JULY 10, 2009VOL 3 ISSUE 1

Inspite of the dangers ofphysical and mental stress,presented at an early age,to a school going child,much is said, but little isbeing done about theweight of the school bag.

HeavySchool bags:

Local impact: A resolutesocial worker helps rehabili-tate women abused by theiralcoholic spouses. p 11,12

Sullivan’s Bungalow: Thislandmark building in thedistrict has plenty on offerfor the history buff. p 14

A back-burner issue. p7

LocaleA U N I Q U E P E R S P E C T I V E O F T H E N I L G I R I S

TRADITION I CULTURE I FLAVOUR I BUSINESS I NEWS

Kiran Komail Hassan

Ooty Vintage Carrally: pics inside

2

An eye catching sight - theseyoungsters sticking their heads out ofthe sunroof of this powerful SUV,waving out to everyone in excitement;the picture has the Ketti valley on theOoty- Coonoor Road, in thebackground! Two of the young holidaymakers are from Miami in the US. ‘Welove this weather’, they shout out.Excited youngsters from Coimbatore, visiting Nilgiris, .

Nilgiri Roads: The network of roads in theNilgiris encompasses over 3376 kms, withthe highest width per 100 sq miles recordedamong all hill regions of India.Travelling from Ooty to Coonoor is a 35min drive with the scenic Valley viewenroute. Along much of this drive look outfor the railway line, which snakes its waythrough the valleys and hillsides suddenlyspringing upon you at an over bridge nearWellington, to finally culminate at Coonoor.While in Coonoor, do not miss visiting Sim’sPark (historical information mentionedbelow) and the Dolphin’s nose viewpoint ifnot Lamb’s rock as well, time permitting.

Kotagiri can be accessed from Ooty andCoonoor, in an hour’s time, either way, withgood roads connecting these towns. Placesto see in Kotagiri are the Sullivan’s Bungalow,near Dimhatti village and the Kodanadviewpoint beyond Nedugula village.For what to do while in Ooty, refer the 5must-visit spots on the following page.Gudalur town has more to offer than justthe Mudumalai sanctuary but more on thatin the next issue. The two-hour drive toGudalur is dotted with stately eucalyptustrees planted during the 70s. Drive safelyand responsibly - remember never to driveunder the influence of alcohol. Cheers!

The present district court premises, includingthe site and the building, were originally meant forthe Breeks Memorial school. In 1873, J D Sim,(who laid out the park at Coonoor named afterhim, around the same time) placed the foundationstone for the school. During 1875-78, the entirecomplex with an attractive clock tower wascompleted by J W Morant, District Engineer parexcellence. In 1885, the government acquiredthe site and the building for the court house dueto the centrally accessible location.Info, courtesy: Rev Philip K Mulley

Woolen wear:Choose from an exclusive range of sweaters atthe Woolen Store, this season. Sweaters for alloccasions, and for every member of the family.Prices range from Rs 252/- onward. Forinformation, call (0423) 2442214. Visit us forpersonalised service. The Woolen Store, (MChandiram & Son) Commercial Road, Ooty - 1

Digital Video Coach: DeepaTravels offers a wide range oftransportation options - Tata407 Van, Car, Tata Sumo,Qualis, Indica and LuxuryTourist Bus.

Call for local sightseeing cabs,airport drop and pick uprequirements or for grouptravel.Clean, well maintainedvehicles with courteous staff,committed to your safety andcomfort.For information, call (0423)2206181/ 98430 20176.94425 20176,C Murugesan,Deepa Tours & Travels, no 8,Market, Coonoor - 2.

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5 must-visittourist spotsin Ooty.In about half a day’s time,with a small car or taxihandy, one can get to theessence of Ooty’s tourismidentity.

Pykara Lake:

Ooty Lake:

Botanical Gardens:

Tea museum & Tea factory:

Doddabetta Peak:

21 kms from Ooty, on theOoty-Mysore Road, is thePykara lake. It is consideredsacred by indigenous tribes.Great for boating. Thank Godfor digital cameras - thesettings are picturesque.

Standing at 2623 msl (metresabove sea level) Doddabetta is10 kms from Ooty. The namemeans ‘big mountain’ in the locallanguage. Surrounded by denseshola (forests) the peak offers atruly far-sighting experience. Onecan see as faraway as Mysore,through a high-poweredtelescope set there.

The glittering jewel of Ooty,the lake is a treat to beholdfrom afar! Total extent: 65acres. Officially opened toboating since 1973.

In the heart of Ooty town, this55 acre expanse is the lungsof the town and its residentpopulation. its layout wascompleted in 1867. With over2000 varieties of flowers, thegardens is a must-see.

Enroute Doddabetta, the teamanufacturing experiencehere, is total - from leaf to cup,as they say. The museum is ahistory buff’s delight!

3

The International year of Potato aims toincrease awareness and support for thedevelopment of the crop, which, humble as itmay be, has had the reputation of changing thefortunes of nations in recent history.

The potato (Solanum Tuberosa) was first foundgrowing wild 8000 years ago on the shores ofLake Titicaca high in the Andes mountainranges of South America wherein 200 speciesof wild potato can be found. In some parts ofthe High Andes, land is still measured in ‘topo’- the area a family requires to grow their potatosupply. Time, it seems, was measured by howlong it took to cook a potato. On an interestingnote, the locals in whose hands rest the potatocultivation of the area are exceptional reservoirsof the knowledge and skills in domesticatingwild potatoes. Unique farming practices havebeen passed on orally by generations of womenfarmers. They have, it seems, provided pricelessassistance in preserving Andean potatobiodiversity.

Nilgiri native dwellers have no less a reputationfor their acquired skills at farming, potato inparticular having had a spectacular economiceffect.

The future of the ‘Ooty potato’, however, hangsin the balance, what with declining inclinationof the next generation to take it up, rising costsof input as well as the vagaries of the market.Read a special account in thenext issue, complete with ahistorical account, a detailedperspective of marketconditions and an interviewwith an octogenarian farmer !

The future of the Nilgiri Potato hangs in the balance.

HELP-LINESDISTRICTPOLICEPolice: Ooty - (0423) 100,Coonoor - (0423) 2221836,Kotagiri - (04266) 271100,Gudalur (04262) 261246.

call 108 in anyemergency

Fashion India - Specialist tailorsWe specialise in churidhars and gents suits.For more information, contact Mushtak M /M Mubarak on mobile no: 9847071235/94887 70674. Near IUDP Complex, Market,Coonoor - 1.

Shree Shakthi SweetsVisit for an attractive variety of sweets andsavouries. Call Shanthilal C. Bajaniya, (0423)2239688. NKN Complex, Bedford Circle,Coonoor.

Best Blooms - FloristsBouquets starting from Rs. 50/ - onwards.Contact for marriages and party decorations.Call P Sumathi, mobile no 98432 55278.Jograj Building, Bedford, Coonoor.

Garments:

Sweets & Savouries

Florists

Please add the area code if dialling from amobile phone or from outside the circle

Mini shopping guideTrain timings:Mettupalayam-Ooty:Dep:7:10 amArr: Ooty-1200 noon.Ooty -Mettupalayam:Dep:3:00 pm.Local trains:Ooty to Coonoor-9:15 am,12:15 pm, 3:00 pm, 6: pm.Coonoor to Ooty-7:45 am,10:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 4:30 pm.

travel

Daily vegetables: An early morningscene from Ooty market

tribute4

The epitomeof simplicity.

Former Rajya Sabha MP and MLC from theNilgiris, Mr Surendra Ram, was a mancommitted to quiet service to local community.His simple life is testimony to the true identityof a politician.

The doors of the traditional, tiled, low-roofed home in the heart of Ooty town,in Agraharam, a home that you willfind after several turns on a narrowwinding road, would be opened at 5am each day. ‘Whether it was a rainymorning or cold winter weather wasnot a detterent. My uncle would openthe doors promptly at 5’, reminisces aniece tearfully.We had paid a quiet visit to the homewhere the former MP from the Nilgiris,Mr Surendra Ram lived for severalyears before he moved to Chennai, formedical checks and treatment for aheart condition.

He was large-hearted. And fair andforthright too. A grandchild recalls thetoys that he never forgot to bring home,inspite of busy schedules; a neighbourstressed on the daily arbitration that theformer MP would undertake to settleissues for those who entered throughthe open doors.

A few months before Mr SurendraRam died, I had the privilege to visithim and the family at Chennai andhad presented him a copy of TheLocal,the one in which the story of free legalaid in the Nilgiris was touched upon.When reminded of his contributionstowards enabling legal aid for vast sec-tions of under privileged people locally,as mentioned by the writer, the kindlyman smiled. He perhaps meant that itwas nothing, which is characteristic ofall self-effacing people. Or, he per-haps meant, ‘wish I could still do more’,which is selfless.

His contributions to the developmentof the Co-operative banks, locally, arenoteworthy. Mr Surendra Ramstrongly advocated the habit of smallsavings among the marginalised andlesser privileged. The M P’s inspira-tion came, it seems, from his fatherShri Muniswamy Pillai, then Agricul-ture Minister, also the first Ministerof State from the Nilgiri district.

The pictures on the wall at the

The young couple: (left) Mr.Surendra Ram and Mrs ThulasibaiIn distinguished company: With DrS Radhakrishnan and Marshall Tito;amongst fellow-parliamentarians(below).

Agraharam home tell the story. The MP was,according to the family, very dear to the thenChief Minister K Kamaraj. His travels tookhim far and wide and his friends included noless than dignitaries like Marshall Tito (in pic-ture, above).

The Rajya Sabha tenure lasted from 1952-58. His life of service to society, went beyond.Everywhere we visited, the day after his de-mise in Chennai, asking people in and aroundOoty town, of their memories of the formerMP, it was his simplicity that would be talked

of first - he walked (never owned a car), youalways saw him in a Nehru suit, he had a smileon his face. Most importantly, he had time foreveryone he met on the road - a word of timelyadvice and reassurance.Mr Surendra Ram’ died at age 88.He is survived by his wife and four childrenand their families. He leaves behind a legacyof unconditional and unsung service to localsociety that may never be paralleled. A ster-ling example of how a true politician must be.The Local Correspondent

general5

The 150th anniversary celebrations of theNilgiri Library were made special by thepresence of Mr N. Ram, Editor-in-Chiefof The Hindu. His speech was deliveredfrom a podium set up in the high-ceilingedReading Room.It was evident that he had taken time offfrom his busy schedule to look up informa-tion regarding the Library. The survival ofthe Library was an improbable survival, be-cause although the reading habit has notdied, books and newspapers have definitelybeen left by the wayside. Newspapers areon the decline but since most papers areavailable online, readership have increasedwhile the output of print material hasdwindled. Most publishing houses are on

their last legs. But the habit of reading is notdying out and one needs only to look at thephenomenal global success of the Harry Pot-ter series to realise that. Books are now avail-able online and only need to be downloaded.So with gadgets like the I-pod or an e-reader,a reader can access a book at any given time.Therefore, this library has to resort to ener-getic, innovative methods to entice newmembers. It should work hand in hand withthe new electronic technology in order toensure its continued survival. Children, es-pecially, should be introduced to the joys ofreading.The Nilgiri Library could further be safe-guarded by getting it declared a heritagebuilding so as to preserve it and keep it con-temporary. Encouraging words.

‘An improbable survival’150 years of the Nilgiri Library commemorated.

K A E C

N Y H E O

SOL A D M N

H E S A W C

I A P T S

C N M H U

N O G A M

Unscramble the words alongsideto discover a local treat below!

A gift from Ooty that makes home, sweet home!

answers on p 13

I picked up a dictionary to search for themeaning of words such as conflict,vaccillation, indecision, confusion and dis-traction. It took me three days to do this.But why so long? Because Tommy woulddistract me with his angry barking. Heseemed to be bothered by something upon the tree, but I see nothing there. The

phone rings. It is an old friend. We talkand we talk and then I go for a walk. Thedictionary is still on my table. The mon-key it seems was not on the tree but in mymind. I promise to finish my word search-ing immediately but I forget why I’m do-ing this. Its the monkey again. This time,Tommy is fast asleep.

Monkey in the mindReaders write

Sarasu Bellie

J Pillai

Statutory disclaimer: TheLocal disclaims liability of any kindwhatsoever, arising out of the readers use, or inability to use thematerial contained in it. Adequate care has been taken to compilestories for the reference of our users. TheLocal makes every effort tomaintain accuracy of the information but does not accept responsibilityfor any and disclaims responsibility for any loss or damage which mayarise from the information provided. All opinion expressed in the issuein the form of articles or any viewpoint is solely that of the individual oradvertiser concerned and TheLocal accepts no liability thereof. Noneof the Authors, Contributors, Sponsors or anyone connected to TheLocalcan be liable for any reproduction of the material.

Commemorating 150 years: Mr N Ram, Editor-inChief, The Hindu, addressing the gathering at theNilgiri Library 150th year celebratory function. Seen seated, from left, Dr D Krishnaraj, Hony Presidentof the library and Mr K Chandramohan, Hony Secretary.

6

Fire safety, for the home, is usually the lastthing on anyone’s mind. The excuse is that afire rarely happens so why bother about it. How-ever, accidental fire in homes do occur. Thequestion is, are we prepared?What would we do, for instance, if the curtainsin the bedroom caught fire? Or something inthe microwave got burnt and sparked off flames?The first reaction is to throw water.However, this could prove dangerous, especiallywhen dealing with electrical gadgets, says Mr AM Lawrence, head of UBC Fire Safety Equip-ment. ‘The fire could spread faster and in somecases, the chances of electrical shock to theindividual is greatly increased. A fire extin-guisher, on the other hand, is a handy devicethat can efficiently and safely take care of suchaccidental fires.The extinguisher spews a powdery spray whichacts as a blanket, cutting off any oxygen supplyto the flames (which is what makes a fire growbigger). A few quick sprays on the affectedsurface and the fire is effortlessly put out.The recommended size of a fire extinguisher

With more and moreelectrical gadgets filling theaverage consumer’s home,chances of accidental fire istoday, greatly increased.How prepared is the averagehousewife to cope with aneventuality when there maybe no help readily available?UBC Fire Safety Equipmentrepresentatives throw lighton various aspects.

How prepared arewe, in the eventof an accidentalfire at home?

Promotional feature

UBC Fire Safety (P) Ltd, no 108, Tatabad, Coimbatore - 641 012. Tel - (0422 4373101 Fax - (0422) 421 3101 email ho@ ubcfire safety. com.www.ubcfiresafety.com. Nilgiri region office: no 18, Church Road, Bedford, Coonoor. (0423) 223 2101

for home use, is either a 1 kg or 2 kg cylinderfor an average household. However, the ac-tual requirement of a home is based on theassessment of a fire safety consultant afterconsidering size of the house, extent of thesurroundings and such other aspects.Is it difficult for a housewife to actually handlethe extinguisher? Is it heavy? The fire safetyexpert reassuringly explains that operating afire extinguisher is simple, once the family hasbeen trained in the easy-to-follow steps thatare imparted at the time of installation. As forthe weight, both the options mentioned aboveare balanced in such a way as to prove con-venient to hold and operate, as the picture

below depicts (Mrs Devaram, a residentof Coonoor, is seen holding a 2 kg cylin-der in her kitchen).The ideal place for the fire extinguisher isat the entrance of the kitchen, says MrLawrence. ‘The kitchen is the most likelyplace where a fire could start. In case ofan eventuality, it is easy to rush to thedoorway, unhook the cylinder and sprayover the affected area, instantly!’There is a 5 year maintenance-freewarrranty on the product. This is the life-time of the cylinder which can be refilled,thereafter.UBC Fire, according to company sources,is one of the largest fire safety solutionsprovider in the region. The organisation,incorporated in 1997, has a highly trainedworkforce, who, as part of ongoing safetydrives also actively engages in fire safetyawareness programs for various commu-nities especially those in highly fire-sensi-tive zones like garment factories. Schoolstudents are regularly trained in fire safety.

UBC’s fire safety solutions also extend tothe corporate and industrial sector.‘Our help desk at Coonoor, will be happyto provide information regarding fire safetyand how to go about installing a fire extin-guisher at home.’ For those who wish toknow more about home safety solutions,they may call the Nilgiri region area repre-sentative, Mr Basil Benny on the follow-ing tel. nos. (0423) 223 2101/ 98949 90523.Prices for the portable range of fire extin-guishers, for a household, range from anattractive Rs. 999/- to Rs. 2499/-.Information & photographs: courtesy, UBCFire Safety (P) Ltd.

local issue7

A flash survey of the weights of school bagsthat children carry to school each dayproduced some thought-provoking results -the weight of the bags, on an average, werefound to be over 20% of the students’ bodyweights. As per International norms a child’sschool bag must not exceed 10% of his/herbody weight. In India, there seem to be nospecific guidelines available in this regard.

Dr P K Ramachandran, senior surgeon, whenasked for his opinion on the matter, explainedthat a heavy bag on a child’s shouldersincreased the risk of physical strain on themuscles and possible damage. Likelysymptoms, he says, are migraine headachesand frequent complaints of back pain and

How heavy was your own school bag whenyou were a student? We were just 17students with each us being provided desksto store all our books and take home onlythe necessary ones. I remember carryingbooks in our hands.

What do you think has led to the change,today? I think teaching a large number ofchildren and attempting to cover portionsquickly has increased dependence on textbooks and guides.

musculoskeletal pain. In severe cases, onsetof juvenile rheumatoid arthiritis can also occur,the doctor cautions.Several parents find themselves carrying thechild’s school bag or hiring an auto rickshawto avoid the obvious strain on the child’sshoulders.A Principal of a large local school categoricallystated that children and parents must bewatchful of the timetable requirements andplan the contents of the school bag accordingly.Teachers, it seems, advise studentsperiodically to plan according to theirrespective timetables. A random assessmentof timetables versus the books being carrieddid show some students carrying more books

than required, but most others were carryingbooks according to the day’s plan. Is ittherefore, that the timetable itself might needa relook? Before considering this largerquestion here is another observation - anaverage of 2-3 books per subject are beinghauled up and down to school each day. If,for example, a child had seven or eightsubjects to study then around twenty bookswill be required for that day!

There are suggestions. A local schoolcorrespondent points out that text books neednot be carried along every day. This, she feels,will greatly reduce bag weight. Homeworkcould also be replaced with a brief revisionthe next day allowing discussion andassessment to happen in class itself.

Amid all this, school bag manufacturers,mostly from the unorganised sector, seem tobe having a field day. There are ‘big bags’ onsale. ‘Parents ask for bigger bags, said oneretailer in Ooty. Exceptionally, at least onebranded bag maker had sizes for specific agegroups.

The real issue, however - education beingprimarily meant to spark the mind and notchallenge the body - is on the backburner; itneeds to be addressed sooner than later.

TheLocal interviewed Mrs. LeelaKrishnarajan, Correspondent L.R.NOpportunity School, Coonoor, for herperspective on the issue of childrencarrying heavy school bags.

A back-burner issueOnset of juvenile rheumatoid arthiritis can be attributed directly to the weightof the school bag, but the issue, at present, is a low-priority one.

Kiran Komail Hassan

Teachers like Mrs Saldhana andMrs Chippendale were role models.They showed us students how toeliminate dependence on books bybeing creative in their teachingmethodology.

Has the dependence on a teacher reduced?Yes, and that is mainly because earlierteachers were concept oriented, usingdifferent methods for teaching whereastoday most teachers tend to rely on the textbook. Some even dictate directly from thetext book.

I am reminded of my own teachers at St.Joseph’s Convent, Coonoor, Mrs.Chippendale and Mrs. Saldhana who taughtus with innovative methods. Mrs. Saldhana,a widely travelled person, would, for example,while teaching us about a particular country,actually dress like them! Today I find myselfadopting several methods that theseteachers employed.

An average of 2-3 books, per subject,is being hauled up and down toschool everyday. If a child had sevensubjects to study, then around 20books will be required for that day!

Contd on p 14

The writer is engaged in thewelfare of little students. She isalso a French tutor.

interview

They were all lined up on the green grass; as striking a line-up as at any beauty pageant. They were the forty four vintage vehicles participating in theVintage Car Rally held under the auspices of the Nilgiri Vehicle and Classic Cars Association. The line-up comprised cars, jeeps and motor-cycles, allgleaming and spotless. Some had travelled up under their own steam from as far as Salem and Coimbatore. Others, too fragile for the long drive uphill,rode piggy-back on a lorry to their destination. The oldest car present was a bright red 1934 Baby Austin. One black 1945 Morris was purchased fromits original owner for a princely sum of Rs 5000. The jeeps were interesting in that though manufactured in the 1950’s they were made according to thespecifications required by vehicles used in World War II. Hence they come equipped with map reading lights on the bonnet. These and the headlights arecovered by metal hoods so that the lights would not be visible to any aircraft flying overhead. Many had thick wooden sticks bolted on to their bonnets.In case of any emergency these were unscrewed and fixed with either metal axe or shovel heads(which are also bolted onto the vehicle) and used as required.Most owners have a regular mechanic who is familiar with the cars. Some of the cars have had their original engines removed to make way for newer andmore economical engines. At least one owner on acquiring the vehicle has removed the new engine and replaced it with an original engine found somebazaar. The idea is to restore the vehicle to its original condition. But spares are hard to find and owners scour second hand markets or as a last resort willhave the part made locally. The rally which began three years ago has now become a fixture at Ooty and the number of enthusiasts is on the rise. So wecan look forward to seeing more of these beauties on the road.

Men in BlackThe Ooty Vintage Rally was most certainly the spectacular event of the season with the‘men’ all dressed to kill. The graceful lady of the lot, was a red-coloured Baby Austin of1942 (on cover pg).

Information compiled by Mrs J Pillai

pic : courtesy, Ajay Venugopal

Young Srinivas, a Std 9 student of Stanes School Coimbatore, is the ‘hopeful’inheritor of the 1945 Morris (in pic). Although the vintage car belongs to hismother, he takes an avid interest in the car, its mechanics and maintenance.

Unlike other teens, Srinivas was indifferent to the charms of a Ferrari or aPorsche, but his eyes would light up everytime he looked at the Morris. Heseemed to be on friendly terms with the mechanic and informed us that a self-starter has been installed to eliminate the need for the traditional crank. Onceon the road, the ‘grand old lady’ moved at 50-60 kmpl. Srinvas’ family also ownsanother vintage car - a Vanguard. The young inheritor tells us that he wlll haveto deserve the car in order to own it, someday. His continued involvement andcare for the masterpiece, will help ensure that.

The young Inheritor

environment10

A truckload of soil was meant to be just that- a truckload of soil. Until the local residentwho ordered it, found disposable syringesupon unloading!Hospitals in the Nilgiris did not have asystem of disposal till the year 2001. Eversince, a Supreme Court ruling ensured thatan independent area be earmarked for bio-medical waste and that a stringent systembe put in place.Dr Muralidharan, member of the IndianMedical Association, Nilgiris, presentlyentrusted with overseeing the medical wastemanagement system, estimates that about

a 100 kgs of plastic medical waste, eachmonth, is being managed by the designatedfacility located near Coonoor.Earlier, in January 2000, the Tamil Nadugovernment had enforced a ban on theusage of three particular plastic articles inthe district – carry bags with handles, plasticcups and plastic plates.The ban was largely triggered due toincessant problems of clogging of waterpassages and drainage and the resultantdamage to the roads in particular. Today,barring some unrelenting offendors -vendors and customers alike, carry bags have

indeed reduced. The real issue however, ismuch larger - plastics other than carry bagsand the manner of its disposal.An average Indian household deals with atleast half a kilo of fresh plastic every threemonths - milk sachets, water bottles,packaging material and wrappers of all kinds,large and small. The local scenario is notunsimilar - roughly 1 tonne of plastic wasteis generated every week in Ooty town alone,according to sources at theUdhagamandalam Municipal office. Duringthe tourist season, there is a sharp increasein such disposables. ‘Nearly 50% of plastic

What do we mean, Plastic-free?The Nilgiris district may only be carry-bag free (if at all). The larger problem lies beneath the surfaceand in the air that we breathe.

Roshni Yathiraj

Burning or buryingplastics won’t makeit go away. Recyclingand reuse are justbuzzwords.There is a largersolution althoughan expensive one.

It still hasn’t struck me to quit publishing your local paper. The analogyof a boxer, down but not out, rising up from the mat to deliver one lastpunch is not misplaced. TheLocal is willing to give publishing of a paperin the Nilgiris, one more shot.Countless reviews and taking stock of the situation has led to innumerablechanges - changing the quality of paper (which we attempted once lastyear), attempting a quarterly and even a shortlived weekly (to helpcash flows, we thought) and what not... But this must be the most startlingchange- the revised size of the paper! There are valid reasons, not inthe least important being the ease of managing smaller sheets in terms

(Yet) Another shot.This time around, the smallpaper with a big view, just

got smaller. Its resolve,however, is bigger!

pics

: Ros

hni Y

athi

raj

Publisher’s note

Burning plastic:A highly unadvisable op-tion to get rid of plasticwaste. This is however, aregular affair across thedistrict.

environment11

disposables are added to the regular load’,states the council Chairman, Mr. RRajendran, estimating it at about 1.5 tonnesper week, during the peak period. Whatexactly happens to these vast amounts ofdisposed plastic across the district? Thereare three possibilities - it is collected anddumped onto a designated wasteland, or itis strewn across the hillside or into a canal.In the worst case scenario, it is burnt.All the options pose threats. The dumpyards are literal toxin-generating pools withlarge quantities of plastics exposed to directsunlight for years, causing the exposedplastic to photo degrade into more toxicperto-polymers. Layer upon layer of plasticsof all sorts have been collected over the years,so much so that the dump overflows intothe neighbouring estate - a stark example ofmassive consumption or insufficientpreparedness to tackle the burgeoningproblem, depending upon how one wantsto look at it. Plastic being strewn out thewindow is apparently the lesser of the twoevils, the other being the burning of thissubstance, which almost all residents,particularly those residing outside municipallimits, frequently resort to, simply in order toget the mess out of sight.

This form of disposal is the most dangerous- the release of dioxin, a carcinogen, causesdamaging and life threatening effect. Forinstance, 5 ounces (or six 1 litre Coke bottles)of burning PVC in an average-sized room,can emit enough toxicity to kill its occupantsin ten minutes. If exposed to, in an openenvironment, the toxins could affect thelungs, nervous system, kidneys and liver inthe long term. Chronic diseases likebronchitis, emphysema and most cancerscan take 20 years to develop and can becaused by low exposures to smoke andtoxins, which originally appeared harmless.

Thanks to Alexander Parkes, creator of thefirst man-made plastic in 1862, thesubstance is found today, in nearly alldurable or disposable goods and packagingmaterials. Polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride,polystyrene are the chemicals largely usedin the manufacture of plastics. Syntheticpolymers are easily moulded into complexshapes, have high chemical resistance, andare more or less elastic. They can be formedinto fibres or thin transparent films (foundwrapped around a bar of chocolate to keepthe infamous worms out).It’s impossible to wish plastics away. If itsnot in your carry bag it is in your car, yourshampoo container and your kitchen. Therecycle triangle insignia found on the outsideof plastic products, denoting that it ’srecyclable and indicating the number oftimes that it can be recycled, is a litle morethan a formality here in India; this issue isbest reserved, at this point, for deeper

5 ounces of burning PVC in anaverage-sized room, can emitenough toxicity to kill itsoccupants in ten minutes.

Ms Roshni Yathiraj is (late) Dr A A Devaraj’sgrandaughter; She is presently pursuing a degreein Environmental Sciences at Bangalore

Plastics, plastics: Garbage, across the dis-trict is growing by the day. Plastics form amajority of the waste, posing a dangerousthreat to all, unless diligently collected andcorrectly reused.

of layout. The primary aspect is most certainly, the cost of paper. TheLocal has, we realised in the two years gone by, been more of a magazinethan a newspaper. The new size, incidentally, is typically magazine-like. So much for the latest change. The values of the publication areunchanged. Celebrating the district’s history, culture and traditions is uppermost and quite dear to me as it is to you.The need also, to reflect on issues that affect us locally, is something that TheLocal is conscious of and has duly explored. The elephant poachingissue, the worrying aspect of depleting water sources, and now the problem of growing plastic waste are examples of this underlying intent. Youwill find a mix of local aspects in this revised issue that will inform us about that which we weren’t aware, instil in us an introspective disposition aboutissues that are more serious than we imagined and truly, to invite us all to act in the interest of the larger good of local society not just for now butthe future too. As you will discover, while perusing through the magazine, a separate section has been devoted to hearing your views on variedmatters related to the district. Please feel free to send in your letters marked to the editor either by post or email, both of which are mentioned atthe bottom of p 16. Sincerely, Edwin David

investigation at a later time.

Coming to the predicament at hand, arethere solutions? Is there a possible avenuefor the huge amount of plastic waste that isbeing generated in the hills to be betterutilised or at least, moved out of harm’s way?

Perhaps, yes. The presence of plastics inroads, for example, has been experimentedwith since the 90s, with some success. A lotof headway has been made in the researchand development of this alternative. 600kms of roads in the Bruhat BangaloreMahanagara Palike (BBMP) have alreadybeen laid with plastic-bitumen blend that,according to experts, ensures twice thedurability of normal roads.In 2004, the TCE Engineering College inMadurai developed a plastic road technology.The Government of Tamilnadu had thenannounced a scheme for laying 1000 km ofrural roads using the plastic bitumen blend.The focus on plastic itself, as an alternative,came about due to a Supreme Court rulingin 1998 when the Arin Barman Committeewas formed; it submitted a detailed reporton solid waste management for urban civicbodies.At least 2 tonnes of plastic is required for 1km of road of 3.5m width, which, with somesimple computation locally, will establish thatthere is enough raw material on hand. Onekm of plastic road saves approximately onetonne of bitumen, which makes the optionenvironmentally friendly! Plastic-bitumenroads are highly water resistant which easilycaters to a perennial problem the Nilgiris.

But there is a road block. Costs. One km ofplastic road requires around Rs. 40,000/-more than the regular tarring. Therefore, small,local municipalities cannot go the distancealone. Which leaves us to depend on thegovernment looking favourably in thisdirection. Or, private investors andentrepreneurs choosing to partner with localcivic bodies. But, these are roads less travelled.

At SARAS, 60% of domes-tic abuse cases involvewomen having to cope withtheir alcoholic spouses. MrsVasanthakumari (in pic, left)and her team, have helpedrehabilitate several gratefulwomen and their childrentraumatised by unfortunatecircumstances in their lives.Excerpts from an interview.

12

What made you break away from the mouldand take up active social work?During my years in college I wanted to becomea teacher so it made sense to do my B.Ed. Whenthe Swami Vivekananda Kendra ofKanyakumari sent out a call for service-mindedmen and women to serve the country, I decidedto join. The training that I received there gaveme the confidence and determination to takeup social work as a career. It is probable that myunderlying bend for social work was brought tothe fore by the Kendra. After all isn’t a teacher’sjob also a service?

When was the SARAS Trust formed? Whatis its aim?In 1999, with the help of my brother Dr. SatishKumar, an Ayurvedic doctor who was practis-ing in Ooty. SARAS stands for Saradha DeviRamakrishna and Swamiji (Vivekananda) theacronym being formed by the first two alpha-bets of the first two words and the first alphabetof the last word.

Our aim is to help women from the age group0-90. We help women who have been deserted,who are unwed mothers, who are trapped infamily conflicts. Victims of domestic abuse andwomen with alcoholic husbands make up 60%of our cases. We also take in women who havebeen victims of trafficking and of rape. The Court,at times, entrusts us with underage girls whohave run away from their homes. In rare cases,girls are brought to us by one or other of their

parents to avoid an escalation of domestic con-flict.

Do these girls know whom to turn to in timesof trouble?Oh yes! We are very much in the public eyethough maybe not in a strident manner. Dis-play boards have been put up in hospitals andpolice stations. All autorickshaw drivers in Ootyhave been provided with information about usand our telephone numbers. If they see anydistressed woman, they promptly bring her tous or call us. We also have volunteers in placeslike Kandhal and in most villages. Some arereferred to us by the police and by lawyers.

Could you describe the process of rehabilita-tion for our readers?Depending on the intensity of their problems,they are allowed to stay for a period not exceed-ing three years. The first week or so they areallowed time to rest so that a sense of normalcyreturns to their lives. Relatives are contactedand both parties are counselled. Alcoholic hus-bands are advised to control their alcohol bingesand their wives are given practical tips on howto handle their drunken spouses. In the case ofunwed mothers, relatives are advised to take

back the girls. About 10% of these girls give uptheir babies and return to their homes to leadnormal lives.

How successful have your efforts been?About 70% of our girls have been successfullyrehabilitated. In cases where counselling hasbeen unsuccessful and where the girls chooseto remain at the Home then we proceed to givethem some vocational training. Skills like tailor-ing, embroidery, muffler making, sequin work,painting are taught. Basic computer skills, mak-ing of stuffed toys and pickles are also taught.When it is time for them to leave, then the Trustwill extend a helping hand by sponsoring tai-loring machines or a petty shop. We also findemployment for them but not before the would-be employers are thoroughly vetted.

Does the Trust keep a track of these girls?Oh yes, we do follow-up with these cases. Wemeet with them, with their families, with theiremployers to ensure that things are working outwell for them and to solve any difficulties thatthey may be facing. This is done on alternatemonths for a year. The girls are encouraged tovisit us at least once a year especially for festi-vals and join our celebrations.

Restoring torn relationshipsJ Pillai

13

Is it all work for the inmates?No, we do manage to have some fun. We cel-ebrate all major festivals on the Indian calendar.Woman’s Day is celebrated with great gusto byboth staff and girls. A fancy dress competition isheld where the girls dress up as famous womenin history such as Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi, MrsIndira Gandhi etc. Motivational dramas are alsostaged.

How are the children taken care of?The children are allowed to stay in the Homeexcept for boys above the age of six. The youngones are sent to a balawadi and the older onesgo to the nearest government school. Medicalcare is provided. Milestones like birthdays arecelebrated with joy and new clothes are given.

Do you have a permanent staff?We have a permanent staff of about 22. These

include doctors, counsellors, teachers, ayahs andpeons. We are also assisted by a number ofvolunteers.

Tell us a little about your volunteers.

Our volunteers come from various parts of In-dia as well as from abroad. The Indian volun-teers, male and female are mostly students whoare working towards their Masters in SocialWork. Male volunteers are required to do fieldwork and are especially concerned with dissemi-nation of information regarding HIV. The In-ter-Cultural Exchange India, Bangalore whichis associated with the Foreign Affairs Ministryhas a website that highlights selected NGOsand their services. The SARAS Trust is men-tioned on this website. Those who wish to workwith us get in touch with ICEA. Three volun-teers all female are chosen at a time.

What challenges do you face in the course ofyour work?This line of work is, at the best of times, verychallenging. This is especially the case in ourwork with commercial sex workers and with ourefforts to spread awareness about AIDS. How-ever our work is made much easier by the goodrapport we enjoy with the various Governmentagencies including the Collector. We are mem-bers of the Child Welfare Committee, the RedCross, and the Child Trafficking Board. TheNilgiri Police have even issued us with a “Friendsof Police” certificate.

How are you able to meet expenses?Although we do receive funds from the Gov-ernment there is never enough. So donations, incash or in kind are very welcome. The membersof the public can become Patrons by remittingas little as Rs. 100/- on a monthly basis to theTrust.In March 2009, as part of the Women’s Daycelebrations the Inner Wheel Club of Ooty presenteda shield to Mrs. Vasanthakumari in recognition ofher services to womankind and to society.

RecipePotato salad

1 cup boiled potato1/2 cup celerey1 small cucumber1 small chopped onion2 tsp finely chopped parsely2 tsp finely chopped corianderleaves1/2 cup curdPepper and salt to taste

Dice the potato, celerey andcucumber into 1/4 in. pieces.Mix well with the remainingingredients and serve on a bed ofshredded cabbage. The potatosalad is now ready to serve.You may also add one chopped,firm apple or 1/2 cup choppedpineapple or a handful of rasininstead of the finely choppedcoriander leaves.If you wish to spice up yoursalad, add one finely choppedchilli or sprinkle a bit of chillipowder!

In your opinion how many students can a teacherideally manage? Around 30.

What would you suggest as likely solutions to thispredicament of a heavy school bag? Text books neednot be carried up and down each day. Home work -another reason for excessive books going back andforth - can be minimised, preferably eliminated. Inplace of homework, daily revisions could be adopted.Where class size is large, a ‘helper’ teacher can beincluded. However, what is most essential at this point,is a complete change in the teachers’ approach.Conceptualisation is key.

Contd from p 6

The Local wildlife quiz.

1. How many species of birds can be foundin the Nilgiris?2. What does NWLEA stand for?3. The Indian bison is known by anothername. What is it?4. What is the population of the bison inIndia and what extent of this majesticanimal’s population is found in the Nilgiris?5. Which year did the Wildlife ProtectionAct come into being?

1. 320 (both migratory and resident). 2. Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association. 3.Gaur. 4. India’s bison population, according to a 2002 census, is between 23000 and 34000with 1/3 of this found in the Nilgiris. 5. In the year 1972.

answers to the local wildlife quiz

Cake, Honey, Almonds, Cashew, Pista,Munch, Mango. Home made chocolates.

answers to jumble on p 5.

The Nilgiri Tahr

local impact

plaster cornices running round the rooms.Sullivan displayed much more lavishnessin the houses he built later on the hills.Besides a kitchen garden, the Sullivanbungalow sported a ‘nice garden, and finelawn-like piece of ground, bounded by ahandsome wood adjoining’.The historic landmark degenerated into acattle shed in the last century and remainedso until it was resurrected to almost itsoriginal glory by the intrepid fellow civilservant Supriya Sahu in 2002. Since 2006,the bungalow is being managed by TheNilgiri Documentation Centre with theNilgiri History Museum housed there now.

The front door opens into ‘Sullivan’sChamber’ where his portrait, pictures andpaintings are displayed above the fireplace.Blow-ups of the main native tribes adornthe walls. The Chamber leads to theHenrietta Hall named in memory ofSullivan’s wife who died young and liesburied in St. Stephen’s church, Ooty alongwith her teenage daughter. The landing, atthe head of the wooden staircase leadingto the first floor, is named after Ms. Sahu.Pictures showing the natural heritage ofNilgiris line the wall along the stairs. Thelanding space is reserved for the NilgiriMountain Railway. A corner is earmarked

Built at a total cost of ‘rupees twenty’, Sullivan’s Bungalow,in Kotagiri, evokes nostalgia of a bygone era.

history14

S i rS i rS i rS i rS i r,,,,,I was happy to learn that The Local is back incirculation. I have enjoyed your previousissues and want to give my best wishes toyour team. We lok forward to readinginformative and entertaining articles in theupcoming issues. Since I enjoy puzzles andword games, I would like to suggest theinclusion of a crossword or sudoku.Archana Ramji, UAEArchana Ramji, UAEArchana Ramji, UAEArchana Ramji, UAEArchana Ramji, UAE

Letters to the Editor

SirS i rS i rS i rS i r,,,,,This long overdue letter carries my warmestwishes for The Local. Being a native of theNilgiris, many friends ask about the district andafter reading the magazine, I have realised thatthere is much more to the place, apart from theregular tourist spots. I have discovered andwondered at the innumerable activities going onthere and all the unassuming people behind them.I was fortunate to visit several places, includingthe Longwood Shola that I hadn’t known aboutearlier.On the same note, students and staff at HeadstartLearning Centre in Chennai would like to thankyou for the journalism workshop that you hadconducted for them while in Coonoor on the recentexcursion. It was a valuable learning experiencefor all of us. Our visit to Sullivan’s bungalowwas enriching.Thank you.Savithri Radhakrishnan, ChennaiSavithri Radhakrishnan, ChennaiSavithri Radhakrishnan, ChennaiSavithri Radhakrishnan, ChennaiSavithri Radhakrishnan, Chennai

Sullivan’sBungalow

Having been moonstruck by what hediscovered on his maiden visit to the Nilgirihills in January 1819, John Sullivanreturned just three months later to buildhis first residence in the Dimbutti valley,near Kotagiri. Why he chose a site (nowpart of Kannerimukku village) so close toBadaga habitations may perhaps beexplained by his subsequent show ofunbounded affection and concern for thelocal tribes.Sullivan was still a bachelor when he builtthe Dimhatti bungalow, which later cameto be called the ‘Pethakal Bungalow’ in localparlance. He got married in February 1820and promptly brought his wife up in Maythat year. He stayed there during the variousvisits to the hills until the end of March1823.Sullivan’s bungalow was a modest affair tobegin with, having been built at a cost of‘rupees twenty’. It was later made into a‘commodious bungalow’ with two storeysand four rooms. Built of brick and mortarand coated with fine chunam it had aterraced roof supported on strong teakbeams (believed to have been broughtfrom Tippu’s Seringapattnam palace), aneatly-finished wooden staircase, teakdoors with brass hinges and ornamental

Dharmalingam Venugopal

Catching an overnight bus from Bangalore, to get home to the Nilgiris onvoting day, was uppermost in young Dhananjay’s mind. Working with abusy schedule at Tata Consulting was not a deterrent. ‘I think it is mypersonal responsibility to vote’, said the young professional. ‘If everyone thatthought it wasn’t up to them, then we will not have true representation. Realchange will come about only when people come forward to express themselveswithout bias or reservations.’ Should the youth participate in politics? ‘Yes,but only if they have a service oriented mind.’ Is education important inpolitics? ‘It is. But that is not a guarantee of strong leadership. Even anordinary farmer, for example, who may not have had access to formal education,could be a good leader. Moreover, he or she will be able to relate to everyday,practical issues better than most.’Dhananjay’s grandfather (late) Dr N Kappinipathy is his inspiration.‘Everyone in my family has always voted.’ Nilgiris, incidentally, posted a 70%polling turnout this time around. It will have been insightful to see howmany of our youth voted. The young professional’s example is an inspiration.

Dhananjay Krishnamoorthytravelled from Bangalore, where heworks, to come to Coonoor, Nilgiristo cast his vote during the recentlyconcluded Lok Sabha elections. Hisviews are clear and candid.

My vote was important

Statutory disclaimer: TheLocal disclaims liability ofany kind whatsoever, arising out of the readers use, orinability to use the material contained in it. Adequatecare has been taken to compile stories for the referenceof our users. TheLocal makes every effort to maintainaccuracy of the information but does not acceptresponsibility for any and disclaims responsibility for anyloss or damage which may arise from the informationprovided. All opinion expressed in the issue in the formof articles or any viewpoint is solely that of the individualor advertiser concerned and TheLocal accepts noliability thereof. None of the Authors, Contributors,Sponsors or anyone connected to TheLocal can beliable for any reproduction of the material.

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15history

The writer is a noted heritage conservationistand has been at the forefront of the campaign fora memorial to John Sullivan from 1980s. He isDirector of the Nilgiri Documentation Centre.

as a tribute to Philo Hiruthayanath, a self-styled anthropologist who wrote on thetribes of south India extensively in the1960s and 70s. The upstairs roomdedicated to Sir Thomas Munro, a goodfriend of Sullivan and who, as Governor,

signed the Nilgiris into history as a militarysanatorium on the very day he died. The story ofNilgiris from pre-history is told in ten panels abovea showcase displaying Nilgiri artifacts. TheSouvenir Shop inside the museum offers a rangeof memorabilia. There is a beautiful piece of

Conveyor belt specialistsReena EnterprisesReena EnterprisesReena EnterprisesReena EnterprisesReena Enterprises was incorporated in the 1988 by Mr B Pradeep Kumar andMr G Augustin as a modest enterprise, in Adigaratty village near Ooty, with thepurpose of vulcanising rubber conveyor belts. Gradual progress helpedthe enterprise purchase new conveyor belts from the southern India dealersof Hindustan Conveyor Belts.With growing demand the team started a new company, Faa Enterprises whichfocuses on supply of imported PVC conveyor belts for factories. These conveyorbelts require high levels of quality and hygiene and are used in tea factories,mushroom units, biscuit factories etc,. This unit is based in Coonoor, a centrallocation, especially taking into account, the tea industry. For enquiries, contactFaa Enterprises, 81-B, Gray’s Hill, Upper Coonoor Nilgiris - 643 101.Ph: 93601 00755/ 94435 53946

lawn adjoining the building for the visitors to relax.A clean toilet is available just outside the building.

Promotional feature

Sullivan’s chamber : The main hall thatgreets the visitor on entry., contains sev-eral pictures and informational material.A portrait of John Sullivan is positionedabove the fireplace. There are several in-formational booklets and memorablia thatone can takeaway from the museum.

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Published on behalf of The Local Media Publishing Co,. by Edwin David from 10/363-Y-1, Indiranagar; Avk Post, The Nilgiris. Printed at Satya Press, no. 50 Kariappa Street; Purasaiwalkam, Chennai - 7. Editor: Edwin David

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