A package hard to resist

UNLESS you are a regular visitor to the mountains, the chances are that you will not recognise bichu booti — a small plant that causes burning sensation and pains if you happen to touch its leaves. This is one plant that is found in plenty in the Kumaon region and you have to safeguard yourself from its ‘bite’, especially when you go out for walks on the mountain slopes. Once you begin to recognise this plant, and train your eyes to spot it, be rest assured that your Kumaon experience will prove to be one of the most exhilarating and exotic of all your sojourns to the mountains.
Sojourning in the beautiful Kumaon region of Uttar Pradesh, with its majestic mountains, beautiful lakes and a rich plethora of flora and fauna, leaves you in awe of nature’s munificence that the land is blessed with. The pristine magnificence of these natural wonders combined with a rich cultural and religious heritage, makes a package that is hard to resist.
Kumaon is made up of the districts of Nainital, Almora, Pithoragarh and Udham Singh Nagar. During this trip, we will traverse through Nainital and Almora districts. Our odyssey starts from Almora town, the cultural capital of the region.
Situated at an elevation of 5400 feet, Almora was founded in 1560 by the Chand ruler, Balo Kalyan Chand. It served as the Chand capital up to the 18th century. The Gorkhas ruled for about 25 years, after which it came under British control till Independence. When the British went on their hill-station founding spree, Almora, was already and established town. In fact, Almora suffered heavy bombardment by the Britishers in their attempt to capture the town. That’s why it is not in the list of 80-odd hill stations that the British created as an answer to their second home concept. Unlike Shimla, Nainital, Ranikhet — North Indian hill stations discovered and patronised by the British — Almora is a truly Indian hill resort.
At Almora, you can feel the traditional ambience when you catch a glimpse of tiled-roof houses and paved streets with the panoramic view of the Trishul peaks in the north. Beautifully carved facades and homes decorated with traditional murals reflect the heritage of the place. And being further away from the plains than Nainital, Almora district provides several scenic spots where you can enjoy the fresh mountain air without having to jostle against the milling holiday-makers.
You can set out for some of the most exciting excursions from Almora. At Chitai, 8 km from Almora, lies the shrine of Gollu Devta, the much loved deity of the Kumaonis, Lakhu-Udyar (16 km away), literally meaning ‘one lakh caves,’ is noted for its pre-historic wall paintings, where the chief specimen is a hood-like rock shelter, you can go to Sheetalkhet (35 km away) to watch the sunset or to Gwalkot (26 km away) to fish for mahseer on the Kosi river.
Merely 30 km from Almora lies Binsar (2412mts) from where you can get a breathtaking view of the Himalayas and the surrounding valley. It offers an uncluttered view of a 300-km stretch of famous peaks which include Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot and Panchuli. Binsar also has beautiful forests of oak and rhododendron and abounds in alpine flora, ferns, hanging moss and innumerable species of wild flowers.
For the religiously inclined, Almora also has Jageshwar (35 km away). Located in a narrow riverine valley enclosed by towering, ancient deodars, it is famous for having one of the twelve jyotirlingas and the 164 ornamented temples built by the Chand rulers. It is believed that Lord Shiva came here to perform penance after the sacrifice of Sati, land earned the wrath of the Sapta Rishis. The elaborate carvings on every door jamb, pillar and outer wall of the temples make it a place of interest even for those who are less religiously inclined.
Set out from Almora for Kausani (53 km away), your base for the next couple of days. En route you pass through the broad fertile valley at Someshwar, where tourists make a halt to visit the fine Shiva temple built in Katyur style. Proceed on to the famous hill resort of Kausani. Sitting on a narrow ridge among pine forests, it presents an excellent view of the Nanda Devi mountains, especially at sunrise. You may trek from here to Bageshwar, Gwaldam and the Pindari glacier, but for that you’ll have to stay for a few more days.
A mere 18 km away from Kausani, at 1125 metres, lies the temple town of Baijnath on the banks of the Gomti river. The beautifully located temples, built in the 12th and 13th centuries here, are fine examples of regional architecture. Legend has it that Shiva married Parvati at the confluence of the Gomti and the Garur Ganga and it became the seat of power of their son Kartikya Swami. The Katyur dynasty, which ruled the valley of 500 years, took its name from this mythical son of Shiva and Parvati.
Next, move on to Bageshwar at a distance of 22 km. Lying on both banks of the Sarju, river near its confluence with Gomti, it is said to derive its name Vyagheshwar(the tiger Lord) from the local temple of Lord Shiva. It is known for the famous temple of Lord Bag Nath (Shiva) erected by the Chand Raja, Laxmi Chand, around 1450 AD. This pilgrim town is also the base for treks to Pindari. Kafni and Sunderdhunga glaciers (all in Almora district). The Pindari trek leads to Zero point (4000mts) near the snout of the Pindari glacier after traversing a distance of 45 kms.
Time now to move to the charming and unpolluted hill station of Ranikhet, a town steeped with British legacy. En route, you may take a diversion from Someshwar to reach Dwarahat or proceed straight via Gwalakot to reach Ranikhet. Dwarahat has a cluster of old temples built by the Chand rajas, dating back to the 8th century. There are some old houses and beautiful carved wooden doors and windows. You could walk through its quaint, narrow lanes which is likely to remind you of some old Italian village.
There is an ambience about Ranikhet that is hard to describe. Situated at 1829 metres, this sylvan retreat offers an interesting mix of hill and military cultures. According to a legend, a queen (rani) in the course of a journey came to this excursion ground (shetra) and was so enchanted by it that she decided to settle here. At another point of time, Lord Mayo, the viceroy of India, was so enchanted with the place that he wanted to move the army’s summer headquarters here from Shimla. That did not happen but Ranikhet continues to charm visitors with its spectacular beauty.
Ranikhet presents a panoramic view of the Himalayas. The ridge along which the town is located is surrounded by forests of oak and pine where nature lovers go for enjoyable walks. On the whole, it is an ideal holiday destination for nature lovers who continue to get enthralled by its major attraction. Other places of interest, apart from its natural beauty, are a nine-hole golf course, the orchards of Chaubatia and the Jhoola Devi Temple. The famous Kumaon Regimental Centre stands here and you must have a look at its museum which houses the sword of Rani Laxmibai.
Five kilometres from Ranikhet is Chillianaula, where stands a magnificent Shiva temple. Managed by a group of foreigners, a breathtaking view of the Himalayas can be savoured from Chillanaula as well. Majkhali (13 km away and Chaubatia (10 km away) are known for their extraordinary beauty. Picnickers flock to the lake at Bhaludam (13 km) while anglers converge on Khairna (24 km).
This brings you to an end of the mountain trail that started at Almora. Unlike other hill stations, the region is so isolated that B.R. Kachru, the General Manager of Snow View Resort near Almora talks of having to put behind bars the watch dogs every night for fear of being attacked by wild beasts. Local folks even swear to the instances when they encountered a panther, face to face. And shrubs like bichu booti continue to grow on the mountain slopes, sometimes to torment the visitors.

The Winter Travel Options

Agra -- and the quintessential Taj
Described as ``an emperor's dream'' and ``a poem in marble'', the Taj remains an ultimate destination for all lovers. Standing serene and perfect in its garden of flowers and reflecting pools, its cypresses, terraces and green lawns, the Taj spells love and beauty.
Apart from the lovely Taj, Agra has Fatehpur Sikri -- an entire city-capital preserved in near-perfect condition since the time it was built by the Mughal emperor, Akbar.
Love is manifested in so many ways in this area. Lord Krishna's love for Radha in the Brij Shetra, for instance, replete with legendary traditions and folklore, is just perfect for romantic getaways.
The Royal Orient -- Exotica-on-rails
Passing through the enchanting lands of Gujarat and Rajasthan, The Royal Orient takes you on one of the most exciting train journeys in the world. From the sprawling 7th-century Chittaurgarh Fort to the romantic and regal opulence of Udaipur, the triumph and tragedy of Junagarh, the inspiring Somnath Temple, the home of the Asiatic lion -- Sasan Gir, the sun-warmed beaches of Ahmedpur-Mandvi and Diu, the sanctum sanctorum of Jainism -- Palitana, the land of Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram -- Ahmedabad and the mesmerising grandeur of Jaipur city.
Aboard the train, a princely treatment awaits you -- right from the red-carpet welcome at Delhi to well-furnished saloons and well-equipped restaurants serving delightful cuisine. The train crosses the great Indian desert at nights, leaving the entire day for tours and sightseeing. Commencing at Delhi every Wednesday evening, the trip concludes at Delhi a week later, on a Wednesday morning.
Bhubaneswar -- Romancing the stones of time
Capital of the modern State and the ancient kingdom of Orissa, Bhubaneswar is also known as the temple city. From the towering heights of the Lingaraja temple to the windswept ruins of the Konark temple, there are more than 600 temples in the city.
Mukteshwar Temple, built in 10th century A.D., is famous for the stone arch at its entrance. Filled with carvings depicting tales from the Panchtantra, the temple is a glorious synthesis of old and new styles of architecture.
The monumental sun temple, Konark, is anchored on the sands of Konark beach. The edifice is hoisted upon 24 enormous and intricately carved wheels. The Raja Rani temple, likewise, is noted for the intricate carvings. The 11th-century temple is also noted for its unusual tower and the absence of any deity in its precincts.
Bhubaneswar also has several sites of Buddhist importance, museums, hot springs, wildlife park and beautiful beaches.
Kaziranga National Park -- Destination One-horned Rhino
Located along the banks of River Brahmaputra in Assam, Kaziranga National Park is 450 sq. km of lush forest and open land and a haven for wildlife facing near-extinction. From the poacher's paradise of the past, Kaziranga has today evolved into one of the most-visited wildlife reserves in India.
Located about 200 km from the State Capital, Guwahati, Kaziranga is home to rare wildlife species such as the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros and the east Asian swamp deer. A variety of flora flourish around its numerous lakes and huge tracts of marshy land, adding to its wild allure.
Goa -- True-blue seas
From the azure waves of the Arabian Sea to the lush green of the Western Ghats, Goa offers miles and miles of silken-gold beaches set against a backdrop of swaying palms.
The large number of spectacular resorts and the small, quiet stretches of sun-and-sea make Goa an almost ideal holiday destination. Some of the world's finest beaches can be found in Salcette and Gaudalim -- they are picture-postcard beautiful.
But then, Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. Old Goa abounds in churches and cathedrals built in Portuguese-Gothic style. If you leave the coastal areas and travel in Goa's interiors, you will come across some of the prettiest natural scenery in the country. Palm trees, mangrove forests, cashew groves, banana plantations and a host of other tropical vegetation sway in the breeze, in striking contrast to the rusty-red soil of the region.
Aurangabad -- Forlorn hot-spot
Located in the Sahyadri hills of Maharashtra, the rock-hewn caves of Ajanta and Ellora bear testimony to the astounding excellence of Indian architects, sculptors and artists, dating back to 200 B.C. The horse-shoe formation of the cave series at Ajanta predate the Ellora caves, about 80 km away in the hilly terrain.
Aurangabad also has a 50,000-year-old meteorite crater -- a fairly recent discovery, located about 165 km from the city which is the third-largest meteorite crater in the world. The crater walls have turned into a perennial spring, forming a saline lake in the depression and an unusual eco-system around it. There are ruins of a temple on the floor of the crater, giving rise to many interesting legends.
Kumarakom -- Serene backwaters
Stretching over 1,500 km, the serene, palm-fringed backwaters -- a glistening web of lakes, lagoons, canals and rivers -- are the essence of Kerala. The best place to begin would undoubtedly be Kumarakom -- a small town on the shores of the Vembanad Lake, 83 km from Kochi.
A prime tourist attraction are the houseboats which can be hired for days on end. The floating luxury `home' comes with a living room, bedroom, attached bathroom and other help such as a cook, oarsmen and so on!
You can glide down the waters with lush greenery on either side, the enveloping hush broken only by the music of a thousand birds. As green paddy fields, homes, farms, temples, churches and mosques glide past, you are blessed with the experience of a lifetime.
Mamallapuram -- Deep-south flavour
The 7th-century port-town of the Pallava dynasty is a popular holiday resort today, located about 55 km from Chennai. The romantic 7th-century Shore Temple and the five Rathas are worth a visit. Other prominent sites include the world's largest bas relief -- Arjuna's Penance -- the rockcut caves and the monolithic temples displaying distinctive styles of architecture.
The ocean waters at Mamallapuram are ideal for sea-bathing. Visitors can shop around for curios, indulge in water-sports or simply sunbathe on the beachfront.
As many as 14 beach resorts are clustered together, ranging from deluxe cottages to standard rooms. Don't miss the classic sunrise and the fishermen rowing into the dawn in their boats. Come evening, the beach shacks offer sizzling fish netted just that morning.

A total package

Limpid water springs, pomegranate orchards, pistachio gardens, rows of Lombardy poplars, star-lit nights, rocks, deserts, mountains, endless high and low lands, snow-clad extinct volcanoes, the luxuriant forests of the Alborz mountain range, and the coastline of the Caspian Sea are amongst the eye-catching and memorable landscapes of Iran -- all of which have the potential to attract tourists from around the globe. There are innumerable historical sites as well, and also buildings that are an amalgam of old and modern architecture. Iranian history dates back to the 2nd century B.C. and the country boasts of a culture that has continuously evolved since then.
The Alborz mountains descend abruptly near the Caspian coast, at places leaving only a narrow strip between the sea and the mountains. Ramsar, about 200 km from the Iranian capital Tehran, presents this unique and breathtaking attraction where it's possible to swim in the warm waters of the sea, idle around on the sunny beaches or amble across to the top of the mountain where it is much cooler.
The shores of the Caspian Sea in the north and coasts of the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman in the south have popular recreational resorts. The islands of the Persian Gulf such as Kish, Qeshm, and Hormoz, with world-class shores and beaches, as well as pleasant sunshine, are popular vacation choices.
Iran also has over 500 mineral water and thermal springs, which are used for recreational and therapeutic purposes. The thermal springs and shores of Orumyeh lake and its sludge are famous for their therapeutic value.
The desert regions of Iran also enjoy huge tourist traffic. Dasht-e-Lout and Dasht-e-Kavir are the famous deserts. These regions, once the route of merchant caravans between east and west of Iran, encompass the remains of hundreds of old caravanseraies and water reservoirs. Their natural landscapes, with running sands, scattered large and small oasis, present a dry and hot, yet spectacular scene. In this diverse natural topography, several important cities also vie with each other to attract tourists. The most important cities of this region are Isfahan, Shiraz, Meshed, Tehran and Tabriz.
Located on the banks of Zayandeh-rud, Isfahan is famous internationally for its carpets. The region is endowed with the best of nature -- verdant mountains, wetlands, rivers, springs, and caves. A tour of Isfahan commences from Maidan-e-Naghsh-e-Jahan (the World's image) which Shah Abbas planned to be the centre of the city. The square is framed by a wall of blind arches and surrounded by the Masjid-e-Imam, noted as the supreme perfection of Islamic architecture, and the Sheikh Lotfollah (the ladies mosque) with its colourful detailed work ranking among the world's best tile-work. Another palace still intact is the Hasht-Behesht (Eighth Paradise) Palace, recently restored to its former glory. Isfahan also boasts of some of the most beautiful bridges in the world. Other sites not to be missed in Isfahan are the Shaking Minarets (Minar-e-Junban), two churches in Jolfa (Vang and Maryam) and the Sassanid Atashgah (Zoroastrian fire temple).
Another important city, Shiraz, has always been synonymous with learning, nightingales, roses and poetry. It was home to legendary poets like Hafez, Sa'adi, Ferdausi and Rumi. Rabindranath Tagore visited Shiraz in 1932. He wrote, ``I used to dream of a Persia where bulbuls made love to the roses, where in dreamland gardens, poets sat over wine cups and invoked visions of ineffable meanings.''
The most attractive places to see in Shiraz are: Persepolis (514 B.C.), Passargad, Bazaar-e-Vakil. The ancient Jameh Mosque, and a number of museums and parks with magnificent trees too confirm Shiraz as a tourist centre.
Meshed city, situated in the northeast of Iran, is known for the mausoleum of His Holiness Imam Reza, the eighth Shiite Imam who died in 818 A.D. and was buried next to Abbasid Caliph, Harun-al-Rashid. Every year, millions of pilgrims pass through the chambers of glittering mirror work and tiles to reach the tomb of the Imam. The Imam Reza Shrine Complex, including one of the richest libraries of manuscripts and hand-written books, is truly one of the most magnificent religious centres all over the world.
The hub of all activity is undoubtedly Teheran, ringed on three sides by the Alborz mountains. It is a beautiful clean city with good mortar roads and innumerable overbridges to ease traffic.
There are several museums in Tehran and the most popular ones are the Iran Bastan (archaeology), Carpet, Jewellery, Glass and Ceramic and Reza Abbasi (art) museums. The Jewellery Museum located inside the National (Melli) Bank houses the famous diamond Daryayeh Noor (the sea of light) and jewels and crowns of Iranian kings. Saad Abad Complex, Golestan, Marmar and Niyavaran are some of the palaces that are worth a visit.
There are various holiday resorts, sport and recreation centres in and around Tehran such as skiing resorts in Ab Ali, Gajereh and Dizin. Iran does boast of a very high tourism potential and Iranians travel as if there is no tomorrow. But ironically not many international tourists make it here.
Fact File:
By air: There's a weekly direct Iran Air flight to Tehran from Mumbai. Emirates and Gulf Air too provide convenient connections to Tehran. In Iran, Iran Airline (Homa), Iran Air Tour, SAHA, Aseman Airline, Bon Air, Mahan Air, Kish Air, and Caspian Air are the domestic airlines which connect all important cities in the country. There are train services to most major cities. Capital cities of all provinces are linked through a road network.
Climate: Climatic conditions differ from zone to zone.
Accommodation: Hotels are easily available at most places of tourist interest. In most hotels the health club and pool are reserved for women for only a few hours a day, otherwise they are open only for men. There are also a few places akin to our dharamshalas, particularly in the pilgrim cities.
Cuisine: In cities, local and national dishes as well as international ones are available. A must try is the traditional cafe in Iran -- Ghahveh Khaneh (coffee house) -- which, however, serves only tea.
Pic.: Pilgrims gather at the Shrine of Imam Reza at Mashhad.

A jute harvest

Jute is fast replacing plastic in today's eco-conscious world. Aziz Haider on an entrepreneur's experiments with jute.

It is known as the golden fibre. Yet it is as cheap as dust. Referred to as Corchorus Olitrius of Tiliacea family, West Africa Sorrel or even Krin-Krin, jute is famous for its fibre production, second only to cotton.
Since ages, it has adorned the back-yard gardens and fields belonging to innumerable families, it being one of India's most authentic creations. Its shiny leaves make it easier to distinguish from other vegetable plants, with whom it is often interspersed with. If allowed, it produces bright yellow flowers that grow into elongated pods that contain several small, dark green seeds.
Traditionally been used for packaging in India, jute's versatility is only coming to light now as the world looks on for natural options to save the environment. Unbelievable it may sound, but this natural fibre has been found to be the ideal solution for conserving the soil and environment and also in applications such as civil engineering, which are so essential for human progress.

Jute artefacts too are very popular. The art carries all the connotations of creation and repair, of holding things together and nurturing, of gathering in and conserving, of growth and peace and beauty. Some of these artefacts could also be an alternative to plastic bags and leather items, whose harmful effects are a menace to society.
As the fashion of plastic bags wear off and as the realisation dawns about its harmful ecological effects, the harmony of nature brought about by jute will become visible again. Once this awareness comes, it will never again be possible to see jute as something only for those who are not so rich.
A revival is underway and Abhishek of Adyar International may well be contributing towards this. An alumini of National Institute of Fashion Technology, Abhishek attended an Entrepreneurship Development Programme from National Center for Jute Diversification before embarking on his mission to eradicate the usage of plastics from our lives. In the process, he hopes to earn some money as well.
And why shouldn't he do so! After all, he is taking pains to make some of the finest jute items that I have seen, replete with lace work, crochet work, patchwork and fine embroidery. Starting small with only a few shopping bags as sample, Abhishek now participates in several exhibitions all over the country. Moreover, his company's retail network has now expanded to Hyderabad, Udaipur, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore, besides Delhi.
FICCI too has been a great help in his pursuits. It was FICCI that initially invited him to their `Look South' conference on tourism, held first in Hyderabad and then at Udaipur. Says Abhishek, "Generally, wherever I go I try to fix a marketing person. Several of these tie-ups have materialised courtesy FICCI."
Playing smart, this young entrepreneur does not work on commission basis. Instead, he sets a wholesale price for products, and the buyers can fix any mark-up on the products as per their wish. This way, he ensures that money does not get stuck in the market.
As part of his expansion drive, Abhishek is now planning to go on a whirlwind tour of Europe. FICCI's contribution is also there behind this trip as it was in one of FICCI's programme that he met a delegation from Croatia. The talks with them bore fruits when they invited him to come to Croatia.
The name Adyar International is a story in itself. Initially Abhishek had named his company Adyar meaning unparalleled. It got printed as Adyar courtesy the printer. Since he had heard of Adyar on his previous visit to Chennai, he decided to carry on with the name.
Belief in himself and his abilities is one chief reason for this young man's success. Today, he is prospering in a business in which few fashion designers would have dared to venture. "I always wanted to do my own work. I started with reselling low cost shopping bags. Once I started getting orders, I employed a few karigars and started manufacturing myself."
Despite all the success, most of Abhishek's products are small-budget items. Don't be surprised if you find a men's wallet for as low as Rs 45. Ladies' purse is available for Rs 90, while a file folder, most suitable for college-going students, comes for Rs 80. Average price of Adyar's items is less than Rs 100. The costliest are the executive bags costing between Rs 150 and Rs 200.
His continuous experimentation with jute has reaped rich dividends, so much so that he also has coasters, pen and candle stands and several other decorative items to adorn the sidewalls.

Bestowing vision

As a part of the World Children Week and the Eye Care Week, a host of activities to raise funds for restoring vision and sight-saving surgeries have been organised. Aziz Haider reports.

It's a very queer contradiction indeed! Overseas, India is seen as a leader in ophthalmology. Indian hospitals, such as the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) in Hyderabad, The Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, and Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, are seen as models of eye care in the West. Yet India continues to have the highest percentage of cataract population in the world as well as high cataract prevalence rate. This information was brought to notice by Dr Steven Roy, Chief Executive Officer of Dr Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital (SCEH), while talking on the new paediatric ophthalmology wing in his hospital, courtesy Ronald McDonald House Charities and ORBIS International.
Prevention and control of blindness is one of India's compelling development challenges. Recognising the massive scale of blinding situation in the country, the Government of India launched the National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB), with a goal of reducing the prevalence of blindness. Various multilateral and bilateral development agencies, including ORBIS International, extended their support to strengthen these blindness prevention initiatives.
But this was not enough considering the severity of the problem and the number of people inflicted with eye diseases. Taking a cue, perhaps, ORBIS International approached Ronald McDonald charity, which agreed to fund the entire programme in India.
As part of the programme, McDonald is celebrating the World Children Week from November 14 (the Children's Day in India) to November 20 (World children's Day instituted by UNICEF), dedicating it as the `Eye Care Week', with a host of activities to raise funds towards restoring vision as well as sight-saving surgeries — all this jointly with ORBIS and SCEH.
Informs Vikram Bakshi, Managing Director of Connaught Plaza Restaurants, promoters of McDonald's India, "Our area is to look for charities towards children. In this project, our role is to create awareness besides funding the project. There are certain type of blindness that we have to live with, but about 40 per cent of them can be cured if given timely diagnosis and treatment."
Not only among the poor but awareness is limited even in well-to-do circles. And Ronald, the local Indian mascot of McDonald, whose replicas can be seen outside all McDonald outlets, too has got busy creating this awareness. "He is not a clown," emphasises Bakshi. "You may call it edutainment. He is our icon through whom we have delivered our messaging."
A host of activities are planned for the week aiming to make a difference to the life of visually disadvantaged children. One such activity was the Children's painting competition held across all outlets of McDonald's in the National Capital Territory of Delhi in which about 5,000 children participated. The paintings screened by noted artists, Satish Gupta, Shobha Broota and Bulbul Sharma, 12 of which will be printed and sold as Season's greeting cards, proceeds from the sale of which will be set aside to restore vision by undertaking requisite surgeries for visually impaired and economically challenged children at the paediatric wing of SCEH. Eye screenings and paediatric counselling on eye care will also be provided across McDonald's restaurants all across Delhi by qualified doctors and optometrists (with the support of ORBIS and SCEH).
But the most everlasting contribution of this programme has been the paediatric ophthalmology wing at SCEH, where state-of-the-art equipment have been set up for the evaluation and rehabilitation of children with visual impairment or eye-related problems. SCEH has initiated another Outreach Programme at Alwar, Rajasthan. The clinic offers a complete basic eye examination including vision tests, slit lamp and indirect opthalmoscopic examinations. The patients who need surgery are then screened and transported to the hospital in Daryaganj for surgery.
After two nights in the hospital they are transported back by SCEH bus back to Alwar. Says K.P. Rajendran of ORBIS, whose organisation is actively involved with the project, "In developed countries, most children have a visual assessment at the pre-school age and again soon after enrolment in school. In India, only 40 per cent of children in primary school age attend school. The purpose of our camps is to reach the children who fall through the gaps and to train teachers to notice potential vision problems in their students." ORBIS has also stationed a DC10 at the Chennai airport for three weeks. This Flying Eye Hospital performs complicated surgeries within the aircraft itself.
"But the more significant contribution that it is sure to bring is in the field of training doctors in specialised and sub-specialty areas. Several Indian doctors witness operations performed by international experts, thus learning the processes and techniques involved in highly complex and sophisticated surgeries."
This programme is particularly beneficial because it saves on the cost incurred on sending these doctors for training abroad.
Worthwhile contribution indeed, that is sure to go a long way in eradicating or at least limiting eye blindness in India. One contributor who needs a special mention is Vikram Lal of Eicher Goodearth Ltd, the chief patron of SCEH since early 1990s, and who has put in over Rs 8 crore.
And thousands who had no resources to be able to see the colourful world around owe it to such philanthropic activities.

Somnath Chatterjee Eyeing President’s Post; BJP the main roadblock

Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee is now eyeing the coveted post of the President of India. If there is any roadblock that is likely to scuttle his Presidential ambition, it is the BJP.
Hi Time Express has learnt that the chief motive behind complaint of Speaker’s “highhandedness and partisan” attitude in conducting business by BJP and NDA leaders has become more focused and categorical after the word leaked out that the CPI (M) would like Chatterjee to occupy Rashtrapati Bhawan in May 2007, when President APJ Abdul Kalam retires. The idea of the main Opposition party is to create so much controversy around Chatterjee's personality that he is not taken to be most suitable candidate by the Congress and other UPA allies for the post of Head of the State. The BJP has already backed President Kalam for a second term in office.
The President office is held to be apolitical and non-partisan. The party leadership also feels that Chatterjee himself might back off from contesting the topmost constitutional post if he feels that he does not have support from a cross-section of the political spectrum. In a rare breach of protocol, former PM AB Vajpayee and Leader of Opposition LK Advani have gone on record against conduct of Chatterjee. The NDA decided to boycott daily meetings chaired by the Speaker at his office.
Sources close to the Speaker are fully aware of the BJP's gameplan. "Their campaign against him is calculated to tarnish his image and eliminate him from the Presidential race. The BJP can never digest a communist occupying the Rashtrapati Bhavan," they said, even as the saffron party hinted that it would back the incumbent president APJ Abdul Kalam for a second term.
However, UPA has a different take on the issue. Strongly disapproving of BJP decision to boycott Speaker's meetings, parliamentary affairs minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi said the BJP is trying to drive a wedge between the UPA and the Speaker. "They are trying to isolate the Speaker from the UPA, but they will not succeed," he said. Dasmunshi said sometimes Chatterjee had gone "beyond" to give an opportunity to the opposition on many counts. "I feel that the Speaker is most accomodative. Sometimes, he is even acting on his own to accomodate the opposition and other members to allow them to raise issues without consulting the government," he said.
In his bid to puncture BJP argument, an official in the Speaker's office said there were occasions earlier when the House transacted business amidst din. During monsoon session Rajya Sabha chairperson Bhairon Singh Shekawat, who is senior BJP leader, had conducted business when the House was in disorder and there were no protests from the saffron camp, he said.
"They are targeting an individual for reasons they know best. There are 38 parties in the Lok Sabha and if BJP's logic that if there is din no business should be transacted, then a MP or a group of them could sabotage Parliament proceedings," he said adding that the Speaker had allowed as many as seven adjournment motions moved by the Opposition during the last two-and-a-half years as against a total four during the six-year NDA rule.
Other than BJP’s efforts to scuttle the CPI(M)’s plan, things were mostly favourable for Chatterjee in the coalition Government. With the Congress direly needing the support of the Left for continuance in office for another two years or so and several small and regional parties already on its side, it was more or less decided that they would not have come out openly against Chatterjee’s candidature. That is why BJP was left with no choice but to openly attack the Lok Sabha speaker.

Love her, hate her, but you can't ignore Arundhati

Arundhati Roy has created a storm, once again. In a 16-page article 'And his life should become extinct', she revealed the shoddiness of our investigating agencies and the unscrupulousness of our media. During the course of the long narrative, she tries to prove that Afzal Guru is merely a scapegoat for the law enforcing agencies to prove that justice has been done and a lesson taught to 'Kashmiri terrorists'. During the course of the write-up, she even says "Killing people and falsely identifying them as foreign terrorists is not uncommon among security forces" and targets the media for looking at the Parliament attack from the angle of sensationalizing the issue rather than putting forth rationale debates.
Of course, there are huge criticisms that are coming ranging from comparisons being made between Arundhati and Emile Zola in l'affaire Dreyfus, accusations being labeled regarding her personal interests like this being another shot at the Pullitzer, fame or money. Arundhati's seriousness and sincerity cannot be questioned. If fame or money is what she wants, then she clearly has lots of it. Moreover, which journalist doesn't want his name to come as byline on a good story or a hefty cheque to follow the write-up? If a correspondent of a certain TV channel can utilize the fame gained by merely reporting the story of attack on Parliament to take Assembly ticket, contest for the elections and flaunt the armed security that they got as an aftermath, why can't Arundhati not do so by presenting the humane angle to the entire story?
In her article Arundhati has also referred to the rumour regarding five persons who came to attack Parliament. It's sad that this story was denied later, without ordering an enquiry. Question is where did this rumour originate? If a senior officer, posted with the security around Parliament House is to be believed, the first information that the police control room received after the attack, over wireless, was that five persons had got inside the Parliament House. Later, however, this count was reduced to four. The fact that this officer refused to say so on record reveals the threat that people felt they had, if they aired their opinion.
You may say what threat could be there in a democratic country. Just remember the case of the doctor who went public regarding the cold-blooded murder of 'two militants' inside the Ansal Plaza in Delhi. What did the police do? Instead of taking his accusation seriously, and ordering a probe into the whole matter, the police zeroed in on his premises, his patients were harassed, he was labeled as a cheat and our respected media continued to air or print the statements of police officers showing him as a thug, a crook or whatever. Mind or wisdom, on which Lord Krishna devoted several chapters in Gita, is something that is mostly found missing regarding cases that can be looked from another angle - that of sensationalism.
Why is it that media-houses have not tried to show close-ups of those killed in encounters, trace their roots and tried to unearth their antecedents? Why is it that when Bajrang Dal workers died in Maharashtra, while making bombs, there's been no investigation? Why were explosions within Uma Bharati's house not given same kind of coverage? And when a few Mumbaiites got together to find truth behind false killings, senior police officers, instead of giving them a helping hand, refused to give them time and rather started questioning the objectives of such an investigating committee.
Arundhati is being praised and Arundhati is being criticized. However, unless more media houses and right-thinking individuals start looking at these incidents from a more humane angle, utilizing fully their intellectual and rational faculties, people like Arundhati would continue to remain stray individuals airing their personal views - loved or hated depending on your personal tastes and likings.