Flowers of India: Some great photos by KO Isaac

©All rights reserved KO Isaac.

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Sorry, I don’t know the names of all the flowers.

The top one looks like rain tree flower.

Fourth one is a lotus bud.

7th is gloriosa superba lily

8th is water lily.

May be some of you can help with the others. Thank you.

Also see:

New photos of Ixora coccinea

Pan leaves

This is in continuation to my earlier post Pan chewing: Green leaves and crimson lips

The heart shaped dark green leaves that are used in pan chewing come from the vine piper betle (betel plant). They are generally known as betel leaves or pan leaves.

The Sanskrit name for the climber is nagavalli. The word means snake-like vine. It is cultivated in many parts of India, and traditionally had great economic significance. It was a state monopoly under Prince Azim-us-Shan (1697-1703) of Bengal. He was the grandson of Aurangzeb. Robert Clive continued the system after the East India Company took over the administration.

The two photos given below show betel leaf cultivation in my village Olavipe.

Photos: TP. Copyright reserved.

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The young sapling is tied to a stake on which it establishes a grip and climbs as it grows. In another system, the plant is made to climb on coir ropes tied high on a coconut palm. This involves the use of a ladder to puck the leaves.

India is perhaps the largest producer of pan leaves. Out of around 100 varieties, about 40 are grown in this country.

The propagation is by cuttings from vines which are between 3 to 5 years old. They are planted in specially prepared mulched furrows. Sandy, well drained soil, shade, tropical conditions and good rainfall are ideal for cultivating betel leaves. In most places, watering the plants is required during summer.

The betel plant requires regular supply of good nutrients. Usually, only organic manure is used for betel vines. But some unscrupulous farmers apply chemical fertilizers.

Pan leaf cultivation is ideal for small holders as an inter-crop.

Growing up with granddaughter

Yesterday when I started watching the Wimbledon semi-finals between Murray and Roddick, my second son’s daughter Nonee (Annie) was playing chess with her aunt. Soon their game was over and the little granddaughter asked me whether I wanted to play. I was more interested in watching tennis.

After a while Nonee came with a small torch, held it close to my mouth without switching on and started asking questions. I knew she was simulating an interview, and played along.

It went on like something like this:

Nonee(N): Do you play chess?

Me (M): Used to.

N: How good were you?

M: Okay at college level.

N: Why don’t you play now?

M: Difficult to concentrate.

(Pause.)

N: You seem to like tennis better.

M: I like tennis also.

N: Have you played tennis?

M: Yes.

N: Where?

M: Home, college, club.

(The next question I had anticipated did not come.)

N: Who do you think will win today? Murray?

M: Roddick is playing better.

N: But who do you want to win?

M: The better player.

N: That’s a smart answer.

M: I’m a smart chap.

N: You are. Thank you.

M: Thank you.

N (moments later): Did you know that you were interviewed live?

M: That’s not fair. You should have warned me.

N: Then it wouldn’t have been so natural.

M: I could have put on some makeup.

N: That’s okay. You looked fine.

M: Thank you.

N: You’re welcome.

The granddaughter took my mobile phone and pretended dialing. Then she gave me a big grin and said: Know what? Millions of people all over the world watched you.

M: Really?

N: Yes, all the people in my imaginary world.

That was it. A child’s imagination! Absolutely fascinating. When my kids were small I didn’t have so much time to spend with them. Now it is different. And I am learning many things from the grandchildren. Their range of knowledge is so much higher than mine at their age.

Recently, while preparing the post Photos: More of pastoral Olavipe

I couldn’t get the right word for frog’s eggs. Usually in such situations I ask my wife. (That is easier than looking up dictionary.com.) In this instance she couldn’t recall either.

Nonee who was overhearing cut in: Why don’t you ask me? I did that and pat came the answer: Spawn.

A year back this granddaughter showed me how to unlock parental lock on TV. No one had thought of setting a code, so it is ‘0000’. Now we must change that.

Later this month Nonee would be 10.

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My Valentine’s Day

Tessy Thomas: A star of space science

Tessy Thomas has been appointed as the Director of India’s prestigious Rs.2500 crores AGNI V missile project. Her mission is to develop a rocket with a range of 5000km which is almost the same range as the Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).

In a country where women have adorned eminent positions including that of President and Prime Minister, and brilliantly proved their mettle too, the elevation of Tessy Thomas as the AGNI V chief may not cause much surprise. But it is significant in several ways.

Erase any image of a stooping old scientist from your mind. This brilliant ‘Missile Woman’ is about 45 or 46 years old. No glamor schools or high profile educational institutions to start with. She had initial education at local schools in Alleppey, Kerala. I am proud because that is my home district.

Tessy Thomas did her B. Tech from the Government Engineering College, Trichur, which is now affiliated to the Calicut University. After that it was M. Tech from the Defence Institute of Advanced Technologies, Pune. That opened the doors of Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) for her, in 1988. And there was Dr. APJ Abdul Kalaam to guide her. He placed her in the AGNI Missile Programme. Sometimes she is referred to as Agni Putri, daughter of fire. Her specialty is solid system propellants.

According to one report, Tessy Thomas has an MBA qualification from Indira Gandhi National Open University, and is doing her PhD. There are other reports that refer to her as Dr. Tessy Thomas. The invitation to the Trichur Engineering College Golden Jubilee Lectures on August 25, 2008 gives her name as Ms. Tessy Thomas. All that is immaterial. People like her are born with ‘Doctor’ stamped on them.

Tessy is married to Saroj Kumar from Orissa. They studied together at the Defence Institute of Advanced Technologies, Pune. He is now a Commodore in the Indian Navy. Their son is an engineering student at Vellore, Tamil Nadu. He is named after one of India’s missiles – Tejas.

No godfathers, no political patronage. Sheer merit has brought the girl from a Backward District this far. And sheer merit will propel Tessy Thomas to greater heights, like the missiles she guides.

Bangalore: The transformation from a sleepy town to booming metropolis

The sleepy little town that Bangalore was when I landed there in 1951 to join college has grown into a huge metropolis of 6.5 million people. It is now the third most populous city in the country. The transformation was slow to start with but gained rapid momentum with the IT explosion in the early nineties. The place that used to be called ‘Pensioners Paradise’ became ‘Silicon Valley of India’.

In October 2006 the Karnataka State Government decided to change the city’s name from Bangalore to Bengaluru. There is a tradition behind this. An 11^th century Hoysala king, according to legend, was lost during a hunting expedition. Wandering hungry and tired, he came across an old woman who gave him boiled beans to eat. The king called the area ‘benda-kal-ooru’ which, in the local language Kannada means ‘place of boiled beans’. This tag became mutated to ‘Bengaluru’. Bangalore is its Anglicized version.

Bangalore was once, long ago, called ‘Auspicious City’. Then, ‘Land of Heroes’. Labels for the place in the modern times include ‘Garden City’, ‘Stone City’ because of the light gray granite available abundantly in the area, ‘City of Pubs’, ‘Floriculture Capital of India’, ‘Fashion Capital of India’ and ‘Fruit Market of the South’.

Different dynasties including Western Gangas, Cholas, Hoysala and Vijayanagara have ruled over the area, but the township was founded by Kempe Gowda I, who raised a mud fort there in 1537 A.D. The Bijapur army defeated Kempe Gowda III in 1638 and captured Bangalore. It was then bestowed on Shahji Bhonsle. But Bhonsle’s son Venkaji was vanquished by the Mughal general Kasim Khan in 1687. The Mughals sold the city to Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar of Mysore. In 1759 the then king of Mysore gifted it to his commander Hyder Ali. The British defeated Hyder’s son Tippu Sultan in 1799 at Sreerangapatana and restored Bangalore to the Mysore kingdom.

In 1809 the British moved their troops from Sreerangapatna to a large cantonment they built at Halsur (Ulsoor) on the North East of the old Bangalore town. This resulted in Bangalore growing as two distinctive segments – the old ‘City’ and the Cantonment.

The City was under Mysore rule. The Cantonment was part of the Madras Presidency and a major seat of the Raj in the South. It became a world of sahibs, soldiers and Anglo-Indians, of butlers, ayahs, malis and a retinue of servants, of horses, racing and clubs, of bungalows and gardens, of football, cricket, hockey, boxing and golf.

This scenario had not changed too much when I reached Bangalore Cantonment Station one June morning fifty-eight years back. The first thing that hit me was the cold. The elevation of Bangalore, which is located in the south-eastern part of Karnataka (formerly Mysore) on the Deccan Plateau (12.97° N 77.56° E), is a little over 3000 feet (980m) above sea level. Though warmer now than it was half a century back, the climate is still reasonably comfortable.

The place did not have many taxis or buses those days. I took a jutka (horse drawn carriage) to St. Joseph’s College Hostel on Lal Baugh Road; it was a semi-circular granite building that was a landmark. Along the way we did pass a few cars but mostly it was horse carts and hordes of bicycles. Bangalore then had a large two wheeler (no scooters) population. Rent-a-bicycle shops were quite popular.

Like me, many youngsters from different parts of India and abroad flocked to the cool, quiet and green city for studies. Even those days the place had good schools, colleges, and major research institutions. This base in educational facilities in the early days and its subsequent growth certainly contributed to Bangalore’s transition from a quaint little town to a vibrant knowledge and hi-tech capital.

With Independence the City and Cantonment were brought under one administration. The process of integration was slow but sure and Bangalore turned into a truly cosmopolitan metropolis. Today on the streets one can hear not only English, Kannada and other South Indian languages, but also Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali and even, occasionally, French and Japanese.

One of the first visible impacts of Independence was the exodus of a friendly, colorful, and lively people who were part and parcel of life in Bangalore - the Anglo Indians. Usually they were thought of as engine drivers, secretaries and nurses. But the community had made commendable contributions to sports, defense services, music, and to the character of Bangalore itself.

The city’s communal harmony was a factor that helped its business boom. Two eminent men with great foresight – M. Visvesvarayya and Mirza Muhammad Ismail - paved the way for the progress that was to come.

Rail link to Madras was established and telegraph was introduced in the second half of 19th century. Early 20th century saw Bangalore becoming perhaps the first city in India to be electrified. It had major industries even before Independence. The most important one was Hindustan Aircraft (now Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) set up in 1940. There were several Americans attached to this establishment during WW II. They introduced softball game and Bangalore used to have a Softball League. Another American game, basketball, too was popular.

After Independence several Public Sector Undertakings and defense establishments came up. Bangalore was soon recognized internationally as an industry-friendly city and attracted several Indian and foreign investors. To man the new ventures, many bright young scientists, technologists and management experts from all over India moved in. It was a phenomenal growth. Today, according to one estimate, there are over 10,000 industrial units in and around the city.

All through the process of expansion, the city breathed through its two beautiful parks - Cubbon Park and Lal Baugh - and the Place Grounds. But the mini-garden circles at road junctions have mostly disappeared. The lakes in and around Bangalore – the major ones being Ulsoor, Sankey and Yedyur - too help. Then there are the open spaces of the Parade Grounds, and the city’s playing fields and stadiums which have produced many eminent sports persons of All-India and international fame.

During the first part of my college days, India Coffee House (now Indian Coffee House) on the MG Road was the place we used to frequent. It had a laid back atmosphere and excellent coffee and snacks at reasonable prices. One could sit there and talk for hours. When Parade Café opened on St. Marks Road around 1953, most of the college crowd shifted there. Occasionally we visited one of the billiards parlors, Old Bull & Bush on Brigade Road. That was where the star of Bangalore’s boxing days, Gunboat Jack used to hang around. This Afro American was on the skid row by early 1950s. Later the US Government shipped him back home.

Today pubs with saucy names have taken-over. The top bracket West End and modest Victoria were the only hotels to speak of half a century back; Woodlands and others opened later. Another one, Central Hotel near the Cubbon Park end of MG Road closed down by 1960. Bangalore is now jammed with luxury hotels but shortage of rooms is felt often.

The symbiosis of Bangalore nurtured diverse cultural activities and art forms. Of late these are showcased in an annual winter event called Bengaluru Habba. The mega show includes Carnatic music, jazz, performing arts, crafts including pottery and weaving and painting. Enough corporations and affluent people are around to extend patronage. A recent study shows that Bangalore is the second ranked city in India for millionaire homes – over a hundred thousand of them! Many of the rich are young.

Where have all the cute little bungalows and gardens gone? Several of them were demolished to accommodate towering glass fronted office buildings, lines of multi-storied apartment complexes, modern Malls, multiplexes and lounge bars. The city is bursting at the seams, spreading out in all directions. The skyline is changing almost daily. During a recent visit to Bangalore I lost my way at night in the Cantonment area which I used to know so well!

The vertical and horizontal expansion of the city brings problems in its wake -traffic congestion, pollution, criminal activity and so on. Civic amenities are severely stretched, be it power, water supply, street cleaning or road repairs. Infrastructure development is struggling to catch up with the fast mounting requirements.

The new International airport thirty kilometers away from the city at Devanahalli, Tippu Sultan’s birth place, is a major contribution to the development of Bangalore. Another critical project is the Metro Rail. It got off to a start almost a decade late. The first phase is expected to be completed in 2011.

Sixty years back Bangalore used to sleep by nine o’ clock at night. Today it is known as a city that never sleeps. A silent witness to this transformation is the Bugle Rock, an ancient granite formation that was Kempe Gowda’s watchtower. It is one of the several interesting sights in the area.

Ends.

Related post: Bangalore: Of a club, a park and a Chief Secretary couple

More wildlife photos by KO Isaac

© All Rights Reserved. KO Isaac.

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Also see:

Wildlife photos

A rain tree of memories

The post SUMMER BEAUTY in Raji's Ramblings reminded me of a similar tree we had at Olavipe. There is nothing much to write about it except that it was there, on the western ‘muttam’ (courtyard) and it is a part of my childhood memories.

Presented below for identification is the photo of a rain tree (Samanea saman, also known as monkeypod) I took in Chennai. Raji’s post has some better images including a beautiful one of its flower.

As children we didn’t know the name of the tree. We called it ‘thanal maram’, meaning shade tree. And shade it did give. The sprawling canopy effectively blocked the sun rays except a few that filtered through. But it didn’t obstruct the west wind because the branching started at a height of 20 feet or so. Probably the lower branches were pruned when the tree was young.

Sometimes we used to climb the tree despite the warning that the branches were not very strong. To my knowledge however, no one has ever fallen off the tree. Anyway, for children scrambling up a low mango tree was definitely better than climbing the rain tree. (See: Mango Memories)

Those days there were carpenter families traditionally attached to us. They were free to work for others also. They would leave a set of tools at our place and come over when there was no employment elsewhere. They would find a job to do, some repair work, or make furniture whether it was required or not, or carve out a toy boat or the like.

The carpenters loved working under the shade of the rain tree instead of using the ‘thadippura’ (wood store) which was the place meant for them. The cool shade of the tree and the breeze that blew in from the Olavipe Lake were irresistible.

Among them, Paramu was the one we liked to have around most. He was small made, but fair and handsome and a fine person. And he had a never ending stream of stories. The elders used to joke that for every hour of work he would talk for two hours. But it was worth having him there. In his work he was a perfectionist.

The only people who disliked the rain tree were perhaps the women who swept the courtyard every morning. I believe the reason was that the pieces of dry flowers that fall to the ground get embedded in the sand. It was a difficult to clear them away.

Today there is a Prior mango tree near the spot where the rain tree once stood so proudly in full bloom. See the photo by Dr. Sanjay Parva below:

The wall like structure that you see on the right is the back of the Cool stones



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