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With Art and Science, Two Women Are Reviving Uttarakhand’s Nutritional Delicacies

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As more people migrate to cities and towns in search of better employment and education opportunities, one tends to take up food habits that are convenient and less time-consuming.

And when migration doesn’t involve just individuals but families as a whole, much of the native culinary practices that a village or town had to boast about, often gets lost somewhere as time passes by.

Sadly, this is the story of most villages in India that have bid adieu to not just its people but its age-old regional cuisines that were high on nutritional values too.

In a bid to bring back the forgotten practices of their state, two young women from Uttarakhand have shouldered the responsibility of raising awareness amidst the rural population—through illustrations.

The Tanyas behind Bhuli, Tanya Singh(left) and Tanya Kotnala(right).

Tanya Kotnala, an illustrator and Tanya Singh, a nutritionist joined hands to form Bhuli (which means ‘Little Sister’ in the native dialect of Garhwali), last year with the intention of reviving the local art and culture of the state.

But one thing lead to another, and the duo were soon working on projects in collaboration with the state government’s Food and Nutrition Board under the Ministry of Women & Child Development to open forums for discussing issues like menstrual hygiene and breastfeeding amidst women in rural regions.

“While breastfeeding continues to remain a hushed up topic even in developed cities, imagine the reluctance of rural women to dwell on the subject. Reaching out to over 500 Anganwadis, we have opened the room for discussion amidst these women through the medium of art,” says Singh to The Better India.

In fact, the work that Bhuli undertook as part of the state government’s breastfeeding campaign in August is being used to spread awareness in about 26,000 Anganwadis across Uttarakhand.

One of the illustrations from the breastfeeding campaign—Support from family is critical for the success of breastfeeding; if fathers and family members are supportive, the mothers are more likely to initiate breastfeeding and breastfeed for longer. The key to affective breastfeeding is support and teamwork! Courtesy: Bhuli.

So, how does the term ‘nutrition’ fit under all this?

“Both of us have literally lived all of our lives in the state, save a few years in between for studies. So, the memories of our grandmothers concocting delicacies using seasonal crops is still fresh in our minds”, reminisces Singh.

Following a Masters in Nutrition and a course in Food Communication, Tanya headed back to Uttarakhand.


You may also like: In This Ghost Village of Uttarakhand, the Past Comes Alive on Its Painted Walls


“It was sometime during this time that a local preparation named lungdi somehow cropped up in my mind. When I had inquired about its recipe with my family members and friends, most had little or almost no recollection of the dish! This led to research into the various culinary practices of Uttarakhand, while the nutritionist in me sought out the benefits,” she laughs.

While much of these preparations are crafted out of seasonal crops, Singh sheds light on the importance of nutritional content in these native vegetables and fruits.

“There is a reason why such crops are called seasonal. They are meant to be consumed at a particular time of the year. If one tries to draw a parallel with cities, one will find vegetables and fruits being available almost round the year,” Singh adds.

To help more people know of the nutritional local delicacies of Uttarakhand, the duo decided to release a series of informative illustrations in the first week of September.

Some of the illustrations for the campaign. Courtesy: Bhuli.

Why September?

Unbeknownst to most, every year India observes the first week of September as the National Nutrition Week and the time couldn’t have been any better.

“Starting from September 1, we have put up posts featuring a local crop daily, that are supported by anecdotes and gastronomical facts associated with it. Also, we have added the recipes of delicacies prepared from these crops,” Singh mentions.

And because these are beautifully illustrated, the posts are a treat for the eyes while prodding the foodie in one!

Here are some of the posts put up by Bhuli as part of the National Nutrition Week campaign:

You can check more of their works on Facebook or Instagram.

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Meet Malsi’s Yogi: This 80-Year-Old Operates on 500 Burn Victims Each Year for Free

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In a corner of Malsi, not far from the deer park and zoo, as one heads up to the popular hill destination of Mussoorie, there is a left turn that leads to a bizarre and incomplete children’s science park.

In the center of the roughly 4 acre space is a copse of wrangled trees – twisted and bent – creating a huge enclosed area as the branches kneel sharply down towards the ground.

There are strange tunnels at arbitrary spots that allow you to reach different parts of the park if you have the courage to enter. There are a couple of artificially created water bodies that – since I am here pre-monsoon – mostly seem empty.

If the outside is eerie, the inside is not any better. The rooms and the objects they house are as unfathomable as the external environment. One room has thousands of faces, his patients and cases over the years, in white silicone molds.

Peer closely and you can tell that they belong to different individuals.

The park is supposed to be both for amusement and education. We are in what is to become the museum. Even in daylight, children and most adults will feel bewildered and scared once they enter the premises. At night, I dare any reader to try.

That’s why, once I enter, I am inclined to believe what many locals in the area think that Yogi (his birth name) Aeron, now 80, a plastic surgeon by training and practice, and the owner and designer of this bizarre creation, is a madman.

Why is he doing it? Does he truly believe this can become a scientific children’s park?

Burns and Bites Are A Way Of Life

There are aspects of Aeron’s life that I have been hearing from locals – in bits and pieces. Those bits and pieces led me here. Local organisations and almost everyone I have met in Dehradun told me about Aeron’s work, but nobody quite prepared me for what I finally encountered.

Locals – and villagers from across the Himalayan range – have come to Aeron for treatment for the last several years.

Burn victims from far and wide and anyone attacked by bears, tigers, and other wild animals.

If you have been burnt – I learn an alarming number of small children are burnt regularly in these parts – or suffered an animal attack, your best bet at treatment is with Aeron. It’s also completely free for the poor. Even the local and government hospitals in the area redirect the most complicated cases to be under his expertise. There’s a huge waiting list for treatment.

How do so many people and children here get burnt? I had no idea it was so common. What does he mean by a waiting list? Can those who are burnt ‘wait’ before they are treated?

Burn victims, he says, more often than not are young children – sometimes even a newborn – who are locked in huts after parents leave for work, to fetch water, collect fodder and other chores.

Not only do people wait for treatment, they also manage without vital organs. He has just finished treating a 35-year-old woman from the Himalayas (she’d never seen a train line or a train till she turned up in Malsi) whose face had been mauled by a bear (Aeron’s 13th bear attack case) on her left side (bears are usually right-handed and tend to attack faces). In the attack she lost one eye, an eyelid, her nose, both lips and part of her jaw. He’d done a series of surgeries on her face but she chose to leave without a nose arguing that she couldn’t waste any more time. “She said she had her lips, could drink tea and smoke beedis. She needed to get back to milk her cows and look after her husband and children”, he explains. “A nose is not essential” were her last words before she left.

For the last 11 years, he runs a two-week camp twice a year, along with a team of 15-16 doctors from the United States, who bear all the costs. The victims are treated for free and they perform close to 10 surgeries a day.

Roughly 350 other surgeries are done by Aeron, helped by his an assistant who has been with him over 25 years and one of his sons whenever he can spare time, around the year so a total of 500 surgeries on burn and bite victims are performed in a year (including the camps).

They have 10,000 patients on the waiting list for free treatment mostly from remote Himalayas.

Of these, six at present are children who were burnt on the day they were born.

As we are speaking, he summons a case he is currently working on.

We walk up a shaky staircase (my legs equally shaky) and there are eight or ten beds in a covered shed. Two or three beds are empty but on others there are burn victims who live there with their meager possessions, a few clothes and utensils. I really can’t muster the strength required to go from bed to bed but he doesn’t notice.

He stops next to a large bed. On it there is a tiny dark girl asleep on a white sheet. He pulls off the covers and shows me her legs. Both have been burnt when she was born and are now like stumps as the tissues have stopped growing. A large black fly sits at the end of one leg and I try to flick it away. He tells me she can’t feel it.

Failure Is A Way Of Life Too

Born in UP’s Muzaffarnagar in 1937, Aeron managed to get into King George’s medical college, Lucknow on his fifth attempt.

After taking over 7 years to finish a four-year degree, he specialised in plastic surgery from the Prince of Wales medical college in Patna in 1971. He was already married with two children by then.

His family lived with his parents as Aeron couldn’t support himself. Getting a job as a plastic surgeon was proving to be impossible as it was not a well-known discipline in India then and very few medical colleges or hospitals needed the services of one.

He finally landed a job in 1973 at the district hospital in Dehradun as a plastic surgeon but he had very little work.

He was urged to do other medical work but he refused. “I had lived like a beggar, worked like a donkey and wagged my tail like a dog to earn my degree. I couldn’t just do something else!”

Supported by his sister, a successful doctor in the United States, in 1982, he went for a while to the US and met many hospitals and doctors and got some exposure in the field as getting exposure in India wasn’t possible – there were hardly any cases that you came across.

After he returned, in 1982-83, he bought the land (after borrowing some money from his father) where he is currently building the science park – as and when he has some money he can spare for this – and the topiary where we are meeting.

At the time, he lived in a rented house in Dehradun with his wife and 4 children. He converted the main hall of the house into a place where he could do surgeries – partitioning the living space from the workspace – and treated whoever came his way. His wife sterilised instruments and the only toilet in the house was shared with patients. Sometimes people paid him and sometimes they couldn’t afford to pay. Even at this stage – in his mid 40s – and although he had four children of his own, Aeron was supported financially by his father.

Even now he lives in a small rented apartment in town with his wife, one daughter and one of his sons (two sons are in the US). Any money he has goes into the treatment of the patients and constructing his dream park. Mostly, he uses money he earns from patients who pay to treat those who can’t. Sometimes local hospitals offer some support – many redirect patients to him due to his expertise.

No fees are charged from burn patients although he charges other patients who come for plastic surgery because burn patients usually don’t have the money to pay. “Ameer aadmi jalte hi nahin hain (the rich don’t get burnt)”.

Shaila Brijnath, chairman of Aasraa trust, which works with street and slum children, says that Aeron can work magic with burn victims and he has worked on many of their children and even babies – cases that no one could or would take. She says he is an eccentric genius. That he personally gains very little from this work is evident to anyone who has visited his Malsi property.

His son Kush, a doctor himself, says he once asked his father why he did it. So much time, effort and energy into treating so many who would never pay him back. “He said because he can,” says Kush.

He’s been adrift for years and he seemed to have achieved none of what the world terms as success: no money, no fame as we know it, no stability and in some way no direction all through.

“Nobody has ever appreciated the way I have lived. Till date, nobody is happy,” he says quite simply. “But when I see my patients leave with a mouth, an eye, lips, a nose or even a smile, I am very, very, very happy.”

About the author: Anjuli Bhargava is a Consulting Editor for Business Standard.

This article was originally published in Business Standard.

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These Army Battalions Have Been Greening Once-Barren Landscapes For Over a Decade!

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Centuries ago, the worldly-wise Chanakya had told the Emperor of Magadh:

“The Mauryan soldier is  the very basis, the silent and barely visible cornerstone, of our fame, culture, physical well-being and prosperity; in short, of the entire nation building activity.

This quote by the wily old Mauryan strategist holds true even today. Selfless, versatile, resourceful and incredibly dedicated, the Indian Army is one of India’s foremost nation-builders.

From protecting the country’s volatile borders to providing relief during disasters, from quelling rioters during communal strife to being the country’s last resort in counter-insurgency, the army has time and again protected India from within and without.

However, while army’s stellar contribution on the military front is well-known, few know about its incredible, decades-long battle against deforestation and ecological degradation.

Photo Source

Set up in 1982, the Territorial Army’s Ecological Task Force (ETF) is the world’s first ecological battalion. From saving deforested hills from desertification to transforming abandoned mines into lush green forests, the ETF has done it all!

The concept of ETF was first initiated by the Indian government in 1980 to undertake ecological restoration work in terrains rendered difficult either due to remote location, severe degradation or risky law-and-order situations. The other important objective of this project was to promote and provide meaningful employment to local ex-servicemen in the Territorial Army (the country’s second line of defence after the regular Army).

The idea behind ETF battalions was to infuse military-like work culture and commitments into high-priority eco-projects. Under this scheme, these battallions would be raised by the Ministry of Defense while their operational expenditure would be reimbursed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Raw materials (like saplings, equipment and fencing) and technical guidance would be  provided by the state forest departments.

After restoration, the eco-regenerated areas would be handed over to the concerned state department while the self-sufficient ETFs would be redeployed elsewhere in the state. Interestingly, it was Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug who had suggested that the retired soldiers of the Indian Army be utilised to check ecological degradation!

Photo Source

The first battalion of the ETF was commissioned in 1982 with the aim of saving nearly 2500 hectares deforested mining area in the the Shiwalik hills (in Shahjahanpur block, near Mussoorie) from turning into a rock-strewn desert. For the next few years, the 243-strong 127th Infantry Battalion (Garhwal Rifles) worked under the guidance of scientists from the Dehradun-based Central Soil and Water Conservation Research Institute to create a robust watershed management system.

Over 2000 bunds were built to check soil erosion in the hills while the barren land, pockmarked by limestone quarries, was greened through massive afforestation. To achieve this, ETF 127 didn’t just have to tackle inhospitable terrain and human intervention (in the form of grazing and damage to fencing), they also had to deal with recurring landslides and forest fires.

With the time, the locals began appreciating their tireless efforts and the hardworking ex-soldiers were rightly nicknamed the “Green Warriors”. Under their careful attention, lush green vegetation spread over the once-barren land, breathing life into it.

By this time, the 128th Infantry Battalion (Rajputana Rifles) had already been deployed (in 1983) in Rajasthan’s Thar desert, 80 km off Bikaner. The aim was the stabilization of sand dunes and the creation of a greenbelt all along the left bank of Indira Gandhi Canal, covering about 35,000 hectares.

Accomplishing this arduous task wasn’t easy. Life in the desert was harsh, with temperatures fluctuating drastically between 2 degree and 55 degree Celsius. This also meant making enormous physical efforts to sustain the survival rate of the fragile saplings.

Photo Source

However, in seven years, this project too was completed successfully — the 668-men battalion had carefully nurtured over 63 lakh plants along the 50-km stretch, creating an oasis that would benefit the local community for years to come! The team also developed a lake at Amarpura, whose thriving ecosystem soon started attracting migratory birds. It was later declared a bird sanctuary by the Rajasthan Government.

The spectacular successes of the ETFs in the Shivalik hills and the Thar desert prompted the other State Governments to partner with the central government and establish similar battalions in other ecologically degraded parts of the country like Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Assam etc.

In Jammu and Kashmir, ETF 129 ( J&K Light Infantry) undertook the creation of a watershed management system in Samba region and widespread afforestation in the Bahu Jindra mountains. Similar work was done at Pithoragarh in the hills of Uttarakhand by ETF 130 (Kumaon regiment) and along the banks of rivers Ravi and Beas in Himachal by ETF 133 (Dogra regiment).

In the ridges of the Aravallis (on the outskirts of Delhi), extensively degraded quartzite quarries — the Bhatti mines — were transformed into verdant forests by ETF 132 (Rajputana Rifles). Named in memory of the bravehearts who laid down their lives during Kargil war, the woodland has 24 native varieties of medicinal trees and acts as a crucial carbon sink for the NCR region.

Bhatti mines (near Delhi) after reforestation.

Photo Source

More recently, ETF 134 (the youngest of eight such eco-battalions in India) has been working towards the revival of rebel-destroyed jungles in Assam. In an innovative move, the Eastern Planters (as they are also called) have started replacing polypots (or polythene bags) used in saplings with recyclable milk tetra-packs sourced from army units on the Indo-China frontier.

In order to achieve cost effectiveness, the ETFs maintain their own nurseries to ensure quality saplings with better survival rates. They also use vermicompost and bio-fertilizers (such as azolla) to augment the fertility of degrades soil while following micro-irrigation techniques such as water sprinklers and drip irrigation.

With the aim of providing livelihood benefits to local communities, they also make it a point to include medicinal and fruit trees (like mangoes, amla, guava, black berries, date palm etc) in their plantation drives.

Over the years, ETF battalions have also begun engaging with civilians for awareness campaigns and the promotion of eco-tourism. Their consistent efforts have helped reduce day temperatures, decrease soil erosion, increase underground water reserves, safeguard the habitat of local fauna and improve the micro-climate of the region.

At present, India has eight ETF battalions (of nearly 1,000 men each) are located at Dehradun, Shri Mohangarh, Delhi, Samba, Kufri, Pithoragarh, Sonitpur and Kokrajhar.

The government now plans to raise a composite ETF — the Ganga Task Force — to physically ensure the protection of the river along its entire course. These eco-troops will conduct operations (such as de-silting, desalination, de-weeding, cleaning of river banks, afforestation etc.) under the supervision of specially trained engineers and scientists.

Ganga Task Force actively involved in awareness and patrolling activities during Magh Mela in Allahabad

Photo Source

In the last three decades, ETF battalions have planted and cared for over 6 crore saplings and covered more than 70000 hectares of land, with a 70-80% survival rate. This is a significant contribution, especially when you consider that this has been achieved in areas with inhospitable terrain, harsh weather and the ever-looming threat of insurgent attacks.

At a time when military in the developed countries have just started taking an interest in climate change mitigation, the Indian Army has set an outstanding example for others to emulate. It’s time we acknowledged these unsung foot soldiers and their role in ensuring that our country remains clean and green.


Also ReadA Group of Youngsters in Manipur Worked 10 years to Transform Barren Land Into a Lush Forest


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These Uttarakhand Women Give Birth Without Doctors. Here’s How That’s Going to Change!

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The upper Tons valley in Uttarakhand has 36 villages and is home to more than 20,000 people.

The nearest hospital from the valley is situated either in Uttarkashi, which is 170 km away or in Dehradun, which is 200 km away. 60% of the villages don’t have a road.

Due to this, almost all women in the valley have been forced to deliver their babies at home, in the fields or the forest, without any medical assistance.

There aren’t any trained midwives either.

Breshwati, a resident of village Kalap, met with a similar fate. When she went into labour one early morning in the field, she and her husband decided to rush to the hospital. However, they had to stop at the swollen stream, which Breshwati was unable to cross due to the condition she was in.

By the time her husband could get back with help, she had already delivered her baby boy. “What health facilities? There is nothing. No medicines. We have to give birth like this,” she says. Some women have also died in the process.

In 2014, Anand Sankar set up the Kalap Trust, of which he is the Founder. Through this Trust, he wanted to solve some fundamental development problems in this region. The biggest one, he felt, was lack of access to healthcare.

“There is a critical shortage of government doctors in Uttarakhand. Only 700 odd out of the 2400 government doctors sanctioned are serving. It is a pathetic state of affairs in the remote rural mountain areas. Entire generations have lived and continue to live without a doctor visiting them,” Anand told The Better India.

And so, the Trust organised pilot medical camps and clinics in the region.

Source: Kalap Trust

But the community asked them if they could set up a larger permanent healthcare presence. Anand decided to give it a shot and see if it could be done. That’s how they decided to build a community hospital as the primary care centre for the entire upper Tons Valley.

“We realised there was a critical need for a quality primary healthcare centre in the region, which needed to be accessible to these people. Healthcare and education are the pillars of development. These fundamental problems have to be solved for any further projects, especially of economic nature, to bear fruit,” he added.

The upcoming hospital will be known as the Kalap Trust Community Hospital, and will be located at Village Kotgaon, District Uttarkashi in the state. It will provide basic out-patient consultation services through qualified MBBS doctors, diagnostic services, paramedic services in the remote villages.

So far, the Trust has found a building to turn into a hospital and have undertaken it on lease. To make it fully functional for the villagers, the Trust is raising money to be able to finish Phase I of the project, along with paying for the infrastructure and the rent.

If you would like to contribute to their cause, you can donate here.

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How NIM and an Uttarkhand NGO Are Training Over 600 Women to Qualify as Jawans!

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While Nida Fatima dreams of serving the nation by joining the Army, armed with weapons to protect her nation, many in her neighbourhood tell her the burqa should be her only shield.

But Nida stands undeterred.

“Though my family has been supportive of my decision to join the Army, many in my area think I should just be under a burqa. I want to prove them wrong and become the first from my locality to join the Army,” she says in an interview with the Times of India.

A young Neha Bisht, daughter of martyr Late Narinder Singh Bisht, a havaldar in the 4 Garhwal Rifles, killed in action in Jammu and Kashmir just two months back, dreams of not letting her father’s sacrifice go in vain.

“Since my childhood, I wanted to join the Army. After my father’s death, the resolve has become even stronger. I hope to follow in my father’s footsteps and lead the life that I had always wanted to live,” she says.

The dreams of over 600 Nidas and Nehas, aged between 19 to 21, from various regions of Uttarakhand can come true now. The country’s premier mountaineering institute, Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), in association with NGO Youth Foundation Uttarakhand, will be conducting intensive training to help women qualify as jawans in the Army’s Corps of Military Police (CMP).

Army-women-jawans-NIM-Uttarakhand
Representational Image Only. Source: Facebook

These training camps are to be set up in Srinagar’s Pauri Garhwal, and Dehradun will begin from October 22.

The selected candidates will not only undergo strenuous physical training but also be trained to crack the written entrance exams for the CMP.

Shedding light on the programme, Col Ajay Kothiyal, principal of NIM said, “They will be made to do running, push-ups and other exercises for at least three months. One of the important criteria for joining CMP is knowing how to drive so we will be teaching them that as well.”

The recruitment for CMP is stipulated to begin from January 2018, and therefore the idea of this pre-recruitment training is to get the candidates fit and ready ahead of time.


Read more: Retired from the Army, This 72-Year-Old Officer Is Now Solving Farmers’ Water Woes


Administrator of Youth Foundation Uttarakhand, Suresh Negi said that they were overwhelmed by the response of young women who exhibited interest in joining the forces. Of over 2000 women who applied for the training, only 600 were shortlisted based on criteria like the minimum height requirement (157 cm), a score of at least 45% in class 10, marital status (unmarried) etc.

Deemed the first of its kind training for young women willing to join the forces, we hope many more institutes follow the lead, thus balancing the gender ratio in some of the most important and prestigious services in the country.

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Explorer, Path Breaker, Spy: 16 Things About the Legendary Nain Singh Rawat

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Today’s Google Doodle features Nain Singh Rawat, celebrating the 187th birth anniversary of the fearsome Indian explorer who surveyed the vast unexplored expanses of Tibet in the late 19th century.

But did you know that the man was the first person in the world to do that, besides determining the exact location and altitude of Lhasa, mapping the Tsangpo, and finally, bringing the fabled gold mines of Thok Jalung to world’s notice?

Born in 1830 in Milam, a village nestled in the valleys of the Kumaon Hills, the man’s ‘spy’ expedition proved to be a game changer in a time when the exploration game was a clear monopoly of the Europeans.

Here’s everything you need to know about the legendary explorer whose name continues to elicit nothing less of than admiration in the wide circles of exploration:

The Google Doodle by Hari and Deepti Panicker. Source: Google.

1. Rai Bahadur Nain Singh Rawat was born in a Shauka village located in the valley of Johar in Kumaon Hills, which is famous for being the home of Bhotia explorers from the British Era.

2. After leaving school, Nain Singh helped his father and visited different centres in Tibet with him. In the process, not only did he learn the Tibetan language, but also comprehended the customs and mannerisms practised by the local people, which would prove to be extremely beneficial in years to follow.

3. In 1855, a 25-year-old Nain Singh was first recruited by German geographers, the Schlagintweit brothers. The German scientists had approached the office of the Survey of India, which reluctantly allowed them to proceed with their survey.

4. Following which, along with three members of his family, Nain Singh set afoot on his first exploration trip between 1855 and 1857 and travelled to Lakes Manasarovar and Rakas Tal and then further to Gartok and Ladakh.

5. After the exploration with the German brothers, Nain Singh Rawat joined the Education Department and was appointed as the headmaster of a government vernacular school in his village at Milam from 1858 to 1863.

6. In 1863, Nain Singh Rawat and his cousin, Mani Singh Rawat, were selected and sent to the Great Trigonometrical Survey office in Dehradun where they underwent training for two years. This included training on the use of scientific instruments and ingenious ways of measuring and recording and the art of disguise.

The legendary explorer, Nain Singh Rawat. Source: History Nuggets.

7. Being exceptionally intelligent, Nain Singh Rawat quickly learned the correct use of scientific instruments like the sextant and compass and could easily recognise all major stars and different constellations easily.

8. Part of the secret ‘spy’ exploration mission, he had donned the guise of a Tibetan Monk and walked from his home region of Kumaon to places as far as Kathmandu, Lhasa, and Tawang. He was trained to maintain a precisely measured pace, which included covering one mile in 2000 steps, and measuring those steps using a modified Buddhist rosary or mala.

9. Several other ingenious methods were devised, where the notes of measurements were coded in the form of written prayers, and these scrolls of paper were hidden in the cylinder of the prayer wheel to escape notice during the secret missions.

10. Collecting intelligence under the most testing conditions, he travelled closely with the local population in caravans and thus followed some of the most fascinating accounts in the history of exploration, which led Nain Singh to map the vast expanses of Tibet and its river systems.

11. In 1865, Nain Singh left the Trigonometrical Survey and head out for Nepal with Mani Singh. While Mani returned to India soon, Nain went on to explore Tashilhunpo, where he met the Panchen Lama, and later Lhasa, where he met the Dalai Lama.

12. During his stay in Lhasa, his true identity was discovered by two Kashmiri Muslim merchants. Interestingly, they not report him to the authorities and on the contrary, lent him a small sum of money against the pledge of his watch.

On 27 June 2004, an Indian postage stamp featuring Nain Singh was issued commemorating his role in the Great Trigonometric Survey. Source: EUttarakhand.

13. On his second voyage, in 1867, Singh explored western Tibet and stumbled across the fabled gold mines of Thok Jalung. He was also blown away by the humility of the workers, who only dug for gold near the surface, as they believed that digging deeper was a crime against the Earth and would deprive it of its fertility.

14. His last and greatest journey was completed between the years 1873 and 1875, where he travelled from Leh in Kashmir to Lhasa, by a route more northerly than the one along the Tsangpo that he had taken on his first journey.

15. In recognition of his stupendous feats of exploration, Nain Singh was presented with an inscribed gold chronometer by the Royal Geographic Society (RGS) in 1868. According to Colonel Henry Yule, “his explorations had added a larger amount of important knowledge to the map of Asia than any other living man”.

16. Nain Singh was also conferred with the award of the Victoria or Patron’s Medal of the RGS in 1877 along with an inscribed watch by the Society of Geographers of Paris. In recognition of his fabulous achievements, the erstwhile government of India honoured the man with a land-grant of two villages.

Work in Progress. Source: Google.

The doodle art is a silhouette diorama illustration by paper cut artists Hari and Deepti Panicker, portraying Nain Singh Rawat as he might have looked on his travels — solitary and courageous, looking back over the distances he had walked, rosary beads in hand, and staff by his side.

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20 Natural Wonders of India We Bet You Missed In Your Geography Books!

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When we think of natural wonders, the Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef, Mount Everest and the Amazon Rainforest are the names that typically come to mind. However, there lies a treasure trove of strikingly scenic natural wonders a little closer to home too.

One of the world’s most varied countries in terms of geographical diversity, India has an astonishing array of natural wonders. Some are pretty well-known and undeniably spectacular, while others are less-discovered gems. However, they have one thing in common — they will all take your breath away!

So if you are looking for some travel inspiration to reignite your wanderlust, here’s a roundup of 20 lesser-known natural wonders in India.

1. Lonar Lake

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Incredibly old at 50,000 years, the Lonar crater is the youngest and best preserved impact crater formed in basalt rock and is the only of its kind on earth. The crater was formed fifty-two thousand years ago, when a gigantic meteor crashed into the earth at an estimated speed of 90,000 km per hour.

Over time, the jungle took over the deep depression, and a perennial stream transformed the crater into a tranquil, emerald green lake. Today, the forest-fringed lake (located in the Buldhana District of Maharashtra) is a wildlife sanctuary with a unique ecology that is vastly different from the surrounding flat landscape. Its water supports micro-organisms rarely found elsewhere on earth while its surroundings are peppered with fragments of unique minerals like maskelynite.

2. Borra Caves

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Most people have never seen a real cave in their whole lives; still, those who do remain permanently fascinated by the amazing display of natural forces. The rock formations at the Borra caves (located in the Ananthagiri hills of Andhra Pradesh’s Araku Valley) are proof that wonderful things can appear when water meets limestone.

Among the deepest caves of India, the Borra cave was created millions of years ago by the karstic action of the Gosthani river and has some spectacular speleothems. The local tribals also associate several legends to the cave. Interestingly, the cave is also highly valuable for anthropological research, with excavations unearthing stone tools of middle Paleolithic culture (confirming human habitation in the area dating back to between 30,000 and 50,000 years ago)

3. Riverine Potholes of Nighoj

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Home to a basalt-rock river bed hollowed out by primeval potholes like a giant block of cheese, the village of Nighoj is a place that stays with you long after your visit is over. These pot-shaped craters (called kunds by locals) have been carved out by the waters of river Kukdi over thousands of years.

Some of these potholes run 40 feet deep, with swifts building nesting colonies in their overhanging rocks. Winter or summer is a good time to visit Nighoj, about two hours away from Pune, as there is not much water in the river. A visit to this geological wonder can also be combined with a visit to the Morachi Chincholi, a unique village whose eco-friendly residents co-habit with hundreds of peacocks

4. Gandikota Canyon

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With striking grandeur reminiscent of USA’s majestic Grand Canyon, Gandikota is a 300-feet-deep valley located in Cuddapah district of Andhra Pradesh. Believed to be more than a thousand years old, the canyon is also known for the 13th-century Gandikota Fort – an intricately-carved citadel made of red sandstone.

Few sights in India can beat Gandikota in instilling stupefying awe. Peering over the edge of this giant hole in the ground is enough of a thrill for some, but to really appreciate the canyon’s grandeur, one can hike all the way up to the top of the gorge for unforgettable views of the river Pennar flowing through the forested canyon.

5. Loktak Lake

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The largest natural freshwater lake in northeastern India, Loktak Lake is home to unique ecosystems called ‘Phumdi’ (a Manipuri word meaning floating mats of soil, vegetation and organic matter). Resembling miniature islands, these phumdis are found in various forms, floating on the picturesque freshwater lake that serves as a lifeline for the communities living around it.

What makes the Loktak Lake even more special is the Keibul Lamjao National Park located at the south western part of the lake. It is the world’s only floating national park and is home to the endangered Manipuri brow-antlered deer, Sangai. The biodiversity hotspot is also home to 233 species of aquatic plants, more than 100 species of birds, and 425 species of animals!

6. Hogenakkal Falls

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It is not for nothing that this breathtaking waterfall is called Hogenakkal (“smoking rocks” in Kannada) — after winding its way through a placid valley between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the river Cauvery cascades from a height of 150ft, creating a spray so strong that feels more like smoke than mist.

Bounded by giant black granite rocks on either side, Hogenakkal is not one huge waterfall but a series of smaller falls that merge into a stream meandering towards the hills in the distance. A peaceful coracle ride on this stream takes you to a makeshift market of freshly fried fish while also letting you take a closer look at the little caves dotting the craggy cliffs lining its shore.

7. Living Root Bridges

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Centuries old living bridges over swift flowing streams provide a stable alternative to the easily destroyed wooden bridges in the fiesty rainy season of Meghalaya’s Cherrapunji. Some well-known examples are the 180-year-old Nongriat double decker bridge, the Ritymmen Root Bridge (the longest at 30 m) and the Mawsaw Root Bridge (that has several natural swimming holes nearby).

Constructed by the native Khasi tribe, these bridges have been built by tangling the naturally growing roots of Ficus Elastica rubber trees (native to the region) through hollow betel nut tree trunks to form a structure that grows stronger over the years. Once built, they don’t need maintenance, with thickening roots enhancing the solidity of the base and smaller vines growing into a protective railing.

8. Marble Rocks of Bhedaghat

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Perched on the banks of Narmada river, about 25 km away from Jabalpur, the marble rocks of Bhedaghat are emblematic of the region’s ancient geology, characterized by marble-like limestone rocks, all lifted over eons into its present rugged relief. The white-grey of these rocks is due to the presence of a large amount of magnesium, which also lends it a soapstone-like texture.

At Bhedaghat, it’s not just the height (about 100 feet) that impresses, but also the stunning spectacle created by the massive rock cliffs rising up perpendicularly from the placid blue-green waters of the river. One can take a rather rickety boat ride through the 3 km gorge that runs between these canyon-like cliffs or make a short detour to soak in the majestic beauty of the nearby Dhuandhar waterfall.

9. Sangetsar Lake

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Formed as a result of an earthquake, Sangetsar Lake in Arunachal Pradesh is spellbinding in its beauty. This name of high-altitude lake is actually pronounced as Sho-Nga-seir by locals, after the Shok-Tsen village that was transformed into a lake due to an earthquake in 1971. It is also known as  Madhuri Lake, after the actress shot here for the movie Koyla, and is deeply revered by Buddhists in both India and Tibet.

Numerous dead tree trunks, which were once alive before the earthquake, emerge from the serene waters of the lake creating a hauntingly picturesque imagery before visitors. Do note that a special permit from the District Commissioner’s (DC) office at Tawang (about 30 kms away) is required to visit this lake.

10. Floral Blooms at Valley of Flowers (Uttarakhand) and Kaas Plateau (Maharashtra)

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One of the most beautiful floral bloom phenomena in the world, the Valley of Flowers is a spectacular natural show of over 500 species of alpine blossoms that takes place in the lush meadows of Uttarakhand’s Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve between June and October. Now on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, it was discovered by three British mountaineers in 1930.

The equally stunning yet distinct floral bloom of Kaas plateau takes place in Maharashtra’s Satara district between September and early October. The soil of this unique plateau is made up of large quantities of basalt, which makes it ideal for the interesting and vibrantly coloured species of flowers that bloom here (like orchids and insectivorous plants).

So the next time you’re travelling to these two states, consider adding some flower power to your trip!

11. Hide and Seek Beach

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The beautiful Chandipur beach, located in the Balasore district of Odisha, is a home to a phenomenon that is rarely seen in any other part of the world. Every day, the sea here recedes during ebb till it almost seems to disappears and then comes back later in order to fill up the massive void during high tide.

This hide-and-seek of the sea comes to play twice a day and is the reason why the beach is home to a host of unique species (like the horseshoe crab and the red crab). Its a surreal experience to watch the sea disappear before your eyes and walked on the exposed sea bed that extends for nearly five kilometres.

12. Magnetic Hill

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A mysterious spot where the laws of gravity seem not to apply, Ladakh’s Magnetic Hill has been baffling visitors for years. Perched at a height of 14,000 feet above sea level, the hill is located on the Leh-Kargil-Srinagar national highway, about 30 km from Leh. As one reaches the spot, a sign along the road invites you to stop your car over a white square (marked on the road) before switching it off while in neutral gear.

If you follow these instructions, the car appears to roll uphill on its own at speeds of 10-20 km per hour. The reason for this strange occurrence is actually nothing but an optical illusion that the downhill road is actually an uphill road. Interestingly, a similar phenomenon can be observed at the Kalo Dungar hills of Bhuj.

13. Yana Rocks

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The striking black monoliths of Yana village lie nestled among the primeval jungles and rolling hills of Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district. Made of crystalline Karst limestone, the formation has two prominent rock outcrops (known as Bhairaveshwara Shikhara and Mohini Shikhara). At the base of the soaring rock giants lies a cave temple that hosts an annual festival during Maha Shivratri.

Reachable through a 3 km trek, Yana rocks also find some interesting mentions in local folklore, which the temple’s priest is only too happy to narrate. Interestingly, Yana’s monoliths were relatively unknown spot until a few years ago when they shot to fame after being shown in the Kannada movie, Nammoora Mandara Hoove!

14. Krem Liat Prah Cave

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The southern slopes of the Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya have more than a thousand caves and crevices, and not all of them have been explored yet. Among these is the longest cave in India, Krem Liat Prah Cave, that was discovered in 2006. It is considered to be around 34 km long, however its length may extend manifold if nearby cave systems turn out to be connected.

A fantastic spot for spelunking, or caving, Krem Liat Prah Cave greets you with rugged rock formations, breathtaking stalactites, narrow passages, shallow pools and spooky reflections. Exploring this cave is a thrilling experience you will not forget soon — expect to climb,  squeeze, duck and even crawl as you Indiana Jones your way through it!

15. Reverse Waterfall at Sinhagad

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Located on the crest of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra, Malshej Ghat falls along the only motorable road between Kalyan and Ahmednagar. Perched along this scenic ghat lies Sinhagad Fort, a favourite weekend getaway of Punekars (the city lies about 25 km away). Every monsoon, the mountainside along this stretch undergoes a makeover, with lush greenery and gurgling streams breathing life into the dusty brown earth.

It is only during this season that one can see a reverse waterfall near the Sinhagad fort. A rare gravity-defying phenomenon, reverse waterfalls are formed during heavy monsoon when water starts flowing upwards due to the high pressure of the winds. Other than a gorgeous trek and photo-ops, a visit here also provides the uniquely enjoyable experience of standing at the top of a waterfall (behind a guarded railing) and getting drenched in its reverse-flowing water!

16. Mud Volcanoes

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A rare geological phenomena, mud volcanoes are formed by emission of depressurized pore water and natural gases from decaying organic matter underground, accompanied by loud explosions and fire flares. This gradually forms a miniature volcano with rich, creamy mud crater at the top.

As per available records, the first observed mud volcano explosion on Baratang island was observed in March 1983 in Nilambur village. Called jalkis by the locals, these mud volcanoes have been sporadically erupting since then. In 2004-05, the mud volcano eruptions witnessed a spurt due to increased seismic activity in the region (associated with the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake)

17. Umngot River

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A little-known gem, river Umngot flows through Dawki, a small but busy town in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district that is a mere 95 km away from the capital Shillong. The site of a boat race held in March-April every year, the river (that extends into the plains of Bangladesh) is famed for the incredible clarity of its waters that makes it almost completely transparent.

Thus, one to clearly see both the river’s thriving aquatic life and its rock-strewn river bed from the boats of the local fishermen (or the single-span suspension bridge hanging over the river). At times, the water is so clear that, when seen from a distance, it appears as if boats dotting the river’s emerald-green surface are floating in mid-air!

18. St Mary’s Island

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Also known as Coconut Island or Thonsepar, St Mary’s Island lies off the coast of Malpe in Karnataka. Renown for its unique hexagonal columns of basaltic lava, this pristine little island is believed to have been a halt for Vasco Da Gama during his journey to Kerala. In 1979, it was declared a national geological monument by the Geological Survey of India.

Interestingly, while one half of the island are dotted by these rock pillars, the other half is a shellfish haven, with all kinds of seashells and pebbles (broken shells smoothed by years of relentless wave action) carpeting the beach.

19. Belum Caves

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Approximately 275 kms from Bangalore, in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, sit the longest caves on the plains of India – the Belum caves.These caves, which get their name from the Sanskrit word bilum (hole), were formed by the action of water flowing on limestone deposits over millions of years, forming stalactites, stalagmites, siphons, sink holes, and water galleries.

Intricate formations and sculptures — such as Simhadwaram, Voodalamari and Thousand Hoods —created by nature add immensely to the allure of the Belum caves. One of the most interesting features here is the Saptasvarala Guha ( the chamber of seven notes) where the stalactite formations produce musical sounds when struck with a wooden stick or knuckles.

20. Barren Island

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Surrounded by nothing but water for miles, Barren Island in the Andaman Sea provides glimpses of nature at its most primordial. Situated at the cross of the seismically active Indian and Burmese plates, the uninhabited island is 1.8 million years old and provides a place of rest for large marine creatures like turtles, manta rays and reef sharks on their migrations.

The sand on the island’s narrow beaches has a deep purple-black hue. At places where the shrub-covered slopes reach the sea, steam rises in swirling spirals as if reaching for the sky. A place where one can literally witness planet-building in action, a visit to Barren Island promises to be an electrifying experience.


You May LikeA Journey to Barren Island, India’s Only Active Volcano, Is a Once-In-A-Lifetime Experience


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Kahani Khichdi Ki: Tracing the Origins of India’s Fave One-Pot Meal

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Food often tends to reflect the history and culture of the land where it was first created and khichdi is a prime example of this. Essentially a fragrant potpourri of rice, lentils and spices, this mellow dish can be found in kitchens all over India in various avatars.

In Gujarat, khichdi is eaten with a bowl of lightly spiced kadhi (a yoghurt-based) curry; whereas Tamil Nadu’s ven pongal is liberally laced with ghee.While the Himachali version of this rice-dal medley is loaded with kidney beans and chickpeas, Karnataka’s fiery bisi bele hulianna has delicious additions such as tamarind, jaggery, seasonal veggies, curry leaves, dried coconut and kapok buds.

In West Bengal, bhog’er khichuri is a staple at Durga Puja pandals and is served with a mishmash of leafy greens and vegetables (called lyabra). At the home of khaddoroshik (food-loving Bengali), its the pulao-like bhuni khichuri (studded with assorted vegetables and served with deep fried fish) that rules.

So when and how did khichdi become such an iconic and integral part of Indian cuisine? Here’s the fascinating story.

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According to historian Mohsina Mukadam, khichdi is “one of the most ancient foods in India, yet one that has hardly changed.” Its name has its origins in the Sanskrit word khiccā, which translates to ‘a dish made with rice and pulses’. The gastronomic literature of ancient India also has many mentions of the krusaranna, an early relative of khichdi that had ingredients such as curd and sesame seeds.

Ibn Batuta, the famous Moroccan traveller who visited India in the 14th century, wrote, “Munj is boiled with rice, then buttered and eaten. This is what they call Kishri, and on this, they breakfast every day.”

The mighty Mughals too fell in love with this rice-dal staple and gave it an important place in the imperial menus of medieval India. There are several historical references to Akbar’s penchant for khichdi (who hasn’t heard the story of Birbal using khichdi to make Akbar accept a mistake in judgement?).

In fact, Abu Fazl’s Ain-i-Akbari mentions several versions of the khichdi prepared in the imperial kitchen, including ones with saffron, strong spices and dry fruits.

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Also, according to India’s celebrated food historian KT Achaya (in his book The Story of our Food), Jahangir’s was so fond of a spicy khichdi adaptation (enriched with pistachios and raisins) that he named it “lazeezan” (which translates to “the delicious”)!

Jahangir’s role in popularizing khichdi also finds a mention in the travel chronicles of Athanasius Nikitin, a Russian merchant who travelled to 14th century India. Furthermore, French traveller Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, who came to India six times during the 1600s, also wrote about khichdi (of green lentils, rice and ghee) being a popular evening meal.

Even Aurangzeb, who rarely paid attention to food, was fond of the Alamgiri Khichdi, a spin-off featuring fish and boiled eggs. Later, during the colonial era, this version of khichdi would go on to be called kedgeree by the British who took this recipe back to their country. By the 19th century, kedgeree had become a sophisticated breakfast/brunch dish in England that continues to remain popular even now.

Such interesting experiment with khichdi was not limited to the regal repasts of the Mughals. In the 19th century, Nawab of Awadh Nasir-ud-din Shah’s dastarkhwan (royal kitchen) was famous for it ingenious raqabdar (royal chef) who would make an outrageously extravagant khichdi entirely from pistachios and almonds painstakingly cut to resemble the grains of lentils and rice respectively.

India’s version of culinary comfort, the khichdi

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Another variant of khichdi that found prominence in the cuisine of Uttar Pradesh (erstwhile Awadh) was the piquant amla khichdi. Made using rice, kali dal (split black gram) and amla (Indian gooseberries), the dish gradually became inextricably linked with the festival of Makar Sankranti.

In Kashmir, khichdi was traditionally offered as sacrificial food to local deities on Khetsimavas (a festival in December) while the locals typically enjoyed it (and still do) with kadam ka achaar (pickled knol khol). In the adjoining states of Himachal and Uttarakhand, two distinctly-flavoured dishes — balaee (made with bengal gram, roasted coriander and buttermilk) and Garhwali khichdi (made with urad dal, sesame seeds and warming spices) respectively — were being concocted.

Down south, the imperial chefs of Hyderabadi Nizams had created the unique keeme ki khichdi — a spice-laden mix of rice, lentils and minced meat that was served with sour and soupy khatta. Karnataka’s feted bisi bele bhat, on the other hand, is believed to have originated in the kitchen of the Wadiyar rulers of Mysore.

The state of Tamil Nadu was where other spectacular renditions of khichdi took place on the form of ven pongal and its many equally-scrumptious forms, such as the classic khara pongal, the fiery milagu pongal and the sweet jaggery-infused sakkarai pongal.

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In Bengal, elaborate versions of the traditional khichuri such as til khichuri (made with sesame seed paste and saffron), malai bhuni kichuri (made with coconut milk and bak-tulsi variety of rice) and khejurer khichuri (made syrup-soaked dates, nuts and thick cream) were being fine-tuned. However, it was the niramish khichuri — a no onion, no garlic recipe made of sona moong dal, gobindobhog rice and assorted veggies — that became one of the most treasured components of Bengal’s festival cuisine, especially during Durga Puja.

The West too had its own khichdi evolution going on. Delicious adaptions, such as the spicy Ram khichdi from Kathiwar (with a medley of local veggies) and the milder sola khichdi from Surat (with minced meat and fresh cream), were taking shape in Gujarat. In neighbouring Rajasthan, the subtly spiced khichdis that replaced rice with millets or whole wheat were popular while in Maharashtra, it was the tangy valachi khichdi (made with field beans, groundnuts and grated coconut).

The kitchens of the food-loving Parsis also spawned a few unusual interpretations of khichdi, such as the Bharuchi vaghareli khichdi (made using marinated and fried Bombay duck, a kind of fish) and the kolmi ni khichdi (made with prawns and coconut milk).

Today, with every region having its own take on this classic dish, it won’t be an understatement to call khichdi India’s version of culinary comfort. From serving as a baby’s first meal and gruel for the sick to a deeply satisfying lunch on a rainy day, this versatile dish effortlessly lends itself to diverse occasions.

The Bengali khichuri with lyabra and chutney

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Little wonder that khichdi has become an integral part of both India’s gastronomic heritage and colloquial stories. Remember the oft-heard saying “Khichdi ke chaar yaar, dahi, papad, ghee aur achaar“? Or the famous TV serial ‘Khichdi‘ that depicted a family as assorted and quintessentially Indian as the dish?

Interestingly, this year, the eponymous khichdi has also been chosen as the Brand India Food. At the three-day World Food India event being held in Delhi from November 3, 2017, renowned chef Sanjeev Kapoor will be preparing over 800 kg of khichdi that will then be relished by 60,000 orphan children as well as other guests present at the event. Other than a bid to create a unique world record, it is also an effort to popularise this traditional Indian dish globally.

Now, if all this food talk has made you hungry, here are some unusual khichdi recipes you can try at home. Worry not, you can’t go wrong with this easy one-pot meal, but if by chance you do, you could always say it’s a version made in another part of the country!


Also ReadThe Story of Biryani – How This Exotic Dish Came, Saw and Conquered India!


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Celebrating Saur: A Glimpse Into the 2-Day ‘Ghost Village’ Festival Celebrations

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Until a few months ago, the houses in Saur reflected a sense of abandonment and lifelessness.

With most of its inhabitants already gone for better employment opportunities, only 12 families remain in the 300-year-old village in Garhwal region of Tehri district in Uttarakhand, leaving it emblazoned with the tag of a ghost village.

Today the walls of every house, including the abandoned ones in Saur, speak of another story. Through The Wise Wall Project, an initiative powered by Project FUEL, the walls came alive with time-tested anecdotes and life lessons painted across the village, making itself the first ever village in the world to do so.

During the time they spent adorning the village, the volunteers came across many tales recounted by the villagers, which recurrently revolved upon melas (fairs) that used to be celebrated with great enthusiasm.

Credits: Vibhor Yadav.

Understanding the cultural and economic importance of fairs for the region, the thought of its revival was mused by Project FUEL and thus paved the way for ‘Ghost Village Festival’ to take place with the aim of increasing connectivity, improving livelihoods and to rebuilding a ‘ghost’ Saur.

Held on November 4 and 5, the festival was organized in collaboration with The Hans Foundation. It comprised of the ‘perfect’ village experience – including community living, wall painting, hands-on village experiences like the exploration of local flora and fauna, food foraging, pine needle craft making, folk music galore, sumptuous Garhwali fare and a celebration of human wisdom.

Acting as a bridge between the experience-hungry city dwellers and the rural wisdom holder villagers, the festival played host to about 100 individuals, some of which included people from different parts of the world.

Here’s a glimpse into the two-day cultural weekender in the ghost village of Saur that celebrated the spirit of rural Uttarakhand—its culture, traditions, people and their existence:

Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.
Credits: Vibhor Yadav.

Project FUEL, which was founded in 2009 by Deepak Ramola, aims at documenting the life of the people through the life lessons, and passing them on for every human to live their best, where FUEL stands for Forward the Understanding of Every Life lesson.

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SaveAGram: Here’s How Villages Can Get Income, Tourists and Self-Esteem All in One Go

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“The future of India lies in its villages,” was what Gandhi had said. Unfortunately, these villages are today dying a slow death because the lure of the city life seems more attractive.

Some estimates suggest that 30 Indians move from a rural to an urban area every minute. SaveAGram – a social enterprise established in 2014 by Amala Menon – aims at preserving the villages as is, and supplement their income of the villagers.

SaveAGram is aimed at sharing with urbanites this hidden world and at the same time; bring a means of livelihood to villagers who otherwise have to throng to crowded cities in search of subsistence income.

The stream in Rampur. Photo Source: Facebook

We at The Better India caught up with Amala to understand her motivation for starting SaveAGram.

For Amala, the Uttarakhand region was no stranger. While she was working in a corporate job, she often went on treks. In 2008, during a trek in the Gomukh region, there was a landslide and she had to spend the night at a villager’s house. That was the turning point for Amala.

“I remember the girl of the house running out to pluck a pumpkin from their garden. She whipped up a dish with that and made some locally grown rice.”

“Not only did that satiate my taste buds but was also so fresh and completely chemical free.”

Dinner preparations underway.

All the houses in this earthquake and landslide-prone region are made of mud. One of the qualities of mud is that it is one of the strongest materials you can build a house with. Amala realised, as she got talking to them, that while she was marvelling at the mud house, the villagers were longing for a house made of concrete.

“As I did some of my own research I understood that the houses made of mud in an earthquake-prone zone last longer, are far more sustainable, retain heat in winters and are cool in summers. Unfortunately, nobody in the villages valued the fact that they had 100-year-old houses,” she says.

What is the first image that comes to your mind when you hear the word village? Amala asks.

The room done up for the guests. Photo Source: Facebook

“My own understanding of villages underwent a lot of change as I started spending time here. These people are ‘freaky’ clean. So much so that the girl whom I stayed with also cleaned the bottom of the basin. They all have Indian toilets; it’s just not flushable but functions just fine, a place to bathe and a washbasin to brush their teeth.”

Though they have so much going for them; good fresh unpolluted air, chemical-free produce year long, and a higher quality of life, they seemed to take great pride in telling people that their daughter would be marrying a city dweller. Their self-esteem was close to zero and that was what Amala had to work on restoring.

“A majority of the men and women at Garwhal village are farmers. They have the means for sustainable living, but their produce is not marketed well.”

A guests helping out at the field.

“Which is why marketing and selling their organic produce are part of our responsible tourism initiative,” she said.

When asked why she chose to develop a home-stay model, she says, “I have been asked this many times. In fact, some people even suggested that I sell pickles made by the villagers. The first thing is – these villagers don’t make pickles and the second point is I am not good at selling pickles. I wanted to use their inherent skills and mine to make this partnership work. They are hospitable people, and that is what works in our homestay.”

The idea behind SaveAGram is to showcase to the urban dweller what the life in a village is like. They insist on serving food that the villagers eat; most often they are organically grown and sourced.

Happy guests at SaveAGram.

Amala speaks of the sustainable model of farming that these villagers have been practising for years. These villagers are not poor; they produce enough and more food throughout the year. So while food wise they are rich, they feel economically poor and hence have a very low self-esteem.

Amala feels very strongly about preserving the village lifestyle. She says, “We spend so much money and travel abroad to experience the country and village life when we have such a rich heritage right here in our backyards. It’s time that we explore this.”

What SaveAGram has done for the villagers in Garhwal region is to give them an additional source of income and an avenue to explore other job opportunities without leaving their homes. Many of the villagers have chosen to become tour guides, some conduct classes on the local art, while some others are happy driving the visitors around the village.

“If by establishing these home stays we can stop at least 5 or 10 people from going to the cities to search for jobs then I will consider this initiative as a huge success,” Amala concludes.

In 2015 SaveAGram also established home-stays in Wayanad, Kerala. If you are looking for an experience of a different kind then so check out their website and visit their Facebook page for more information.

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Video: Devdhar Singh’s Special Swimming Pool That Serves Two Purposes

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In the little town of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand lives Devdhar Singh. In 2000, he got a small piece of land under the fisheries department to build a pool.

What’s so special about this pool? For one, the pool is organic!

People flock here to relax on a daily basis and are charged a minimal fee to enter. Singh says that he built the pool simply for people to enjoy. However, that’s not all that the pool is doing. Being an organic swimming pool means it is eco-responsible.

Where does Singh get the resources to maintain this pool and How is it eco-responsible? Watch this video and find out.

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Help Malnourished Kids Have a Brighter 2018 With This Unique Calendar for a Cause

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If there is anything that truly epitomises the celebration of life, it is dance. And in a country as diverse and culturally rich as India, dance has always been an integral part of the culture that one can trace back to the most ancient annals of history and will continue to remain so.

Most of us would remember learning about various regional dances during social studies classes in schools, where one had to match these with their corresponding states.

Though dances like Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Bhangra, Bihu, and Mohiniyattam are quite renowned, there are more varied dance forms in the country that have faded away from public spheres and fail to find the widespread respect and admiration that the aforementioned forms do.

In a pursuit to bring back such dance forms to the mainstream, Bhuli (meaning ‘Little Sister’ in the native dialect of Garhwali) is back with another exquisite collection of illustrations that is all set to bring colours to the New Year.

The extremely talented duo from Uttarakhand, Tanya Kotnala and Tanya Singh, have put together 12 dance forms from across the country as a calendar but that is not just the best part.

Every dance form that has made it to the calendar has been distinctly illustrated in the art style practiced in its respective state. Also, the duo intends to set aside 10 percent of the sales from each calendar to help five malnourished children in Dehradun to achieve better health levels.

Take a look at some of the illustrations from Bhuli’s 2018 calendar that unfolds the diverse cultural heritage of India through its lesser-known dances:

Baagh Naach Dance illustration, inspired by traditional Pattachitra painting style (Odisha).
Chhau Dance illustration, inspired by traditional Kalighat painting style (West Bengal).
Choliya Dance illustration, inspired by traditional Aipan painting style (Uttarakhand).
Dhangari Gaja dance illustration, inspired by traditional Ganjifa (playing cards) painting style (Maharashtra).
Ghode Modni Dance illustration, inspired by traditional Azulejo ceramic tile work painting style (Goa).
Kummi Dance illustration, inspired by traditional Tanjore painting style (Tamil Nadu).
Ramtek Chaam dance illustration, inspired by traditional Thangka painting style (Sikkim).
Rouf Dance illustration, inspired by traditional Jasrota painting style (Jammu & Kashmir).

You can check more of their artworks on Facebook or Instagram.

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Elderly From Sino-India Border to Tour Mainland India, Thanks to ITBP!

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It is not too much to suppose that many elderly citizens from Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh harbour a dream of visiting mainland India but are unable to do so due to a lack of resources.

Now they can do it for free, as the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) will sponsor a few all-India tours!

elderly India China border ITBP
Representational Image Only. Source: Wikimedia Commons

The rationale behind this first-of-its-kind move is to not only strengthen ties with citizens in border areas but also fortify India’s security.

The ITBP with a task force of over 90,000 personnel guards the 3,488-km-long Sino-India border stretching from Jammu and Kashmir to Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

These tours have happened before, but only for children, to educate them about mainland India.

The ITBP will designate funds from its Civic Action Programme (CAP) budget, given by the Home Ministry to cover flight costs for its guests. This will help cut down travel time as most of these border villages are located in far-flung areas.

“The MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) recently allowed the new proposal for the ITBP to take senior citizens for such tours where travel, boarding and all logistics are taken care by the force,” a senior home ministry official told the Hindustan Times. 


Read more: Fabrics Made From Banana, Pineapples, and Jute? The Fashion Industry Is Making It Happen!


The push for this seems to have come from Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who addressed the ITBP troops at their Joshimath camp in Uttarakhand in September directing the force to give special attention to the wellbeing of the border population as their migration would put India’s security at risk.

“People living along the India-China border should not be made to migrate at any cost. They are our strategic assets. They should be given more importance. The day they will migrate…that will not be good for our border security…. I will request ITBP (personnel) to make friends with the local population in the area of their border deployment,” the Home Minister said.

The first tour is expected to set off from the borders of Arunachal Pradesh. The group will be taken to religious and iconic places of the country before reaching their final destination – Delhi, to wrap up the tour.

“With such initiatives, the force has been eyeing to organise more programmes to win hearts and minds of the remote population and to provide them an opportunity to experience the rich social, cultural and historical heritage of the nation,” a blueprint accessed by PTI said.

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This Alumnus of BITS-Pilani Quit His Job to Empower the Youth of Uttarakhand

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A disrupter—as we understand the term in business—is someone who upsets the apple cart and changes the way business has traditionally unfolded. A disrupter could be one who crashes the prices, one who comes from behind and steals the show through an innovative thought, or someone who forever changes the way the business works in the future.

However, what does one call someone who disrupts the way of life in an entire region? Someone who puts new aspirations and thoughts into the minds of the young? Who changes the power equation within the family? Rocks the whole boat so to speak?

In this case, one calls him Dhiraj Dolwani.

Dhiraj Dolwani. Picture Courtesy: rediff.com

In 2008, Dolwani, an M-tech from BITS-Pilani, decided to quit a career that spanned the IT and BPO sectors to set up his own company B2R (Business To Rural). An avid trekker, it always troubled Dolwani when he saw the youth in the hills question why they need to educate themselves when they had no opportunity to use the education. No jobs, no prospects and nothing to look forward to except migrating to the cities and living a wretched life more often than not. “I saw so many things broken and began to ask what I was going to do about it,” he says.

By September 2009, Dolwani and his former colleague and co-founder R. Venkatesh Iyer (with personal savings and some angel investors) had started the first centre in Orakhan, Uttarakhand, with 20-odd employees.

The company got its first round of funding in February 2010 and growth post this was rapid. In two years, B2R had four centres doing back-end work for clients spread as far as the United States and employing close to 150 people.

 

Picture Courtesy: Anjuli Bhargava

As the number of locals who were employed in the BPO rose, so did the disruption the new and alien environment was creating in the community. The young people especially women were not going to the cities to find a job but working in an office environment not far from home—changing gender equations and long-established traditions in the community.

Local women aged 22-25 started working for the first time and became important earning members of the family. In some cases, they were the only earning members.

The starting salary was low (Rs 3500-4000 a month), but for high performers, it could rise to Rs 9500-10,000 within 2-3 years.

“The change is bigger than it appears. As happens in these parts, as an economic contributor, these women began to have a greater say in household matters” says Himjoli’s founder Pankaj Wadhwa who has closely followed B2R’s journey and acts like a mentor and guide to the business.

Picture Courtesy: Anjuli Bhargava

In a region where annual earned income for families is as low as Rs 6000, a monthly salary of this magnitude is like a “mini-fortune,” he adds.

At a typical centre of B2R, young women and men work together in close proximity, sitting next to each other and chatting freely— something that is alien to the culture of the region.

Women, post-training and after a few months of working, began dressing differently. “Jeans and other western clothing became the norm; the aspirations of the people working at our centres changed as did their way of thinking.”

By 2013, the company had six centres, 335 odd employees and was looking at further expansion when its second round of funding ran into trouble, and the investor pulled out. “This is a business where you burn before you earn and the business needed far more patient capital than the investors were willing to give”, explains Dolwani. The investor was keen on quicker returns than the business was generating.

The financial crisis in 2013 coincided with a personal one for Dolwani when he was diagnosed with a serious illness and hospitalised for a few months. At some point, Dolwani even felt that it would be the end of the road for B2R—his illness and the investors pulling the carpet at the same time seemed like more than a coincidence.

But when Dolwani discussed options with his employees, many agreed to take salary cuts but wanted the business to continue because the possibility of leaving their homes and moving to the bigger cities in search of jobs was not an attractive one for most.

Picture Courtesy: Anjuli Bhargava

The company downsized, reduced its monthly outgo and started focusing more on our customers than investors. Within two years by 2015, B2R reached an operational break even, and now in 2017, it expects to make a modest profit. It’s back to six centres and 300 employees today.

But more than the financial rewards, the fringe benefits of B2R’s journey is what gladdens the hearts of its promoters. All these youngsters who would otherwise have headed to cities are earning and contributing to their own environment.

Recently—having studied B2R’s journey from a distance—the governor of Yucatan in Southeastern Mexico asked them to help set up similar centres in their province. As a result, five locals from B2R’s Uttarakhand centres have been to Mexico to train people, none of whom had visited even Delhi before this!

Changes in the social fabric are also welcome. Women are not only getting married later than they would have but are even choosing who to marry.

Picture Courtesy: Anjuli Bhargava

Dolwani recalls the story of two of his initial cohort of staffers in 2009—a young man named Deepak and a young woman named Deepa met at B2R, fell in love, rose through the ranks to become supervisors (and subsequently left to move onto newer assignments) and recently got married. Marriages are apparently not always made in heaven; some are made at B2R, he adds in jest.

(This article has been written by Anjuli Bhargava and was originally published here: https://tinyurl.com/y939nr5r)

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Skip the Forced Tiger Safaris and Try These 6 Unique Forest Experiences

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Home to around 70% of the world’s tiger population, India has become a hotspot for local and foreign tourists. Most book safaris in Tiger Reserves and wildlife sanctuaries to catch a glimpse of this majestic cat. Huddled together in open jeeps or canters (an open truck), tourists keep an eye out for brown and black stripes which might be camouflaged in the foliage.

However, many tourists who have visited reserves and national parks in the hopes of sighting a tiger, have found nothing. Disappointed, they exit the gates after the drive, not realising that they have missed out on the many sights of a beautiful forest that, in addition to a glimpse of tigers, has so much more to offer to them!

One way to experience a forest is to walk through the dense foliage, enter water bodies and live inside it. Having said that, these activities are not possible in all sanctuaries, due to security issues pertaining to both, humans and animals.

Here is a list of destinations across the country that offer a list of offbeat activities in sanctuaries that will help you breathe in its true essence:

1) On foot in the wild Syat, Uttarakhand

This camp is located near the Corbett Tiger Reserve. Here, you can walk in the footsteps of the British hunter-turned-naturalist by embracing the wild Himalayas.

Camp Kyari, in Syat, offers you a trip like no other. You can start your day with a cup of tea made on a ‘chulha’ before loading a backpack on your shoulders, tying your shoelaces and beginning your trail in the wild.

You can trace your way through the fir and pine trees while orioles, parakeets, hawks, and drongos chirp around you.

Following tiger trails in the dense Uttarakhand forests. Photo sources: Facebook/ Facebook

Along with a walking trail in the middle of a dense forest, Camp Kyari also offers mountain biking and refreshing dips in the pure Himalayan waters. After a tiring trek, you can stay in a quaint one-home village surrounded by an untamed forest.

Wouldn’t you like to awaken the ‘junglee’ in you? Check out more details about Camp Kyari here.

2) Thenmala, India’s first planned Eco-tourism destination

Situated in the Kolam district of Kerala, Thenmala covers ten eco-tourism spots including the hill ranges of Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, and Kollam. Here you can take a break from your hectic city life and rejuvenate yourself.

Thenmala offers you a stay in Swiss cottage tents in the middle of a jungle, or right next to River Kallada!

Imagine waking up to the sounds of birds and a panorama of trees and rivers awaiting you at your doorstep!

A view to behold! Photo Source: Thenmala Ecotourism

You can explore the Nilgiris through activities like soft trekking, butterfly safari or boating, or visit a Deer rehabilitation centre where spotted deer and sambar (a large deer native to India), who strayed away from forests are rehabilitated in the forest to ensure their safety.

Thenmala also offers visits to a sculpture garden and an adventure zone which a range of activities like mountain biking, snorkelling and valley crossing.

To learn more about this eco-tourism destination, click the link here.

3) Meet Pahadi people living in the untamed wild

Would you like to know why a langur’s screech is usually followed by a deer’s snort or bleat? Or how tigers mark their territories in the wild? Wouldn’t it be interesting to know how these majestic cats live rather than merely look at one for a few minutes?

While traditional stories usually portray the wilderness as a scary place to be in, the mountain people have no such issues. They not only wander through jungles every day but can also easily interpret signs of the wild!

Along with village interaction, this campsite in Uttarakhand offers mountain biking and guided nature walks.

Surfing in British Canals: Source. Biking in the Himalayas: Source

You can even go water surfing through a 100-year-old British water canal in the middle of the forest!

Want to try this adventurous getaway in Himalayan hills? Check out the details here.

4) Walking the Tiger trail in Tadoba

How would you like to track trails of tigers instead of following them in a noisy vehicle? Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) offers a range of activities to explore the forest without fixating on following tigers in a vehicle.

You have a better chance of spotting hundreds of species of birds and reptiles on a bicycle than in a fast-moving jeep. Not only that, you can also trace the pugmarks of tigers, leopards, and other mammals, and even investigate if the animal that passed was male or female, and figure out their weight and their stride!

TATR also offers a boat safari in the lakes where you have a chance of spotting crocodiles and several species of birds.

Keep an eye on all animals at Tadoba. Sources: Facebook/ Facebook/ Facebook

The department is currently working on a ‘machan’ system to keep a watch on the forest through nights. Their dynamic walking trail system will also resume operations in summer.

If you want to know more about eco-tourism opportunities in TATR, you can contact Ajay Kodape at +91- 9730853324/ +91 8766418121

5) River Rafting in Dandeli

In the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka lies a serene haven, a home to tigers, leopards, gaur, deer, and hornbills!

If you want to take a vacation in a wildlife sanctuary and are looking for a nonconventional way to live in forests, Dandeli is the place to be.

Dandeli is a perfect blend of nature and adventure. Photo source: Facebook

You can grab a pair of oars and raft your way through the fast rapids of the Kali river for an adventurous thrill, or go bird-watching and note down the hundreds of species you are sure to come across.

In addition to water activities like rafting and boating, Dandeli also offers beautiful picnic spots, and offbeat activities like angling, night camps, and tiger or crocodile spotting.

To know more about Dandeli tourism, follow the link here.

Featured image sources: Facebook/ Harsh Itinerary 

You may also like: 20 Natural Wonders of India We Bet You Missed In Your Geography Books!


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Uttarakhand Blooms as an Organic State, Gets Rs 1500 Crore Boost from Centre!

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In order to boost organic farming in Uttarakhand and develop it as a ‘fully organic state,’ the Centre has sanctioned Rs 1,500 crore for the next three years.

According to the Hindu BusinessLine, the amount was sanctioned by Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh when Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat met him in New Delhi.

Subodh Uniyal, Uttarakhand Agriculture Minister, spoke to the Hindustan Times and said that said funds “have started flowing in to pave the way to give a fillip to organic farming even as the state government had initiated steps,” to legalise the alternative agricultural system.

The state also plans to introduce two dedicated laws for this purpose—the Organic Agriculture Bill and the Nursery Management Bill—which will be enacted in the assembly’s budget session that would commence by March end.

Organic farming in Uttarakhand is all set to get a boost. Representative image only. Image Courtesy: Maxpixel.
Organic farming in Uttarakhand is all set to get a boost. Representative image only. Image Courtesy: Maxpixel.

The Organic Agriculture Bill, once enacted, will provide legal backing to the government’s efforts which aim to develop the region as a full-fledged organic state. Private parties have been roped in to provide seeds and plants to farmers.

These parties will have to register themselves, under a proposed law, which is said to have strict provisions to punish those who use chemical fertilisers or pesticides in areas where organic farming is being practised. Farmers will also need to get their products certified by the designated agencies.

The aim is to establish Uttarakhand’s agricultural produce as a distinct brand, so the mountain state can export organic produce internationally, something that will benefit the local farmers and double their income.

The proposed Nursery Management Bill will also have strict provisions, and will severely punish those who dupe farmers with substandard saplings and seeds.

Even as the government is attempting to legalise organic farming, it plans to develop nearly 10,000 organic clusters in the mountain region, under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, a centrally-funded scheme.

This project will boost the income of five lakh farmers, and under this scheme, clusters of organic seeds, vegetables, myriad fruits, different types of crops including Basmati rice besides those of herbs and medicinal plants would be developed. Additionally, there is a plan to develop 500 clusters of high-density apples so that Uttarakhand can match Himachal Pradesh’s apple production.


You may also like:– How Our Father’s Love for Nature Inspired Us to Ditch City Life & Start a Farmstay in Uttarakhand


The State Government also plans to initiate a project for the development of an Integrated Model of Agricultural Village. Each cluster will get facilities, like cold-storage units, sorting-grading units, and farm machinery banks, so that the farmers can access modern equipment, to increase their agricultural productivity.

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My Story: I Went for a Survey, but Uttarakhand’s Kumaoni Girls Taught Me a Valuable Lesson

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After 20 hours of travel across seven districts of Uttarakhand, the gargantuan hills of the Himalayan foothills seem like an ancient race of giants lie asleep under a blanket of verdant bushes and trees.

It was in this spectacular vista that I encountered many characters who coloured my experiences in the Kumoani region of Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand – where I had come for a rural survey.

The View of the Hills En Route to Pithoragarh

I was initially apprehensive about the looming challenge of surveying 220 adolescent girls in ten villages in two different areas (Berinag and Didihat Block) within three weeks in rural Pithoragarh. And the first day into the field in Pithoragarh seemed to confirm my fears since it revealed that I couldn’t possibly survey single-handedly. The sheer vastness and distance between homes meant that it would take at least three days to complete a survey of one village.

Some villages spanned an entire hill from bottom to top with homes spread out from each other.

MANSI Field Team of Didihat Block -Pithoragarh

Pressed for time in an unfamiliar location, the MANSI Pithoragarh field team joined me in surveying the villages while adding joy, humour, and companionship to each of the experience. Despite the diversity in age, gender, experience, and socio-economic status of the MANSI field team, I was humbled by the entire team’s willingness to listen respectfully to the instructions of a 24-year-old in conducting survey research.

The field team helped contact the ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist), a community health worker, of each village ahead of time and gleaned information about the number of adolescent girls, the scheduled date for a survey, and the availability of the ASHA to help.

ASHA (lower left) and MANSI Fieldworker (lower right) Speaking to a Parent (top right) of Adolescent Girl in Bandhari-Manipur Village, Berinag Block

The village ASHAs became our guides into the community and created an enabling environment to survey the village girls. Some ASHAs even opened their homes to host our survey.

However, surveying a community is not without challenges. Due to misunderstandings about my role as a Maternal and Newborn Survival Initiative (MANSI) public health researcher and miscommunication by the field team to the schools, I found that the schools expected me to give lectures to adolescent girls about reproductive health.

Despite my insistence that I was not qualified nor prepared to give impromptu lectures to assemblies of girls, I was compelled by principals to try anyway.

MANSI Field Team Conducting Survey of Lothal Intercollege in Berinag Block, Pithoragarh

The school administrations that I encountered were very passionate about ensuring that their girls received information on menstrual hygiene. One school principal almost refused our request for a survey when I initially declined to give a lecture on reproductive health.

Finding a middle ground, I agreed to give brief talks about menstrual hygiene practices to schoolgirls after completing the survey of our target village girls — an approach that I continued to use to engage with the rest of the schools in our survey.

The new position of instructing children was a difficult one for me.

With Girls From Kumal Village, Didihat Block, Pithoragarh After Survey

I found myself in a developmental debacle where the more talks I gave on reproductive health, the more I struggled with self and external censorship in discussing sexual education in the rural communities and schools I visited.

Allusions to sexual education via indirect mechanisms such as marriage and motherhood have been helpful tools to communicate reproductive health to adolescent girls without ruffling feathers.

But more and more, I find myself at odds about perpetuating the conventional narrative of sex within the context of virginity and marriage to the young girls I met. These interactions left me wondering about development work in the broader sense –

How can I, as an outsider and western-educated, strive to work for social progress without disrespecting or altering the indigenous culture of communities?

How do you strike a balance between fostering change and maintaining the traditional culture when working with developing communities?

How can I be sure that I am not perpetuating a neo-colonialist mentality?

(From Top Left to Bottom Right) MANSI Field Supervisor Sunita, Me, ASHA of Bhandari-Manipur Village, and Field Supervisor Kavita

Although I haven’t discovered my answers, Pithoragarh has been crucial in a journey of self-growth in international development work. Each encounter and interaction in the Kumaoni communities served as a lesson in ‘give and take.’

I became consciously aware that when I was surveying girls, I was ultimately taking their knowledge—without giving anything in return. But that changed. Although I initially saw the impromptu talks about reproductive health as daunting and burdensome, after the talks, I began opening the floor to any and all questions that the girls might have on the topic or me.

It was my hope that open talks could help normalize the discourse on menstruation and empower the girls to speak up.

The Last Sunset of 2017 Captured From the UTC Bus Enroute to Dehradun From Pithoragarh

As I left the giant Himalayan foothills of Kumaon behind me, I couldn’t help but be grateful and feel blessed for the opportunity to interact with and learn from the Kumaoni girls, the homely and affable MANSI field workers, the spectacular hospitality of the Rural Development Society — a partner NGO of MANSI, and the ASHAs.

I bid farewell to the people who’ve been my teachers in this brief stay in Pithoragarh and hoped that our paths cross once again someday.

(Written by Tsering Lhamo)

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About the author:Tsering Lhamo was born in Tibet and raised in a Tibetan Refugee school in India before immigrating to the United States. She studied international relations, focusing on environmental sustainability and global health, and minored in biology from American University.

Originally intending to pursue a medical education, her volunteer experiences abroad in the hospitals of the Philippines and India inspired her passion for global health and the political ecology of disease.

How an Impoverished Uttarakhand Farmer’s 18-Year-Old Daughter Scaled The Everest

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“It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.” – Edmund Hillary

A tranquil little hill station in the mountainous region of Uttarakhand, Bageshwar lies at the confluence of rivers Sarayu and Gomti. Located at an elevation of 3,300 feet, it is also famous for its 7th-century Bagnath shrine, the verdant tea estates of Kasauni and the picturesque trek to Pindari glacier.

However, what has truly brought this Himalayan town into the limelight is the remarkable achievements of a young girl from the remote village of Teihaat. A local celebrity in Bageshwar, Pooja Mehra is one of the ten National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets who successfully climbed the Mount Everest in April 2016.

Photo Source

What makes her story even more special is that her endurance came from working in fields, collecting fuelwood in forests and helping her mother with household chores.

“I am the only girl in the family besides my mother. I work all day at the field, milk the cows, wash them, cut grasses, sow seeds and reap crops – everything that’s required to do in fields. I also help my mother in the household chores,” Pooja told Times of India.

A sports enthusiast (she was national level kabaddi player in school) and NCC cadet, Pooja was a class 12 student of a government college when she first heard of Mt. Everest from her seniors during a mountaineering course at Darjeeling’s Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI).

The world’s highest peak and the challenge it posed to mountaineers struck a chord within Pooja and she promised herself that she would climb it someday. With this steely resolve always at the back of her mind, the young girl began her training, honing her mental and physical strength for mountaineering expeditions.

Pooja belongs to Bageshwar,  a tranquil little hill station that lies at the confluence of rivers Sarayu and Gomti in Uttarakhand.

Other than taking on a greater share of the household chores, Pooja began going for a 10 km run every day followed by rigorous physical exercises for an hour. She would also work on farms belonging other people to supplement the family income — the harvest produced by the family’s small patch of land was barely sufficient to make ends meet.

Her father, a farmer who doubled up as a bus driver in spare time, would intermittently return home with his additional salary and whatever vegetables he could procure. Even then, the family earned a little less than Rs 9000 a month from the farming and the driving.

This was the reason why Pooja never followed a special diet — she drank a glass of milk daily and ate whatever humble meal the family could afford at that particular time.

In 2015, the aspiring mountaineer climbed the Trishul peak (23,360 ft) in Auli region of Uttarakhand and the Nag Tibba peak (19,688 ft) in the Manali region of Himachal Pradesh. It was after these successes that Pooja received a letter from NCC informing her that she had been selected for an expedition to the Mt. Everest.

The delighted young girl conveyed the information to her family only to realise that scaling Mt. Everest was an easier task compared to changing the entrenched patriarchal beliefs of the society.

Pooja’s neighbours warned her parents — who were already worried about her safety —against sending her on the expedition. The family was told that these expeditions were not meant for girls and that Sagarmatha (another name for Mt. Everest) was a place from where no one returned.

But undeterred by these challenges, Pooja stood her ground, defending her decision and dream to climb the world’s highest mountain. When her parents wavered, she requested her teachers to convince them, and they agreed to do so. And thanks to these efforts, her family finally relented.

In January 2016, Pooja left for a rigorous month-long training camp at Siachen Glacier along with the nine other cadets who had been selected. Two months later, the team headed to Nepal, reached base camp on April 21 and then underwent a month-long intensive winter training session.

After being acclimatized at 23,000 ft and 26,000 ft for several days (and getting frostbite on the way up), the day Pooja had been eagerly waiting for finally arrived. Led by Col. Gaurav Karki and Maj. Deepika Rathore, on May 21, the 18-year-old successfully scaled the world’s highest peak at about 11 in the morning.

About a week later, a triumphant Pooja returned home to an avalanche of articles, awards and felicitations. In fact, on Republic Day 2017, she and the nine other NCC cadets — Rigzen Dolker, Tashi Kaskit, Trishala Gurung, Staniz Laskit, Baljeet Kaur, Lalrintluangi, Tsering Angmo, Sulaxchana Tamang and Kumari Nutan — were awarded the prestigious Raksha Mantri Padak by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

But the gritty girl is not done yet. Pooja wants to complete college, help her family, do a professional mountaineering course, and last but not the least, serve her country by joining the Indian Army. In all these endeavours, here’s wishing her all the best!


Also ReadThis Girl from the Desert Climbed the Everest Twice – Meet Major Deepika Rathore


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An 8-foot long Vegetable That Can Make Music? Meet the Breeder Behind It!

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A photograph of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adiyanath measuring his height against a giant bottle gourd (Lauki), is going viral.

If you are wondering about the farmer who has grown this bottle gourd, then this story is for you!

photo source – Reddit

This variety of bottle gourd which is making news because of its unusual fruit length is called ‘Narendra Shivani.’ It was developed in 2007 by Professor Sheo Pujan Singh, a faculty member of the Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology (NDUAT), Kumarganj in the Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh.

Prof SP Singh who is popularly known as ‘Lauki Purush’ (Bottle gourd man) among farmers and fellow scientists was born in a small village called Gaura Beni in Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh on 5th June 1953.

Prof. Sheo Pujan Singh with Narendra Shivani

“My father was a primary school teacher, but a majority of the members of my family were farmers, so I was inclined towards it since childhood,” says Prof Singh while speaking to The Better India from Lucknow.

After finishing his schooling from the village, Prof Singh was sent to Azamgarh for his further education.

Plants science always fascinated him hence he pursued an undergraduate degree in agriculture, and then went on to acquire a masters degree in Genetics, and a PhD in Plant Breeding, from the GB Pant University of Agriculture Technology in Uttarakhand.

In 1982 Prof Singh joined NDUAT as a professor of Vegetable Science. After working here for about three years, he was invited to the University of Nairobi in Kenya as a visiting lecturer.

Prof. Singh with his family

“My research focussed on the grain amaranth crop in Kenya and taught plant breeding to U.G. and P.G. students. After a good experience of about two years, most of my colleagues were shifting to Australia and advised me to do the same. However, I wanted to continue my research in India. I wanted my countrymen and farmers to benefit from my research,” he explains.

In 1987 when Prof. Singh rejoined NDUAT, Faizabad, he was interested in some other important vegetable crops. However, he was asked to research on a group of lesser important cucurbit crops which included bottle gourd, pumpkin, pointed gourd etc..

Cucurbits constitute nearly 1/3rd of the total vegetables grown in India. This vegetable family is the largest among vegetables and includes several valuable crops like watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber etc.


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Many cucurbits have medicinal value too.

photo source

“Bottle Gourd was considered less valuable 30 to 40 years back because of its lesser liked cooked vegetable taste and the research on this crop was literally forced on me. But I took it up as a challenge. I wanted to develop something unique in this crop which would make it popular and important,” he says.

Prof. Singh started to work with full enthusiasm and determination with the crops assigned to him. After years of hard work and research, he developed an almost seedless bottle gourd genotype,‘Andromon-6’in the year 1995, which was registered with National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources at New Delhi.

According to Prof Singh, a new variety of any vegetable must have the following attributes:

  1.   It should be a high-yielding variety, in order to increase food security.
  2.   The time taken for fruiting should be less.
  3.   The developed variety should be resistant to diseases, insects and environmental stresses
  4. The quality and taste should be better (this is an essential property).

Usually, bottle gourd is cultivated in the summer and rainy seasons and farmers have to wait until next summer to grow it again. This is particularly true in areas like Uttar Pradesh where winter temperatures are too low.

Thus Prof. Singh developed a variety of bottle gourd called ‘Narendra Shishir’, which was cold tolerant and farmers could now grow bottle gourd all year round.

Prof. Singh at NDAUT

He also developed another winter type bottle gourd variety which according to him produced the tastiest cooked vegetable among all bottle gourd varieties and hence he named it as ‘Narendra Madhuri’.


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In the course of his research, Prof Singh realised that vegetables in the cucurbit family, are amongst the most nutritious on the planet. The bottle gourd, in particular, has many benefits. Its leaves are highly nutritious; the fruit has a high water content, which makes it very good to prevent heart disease and bring down bad cholesterol levels. Shells of mature bottle gourd fruits are variously used to make containers, utensils, floats, decorative items, and different kinds of musical instruments!

In 2001, Prof Singh came to know about a farmer who was growing a variety of bottle gourd which had extraordinary long fruits Unfortunately, the farmer was unaware of the benefits of this variety, due to which the plant did not grow well. Prof Singh procured the seed of this variety and started researching it in 2004 to get desirable fruit shape and size as well as yield and earliness.

However, the best was yet to come. Prof Singh grew this variety in the polyhouse of the university, and the plants yielded bottle gourds which measured up to 7.4 feet.

Prof Singh named the variety ‘Narendra Shivani,’ and this is the same kind which is seen with CM Yogi Adityanath in his viral picture.

‘Narendra Shivani’ bottle gourd

What is more impressive is that a farmer in Sirsa (Haryana) has grown a plant that yielded a bottle gourd measuring 8.2 feet!

According to Prof. Singh this variety can be used for food preparations when it is up to 3 ft long and weighs up to two kg. The variety is developed through pure line selection and can be safely used for consumption.

The average production of this variety is around 700-800 quintal per hectare, but Prof. Singh claims that through proper care, farmers can produce up to 1000 quintal of this variety in just one hectare. Also, the mature full grown dried fruits can be painted into drawing room decorative items and made into a musical instrument.

After playing one of the dried Narendra Shivani for us which sounds almost like the sound which emanates from a conch (shankh), Prof Singh informed us that most farmers are unaware of its use.

“People ask me that what is the use of Narendra Shivani as no one is going to buy such a huge bottle gourd, but I believe that this can be an entirely separate market, and farmers can make extra money in this way. Playing an instrument made of this vegetable is good for your lungs as well,” he says.

Prof Singh was retired in 2015 but before that, he has developed ten varieties of bottle gourd, four varieties of pumpkin, three varieties of pointed gourd and one variety of bitter gourd. He has also written a book, ‘Cucurbits Biodiversity, Breeding and Production in Uttar Pradesh,’ based on his work on the cucurbit group of vegetables.

If you wish to get the seeds of any variety developed by Prof Sheo Pujan Singh or wish to know more about his work, you can call him on 7985244878.

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Auto Driver’s Daughter Defeats Failure, Tops Provincial Judicial Exam!

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The daughter of an auto rickshaw driver emerged the state topper of the Uttarakhand Provincial Civil Services (Judicial) exam held in 2016, the results of which were declared on Wednesday.

Poonam Todi’s road to success is an inspiration for thousands of students across India who give up hope in the face of failure. This girl, now making headlines as the state topper, appeared for the exam twice – but failed to make it beyond the interview round.

auto driver's daughter Poonam Todi

Source: Twitter

But she did not let those two unsuccessful attempts deter her confidence. Working twice as hard, she appeared for the exam a third time. And look at how she succeeded!

This Holi brought her humble family their most joyous moment when the news that Poonam had not only successfully cleared the exam but also topped the state arrived.

The youngster attributed her success to her family who she calls her rock-solid support.

Speaking to the Times of India, Poonam said, “My parents never pressured me to join a job to supplement the family’s income. Instead they always encouraged me to study further, which is why I was able to complete my MCom as well as law degrees.”

Her father, Ashok Todi, is a humble autorickshaw driver who earns around Rs 400-500 per day. He recalled his struggles as a small-time shop owner in Tehri. But the business did not do well.

“I then decided to shift to Dehradun. I started a shop here as well but it wasn’t successful either. I took to driving an auto rickshaw thereafter,” he told TOI.

The driver recounts how he and his wife would compromise on their own needs just to ensure that their four children had a good future.

“I am extremely happy that my daughter has now made not only me but the entire state proud,” he beamed.

Poonam spoke about the unbridled support her parents gave her when despite pursuing commerce she told them about her wish to study law.

“Though I pursued commerce after class XII, I was always drawn to law. Having seen struggle and hardships from close quarters, I wanted to help those who are economically backwards so that they are not deprived of justice,” Poonam told the Times of India.


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Having completed her masters in commerce and LLB degree from DAV PG College, she is currently enrolled in the LLM programme at Tehri.

“Poonam’s achievement is a message for all parents that daughters can be a family’s pride,” said an emotional Lata, Poonam’s mother.

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