avoid the confrontation between enforcement authorities and communities, the draft suggests distinction between hunting and use for religious/cultural practices, with safeguards and cruelty prevention rules.

Concerned about the possible threat to wildlife species if this suggestion was incorporated, BNHS, along with NGOs such as Aaranyak, Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), TRAFFIC-India and Wildlife Society of Orissa (WSO), demanded that this suggestion be rejected.

"Practices such as ivory carving, bear dancing, snake charming and use of animals for black magic are totally in opposition to scientific temper and the ideals of a progressive society. There are several instances of cruelty to animals for blind faith, which is a result of following rituals without understanding the original philosophy," said Atul Sathe, manager (communications), BNHS-India.

One example is the widely followed practice in modern times of catching and handling snakes on the occasion of Nag Panchami. This practice, now banned, was not only detrimental to the species, but also against the original value system, Sathe pointed out.

Nag Panchami was traditionally celebrated by the farming community by conducting worship near the abode of cobras in the vicinity of the fields. This did not involve catching specimen but merely showed gratitude to snakes for the role played in controlling rodent pests and helping humans. The activists said another instance of use of wildlife products for cultural practices was the use of peacock feather brooms by fakirs.

- The Times of India, May 8, 2015

As tonnes of relief goods sent by India pile up in quake-hit Nepal, the Himalayan country has requested New Delhi to ensure that further supply of such material is only need-based.

According to Nepalese ambassador Deep Kumar Upadhyay, Kathmandu has asked Indian agencies not to send items like water or clothes, and focus instead on supplying tarpaulin sheets and dry rations for its citizens rendered homeless by the unprecedented disaster.

"The Nepalese embassy is coordinating with the Indian government to make sure that supply (of relief material) is need-based," Upadhyay said at a felicitation event for National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel back from Nepal after a much-lauded rescue and relief operation.

Stating that Nepal would continue to work closely with India in the reconstruction phase, Upadhyay said the emphasis would be on preserving the country's cultural heritage. "We would like to rebuild the nation as it stood before the quake, and restore our heritage sites to their original state," he said.

Earlier, home minister Rajnath Singh described Nepal as a sovereign state that India considers like a family member. "Whatever help is sought by Nepal, we are willing to extend," he said even as he lauded the NDRF for its "exemplary" rescue work in the quake-ravaged nation.

"I am proud of the NDRF. They have carved a niche for themselves as an able rescue force, having rescued alive 11 of the total 16 people and recovering 133 bodies in all. This, when rescue agencies from 34 different countries had been working in Nepal," Singh said.

NDRF chief O P Singh, while lauding his boys, mentioned how they had braved after-shocks and partially-collapsed structures to complete their rescue mission in Nepal. He made a special mention of two incidents, one involving a 43-year-old woman who was buried under the rubble for 36 hours before being rescued by NDRF men, and the other involving extrication of the body of a serving major in the Nepalese Army after a 12-hour operation.

All 780 NDRF personnel engaged in the rescue mission are back home, with the last group landing here on Wednesday night.

- The Times of India, May 8, 2015

Nagri is like any other village in Rajasthan. A settlement of around 50 houses, with a road barely wide enough to accommodate one tractor, running right in the middle of it. Elderly men in white and with colourful pagris sit around, smoking and discussing farmers' death.

The women, with their ghunghat covering their entire faces, go about their job of collecting water from the tube well. Nothing unusual about this village, apart from the fact that it is sitting on a huge slice of history.

The nondescript Nagri of today was once a flourishing town called Madhyamika, of the Mauryan era that remained a centre of power till the Gupta dynasty. That would be around the second century BC, when the Bairach River, on whose bank it was built, would have been a raging body of water. Off National Highway No. 76 as the road travels from Chittorgarh to Kota, there is little to indicate that this chunk of Indian history is lying so close by, begging for attention.

The archeological Survey Of India has fenced off a little portion, where some of the excavation work has taken place, but that does not stop cows from grazing, children from playing and the fun-loving local youth from spending a night of merriment. That has resulted in quite a bit of artifacts from that era being destroyed or taken away. "Children have found pottery here, which they used as toys," a local informs. The only structure standing is a temple of Shiva. Around it, stone sculptures of the Mauryan era are lying in complete neglect. Smaller pieces have been taken away.

"Earlier, we could see portions of buildings jutting out of the ground," a villager says. But then, with trees being planted and the area being levelled off, not much of those can be seen now. However, the two watchmen deputed there claim that after rains when the place is being cleaned, ancient coins can still be found. "We came across a lot of coins and earthen pottery when we were planting trees," one of the watchmen said. A villager even came forth to show his collection of coins that he had found there.

Every house in the village apparently has such coins and items that should have been in museums to showcase the rich heritage that India boasts of. Quite a few of them have been sold to foreign tourists, who are ever willing to take back with them pieces of India's history that Indians themselves care little about. Tourists are mainly "white people", a villager informs. "Not many Indians come this way. It is the whites who show a lot of interest in the history of our village. They also seem to know a lot about Madhyamika."

There is some ambiguity in the manner of Madhyamika's destruction. Some say an invading king flattened everything in sight. Others talk of a curse on this land. While a smaller group even talk of an earthquake flipping the town over.

Perhaps this is where the great Mewar culture originated, with Chittorgarh and Udaipur coming up much later. Yet, this place lies in utter neglect, despair and completely forgotten. Nagri, clearly deserves a lot more attention and respect.

- The Times of India, May 8, 2015

India celebrated birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) today and paid rich tributes to him by organising public functions and events in educational institutions all over the country. Tagore had excelled in language arts, fine arts, performing arts and educational experiments. His full spectrum of work like novels, stories, songs, dance-dramas, paintings, and essays are ingrained in Bengali culture. His work has been translated in many languages and read all over the world.

Gitanjali is his best-known work which got him the Nobel Prize in literature. It is a matter of great honour that his compositions became the national anthems of India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. He was instrumental in introducing the best of Indian culture to the West. In Focus Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his tributes to Tagore on his 154th birth anniversary.

"His (Tagore's) prose and poetry have influenced generations. He represents the best of Modern and Ancient Indian intellectual thought," stated Modi. Lauding Tagore's contribution in the making of India, Modi added that Gurudev rightly blended the wisdom of India's past with a promise of its future through Literature, Art and Music.

- http://www.merinews.com/, May 8, 2015

Heritage being considered an economic asset that is responsible for driving much of the hospitality and tourism sectors in many countries, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) toady opened a two day Heritage Education Workshop here to impart the values of conserving culture and inheritance. Speaking at the inaugural function Mrs Upma Chaudhry, additional chief secretary Language, Art & Culture, said, “heritage was an inheritance and it was a challenge before us to conserve it, enrich it and pass it onto the next generations.”

As the chief guest at the functioin held at the prestigious St Bede’s collges Mrs Chaudhry pointed out that heritage was irreversible and countries like USA and Australia, which do not have such a rich and diverse culture as India but have preserved whatever they have with great care.

Besides students from the college, 10 schools are participating at the workshop. Mr Raaja Bhasin, co-convener INTACH Himachal said that though India was unable to match many other countries in infrastructure or in terms of economic power, but there was hardly any other country that had such a rich and diverse heritage and culture.

“Heritage is a hardcore economic asset that drives the economy of hospitality and tourism,” said Raaja adding that purpose of the workshop was to articulate about one’s culture and heritage. He even talked about the various cultural zones with special reference to Himachal Pradesh. Dr. Purnima Dutt, Head, Heritage Education Department, INTACH in her presentation explained at length about the Natural heritage comprising of mountains, water bodies, animals, trees etc. The culture associated with the customs, traditions, cuisine, clothing, lifestyle, folk tales and music was discussed as a part of our National Heritage.

She showed visuals dealing with the rich Ancient History and presented a historical background of the monuments. She also gave some innovative suggestions for organizing activities for the students. Films made by students from various parts of India were shown towards the end of her presentation. Interacting with the students Mrs. Malvika Pathania asked the students to become active for the cause of protecting our culture and heritage. INTACH also has drawn up plans to start heritage clubs in the state.

Speaking to Hill Post Dr Beena John, Principal St Bede’s College said that the college had already drawn up plans of setting up a heritage museum before INTACH came up with plans of hold a workshop in the college. St Bede’s happens to be one of the oldest girl colleges in all of south Asia.

- http://hillpost.in/, May 8, 2015

Aguada fort commands a distinctive place in Portuguese history, but perhaps it may not have existed in its present dimensions if the Dutch had not paralyzed the Portuguese with their blockade of Mandovi river in early 17th century.

The Portuguese relying on the fortresses of Reis Magos and Gaspar Dias on the river front found their defence exposed, as the powerful Dutch managed to set up a blockade on the sand bar on the mouth of river Mandovi for a month in 1604 and for two months during 1606.

Visitors and tourists stumble on these interesting facts at a permanent exhibition set up by archaeological survey of India (ASI) in the middle of the upper fort at Aguada. "The Dutch blockade was an eye opener for the Portuguese as far as their defence strategies are concerned. It showed that the enemy vessels were out of range from the cannon fire from both vantage points of Reis Magos and Gaspar Dias," an ASI official said.

Exhibitions take the viewers back to the glorious past, helping them to ponder, introspect and assimilate interesting nuggets of history. ASI's open air interpretation facility provides information on forts and fortifications of Goa at a single spot from 8.30am to 5.30pm daily.

The fort of Gaspar Dias built in stone and lime and with its facade having 16 cannons existed even before the defence system came up on Aguada plateau, but nothing remains of this citadel on the left bank of river Mandovi.

The guns do not boom on Aguada fort either but a lot of its grandeur can still be seen if one trudges around. The Dutch blockade prompted the Portuguese to redraw their strategy and construction of Aguada fortress was completed in eight years in 1612 during Viceroy Ruy de Tavora's tenure. Located on a strategic location to form a triangle with forts of Cabo across the mouth of river Mandovi and Sada, Mormugao across the mouth of river Zuari, the citadel of Aguada was well equipped with prisons, barracks, magazines and a chapel, among other things. One of the water sources, a cistern could hold 23,76,000 gallons of water.

While Goa had around 40 forts, they proved to be important edifices in the defence system, sustaining the maritime trade. The Portuguese built several forts and also rebuilt the ones that they took over. "The Portuguese also built small fortified posts at Cuncolim, Cola, Uguem, Ribandar, Dodomarg, Colem, Betul, Agonda and at other places with several bullock-cart routes through ghat passes at Tinay, Ouessi, Digui, Condol, Doncorpem, Ramaghati, Manguelim, Quelgate, Chorlem, Pango, Dumegod, Talghat, etc. These passes were having small fortified walls for the protection of goods from the armed thugs," states a poster on an exihibit.

The fort of Mormugao was also an imposing defence system with 20 bulwarks, three magazines, five prisons, a chapel and quarters for the guard. "It contains two fountains with abundance of water, one of which 'Fonte de Malabar' surmounted with the royal arms, is popularly believed to obtain its water from a gold mine, and the other 'Fonte de Santo Ignacio' from sulphur mine," a poster states.

The fort Aguada exhibition is only the first phase of a three-layered concept of adaptive reuse of monuments to spread information on heritage. "The visitors will first get information about significance of Aguada fort in particular and other forts in Goa in general. But slowly, we will include other exhibits about functional aspects of forts in second phase," N Taher, superintending archaeologist, in charge of ASI's archaeological monuments in Goa said. Abhjijit Ambekar, an ASI archaeologist is carrying out research in this aspect, sources said.

A fibre-glass (FRP) model of lower and upper fort of Aguada with all important features and 2D geographical map showing locations of forts are part of the exhibition. "Visitors can plan their tour to other forts in Goa from Aguada itself," an official said.

- The Times of India, May 10, 2015

A small baoli that was discovered five years ago in Dwarka has been restored and could become a tourist attraction. An elaborate conservation project by the India National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) for the Lodi-era baoli was completed recently.

The baoli was discovered in 2010-11. Situated on a vacant plot adjacent to a public school and close to a residential society, the baoli wasn't visible on the surface, it initially resembled just a tiny pit covered by dense foliage. Soon it was discovered that what was being used as a makeshift dumping ground by locals was actually a baoli. Delhi government's state archaeology department soon took over the monument and it was decided that conservation and excavation work would be taken up on priority. Intach's Delhi chapter was brought in as the executing agency. Once conservation work started, typical motifs of Lodi architecture — arches, steps and intricate patterns — slowly became visible.

The project took about eight months of rigorous work. "Once we started excavating, we found the depth of the monument was more than we thought. About 34-55 steps were discovered. This was more than what was mentioned in the 1910 listing of this monument by Zafar Hasan, 22," said an official. Since the baoli got filled with waste and vegetation over the years, this hadn't been evident. Also Hasan had located it in village Loharehri.

Once we reached the floor of the baoli, we made another interesting discovery. The kuchcha area at the base had an octagonal well. This was a unique discovery and rare to find in baolis," said an official. The newly conserved baoli has been fenced but visitors will be given access. An information board with details of the site is in the process of being installed.

The baoli is among the 15 monuments identified by the government for conservation and protection under the Delhi Archaeology Act and will be declared a protected building. Unfortunately, very little material is available on the baoli's history. Experts, however, belive it wasn't connected to any dynasty of the period. "After Dwarka started coming up as a prominent residential sub-city in the late 1980s, many of the old villages which existed in southwest Delhi disappeared as did their names. Some parts of modern Dwarka historically came under the colony of Pappan Kalan, and this particular baoli could have been used by local villagers," said an expert

The site is expected to become a big hit with tourists since there hasn't been any other heritage discovery in Dwarka. In fact, there were over a hundred baolis in Delhi at the start of the 20th century. But with rapid urbanization and relentless construction, many were lost, including this one that doesn't find space in Intach's listing. Today, only about 10-15 remain, including the more famous ones like Agrasen ki Baoli and Rajon ki Baoli. their tour to other forts in Goa from Aguada itself," an official said.

- The Times of India, May 10, 2015

Sonepur district is facing acute water crisis as the traditional water harvesting structures (TWHS) have dried up. As the traditional water bodies have dried up, women of villages have to fetch water from distant water sources daily to run the household and keep livestock alive.

The network of TWHSs used to help irrigate large tracts of land. In this part of the State, there are three types of TWHSs namely Kata, Muda and Bandh. The water collected in them also used to cater to domestic needs.

In Binka block of Sonepur district, people of Arigain village used to depend on Bada Bandh. Today the water source is filled with unwanted vegetation and not fit for human use. The fate of Nua Bandh, spread over six acres of land in Ganeshpur village, is equally bad as there is not a single drop of water in it. Binka NAC Chairperson Mamata Mishra said paucity of funds has been holding them back from renovating and reviving the water bodies.

Sonepur town also faces a similar situation. People were mostly dependent on Disagar water body spread over 20 acres of land near Majhipada and a Kata (natural water body) near the temple of the presiding deity Sureshswari. Today, both the water bodies do not have sufficient water.

Apparently, four rivers flow through the district - Mahanadi, Tel, Suktel and Ong. While Mahanadi passes through the middle of the district, Tel flows along the border of Sonepur and Boudh districts before merging with river Mahanadi at Sonepur town. With so many major rivers crisscrossing the district, water scarcity should not be a major issue here but a visit to rural areas in the district presents a grim scenario as people struggle for water. Out of the four rivers, only Mahandi and Tel are perennial while the other two dry up during summer. No Rain Water Harvesting

Bargarh: The summer is at its peak and so is water crisis in Bargarh town, which was once rich in traditional water harvesting structures. Over a decade back it had 22 water bodies - natural and man-made - spreading over an area of 96.5 acres of land.

One of these, covering 5.75 acres, was exclusively earmarked for drinking water purpose while the rest were used for domestic and other purposes. All the water bodies were connected with Bargarh Main Canal and water was available in plenty then.

The situation isn’t the same anymore. Some ponds have dried up or there is knee deep muddy water in others, thanks to the apathy of the district administration. The water bodies are today filled with hyacinth and silt. Sources said from the network of 22 TWHSs, only nine are surviving today. These too are choked due to encroachment.

In many places, the ground water level has already gone down resulting in decrease of water level in bore-wells and tube-wells. The water quality of many tube-wells has also become poor and unfit for drinking purposes.

- The Indian express, May 10, 2015

The very idea of heritage walk evoked romanticism of unearthing the layers of history, discovering the city where I live in a new light. When the annual Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (KGAF) in Mumbai conducted guided heritage walk, it was a chance to travel back some 350 years ago.

It was the fortified area of Mumbai where the East India Company started building the grand architectural structures that are today charming vignettes reminiscent of Victorian London. The fort walls had been demolished in mid-19th century itself for the city’s expansion, and changes in due course of time were inevitable. Still the visible heritage precinct of Ballard Estate and the radius of two kilometres around it hold an irresistible old world charm.

Charms of a city So on one fine afternoon,I boarded the Mumbai local train to discover the footprints in time from the vintage Churchgate station. I paused and looked around to be greeted by the stunning façade of the Western Railway Headquarters just across the road. The neo-classical British era building looms large.

As I had taken the western line that starts from Churchgate station, those who take the central line to reach the Chhatrapati Shivaji (earlier Victoria) Terminus would certainly be enamoured by the Central Railway Headquarters building. The only UNESCO World Heritage monument in the city, it is one of the most photographed landmarks of the city. Bustling with people, this Gothic masterpiece designed by Fredrick William Stevens holds tremendous visual appeal. Named after Queen Victoria and opened in 1887, the iconic structure has been captured in celluloid umpteen times.

As I had disembarked at Churchgate, I decided to walk down towards the Horniman Circle garden on the eastern side of Fort area. This was to be the KGAF starting point for the Ballard Estate heritage walk. I strolled towards the nearby Gothic heritage buildings of the Bombay High Court that was built in 1878 and the University of Mumbai. It has lovely stained glass windows and the tall Rajabai Clock Tower has striking resemblance to London’s ‘Big Ben’.

Similarly, a short distance away at the cross roads, there is the Flora Fountain resembling London’s Piccadilly Circle. Built in 1869, the fountain leads to the bustling shopping arcade in Victorian buildings. I stood there visualising the fortified city when there stood the Churchgate. It leads to St Thomas Cathedral, known today for its exquisite statues and plaques inside. I met with my fellow heritage walk enthusiasts at Horniman Circle. It was our collective admiration of the surrounding Victorian buildings that warmed us to each other. Our heritage trail was peppered by curator Krutika Garg’s vast knowledge of architecture of that era chronicling each phase of the city’s development.

Some 350 years ago, Mumbai was just fishing villages of the Koli community, spread on its seven islands. The etymology of the city perhaps came from the old Portuguese phrase bom baim, meaning the good little bay. It was in 1661 that Prince Charles II of England married Catharine of Braganza and got Bombay as a dowry from the Portuguese. It was not until 1668 when East India Company realised the immense potential of its natural harbour and rented it from the British Crown at a pittance.

The Victorian touch The place we stood was the business district known as Ballard Estate, designed by architect George Wittet. Named after J A Ballard, founder of the Bombay Port Trust, it was built on reclaimed land between 1914-1918. As far as my eyes stretch, there are leafy avenues with European renaissance-style buildings.

As we circled the area, we came across the all-white façade of the town hall built in 1930 that once belonged to the Asiatic Society of Bombay founded by Sir James Mackintosh, which now houses a public library. With its wide steps leading to a spacious portico with eight doric columns, the building is magnificent. “It is the purest form of Neo-classical structure in the whole of Mumbai,” Krutika enlightened us about its Greco-Roman style of architecture.

We came back to the Horniman Circle and as evening cool pepped my mood, the KGAF walk ended. I decided to continue on my own, walking towards the Kala Ghoda precinct known for its art galleries and Gothic buildings. I walked across the high security Dalal Street housing the Bombay Stock Exchange, towards the 275-years-old naval dockyard building. Nearby are the Esplanade mansions, Davis Sassoon Library, Jehangir Art Gallery, the Prince of Wales Museum (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya), Elphinstone College among others.

It was in 1860 that the walls were finally demolished. The three earlier gates of Churchgate, Apollo Gate and Bazaar Gate led to the busy town. The Bazaar Gate opened into the native street market. The Crawford Market there is the city’s first covered market where you get almost everything under one roof. The Apollo Gate leads to Apollo Bunder where the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the Gateway of India stand along the vast expanse of Arabian Sea. With its 26-metres-high arch, the monument commemorated the visit of King George V and Queen Mary of England.

In 1800, traders and workers came from all over the country as the cotton textiles trade boomed. The Parsis and Iranis lapped up business opportunities by setting up tea houses and restaurants during 1840s. At one time, there were 1,400 cafés in the Fort area alone. Today, they may be few and far between, but the checkered table covers and high ceilings of the Irani cafés evoke nostalgia. Experience the culinary heritage of the Fort area. The Jimmy Boy for patrani machhi, Yazdani Bakery for its brun maska and Britania & Co for its berry pulao would satiate you after a long walk.

- The Deccan Herald, May 10, 2015

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), which came to power on the separate statehood sentiment by promising to protect the rich culture and heritage of Telangana, now appears to be hellbent on demolishing some of the historical structures in Hyderabad only to give way to swanky buildings and new infrastructures. K Chandrasekhar Rao

After deciding to demolish the Chest Hospital, a heritage building at Erragadda, to relocate the state secretariat, the state government appears to be contemplating pulling down the in-patient (IP) block of the Osmania General Hospital (OGH) at Afzalgunj, which was built in the early 1900s by Mir Osman Ali Khan. The Nizam era building is often in news for all the wrong reasons—defunct and rotten bathrooms, patches of ceiling giving away with several parts of the structure in need of restoration.

Successive governments neglected this heritage structure which is part of the rich history of the 400-year-old city. Now, the Telangana government, instead of giving a makeover to these buildings, wants to construct a miniature of the IP Block in place of the old structure. “About eight acres of land occupied by it and a six-acre plot beside it would also be used to build twin towers of 12 storeys each,” said a Telangana Health Department official.

However, the proposal is being criticised by activists. P Anuradha Reddy, convener of Hyderabad chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, said, “Heritage is about history and connection with people. That is why we have to keep OGH intact.”

Officials of the health department said they had not been able to construct new buildings on the OGH premises, as heritage committee ruled that any new structure cannot exceed shoulder height of the IP block. “Patients are sleeping on floors. If we construct a new building in accordance with the heritage committee’s rules, we can build only ground plus three floors. Hence, we are planning to construct twin towers in place of the existing building,” the officials said.

OGH caters to the underprivileged sections of not only the city but also other districts in the state and patients of neighbouring states. The state’s Director of Medical Education Dr Putta Srinivas said treatment of patients is of paramount importance. “The building was originally constructed to house the hospital. If a new structure is not built, the very purpose will be defeated. The purpose is to treat patients,” he added.

There are several heritage structures in and around Hyderabad, which were neglected by successive governments. For instance, Qutub Shahi tombs, the final abode of Qutub Shahi rulers at famous Golconda Fort here, are also in a dilapidated condition. However, the state government has decided to restore the tombs. Following Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s announcement in his budget speech that eight heritage sites would be restored across the country, including the Qutub Shahi tombs, the State Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture, BP Acharya, had said the state government was making efforts to give facelift to the tombs with the Centre’s aid.

Though the state government has decided to restore the Qutub Shahi tombs, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s grandiose plans to build skyscrapers and transform the city into a “signal-free city” are likely to take a heavy toll on heritage structures. Rao wants to construct skyscrapers around the Hussain Sagar lake in Hyderabad, which was built in 1562, by demolishing various buildings that have cultural significance—in order to make the city look like Bangkok.

The signal-free traffic system would entail an expenditure of Rs 20,000 crore in the next three years. “I want to make Hyderabad outdo IT city Bengaluru by having a good traffic system to attract global investors,” said Rao.

The state government’s proposal to demolish heritage structures is drawing considerable flak from the opposition parties. Congress leader and former minister DK Aruna said, “The TRS government is taking unwise decisions only to help the contractors. The Congress Party will not allow the government to pull down any heritage structure in the city.”

As the chief minister’s decision to relocate the state secretariat from its exiting place to historical Chest Hospital premises is attracting criticism, Rao, for now has put this proposal on hold and is requesting the Centre to give defence lands in Secunderabad for that purpose.

- The Deccan Herald - The Deccan Herald, May 10, 2015

Dolls of all shapes, sizes and colours line the shelves of the showcases. As 86-year-old Girija Devi walks in and with all childish innocence says she loves dolls, it’s hard not to notice the similarity between the sheer variety in her collection, be it with her dolls or in her music.

Girija Devi, the devotee — yes, she is a devotee first and a singer next — is a living, performing legend who holds aloft the best in India’s ancient tradition of performing arts.

She sings her heart out for her beloved Krishna of Vrindavan, for Viswanath — the Lord of Varanasi. And her oeuvre is vast — khyaal, thumri, dadra, tappa, kajri, hori, chaiti, bhajans and more. It is hypnotising to hear Girija’s earthy, basal voice that acquires a silken sheen as she articulates the lyrics, dipping each note into her inexhaustible palette. “I can see the notes dancing before my eyes. I play with them and they obey me. After all, everyone is a plaything in the Lord’s hands and must bow before his call,” she says eloquently.

But the journey to this exalted position has been an arduous one. Born into a traditional Hindu family in North India, she came to Benaras (Varanasi) when she was just two. Thanks to an encouraging father who enrolled her under Pandit Sarju Prasad Mishra, Girija embarked upon her musical odyssey. A decade of learning saw Girija acquiring the ability to render khyaal, thumri and even complex forms like tappa.

After Pt Mishra’s demise, she continued under Srichandra Mishra. Marriage at 15 to an ardent lover of music and poetry further enabled her to progress. Was it not difficult for a young girl from a conservative family to venture into singing in public? “No, since both my father and husband were supportive. In fact, I took off for a year to fully immerse myself in music, leaving my young daughter with my husband. I was blessed to get an insight into sur, true notes and melody,” she says. From thereon, it was a steady rise to recognition. “I was fortunate to come to public notice early in my career, thanks to my rigorous training and my incessant practice. My first radio broadcast was over AIR-Allahabad.

Invitations for recitals came in steadily. My acquaintance with Pt Ravishankar and Ali Akbar Khan moulded my musical abilities in no small measure. I am basically a khyaal singer, a form that calls for discipline in development of the raag, a methodical, graded ascent of the scale while ensuring each note is in its proper place. But today, I am more identified with thumri, probably because of my emotive renditions. Thumri is an emotion filled, lyrical form which demands a deep involvement with the sentiments expressed in the text and proper articulation,” says Girija, as she demonstrates a dhrupad, with its slow and stately commencement.

She then suddenly starts a khyaal, meandering her way over the notes, much in the same manner as the Ganges does in its journey. She switches next to thumri, where again she refers to the rasa — the emotion that it evokes. “When the poet is beseeching Krishna ‘Aaoo, Nandalala’, the voice has to be modulated suitably. What’s the use in singing Aaoo, when it sounds like Jaoo?” she asks. Her astounding versatility and energy are remarkable.

Greatly admiring South Indian luminaries like dancer Balasaraswathi, M S Subbulakshmi and Lalgudi Jayaraman, she fondly recalls her interactions with them. All the nation’s top honours and awards decorate this octogenarian, frail musical giant who continues performing worldwide and teaching in the hallowed Indian guru-shishya tradition at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata.

- The Deccan Herald, May 10, 2015

The long painting is titled “The Everlasting Sino-India Dharma Connection” in Chinese. It is made on specially handcrafted paper and on its lower part, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping are shown smiling and shaking hands.

Above, Buddhist and Hindu deities are showering the two leaders with blessings; a white elephant and a dragon on their sides depict Sino-India cultural symmetry. This work of delicate Chinese art – and carefully crafted diplomacy – could have found itself on a spartan wall in Modi’s 7 RCR home after his China visit.So could have a smaller portrait of Modi himself – done on silk, showing himself with a piece of paper.

But Modi’s tight schedule in Beijing now means that it will not be possible for Jinke Xuanlei – Sino-Esoteric Buddhist Association head who carries the title Vajra Master – to present the two paintings to the Indian PM.

“We were very keen to formally present the two paintings (to the PM). The Indian embassy was in touch with us. But about two weeks earlier, we learnt it will not be possible,” Yinyu from the Beijing Jinke Mandala Painting and Calligraphy Institute told HT at the institute’s quiet premises in the eastern fringes of the city. The Institute is run by the association.

Yinyu was translating from Chinese to English for the two painters Jinke Yindang and Jinke Yinduan – who under the guidance of Jinke Xuanlei – the paintings. The Modi-Xi painting took three months to be completed and the one with Modi took 45 days, Yinyu said. The hours of daily painting were preceded by Buddhist rituals.

“We had to shower before beginning to paint. Burn incense. Meditate for about 45 minutes. Then make offerings of fruits and flowers. We chanted Buddhist mantras while painting,” Yindang said, adding that the works were not just paintings but blessings.

That is the reason why the presentation of the paintings to Modi could not have been a simple ceremony. “The presentation has rituals. We have to be told at least three days before. The Master (Jinke Xuanlei) has to meditate and chant mantras. Then pray for the Indian PM and the people of India,” Yinyu said.

India has a special place among the association’s disciples: They believe their ancestors were from India. And, the given names of all association members have an India connection. “That is why we were keen to present the paintings. To promote bilateral ties. Our founders were Indian monks. This was our way of paying respect to our ancestors and masters,” Yindang said.

Both paintings carry prayers for the individuals as well as people. For example, the prayers on Modi’s painting say that may his heart “attain the ultimate wisdom and reach perfect enlightenment”.

- The Hindustan Times, May 10, 2015

Efforts are on to get erstwhile summer capital of British India — Shimla, on the coveted list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A team of officials from International City/Country Management Association (ICCMA), Colorado, arrived in the hill town on Sunday to hold meetings with the stakeholders from various departments, NGOs and the officials from Shimla Municipal Corporation and state government.

A team from ICCMA, Boulder City, Colorado, including Carl Castillo and Josephine Lee would be interacting with different people here till May 16. Another purpose of their visit is to participate in the CityLinks' Climate Adaptation Partnership Exchange Programme as Shimla is also a partner city under the Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network (ACCCRN).

Shimla deputy mayor Tikender Singh Panwar said that the SMC was keen to build a strong case to get the city on Unesco list. He said that before that there was need to get some projects in heritage conservation and climate change adaptation for the tourist town so that case could be built for heritage site tag.

On May 14, visiting team would hold discussion with urban development directorate officials and team of experts while on May 15 visiting team would discuss world plan development with officials from on ICMA, City of Boulder, UCCRN, Shimla Municipal Corpiration.

Perceived and established by the British during colonial period in first half of 19th century as their summer capital, Shimla acquired global fame by the time they left in the year 1947. Before leaving, British had established many architectural masterpieces like Vice Regal Lodge, Gorton Castle, Railway Board Building, Gaiety Theatre, Town Hall, Auckland House, Ellerglie, Barnes Court, Bungalows, Churches and Challet Day School.

A report prepared by town and country planning department of Himachal Pradesh government says that city possesses distinct British heritage including institutional buildings, bungalows, churches, socio-cultural spaces, hotels, cemeteries, coffee houses, clubs, theatres, schools, hospitals, street pattern and street furniture, immensely add to grace of the city with their distinct expressions. The facades of buildings, sloping roofs, dormers, windows, doors, entrances and chimneys of numerous types replicated from European buildings leave an ever- lasting impact on one's mind and provide an opportunity to understand the Western saga of art and architecture.

On Monday, Professor Prakash Tiwari from Urban Climate Change Network (UCCRN) would make a presentation on urbanization in Himalayas under climate change, while Dr Hemant Gupta (IFS); member secretary; State Centre on Climate Change would be discussing about Indian Himalaya Climate Change Adaptation Programme; Rajesh Kashyap, executive engineer cum project director, Shimla Municipal Corporation, would inform the visiting team about the urban development scenario in Shimla City.

- The Times of India, May 11, 2015

In order to ensure that a stricter check may be kept on vehicular emissions, Delhi government has directed all car and motorbike dealers in the national capital to set up pollution measuring facilities on their premises.

All automobile dealers, except those who sell battery-operated e-rickshaws, have been asked to come up with pollution checking centres at their workshops so that these may issue Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates.

Concerned by the rising air pollution levels in Delhi, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently put a ban on all petrol vehicles more than 15 years old and any diesel vehicles more than 10 years old.

"At present, Delhi does not have sufficient numbers of PUC centres. The government has issued a direction asking all the city's car and motorbike dealers to install pollution checking centres at their workshops," said a senior government official. "The government wants to ensure that when motorists go to automobile workshops to service their vehicles, they can also get a check done there of the emission level," the official said.

Dealers of e-rickshaws are exempt from the directive as the official said that such vehicles cause almost no pollution. "We have exempted e-rickshaw dealers from having pollution checking centres. Such vehicles cause almost no pollution," official added.

- The Times of India, May 11, 2015

Now you can find rare butterflies and gather all the information regarding local and migrant ones at a single click. The Department of Science & Technology in the Ministry of Science & Technology, in course of a project, reached out to the Bengaluru-based biodiversity lab in the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) to find out all details of rarely seen butterflies that were not seen over past 100 years.

With the help of independent nature lovers and butterfly watchers along with government scientists, the biodiversity lab found several species of butterflies in different regions of India. The scientists later developed a comprehensive website "Butterflies of India" (www.ifoundbutterflies.org), which compiles data about rarest of rare of them. "As websites and online groups started to bring people together, we realised that historically well-known localities in parts of Eastern Himalayas and North East India were poorly surveyed in the past few decades.

So we started targeting these areas for intensive butterfly surveys. Many of what were believed to be rare or very rare species started turning up in parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Meghalaya," Krushnamegh Kunte from NCBS said.

He said: "As a result of that, more and more people started getting interested in finding and photographing rare and endemic species. That has eventually turned into a mass movement to document India's butterfly diversity in space and time."

The "Butterflies of India" website has given a face to this renewed enthusiasm about Indian butterflies among amateurs as well as professionals. This website acts as a free but formal and peer-reviewed -and therefore a reliable source of information and reference for images. Some of the rare species that contributors of this website have rediscovered or photographed for the first time are - Lethe ramadeva (Single Silverstripe), Euthalia iva (Grand Duke), Neptis nycteus (Hockeystick Sailer), Lethe gulnihal (Dull Forester), Apharitis lilacinus (Lilac Silverline) and Symbrenthia silana (Scarce Jester).

"Our contributors have also reported several butterfly species that were known only from neighbouring countries for the first time. That is these species have been recorded in India for the first time and the reports were published on this website. Some examples are Pieris extensa (Extended White), Bhutanitis ludlowi (Mystical Bhutan Glory), Tongeia pseudozuthus (False Tibetan Cupid), Limenitis rileyi (Tiger-mimic Admiral), Athyma whitei (Blue-bordered Sergeant) and Gonepteryx amintha (Orange Brimstone)," Kunte said.

NCBS works with forest departments of various states to conserve butterflies. Sanjay Sondhi who is a premier contributor to the website has been instrumental in bringing together tribal welfare societies and forest departments of four states to study and protect butterflies in the Himalayan and North East Indian regions. Other contributors and supporters include forest officers Tana Tapi and Reddy Bei of Arunachal Pradesh who are passionate about protecting butterflies in their areas.

"Overall, it is a great mix of people from various professions and students at various stages who all work together in documenting, studying and protecting butterflies. When one sees such an enthusiastic and dedicated bunch, one feels optimistic about conserving India's butterfly fauna against all odds of ongoing climate change and habitat destruction," Kunte said.

- http://indiatoday.intoday.in/, May 11, 2015

India has offered to help Nepal in restoration of its iconic world heritages sites — some dating back to 1700 years — that were reduced to rubble in last month’s devastating earthquake.

Among the well-known Kathmandu landmarks destroyed in the April 25 quake were the three Durbar Squares – Basantpur, Patan and Bhaktpur – each an example of a range of religious and artistic traditions unique to the region.

Also damaged were temples at the hill-top Buddhist shrine of Swayambhunath dating back to the 5th Century, famous Pashupathinath temple complex, considered as the presiding deity of Nepal.

“The Archaeological Survey of India is already playing a key role in the preservation of the Pashupatinath Temple Complex. That will continue. We are also ready to help in the reconstruction of other heritage sites that were damaged in the earthquake,” Ranjit Rae, India’s Ambassador to Nepal, told Deccan Herald here.

According to estimates by Nepal’s Department of Archaeology, the 7.9 magnitude temblor had damaged 90 per cent of the ancient heritage and it would take at least 10 years to restore them to past glory.

Kashtamandap temple, a three-storey pagoda-type temple built in the 12th century, was also reduced to rubble. Kathmandu owes its name to this temple believed to have been built out of a single tree. Also razed to the ground were temples dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu in the Hanuman Dhoka complex also known as the Basantpur Darbar Square.

These ancient sites were popular with tourists from across the world. “Earlier, tourists visited to admire the architectural grandeur. Today people are here to have a look at the ruins and perhaps to see what they have lost,” said Reema Dhakal, who runs a small trinket shop near the temple complex.

At Patan, the three-tiered roof of the Degu Taleju temple lies in ruins. The temple houses the presiding deity of the Malla Dynasty. Though the Krishna Mandir, built of solid stone, withstood the shock, the adjacent Hari Shanker and Uma Maheswar temples were destroyed by the temblor.

- The Deccan Herald, May 11, 2015

Don’t be surprised if, in the months to come, you suddenly find rustic earthen pots, handcrafted figurines, traditional sculptures and thematic carpets all over the Chennai Airport. In the run up to the Global Investors Meet and in a bid to giving the airport a more culturally relevant touch, Airports Authority of India (AAI) has sought assistance from Poompuhar, the arts and crafts wing of the TN Handicrafts Development Corporation, to do up the airport.

“They have inspected every inch of the airport and have come back to us with a very detailed proposal about how we can transform the look and aesthetic feel of the terminals. We are quite pleased with the suggestions and will be discussing it further with them to try and figure out how we can best get it done,” said Captain Deepak Shastri, Airport Director.

Some of the mock-ups given by Poompuhar include the erection of a large sculpture at the entry point of the terminal to make an impact on entering passengers. Others are more functional — such as using metal figurines of a man and woman to depict the male and female washrooms, and changing the carpeting in most areas where bright colours have been used.

“The stress is on putting a lot of plants at ambient locations and making the plain walls and corridors seem alive. This will be complemented with cost-effective handicrafts like pots and earthenware artefacts that will give it that South Indian feel that we have lacked so far,” he added. The airport terminals, though modern and built of contemporary steel and glass, have been criticised for being unimaginative and lacking in character because of its empty walls and low signage.

There are a few installations put up by the original interior decorative firm employed, but they are few and far between. An official from TNHDC confirmed that they were indeed looking at adding some of their products to the Chennai Airport and were speaking with their Project Director and the State Government to subsidise the products as much as possible, in light of the fact that most of these expenses are being incurred for the upcoming Global Investors Meet. Already, plenty of plain wall sections of the airport have been transformed as the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation has erected digitally erected prints of famous sculptures and paintings across the airport, as recently as last week.

“What we’re trying to do is get an interior decorator and a horticulturist to also take a look at the interiors and give us cost-effective solutions to make the terminals look better. Small budget projects such as these can be implemented in stages without too much hassle,” said Shastri.

- The Indian express, May 12, 2015

Christine Margotin’s sculptures are a reminder of lost childhood in our urbane lives, says Karan Bhardwaj

Clad in a simple shirt teamed with a pair of trousers, a young boy is happily blowing bubbles. This installation reminds us of precious childhood moments, where puncturing those soap bubbles in the lawns of India Gate was one of the gratifying activities. Another installation shows a boy jumping into the puddle, still fresh from the rains.

Move your sight at any corner of this premise at the Hungarian Culture Centre and these installations, crafted by French artist Christine Margotin, takes you down memory lane. Some 15 works including 3D art on canvas and installations capture the spirit of childhood in many forms, that’s rarely seen on urban streets. “Childhood is something that we all have gone through. But I could relive those days with two of my own children, Victor (7) and Lucie (9).

They are my muse,” says Christine, now living in Delhi for six years. The artist recreates childhood moments in her sculptures, using bronze and glass, and travels across the length and breadth of the country to find these special moments. “The spirit of childhood is universal. But you get to see different patterns and behaviours in different regions. I travel on streets to capture moods of children from all strata of society,” the artist tells us.

She works both from her studio in Delhi and Jaipur where she gets her bronze pieces cast. She usually makes art in 3D, mostly by making bronze sculptures of people engaged in actions that inspire joy or compassion to her. She generally defines childhood, waterside activities, Indian roads and streets and love and spirituality through her art.

“India is amazing and I find most intriguing sights at roadsides and streets. One of my works, which has got immense feedback from the Indian audience, is Little Streets Acrobats. In this sculpture, I have shown how a little girl is showing acrobats on streets to earn a livelihood. For foreigners, such things on Indian roads are quite exotic. But my attempt is not to show poverty, sadness or child labour but to bring forth the spirit of life. Despite so many challenges and everyday hurdles, the girl is still smiling and embracing the zest of life,” she says.

In her current exhibition that ends on May 15, she has also done three pieces of 3D art. “I have written texts and messages on childhood using neon lights. The words speak of childhood activities and how pure and honest kids are. The sculptures exemplify qualities like boundless trust, genuine goodness, playfulness — where the little ones can be guides to the world of adults,” says Christine, who is mainly a self-taught sculptor. She taught herself by trying, experimenting and persevering in face of the technical issues that sculpture might represent.

She has also worked with resin casters and bronze casters both in India and in France. For more than two years, she joined the Triveni Sculpture Studio in the Capital where she modelled clay figures with assiduity. Besides, Christine has an academic background in both chemical engineering and business administration.

- The Pioneer, May 12, 2015

Tourists from outside Andhra Pradesh may not have heard of Chebrolu, a small yet bustling town situated 17 km away from Guntur, in news recently for excavations of Buddhist relics dating back to the early Satavahana period. But Chebrolu has enjoyed the patronage of Chola, Chalukya, Pallava, Kakatiya and Vijayanagar empires. The legacy that's still stands today is an array of temples belonging from the 10th to 14th century.

Sri Chaturmukha Brahmalingeswara Swamy temple, in particular, is an architectural beauty. Located in the middle of a tank, the only access to the sanctum sanctorum is through a narrow lane from the eastern end. Legend has it that the temple was constructed in this manner to placate an angry god. When the god's anger reaches its peak, the water in the tank rises and submerges the sanctum sanctorum, goes the belief.

The temple was constructed 300 years ago by Raja Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu and is one of the rare temples dedicated to Brahma, who is worshipped along with Shiva in the form of Brahmalingeswara. According to popular belief, Bhrigu Maharshi had cursed Brahma, which is why a Shiva Lingam with carvings of Brahma on its sides was consecrated here instead of a separate idol. The temple is surrounded by four smaller temples -- Shiva temples on the eastern and western sides and Vishnu temples on the northern and southern ends.

The adjacent Sri Adikesava Swamy temple dates back to 9th century. "As per the inscriptions seen here, the deity was installed by the Cholas in the 10th century. The Chalukyas, Pallavas and Kakatiyas further developed this temple. They built the adjoining Sri Nageswara Swamy and Sri Bhimeswara Swamy temples too. There was an inscription that says Sri Krishna Devaraya visited these temples and finished the construction work started by the Cholas," said G Satayanarayanacharyulu, main priest of the temple.

Despite the glorious and rich history that abounds in this place, most of the temples are victims of neglect. In fact, the Brahmalingeswara temple is in a shambles. The tank is covered with moss and domestic waste and the stench emanating from it is horrible. The status of the other temples is more or less the same.

"The endowments department has done nothing for these temples. Some time ago, the archaeology department officials erected a board near the Nageswara temple but it is nowhere to be seen now. The temples do have 350 acres of agricultural land, but god knows what is happening with the proceeds from it," said M Obulesu, a septuagenarian.

The complex once had a temple dedicated to Nataraja and a 1,000 pillar hall (mandapam), reportedly in front of a statue of Nandi (that still stands). A 12-foot-long idol of Nataraja was an attraction a couple of hundred years ago. However, none of these -- not even their remains - can be found today.

1) Buddhist relics, found in the town during recent excavations, date back to the early Satavahana period
2) Chola, Chalukya, Pallava, Kakatiya and Vijayanagar empires extended patronage to the temples
3) Sri Chaturmukha Brahmalingeswara Swamy temple is one of the rare ones dedicated to Lord Brahma
4) The temple was constructed in the middle of a tank to placate an angry god
5) Sri Krishna Deva Raya is said to have visited the Sri Adikesava Swamy temple and finished the construction work started by Cholas

- The Times of India, May 12, 2015

With the temperatures rising in the region, the Aurangabad divisional administration has deployed as many as 1,412 water tankers and acquired 3,488 wells to supply drinking water in eight districts. Aurangabad district heads the list in Marathwada with 451 tankers being pressed into service. According to officials, the number of water tankers deployed in the region set to cross the 2,000-mark before the arrival of monsoon.

Aurangabad divisional commissioner Umakant Dangat told TOI, "With just 53% rainfall in 2014, the region recorded the poorest ever monsoon. Besides, a majority of water sources have also dried up or have reached their bottom. Hence, the administration had to start supplying water through tankers. Till, date the number is over 1,400 and is likely to touch 2,000 soon."

Altogether 1,065 villages and 377 hamlets in eight districts of region are being supplied water through tankers. The districts with sufficient rainfall are still sustaining on the available stock in their water bodies.

For instance, Hingoli district received 892 mm rainfall in the months between June and October. Hence, the administration has deployed just six water tankers in the district so far.

- The Times of India, May 12, 2015

They have been warned, threatened with prosecution and even offered inducements. But a number of farmers in Punjab and Haryana seem disinclined to stop their environment-unfriendly bi-annual exercise of burning crop residue, cited by environmentalists as one of the principal causes of dust haze and air pollution in Delhi and northern India. With the wheat harvest in both the states nearly over, authorities are attempting in whatever they can to discourage farmers from burning the crop residue in their fields. The main concern of the authorities, especially the pollution control boards in both the states, is the harm that the crop burning - wheat stubble and paddy straw - causes to the environment.

While authorities in Haryana have warned farmers and even pointed out that proceedings will be initiated against them for violating the ban on burning stubble, the Punjab government had recently announced cash rewards to districts and villages which curb the unhealthy practice. "Many farmers want to save time of uprooting the crop residue and resort to burning. This may give them short-term results but is harming the fertility of the soil and the environment in the long run," according to Kultar Singh, a young, educated farmer and an environmentalist. Haryana's environment department has issued a notification under the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act of 1981 that bans the burning of agriculture waste in open fields.

"The Haryana government has issued an advisory to the farmers not to burn wheat stubble as it leads to manifold increase in the air pollution level during the harvesting season. They should try to recover it with the help of machines for use as fodder or convert it into manure," an official of the Haryana State Pollution Control Board said. Board officials have been asked to keep a strict vigil and file cases against the defaulting farmers. In recent years, the board has filed cases against 32 farmers in the special environment courts at Kurukshetra and Faridabad.

"The board has so far approved nine cases in 2015-16," the official added. The Punjab government recently announced a financial grant of Rs one crore and Rs.100,000 for each district and village rid of the malaise. "Resorting to punitive measures to end this menace does not yield results; hence it was decided to reward the districts and villages which curbed the practice of straw burning," a Punjab government spokesman said. Punjab contributes over 50 per cent of food grain - wheat and paddy - to the national kitty despite having just 1.54 per cent of the country's geographical area. Haryana's agriculture department is promoting the use of various machines and techniques to discourage farmers from burning crop residue.

"Farmers are being given subsidy for purchase of machines like happy-seeder, turbo-seeder, shredder, bailing machine and zero-seed-cum-fertilizer drill to facilitate in-situ management of crop residue," pointed out agriculture department official Ashok Kumar. "The burning leads to manifold increase in air pollution levels during the harvesting season. The soil fertility is also lost due to the burning of essential nutrients," scientist Ranbir Dahiya said on Monday. It is estimated that burning of one tonne of rice straw accounts for loss of 5.5 kg of nitrogen, 2.3 kg of phosphorus, 25 kg of potassium and 1.2 kg of sulphur.

The heat generated elevates the soil temperature, killing fungi, pests, reptiles and the like that are otherwise beneficial for the crops. "If the crop residue is incorporated or retained in the soil itself, it gets enriched, particularly with organic carbon and nitrogen," Dahiya said. Other hazards of crop burning include the fire spreading to habitations or forests, accidents due to poor visibility caused by the smoke and breathing problems for people. In recent years, both Green Revolution states have seen bumper crops of wheat and paddy, leading to increased burning of crop residue.

- http://www.thehansindia.com/, May 12, 2015

To ensure community participation in eco-tourism activities, the Odisha Eco-tourism Board is planning to create heritage homes in villages within the buffer area of Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR).

The board has asked Wildlife Orissa, an organization working in the field of wildlife and nature, to conduct a survey and select some villages, where heritage homes can be set up. The tourists will stay as paying guests at these homes.

STR deputy director Ajit Satapathy said some houses of villagers will be redesigned so as to make them livable for tourists. "The Wild Orissa is working on the designs. Apart from toilets, the houses will have dining space. The villagers, to be involved in hospitality of tourists, will be imparted training in preparing and serving food and maintaining hygiene," he said.

The deputy director said the heritage homes will help the wildlife wing engage another 200 villagers both directly and indirectly in eco-tourism activities. "Since construction of concrete structure is banned in the reserve, we will convert houses in the villages for tourists to stay. The interiors will be made attractive," said Satapathy.

Wildlife Orissa secretary Monalisa Bhujabal said, "We have selected the spots, keeping in mind the routes that tourists follow, where movement of vehicles won't disturb wild animals. Once the final design is ready, we will carry out the modifications," she said. The state government would initially fund the project, she added. Bhujabal said tourist packages for staying as paying guests at these homes will be decided in consultation with the STR officials. "The project is unique because the villagers will be owners and run the homes on their own. We will only build the necessary infrastructure," she added.

STR sources said 70 villagers are currently reaping direct benefits from eco-tourism and 200 indirectly. In another development, the STR officials provided 31 walkie-talkies to personnel manning 31 anti-poaching camps in the buffer zone.

- The Times of India, May 13, 2015

India's artistic fraternity has never underestimated the importance of the historic Rajabai Tower; it even became the signature opening shot of Bimal Roy's films. The tallest clock tower in the city was reopened after restoration on Tuesday.

The bells pealed softly, as they do every 15 minutes, during the rededication ceremony which was held in the presence of Mumbai University officials, conservation experts and corporate sponsors. The first phase of conservation saw the stone tower and library fortified and waterproofed, while the next task involves lighting and fixtures. By the end of this year, Rajabai Tower is expected to regain its lustre.

Since June 2013, around 100 workers faced the challenge of restoring the 280-ft structure whose only access is by a 2-ft wide staircase. "We realized we could not bring down the large windows that measure 8ft x 4ft, so, we set up a workshop at the height of 196 ft," said architect Brinda Somaya, who helmed the restoration.

"The Minton tiles that are typical of heritage structures in the city had given way in places but contractor Ram Savani managed to source similar pieces from other buildings that had been demolished," said Anita Garware of Indian Heritage Society, which has coordinated the effort since 1995. The vaulted roof of the library sprung a surprise. When Somaya and her team brushed layers of paint and polish, they found an inlay of rosewood lining the ceiling.

On Tuesday, however, the team that had restored the stained glass of Rajabai Tower way back in 1997 remained in the shadows. Conservation architect Vikas Dilawari sat discreetly in the back while stained glass restorer Swati Chandgadkar was absent. Conservation architect Sheetal Gandhi, who is the consultant, also remained out of the limelight. Chandgadkar said, "The stained glass restoration 20 years ago was a pioneering project because several Indians were trained by British masters who came over and stayed for up to six months at a time. I had some background in the art but the rest of the team learnt everything about restoration and painting here."

Rajabai Tower was built at a cost of Rs 3 lakh donated by Sir Premchand Roychand to enable his blind mother to tell the time so she could dine before sunset. It was named after her as well. The late historian, Sharada Dwivedi, had documented that initially neighbours complained that the clock chimed every quarter of an hour and played 34 tunes, then struck loudly at the top of the hour. "The authorities were forced to cover the entire machinery with canvas and mute the sound," she had said. Rajiv Jalan, owner of Eastern Watch Company, said it replicates London's Big Ben and peals a cache of similar tunes.

- The Times of India, May 13, 2015

On April 29, Pooja Uthappa, a resident of central Bengaluru, left her home in the morning, like any other day, for her workplace at Sigma Technology Park in Whitefield. She took a bus and got off at the Varthur Kodi bus stop, next to Varthur Lake. The sight was striking. The entire lake was blanketed in a thick layer of snow white foam and the froth, over two feet high, was spilling onto the main road.

“Until then, I had seen froth within the lake,” said Uthappa, who is also a member of Whitefield Rising, a citizens’ group working on various civic issues, including lake protection. “This was the first time foam flowed out of Varthur Lake and spread on the road. We don’t know the reason for the spillover, but are extremely concerned about the water bodies in the city.”

Besides Varthur, two other lakes in the city – Bellandur and Yemalur – spat out foam that morning, shocking residents and passers-by. When the froth finally settled, the Karnataka Pollution Control Board and Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board got into a predictable blame game, while the Central Pollution Control Board sent in a team from Delhi on May 2 to collect water samples for testing and assess the foaming phenomenon. Its report is still awaited.

The foam, however, is not the real problem, clarifies S Vishwanath of the Bengaluru-based company Biome Environmental Solutions, which works on water sustainability solutions. “It is a symptom of the larger problem of untreated sewage and effluents flowing into the water bodies.”

Bengaluru generates about 1,100 million litres of sewage per day but its installed sewage treatment capacity is just 780 million litres. Even this is not fully utilised as “due to lack of sewerage, only 450 million litres of sewage is collected and conveyed to the treatment plants,” said Vishwanath. “Thus, almost 650 million litres of untreated sewage is discharged into the local lakes, rivers and valley.” This untreated sewage, coupled with industrial effluents, is killing Bengaluru’s water bodies.

Learning from other countries Lakes and tanks are already fast disappearing in India’s Silicon Valley. According to the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment, of the 207 tanks in the city in the 1970s, only 93 remained in 2010. At this rate, they will all be lost by 2020.

“Because untreated sewage and effluents flow into the lakes of Bengaluru, the ammonia and phosphate levels go up, and the dissolved oxygen comes down,” said Sushmita Sengupta, deputy programme director of the water team of the Centre for Science and Environment. “This leads to froth formation and causes harm to the aquatic ecosystem.”

Apart from the household sewage, Vishwanath blames the detergent industry for the foaming phenomenon. “The detergent industry is increasingly receiving hard water, which it softens by adding more and more phosphate,” he said. “Apart from phosphate, it also adds surfactants [surface active agents] and foaming agents to ensure easier cleaning of clothes. These surfactants and phosphate are getting into our lakes and causing froth formation.”

He notes that our traditional sewage treatment plants cannot handle the load of the growing detergent industry. Before a solution is found, Vishwanath says, it is crucial that the principle of extended producer responsibility be applied to the detergent industry, making it share information about the amount of phosphate and surfactants consumed by it.

Vishwanath is not off the mark. The detergent industry was implicated for causing high levels of foam in some European rivers, which led to the first set of regulations in Europe to control the types of surfactants used in detergents.

Similarly, the US and Canada introduced regulations on the phosphate content in detergents in the 1970s when they found that phosphate was causing eutrophication of the Great Lakes. Eutrophication is when an environment becomes excessively enriched with nutrients, causing extreme aquatic plant growth, whose decomposition reduces the dissolved oxygen level in the water killing aquatic organisms. Experts call for regulations

Today, in most developed countries, phosphate-free detergents rule the market. However, in India, little is known about the constituents of detergents. Companies do not readily disclose this information and there are no regulations to control pollution from detergent use. The Bureau of Indian Standards has formulated standards for household laundry detergent powders (IS 4955:2001), but these are voluntary in nature.

If urban water bodies in Bengaluru are to be protected, say experts, more regulations on the detergent industry will be necessary. What will be needed too is decentralised sewage treatment. The second is something the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board is implementing in a phased manner. To treat 1,100 million litres of sewage every day, 25 sewage treatment plants are proposed across Bengaluru, which should be complete by this year’s end.

In order to protect the lakes of Bengaluru, experts recommend that each lake should have its own mini sewage treatment plant and an artificial wetland. The raw sewage, which currently flows into the lakes, should first go to the mini-plant for treatment. From there, the treated sewage should flow to an artificial wetland and then into the lake. This will ensure minimum pollution load on the lakes. This scheme has already been successfully implemented at Bengaluru’s Jakkur Lake, which has a 10 mld sewage treatment plant and an artificial wetland, and is one of the cleanest lakes in the city.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Science and Environment is demanding better regulations for protection of urban water bodies and wetlands across India. To this effect, it has prepared a draft Legal, Institutional and Technical Framework for Lake/Wetland Protection in India. “The present Wetlands (Management and Conservation) Rules, 2010 lack legal teeth, and hence, remain unimplemented,” said Sengupta. “There is no role of local people in protection of wetlands and the only recourse is approaching the courts. The legal procedure sometimes takes a decade, by which time the lake is already dead. This happened with Badkal Lake in Faridabad, Haryana.”

The Karnataka government is not unaware of the poor state of the urban water bodies. On February 9, the legislative assembly passed a bill to create an authority for management of lakes in the state. The authority is empowered to remove encroachments, impose fines of Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000, and imprison violators for three to five years.

But will this be enough to infuse life back into the dying lakes of Bengaluru? It remains to be seen. Nidhi Jamwal is a Mumbai-based freelance journalist reporting on environment for 16 years. She tweets @JamwalNidhi.

- http://scroll.in/article, May 13, 2015

Though fishermen communities are noting the dwindling numbers in their catch and changes in fish species, they have not related the same to climate change. This requires them to adapt and take up mitigation measures, says an ICAR study covering 300 households in two villages of Ochanthuruth and Njarackal in Ernakulam district.

The study is part of a global project on coastal vulnerability, funded by G-8 Research Council and Belmont Forum. Around 40 scientists from 12 countries are involved in the studies, which covers coastal villages in two panchayats (one each in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram) in Kerala and two in Tamil Nadu.

It found that the consequences of climate change in the long run have not been perceived well by the community. "We found that they understood the changes in temperatures, fish catch dwindling and understood that it was impacting their lives. However, they didn't know that it was part of a larger issue that needs to be addressed," said principal investigator Shyam S Salim, scientist, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi. Changes in fish catch composition over years were perceived as the impact of climate change by 48% of the respondents including 22% from Ochanthuruth and 26% from Njarackal.

In the interview-based study, the fishermen said that "Many species like pomfrets, shark, ray fish, sardine and mackerel were only available in small quantity or not available now." Sardine, the most abundant species available for consumption for the community in the past, is also not readily available now for consumption. According to researchers, this magnifies the issue of fish scarcity thus affecting their livelihood.

Many women said that they have experienced a change in taste for the fishes available now, especially for sardine. They said that the sardine available now is having less amount of oil content and the availability of brood stock sardine vary between seasons.

Pointing out that the level of awareness is minimal despite having high functional literacy, the study indicates the fishermen's inability to correlate environmental changes consequent to climate change to their livelihood. The households covered were within 500m from the shoreline and in the interviews, the fisherfolk were asked to prioritize their perceptions on different factors including shift in spawning seasons.

The catch reduction, increased effort in fishing, alterations in fishing seasons, non-availability of regular species, occurrence of invasive species, and temporal shift in the species availability, loss in craft and gear and depletion of farm inventories were among the other factors that were discussed.

- The Times of India, May 13, 2015

he project to layer the pradakshina marg in Mahalaxmi temple is awaiting the state archaeology department's permission. As part of the project, which is an initiative of a local NGO, the work of covering the floor with cool coat layer outside the temple has been completed after the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) granted permission for the same.

Raju Lingraj, social committee head of the Kshatriya Maratha Chamber of Commerce, an organisation that is working on the project, said, "We have submitted the proposal to the Paschim Maharashtra Devasthan Samiti. District collector Saini, who is the president of PMDS, organised meeting with us last Friday. We told him in detail about how the layer will play a crucial role during the summer season. The devotees will get some respite from the sun as the layer will keep the floor cool. Thereafter, the PMDS has sent the proposal to the state archaeology department and we are expected to get its permission within two days. After getting permission, we will start layering of the floor inside the temple."

"Technically, for doing any kind of work inside the temple premises, one needs to take the PMDS's permission. Besides, the samiti too has to take state archaeology department's permission for the same after which PMDS can allow the work," he said.

"For carrying out any kind of work, the KMC's permission is necessary. We got KMC's permission within two after which we began the work of coating the floor outside all the four main entrances of the temple, where the devotees stand in queue. We have completed the work and are now awaiting permission to start work inside the temple," Lingraj said.

"Before applying the layers, we cleaned the floor with water and other washing material. Thereafter, we applied a bounding coat on it. On this coat, we apply a main layer of white polymer consisting of volcano ash, which is heat resistant. Finally, we cover the layer with a protective coat. The process is scientifically developed and consists of four layers of different coats. The material we have used has a characteristic of repelling the heat resulting in keeping the floor's surface cool," he said.

"The city is witnessing rise in the number of tourists and devotees visiting the temple every year. The number of tourists increases during the summer season. The layering of the temple with cool coat will help the devotees to deal with the scorching sun," he added.

According to PMDS officials, they have received the NGO's proposal to cover the pradakshina marg, which is used by the devotees, and sent it to the state archaeology department. The PMDS officials will take a decision after the department grants permission. - The Times of India, May 13, 2015 Sylvester Stallone to exhibit paintings

Sylvester Stallone will exhibit his art work in Nice, France, from this weekend. Hollywood action star Sylvester Stallone will exhibit his art work in Nice, France, from this weekend. The 68-year-old actor will showcase some of the artwork he has created over the last 50 years at Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporaine in Nice, and will personally be at the event’s opening on Saturday, May 16, reported Female First.

Following the opening, VIPs will gather at the Place Massena with the mayor of the city for a celebratory dinner Many of the “Expendables” star’s paintings are inspired by his movie roles, or feature references to the likes of Michael Jackson, James Dean and his ex-wife Brigitte Nielsen.

- The Times of India, May 13, 2015

Many residents, especially senior citizens, want the Fancy Bazaar compound that once housed the Guwahati central jail to be preserved as a heritage site in memory of the freedom fighters who were lodged there.

The jail, which was set up in the Fancy Bazaar area in 1881, shifted to its current location in Lakhra in 2012. Though the district administration has plans to turn the structure into a major commercial complex with underground parking, the response from residents has been lukewarm.

"The area is steeped in history. Many people who took part in the freedom struggle were lodged in this jail. So no major construction should be allowed here as it will destroy its heritage. We suggest that a column be raised in the memory of the martyrs from the northeast who laid down their lives for the nation," said Ajoy Dutta, a former MLA and working president of 'Citizens' First', a civil society group.

The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) plans to develop a one-stop destination on the jail land. The shopping complex will comprise an exhibition hall, conference rooms, theatres and hotels and will have the latest disaster response mechanism. It will also include space for underground parking.

The revenue and disaster management department recently issued an allotment order for over 56 bigha of jail land in favour of the GMDA, based on a concept paper submitted by the Guwahati Development Department (GDD).

"Making parking arrangement on the site is possible without demolishing existing structures. Instead of constructing huge buildings, the area should be left open. We propose planting of trees in the location to increase the city's green cover," Dutta said Dinesh Biashya, founder chairman of the Assam chapter of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), said a jail museum could be built there.

- The Times of India, May 13, 2015

India has been ranked 52 in the travel and tourism competitiveness ranking index, as per the latest report released by World Economic Forum. India has been ranked 52 in the travel and tourism competitiveness ranking index, as per the latest report released by World Economic Forum.

The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report ranks 141 countries across 14 separate dimensions, revealing how well countries could deliver sustainable economic and societal benefits through their travel and tourism sector.

The report on tourism sector reveals that the tourism industry already accounts for 5% of India's employment and its huge potential for further growth considering country's seven million international visitors to China's 55 million.

- http://www.dnaindia.com/, May 13, 2015

A consultation team is likely to visit Amaravathi next week to conduct a survey to develop it as a heritage city. The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation officials are making arrangements for the survey, according to APTDC divisional manager D Suryaprakash Rao. The APTDC recently organised the Buddha Purnima celebrations at Amaravathi and two other places successfully. Suryaprakash said that there was great response from people for the celebrations organised at Amaravathi and Bhattiprolu.

Necessary plans will be put in place to take up development programmes at Amaravathi. “Amaravathi will attract many international tourists once it us developed and more accommodation facilities provided at the site,” said the divisional manager.

It may be noted that the State is determined to develop Amaravathi to attract international tourists as it has been named the capital city. According to information several teams have already started working on the survey of Amaravathi. The Union Ministry of Urban Development had declared Amaravathi as a heritage city along with 11 other cities across the country in December 2014.

- http://www.thehansindia.com/, May 13, 2015

Once a palace adorned with the finest chandeliers and Iranian silk curtains, the Paigah Palace has turned into a haven for dogs, stray cattle and goats.

Clearly underscoring the poor efforts by authorities to save the heritage structure, the centuries-old Khurshid Jah Devdi (Paigah Palace) is reduced to mere ruins, say city's historians and heritage activists. The two-storied palace, built in 1781 over a high plinth, has spacious rooms and verandas. The European style facade is marked by iconic columns and a barrel-vault roof.

Located in Hussaini Alam, it is considered to be the best example of Palladian architecture (European style architecture and artwork). The Paigahs or the Shums-ul-Umra family was considered a premier nobility of Hyderabad. They were richer and had large estates apart from having their own court and palaces. They even commanded a 12,000 strong private army. When Hyderabad was merged with the Union of India, the Paigahs shifted their base from Old City to places like Begumpet and Banjara Hills. "With no revenue pouring in from any quarter, the Paigah nobles left the building," said P Anuradha Reddy, convenor, Intach, Hyderabad.

Now, the vacant rooms and hallways have turned into breeding ground for miscreants as well as goats and cattle with no form of maintenance. The columns, which hold up the building, are cracking and paint peeling off the walls. "The government took over the palace and converted it into a school. When the condition worsened, even the educational institute vacated, leaving the building to an unfortunate end," Reddy said.

Experts pointed out that the government has not taken up any restoration work on this structure. As a result, water keeps leaking from the roof and ultimately bleeds colours from the pillars and walls.

According to government sources, the Heritage Conservation Committee formed by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has not met in the last few years. The present condition of Paigah Palace has left historians in tears. Ironically, this building had been notified as a Grade-3 heritage structure by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority.

This palace was used by the Paigah noblemen mainly for ceremonies. An array of elephants, horses and armed personnel used to march in the open grounds in front of the palace during their occasions. The namesake palace was inherited by Khurshid Jah from his grandfather Nawab Fakhruddin Khan. Khurshid, a Paigah noble, was entrusted with the task of providing protection to the then Nizam's dominion.

Additionally, Khurshid was commended with the largest Paigah estate encompassing close to 468 villages. Jah was the custodian of the largest Paigah estate with 468 villages under his rule.

- The Times of India, May 14, 2015

I happened to visit Sanchi in 2013, and experienced its several many hues. I happened to visit Sanchi in 2013, and experienced its several hues, which even the colourful Ogilvy & Mather advertisement echoed with its incredible “Rang hai, Malang hai, Sau tarah ke Rang hai’, jingle.

The state of Madhya Pradesh is a perfect confluence of different kinds of heritage- natural, cultural and aesthetic. What is truly epic about its cultural repository are some of the geographical aspects emanating from history, and well, geology. Take for instance, the Tropic of Cancer line that passes through Vidisha district, a common stopover for enthusiasts’ enroute to the glorious Sanchi Stupas.

Sanchi, needs no introduction. A UNESCO World heritage site located in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, Sanchi Stupas reveal richness of Indian heritage, the country’s enormous cultural inventory, and lessons from post Mauryan craftsmen on architecture and arts. A typical stupa comprises of a semi-spherical dome, circumambulatory pathways called Pradakshinapatha along with pillared structured gateways called Toranas, also the most evocative in a Stupa’s architectural style.

These Toranas have Jataka stories which narrate previous births of Buddha, and narrative depiction of several of Buddha’s life events. For instance, the most popular and famous Queen Maya’s dream with the descending elephant. These events along with Jataka stories of Buddha, contributed to an important aspect of decor, semblance of which is seen in contemporary wall painting styles in the countryside, today. While their thematic essence might differ,

the provenance of style and most importantly of creative imagination and thought, remain unanimous across different eras of art demonstration. This particular terrain is rich with several other antique sites, the most stunning of them being of Bhimbetka rock shelters (another UNESCO heritage site in Raisen district) proximate to Vindhya ranges, housing prehistoric paintings depicting early life and primitive occupations, man-man/ man-wild relationships – emblematic of a unique symbiosis that existed in those golden days of sacred groves.

Various styles, stone carvings and narrative art depiction through stories are few features of these prodigious structures that boast of richness and authenticity of ancient murals. The most fascinating aspect about our prehistoric era is the austerity and grandeur, with which these monumental structures stand the test of time. The relevance of these styles is evident in wall paintings and murals, seen in rural India during customary celebrations of harvest or say, nuptials. Instance, if limestone (chuna), chalcedony, haemtite (red geru),

stones and bricks were used during paleolithic era to beautifully narrate the continuum of human saga and man’s relationship with nature and wild- similar creative expressions find refuge on traditional folk paintings of today, depicting how important it was, and still is to creatively narrate daily rituals of life. Together, these paintings, and rock art murals contribute to a repertoire of historical anecdotes to learn from, thus nourishing our artistic acumen.

It is not surprising therefore, that present day Warli and Pithora art derive their inspiration from ancient rituals of socio-economic activity, thus corroborating to the seminal values, prehistoric architectural style passed on to generations, leaving behind meticulous imprints of imaginative story telling exercises. In fact, these story narrations, (albeit with different content and message) resonate with the innovative ‘Communications for Development’ methodologies based on visual appeals, deployed by organizations these days, to maximize developmental outreach of their welfare programmes.

Last week, our Honourable PM invoked Buddha and his teachings, his contributions to peace and humanity. From Sri Lanka, Japan, Nepal, China, to even Mongolia now, the present dispensation’s focus on enhancing friendships through common cultural roots of Buddhist teachings, is testimony to the present day relevance of invoking Buddhism and its spiritual significance, in our daily lives.

It is indeed, one of the many ways to connect and establish amity with people, and nations through several conservational efforts ranging from preserving heritage sites, to prospering sustainable tourism initiatives. Such efforts generate knowledge capital, and encourage avenues for meaningful intellectual and spiritual exchange, while balancing the essentials of soft power, and furthering cultural diplomatic ties. India’s pivotal role in construing Nalanda International University establishes a case in point, to how an ancient seat of Buddhist learning could be harnessed towards cementing global learning capital, and cultural diplomacy.

Domestically speaking, government programmes have been undertaken to promote tourism, conservation, and preservation of important Buddhist sanctuaries. The recently lauched ‘Swadesh-Darshan’ which focuses on developing a Buddhist circuit connecting Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Vaishali in Bihar and Kapilavastu, Sarnath, Shravasti, Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh- is a promising step towards preserving heritage and history, thus reviving ethos of ancient culture.

- The Indian express, May 14, 2015

I have had many Dennis the Menace moments when I saw how tough it is being a child and trying to make your way into a world created by adults. Thankfully, children have short memories I am told, and don’t necessarily recall too many incidents from their previous years unless they had a very deep impact or were connected to something else suppressed in the sub-conscious mind.

I personally have some very abiding memories of my childhood and thankfully all of them are pleasant and I remember those moments very fondly. And when I see how tough a job it is being a child, let alone child-like, I shudder. These thoughts came bounding when during the show Being a Child by sculptor Christine Margotin.

The works in bronze are joyous life-sized manifestations of children’s games, their attitude and messages. The genteel ambiance of the Hungarian Culture Centre provides the perfect backdrop for the show as the artist explores the dialectics between childhood and adulthood. She is known for making sculptures of people occupied in actions that inspire delight, empathy or daydreams. Her sculptures, secure in realism, are characterized by a strong sense of aesthetics and a genuine openness.

In this series, the sculptor evokes the enjoyment of childhood, the child’s ability to be happy for no or little reason. Sculptures in this series show compositions where colour painted bronze is associated to others materials. With this definitely innovative and contemporary body of works, the artist immerses the onlooker in a state of wonder, a state of mind more known to children than grown-ups. To showcase various attitudes a series of “children’s attitude” has been created that the artist observed are signs of the underlying qualities of children like trust, goodness and playfulness. Pushing forward the main message of the exhibition is the third series with artworks made on canvases that involve the third dimension and brought forward with comments about childhood.

Christine Margotin is a French artist who lives in New Delhi since 2009. She is mainly self-taught by experimenting and persevering in face of the technical issues that sculpture might represent. Christine has an academic background in both chemical engineering and business administration. Interestingly before dedicating herself to sculpture, she worked as a process engineer in the oil industry and as a strategy consultant.

Another important show that comes to town is Deathlessness, a presentation of Apeejay Arts in collaboration with Chatterjee and Lal. It is a retrospective of works (1997-2013) by Ashish Avikunthak, active in the art and film circuits since the late 1990s, who has established himself as one of India’s most prolific film artists. For his first exhibition in Delhi, Avikunthak presents a suite of five works spanning 16 years which reflect his ongoing query into the nature of life and death, the inter section of time and filmic narrative structures and contemporary readings of classical philosophical themes.

Avikunthak’s films are highly formal meditations on ritual, time and death. They are rooted in Indian religion, philosophy and history, without being about any of these in an anthropological way. Unlike his Indian peers, who use obvious symbols like tiffins, bindis of their cultural identity in a way that is decipherable for biennial and art-fair audiences, Avikunthak’s works strongly resist being so easily packaged for the new global art world circuits.

The Jabalpur born artist lives in Kolkata and New Haven. His work has been seen in exhibitions and festivals at institutions such as Tate Modern, London; Centre George Pompidou, Paris; Taipei Biennial; Shanghai Biennale as well as in Kolkata and Mumbai. He has a PhD in cultural anthropology from Stanford University and has taught at Yale University. He is now an Assistant Professor of Film Media at the Harrington School of Communication & Media, University of Rhode Island.

In an art world where an increasing number of critics are arguing that much globalised art takes the form of hollowed-out visual Esperanto, Avikunthak’s works insist on an Indian epistemology while utilizing a rigorously formal visual language that is clearly aware of Western avant-grade practices such as those of Andrei Tarkovsky and Samuel Beckett. These are self-consciously difficult works that are filmed in a self-consciously beautiful way. Dr Alka Raghuvanshi is an art writer, curator and artist and can be contacted on [email protected]

- The Asian Age, May 14, 2015

In a bid to inculcate the joy of heritage exploration, the Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (Intach) has recruited students from different colleges and educational institutions in the state. Students will be sent to different districts to explore the cultural and structural heritage of the area. The programme is called Zilla Khazana.

"It is only the youth who can bring about a change. There must be over a hundred lesser-known heritage structures and treasures, which students can bring out. These children are well-versed with gadgetry and modern periphery storing and collating the information they find would be an easier task," said BP Acharya, principal secretary of the state tourism and culture department.

Acharya added that once the database is ready, the government will promote these places. "Once the first list of district-wise structures is ready, we will try and publish it on June 2, which is the state formation day," he said. - The Times of India, May 14, 2015 To Beijing, Softly

As PM Narendra Modi visits China, he must manage the deliverables as well as the expectations. Apart from the visit’s strategic and economic agenda, there are “softer” targets that could help with India’s hard bargaining power. There are several opportunities for pragmatic cooperation with China.

Take climate diplomacy. Modi’s recent pronouncement that India would drive the dynamics of the meeting on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Paris is welcome. To deliver on this, India will have to work with China. China seems to be making the right moves to consolidate its position in climate diplomacy. India could learn a lesson or two, not just to deal with climate change domestically, but also to play a more critical role in the regional and global agenda. The Sino-Indian partnership in recent years has seen a two-track approach in climate diplomacy, using negotiations under the UNFCCC as well as non-UN led partnerships.

India could also take some tips from how China prepares to be heard in climate discussions. Beijing’s ability to collaborate with NGOs and scientific institutions lends its actions credibility. India should avoid undermining its diplomatic efforts with a non-inclusive process. Both countries face the enormous problem of dealing with various forms of pollution. Both governments are struggling to improve the quality of the environment. This seems to be trumped by a thirst for industrialisation. But the winds of change are beginning to blow in China.

It has tried to reduce the use of coal and engage in the emission trading system, which enables actions to switch to cleaner production systems. Then there is the question of corporate-social responsibility. China’s harmonious society and circular economy policies form its official development strategy. India could learn from it at a time when its corporate sector is beginning to comply with the new CSR law. India and China could work together to implement CSR systems in such a manner that they become win-win propositions for both the private sector and government. Initiatives such as the Green Finance Task Force set up by the People’s Bank of China seem to influence policy changes towards better CSR.

Yet another area for pragmatic cooperation could be the use and promotion of traditional medicine and knowledge systems. China’s vigorous approach to ensuring formal recognition of its traditional medicines and medical systems is an example for several countries to follow. As elaborated in a recent publication, The Living Tree, there are three areas of cooperation needed between China and India in traditional medicine and knowledge management. These include developing a new model for protection, working on international standardisation and integrating traditional medicine into global public health planning, to achieve the newly crafted but yet to be adopted sustainable development goal on health.

Having served with the China Council on International Cooperation for Environment and Development (CCICED), one of the key lessons I have learnt is that international cooperation must be enhanced for better credibility of actions, and in order to attract global expertise and funding to solve local problems. Over the last 20 years, the CCICED has emerged as a key player in environment and development debates,

drawing in multilateral agencies such as the World Bank and the UNDP as well as technology-rich countries such as Norway and international NGOs like the IUCN. The CCICED meets annually and uses inputs from national and international experts to formulate policy and practice recommendations for sustainable development. The time has come for India to join the CCICED to partake in these deliberations as well as to establish such a platform domestically. It could become a “soft” diplomatic platform for development.

The need to reduce trade deficits and remove non-tariff barriers is urgent, but cooperation in the areas identified above is also important. It must not be neglected. The writer is a visitor at the Minzu University of China under the ‘111’ programme established by the Chinese government and served on the biodiversity task force of the CCICED. Views are personal

- The Indian express, May 14, 2015

A few years ago, people living around the Kathauta Jheel were up in arms when the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) wanted to sell a part of the lake. This lake may have got saved but a survey by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) says while there were around 924 ponds in the city in 1952, only 494 ponds remained in 2006.

The study revealed that around 128 ponds were fully encroached by big habitations along the banks, 133 were lost to the housing projects of LDA, 32 to UP Housing and Development Board projects, 18 ponds were lost to roads construction while 4-5 ponds were engulfed by the railway projects in last 20 years. The ones which exist are in fragile condition with water quality deteriorated and depressed catchment areas.

"Water bodies within the urban core have become largely extinct. They either serve as dumping ground for solid waste, sludge and construction waste or receive untreated sewage water. There is no pond left in city which maintains healthy water-quality," says Venkatesh Dutta, assistant professor at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University's School for Environmental Sciences.

Experts claim that most water bodies are present on the periphery of the city but they too are falling prey to construction activity. Dutta's study of 2009 states that constant reclaiming of water bodies for residential settlement and commercial establishments has led to the loss of natural water storage, flora diversity and decrease in wetland area. This is affecting groundwater recharge. Wetlands in a city, say experts, also act as thermo-regulators to keep the temperature balance in a city.

About two years ago, the government had ordered all local bodies to remove encroachments on ponds. But, there has been little action. The district administration recently suggested the city has lost about 70 ponds in the past decade. Though government has taken up re-charging and beautification of Sheesh Mahal pond in heritage area, it is still being polluted by the sewage flow from nearby localities.

The worst impact is seen around Sitapur and Faizabad Road on the northern side while Rae Bareilly and Kanpur Road on southern tip of the city. Environmentalists say that these storage basins should be freed from encroachments in order to preserve the natural beauty of the city and to collect local runoff. The amount of recharge in the city can be improved once these lakes are freed from encroachments.

- The Times of India, May 14, 2015

Even though the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) did not spend any money towards heritage conservation in the previous financial year, it has sanctioned Rs 40 crore towards heritage preservation for the financial year 2015-16.

Last year, the GHMC had allocated an astounding Rs 100 crore towards heritage conservation, but unfortunately the fund was not utilized properly. The GHMC's heritage cell, this year, is all set to revamp and come forward with a better plan of action to use funds. According to sources, the GHMC will initially hire consultants to understand the condition of old structures. It would then take steps to prevent any form of encroachment.

"The GHMC will make plans to enhance the green cover along these heritage structures. It will also ensure that there is ample parking space near these structures," said a senior GHMC official. Apart from these, the GHMC will take active interest in the Charminar Pedestrianisation Project (CPP), he added. In August last year, former GHMC mayor Majid Hussain gave a representation to civic chief Somesh Kumar asking for funds for repairs and conservation works along the Charminar.

"Ever since a series of campaigns have been taken up by the civic body, heritage conservation has taken a backseat. There are a few important heritage projects which are pending such as the Gateways of Hyderabad (archways to the 14 entry routes into the city), Mir Alam Tank Beautification and Kishanbagh Amusement Park. It is up to the commissioner now to take a call on the matter," said a former corporator requesting anonymity. He further added that if the civic body does not initiate the works now, there would be no scope to take them up later, considering the fact that the city would gear up for festivities soon.

According to sources, the GHMC will initially hire consultants to understand the condition of old structures. It would then take steps to prevent any form of encroachment

- The Times of India, May 14, 2015

The India-China relationship today is marked by low levels of mutual trust and the lack of knowledge of the other among the people of both countries. Mr. Modi’s test will be to introduce more rationality to the relationship and to convince his Chinese interlocutors about this

In 1950, the year of establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of India and the People’s Republic of China, the Indian Sinologist, Prabodh Chandra Bagchi, offered this summation of their “thousand year” relationship: “To Friends in China:..The road is long, so do not mind the smallness of the present. We wish you may accept it.” This note of forbearance is not easily assimilated in either country today, populated as both of them are by young “dreams”, incandescent nationalisms, and power in the process of being restored.

As the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, goes to China, bearing his message of INCH (India and China) towards MILES (Millennium of Exceptional Synergy), he is in tune with the synergy of that earlier millennium in relations between the two countries, conscious of the smallness of the present in India-China interaction, and the length of the road ahead as the two countries seek to build harmony in the midst of differences.

In the tradition of his ancient Indian forebears in China, when he lands in Xian, from where the Silk Road stretched westward into India, Mr. Modi, ever the pragmatist who also dares to dream, will approach the challenge of China, aware of the complexities that crowd the relationship, but also conscious of the potential it holds. Not brothers but partners

The India-China relationship today is marked by low levels of mutual trust, pervading ambivalence in each country’s approach to the other, and the lack of knowledge of the other among the people of either country. Mr. Modi’s test is to introduce more rationality and coherence into the relationship than there is today, and to convince his Chinese interlocutors of the need for the same. The two countries that gave the world Panchsheel, cannot live in mutual exclusion. Indians and Chinese cannot be brothers, but they can be partners.

Deng Xiaoping said that for China, “Development is the hard truth”. That dictum applies equally to India. It is only a strong, secure, economically developed India that can successfully achieve the goal of being a leader on the global stage. A partnership for development between India and China is a win-win partnership and neither side can lose in such a transaction. India, which has distances to cover in its development marathon, aims well to draw in investment and infrastructure-creating expertise from China.

This is pragmatic and we must drop apprehensions of Chinese companies as Bond villains stroking Persian cats on a desert island and unleashing deadly viruses on people. India is big and strong enough to deal with such entities and get what it wants. “Old Kashmir and Chinese Xinjiang were intimately linked. A 21st century Silk Road initiative should explore these connections.” Policy moves, as reported by the media, to ease visas for Chinese nationals visiting India for tourism and business purposes are logical.

India is increasingly a good business destination for Chinese investors and companies. From being ranked 19 in China’s export markets in 2001, India was ranked number 6 in 2013. The Indian consumer is literally the next-door neighbour for Chinese businesses today, a neighbour who is seeking several “home improvements” that a Chinese supplier or investor can help with. Take Xiaomi, known to Indian consumers as just Mi, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer that in just under a year has seen India become its largest overseas market. Mobile phones are our single largest item of import from China. Tapping trade and tourism

The business of diplomacy is business. Our trade with China has grown phenomenally in the last decade and so has our trade deficit ($44.7 billion at last count). The Chinese market has been resistant to entry by our pharmaceutical exports and our service industries. An unequal relationship is an uneasy relationship. Mandarins in the Chinese Commerce Ministry need more strategic direction from the top decision-making echelons in the Politburo and the State Council on this aspect of legitimate concern for Indian businesses. This is a point the Prime Minister will have to emphatically make.

Another area of focus must be tourism. Tourist arrivals from China are minuscule. Chinese views of India are mired in images of poverty, dirt and chaos. There is much to be done in terms of changing that view, and attracting young Chinese particularly to our Buddhist sites, our backwaters and rainforests, and our Hindu and Islamic heritage. Given the millions who are fans of yoga in China, there is obviously a vast, untapped section of the Chinese travelling public that will make India a favoured destination if we market our tourist attractions in a focussed and “smart” manner.

State visits are occasions for signing agreements, joint statements and declarations. The path of bilateral relations is strewn with the headstones of such documents. Concretely, India and China must move forward with more purpose in areas like their strategic economic dialogue, on issues of military-to-military cooperation (itself a solid confidence-building measure), better connectivity which is the spine on which trade and investment is positioned (a positive measure would be direct air connectivity between New Delhi and Beijing), consultations on disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control (a welcome first round was held in Beijing last month), state-to-state relations between our provinces and China’s (the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh has returned recently from a very useful tour of China), and consultations on the regional situation, especially on Afghanistan.

China-Pakistan ties China’s ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative (the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank — the AIIB — is another), bearing the stamp of the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, himself, is a clever way of redrawing the map of the region on a Chinese-driven projection. The Maritime Silk Road, which traces its genealogy to the ancient southern silk route, essentially provides a catchy name to China’s 21st century foray into the waters of the Indian Ocean, building ports and staging points in key stations along the way,

including Sri Lanka, the Maldives, northern Kenya, and Gwadar in Pakistan. The benefits to India are difficult to assess, as we legitimately seek to consolidate our time-tested ties and create our own organic connectivity with the islands and coastal lands of the Indian Ocean. The Prime Minister’s tours in the region are a reflection of this reality. As part of its Belt initiative, China is working with Pakistan to construct a Sino-Pakistan Economic Corridor across the Karakoram ranges into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and connecting with the Arabian Sea at Gwadar.

The alignment of this corridor is largely parallel, when seen on the map, with our Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. The “all-weather strategic partnership of cooperation” between China and Pakistan (Mr. Xi is freshly returned from a visit to our western neighbour), continues to flourish unimpeded, despite reports of the troubles in Xinjiang fomented by East Turkestan Islamic Movement groups ostensibly trained in terror camps in Pakistan. The Sino-Pakistan relationship will not be far from the Prime Minister’s thoughts, and is a source of fundamental dissonance in our interface with China. It will not go away.

China’s selective approach to the issue of Kashmir, where its actions in PoK signal implicit acceptance of Pakistani jurisdiction, vis-à-vis avoidance of contacts with India on Jammu and Kashmir and entities based there, is another source of difference. There is no reason why China should not encourage contacts between Xinjiang and Jammu and Kashmir, or even an aviation link between Urumqi and New Delhi. Old Kashmir and Chinese Xinjiang were intimately linked. A 21st century Silk Road initiative should explore these connections. The boundary question

The gorilla in the room is predictably, the boundary question. It is somewhat caged although it rattles the door rather persistently when transgressions occur along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and a hyperventilating media in both countries (and a larger social media universe) agitates it further. Let it not be forgotten that the areas along the LAC in the India-China border areas have remained clash-free since October 1975. Since 1993, various agreements to maintain peace and tranquillity, and confidence-building mechanisms between border security personnel on both sides,

have kept the peace effectively, despite doomsday predictions. One hopes for adequate reserves of good sense on the part of both governments to ensure that peace prevails. Recrudescent nationalisms in either country should not drive the debate to a point where well-calibrated mechanisms for stability are rendered non-functional. In an interview on the eve of Mr. Modi’s visit, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that settling the boundary question “as early as possible is the historical responsibility that falls on both governments”.

This is not an impossible goal but will require the political strength, confidence, conviction and fibre to accept mutual adjustment and accommodation so that an agreed boundary line demarcates the long frontier between India and China. Are out-of-the box solutions possible, ones that will enable a biosphere beyond borders for the people who inhabit the frontier areas? These have been explored and found possible in similar situations across the world.

For a start, border trade needs more of a fillip from both governments, as also the opening of more pilgrimage routes. The route from Demchok in Ladakh to the holy sites of Kailash and Manasarovar is one such example. Opening the route will certainly create a radically new normal in the area, allowing for a people-centred dispensation to ring-fence a territorial dispute. Here, the ball is in China’s court.

Mr. Modi’s joining Weibo, the Chinese social media network, is an astute move. Even if it does not move mountains, it will awaken millions of Chinese, the young and educated especially, to an interest in India. We need that awakening. As a leader of the free world, Mr. Modi’s can be a powerful presence in China. That is as it should be.

(Nirupama Rao, a former Indian Ambassador to China and the United States, was the Foreign Secretary of India from 2009 to 2011. She is now a Jawaharlal Nehru Fellow at the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, New Delhi. A specialist in India-China relations, she is also working on a book on India-China relations.)

- The Hindu, May 14, 2015

Pre-monsoon showers on Wednesday once again exposed the Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) tall claims of having created basic infrastructure to tackle heavy downpour. The 102.6mm rainfall caused waterlogging and overflowing of drains which flooded roads, basements of societies and threw traffic out of gear. But this is not for the first time that citizens have had to suffer because of poor preparedness by the PMC.

Each year, the civic body's promises to improve infrastructure, clean and increase network of storm water drains, protect natural water streams, remove encroachments in water bodies and create squads to tackle emergency situations gets washed away in the first rains of the season. Following chaos caused by the rain, the PMC organized a disaster management meeting on Thursday. Additional municipal commissioner Rajendra Jagtap said the city is facing rapid urbanization and the civic body has to prepare accordingly. "Along with other preparations, the PMC will have to train officials and employees to tackle emergency situation. Ward offices must be prepared to resolve problems faced by citizens," he said. "The civic body is working at micro level to tackle emergency situation and at the ward level to tackle problems faced by citizens," said Ganesh Sonune, PMC's disaster management officer.

This time, however, it may be harder for the PMC to convince citizens. "They will continue to play with words and make announcements, but nothing will change on ground. Citizens must make civic babus and corporators drive on flooded roads full of potholes and with no signals. Only then will they understand what we have to go through," said an agitated Chetan Chavan, who had to wade his way to Bibwewadi through a flooded road, made worse by heaps of garbage floating on it. "The stretch near the state bank colony near Bibwewadi Road was full of floating garbage which had been lying uncollected by the PMC for the past few days," he said. Storm water drainage system

While the civic administration has claimed that about 70% city roads have storm water drainage, it added that even a 100% storm water drainage network will not stop flooding of roads. "Rapid urbanization has significantly changed the nature of drainage areas in all watersheds," a top civic official said. Civic officials further said that the city's drain network has been designed to withstand about 56mm rain.

Speaking to TOI, PMC's superintendent engineer (drainage) Pradeep Beldar said, "The civic administration is working 24x7 to clean storm water drains. The main department and ward offices are working in tandem to clear storm water drains." However, ward officials admitted that they have very limited staff to clean storm water drains.

"There just 15 juniors engineers in all ward offices and 5 junior engineers in the main department. It is very difficult to carry out pre-monsoon works like cleaning storm water drains and nullahs," a ward official said.

As the PMC has failed to resolve the garbage issue, many citizens across the city are dumping garbage into nullhas and Wednesday's rain brought this garbage flowing on to the roads and also choked nullahs. Increased paved areas and devpt The PMC admitted that haphazard urbanization and development has caused immense damage to the carrying capacity of nullahs and drains.

"Increasing paved areas and development is causing water to flow on to the roads resulting in damage and putting additional load on the existing roadside drains along main roads. The demand for land has increased, which has affected the natural drains. The widths have been reduced at many places due to encroachment, seriously affecting the carrying capacity of many a drain," states the PMC's official document- the city development plan (CDP).

It added that that the development along the nullahs has not taken place in a scientific and planned manner, resulting in emergence of areas which are prone to flooding even when the rainfall is of moderate frequency. No action against encroachments

The civic administration has not taken any action against encroachments along natural nullahs which carry rain water. The Prim-Move agency appointed by the PMC has divided the city into 23 watersheds, and the areas where nullahs have been encroached upon are also identified. A total of 234 nullahs have been identified with a total length of 362.11km. Of this, a 15.93-km stretch is fully obstructed while 51.89km are partially encroached upon.

As per the survey, Kondhwa has 40,436m of nullahs. Of this, 3,084m are fully obstructed and 1,116 m are partially obstructed. In Kothrud, of the 19,449 m of nullahs, 1,155 m have been encroached upon and 4,518 m are partially obstructed. Vadgaonsheri has 16,236 m of nullahs. Of this, 3,326 m are obstructed and 5,050 m are partially obstructed. Bavdhan and Pashan together have 40,599 m of nullahs of which, 2,773 m are fully obstructed and7,300 m partially encroached upon. Aundh has 9,556 m of nullahs, of which 1,200 m are fully encroached upon and 2,500 m are partially encroached upon.

"The PMC says it carries a drive against encroachments in nullhas every year. Either the civic body just makes announcements or it allows new constructions every year," said activist Vijay Kumbhar, who had initiated an independent commission to probe encroachments on water bodies and implementation of the development plan. Road digging adding to chaos

The PMC had set April 30 as the deadline to finish all road-digging work in the city. However, various firms and government agencies ignore the deadline resulting in tardy repair works. "Driving after a downpour has become a nightmare and there are frequent accidents because of PMC's carelessness," said homemaker Suchita Jamdagni, who was stuck in heavy traffic at Mitramandal Chowk during Wednesday's rain.

"We will pull up officials who are not taking action against those who are digging roads past the deadline and will ensure that no road is dug in next two months," Mayor Dattatraya Dhankawade said.

- The Times of India, May 15, 2015

After decades of mindless development and environment-destroying activities, both by the successive governments and residents of Shimla, there is finally a hope of change for the hilly town. The lure of getting the Unesco World Heritage Site tag has set the ball rolling with the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) coordinating internationally to set the things right.

Shimla's deputy mayor Tikender Singh Panwar said that international tie-ups would play an important role in the city's bid to get the global heritage status. "Various socio-cultural, economic and geographical aspects between Chhota Shimla to Indian Institute of Advance Studies stretch are one of its kind in the whole world and need to be recognized as such. We are initiating the measures with the help of international agencies not only to seek the world heritage tag but also to be able to learn and share at international stage," he added.

The US government's Agency for International Development has selected three cities from across the world as resource cities for development - Townsville at Australia, Summerville at Massachusetts and Shimla (only city in entire South Asia). There are three corresponding partner cities - Portmore in Jamaica, La ceiba in Honduras and Boulder City in Colorado, respectively.

Colorado Boulder City's International City/ Country Management Association (ICCMA) team - Carl Castillo and Josephine Lee, arrived in Shimla on May 10 and met SMC officials, various NGO's and stakeholders from various departments. "The city of Shimla was chosen to be resource partner with Boulder City as these two have so many things in common. Boulder has water scarcity same as Shimla, it is also a mountainous region situated at height of 5,400 feet just as Shimla is at 7,234 feet and we have same progressive government," said adviser Carl Castillo.

He said that Shimla has kind people, rich culture, cooperative government and amazing landscape but all of this needs to be sustained. "Climatic changes are affecting the urban system which includes health, transportation, constructions and other things. We are here to identify and assess the problems in Shimla.

Some of them are related to construction, excessive tree cutting, slum mushrooming, excessive use of vehicles causing air pollution, and water pollution. City has to preserve its natural and built heritage which can be sustained for years. We have to do capacity-building of SMC in terms of knowledge of resources and other aspects," he added.

Program manager Josephine Lee said that they planned to visit Shimla again in January 2016 with more members. "Starting from May 11, in one week, we tried to touch around every tangible aspects of this city and checked its water supply management, sewerage system, supply chain management of city, solid waste management, transportation system, and parking system. For that purpose, we visited Ashwani Khadd water source, Dhali, Baghira and Bhariyal, Krishnanagar slum area and Lower Bazaar," she said. She said that on the basis of the research, they were preparing the objectives and a relevant plan. There is strong need to strengthen the beauty of this city and its wildlife, she added.

Nainital's Kumaun University Professor P C Tiwari from Urban Climate Change Research Management Centre also arrived Shimla. He said that as ecology of this city was quite fragile, there was need to create awareness among the civic bodies and its people to preserve it.

- The Times of India, May 15, 2015

Small and edible fish with high nutritional value, say scientists

Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of catfish, Glyptothorax senapatiensis, in the Chindwin river drainage in Senapati district of Manipur. The people of the region have been having the six-cm-long freshwater fish as food for long, calling it Ngapang.

“It is a small but edible fish with high nutritional value and a lot of oil content,” ZSI scientist Laishram Kosygin told The Hindu. The fish has a thoracic adhesive apparatus that helps it cling on to the rocky riverbed in mountains against strong currents. All Glyptothorax-genus fish have this characteristic.

Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters, an international journal published from Germany, recorded the new species in March, with Mr. Kosygin, Nongthombam Premananda and Bano Saidullah authoring the paper.

Scientists say the Northeast has a rich aquatic biodiversity, with 361 of the 816 fish species found in India present there. Several important species of catfish, a diverse group of ray-finned fish with prominent barbells resembling cat whiskers, are found there.

Manipur has a high diversity of aquatic fauna because of the two important river drainage systems. “The western half is fed by the Barak-Brahmaputra drainage and the eastern and central valleys are crisscrossed by the Chindwin river drainage, and these account for the variety in the aquatic fauna,” Mr. Kosygin said.

- The Hindu, May 15, 2015

Carnatic vocalist Sikkil Gurucharan shares his experience of connecting through music as a Fulbright-Nehru scholar at UC Davis.

‘No boundaries please’ sounds sacrilegious during the IPL season, but these are the buzz words of the art world. They signify a democratic art that rises above its specified genre. They have also come to denote a new order of open-minded audience.

Call it culture activism. Talking music today is as thrilling as singing. And Carnatic vocalist Sikkil Gurucharan found a new voice as a Fulbright-Nehru Scholar in Residence at University of California, Davis, a reputed cross-disciplinary research and teaching institution.

Over the past four months, as he addressed the students of the department of religious studies and music, conducted workshops for the public and performed collaborative concerts, he seemed to have engaged with his art in a unique way. “I realised interacting with people who are conversant with your music is stimulating but it’s a challenge to be heard and appreciated by those who are unfamiliar with it. Meeting a passionate, young set of listeners in their own space was fun.

They were eager to understand the intricacies of an alien system,” says Gurucharan. “And that made me comfortable in my new role as a creative facilitator,” he adds. And along with the students, the well-known vocalist experienced a new learning curve. “Their innovative interpretations most often set me thinking. Their queries led me to do more research. And the best part was the group of students in associate professor Archana Venkatesan’s religious studies course seems to identify the deep connect between performing arts and spirituality in India.”

With guest lectures in the Departments of Music and Anthropology at UC Davis, Gurucharan explained how kriti was representative of a new culture in the country and saw the emergence of Tyagaraja and Muthuswami Dikshithar as composers, who, with their insightful verses, helped people relate better to their spiritual thoughts and expressions. “While sharing the stage with Rita Sahai, director of the Hindustani vocal ensemble at UC Davis, and an accomplished composer, performer and teacher, or when performing with double bass professor Paul Erhard’s Sands Around Infinity (at CU Boulder), I realised how Carnatic music can rise above technical or compositional parameters to blend with other systems in exciting, innovative ways.”

The grandson of acclaimed flautist Sikkil Kunjumani, Gurucharan took to vocal music at the insistence of his grandmother who thought he had the voice and talent to pursue it seriously. “I am fortunate to have been born into a family of musicians and to be able to take forward the legacy. Also nothing can be more calming and fulfilling than exploring this art form that lends itself so beautifully to improvisation,” says Gurucharan, who spoke in detail about his joyful tryst with talas and ragas, backing it with some soulful singing on the radio show ‘Insight with Beth Ruyak’ during his fellowship programme.

According to this young vocalist, who for the past few years has been performing to the accompaniment of a piano (with friend and collaborator Anil Srinivasan) instead of the usual set of instruments in a kutcheri, “The exquisiteness of the form is in the way you discover and rediscover the many ways in which phrases can be rendered and reach out to the listeners. Though the roots are ancient, they do not tie you down. It’s an art that liberates you,” he smiles.

- The Hindu, May 15, 2015

Stepwells were built to collect rain water during seasonal monsoons. Primarily these structures were utilitarian. Over the period, they evolved a significant architectural style that was composite, with embellishment and exquisite carvings The water future of the world is sea. Rarely a day passes without the word water appearing in print with descriptions concerning it in hysterical tones. Each year we are inundated with reports on water in all its various aspects with phrases like “water entitlements”; “communitarian ideal”; “financial sustainability”; “accountability, competition and regulation”; “public good, waste water treatment and participatory management”.

When the fantastically self-absorbed and narcissistic human race starts speaking in such tones, one can be sure that the crisis of water is already upon us. This is so because humility has never been an option and in the matters of the ‘Blue Gold’, the guilty party for the current scenario is the ‘civilised’ human race. It is a sombre reminder that civilisations come to life because of water and cease to exist without it.

There are a million wars, small and big, going on for water on the face of the earth at this very moment. For all those grand pledges to declare water as a human right, astounding inequalities remain across the world in the matter of water—between urban and rural areas and between the rich and poor. Almost two billion people in the world do not have access to clean water. According to Bertrand Russell, each generation perceives itself being at the apex of intelligence and this attitude prevents it from being interested in the thoughts and feelings of its ancestors.

In the delicate matter concerning water, when billions of people do not have access to it, not only each drop of it counts but also all the past knowledge systems about its storage, conservation and distribution would add to man’s capacity to deal with it in a better manner. The step-wells constructed all over northern India in the middle ages and right till the modern period are a repository of knowledge about water collection, storage and distribution in water starved areas. In Gujarat, this tradition of constructing a stepwell was raised to a stunning architectural art that stands today on the world stage of architectural heritage. Future in the past

Since Puranic times, building a water body or donating money to have one constructed has been considered to be an act of punya, a good deed. The rock edict of Rudradaman at Junagadh in western India, inscribed in 150 AD, speaks about the Sudarshan lake of Junagadh, built originally by the great Mauryan emperors. This edict, written in Sanskrit, is the oldest such edict extant in India.

The edict notes the reparations done by Mahakshtrap Rudradaman on the Sudarshan Lake. Three hundred years after Rudradaman’s inscription, the edict of Skand Gupta also speaks about the reparations conducted by the Gupta king in 455-456 AD, showing how important was the matter of water, both for the people and the king who ruled them. The more than 5,000-year-old Indus Valley civilisation is justly famous for its technological sophistication in preserving water.

Hindu mythology is replete with stories about lakes and ponds and kunds. According to one such story, Lord Vishnu with his own hands dug the Manikarnika kund of Banaras. This kund is considered so sacred that it is believed that during afternoons, all other sacred kunds of India come here to take a holy dip. There are similar stories about the Mandakini lake of Mount Abu.

The unique underground architectural marvels called stepwells have been constructed in Gujarat since the ancient times. This underground construction, peculiar to the Gujarat region (except for southern Gujarat) was the outcome of the hot, arid climate and the paucity of water available for human and animal usage in the region. These stepwells celebrate water, its conservation and take the architecture of the region to a highpoint. There are stepwells with architectural wonders in towns of Gujarat like Patan, Jhinjuwada, Viramgam, Vadhvan, Sarsa, Dhadhalpur, Chobri, Anandpur, Gondal, Virpur, Jetpur and all the way to the coast of Somnath. Among the “water shrines" in Gujarat, the stepwells of Adalaj (near Ahmedabad) and the Ranki vav of Patan (the old Solanki capital in the north of Gujarat) are the supreme examples of stepwell architecture. Myths, gods and water

A goddess called “Varudi Mata” is believed to reside in the stepwells, she is believed to be the goddess of fertility and is also worshipped for granting good crops. These stepwells or rather "stepped wells" (as such a stepwell was accessible through steps), known as vav in Gujarati, were always built on the caravan trade routes. The Gujarati word for the step-well, vav, is derived from the old Sanskrit word vapika; the oldest existing step-wells in Gujarat are Zilani (550 A.D.) and Manjushree (650A.D.) are in the Saurashtra region. These great subterranean water structures provided the travellers and their animals with rest and water on their journey on the trade routes. The vavs also became religious places because of the sacredness associated with water, apart from simply resting and meeting places, and in times of wars and insurrections, they also became hiding places.

It is clear that the multitude of step-wells form an important part of building activities of Gujarat of the pre-medieval and medieval periods. They also clearly reflect the development of architectural and sculptural styles and iconographic schools, as can be seen in the chronology of the temple architecture of the region. Stepwells are monuments, of which the major parts are underground, resembling subterranean temples. In most cases they are richly carved and ornamented with decorative relief work and sculptures. A stepwell consists of three architectural parts, the vertical well; the stepped corridor leading down several storeys and numerous intermediate pavilions. Fusion of cultures

The stepwell of Adalaj, built on the main caravan route of Ahmedabad and Patan (the then capital of Gujarat), was commissioned in 1499 A.D. by Rudabai, the widow of a Rajput noble Veer Sinh Vaghela. This stepwell is a magnificent example of the fusion of Hindu craftsmanship and floral, geometric patterns of the Islamic architecture. All the five stories of the Adalaj structure use cross beams all along their lengths. This step-well, of the type of the three-faced "Jaya stepwell", is built according to the classical manuals of Hindu architecture.

It is a mesmerising procession of Arabesque designs, decorated columns, ornamental balconies with exquisite carvings, carved walls and niches with shrines of Hindu gods and goddesses, elephants, flowers, birds and chhatris all through its five floors of length and breadth underground. The octagonal spaces unfold in front of the eyes while the steps take one to the circular well.

The Adalaj stepwell is 75.3 meters in length and is laid out in north-south direction. The well is in the north and the entrance is in the south direction. The three entrances meet in the first storey underground in a huge square platform. This platform has an octagonal opening and rests on 16 pillars. The four corners of the platform have four built-in shrines. The stepped corridor begins from this square platform and descends for five storeys. The pillars of the Adalaj stepwell are of the “bhadrak” type (square with recesses). Apparently, Akbar was so impressed by the columns of Adalaj that they are seen to be almost replicated in the architecture of Fatepur Sikri; Adalaj is also described as a “pillared garden”.

The niches at Adalaj stepwell are either filled with lotus medallions or with a depiction of the great goddess. The great goddess is represented by her vehicle (vahana in Sanskrit) — the lion who carries a trishula (trident). This trishula could be interpreted as symbolising the goddess. The Adalaj stepwell is at once a celebration and a tribute to water as well as a record of the society in which it was built. One can only marvel at the organisational capacity needed to erect such a structure. Some niches have leafy branches that resemble the decorative aspects of some of the Ahmedabad mosques known for their glorious weaving of the Hindu and Muslim styles.

An inscription in a niche declares that this stepwell of Queen Rudabai will stand as long as there will be sun and moon in the sky. Here, the string-courses run on pure beauty; the embellishing of all parts of the structure here is just a pretext to create further beauty in stone. Each wall is a procession of divine sculptures; each panel creates the impression that this architecture was not created by the human hands but rather with some divine power from the skies had gently lowered it on the surface of the earth. Queens commissioned wells

The Rani ki Vav, or the Ranki stepwell, located within two kilometres of today’s Patan in the north of Gujarat is an incomparable example of the Solanki architecture which is why it is also known as the “Queen of Stepwells.” It was commissioned by the Solanki King Bhimdev’s (1022-1063 A.D.) wife Udaymati in 1063 A.D. This colossal 64-metre long, 20- metre wide and 27-metre deep stepwell has a touch of the beatific in its architecture, which is why it is an ornament of the world architectural heritage.

There are literally forests of ornamented columns here, and gardens of sculptures of gods and goddesses, balconies and carved entrances that seem to lead to the heavens. This stepwell also gives a glimpse of the classical Hindu architecture of the previous centuries and the mastery of the technique and materials that the artists and architects had achieved in their craft. It was due to the great efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India that this stepwell, which remained buried for almost 800 years in mud, was excavated for the world in the 1980s.

These vavs are the jewels woven into the fabric of civilisation by the passing time. They are also a testimony to how the medieval western India dealt with the ‘Blue Gold.’ Are we learning some lessons from these temples of water? — The writer is an independent researcher and writer.

- The Tribune, May 15, 2015

While the GHMC has been patting its own back over the more than generous allotment of funds for heritage renovation, officials from the state archaeology department point out at the loopholes in the plan of action for the same. According to them the said renovation would eventually end up doing more damage than good for the heritage structures peppered across the city.

"The civic body has been pouring in a lot of money towards heritage restoration and conservation. But they must ensure that the government-based nodal agencies responsible for heritage are involved in the process. They need to involve subject experts on the matter of restoration," said a senior official from the state archaeology department.

Officials said that in most cases the GHMC was only going ahead with cosmetic repairs of the building and without proper guidance. Last year the GHMC had made a provision of Rs 100 crore towards heritage restoration. Similarly this year, another Rs 40 crore was sanctioned for the same purpose. "Despite the amount of money sanctioned for the upkeep of the structures, lack of enthusiasm on part of the civic officials hampers the structures," he added.

Last year, the Quli Qutub Shah Development Authority had alerted the GHMC about a few structures that were on the verge of complete dilapidation. They were the Khurshid Jah Deodhi, Machli Kaman, Kali Kaman, Char Kaman and Charminar. The GHMC could not take up the works and cited lack of funds for the same.

Incidentally officials say that they had appointed a consultant to draw up a detailed project report for the maintenance works. "Appointing a consultancy does not suffice. When it comes to the heritage structures in the city, we are dealing with different types of ancient architecture," said J Vijay Kumar, deputy director, state archaeology department.

He rued that in some cases works have to be taken up as per the ancient procedures. Like, when whitewashing a building, it must be done according to the old techniques, which were practiced at that point of time. "But readymade mixes cannot be used for restoration of heritage structures," he pointed out

- The Times of India , May 16, 2015

This weekend, kids in Kolkata will have a lot more to do than their homework and more excitement to look forward to than just the IPL. They could be taking acting lessons, roughing it out on the soccer field, shaking their legs at a dance workshop, learning to strum the guitar, perfecting the art of wielding the willow on a cricket pitch or making smart moves on the chess board. A series of workshops under the 'Kolkata for Kids' initiative by The Times of India will get underway with a dance workshop by Tanushree Shankar at ICCR on Saturday.

For Tanushree, this is a great chance to bond with children with a penchant for dance. "I love their enthusiasm and their eagerness. A workshop can't be a learning ground. But it certainly fans your interest and gives you a feel of the art. For the children, it's an opportunity to explore if they have the interest and skill to pursue dance," said Tanushree.

Actor Prosenjit Chatterjee will hold an acting workshop, and for those kids with an inclination for music, there will be a chance to learn from Kavita Krishnamurthy. The ace Bollywood singer will be holding a workshop on May 28.

Guitarist Amyt Datta lauded 'Kolkata for Kids' as a great idea. He felt it will let children get out of their set routine and dabble in their areas of interest. "More importantly it will let me tell children that they should be playing the guitar not because it's fashionable, but only if they love it. It is a serious craft which needs time, devotion and practice. Parents should also realize that," said Datta.

He added that these workshops will allow children to venture out of studies and explore extra-curriculars. "Some may take up these interests and pursue them as a career. The rest will give up along the way. But whatever you do, the effort must be sincere and that holds true for guitar. I will be telling the children to enjoy playing the guitar but treat it respectfully," added Datta.

Aspiring chess players will be learning the nuances of the game from Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua. It's an excellent platform to get children take an interest in the game that's now quite popular in Kolkata, said Barua. "This could be a good initiation. Children will be excited as am I. While in professional coaching centres you come across youngsters who are already into the game, here you have those who are beginning to fall in love with chess. It gives me a chance to ignite their interest," said Barua. "It could be a one-off workshop, but it could serve as an inspiration for many who aspire to become artists. I am looking forward to it," said painter Jogen Chowdhury.

Celebrity chef Kunal Kapur will be rustling up healthy recipes for youngsters. "Cooking is always fun for a section of youngsters. They are curious and want to learn. So, I am looking forward to the workshop," said Kapur. There will also be visits to The Times of India press, Kumartuli, Radio Mirchi studio, a ship and a heritage walk along the Ganga.

- The Times of India , May 16, 2015

Over 100 monuments that date back to 1060 CE (Common Era) and are housed in Delhi's only archaeological park situated in Mehrauli face the threat of getting damaged. Reason: The park is now a thoroughfare for vehicular traffic coming in from Gurgaon and headed to different parts of south Delhi.

The main gate of the park, located on the Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, remains open 24x7. The solo guard deputed to take care of the 200-acre park is incapable of stopping this continuous traffic.

There are at least three approach roads - the main Mehrauli Terminal route, Jain Dadawadi Road and Andheria Modh - to Mehrauli village and other areas, but these circumvent the park. However, these are up to two-km long, and therefore, people coming from Haryana and locals who know the barely one km-long highway through the park, prefer to use it. Besides, there are no boards that prohibit them from doing so.

Visitors and history enthusiasts said that vehicles moving through the park are spoiling the ambiance of the unique historical site and could even hurt the monuments. Asif Khan Dehlvi who conducts heritage walks, said: "This has robbed the archaeological park of its significance, beauty and tranquility. Last time, I got a group of foreign visitors to the site but constant honking of vehicles left them irritated."

Guard Sanjay Singh said: "The gates are closed at night but in the daytime - vans, cars, autos, bikes - all ply. In the evenings, local boys practice stunt biking, as it is free from heavy traffic." A visitor added that police personnel who come for patrol duty also park their vehicles inside, thereby setting a wrong example.

Ajay Kumar, a conservationist at INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art, Culture and Heritage), said: "The Mehrauli Archaeological Park encompasses over 1,000 years of Delhi's history. It includes ruins of Lal Kot built by Tomar Rajputs (first rulers of Delhi) besides relics of practically all dynasties - Khilji, Tughlaq, Lodhi, Mughal and the British. Vehicular vibration and pollution will definitely affect the monuments." He added: "Vehicles will scare away the remaining wildlife - peacocks, jackals and blue bulls."

When MAIL TODAY contacted the Archaeological Survey of India's Delhi chapter, an official who didn't wish to be named, said: "We own only four monuments here - the Balban's Tomb, Gandhak ki Baoli, Rajon ki Baoli and Jamali Kamali. The park is with the DDA, so we can't comment." On the other hand, Delhi Development Authority's Vice-Chairman Balvinder Kumar said: "The route was only meant for tourists and not for vehicles from outside. We will definitely check this."

- http://indiatoday.intoday.in/ , May 16, 2015

A blend of local enthusiasm, state support and virgin landscapes has made the region the hottest venue for music festivals. At a height of 13,000 feet in Tawang, on a 1962 India-China battlefield no less, a motley crew of DJs and music producers from across the country gathered last weekend for a music festival, Akampa. Also last weekend at Santhei Natural Park, 27 kilometres from Imphal, Akhu Chingangbam, singer/songwriter and lead vocalist of alternative folk band Imphal Talkies, helped organize the second edition of 'Where Have The Flowers Gone', a three-day music and arts festival to celebrate the legacy of the late American activist/environmentalist and folk singer, Pete Seeger.

If you need more proof of how the music buzz is back in the northeast, there is the Ziro Festival of Music (ZFM) which takes place in the picturesque valley of Ziro every September, Orange Festival in orange county Dambuk in January which featured acts like menwhopause, singer Uday Benegal and American singer-songwriter Scott Moses Murray, and the one that most music fans are now waiting for — the Shillong edition of India's "happiest music festival" aka NH7 Weekender scheduled for October.

The seven sister states of northeast — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura — and the Himalayan state of Sikkim could well become India's next music epicentre. Tales of how even a taxi driver in Shillong — called the rock capital of the country — can hold forth on John Lennon are not urban legends. Across the northeast, music is a huge part of daily life. Chords are learnt just as religiously as multiplication tables and music teachers are, not surprisingly, everybody's favourite faculty. Add to that the untouched natural beauty of the region and you get the perfect venue for a music festival. It's a fact that hasn't escaped festival promoters.

Vijay Nair, CEO of Only Much Louder, feels that the northeast is "absolutely committed to music and that the Shillong version of NH7 Weekender will be the biggest ever". Logistics are definitely an issue in a region where accessibility is limited. The fastest way to reach Ziro is to fly to Guwahati and then hit the road for 480 kilometres. Uday Benegal had to take multiple modes of transport "including sitting in a car atop a rickety little boat that ferried us across the Brahmaputra" to reach Dambuk.

For Anup Kutty, creative director at ZFM, Ziro is one of the most spectacular locations in the world to host a music festival, despite the logistical nightmares. "It's a vibrant green valley surrounded by misty mountains with a sky that changes hues all day. The Apatani tribe is very proud of its heritage and finds the festival the perfect way to reach out to visitors from across the world. It's a unique convergence of cultures with music as a thread," says Kutty.

Benegal, in fact, loves the remote nature of the location. "I am very attracted to India's untouched forests, whatever little is left of them. Arunachal boasts of some spectacular density and diversity of foliage, a result of its limited accessibility. I don't care about a few bumps and aches," he says. Neither it seems do audiences. The last edition of Ziro attracted 3,000 visitors, according to organizers.

Moreover, state governments in the NE are supportive of music. Nagaland has an entire department devoted to the promotion and development of music in the state - the Music Task Force. The biggest achievement of the MTF is the annual Hornbill Rock Contest and music festival that offers a handsome purse of Rs 10 lakh to winners, and has included a music residency with UK musicians handpicked by the British Council as part of their Folk Nations initiative. The Arunachal Pradesh department of tourism takes care of about one-third of ZFM's expenses. "It helps when ministers and bureaucrats are music lovers and turn up at events," says Kutty.

Ritnika Nayan who runs Music Gets Me High, a music management agency in Delhi, helped produce the first two editions of ZFM. She feels that the music culture of the region is a deal-clincher. "Every festival in the northeast draws a lot of locals. If you do a small festival in Delhi or Mumbai, the fear of people not turning up is omnipresent but the scene here is different."

However, Keith Wallang, who manages and plays in the blues band Soulmate, views the recent developments cautiously. "More things are happening but in the early days, people called their events concerts; now everyone calls their event a festival," says the musician. Call it what you will but the region's definitely calling the tune.

- The Times of India, May 17, 2015

Seventy-year-old resident of Sukhsagarnagar, Vishwanath has a strict morning routine. As soon as water trickles out of the taps, he gets rid of the water stored in buckets and fills them up with fresh water. He then uses the tap water to wash his car, two-wheeler and a stretch of road in front of his bungalow. Even during water crisis, he doesn't hesitate from using potable water for non-drinking purposes.

This is not an isolated case. In the same locality, there are dozens of autorickshaw owners who indulge in similar practice oblivious to the fact that many parts of the city are facing acute water shortage and have to depend on water tankers to meet their daily needs. From Katraj to Koregaon Park and from Hadapsar to Bhusari colony, the story is the same.

"The attitude doesn't change whether it's a slum dweller or a resident of a posh housing society. Last year, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had planned some squads to keep a check on water use, however, the plan remains on paper. If we initiate strict action against citizens, there is always the fear of immediate reaction from NGOs and politicians," said a civic official. The civic body's repeated appeals of not to use drinking water to wash cars, garages or floors, have fallen on deaf ears. Request to fix leakages and restricting overflowing of water tanks has also met a similar fate.

To add to this alarming situation, many servicing centres in the city are using tap water to wash cars. Despite giving written assurances, the developers are also using drinking water for construction work. Activists have alleged that many developers are using water from civic water tankers for construction, however, the PMC has no mechanism to check if the water from the tankers reaches the citizens or is being used for construction activities.

Not just the citizens, the civic employees deployed to maintain city gardens use thousands of litres of water for gardening. "We pay tax to the PMC and it is responsibility of the civic body to supply water to us. They have no right to check how we are using the water," says an angry Keval Joshi, who lives in Peth areas which get 24x7 water. However, people like Joshi fail to understand that

Callous waste of water burn hole in their own pockets. Callous waste of water burns hole in the pockets of the citizens. The PMC incurs a loss of about Rs 300 crore every year to provide drinking water to the citizens. The water tax does not match the expenses incurred on water treatment and distribution (see box). This loss is covered from citizens using other tax income. Experts say people should participate voluntarily in water conservation.

"Given the growing population and water demand, the government will find it extremely difficult to raise financial resources to meet the growing water needs as well as to clean up the increasing levels of polluted water. The answers to meeting the challenge of the water crisis lie in a participatory, efficient and sustainable water management paradigmEvery person, household, company or community can contribute to this effort by mobilizing finances and labour. Thus, water management, from water conservation to water pollution, must become everybody's business," states the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) document on water management.

Money matters To treat thousand litres water, the PMC spends Rs 10.80 Rs 302.56 crore per year is spent to supply water to the citizens The PMC has to bear this cost as the amount collected through water tax does not match the expenses incurred on water treatment and supply

Slum dwellers get PMC's support of Rs 146.296 crore, while housing societies, education institutes etc get Rs 156.27 crore Every year slum dwellers and residents in chawls get 138 700 million litre water supply from the civic body whereas residents of housing societies, education institutes etc get 325 762 million litre every year Impact of urbanisation

Rapidly growing cities are already facing water and energy problems and have limited capacity to respond The future water consumption of a new or an expanding city can be reduced during the early stages of urban planning through the development of compact settlements and investment in systems for integrated urban water management

Such systems and practices include conservation of water sources, use of multiple water sources - including rainwater harvesting, stormwater management and wastewater reuse - and the treatment of water to the quality needed for its use rather than treating all water to a potable standard The chemically bound energy in wastewater can be used for domestic cooking and heating, as fuel for vehicles and power plants or for operating The Chennai model

Chennai, like most Indian cities, is struggling to meet the thirst of its eight million people. In the absence of perennial rivers, the city has to depend on the rain captured in lakes, ponds and aquifers While the city continues to keep an eye on distant rivers, it is also experimenting with innovative options such as rainwater harvesting, sewage recycling and desalination to avoid the high energy costs associated with transporting water over long distances

Following two consecutive drought years in 2002 and 2003, the city made rainwater harvesting mandatory in all houses. It is also the first city in India to recycle sewage and has started venturing into desalination About 75% of the houses in the city now have rainwater harvesting and recharging systems and a study conducted in 2007 found that the groundwater table in the city had risen by almost 50%, from an average of 6.18m in 2004 to an average of 3.45m in 2007

MetroWater, Chennai's water supply and sewerage authority, earns Rs120 million per year by selling sewage to the Chennai Petroleum Company, which in turn treats the sewage in its 41 million litres per day capacity reverse osmosis plant and turns it into water for its use

The company has found reclaiming sewage to be a more reliable and cost-effective option than other sources (Source: United Nations World Water Development Report)

- The Times of India, May 17, 2015

Often referred to as Chotti Kashi, the ancient temples, 1877 Victorian bridge and ghats on the Beas, which constitute the prominent landmarks of Mandi town, will be conserved and restored under a Rs 30 crore project funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, the implementing agency, has prepared an exhaustive detailed project report in consultation with experts. Mandi town is dotted with hundreds of stone temples, not just along the banks of Beas but also within the town.

The plan will restore the structures damaged due to vagaries of nature and time and illuminate these so that the ancient structures add to the historic significance of the town, earlier known as Mandavya Nagar. Mandi town has a mythological and historic significance and boasts of a unique temple architecture.

Structures of high heritage value such as the palace, Ghantaghar, Bhootnath Temple and several other stone temples along the Beas are losing their architectural characteristics with growing commercial activity. It is with the objective of saving the unique character of the town that the project has been planned and several other structures such as Chauhata Bazaar, Tarna Mata Temple and Chanani (a shelter) will get a facelift.

Even though the project will cover restoration and preservation of several structures, the prominent ones include the Vijay High School building built in the year 1866 as Anglo-Vernacular Middle School. It was upgraded as a high school in 1921 and named as Bijai as a tribute to the then ruler of Mandi, Raja Bijai Sen.

Built in traditional wooden architecture, the school building has historical significance. “The building is in a highly dilapidated condition and is in dire need of major restoration work,” said tourism officials. The senior citizens and alumni of the school have been urging the government to restore the building so as to save it from extinction.

Another prominent landmark of Mandi, the Victorian suspension bridge, an architectural marvel, is losing its sheen. It was built in 1877 during the reign of Raja Vijay Sen as prior to this, people covered the Beas on boats. The bridge could become a reality only with the help of the British government. Minimal intervention will be made to retain its original character and only streetlighting, paintings of the railing, cleaning and minor repairs will be undertaken.

Restoration of the ghats, which form an interface between the temples and the rivers will be another priority area. At present, the ghats are in a dilapidated condition and wherever the modern interventions are visible, they are unaesthetic, thus devaluing the historic image of the place.

- The Tribune, May 17, 2015

Just like historical texts serve as records of our past, the monumental structures around us are a documentation of a bygone era. The real stories behind these edifices have either been passed down orally or in some cases remain untold.

After painstakingly exploring 100 such buildings in Margao, principal of Goa College of Architecture, Ashish Rege, will share his storehouse of knowledge with 40 children, introducing them to its most significant buildings. Rege will disseminate the knowledge serving as the expert for The Times of India's Goa For Kids initiative's heritage walk in Margao.

The event will take place on May 18, from 4pm to 6pm. In order to take note of the geographical locations of the various landmarks at the heritage walk, professor Rege will be providing the kids, aged eight to 16, with a customized map of the commercial city, fashioned from his extensive research.

The map points out 87 noteworthy buildings in Margao. While the ones numbered 1-30 are public heritage buildings, number 31-87 are residential houses. Colour coding of the map further helps readers distinguish between the locations and follow a linear route. Speaking about Margao's spectacular architectural beauty, he said that the city has always had magnificent buildings but with each passing era, the focus of architectural interest has changed.

"In 1778, Margao was elevated to the status of a town from that of a village," he said. "This was when the Margao municipality building came under spotlight. Later, with the boom of the industrial revolution when the rail-roads were built, the Margao railway station became the central hub. Now, with the successful construction of the new South Goa district collectorate building, the Mathany Saldanha Administrative Complex has become the centre of architectural focus in Margao."

In order to uncover some anecdotes, Rege established a rapport with the families of the houses through personalized networking. Once permitted to study their homes, Rege would then conduct a physical survey of the house thus putting down an analysis of the areas, volumes, climatic appropriateness etc. Additionally, he would speak to the family about the house's inception and the family's history thus adding a new chapter to the architectural history of Goa. This very personal and intimate documentation of Margao's architectural treasures is also a part of his dissertation called Metamorphosis of Margao which he completed in 2004.

Sharing his thoughts on the Goa For Kids heritage walk he said, "The idea here is to disseminate knowledge. These buildings are a part of our identity and therefore it is our responsibility to conserve them. This tour will enable kids to get a look at these buildings as prized possessions of our history instead of just attractive buildings."

Participation in the heritage walk event requires preregistration. To book your spot call 9049644477 or 3045066 from 10am to 5pm. You can also send in your registrations to [email protected]. There are limited seats available.

- The Times of India, May 17, 2015

The Himachal Pradesh government has formed a task force for the formulation of biotechnology-related policies and implementing them. The task force will also formulate norms for setting up biotechnology-based industry in the state. The department of environment, science and technology is the nodal department for the sector.

Himachal Pradesh is endowed with rich plant, animal and microbial biodiversity. There are many rare plants, particularly in the upper reaches of Himalayas, which have immense potential for use in the pharmaceutical industry.

Confirming the development a senior government official said that the department would promote appropriate research in different sectors, lay more emphasis on fields like bio resource utilization, conservation and industrial promotion that were likely to create employment and maintain networking between companies, research centers and institutions.

He said that biotechnology was a fast developing field with wide applications for all human beings and in view to this the state government was endeavoring to make the state a preferred and globally competitive destination for development of bio technology products, processes and services. Himachal Pradesh has wide scope for developing various types of bio technology based industries and to harness this potential to maximum Bio Technology Policy 2014 has been formulated.

Official said that state government is proactive in promoting bio technology enterprises by providing quick facilitation for starting the units. "It has visioned the promotion of biotechnology through its application in Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, medicine, environment, biodiversity conservation and utilization and bio-industrial development," he added.

Himachal Pradesh is already in the process of setting up a biotechnology park at Aduwal, Nalagarh in Solan district. It is proposed to setup biotechnology parks and Industrial Cluster in the state in association with the private sector to boost bio technology based ventures. Bio technology based and other auxiliary industries will be located in these parks. It is proposed to locate these parks in the Solan and Sirmour districts.

- The Times of India, May 18, 2015

Vijayapura is known for the Gol Gumbaz and its premises also hosts one of the oldest museums in India. This museum, which is located before the main entrance of the Gol Gumbaz, was actually a part of a building of the Gol Gumbaz and was later converted into a museum by British in 1892. Naqqar Khana

According to historians, the ancient structure is known as Naqqar Khana (house of drum). “This monument was built to offer a grand royal reception to the king’s visitors by beating drums, which was part of custom for receiving royal guests,” said Abdulghani Imaratwale, historian.

The building was converted into the museum to preserve the rare objects that the British had found while shifting the district headquarters from the then Kaladagi to Bijapur (now Vijayapura). It was in 1912 that the museum was handed over to the then district collector for maintenance, but after Independence the museum was taken over by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1962.

This museum houses some rare objects that include stone inscriptions of Arabic, Persian, Kannada and Sanskrit languages in different scripts written in beautiful calligraphy. It has Brahmanical and Jain sculptures, hero stones, numerous manuscripts, coins, carpets, maps, miniature paintings, Bidiri ware and other house hold articles, datable from the 6th to the 18th century.

Dr. Imaratwale said that each object reflects the rich Indian culture and heritage. “The museum has preserved the artefacts in the best manner, and it is on par of with other ASI museums of the country,” he said.

- The Hindu, May 18, 2015

Having mastered her ability, well almost, to blow life into clay, Anindita Dutta is not self-conscious of her role as a creator. Rather she wrestles with her own issues of self importance, expending or burning energy to conquer her emotions and leave behind a permanent mark. Through her deep interaction with clay, she moves her hands deftly creating wonderful pieces that interact with viewers.

While the US-based Dutta is trained as a sculptor, currently she also operates as a performance artist who documents through still photography and moving digital images her installation-performance. Dutta’s solo exhibition at Latitude 28, features a selection of videos, photographs and sculptures.

Says Bhavna Kakar, director of Latitude 28, “The gallery has always encouraged artists and artwork that has pushed the envelope. Anindita’s work mediates between established forms of art like sculpture and avant-garde practices of expression like performance art, photography and video art. Hosting her solo exhibition for the first time in India, the gallery went all out and created an immersive environment in which to view the work.”

“Her sculptures and performances bear the marks of her restless energy as she covers her surroundings with heaps and chunks of clay, creating living sculptures, with her bare hands from the primeval material that connotes our genesis,” Kakar tells Metrolife.

She slathers every surface that she interacts with— from clothes, objects and living beings— with layers of clay that build up through the duration of her performance. Her work predominantly features herself as the primary actor and art object, but recently she has been working with other performers. “My works are no longer a solitary process, my works develop a collaborative aspect, of filmmaking, where everyone from the cameraperson to the actors becomes an important part of art making,” says Dutta

“Lifeline II, the character of wet clay allows me to express my emotions in all their subtle nuances. The wardrobe narrates the story of life and emotions of a person. I’m holding the rope from my mouth to signify that everything comes out of my mind and show how I’m connected to it,” adds Dutta. In the same artwork a woman, shown sleeping, depicts suffering and the other two represent pain and conflict.

Another amusing work of her is Limitation II. “This was during my stay at Skowhegan, where the fruit crate was hammered to wall, the wall covered with closed layered of textured clay and I was covered in clay soaked dress and stood with my head entrapped by the wooden crate. The crate limits the movements so that I remain fixed to the spot.”

“I have seen a normal clay art, but this one is very unusual, the artist has played with clay to show her emotions and the live performance idea is enthralling,” says Avinash Murthy an interior designer visiting Delhi.

- The Deccan Herald, May 19, 2015

With a collection of artefacts ranging from figurines to pottery dating back to the Gandhara civilisation and other eras, Peshawar Museum had all the right reasons to commemorate World Museum Day on Monday.

The gates were open for all and the entry fee was waived for visitors, said Bakht Muhammad who is in charge of the gallery. However, nothing was a good enough incentive for the city’s denizens to make their way to the museum.

Peshawar Museum houses nearly 14,500 items and in essence spins a rich visual narrative, such as tales from the life of Gautama Buddha through the relics from those times. The magnificent red-brick building is situated on Sher Shah Suri Road and is a blend of Mughal and British architecture. Renowned historian Dr Ahmed Hassan Dani (late) described it as a Curzonian structure; a mix of oriental feature of the Mughal era and bits of European churches. In old days

The building also has a history before it was turned into a museum. A celebrated archaeologist and former curator of the museum, Nidaullah Sehrai, told The Express Tribune the structure was built by the British in 1905 and was known as Victoria Memorial Hall. The hall served as a place where British officials living in Peshawar would gather.

These officials were carrying out excavations across the region and the artefacts they found were being taken to other museums. However, Sehrai said Victoria Memorial Hall was later turned into a museum with a Hungarian-British archaeologist, Aurel Stein, as its first curator. In all over Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, said Directorate of Archaeology Director Professor Dr Ihsan Ali, there are 13 museums. Inside the museum Peshawar Museum is housed on two storeys. There are five galleries, different ones featuring terracotta figurines, weapons, jewellery, bowls as well as coins from the Indo-Greek period.

One gallery is lined with photographs from the British Raj. In another chamber, sculptures tell the story of Buddha’s life – taking birth from the dream of his mother, Maha Maya, till his cremation. Not only are artefacts placed in the galleries, there are also architectural pieces like pillars and railing. “Usually stories on a stupa are carved on a relief panel and decorations with architectural aspects were used to put breaks in the stories,” said Sehrai. “The most significant aspect of the Gandhara art is that its relics are individual pieces unlike findings from Afghanistan and Taxila that are part of stucco structures.”

The museum also has on display a casket discovered from Shah ji Dheri located on the outskirts of Peshawar. The casket is said to contain the bones of Buddha, said Sehrai. Not to neglect Islamic history, a gallery is dedicated to Islamic manuscripts and paintings. Belongings of Tehreek Mujahideen leader Syed Ahmed Barelvi, who was a revolutionary of his times in India, and edicts of Mughal emperor Shah Jehan inscribed on stones are also showcased in this house of history.

- The Express Tribune, May 19, 2015

Five rare animals, including mouse deer, jungle cat, ruddy mongoose, leopard cat and pangolin, were spotted with the help of camera traps in the recently concluded estimation of wild animals in the forest of Kolhapur district.

Forest department officials said more than 26 cameras have been deployed at various locations near the water bodies to record movement of animals. "The trapping cameras are of good quality, having capacity to move in 45 degree angle to capture better images. They also give out the location where the animals was spotted," they added.

The Chandgad forest range has 10 cameras, while Ajara has six. Cameras have also been installed at Malkapur, Panhala, Gargoti, Kadgav and Pendhangale sections. By mid-May, more than 10 cameras have been deployed at the various locations to increase the coverage of the forest department. Girish Panjabi, a biologist with the Pune-based Wildlife Research and Conservation Society,

had conducted a training programme for the forest staff members for handling the cameras. The society, established in 2005, is a non-profit organization. Panjabi said the high-resolution cameras have night vision and can capture photographs of wild animals without a flash. The cameras which were deployed in the first round had flash system. However, the flash startled the animal, therefore, subsequently cameras without flash were deployed. The system helps in keeping a close watch on any movement in the forest area.

S L Zure, Divisional forest officer (Wildlife), Kolhapur, said: "There are some old records that had mentioned that the Kolhapur forest is the habitat of these animals. These are small in size, nocturnal and very shy, therefore, are difficult to be spotted with naked eyes. The cameras are helpful in getting photographs during the night as well as when the natural light is low. Hence, it has helped in recording the presence of these animals and their movements. All the photographed animals are adults, which means they have sufficient food in the forest areas."

He also said these camera traps are deployed in the interior and not on any major route. "We have identified the routes of animals and cameras are placed accordingly. It clearly shows that these animals are residing in the dense forest areas and have enough water and food there," Zure added. The estimation drive concluded on May 15. It has helped in generating an estimation of around 150 bears, 15 leopards and a few tigers. The data is being compiled at the higher level to come up with final figures of the wild animals.

As many as 168 Indian guars, 61 monkeys, 19 rabbits, one fox, 45 wild hens, nine Indian giant squirrels, 26 wild bores, five porcupines, 16 deers, 10 sambars, 10 peacocks, 17 mongoose, 14 bears and 10 wild dogs were spotted during the drive. "These animals were spotted during morning and evening time drives near water bodies," Zure said, adding that going by their numbers, we can estimate that whether these animals are steadily spotted or not

- The Times of India, May 19, 2015

The heritage structures at Kasturchand Park are under serious threat - all thanks to the commercial activities which have become a regular affair at the city's biggest ground in last few years.

For an upcoming exhibition, large-sized amusement swings including a giant wheel have been erected at an arm's length distance from the historic bandstand and Minar, risking them to serious damages. The members of Parivartan Citizens' Forum have raised a voice against the callous attitude of exhibitors and district administration. On Monday afternoon, around 30 members of the forum staged protest at the district collectorate and demanded immediate action to save the heritage structures.

Pointing out that the bandstand and Minar are important heritage structures and listed under grade 'A' category, secretary of the forum Dinesh Naidu said that the swings can cause irreparable damage to the monuments. "The huge swings should not be placed so close to the monuments. This kind of negligence from various event organizers is being repeatedly overlooked by the authorities who seem to be working hand in glove with the organizers.

If damaged, these invaluable assets of the city will lose their charm," he said. The members demanded that the permission for the exhibition should be cancelled or exhibitors must be directed to take necessary precautions. "They should be asked to maintain a clear distance of at least 25 metres from all the heritage structures," said a member, Rajesh Pilley.

Deputy collector (Revenue) Subhash Chaudhari told TOI that the permission for the exhibition has been cancelled. "We inspected the ground on Monday evening after which we decided to cancel the permission as erecting swings near the monuments is unauthorized. The exhibitors must keep in mind the terms and conditions while organizing any activity. We always direct them not to erect swings in the middle of the ground but only near the compound boundary," he said.

TOI had earlier reported how the ground has lost its identity and is being used most of the times for commercial activities, keeping it occupied for almost four to five months in a year.

- The Times of India, May 19, 2015

A tunnel-like structure was discovered at Kathagada Sahi on Tuesday during digging of the road for a drainage and sewerage overhauling project. The workers had dug a 12-ft deep trench to lay sewerage pipelines when they noticed the structure and informed senior officials about it.

A team of senior officers of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which is funding the project, reviewed the situation. The CMC has stopped work at the site for the time being.

"Cuttack is over thousand year old city and there is every possibility that the structure may have historical importance. Leaving nothing to chance, work at the site has been stopped," said CMC commissioner Gyana Ranjan Das. "We will request the archaeology experts and ASI officials to visit the site and examine it. We will resume work only after getting clearance from them," added Das. The historians have also claimed that authorities should not take any chance and examine the site properly as it may be a big discovery.

"Cuttack was the capital of rulers of the Ganga dynasty. The presence of Barabati Fort points to the fact that the city has huge historical value. The rulers may have dug the tunnel for some purpose," said reader in history at Ravenshaw University L K Mishra. Experts claimed that its historical value can be easily assessed by examining the rock used in the structure.

As the news of the discoverey spread, locals gathered at the spot."The CMC should take immediate measures to unravel the truth. Like Sishupalgarh in Bhubaneswar, this could be a big discovery," said Gokulananda Das, a senior citizen residing at Kathagada Sahi. Three years ago ancient idols were recovered during excavation at Gadakhai, the moat surrounding Barabati Fort.

- The Times of India, May 20, 2015

Pethia striata was discovered by ecologists in the Kudremukh National Park in Karnataka Ecologists have discovered a new species of fish called Pethia striata in Tunga River in the Kudremukh National Park, Karnataka.

The male of the species measures 3-4cm in length and is red in colour, while the female is grey with a striking pattern of scales. The discovery of the new species was published in the journal of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists by researchers from Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) .

V. M. Atkore, an ecologist working in the Western Ghats for the last four years, had chosen Kudremukh National Park for sampling as no one had studied it before. “I had conducted pilot surveys in 2010-11 and was familiar with fish in the region. But this fish that I found in the park was different and after I sent a photo to my superior,

it was confirmed this was new,” said Atkore, a PhD student at the Bangalore-based Suri Sehgal Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation, ATREE. Akore took measurements and photographs of male and female species which had striking colours and body patterns. The species was distinct in seven ways, but the most striking characteristics were the pattern of scales which form oblique bars and the black blotch just before the tail. “The ring is particularly apparent in the male and is distinct in this species,” he said.

The fish from Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, is currently known to be found only in the two streams of Mudba and Turad, a region populated by wet evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. Pethia striata is found in small groups of 3-4 individuals in shallow pools and would be an addition to the largest family of fish, scientifically called Cyprinidae, which includes common carp, goldfish, and zebrafish.

“Biodiversity is booming in the Ghats, which is one of the biodiversity hotspots in India. But increasing human presence puts pressures on the natural resources and freshwater diversity is most sensitive to changes like water diversion and dams,” said Atkore.

“We still get such new discoveries in the less disturbed streams and not in polluted streams, and such discoveries are important to increase conservation efforts for this area, particularly such river stretches and streams,” he added. Freshwater biodiversity is one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world, especially in India. “There is progressive loss of freshwater biodiversity in the country and these systems are very badly protected,” said Madhav Gadgil, who served as the chairman of the Western Ghats Ecology Experts Panel which submitted its report to the central government in 2011.

Some of the recently discovered new species in the Western Ghats include a little jumping spider in the Southern Ghats, a new frog species in Central Ghats. Last year, 14 new dancing frog species were discovered in the forests of Western Ghats.

- http://www.livemint.com/, May 20, 2015

Famous for its medieval terracotta temples and glorious past, Bishnupur town in West Bengal is now being planned as the state’s first heritage city. “Bishnupur is a very small place and not a planned town. We want to make it big by including its outskirts and developing it as West Bengal’s first planned heritage city,” Prabhakar Pal, additional director at West Bengal’s Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, said.

He said the Centre had recently accepted the state’s recommendation to declare Bishnupur as a heritage city. With support from the state’s tourism department and urban development ministry, they are planning a massive integrated project to develop infrastructure like improved road connectivity, museums, parks, hotels, etc. “We will seek funds for this from the 14th Finance Commission which will be used for conservation of heritage sites and infrastructure development,” the official said.

Around 150 km away from Kolkata by road, Bishnupur was the seat of power for Malla dynasty, which built the famous terracotta temples during the 17th and 18th centuries. The pre-colonial historical town in Bankura district is full of sculptures and relics from the past. A seat of crafts and culture, Bishnupur attracts tourists for its Baluchari sarees, terracotta toys and ethnic symbols like the Bankura horse.

The Malla kings had also patronised music and established the Bishnupur Gharana centuries ago. The cluster of temples in Bishnupur include Malleshwar temple, Rasmancha, Jorbangla, Radhashyam, ShyamRai, Madan Mohan, Lalji temple, etc. The temples are known for their distinct architecture style of a single tower resting on a square building with the curved roof of a Bengali hut.

Currently, the narrow gauge Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and Sundarbans National Park are two sites in West Bengal which have been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. “We do not have a heritage city in West Bengal. In the next 3-4 years after we fully develop Bishnupur as a heritage city we will seek UNESCO tag for it. We do not want them to reject our proposal, so we are preparing beforehand,” said another official of the archaeology directorate. The heritage tag from the Centre has already brought the town into India’s tourist map.

“Our main focus is to develop heritage and tourism side by side,” Pal said. In 2012, Rabindranath Tagore’s abode of Santiniketan was India’s official entry for the UNESCO tag but failed to make it to the final nominations. “The case is not yet lost for Santiniketan. There were some mistakes in our proposal due to which we lost at that time, but we will again make a fresh bid,” officials said.

- http://www.indiatvnews.com/, May 20, 2015

Ever wondered how much effort goes into those beautiful Madhubani paintings and Patachitras? Ever thought how much trouble someone took to get the honey you have with lemon every morning to stay fit? Ever pondered on how it would be to spend a day with a Gombhira dancer? If your soul starves for thrill and stories behind art and heritage and your definition of exploration goes beyond trekking, it is time you became an eco-traveller.

Driven mad by the monotony of city life, people are increasingly exploring off-beat destinations and Bengal seems to be the perfect place with its variety of offerings. Starting from living like a honey collector in the Sunderbans to spending a day with Baul fakirs from Gorbhanga to trying your hand at terracotta and entertaining yourself with the Gombhira mask dance in Kushmandi, choices are aplenty.

Sanjay Basu, a director at IDCI group from Kolkata, spent a day with honey collectors amid the serene waters of Bay of Bengal. Though he did not get to enter the forest core where the honey extraction actually happens, he was thrilled with the experience. "We stayed in local huts of the villagers. Spending a day with them relaxes the mind," said Basu.

If one prefers being among people to the solitude of nature, a visit to Bishnupur or a trip to Purulia can be therapeutic as well. There are a number of online portals — banglanatak.com, bengaltourism.in, monchashablog.wordpress.com and ecotourism.co.in — arrange such trips to unknown destinations. These places host annual fairs or 'melas' to showcase the local heritage and culture. Patachitra (Pingla), Chairda (Chau Mask), Theatre Village (Tepantar) and Natungram (Wooden Doll) are among the frequented destinations, said Amitava Bhatacharya from Banglanatak.com.

For the music connoisseurs, a stay with Baul Fakirs of Gorbhanga is a must. "These artists make engaging conversation and the music they create is soul-stirring. I had a great time with Arman Fakir and Babu Fakir," said Dronacharya Sengupta, who works at Sify Technologies. He also visited Pingla where he stayed with Rehman, a patachitra artist who had won the President's award.

"It is enriching to see these people keep the art alive. Besides rejuvenating, one also feels good at having helped the artisan in whatever little capacity," he explained. Manu Chitrakar, a patachitra artist, echoes the thought. A month ago, 30 Australians bought art work worth Rs 1.5 lakh. Apart from the handy cash, these travellers have a multiplier effect as they spread the word around on the artists and artisans. Sudip Sinha, who works on Bengal's heritage, feels these trails are a great way to showcase the state's rich heritage.

- The Times of India, May 21, 2015

Delhi Metro's heritage line seems to have chipped away a slice of history. The underground tunnelling work for the Central Secretariat-Kashmere Gate line has led to the partial collapse of a 113-year-old heritage building in Kashmere Gate, within the complex that houses the Ambedkar University.

Part of the colonial-era structure, one of the most architecturally important buildings in the area, collapsed late last month after Metro's tunnelling work below the building had weakened the foundation, experts said. The complex has other historically important structures such as the Dara Shikoh Library.

Delhi Metro has pledged to reconstruct the collapsed portions of the building, built in 1902. An area resident said it came down in a huge cloud of dust one evening. No one was hurt.

The building that collapsed due to Delhi Metro's tunnelling work currently offices and rooms of the National Cadet Corps and is maintained by the Public Works Department today.

"It was around 5pm in the evening and fortunately, no one was around when the structure started making some noise. Before we could realize what had happened, the building just started coming down in a huge cloud of dust,'' said a local resident.

Till 1998, the building was the campus of the Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology (formerly, Delhi Institute of Technology). "The tunneling work below the building was too much of a strain on the structure. Portions of the block are still standing and we are watching it closely to ensure there are no new cracks,'' said a PWD official.

The building had architectural features such as a circular projection in the centre, semi-circular arches and sandstone columns with floral motifs, similar to those seen in other British-era buildings on the capus. They were built with quartzite stone with a sandstone floor, typical of colonial architecture of that time.

For 15 years, the building housed the then Delhi Institute of Technology, till the college, now known as NSIT, moved to a larger campus in Dwarka. Graded B in terms of architectural value by INTACH in their heritage listing, the building is widely recognized as one of the most architecturally unique structures of the colonial era still standing in Kashmere Gate.

The first floor of the collapsed structure served as storage rooms for NCC cadets while the ground floor houses offices and restrooms. The entire damage is still to be ascertained. Delhi Metro's tunneling work has been taking place 15 metres below the campus. "We have had no issues with the tunneling so far. In this case, the sewer line between the surface machine and the TBM started leaking. This caused the soil to weaken and we think that the vibrations reached the building. It is an old structure and this could have led to the partial collapse,'' said Delhi Metro spokesperson Anuj Dayal.

DMRC officials said they immediately evacuated the building and are ensuring that no further damage takes place. "The building is close to the main road and we are taking every precaution. We have installed gadgets to measure vibrations when the second tunneling goes through. The whole area will be propped up and additional support be provided to the building so that there vibrations do not affect the structures," Dayal said.

"Once the tunnelling work is complete, we will reconstruct the collapsed portions as per the original architecture," he added. Architects and heritage experts have slammed Delhi Metro, saying that the collapse only confirmed their fears about the tunneling work affecting archaeologically rich zones. Metro was in a rush to meet deadlines and did not adhere to safety norms, they alleged.

"At the minimum, Delhi Metro should have preceded tunnelling work with structural assessments of buildings — heritage or modern — and conducted a detailed soil analysis. It is fortunate that no lives were lost and that the structure is not of equivalent heritage value as some of the 16th century structures the Metro is passing under,'' said conservation architect Ratish Nanda.

Senior INTACH officials were worried over the impact of tunnelling in other historic buildings of the area. Metro, however, called the incident a rare exception. "We exercise extreme caution in archaeological zones. This was an unexpected incident as we did not anticipate that the sewer line would leak,'' said Dayal.

- The Times of India, May 21, 2015

The walls of Government Upper Primary School at Amaravathi, Fort Kochi, has been turned into a giant canvas by 15 students from various schools with the help of Dhruva World of Art.

The group is busy painting the 21m-long wall of the government school using acrylic and enamel paints bought with their pocket money. The paintings, stretching across two walls and separated by a bus stop, have two different themes -- organic farming and monuments of India. The images of terrace farming, messages about hazards of pesticides, the relevance of farming are all being created in colours on the walls along with paintings of Taj Mahal, India Gate, etc.

"The students were planning to do something creative this vacation," said Sanjay Kumar V, the art teacher at Dhruva School of Art, which is behind the project. "The area in front of the school was very dirty and the walls were full of torn posters. Last Friday, the students cleaned up the area in front of the school and whitewashed the walls. On Monday, we began the work," he said.

The group had initially planned to hold an exhibition at Marine Drive but had to drop the idea because of the expense. "When we started the wall project, we had planned only to whitewash it. But the students said they would bear the cost of paints. That is how it began," he added. The school authorities also approved the project.

Rahul R, a Class VII student of Santa Cruz HSS, Fort Kochi, said that the themes were selected by the students themselves. "We wanted to do something creative. When we decided to paint the walls, we wanted to do themes that's familiar to everyone," he said. "We are giving it a feel of a journey. The works are being created in such a way that you feel you are floating on a stream," he said.

Aswin R, a Class XII student of St Sebastian's HSS, Thoppumpady, said the experience of working together with a group of like-minded students was thrilling. "A lot more can be done if students start doing projects they enjoy," he said. Aswin is currently painting the background of Red Fort. "This project has also made us read history," he added.

- The Times of India, May 21, 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to South Korea saw the two sides upgrade their bilateral relationship to a ‘special strategic partnership.’ This is a significant development as it signals the rising importance that Delhi and Seoul accord each other in their defence and security planning and preparedness. India is the only country outside South Korea’s neighbourhood with whom Seoul maintains a security dialogue.

Agreements signed during Modi’s visit will strengthen interaction between the National Security Councils and armed forces of the two countries. Bilateral naval cooperation, which is already growing – the two navies cooperate in anti-piracy operations near the Gulf of Aden – is expected to provide the backbone for the deepening defence ties, as the two countries share an interest in keeping the Indian Ocean’s shipping lanes safe. Besides,

India is drawing on South Korea’s formidable naval ship-building expertise. Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hindustan Shipyard will jointly manufacture warships in India. Seoul has also pledged investment of $10 billion dollars in infrastructure projects such as smart cities, railways etc. It has also promised to support India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group.

South Korea was among the first countries to enter Indian markets when the Indian economy began liberalising in 1991. South Korean brands and products became popular here thereafter. However, the relationship failed to realise its full potential and after some initial enthusiasm, South Korean interest in investing in India waned for several reasons and trade has declined in recent years. India must ensure that Seoul’s enthusiasm to ‘Make in India’ that was evident during Modi’s visit does not fizzle out.

The China factor figures in a big way in India-South Korean relations. In fact, Indian strategic analysts often push for more robust relations with Seoul as a way to counter China’s burgeoning ties with India’s neighbours. This is a narrow approach that India is unlikely to benefit from. Delhi must deepen ties with Seoul for the value that this bilateral bond brings India. After all, South Korea has technical and other expertise that can benefit India. India and South Korea must bond over Buddhism. It was from India that Buddhism travelled to South Korea over a millennium ago.

This is a soft power resource that India must tap as it seeks to ‘act East’ more vigorously. A shared cultural heritage will improve people-to-people relations between the two countries and serve to enhance India’s image and influence there. Importantly, this will not ruffle feathers in Beijing as it is a resource that India can deploy vis-à-vis China as well.

- The Deccan Herald, May 22, 2015

The Indus Valley civilisation, popularly known as Harappan civilisation, has been a puzzle for several decades now. But with the ongoing excavation in Rakhigarhi, Haryana, jointly conducted by archaeologists of Deccan College, Pune, and Haryana Department of Archaeology, along with forensic scientists from Seoul National University, South Korea, history is on the verge of being rewritten.

"After Rakhigarhi, we can say that the Harappan civilisation was at least 1,000 years older than earlier thought. And contrary to our longheld, conventional understanding, it first emerged in the east and then moved west, originating as it did in the heart of the Ghaggar-Hakra basin, regarded by many as the place where the Saraswati once flowed," says Vasant Shinde, vice-chancellor of Deccan College who heads the team of archeologists - the largest Harappan site overtaking Mohenjodaro in Pakistan's Sind province.

What's going to ruffle quite a few feathers, is Harappa's supposed Saraswati connection, especially the way the drying up of one probably led to the decline of the other. Rewriting history Shinde says that prior to his excavation it was believed that Rakhigarhi had all the three phases of the Harappan culture - 'Early', 'Mature' and 'Late'. "Our work proves that this place doesn't have the Late Harappan phase. It collapsed around 2000 BC," says he, adding: "I believe Rakhigarhi's sudden demise can be explained with the drying up of the Saraswati in 2000 BC."

Shinde's claim is supported by Amarendra Nath, former ASI's archaeology director who had carried out excavation in Rakhigarhi between 1997 and 2000. "The ASI has so far discovered over 2,000 Harappan sites spread over Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat. Of these, about 1,400 can be located in the Saraswati belt alone, while the Indus belt doesn't have more than 300-400 sites," he informs, adding: "We, in the ASI, had reached this conclusion long back. It's just that this information is coming out now."

But not everyone is impressed. A Delhi University professor, wishing to remain anonymous, thinks this entire saga can only be analysed through the politicoideological prism, rather than the academic. "For me, Saraswati is a mythical river and nothing more. It's not a mere coincidence that all these things are coming up soon after the BJP came to power. It's an attempt to rewrite the history, the Aryan history," says he.

Shinde seems circumspect on the Aryan migration issue. "It's for historians to decide. But as an archeologist, I can say with confidence that for at least 7,000 years, there has been no migration into this region. You go to the village today, and you will feel you are walking through the same, old Harappan civilisation thriving 5,000 years ago. The style of pottery is similar. So are the food habits," says he.

Nath is more direct. "There will always be a set of historians who will continue to deny the existence of the Saraswati - to meet their ideological and personal requirements. They can afford to do that as history can be interpretational. (But) Not archaeology, which is based on solid evidences and facts. And evidences for long have been supporting the existence of the Saraswati in the region. Satellite imageries have proved beyond doubt the existence of a 'mighty' river drying up 4,000 years ago," Nath says.

Michel Danino, author of The Lost River: On the Trail of the Sarasvati, reminds of the Excavations show Harappan site died as Saraswati dried By Utpal Kumar in New Delhi dilemma . "If we accept the Vedic hymns' description of a river flowing from the mountain to the sea and located between the Yamuna and Sutlej, the Ghaggar remains the sole candidate. But as we now know, this description can only apply to the third millennium BCE or earlier, an epoch that does not fit with the conventional scenario of a second millennium Aryan migration into India," says the French author.

Nath has a solution to bridge this 'historical' divide. "Why don't the historians objecting to our claims set up their own body of archeologists and excavate these sites? Facts don't change with the change of experts. Sadly, they won't come up with such initiatives," says he.

Neelesh Jadhao, co-director of the excavation , is excited that Korean forensic experts would conduct DNA tests on the excavated skeletons. "This time we have ensured skeletons don't get contaminated. We would know for the first time what the Harappans looked like, what they ate, what was the colour of their skin or hair, etc. It will add a new perspective to the Harappan study," says he.

- http://indiatoday.intoday.in/, May 22, 2015

Students across the state have been rushing over the last one week to confirm their spot for graduate programmes, post the declaration of the Class XII results. Degree programmes in arts, science, commerce or the vocational stream or professional degrees in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy or engineering are obvious choices for many students based on their caliber and interest. This need not always be the case.

Goa now has several institutes that offer alternate degree programmes that can lead to unique and exciting career options. These courses are either affiliated to the Goa University or other recognized bodies. In most cases they only demand an interest in the subject to gain entry to them. Most importantly, Class XII is the basic entry qualification.

MBA in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism One such programme is the integrated MBA programme in hospitality, travel and tourism offered by the Goa University department of management studies. The course presents a rare opportunity for Class XII pass outs as students of the course can either exit after three years with a BBA degree or continue for another two years to qualify for an MBA degree.

Students can apply after Class XII or if they possess a three-year government-approved diploma certificate, which is pursued after Class X. Since the department has received a large number of applications this year for the programme, it has decided to hold an entrance test during the first week of June. Admissions for the 30 seats will be based on UGAT (Under Graduate Admission Test) conducted by AIMA institute-level test or as prescribed by the admission committee.

"This five-year course gives hands-on training to students. It was introduced four years ago and is the only such self-financed course in Goa," said M S Dayanand of the department of management studies. The course provides career options in the travel and tourism sector, hospitality industry, human resources or airlines. It is open to students from any stream - science, commerce, arts and vocational. Students have to compulsorily intern for two months during each year of the programme.

Internships are provided to the students by the department itself, but if any student wants to intern at a hotel of their choice they are allowed to do so. Placement is also offered at the institute after interviews by personnel from the industry based on the performance of the students. BSc in Hotel Management

The national institute of hotel management, catering technology and applied nutrition at Porvorim offers three courses --- BSc in hospitality and hotel administration, diploma in food production and diploma in food & beverage service. Admission to the BSc programme begins on May 20. Students with Class XII exam marksheet or certificate of an equivalent examination in any stream with English as a compulsory subject, from a recognized Board/University, are eligible. Students also have to be below 25 years of age to apply. Candidates have to appear for All India Joint Entrance Examination by NCHMCT and a written test which has already been answered the students for the year.

Students are provided placement in different hotels if they perform well at the campus interviews. Application forms are presently available at the college office. Seats are also reserved at the institute for persons of socially backward communities. BSc in International Hospitality

V M Salgaonkar institute of international hospitality at Raia-Manora is a newly-opened institute which is only in its second year now. It offers a three-year BSc course in international hospitality management. The state-of-the-art campus promises the best to its students. Affiliated to the Goa University and with an academic alliance with the Dublin institute of technology, Ireland, the institute has a tie-up with the Goa Marriot group and ensures that graduates get immediate placements right off campus.

"The main aim of our course is to create a separate management cadre in the hotel management area. To dismiss the stereotype that hotel management is only for stewarding, chefs, bar-tending, etc. We wish for our students to be in managerial posts. For this we train them in every field; be it housekeeping, cooking, bakery, managing the front desk, HR, accounting and more," said administrator I Bhanu Murthy.

This course is open to Class XII pass outs from any streams. They will have to go through an entrance exam based on simple logic and comprehension, followed by a personal interview and a group discussion - with a weightage of 50, 30, and 20 each. Applications have been pouring in since April 27 and can be submitted till July 21. The test results are given on the spot.

The institute has a capacity of 120 seats divided into four classes. The course lays emphasis on training students in the four fields of food production, food and beverage, front office, and housekeeping, though they are adequately trained in other spheres as well.

The institute boasts of well-qualified faculty, including professors from Switzerland and has an on-campus hotel with rooms, a fine dining hall, kitchens, bars and a restaurant so students have hands-on experience even when they are not on their internship at an actual hotel. Technologically-designed classrooms with overhead cameras, projectors, screens, microphones and inbuilt laptops promise a good teaching-learning experience. Separate hostels are available for boys and girls.

"We have a separate bulk kitchen where food is cooked to feed all on campus, since we do not permit any outside foods here. We take precaution and strict hygiene is maintained," said Murthy. Diploma in Shipbuilding Technology The institute of shipbuilding technology, Vasco, on the hills of Bogda, offers three different courses. The four-year diploma in shipbuilding engineering has an intake of 40 and involves two periods of internships during the course. The institute also offers a three-year diploma in mechanical engineering with an intake of 40 and a three-year diploma in electronics and communication engineering with an intake of 30.

Students passing out of this institute are placed in jobs at shipbuilding or repairing yards, marine workshops, with ship design and research organizations or shipping companies as surveyors, and in the merchant navy. They can also be suitably placed in the fertilizer industry, cement plants, port trust, refrigeration, electronic, automobile and other allied industries. Since it is an institute founded and managed by a group of industries, the students are directly recruited by industrial bigwigs like Sesa Goa, Chowgules, Salgaonkars, Dempo, Goa Shipyard and the like to meet their requirements.

"Shipbuilding is a unique course, and we are the only institute in Asia offering it. Besides working for local industries, our students also get placed abroad. We have a neighbouring institute that offers a two-year maritime training course after diploma that equips them to work onboard. We have all the facilities and infrastructure in place for quality education," said principal, Gopal G Midlagajni.

The ISO 9001:2008 certified institute has among its infrastructure a laboratory block, workshop and a hostel-cum-canteen building. The self-learning centre has attached audio-visual facilities. For admission to these courses, the minimum requirement is a Class X certificate (SSCE or equivalent) from a Goa school and Indian citizenship with 10 years of continuous residency immediately preceding the submission of application. The rules are relaxed for certain categories.

Admission forms are available at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, and the directorate of technical education, Porvorim. Applications will be accepted by the office from May 25 to June 3. Bachelor's in Fine Art

Goa College of Art, Altinho, offers a Bachelor's in fine arts, where students can either opt for specialization in painting or applied arts. This course is open to students after Class XII from any streams with a minimum of 50% score (45% for reserved categories). This year, the prospectus and application forms are now available online for free. The form can also be collected from the college office. Last date to submit the forms is June 15.

There are 50 seats up for grabs, 30 in the field of applied art and 20 in the painting section. Students are selected based on an aptitude test, and the merit list will be prepared giving equal weightage to both the entrance test results as well as the students' board percentage, provided all subjects in the test have been successfully completed. The test this year will be held on June 23 and 24, with the results scheduled to be declared July 1 on the college notice board. Admissions as per merit list will begin two days later on July 3 and will wind up by July 13.

College principal M V Vengurlekar said, "This is a unique course. If one is determined for hardship, he will undoubtedly excel here. There will not be any issues with job placements. Hardship is the key-word here. We train them so that they may go out and work as independent artists."

The college boasts a separate studios for mural, sculpture, portraiture, and print making in the painting section and for photography, illustration, computer graphics, and audio visual (filmmaking) in the applied art stream.

Students passing out of this institute are picked on campus through a placement cell that has been functional for the past eight years. There are various companies from Pune and Mumbai that absorb these students for jobs in advertising, design and allied fields.

BSc in Home Science Goa College of Home Science, Campal, is affiliated to the Goa University and offers a three-year BSc in home science with choices of specializations in food, nutrition & dietetics, textiles & clothing, and human development.

The course is open to students from all streams with a Class XII pass certificate. There is no entrance test and admission is based on merit. There are currently 50 seats on offer, the applications for which are presently being accepted. About 60 prospectuses have already been handed out. Applications can be submitted till mid July- early August depending upon vacancies created due to students dropping out to pursue other courses.

"On completion of the graduate degree course, students are eligible for jobs in various capacities as dieticians, housekeeping supervisors, in food processing units, as preschool teachers, as special educators, at child guidance clinics, with NGOs, as writers for children's publications, as textile designers, private seamstresses, laundry supervisors, or simply as entrepreneurs. Campus placements are available with various local bodies too," principal Mahesh Pai said. Honours Programme in Law

Other than a bachelor's in law, V M Salgaocar College of Law, Miramar, and G R Kare College of Law, Margao, allows students to pursue a five-year L L B honours programme after Class XII. For the honours programme, students who have completed Class XII from Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education with a minimum of 45% are eligible to apply at both institutes.

Entrance test for L L B honours (5 years) at V M Salgaocar College of Law will be held on June 13 and the results will be declared on the day after the entrance test. Students from any stream can apply for the course including students with a diploma in engineering. "Our institute got an A grade from the NAAC for the second cycle of assessment. Our library contains more than 18,000 law books and there are internet facilities available on campus, even in the classrooms," said administrator of V M Salgaocar College, D P Pednekar. Salgaocar College offers 180 seats for L L B honours courses. Placements for the students is given in three companies, including in law corporate firms based in Mumbai and Pune.

At Kare Law College too, the entrance test is compulsory to seek admissions. Knowledge of the English language, general knowledge, current affairs, objectivity and logical reasoning are tested. Admission will be purely on merit. The result of the entrance examination will be put up on the college notice board. The intake capacity for the L LB (honours) programme at the institute is of 60 students. Candidates who have passed the entrance examination test will have to appear for an oral interview before the selection panel.

BBA in Shipping & Logistics M E S College of Arts and Commerce, Zuarinagar, is set to offer a B B A in Shipping & Logistics programme from 2015. This is a three-year degree course affiliated to the Goa University. It is the first of its kind course in all of India and focuses on the managerial side of the shipping and logistics industry.

It provides global career opportunities in the areas of freight forwarding, customs, warehousing, air cargo, retail sector, logistic companies, transportation, shipping agencies, marine insurance, maritime law and many more.

The course encourages creativity and has an innovative approach. The institute provides the students with facilities like book bank, language lab, Wi-Fi campus, etc. Four months industry internship is an integral part of the course.

Bachelor's in Hindustani Classical Music Goa College of Music, a Goa government college affiliated to the Goa University, offers a four-year degree course leading to a bachelor of performing arts in Hindustani classical music degree.

The aim of the courses is to impart a full-time professional training in Hindustani classical vocal music and instrumental music such as harmonium, sitar and tabla/pakhawaj etc. It is aimed to provide a specialized training to the music students in all important aspects of Hindustani music with a special emphasis on developing his/her performing ability to the professional standard. The college of music has an audio-video library, listening hall and concert hall among its facilities.

Students who have cleared Class XII examination or above and who have also passed Sangeet Madhyama or any other equivalent diploma from a recognized music institution or having minimum three years foundational training in music from a qualified guru are eligible to be admitted to the first year of B P A course. In addition, to be eligible for admission to the B P A degree course a candidate has to pass the entrance test by the college with minimum 40% marks.

- http://indiatoday.intoday.in/, May 22, 2015

The just-inaugurated Indian Heritage Centre in Singapore celebrates the many contributions of the diaspora to the island nation.

On May 7, Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore, inaugurated the Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) in the heart of Little India, where several roads, streets and by-lanes unite to form a melting pot of all things Indian. According to Loong, the centre celebrates the many contributions of the Indian community to Singaporean society. At the opening, he called it, “a timely birthday gift to Singapore on the 50th anniversary of its independence,

which also happens to be the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Singapore and India.” Dr. Gauri Krishnan, Director of the IHC, says, “Southeast Asia has deep historical and cultural ties with South Asia. Through the Indian Heritage Centre, we present Singapore’s close links with the Indian subcontinent, as well as the Indian diaspora from around the world.

The centre also captures the stories and rich history behind Singapore’s Indian community. The centre will serve as a focal point for the community, and a gateway for visitors to understand more about the richness of Indian heritage and culture.”

The IHC building blends both traditional and modern Indian architectural aspects. The first thing that strikes you about this four-storey building is the translucent and shimmering façade. During the day, it glows in natural light but, at night, the lighting keeps the building lit like a gemstone.

As you walk into the centre you are invited to go back in time. The centre is divided into five thematic galleries that chronologically display a variety of South Asian artefacts ranging from the 1st Century to the 21st Century. The first theme demonstrates the preliminary interactions between the South and Southeast Asian communities during pre-colonial and colonial periods.

The transitions are seamless. The Roots and Routes gallery, which marks the beginning of frequent waves of migrations to Singapore and Southeast Asia, highlights Indian customs and traditions and their rites of passage, attire, language, religious affiliations and festivals. This section also illustrates with the help of large interactive maps, the different places of origin of Singapore Indians — like the pioneers and early Indians who arrived at Singapore and Malaya in the pre-World War II era, mainly from Chennai and Kolkata.

Another section looks at the Indian community’s socio-political role in Singapore and Malaya in the mid-20th Century, shedding light upon the anti-colonial movements, reformist activities and revitalisation of the community. The Making of a Nation gallery honours the contributions of Indians in Singapore from the late 1950s-1980s. This was the post-war era in Singapore and the Indians played a vital role in helping the island-nation evolve into a modern nation.

The IHC made tremendous efforts in gathering artefacts in the form of donations and loans, with the help of the community and through various platforms such as the IHC Artefacts Collection Drive. There are 443 artefacts on display, with the majority being either donated or given on loan. “I look forward to visiting the centre, I know that my friends in the Indian community and otherwise will cherish this place,” says Aruna M., a real-estate agent based in Singapore.

The IHC is offering free entry for all through the month of May. A month-long festival called Kaleidoscope will feature activities stemming from a specific region in India each week. It will showcase a mix of traditional and contemporary performances, classical dance and music as well as film screenings and workshops.

“By introducing the IHC, Singapore has honoured and shown respect to Indian culture and its contributions to Singaporean society. The manner in which my cultural aspects have been showcased has really made me feel proud. I can’t wait to bring my overseas guests and friends to this amazing museum,” says Arjun Sharma, a management consultant, settled in Singapore. As I leave the IHC, I realise that a place I now call home is taking great effort to respect and credit my home country. Now that’s a day well spent. Star Artefacts

1. Miniature Shrine Roof; Bronze, 7th century CE, Kedah, Malay Peninsula
2. Head Of Buddha; Andesite, Late 8th – early 9th century CE, Shailendra Period Indonesia
3. Standing Shiva and Parvati; Bronze, 12th/13th century CE, Chola Period Tamil Nadu, India
4. Vishnu, Granite; 10th century, Chola Period, Tamil Nadu, India
5. Agastya; Volcanic Stone, 11th century, Indonesia
6. Chettinad Door; Wood, Late 19th century, Chettinad, Tamil Nadu, India
7. A Tiled Islamic Façade; Painted Tile, 1897-8 CE, Multan, Pakistan
8. Headgear with Turban Ornament (Sarpech); Gold with precious stones, 20th century, Vietnam
9. Handbag made from parachute chords; cloth, Mid-20th century, Bombay, India
10. Treadle Printing Press (The Arab); Mid 20th century, Penang


- The Hindu,, May 23, 2015

Actress Nandita Das was sceptical about the idea suggested by her husband Subodh Maskara. What he wanted to do was to make a film out of a play. “I felt that the magic of theatre is in its live performance,” says Nandita. “You feed off the energy of the audience. And that interaction is crucial.” But Subodh felt that he had a winnable idea. “Theatre does not travel to every part of India because it is not viable to do that,” says Subodh. “There is a large population in the non-metro cities. We could reach out to these people with a film.”

The first film that was shot was the play, Between the Lines, in which Subodh and Nandita are the protagonists. It was shot in five days at a studio in Mumbai. There were close-ups, long-range shots, and multiple takes, just like in a film. The end result was shown at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai last year. And one of the first fans was Nandita herself, who hugged her husband after the show, and said, “It’s wonderful.”

Indeed it is. When you watch a film version of the play, the intensity comes across with twice the force. “You can see the expressions so clearly,” says Subodh. “A camera captures so much more than the eye. In a live production, no matter what happens, you are watching from a distance. You get a broad idea, but you are unable to catch the nuances.”

The analogy is with cricket. “It is different when you watch the game live at a stadium and see it on TV,” says Subodh. “On TV, you get close-ups, you can see the expressions, and it is so much more intimate.” An encouraged Subodh has made seven CinePlays so far. They include Mahesh Dattani’s Dance Like a Man, Mohan Rakesh’s Aadhe Adhure, and Vikram Kapadia’s Bombay Talkies. “These plays have stood the test of time,” says Subodh.

“They are strong in their content and relevant even today.” Another nine plays are in post-production. One indirect benefit is that, through CinePlay, plays are being archived, for posterity. “When my son grows up, he will get a chance to see all of them,” says Nandita. “This is a revolutionary idea. I wished it had happened years ago. Then we could have seen the work of (great directors like) Ebrahim Alkazi, Habib Tanvir, Shambhu Mitra and Vijay Tendulkar.”

Meanwhile, Subodh has been taking the CinePlays all over India. “We have exhibited in clubs, theatres, colleges and cultural centres,” he says. “Right now, there are 50 distributors who are regularly screening our films.” It is a 90-minute show which happens on the weekend or once a month.

The ticket prices range from `100 to `300. Recently, Subodh screened Between The Lines at the Ranchi Club. “All the 400 members came to see it,” he says. “And they paid rapt attention throughout. At the end, there was a standing ovation.” He has also shown it in Washington and New York. “We got a fantastic response from an all-American audience,” he says, adding, “I have realised that even though the context is Indian, the emotions expressed are universal.”

Subodh’s future plans include making CinePlay a brand that leads the genre. “I also want to make CinePlays from different regional as well as international languages,” he says. “So, I will be making films of Malayalam, Kannada as well as American, Asian and European plays.”

- The Indian Express, May 23, 2015

The Supreme Court has directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to formulate a policy for allowing guides to work at centrally protected monuments by first week of July.

The Supreme Court passed this order on May 1, while hearing a civil appeal filed by 186 Uttar Pradesh Tourism-approved guides, who had approached the court last November after ASI refused to renew their licences in April, 2014. ASI had refused to renew licences of guides working at Taj Mahal and other sites that are overseen by the central government.

Following ASI's ban, the guides' association had moved the Allahabad high court, which then quashed their plea in June, 2014. Later, the 186 guides, spearheaded by Deepak Dan, challenged the high court's verdict by approaching the Supreme Court.

During the hearing, the counsel for ASI had contended that guides of all categories, regional, state as well as local, should have adequate information about the monuments and that they should not give any wrong information to tourists.

The ASI also told the court it was in the process of preparing a comprehensive policy on how the guides should function while guiding tourists at monuments. The apex court agreed with ASI's stance and said it was free to educate the guides about the monuments. The court also allowed ASI to conduct tests for guides to gauge their knowledge at the time of renewal of licence.

When contacted, ASI superintending archaeologist Bhuvan Vikram said the department was in the process of preparing the policy in consultation with its headquarters and the ministry. He added that the policy would be applicable to guides across the country. There are 456 regional tourist guides affiliated with the Union ministry of tourism, and around 600 UP tourism-approved guides.

- The Times of India, May 24, 2015

While civil engineers and other experts rely on latest scientific technology to ascertain the strength of heritage structures, a 51-year-old carpenter from Puducherry, S Anthuvan, who was honoured by the French government, banks on his rich experience to determine the stability of such structures.

A specialist in Madras terrace roofing with wooden rafters, wooden staircases and balconies Anthuvan was a prominent member of an expert team that included engineers from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) engaged by the Puducherry government to check the stability of three heritage buildings. Inside these structures government schools functioned even after the century-old Mairie building had collapsed in November last year.

Anthuvan started his career as a helper at the age of 15 for a contractor specialising in woodworks during the late 1980s. Hailing from a farmer family from Tirukovilyur, Villupuram district, Anthuvan settled in Puducherry in the late 19670s. There, he soon learnt the trade of carpentry.

He worked with a few contractors before Intach spotted his skills and roped him for conservation and restoration of heritage buildings in Puducherry and Tranquebar in Nagapattinam district. "I learnt carpentry from several skilled carpenters while working for a couple of contractors for more than two decades. I am happy that I got recognition for my skills. Intach has been entrusting me and my team the task of conservation and renovation of many heritage structures in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu for the past 12 years," said Anthuvan.

Some of the restoration projects in which his team was involved include French Consulate, Intach, St Joseph's of Cluny Girls' Higher Secondary School and a dozen of private buildings among others in Puducherry. He had also restored the bungalow on the beach and gatehouse in Tranquebar. Anthuvan said people in Puducherry have started realising the significance of heritage buildings and antique goods.

"There is increasing demand for Madras terrace roofing, wooden flooring and wooden balconies in recent years. The French government and its allied agencies have been insisting on restoring the buildings. It is because of this we have significant number of heritage buildings in the Union territory.Puducherry government too has evinced interest lately. Now private building owners have come forward for restoring the structures rather than pulling them down," he said.

Anthuvan said a number of new buildings constructed using traditional materials in old Franco-Indian architectural have been on the rise. Ambassador of France to India Francois Richier presented Medaille D'honneur Du Travail (medal of honour) to Anthuvan recognising his exemplary services in carpentry during conservation of the heritage structures in Puducherry at a function at the Consulate General of France.

- The Times of India, May 24, 2015

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has stumbled upon thousands of archaeological specimens in around 45 villages falling within the 80-km stretch of the Girija valley in Aurangabad.

Archaeologists said that the antiquities indicate the existence of rural settlements of the Satvahana dynasty, Vakataka dynasty, Yadava dynasty, Bahmani and Mughal, Maratha dynasties. They said that this stretch and the 51 villages in it have hitherto remained unexplored and were earlier thought to contain no archaeological remains of historically important dynasties. The find is therefore the first of its kind in Marathwada, indicating the existence of the rural settlements of these dynasties here.

An ASI archaeologist said that the recent explorations were undertaken along the Girija river valley. The Girija river originates from the hill station Mhaismal in Aurangabad and flows towards the east, meeting the Purna river.

"The valley stretch is about 80km and has close to 51 villages, out of which 45 villages were found to have archaeological remains. The earliest sites whose evidence was found from here date back to the Satavahana period, from 2nd century BC to 2nd century AD. The remains we found also indicated that these sites continued to flourish as Vakataka dynasty sites as well. The Vakataka dynasty originated from the Deccan in the mid-third century of the current era and is responsible for the excavation of the Ajanta caves," he said.

The river stretch explored lies between the Ajanta and Ellora caves.

The Ellora caves are on the western face of Mhaismal plateau. "Till now, we have only known about the kings of the Vakataka dynasty, but the dynasty did have a population of what one could call common folk. There is also evidence of the Yadava dynasty having lived here. There is, however, less evidence of the Yadava dynasty (9th century AD to 12th century AD) site here. Remains of the temples point to the Yadava dynasty having existed here. In one of the villages called Dongargaon, the remains of the Yadava temples have been used by the villagers to build another temple," he said. The explorations also indicated the existence of the rural settlements of the Bahmani period, which spanned the 13th to 15th centuries.

Explaining the significance of the finds, archeologists said that earlier, apart from sites such as Paal and Bhokardan in the stretch, there have been no reports on the existence of any historical or archaeological remains. The recent finds are significant as they indicate the existence of the rural settlements of these dynasties in this region.

"The explorations were part of ASI's recent focus on ancient rural settlements. Earlier, archaeologists would focus more on urban settlements and would look for old cities or their remains. Rural archaeology has as much to say about dynasties as urban settlements," he said.

The finds: 300 antiquities Terracotta objects like sculptures, beads (glass and terracotta), bangles (glass and terracotta), iron objects like nails, dagger or knife fragments Yadava period sculptures, mostly of Shiva and Vishnu, carved in stone Trivia:

Village to village survey for recording and documenting antiquarian remains and archaeological sites by the ASI was revived in April, 2014. Under the survey conducted by ASI circle offices from April, 2014 to March, 2015, around 1,980 villages in India have been surveyed out of which 822 villages yielded antiquarian remains.

- The Times of India, May 24, 2015

The Centre may have withdrawn Delhi's nomination for the World Heritage City tag, but all's not lost if experts are to be believed. They claim that the city could still be in the race next year.

For this, the Delhi government will have to engage in a dialogue with the Centre so that the latter asks Unesco to proceed with the nomination dossier, which can be reviewed in June, 2016. If Unesco releases Delhi's report for review by December this year, the city's nomination will be eligible in next June. Delhi tourism minister Jitender Tomar said the government was pursuing the issue with the Centre.

"I have written to the central government asking them to reconsider their decision. It has taken a lot of time and effort to reach this far, and the heritage tag would be matter of great pride. The nominated zones are a very small area. This will not impact development,'' he said. Intach, the organization that prepared Delhi's nomination dossier on behalf of the government, is also actively pursuing the issue with the city government.

"We have written to the CM and asked for a meeting to be held on the issue. All files pertaining to the world heritage issue are being reviewed again. The Centre withdrew Delhi's report before it could be released for review by the Unesco world heritage committee. If the Centre asks Unesco to release the report, it could be examined again in the 2016 world heritage session,'' said an official.

According to sources, the Delhi government has spent up to Rs 2 crore for the nomination. The Sheila Dikshit government had signed an MoU with Intach in 2008 to prepare for a tentative listing and came out with the final dossier. "Now, it's up to the AAP government. If it pursues the matter with the Centre,

Delhi's nomination could be eligible. But given the ongoing tussle between the state and the Centre, this might not be a priority for the AAP dispensation,'' said a heritage expert. That the state government is keen on nominating Delhi for the Unesco tag can be gauged from the fact that in January this year it had established Delhi Heritage Management Secretariat, a special cell that will focus on the preservation and development of the Walled City.

"Lutyens' zone already has regulations in place, which will not be affected due to the world heritage tag. The nomination dossier spells out that Delhi has a well-established mechanism for protecting the identified OUV (outstanding universal value) and that no additional laws are required other than those that are already in place or in the process of being prepared as per the mandate of MPD 2021. It is a myth that development will be curbed.

Development will continue as prescribed by our existing regulations. Besides, all development will be vetted by DUAC and HCC,'' said an official.

- The Times of India, May 24, 2015

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is engaged in a project of a different kind. It is overseeing the restoration of a heritage building on Mall Road in Shimla, Gorton Castle, which once served as the summer secretariat of the Viceroy. The government's official auditor is its current occupant.

The building was severely damaged in a fire in January 2014. A post-fire assessment showed 60 rooms of the 148-room castle were completely gutted. The heritage cell of the Union urban development ministry and the Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee have drawn up a restoration plan that will cost the exchequer close to Rs 55 crore.

CAG Shashi Kant Sharma has been taking keen interest in restoration of the 19th century heritage structure which is a major tourist attraction on the Mall. He has approved the restoration work which is likely to begin soon. It will be completed within 30 months, according to a presentation made by CPWD.

The castle, built in the neo-Gothic style, was designed by British architect Sir Swinton Jacob, who also designed the Albert Hall (Jaipur), Lalgarh Palace (Bikaner), Umaid Bhawan Palace (Kota), King George Medical College (Lucknow) and St Stephen's College (Delhi).

Sir Swinton is known for 'fusion architecture' where he introduced traditional Rajasthani stone jalis, jharokhas and balconies in his buildings. This was best visible in Gorton Castle, a four-storeyed structure built with sandstone from the local quarry in Sanjauli. The stone masonry walls were constructed with lime mortar which could withstand major earthquakes.

The second and third floors of the castle, which were completely gutted, had wooden flooring over steel girder. Stone ornamental jharokhas, brackets and arches are some of the unique features of the castle that depict fusion architecture.

Gorton Castle was named after a British bureaucrat who served in India and owned it in the 1840s. This was later purchased by the British India government for Rs 120,000 after the then viceroy, Lord Ripon, wanted to convert this building into the civil secretariat of the government of India.

"Based on the recommendations of the heritage cell of the urban development ministry, CPWD has worked out a time schedule that will take five to six months in pre-construction work and at least 30 months for the restoration to be complete," a CAG official said.

- The Times of India, May 25, 2015

It wasn't their usual Sunday routine of waking up late, drooling over a leisurely breakfast and then lazing around with friends or in front of the TV. It was rather a busy start to a Sunday when they had to wake up as early as 6am, have a rushed breakfast and then head for the Strand. After all, not everyday do you get invited to go on a heritage trail, a part of Kolkata for Kids presented by The Times of India in association with OmDayal Group of Institutions. It was partnered by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage and the Indian Navy.

The excited faces of the 10-13 year olds, who assembled at the Gwalior Monument by the Hooghly at least half an hour before schedule, said it all. Each child, parents in tow, carried notebooks and cameras so that they could take back with them what they had learnt. The walk took the kids to three heritage sites — the Gwalior Monument, Prinsep Ghat and the Lascar monument.

Thirteen-year-old Abhigyan Biswas, a Class IX student of Salt Lake Point School, came to the walk with his six-year-old brother Prithvi simply because he had seen the monuments while driving past the Strand but didn't know much about them. "It is so grand...this spot...as the Hooghly flows by, but unfortunately we don't stop by to admire. I didn't know that this tall tower here is called the Gwalior Monument, though I knew that the imposing pillared structure beyond is the Prinsep Ghat. I will now have a lot to share with my friends," he said.

Intach state convenor GM Kapur conducted the trail and explained the history behind the monuments, connecting them with the general history of how the British came to the then Calcutta as traders of the East India Company. "The Gwalior Monument was built by the British exactly 100 years before India won its independence. They fought with the Gwalior state despite a truce treaty and lost at least 900 soldiers. The monument was built in their memory," Kapur explained to the children.

Kushal Rajani and his friend Tejas Saraogi, both Class VIII students of Don Bosco Park Circus, were surprised to meet each other there. Summer vacation is on and they hadn't planned this together, but once they met, they were inseparable. "My son simply loves history. When he heard about the heritage trail being organized by TOI, he jumped and even brought us along," laughed Vibha, Kushal's mother.

The next stop was Prinsep Ghat where kids got to know how Assay master James Prinsep was also an Indologist and did an invaluable service to the country by deciphering Ashokan edicts. Kapur explained how the river would flow right up to the monument at one point in time but later changed its course.

The final stop was the Lascar monument, which was restored last year to commemorate the 100 years of the First World War. It is a war memorial erected by shipping and merchantile companies in the memory of 896 Lascars — or soldiers — who were killed during the First World War.

- The Times of India, May 25, 2015

Situated on the quiet Simon Lane of Mangaluru is a storehouse of art and talent – Simon & Co, now Simon Arts, world-famous for its terracotta church statues. First established in 1932, Simon Arts is an exclusive art space founded by Simon Sylvester Rasquinha.

Presently run by the third generation, Ashwath Rasquinha, this art house has talent running in its blood. Renowned for custom-made church statues worldwide, Simon Arts also makes statues of Indian statesmen.

Freedom fighter and respected politician U Srinivas Mallya’s form erected at the NMPT (New Mangaluru Port) gate and the famed Mahatma Gandhi statue in Aloyseum, were sculpted by founder Simon himself. In 2012, a nine-feet-tall statue of Mother Mary was shipped to the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolata in Nairobi!

Arthur, the fourth of legendary Simon’s seven children, was the previous mentor of Simon&Co, who took over from his father in 1973. Ashwath, the youngest of Arthur’s children, has qualifications in fine arts and sculpture and continues to churn out awe-inspiring statues currently.

Simon S Rasquinha, born on May 22, 1910, worked for a local statuary in his youth and absorbed the fine nuances of art and statue production. He was mentored by the famous Francis de Gama of Jeppu, a close assistant to Brother Moscheni SJ, the renowned Italian artist of St Aloysius College Chapel, Mangaluru. He has designed and created many statues for a majority of the churchs in and around Canara district.

Apart from a brilliant sculptor, he was also a renowned theatre personality and a musician. As an artist, perhaps, Simon’s hour of glory came when he was called upon to retouch the immortal national art monuments of Brother Moscheni in the St Aloysius College chapel. His dedicated efforts and talent bought him clients from the UK, USA, Italy, Belgium, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

The art house considers skilled workers as an asset and selects artisans with special family oriented skills from many parts of India. There are also a wide range of trained technicians to meet the many peripheral operations involved in this art process. Despite the age of modernity, people in Southern India especially Goa, Kerala and Kanara demand old-style statues with modern materials. They take around 2-3 months to complete a 10-feet statue and use technology to aid them in their procedures.

Merline Rasquinha, the daughter-in-law of Simon Rasquinha is also synonymous with beautiful terracotta artefacts in Mangaluru. She is a true social worker, having helped many girls from poor backgrounds. She is also instrumental in training handicapped girls from Cheshire Home in this particular art and also offers help to rehabilitate mentally-ill people and alcoholics.

- The Deccan Herald, May 26, 2015

In a unique gesture to celebrate International Biodiversity Day (May 22), nine villagers from Turia adjoining Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, constructed a waterhole for wildlife in the buffer zone of the reserve. The waterhole was built 500 metres away from the village boundary adjacent to the protected area. Nine villagers braved scorching heat to complete the project.

The initiative was taken by Satpuda Foundation, a non-government organization working for community-based wildlife and forest conservation. The waterhole will go a long way to quench thirst of birds and small animals.

Few members of local women's self-help group Shrasti joined to assist the project. Participants of the programme were briefed about biodiversity of Pench Tiger Reserve and the area around.

Foundation's assistant director Anoop Awasthi explained the villagers about importance of biodiversity day and why should villagers conserve it. They also guided the villagers to form biodiversity management committees and set-ting up a public biodiversity registers of the area.

Member of Shrusti Anita Bhawre said, "The temperature in Turia has increased to 45 degree Celsius. We feel the heat and thirst inside the house but what about the animals staying outside. Who will think about them?" "Such activity brings villagers close to nature and also help to conserve biodiversity of the region," said Kishor Rithe, president of Satpuda Foundation.

- The Times of India, May 26, 2015

West Bengal State Music Academy will confer this year's Allauddin Purashkar on sitar maestro Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee. The award, instituted in the name of legendary classical musician Ustad Allauddin Khan in 1987, carries a citation and a cash prize of Rs 25,000. Previous recipients of the award include Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta, Pandit Manilal Nag and Manna De.

Mukherjee, who earlier won the Allauddin Khan Memorial Fellowship offered by the Madhya Pradesh government, plays sitar and surbahar in the Imdadkhani tradition of Etawah. Speaking to TOI, he said, "I am pleasantly surprised and honoured that the state government considered my name for this award."

Academy's member secretary and deputy director of information and cultural affairs department Malabasri Das said, "We will also honour dancer Vidushi Rani Karnaa with Uday Shankar Purashkar, tabla maestro Pandit Gobinda Bose with Jnan Prakash Ghosh Purashkar and Agra gharana vocalist Subhra Guha with Girija Shankar Purashkar for their contribution to various forms of performing arts."

"I was born in Sindh in Pakistan. But Kolkata has been my second home for the last 40 years. It is great to see that the Bengal government has selected me for this honour," said Karnaa, a disciple of Odissi legend Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee will hand over the awards to the maestros at an event at Nazrul Mancha on Tuesday.

- The Times of India, May 26, 2015

Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal opened to the public for the first time a 200-year-old heritage monument — the memorial of Maharaja Duleep Singh — also known as the ‘Bassian Kothi’ at Bassian village near Raikot on Sunday after it underwent a restoration process for over four years that cost the state government more than `5 crore. The restoration began in 2011 and the government had roped in the Indian National Trust and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) group and the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB) for the purpose.

Before 2011, the memorial was in a shambles and the irrigation department, which had its charge, even planned to auction it. However, thanks to former Punjabi Sahit Akademi president Gurbhajan Singh Gill, a noted Punjabi writer, an association – the Maharaja Duleep Singh Trust was formed to ensure the restoration of the monument. “After we formed the trust, we could take up the issue with the chief minister. He visited the monument in April 2011 and assured is that the monument would be restored. With this inauguration, he has kept his word,” said Gill, the chairman of the Trust.

At the event, Badal lauded the trust for caring about the state’s heritage and bringing it to his notice. “We should be proud of our heritage and the government is working on several other historical projects too and these will also be thrown open,” the CM added.

PHTPB additional chief executive officer Navjotpal Singh Randhawa said details on the memorial would soon be uploaded on the board’s website. “We will prepare special brochures and get in marked on the state’s map and will market it with tour operators so that tourists from the across the world can access this historical memorial,” he said. A part of the memorial has also been turned into a museum where rare pictures of the Maharaja’s life are on display. An open air theatre, interpretation centre on his life and parks have been added in about 13 acres (around 5.7 lakh square foot).

At the event, tourism and cultural affairs minister Sohan Singh Thandal, Vidhan Sabha speaker Charanjeet Singh Atwal, irrigation minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon and other political leaders were present. Hundreds of villagers were also present.

- The Hindustan Times, May 26, 2015

The International Seminar on ‘Mughal Gardens of Kashmir: Towards the UNESCO World Heritage Nomination’ was held in Srinagar at the University of Kashmir from 14 to 16 May 2011 and was the first international seminar on these famed gardens.

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, Jammu and Kashmir Chapter (INTACH J&K), in collaboration with the University of Kashmir (Department of History), and the Department of Floriculture, of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, co-organized the seminar. The proceedings were published in 2013 by Gulshan Books in Srinagar, Kashmir (ISBN: 978-81-83-39-140-5). Koen Aertgeerts, Melissa Hollingsworth and Jan Haenraets participated with INTACH J&K in organising the conference and to prepare the proceedings. Here a few images and text fragments of the book.

During the three day seminar several landscape, architectural and heritage experts participated in the presentations, site visits and workshop sessions with an aim to press for the serial nomination of the historic Mughal gardens of Kashmir to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) prestigious list of World Heritage Sites. The process of preparing the nomination dossier is still ongoing.

The entry of the Mughal Gardens in Kashmir as included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List can be found under the link. The gardens that were included in the Tentative List are Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Achabal Bagh, Pari Mahal, Verinag and Chashma Shahi. In the Preface of the proceedings book, the summary of the objectives of the seminar stated: “…UNESCO adopted the World Heritage Convention in 1972.

The cultural and natural heritage is among the priceless and irreplaceable assets, not only of each nation, but of humanity as a whole. The loss, through deterioration or disappearance, of any of these prized assets constitutes an impoverishment of the heritage of all the peoples of the world. UNESCO World Heritage listing represents an international recognition of the inherent culture and historic values of the listed properties, and brings new interest of cultural tourism.

Cultural tourism is one of the major economic drivers of the vastly expanding tourism industry carrying with it substantial economic, social and educative benefits. Since the adoption of the Convention over 900 properties have been added to the World Heritage List, including twenty-eight in India. Amongst those Hampi National Park, Khajuraho, the churches and convents of Goa, the Taj Mahal and Kaziranga. The inclusion of the Mughal gardens of Kashmir on the World Heritage List would be a first property from Kashmir. Earlier this year the Mughal gardens of Kashmir were already included in UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites.

Since 1947 the Mughal gardens faced a sad depletion of their historical character and it was therefore the aim of the seminar to re-examine the Mughal gardens and their wider landscapes and increase our understanding of their historical evolution and significance. By sharing experiences and expertise the aim was to arrive at recommendations to inform the preparation of the UNESCO World Heritage nomination. In the meantime the outcomes of the conference and workshops assisted with the development of sustainable management visions for the gardens and their rehabilitation.

A serial nomination of the Mughal Gardens of Kashmir to the UNESCO World Heritage List can bring much needed local, national and international attention to the significance and conservation of the gardens, but as important, it can assist with enhancing the image of Kashmir to the wider public and world, and help to rejuvenate Kashmir as an internationally recognized cultural and heritage tourism destination….” (M. Saleem Beg & Jan Haenraets, May 2011) The outcomes of the seminar have been organised in the Content of the book under the following headings: The inaugural session

An introduction to the key gardens and site visit introductions Objectives of the seminar and the historical background of the gardens Status of existing conservation and management programmes for the gardens International case studies Technical workshop sessions Final recommendations Mughal Gardens in Kashmir, 2013

The need for enhanced protection and promotion of the heritage in Jammu and Kashmir is not only urgently needed for the historic gardens, but for instance also for much of the historic architecture and archaeology. Similarly the cultural traditions, craftsmanship, and intangible heritage are much at risk in the region.

The listing of Srinagar Heritage Zone, including Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh, in the World Monuments Fund list of 2008 of the 100 Most Endangered Monuments, highlighted the need for action. The devastating floods of 2014 in Srinagar damaged and destroyed again much irreplaceable heritage and historic architecture.

The Srinagar Development Authority is presently revising the Srinagar Master Plan 2000-21 to an updated version for 2015-35. Improved attention for heritage and ecology have to become more prominent in this Plan. A World Heritage listing of the Mughal gardens can hopefully also become a constructive contribution towards the visions of the 2015-35 Plan. Revisiting and retaining the objectives as discussed by experts and the wider community during the seminar ‘Towards the UNESCO World Heritage Nomination’ remains therefore most relevant.

‘Mughal Gardens in Kashmir: Towards the UNESCO World Heritage Nomination’ was published in 2013 by Gulshan Books, Srinagar (ISBN: 978-81-83-39-140-5), by Jan Haenraets (Editor), Melissa Hollingsworth and Koen Aertgeerts, for INTACH J&K, the University of Kashmir (Department of History) and the Government of J&K (Department of Floriculture).

Text by Jan Haenraets Jan Haenraets is a Director of Atelier Anonymous Landscapes Inc., Vancouver, BC, Canada; and Adviser to the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, Jammu & Kashmir Chapter

- http://explearth.org/, May 26, 2015

With Marine Drive now declared as a heritage precinct, a prominent south Bombay residents' association has written to the civic administration demanding that no ad hoc interventions be carried out henceforth while improving or repairing any area on the stretch. In its letter to the BMC, the resident group has asked the civic body to maintain the sanctity of the precinct.

The Maharashtra government's urban development department declared Marine Drive as a heritage precinct on May 5 this year. The letter sent out by the Nariman Point Churchgate Residents Association (NPCCA) on May 19, states, "We would request you to kindly ensure that all further improvements, repairs, development, modifications to the promenade, buildings, dividers, lights, furniture, signage be carried out in strict consonance with the applicable heritage guidelines. "

Swarn Kohli, NPCCA president said that during the MMRDA and BMC's refurbishment of Marine Drive in 2006, the residents' association inputs were taken into account, the design was carefully decided upon . "However, in recent times there have been ad hoc decisions taken, with several things along the stretch changed. We want at least those residents'

groups who have been involved in the refurbishment of the Marine Drive stretch to be consulted if authorities plan any improvements," said Kohli. V. Ranganathan, chairman of the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC), has said that they had prepared draft guidelines over a year ago, as this precinct was part of the draft list of heritage buildings/ precincts.

- The Times of India, May 27, 2015

Following Indian delegation's visit to Kyoto, local administration is chalking out by-laws and regulations for preservation of cultural heritage sites of the ancient temple town. The meeting was attended by experts and officials, including mayor Ramgopal Mohley, at Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) on Monday evening.

Regional archaeological officer Subhash Chandra Yadav said on Tuesday, "Several agendas, including definition of heritage, listing of tangible as well as intangible heritage sites, drafting of heritage by-laws, awareness and people's participation policies, were discussed."

"Three sub-committees will be constituted to prepare a framework of heritage by-laws, figure out present status of tangible and intangible heritage sites and prepare a list," he said. He further said, "While these committees would get busy in their assigned task, others will indulge in awareness activities and publicize protected heritage monuments and sites. They will also create awareness on sites that are not listed as heritage sites."

Plan is afoot to prepare short documentaries on heritage buildings or organize special lectures in schools and colleges, educating the youth about it. During the meeting, mayor emphasized on ancient and rich cultural heritage of the city. "Status of 'Rashtra Guru' can be achieved only by preserving our heritage," he said and added that the committees would seek suggestions and advice from experts and knowledgeable persons of the city to ensure conservation.

The sub-committees would study the sites and prepare by-laws for preservation and development of the heritage sites. Their report would be presented to Heritage committee for approval. Members stressed on launching a mass awareness programme to educate youths about cultural heritage of the city and encourage them to join efforts for its conservation and renovation.

Those present in the meeting, included municipal commissioner Umakant Tripathi, regional archaeological officer Subhash Chandra Yadav, regional tourism officer Ravindra Kumar, superintendent of Archeological Survey of India Ajay Srivastava, chief of district cultural committee Ratnesh Verma, ADM protocol and tourism KN Upadhyay, Padma Bhushan Channulal Mishra,

Prof Maruti Nandan Prasad Tiwari of department of ancient Indian history and art of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and former professor Kamal Giri, noted artiste Rajeshwar Acharya, Painter Neel Kamal Chatterji, author Jitendra Nath Mishra, Vidula Jaiswal of Jnana Pravaha and others.

- The Times of India, May 27, 2015

In a major discovery the archaeological department has found Buddha foot prints, used for worship, during an excavation at village Damroo in Baloda Bazaar-Bhatapara district, about 60 km from here. The find assumes importance as such Buddha foot prints had not been found anywhere in central India up to now. Damrooo is situated on the banks of river Shivnath and provides uninterrupted cultural sequences to the early historical chapter of Chhattisgarh. Archaeological excavation at the village has opened some new aspects in the history and archaeology of the state.

There are three big mounds here that contain potteries of black ware, red slipped ware and fine fabrics. The site is surrounded by a circular rampart, or mud fort, popularly known as garh. Speaking exclusively to TOI with regard to the recent findings at Damroo, director, archaeology Rakesh Chaturvedi informed that the mud fortification at Damroo measures about 370 south-west and 460 m east-west, with a maximum height of about nine m from the present surface.

The western part of the site is vandalised by local residents. This is the first mud fort site that was excavated by the state archaeology department under direction of Dr SShivkant Bajpai and Rahul Singh. The excavation is being carried out here since 2013 and has yielded several antiquities ranging from early historical period to later Gupta period. Last year early Brahmi inscriptions on terracotta tablets were found here in bulk quantity.

Now Damroo has become a well-known Buddhist site where more than a dozen Votive stupas and other important artifacts are found. Most important among them are Buddha Pada, or Buddha foot prints. Chaturvedi further said that the findings of the Buddha foot prints has got the archaeologists excited as it for the first time such a significant archaeological discovery has been made in central India.

Speaking to TOI excavation director at Damroo site Dr Bajpai explained that these Buddha foot prints are portable type, meaning they were carried along by the Buddhists of the era for the purpose of worship. It is an auspicious Buddhist symbol, which is still worshiped at Buddhist temples in Bodh Gaya and Nagarjuni Konda. The Buddha foot prints are imprint of either one or both feet. These are symbols of Buddha's feet and considered sacred in Hinyana Buddhism in India as well other Buddhist countries, he added.

The portable Buddha foot prints excavated at Damroo is made out of locally available stone. It is circular in shape and is carved with twelve lotus petals, which is one of the eight important auspicious symbols of Buddhism, said Bajpai, adding that the two feet of Buddha are flanked by twin fish on either side. Twin golden fish are also among the eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism. Below the feet a symbolic dharma chakra is depicted. The circumference of the Buddha pada is about 25 cms, suggesting that it was portable and used for the purpose of worship. It may be assignable to Satvahana or Gupta period, said Bajpai.

Speaking to TOI in this regard, Dayaldas Baghel, who assumed charge as minister of culture and tourism on Wednesday, said that the findings at Damroo site are extremely important from the archaeological and historical point of view. He further said that these findings indicate that this area was a great centre of Hinyani Buddhism during the 1st to 5th century AD and once the excavation work at Damroo gets completed it would become an important centre for Buddhist world in particular and an important tourist centre of the country, he added.

- The Times of India, May 27, 2015

Flights from Bengaluru to Mysuru, dedicated police personnel for tourists, open streets and more — these are among a slew of measures being planned to ensure that tourists flock to Bengaluru and other cities in state.

"Bengaluru is known as the IT City, a business hub and Garden City. But it is yet to pick up as a tourist destination. We are looking at corporates who can come forward and adopt heritage spots," said RV Deshpande, minister for tourism and higher education. Announcing that the city will host the PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Travel Mart for the first time, Deshpande said, "Karnataka has 319 tourist destinations. At the mart, we will showcase these places and the kind of opportunities available here.

We hope to get investments in the sector." Over 160 countries are likely to be a part of the exhibition, which aims to bring together private and government agencies working in the tourism sector. The mart will also see the participation of numerous startups. Popular tourist activities such as farm visits, adventure trips, visits to coffee estates and vineyards are planned during the mart, that will be organized from September 6-8.

To turn the global spotlight on the state, Deshpande has requested for relaxation of coastal regulation zone (CRZ) rules for 42 beaches and four islands, whose tourism potential is largely untapped. Flights to Mysuru: The tourism department is in talks with Air India and will soon begin regular flights from Bengaluru to Mysuru. "The need for air connectivity to smaller cities has always been talked about but finding private players has been difficult. We will begin with Mysuru and see whether it is feasible to connect the city to Hassan and Goa," said G Sathyavathi, director, tourism department.

Tourist mitras: In keeping with the perception that women tourists visiting the country are not safe, the department is mulling the appointment of tourist mitras. "They will have the power of a constable and will assist tourists," said Deshpande.

- The Times of India, May 27, 2015

The forest department's wildlife wing has dug 330 artificial water bodies in all protected sanctuaries of the state to keep animals hydrated. These are mostly being dug close to natural water sources where animal movements have been sighted.

Wildlife officials said 330 artificial water bodies were dug in 2014-15 and 240 more will be dug during the current fiscal. "We are spending Rs 2.5 lakh to dig one. While those dug last year have been filled with water, it will take at least one year for the new ones to be filled with water. Some get water easily because of their proximity to natural water bodies, while others get filled up during the rainy season," said chief wildlife warden and principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife) S S Srivastav.

He said digging of 330 water bodies at a time is the highest in last five years. "We dug 218 pits last year, which have water. We have seen animals frequenting water bodies in summer," he said. Srivastav said wildlife sanctuaries in western Odisha require more water bodies as the region is arid and experiences more heat. "So more funds were allotted to Debrigarh santuary in Sambalpur district, Badrama in Bargarh, Sunabeda in Nuapada and Karlapat in Kalahandi for digging up of water bodies," said Srivastav.

He said Similipal Tiger Reserve, Satkosia Tiger Reserve and Chandaka wildlife sanctuaries have robust natural sources of water. Divisional forest officer (City) P K Mishra said water bodies were dug to recharge ground water and generate moisture so that it is beneficial both to the animals and vegetation.

In another incident, a wild bear was found dead at Kanpura village under Dukura range in Baripada forest division early on Wednesday. Forest officials are probing the cause of its death.

- The Times of India, May 28, 2015

A visit to Madurai and without seeing the Meenakshi Temple is like forgetting to see the Taj Mahal on a trip to Agra. This ancient city is built around the Meenakshi Amman Temple which has been the geographical and ritualistic centre of the region since the times of the Pandyans.

The temple complex which was destroyed by the invader Malik Kafur was later rebuilt by the Nayakars of Madurai and this is what we see today and not its original form. However, the site remains the same. The Thirumalai Nayakars played a very important role in the restoration and preservation of this temple.

As it is, the city is dominated by the presence of this huge temple with 14 gateways that are visible whichever corner of the city one traverses to. The temple, housing more than 30,000 sculptures, attracts thousands of people daily from India and abroad. And so, this highly religious place surrounded by streets with innumerable shops selling flowers, coconuts and pooja items, is always crowded.

The temple complex divided into concentric quadrangular enclosures is so massive and complicated that you have to keep track of your movements, otherwise you may get lost and forced to go round and round without ever reaching the sanctum sanctorum. The main deities in this temple are Shiva and Parvati, dressed and decorated in all their finery. But to get a glimpse of the gods, one has to pay a bit of money at every phase even as you pass from one complex to another housing an unbelievable number of gods.

Since the city is divided into a number of quadrangular streets around the temple which was designed by the first Madurai Nayak king, it almost looks similar to a modern urban planned city. All the city squares are named after Tamil month names or to the festivals associated with the temple. During the annual festival, the temple authorities organise many chariot processions and other dramatic festivities which in fact, can be accommodated in the concentric streets. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2500-year-old city.

The existence of so many, huge gateways in the temple complex is an extraordinary sight what with their heights ranging from 150 to 170 feet. They are multi-storeyed structures and embellished with figures and figurines of gods, goddesses, animals and demons. They have been painted in bright colors and hues. However, the towers atop the temple housing the main deities of Shiva and Parvati are painted in pure gold and these towers are visible at great distances.

Another attraction in this temple complex is the ‘Hall of 1000 Pillars’ and this is situated very near to the structure housing the main deity of Shiva. The pillars are richly carved with images of mythological beasts and it demonstrates the engineering skill and artistic vision of the Madurai Nayakars. The nearby temple art museum houses many sculptures, photos, drawings, images and depict the history of this 1200-year-old temple.

It is a magnificent piece of temple art and architecture in the south of the country but without the assistance of a guide, it is impossible to see or understand the rich heritage left by our ancient rulers. The temple complex is as big as a city itself and houses every kind of shopping outlets. If only it was quieter and more serene so that one could absorb the rich religious past of our country in peace.

- The Indian Express, May 28, 2015

In the archives of the Sangeet Natak Akademi lie the reports of the historic Film Seminar held in 1955 that discussed different facets of the film industry and its role in our national life.

It is not surprising that few people know that 60 years ago Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) had organised the first ever Film Seminar from February 27 till March 4 in 1955 at National Physical Laboratory and sessions were conducted at the conference room of The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in New Delhi. It was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Between 1955 and 1958, SNA had organised four major seminars focusing on film (1955), drama (1956), music (1957) and dance (1958), the arts it was meant to nurture.

These events were the first all-India seminars convened by the national academy to discuss the state of performing arts and the cinema in independent India, and enjoyed the participation of the leading lights, scholars, and other professionals in each field. At a time when meetings of musicians, dancers, or theatre people from all over the country were far less frequent than now, these seminars provided an opportunity to participants to exchange notes on the practice of their arts, to spell out common problems before the new Indian state, and to make long-term recommendations to government for growth of each art.

When SNAwas established in January 1953, in its aims and objects besides preserving, promoting and popularising traditional, classical and folk performing arts, films were also included. The chairman Dr P.V. Rajmannar, Chief Justice, High Court, Madras, had observed that the advent of film as a new art form on the Indian scene nearly four decades ago and its continuous growth as a major art industry employing thousands and entertaining millions was being progressively recognised as a force and hence must be channelled to the best interest of people.

To achieve this, a Film Seminar, a-first-of-its-kind, in the annals of the motion picture industry of India, was sponsored by the SNA following the decision taken by its General Council. Its objective was to direct a collective probe into the many facets of film industry and to assess its role in our national life. It was primarily an attempt ‘to evaluate its cultural, artistic and aesthetic aspects as also technical, social and economic aspects’. The seminar was planned ‘to provide a common platform for discussion of several aspects of film production, and distribution, to take an overall stock of the existing state of things and to plan a future by putting together these eminent personalities of the film world’.

The structure of the seminar was well planned and Devika Rani Roerich and Prithviraj Kapoor were appointed the directors of the seminar. Its proceedings were conducted under the chairmanship of B. N. Sircar, of The New Theatres Ltd., Calcutta. The number of delegates was limited to 40 among whom were the outstanding personalities of the film industry, including the stars Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Nargis, Durga Khote, David and others.

A glance through the papers submitted by some of them reveal the range of topics discussed by people who knew their job well. S. S. Vasan, for example, spoke on film production in India today; M. Bhavanani on the future of information films in India; V. Shantaram on the responsibility of Indian film producers towards the public for entertainment films; Kishore Sahu on independent producers and their contribution to the film industry;

Anil Biswas on the wealth of Indian classical and folk music and its place in films; Durga Khote on the film actress and her contribution to the cultural and social life of India; Keki M. Modi on foreign exhibition and distribution; David Abraham on the film artist as the all important facet of the film industry. Uday Shankar on the message of dance in films; and K. K. Abbas on two aspects: dialogue and dialogue writers and the importance and significance of a good film story – its power with the masses.

Devika Rani had great support from the Honorary Zone Secretaries of Bengal, Bombay, Delhi, and Madras who contacted the members of the seminar in their respective zones. They assisted with the papers contributed by the members, resumes of papers, life sketches photographs, etc., and discussed the papers with members initiating discussions on the papers read.

A social committee was formed with Indira Gandhi as its Chairperson. They looked after accommodation and also receptions held at dignitaries’ residences. The attendance of the Prime minister, President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Vice-President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Chairman of SNA P.V. Rajmannar, Vice-Chairman Smt. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay dignitaries V.K.Krishna Menon,

Pandit H.N.Kunzru, Deviprasad Roy Chowdhury , Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi, Pandit Nehru also as a Chairman of Sahitya Akademi, and the delegates from China and observers from United Kingdom and Sweden was noteworthy. Through the courtesies of U.S.I.S and British Council, interesting cultural films were shown to members and invited guests. A few reels of selected Indian films were also shown, courtesy Indian film producers.

Browsing through the Film Seminar ‘report, I found interesting facts. The renowned film actor and singer Pankaj Malik, whose evergreen songs we still hum (“Ye kaun aaj aaya savere savere...”) had recited the richas from Rigveda Sangacchzadhwam at the beginning of the seminar.

The photographs show participation of stars reading papers and discussion. Impeccably edited by Dr. R.M Ray and published by SNA in 1956. The proceedings of the seminar throw light on the state of films and the challenges it faced. About 45 leading newspapers, weeklies, and film journals brought out special film supplements on this occasion. The press recognised the significance and the importance of the seminar in the development of the film industry in India.

This rare documentation and report will engage the attention of researchers in history of development of Indian films, from the point of view of policy and patronage and the relationship of arts and the State. Film scholars curious to learn about the cultural aspect of nation-building will find material in this historic Film Seminar most valuable. (The writer is a noted dance historian and critic.)

- The Hindu, May 28, 2015

One of the oldest forms of folk art in Bihar, Madhubani painting is a unique style of art originating in northeast India

Madhubani art or Mithila painting is no dying craft but an area largely remaining unattended, says art curator Shivangi Jha, who recently hosted a showcase of Madhubani art and lifestyle at Kolkata’s Emami Chisel Art gallery.

“I have curated such an exhibition once before in Delhi only last November at the India Habitat Centre,” she adds. Belonging to the region from where the Madhubani art emanates, the art-patron has hence been in thorough touch with the exquisite art and its skilled artisans for long. “See, its vulnerability lies in the cavity of proper platforms to propagate its eye-grabbing beauty and rich quality. But surprisingly, the interest among several artists who still propound and practise this art has never subsided.

They still contribute to its revival as an ethnic artform which boasts of a centuries-old historical legacy behind it. Sadly enough, owing to dearth of publicity and diversifying lucrative avenues, the art faces a hindrance on its path of transfer to the next generation level, if ot a threat of extinction,” claims Ms Jha. One of the oldest forms of folk art in the Indian province of Bihar, Madhubani painting is a unique style of art originating in the North-Eastern part of India and the adjoining parts of Terai in Nepal. Tools like slender brushes with thin bristles, fingers,

natural dyes, twigs, nib-pens and matchsticks are applied to create a lovely collection of paintings with enigmatic expressions. Themes vary from contemporary issues, mythological panels to geometric patterns. Famous for depicting numerous festivals and auspicious occasions like Kali Puja, Durga Puja, Holi, Surya Shasti, Upanayanam, birth, marriage and other fiestas or social dos, a piece of Madhubani painting is traditionally made using solid natural shades for bharni (filling in technique) and tones for delineating delicate fine lines via a method called kachni (hatching) where colours are seldom used.

Richa Agarwal, director, Emami Chisel Art said: “This conventionally beautiful artform enjoys a wide acclaim not only within a few parts of India but also among the international patrons of art. Representing the Indian heritage in its true blue light, the magical Madhubani opens up a prized chapter of swadeshi, domestic art that needs to be restored and re-instated to its former pride of glory.” The participating artists on the venue were a talented lot.

Accomplished names like Sonam Jha, Urmila Devi, Dr Rani Jha, Shravan Paswan and Saurav Nath Jha took part in the colourful affair. An exhibition-cum-sale of 88 paintings by four great artists came in at a range of Rs 200 to Rs 1,50,000 and were lapped up by both foreigners and Indians alike who took a keen interest in the display and purchased a few artworks too. The dimensions of the specimens differed between a miniature 6 x 6 inches and a standard size 22 x 30 inches, varying in vertical and horizontal frames. Although the traditional method is to paint on handmade paper but cloths are also used. Many contemporary artists like Sonam Jha employ bamboo nips known as seekh in Hindi.

“Natural colours are fine but it does have its own demerit as well. For it starts fading away after a point. It tends to lose lustre after sometime and is not sustainable for long. So I import acrylic tints, metallic colours and artificial pigments to immortalise the intricate motifs,” shares Sonam Jha, who is the elder sister of curator Shivangi Jha.

An avid art-watcher would vouch for the fact that Sonam's USP lies in her experimental efforts with the mesmeric maze of Madhubani and its vibrant palette. She draws inspiration from the forest themes of foliage, flora and the fauna. Involving techniques of aripan which appears asrangoli designs, Sonam's message is to convey the larger audience that “Madhubani is a propitious object and not a mere decorative art on the floor. It is a grand emblem of home-grown Mithila culture.”

Exponents observe that emerging from the households of rural agrarian sector in the hands of womenfolk, this “art of interior courtyards” gradually found its way to the external world through “paintings of holy places as an attractive adornment”. “There is always a mention of an episode in the epic of The Ramayana that when Sita, the daughter of King Janaka of Nepal was about to be wedded to Lord Rama, then the affectionate father had ordered his kingdom to decorate the entire town with embellished items. And thus, Madhubani which can be etymologically unscrambled as ‘forest or woods of honey’, soared to its first visible prominence on earth,” says Shivangi.

“But even before this mythological connotation was cited, Madhubani had always actually existed in this corner in complete anonymity. I think from this big function of the great regal nuptial, it struck people's minds that instead of unabashedly splurging on gold, flowers and precious stones, it is ideal to indulge in the forgotten, neglected native arts of one's own region,” she adds.

There is also a religious angle added to women's fascination for the craft. It is believed that in order to be in close contact with god, women had initially commenced painting the images of idols and deities. However, apart from filling up the canvases with commonest topics like raasleela where Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha get engaged in a playful, romantic rendezvous with gopis (cow-herd girls) and their amative feelings and expressions are conjured up at the tip of artists' paintbrush, modern-day painters like Shravan Paswan is inclined towards voicing his comments on contemporary social evils like dowry and gender biases. His works echo the atrocities of current times or those that are in process of changing.

Talented young artist Saurav Nath Jha's WhatsApp status message reads: “Life is an art. Dark shades of failure and glowing effects of success make it beautiful.” Having been dabbling in the art of Madhubani for almost 10 years, Saurav likes adopting a mix of both unorthodox and traditional methods. Treating his paintings with fabric hues “as they look more appealing to the eye”, the painter who is still but a student,

also claims that “natural chromes have their own beauty which is obtained from sources like different types of flowers and leaves.” “You know, every artist has his own interpretative designs to put forth and sell. I also move to and fro between new-age bizarre motifs and the age-old Mithila painting themes,” he explains. As a result, adherence to kohbar and raas keep intermittently cropping up in his works. To those not in the loop, the dominant theme of a kohbar picture is pond life, fille g organisms and abundance of procreative powers.

The painting seeks to insure fertility of the bride and he groom who, as and when a seed is dropped into a pond, should produce offspring copiously. A paintedkohbar ghar therefore refers to the nuptial chamber or a private room for the newly-weds. The water-portraits sprouting out of the Mother Nature reflect the presence of teeming ponds in and around Mithila, bursting at the seams with blooming lotuses, water-lilies and a menagerie of aquatic life.

“Generally, I like to do paintings on a new theme and don't stick to a blind copy-paste. Mythological aspects stray into my artwork only when I take orders for the same. I just draw whatever my mind instructs me. For example, if I start making a tree of life, I keep adding another theme to it which relevantly flows in. For instance, women-issues. It shouldn’t look an odd one out like a sore thumb,” he concludes.

- The Asian Age, May 28, 2015

Two more of the iconic Chinese fishing nets in Fort Kochi were dismantled and abandoned by their owners as the Fort Kochi beach continues to expand. Owners and fishermen raised the issue last month when one of the nets had to be dismantled. As of Wednesday, two more structures were rendered useless because the sea in the area has receded forming a bank around the nets, leaving them high and dry.

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) convener K J Sohan, who also heads the Chinese Fishing Net Owners' Association, said there were at least 30 Chinese nets in Fort Kochi and Vypeen 10 years ago. Today six are functioning and three have been dismantled in the past month.

Fishermen and owners predict that most fishing nets will face the same fate within the next few months if the beach expands at the current rate. "Two weeks ago, our net was functioning and then at the beginning of the week the water level receded and we were not able to lower the net. Almost all other nets will all be gone in a few months and authorities are doing nothing to stop it," said Hanson John, a fisherman who worked on one of the now dismantled nets. In July 2014, the Chinese government had submitted a proposal to the corporation to renovate Chinese nets in Fort Kochi, but till date no renovation or even a survey to ascertain their condition has been undertaken.

The Heritage Zone Conservation Society - consisting of tourism secretary, MP, MLAs, mayor and RDO - responsible for maintaining and conserving iconic structures too have turned a blind eye. "We have no control over the forces of nature like the receding sea. It was suggested that the nets be moved forward, closer to the water, but that would cause a hindrance to the ships and the Cochin Port Trust would oppose the move, but we will look into the matter immediately," said one of the members when contacted by TOI.

Fishermen, who admit that the catch was barely viable, state that most of their income came from tourists. "Tourists didn't mind paying just to help us cast and pull up the nets. Every net employs five to six men, we have no livelihood now." said V R Simon, who has been working in Chinese nets for the past 30 years.

- The Times of India, May 28, 2015

The court also took note of the submissions made by the Waqf board, which had said that several parts of the 'archaeological park' fell under Waqf property.

The directions were issued by the court on a plea filed by INTACH. (Source: Reuters photo) Written by Aneesha Mathur | New Delhi | Published on:May 28, 2015 1:59 am

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Delhi government to carry out demarcation of land and monuments in Mehrauli Archaeological Park to ensure that the restoration and upkeep work being done by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) can proceed smoothly.

The directions were issued by the court of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva on a plea filed by INTACH claiming that the early medieval-era monuments in the area were being “defaced and encroached upon”. “Delhi government, through SDM, to carry out demarcation of the park with co-operation by the Delhi Development Authority and the Waqf Board,” the court said. The demarcation report is to be submitted to the court by August 5.

The court also took note of the submissions made by the Waqf board, which had said that several parts of the “archaeological park” fell under Waqf property. The counsel for the board also asked the court to ensure that there was “no interference” with the possession by the Waqf.

“The ASI work will be limited to the restoration. No official, including those of the Waqf board, shall disturb the renovation work,” the court said, while clarifying that the issue of restoration of the “defaced” monuments was separate from ownership of the property. “Let us understand one thing. If a Waqf property also happens to be a very important heritage building, then the mutawalli of the property cannot come and say you can’t restore it,” the bench said.

The issue of “possession” was brought up by the counsel for the Waqf board, which claimed that the dargah next to the Tomb of Khan Shahid, was a functional living Dargah being administered by the board. It has also claimed that the tomb itself was Waqf property. The court also said “no construction will be permitted” in the area except for the restoration work.

- The Indian Express, May 29, 2015

The Palar Future Group, an NGO, has urged the State government to focus on improving ground water resources that would make farming activities self-sustaining while ensuring uninterrupted drinking water to all the citizens in Vellore district and the State as a whole.

The President of the group Jamuna Thiagarajan, pointed out that the government has not implemented measures to improve the development of water resources. Rainwater harvesting, as a concept, is almost forgotten now and most of the water bodies in the State are lacking in water, she said.

Complimenting the State government in its efforts to improve the supply of electricity, she suggested that a similar drive must be taken to ensure water resources development in the district. “Today the people are getting almost uninterrupted power supply, but drinking water has become a rare commodity,” she said. A Asokan, Secretary of the Organization for Environment and Social Development based in Ambalur said that the State government which announced an inter-state river-linking project has not taken off.

The Thenpennai-Palar river-linking project that aimed to replenish Palar river with excess water from Thenpennai, has not seen daylight so far. With unregulated urbanization, dwindling water resources for both agriculture and domestic use, the State government should give top priority to developing water resources in the remaining eight months of the present government, he added.

The Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam led by professor Chinnaswamy at a meeting held on Wednesday has also demanded that the State government allocate adequate funds for speedier implementation of inter-State water projects.

- The Indian Express, May 29, 2015

The 11th century Tabo monastery, known as the Ajantas of the Himalayas, has weathered many a storm over the centuries; but now it is succumbing to the elements. And with no solution in sight to brave the fast changing climatic conditions, the government now plans to brainstorm ways to protect the Buddhist heritage site in Tabo, a bowl-shaped valley in Lahaul and Spiti.

Built in 996 AD by a Buddhist king and his two sons, the Tabo monastery is among 36 protected monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It has nine temples, four decorated stupas and cave shrines, besides a huge collection of manuscripts and 'Pramana' texts. However, over the recent years, the monastery's mud structure and murals depicting the rich Buddhist culture have been under a threat. Increased rainfall and moisture level have already affected the miniature paintings drawn by masters of the time.

Moreover, repeated restoration by ASI has also caused damage to the mud structure, and the state languages, art and culture department has already raised the issue with it. Now, the government says it will be deliberating with archeological experts and historians to find ways and act fast. “We are holding a seminar at Tabo to find ways to protect the monument,” additional chief secretary of the languages, art and culture department, Upma Chaudhary, told HT.

The deliberations are being held jointly with the ASI. The state department is also concerned about the fast increasing construction in an around the Tabo monastery, situated at a height of 3,050 m above sea level. Over the past few years, haphazard constructions had come up in an around the monastery, and the art and culture department wants the local administration to regulate building activity there.

Earlier, the state government had raised the issue of the monastery's bad condition during a conference of tourism ministers. Himachal had apprised the Union tourism minister that maintenance of the Tabo monastery was being carried out by ASI, but that it was still in a poor shape. The state sought to inform the Centre that Tabo is emerging as a centre of Buddhist studies, besides being a famous hub of Buddhist tourism and as such the maintenance work at the monastery should not be sloppy.

- The Hindustan Times, May 30, 2015

State Convener of the Indian Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Saleem Beigh on Saturday called on Governor NN Vohra, at Raj Bhavan here. Beigh briefed the Governor about various conservation and management initiatives being undertaken by the INTACH for preserving the cultural heritage of the State,

which include Resource Mapping of the historical city of Srinagar, preparation of the Heritage Map of the city and also about the to-date status of the restoration and conservation of Mughal Gardens.

- http://www.nyoooz.com/, May 30, 2015

A notice board at the entrance tells you of a historic juncture in Punjab's history: registration of a case against Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru. An iron trunk containing the file has, for 92 years, preserved the details of the case in immaculate Urdu.

Alas, the cell that hosted independent India' first Prime Minister for a few hours before he was sent to Nabha jail lies in a shambles amid allegations of embezzlement of funds. Fifty one years after Nehru died, — Punjab for whose cause he didn't mind being arrested and jailed—makes that juncture a forgotten chapter in history.

Nehru had reached Jaito along with freedom fighters K Santhanam and Acharaya Gidwani on September 21, 1923 to take part in Jaito morcha being undertaken by Akalis under Gurdwara reform movement. A case was registered against him for joining unlawful assembly under section 145 and the three men were kept in a cell in Jaito police station before being sent to Nabha Jail.

The cell is very much there today too, but memories of Nehru lie buried under dust and cobwebs. There is no plaque telling people about the importance of the place. The boards that were there earlier have been stolen. Sources say it was touched by a broom after several years only last week as two justices from Punjab and Haryana high court came here while on a visit regarding opening of a court complex in Jaito.

The plaque outside the police station telling visitors about the gurdwara reforms movement has also faded away. "Pained by the sheer neglect of the place, AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi had visited the cell on September 23, 2009 and arranged for a grant of Rs 65 lakh to beautify the place associated with his great grandfather.

However, most money was embezzled and just some insignificant development took place here," says freedom fighter Master Karta Ram.

Karta Ram (91) was secretary of freedom movement Praja Mandal in Jaito area and had spent six months in jail in 1945 for taking part in the freedom struggle. Now, at the fag end of his life, he is fighting to expose embezzlement of funds and ensure preservation of the place as a tribute to India' first PM. "The place is maintained by Punjab heritage and tourism promotion board but without any maintenance in real sense," says Karta Ram and alleges that local police are using the place to park its vehicles. Former Jawahar Lal Nehru University teacher and chronicler of freedom struggle, Prof Chaman Lal slams various governments for meting out a raw deal to the historical place.

"Nehru had mentioned his arrest at Jaito in his autobiography 'Discovery of India'. Santhanam too had mentioned their arrest and had wrote before his death in 1980 that he was handcuffed with Jawahar Lal Nehru in one chain at Jaito and Gidwani in another. They were arrested for taking part in satyagraha by Akalis and our governments of Punjab have conveniently forgotten it," he says.

An FIR was registered against Nehru for taking part in the movement at the Jaito police station falling in the erstwhile Nabha state. Police had expressed fear that his presence could affect the peace of the area, says Lal. That was 1923. Ninety two years later, nobody even remotely remembers the man, despite the fact that it is here that Nehru was jailed for the first time in Punjab.

"No employee has been appointed by the tourism and heritage promotion board for taking care of the place. It is only we who try to keep the cell in a good condition," a police official says on condition of anonymity. FIR to be kept in HC museum

Faridkot ADC Sonali Giri says, "I have been asked to conduct an inquiry into the accusations of embezzlement by district administration and have sought details of money spent on the monument from engineering department. I will submit a report after going through all the details. It is also a matter of concern and the place should be handed over to either municipal council or Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board or the police, which is looking after the place."

She added that the Punjab and Haryana high court museum authorities have mooted a proposal to keep the copy of the FIR registered on September 21, 1923 at the high court museum. Justices TPS Mann and Lisa Gill had visited the place last Saturday and collected photo copies of FIR.

- The Times of India, May 31, 2015

Even water hand-pump are being chained and locked in some villages of Kanpur Dehat, Fatehpur, Banda, Auraiya and Etawah. Shocking instances of inhuman behaviour have come to fore in the region, where people belonging to weaker sections are being deprived of water by musclemen. In many villages, frequent incidents of brawls and clashes related to water are being reported. Like, women and children in Mehmoodpur, Nasirpur, Gopalpur, Gohani, Jamhua, Lilaura, Khojarampur, Khatkar, Bhaal, Bachati,

Damanpur, Omarpur, Hariharpur, Gurdahi and Ranipur across Kanpur Dehat district are made to walk miles in scorching heat to fetch water from Yamuna river as there are only a few handpumps in working condition in their villages. Local musclemen do not allow people to use handpump. They chain and lock the handpumps as if these are personal property, allege villagers.

"Hand-pump have become a cause of frequent disputes in our village," Shyam Babu Tiwari, a local of Mehmoodpur. Influential people have chained the handpump in the village and locked it, according to Tiwari. "We cannot even venture near the handpump. It is chained in such a way that it can be operated only when the lock is opened," he said.

Another villager Asha Ram Bharti said, "Some of the upper caste people have their own private handpumps. But still they put a chain and lock public handpump." The lone hand pump in Khojarampur village is out of bounds for villagers. Meant to serve 4,000 villagers, this facility is being chained and locked by influential people.

"It's the poor people who suffer, we collect water every morning from Yamuna and other water bodies and store it in utensils," Arvind Tiwari, a resident of Nasirpur said. "We had approached the Jal Nigam authorities, but they pleaded helplessness," added Rajendra, a local of Bhognipur.

- The Times of India, May 31, 2015

Official apathy, ravages of time and an insensitive administration have pockmarked a slice of history situated in Panchkula for the last more than 152 years.

Nahan Kothi, a symbol of the erstwhile princely state of Sirmaur built in 1863 for then princes Surjan Singh and Bir Singh, is gasping for life. Broken windows, damaged furniture, electricity wires hanging loose and branches of tress rooted in the walls of this Indo-British architecture in Sector 12 A show the signs of decay. Even the tag of a protected monument and heritage site by the Haryana government in 2007 has failed to boost its prospects of a makeover.

If the Haryana archaeology and museums department officials are to be believed, there was hardly any time when the building was repaired for preserving its old character. The reason behind its present state is its unauthorized possession with district consumer forum since 1998. This despite repeated orders of eviction from the district court and even from the Punjab and Haryana high court. As the heritage building is losing its original character with each passing day, the tussle between Haryana archeology and museum department and Panchkula administration is becoming murkier.

Ashok Khemka, director general, archaeology and museum department, says, "Two notices have been issues against the district consumer forum through the deputy commissioner to vacate the heritage site. Notices were issued after orders of the district court and Punjab and Haryana high court. But surprisingly, we are still waiting the compliance of judicial orders." "Taking a tough stand, I have forwarded this special case to Haryana government for intervention," he adds.

Panchkula deputy commissioner Vivek Atray acknowledges the pathetic condition of Nahan Kothi. He says possible efforts are being made to shift the district consumer forum to a suitable site but plans of moving it to the building of state consumer forum in Sector 4 and at district secretariat in Sector 1 were dropped owing to space shortage.

Sources in archeology department say, "Though originally Nahan Kothi was spread over an area adjoining the building in the shape of a garden, authorities encroached it and gave it the shape of residential plots. The current area of the building, which was once a rest house for princes, has shrank."

What is Nahan Kothi Nahan Kothi was constructed by erstwhile princely state Sirmaur's raja Fateh Singh for his princes Sujan Singh and Bir Singh in 1863. The building was being used by princes as a rest house when they came on hunting expeditions. Originally, it had three big halls, 10 rooms and stores and a stable for horses. The fate of Nahan Kothi was hanging in the air till 2007 when it was conferred the status of a heritage building that would be protected by the Haryana archaeology and museums department. It is located in Sector 12A of Panchkula.

What ruins it Before the formation of Panchkula district, an SDM court was being operated from Nahan Kothi. Later, district consumer forum and district welfare and mining and geology department was shifted to this heritage building. Though the two moved out, the consumer forum is still occupying the structure.

- The Times of India, May 31, 2015

Heritage lovers believe that the tourism department could end up botching up the proposed 'beautification' of the 17th century Bheemili Dutch cemetery as they neither have the expertise nor have they approached those with the requisite technical knowhow to take up the project.

With the tourism department and archaeology department being clubbed together, conservation experts feel an inherent contradiction has been created that will lead to gazette notified heritage structures being vandalised in the name of tourism by the department.

Pointing out that the cemetery was severely damaged by Cyclone Hudhud, Rani Sarma, former member of Intach Vizag, said that any conservation project must be taken up only by the department of archaeology. She, however, expressed apprehensions that by clubbing the two departments together (tourism and archaeology) unprofessional touch-up/ repair/beautification work may be passed off as conservation work as has happened with other heritage sites in AP.

"The department can make things worse by using excessive shell chuna (lime) that is used for construction purposes and is easily available in the market. With so much structural damage already done, anybody climbing these structures too can just bring them down altogether. The government must not rush into the project by handing it over to the tourism department," she said, pointing out that only expert archaeologists can come up with a feasible plan to salvage the cemetery.

Expressing his shock and disappointment in the manner in which the entire heritage of Bheemili was being destroyed, Robert Schick, an American archaeologist who had prepared an inventory of the Dutch heritage at Bheemili, said the cemetery is historical evidence of the passage of power from the Dutch to the British, who eventually took over the trading post, and needs to be conserved.

"The craftsmanship of the tombs in the cemetery is admired by tourists as well as informed individuals. More importantly, the cemetery has many a story to tell. One story that fascinates tourists the most is that of pirates, which is why they are also popularly referred to as the skull and bones tombs," explained Schick.

According to Sarma, the Dutch government had, in 2001, evinced interest in a project to conserve the Dutch heritage of Bheemili and the then tourism authorities had promised to do their best to cooperate with the Dutch. "But today all is lost and very little left to salvage," she said.

"When there are experts from all over trying to extend a helping hand to tide over the shortage of expertise, the government is not willing to take it. They are actually violating the law by letting the tourism department take up 'beautification' work," Sarma said.

Elaborating on this, heritage activist Edward Paul, who liaisons with the British Association of Cemetaries in South Asia said: "The people in-charge are not interested in getting experts involved, mainly because it would become an expensive affair and the expert will call the shots. It is unfortunate."

When contacted, district collector N Yuvaraj said that though the project had been approved it was yet to be taken up for various reasons. Meanwhile, sources in the district administration said a survey of the damage done to the Dutch cemetery by the cyclone was yet to be conducted.

"The craftsmanship of the tombs in the cemetery is admired by tourists as well as informed individuals. More importantly, the cemetery has many a story to tell. One story that fascinates tourists the most is that of pirates. The tomb is popularly referred to as the skull and bones tomb" Robert Schick, American archaeologist ANGLO-DUTCH BOUNTY

Although Bheemili was a major Dutch settlement in the 17th century, the cemetery is also known as Hollanders Green and contains graves and memorial tombstones of both, the Dutch and British The cemetery, built in the 17th century, depicts the passage of power from the Dutch to the British, who eventually took over the trading post

There are more than 50 tombs in the cemetery, with some bearing the skull and bones motifs of pirates being the most attractive Tombs are made from white marble, hand cut granite and brick, lime and mortar

- The Times of India, May 31, 2015

On May 31, "Transfigurations", sculptor Mrinalini Mukherjee's stunning retrospective at the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, will close after celebrating her 50-year career. Tragically, she did not live to see its success. Mrinalini passed away on February 2 of lung failure at the age of 65, just a few days after the show opened for public viewing. She has left behind a body of monumental work in natural fibre, ceramic and bronze, and memories of an artist who's lust for life has few parallels in the Indian art scene.

Mrinalini "Dilruba/ Dilu" Mukherjee was addicted to making sculptures, travel, good food, Old Monk and horoscope columns. Often on a Sunday morning, she would call to tell me that "bad things" were going to happen to her, according to The Hindustan Times, but if The Times of India forecast a "wonderful week ahead", she kept quiet about it. There was nothing Dilu enjoyed more than a good grumble.

No one predicted that her retrospective at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi, once a youthful fantasy, would open without her on January 27. For months Mrinalini had worked towards it, uncaring about the number of chocolates she consumed, cigarettes she smoked and the coughing bouts which made it impossible for her to talk. She forgot to wear her dentures and take her medicines and simply carried on. Dilu quarrelled with everyone during this time, her curator and friends, driver Santosh and Man Friday Toofani, and everyone was fed up of her as well.

Till her lungs collapsed, the night before the biggest day of her life. At the hospital, in the intensive care unit, breathing with the help of an oxygen mask, she pleaded and fought with the doctors to let her go for a few hours to the NGMA for the inauguration of her show. They thought she had lost her mind. And then suddenly all the fight went out of her, and she asked me to read out her carefully prepared speech. I felt both humbled and important. Because although I never told her this in the 27 years that I knew Dilu, I admired her greatly as an artist, a connoisseur of all things beautiful, and a brutally honest human being.

Mrinalini Mukherjee was the only child of Benode Bihari Mukherjee, one of India's preeminent painters and muralists who worked and taught in Shantiniketan, and Leela Mukherjee a renowned sculptor. At the age of 16, she was sent by her father to study drawing under his former student K G Subramanyan at the Baroda School of Fine Arts. But took up sculpture in the early 70s, when she "accidentally discovered the feel and texture of hemp".

Showing exceptional courage, Dilu began making, according to her oldest friend and fellow artist Nilima Sheikh, "one larger than the other site-specific and later free-standing natural fibre sculptures." Her only assistant was an old village woman called Budhiya. By knotting and twisting, patting and caressing Hemp, Sisal and Jute she created fluid organic figures - "Pushp" "Aranyani", "Van Raja" and more. Many of these works were made in her one-room Humayun tomb-facing barsati in the Nizamuddin East colony of New Delhi. It had a single narrow door, which was broken down and replastered every time one of Dill's sculptures had to exit the house.

By the mid-1990s, she had changed medium, moving to ceramics and then bronze. This exploration of different material was not a planned journey, Mrinalini once told me in an interview. "I am not trained in any of them. I think that is the strength of my work. I don't have any fixed notion of what is possible and what should not be done. Simply, because I don't know. I am constantly discovering." But whatever substance Dilu chose, her forms always reflected a deep bond with nature, inherited from her father who taught her to recognise and fall in love with all flora, its lush sensuality and smell.

She had grown up between between Shantiniketan and Dehradun. Both places where, Nilima Sheikh says, "flowers were planted and grown in gardens, worn, sung in praise of, painted, worked into shorthand in textile and rangolis." They occupied centrestage in Dilu's private space, fragrant lilies placed in the bedroom and in her work. "Everything I have ever sculpted is my resonse to plant life," she told me. "The process of growth and decay is a part of my work. But it has never been naturistic. For instance, my Palms are not a particular plant, they are an expression of my feelings and ideas towards Palms."

Mrinalini continued to make her sculptures as large and complicated as possible, sitting for hours in the hot sun with a caster in the village of Burari on the outskirts of Delhi. "She pushed and pushed," says Nilima Sheikh, "till the work acquired the kind of stature that she wanted it to." These were monumental struggles which not many artists engage with today,

"I am not saying there's anything wrong with it, but they are using sources outside their own skill potential. So when all these ways of making art are available, the reason for using one's own hands becomes less important. And here Mrinalini once again went against the grain and made the sculptures herself." In the end, it is this deep engagement which made her art so different and so fearless.

Today, Dilu's work is part of the public collections at the NGMA, Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal and the Lalit Kala Akademi, as well as the Tate Modern in London, and the interest is only growing and getting stronger. But for most of her 50-year career, she was ignored by her contemporaries who dismissed her art as craft. In the speech she wrote for the opening of her show, Mrinalini said that although her creativity was supported by her peers - MF Husain , Krishen Khanna, Jagdish Swaminathan and many more - "it did not find any acceptance with the sculptors of my generation and nor has it till today."

The hurt stayed with her, but no one could tell. Specially in the last few years, when Dilu finally began to earn well. By this time her health had begun to deteriorate. She became increasingly lonely. After her last solo show, Palmscape in 2013, Dilu told me she had made a lot of money, but there were very people with whom she could share her good news and celebrate.

But Mrinalini was never sad for too long, nor did she attract sympathy. Many found her self-centred. Because not only did she live life on her own terms, but also as far as possible, in the words of her friend and Art critic, S. Kalidas, "willed, manipulated, cajoled and seduced the world to fall in line with her wishes." She had an immense lust for living yet she did not care for her body or her illness. She was all spirit." And perhaps in an artist's life in the end, that is what really matters. (Shikha Trivedi is Features Editor, NDTV 24x7)

- http://www.ndtv.com/, May 31, 2015

The Union Government’s decision to withdraw Delhi’s name from nomination as World Heritage City is a huge setback for conservationists.

Just when it seemed that Delhi was on its way to getting the nomination of the World Heritage City from the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, came the shocking news that the Union Government withdrew nomination on May 21. Just a month before UNESCO was to review the nominations for the prestigious tag, the Urban Ministry expressed reservations on the ground that the nomination would lead to a conflict of interest as far as infrastructure development was concerned.

Whether the move has to do with politics considering that the right-wing government at the Centre would not like to be seen extending support to a city which was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan is a matter of conjecture.

But the fact remains that Delhi would have gained and its stature as a heritage city would have led to more footfalls as far as international tourism was concerned, livelihood opportunities for the youth, who as kissagoi narrate stories inside the premises of iconic monuments like the Red Fort and implementation of projects to preserve our heritage. The rationale behind the nomination was to instil a sense of pride among Delhiites for their city as well as their monuments.

Even though the Delhi Government is contemplating speaking to the Union Government to alter its stand and make a fresh bid at the nomination, conservationists and those involved in the nomination process are clearly disillusioned with the eleventh hour recall and that too with no reasonable justification or rationale explanation about the U-turn.

Giving his take on this subject, Wajahat Habibullah, bureaucrat, and former PM’s nominee for INTACH, says, “The move needs to be reviewed. The main thing is restoration of Shahjahanabad, which can still be carried out so that the grandeur of the Mughal’s capital can be highlighted. World over we have excellent examples like Roman’s capital maintained for such a long time. The tag would also have attracted international experts, who could have helped restore Shahjahanabad’s structures, gardens and the canal system.” Noting that civic amenities at Shahjahanabad need to be improved, Habibullah, former divisional commissioner at Jammu and Kashmir, says amenities for the common man living in this area of the Capital needs to be looked into.

“Civic amenities like electricity, water and drainage needs to be looked into.” The nomination would have kept alive the grandeur of the ancient city of Shahjahanabad and more importantly, work on restoration of havelis and heritage properties would have been carried out. and according to ASI Director (Archaeology) Syed Jamal Hasan, Delhi is a historic city thanks to the praiseworthy efforts of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. “He had an eye for detailing and was a great patron of art and culture. Normally, Mughal architecture is well exemplified in forts, palaces and mausoleums of Lahore, Ajmer, Agra but Delhi’s uniqueness is due to Shah Jahan, who saw to it that Hindustan’s capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. He built the city of his dreams with great care, sensitivity and passion.

The fact that the Union Government decided to pull back Delhi’s nomination for getting the tag of world heritage city is a huge setback. The fact that the government feels that urbanisation will get hindered doesn’t hold any water because the facade of a heritage city can be maintained like in Italy and other places within our country. Overall, the people in Shahajahanabad do not bother about such things but for heritage lovers, who constitute five per cent, this news is disturbing.

Apart from ASI, the decision to rollback a decision is a big setback to heritage lovers, who have been working on their own to create awareness, as well as non government organisation Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, which prepared the voluminous dossier showcasing the exact location of the heritage structures existing inside Shahjahanabad.

It conducted a survey and identified 750 havelis which have the potential to be converted into tourist lodges. Its volunteers -- the Walled City’s residents -- worked methodically like a team to ensure that they give all details like addresses of heritage buildings, their history.

It was due to their unstinted support, perseverance and sincerity to work for conservation of heritage that the NGO was able to produce the voluminous dossier, which was submitted to UNESCO. The locals, youngsters, helped experts document every labyrinthine lane, monument and haveli of Shahjahanabad which was comprehensively presented through images and maps in the dossier.

Like dozens of youngsters of Delhi, Irshad Alam, who lives in his ancestral Haji Ibrahim haveli at Turkman Gate, is custodian of the intangible heritage of Shahjahanabad. He earns livelihood by narrating stories in the magnificent city built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and has worked in preparing the dossier.

“If Delhi had bagged the coveted title of the world heritage city then we would got work. We have not had the benefit of education but we are skilled in our job of storytelling. This move would have increased domestic and foreign tourism and given us resources to carry our work in an independent manner.” INTACH’s Delhi chapter convenor Prof. A.G.K Menon and his dedicated team of researchers and scholars prepared the voluminous dossier that was sent to the Union Culture Ministry, UNESCO meticulously studies the contents and examine the veracity.

“The big roadblock is in the minds of decision makers who think that conservation is anti-development. This is a very immature perception but it unfortunately prevails at the highest levels of our government as far as policy is concerned. Delhi’s nomination was withdrawn by the government at the last moment for this reason. The opposition between conservation and development is just not true as it is evident by the development that takes place in other heritage cities of the world.”

Revealing that the Delhi Government was not consulted by the Union Government when it decided to withdraw the nomination, Prof. Menon says there has been no dialogue or discussion on the decision taken by the Union Government. “And yet the process of nomination had received the approval of all stakeholders, both Central and State. The suo motto action taken by the Union Government raises disturbing questions of the nature of federalism in governance. Under the circumstance, even if the State Government wants to submit the bid it may not by up to them to decide.”

“The report was submitted to UNESCO in January 2014? and the results were to be announced in June 2015. Evaluation will be done and there is a mechanism to look at whether the city’s heritage is of outstanding universal value. This means whether the heritage is important for humanity as a whole. Delhi’s heritage might be okay for Indian civilization. But is it of interest to the citizens of other countries?” asked Prof. Menon.

It all started when INTACH organised an exhibition at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts in 2010. Delhi: A Living Heritage highlighted the fact that the city was home to amazing heritage. And the NGO followed it up by signing an MoU with the Delhi Government in 2012 to prepare the dossier in support of the Capital’s nomination.

Nomination is a complex exercise and India’s nominations have been rejected in the past because the presentations were inadequate and inaccurate. He explained that Delhi was the Capital first under Mughal rulers and then during British colonial rule. “Shah Jahan changed his Capital from Agra to Delhi because it had the famousdargahof Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, seen as a revered spiritual head. His great-grandfather Humayun was buried in Delhi. The British decided to change their Capital from Calcutta to Delhi because they wanted to be seen as legitimate successors.”

Pointing out that Shahjahanabad was just two per cent of Delhi, Prof. Menon said it was important to preserve its valuable heritage. “Ironically, some people in Delhi have the incorrect notion that Shahjahanabad has been reduced to slums. You cannot compare it with Paris, but that does not mean that Shahjahanabad does not have heritage. We INTACH is in talks with the municipal corporation to remove all dangling telephone wires that spoil the look of Shahjahanabad. “We have suggested that these wires can be kept underground.”

Comparison between Lutyen’s Delhi and Shahjahanabad are inevitable. “Both are vibrant and living heritage, yet they are poles apart culturally.” Syed Delhi is a historic city thanks to the praiseworthy efforts of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. He had an eye for detailing and was a great patron of art and culture. Normally, Mughal architecture is well exemplified in forts, palaces and mausoleums of Lahore, Ajmer, Agra but Delhi’s uniqueness is due to Shah Jahan, who saw to it that Hindustan’s capital changes from Agra to Delhi. He built the city of his dreams with great care, sensitivity and passion.

The fact that the Union Government decided to pull back Delhi’s nomination for getting the tag of world heritage city is a huge setback. The fact that the government feels that urbanisation will get hindered doesn’t hold any water because façade of a heritage city can be maintained like in Italy and other places within our country. Overall, the people in Shahajahanabad do not bother about such things but for heritage lovers, who constitute five per cent, this news is disturbing.

- The Hindu, May 31, 2015

Governor NN Vohra interacts with Saleem Beigh, state convener of INTACH, in Srinagar on Saturday.

Saleem Beigh, state convener of the Indian Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), called on Governor NN Vohra here today. Beigh briefed the Governor about various conservation and management initiatives being undertaken by the INTACH for preserving the cultural heritage of the state.

The Governor asked Beigh to see that INTACH plays a significant role in the finalisation of master plans of Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg as considerable damage has already taken place because of all manner of unplanned urban growth. — TNS

- The Tribune, May 31, 2015