Well done prison inmates!

Human creativity knows no end. What a delight  to read a news item in the print media about a very innovative and sweetly creative endeavour that has been underway in the prisons of Himachal Pradesh. Of these, perhaps the prisoners in the Model Central Jail at Nahan have taken the lead over the rest. They are doing all sorts of interesting things: weaving, baking, tailoring, farming, cooking and pottery besides learning several other trades. In this way they are not only putting their idle hours to productive use but are also using their creative talent and energy to producing items of value. In the process they are earning money and are being a support to their families while still in jail. Further, this is a laudable step in ensuring their honourable rehabilitation after their jail term and a life of dignity and self-esteem. (The news item shown below will provide you the details, in case you missed reading it.)  How inspiring!

What actually entranced me the most is the mufflers being woven by the prison inmates at Nahan with an image of HP’s state bird, the Western Tragopan embroidered on them. Called ‘फुलगर’ in our पहाड़ी dialect, this shy, reticent inhabitant of Himalaya’s high altitudes is not only one of the most spectacularly beautiful birds, as most pheasants are, such as Monal, Koklas and Cheer, but is also a  rare and endangered bird severely threatened with extinction. Therefore, here are these splendid mufflers not just attractive to look at but also with a hidden message about the value and importance of this rare bird species; and a subtle way to creating awareness about conservation.

Who would not like to grab such a beautiful work of art buying which makes sense in so many ways and helps a cause…many a cause in fact?

                                                                             

But we all know that such efforts do not happen of their own accord. Someone has to stop being a stereotype, step out and transcend stifling conventions and take on a path different from the trodden one. And in the present case that man is Mr Somesh Goyal, DGP (Prisons). He has been the motivational force, the inspiration and the guiding light to show the way to the prisoners. Surely, we need such inspired and enlightened persons and leaders at the helm:  men and women who can think out of the box,  who  can shed their straitjacketed approach to sarkari duty, cast aside their babudom to make positive impact on the lives of people and thereby transform society into a healthy and a happy one.

Let’s all therefore put our hands together for Somesh Goyal, his team of officials (including the Nahan jail superintendent Gopal Lodta and not the least, all those prisoners in the 14 jails who are creatively involved in these activities. May your tribe increase, Mr Goyal!

                                                         

                                                        *

An amla a day

We are all only too familiar with: An apple a day... Agreed that apple is a super fruit. But trust me, the humble, unpretentious little amla (gooseberry) is no less. No doubt it doesn’t enjoy an elitist status of many other fruits we eat but in health benefits, it is a match for any and all. (Moreover, the way the expensive fruits are ripened with the highly carcinogenic Calcium carbide at most places, seriously compromises their overall quality and instead makes them rather a health risk.)  Coming back to amla, take Vitamin C. It beats all the citrus fruits in its net content. Then, it is rich in fibre, is packed with calcium, iron and chromium and much more. Amla improves your immunity against infections and cold, improves your skin and hair texture and is a more powerful antioxidant than the famed pomegranate, with all its attendant benefits of disease prevention and anti-ageing properties. So what else would you expect from this juicy little olive green ball? For more  info on its nutritive value, net search will have a lot to tell you.

Therefore next time you go to the sabziwalla, grab some amlas and start eating them right away regularly, and stay healthy, light and cheerful.

I prefer eating them raw. In fact the smaller, desi variety is not that sour. You can easily pop one in your mouth and slowly chew it. The bigger ones are a bit too tangy. I grill them and mix them with my daily helping of sprouts with a dash of some herbal salt and lemon. Some health experts recommend amla juice. I, a layman, do not. Juice loses on fibre. Eating fresh and raw is the best way, believe you me.

So mind you:

While an apple a day keeps the doctor away,

An amla a day will keep ageing and ailments at bay,

Therefore eat one…till they last the season…every day



                   
          
                                  

I love my bowlful of amla-rich sprouts as much as my glassful of evening tipple. You are welcome to both at my home, if you are a good company and value time, but in the latter case it will have to be reciprocal!  

                                                         *

Environment notes

Climate change shows in shrinking Antarctic snows

E-waste rising dangerously in Asia: study

Oceans may have more plastic than fish by 2050: WEF study

Air pollution killed 81000 in Delhi and Mumbai, cost Rs 70000 crore in 2015: study by IIT Bombay (ToI)

Mumbai set to become hotter by 2100: study

                                   *

Quotes

"Anti-science culture is growing, need to engage and educate."

         - Nobel Laureates who were in India to attend Nobel Prize series India   Programme 2017.

"We'll be okay." 
         - Barack Obama to his supporters in his last press conference as US Prez               (NDTV)

"NATO is obsolete."

         -Donald Trump

"Demonetisation has hit India's growth."

         - IMF

"Is WhatsAPP a private service or public utility."

         -Supreme court

"You are a role model for me."
         - Amir Khan to Zaira Wasim, the 'Dangal' girl who has been needlessly trolled by some sick-heads

"I'm more comfortable in the company of women."
         -Shah Rukh Khan (ToI)

"Father loved his cinema, booze, leading ladies."

         -Rishi Kapoor on his father-filmmaker Raj Kapoor

"दर्द तराशता है, दर्द संवारता है; दर्द ही मेरा ईंधन है, दर्द ही मेरा मंदिर है। "

         - Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt in a Vividh Bharti radio interview

"सबको अपने  सपनों को पँख देने चाहियें। कई  बार  हम खुद को सीमाओं  में बांध लेते हैं, हमें पता नहीं होता कि हम कितना कुछ कर सकते हैं। "

          -Virat Kohli

"कानून  तोड़  कर  कब्ज़ा करने  वालों  को सरकार दे रही इनाम। "
           -Shanta Kumar, MP, Kangra

"पहाड़ों  की रानी,  न बिजली  न   पानी।"
           - A Shimla resident 

                                                     *

Newspicks

Stunning pictures show an alien moon (Saturn's hazy moon Titan) easily like earth (revealing a world of lakes, rains, winds and wonder)

                                         (National Geographic)

Our moon is at least 4.51 billion years old:study

Dying suns, newly born stars and disintegrated comets light years from earth have been photographed

                                        (Daily Mail)

Chimps prefer genetically different mates:study

Restoring extinct species would take 8 million years:study

US army plans to use biodegradable bullets that sprout plants

8 billionaires have as much wealth as half the world (3.6 billion people) 
                                               (NDTV)

'Face with tears of joy', world's most popular emoji:study

Trump meets with Princeton physicist who says global warming is good for us

                                       (Washington Post)

Obama's dog bites White House guest in the face:report

Dog saves injured owner from cold by lying on top of him for nearly 24 hours to keep him warm in freezing conditions as the man lay paralysed in snow (Michigan, USA)

                                      (The Hindu)

Men more likely to lie, post naked photos on social media

38-year-old Delhi tailor says he sexually abused 500 kids in 12 years

                                       (Times of India)

WhatsAPP messages and photos may not be that private after all

                                       (Economic Times)

Barkha Dutt quits NDTV after 21 years, likely to set up her own venture

                                       (Firstpost)

20 minutes of walking may reduce inflammation in body:study

                                       ( India Today)

'Superbug' from India resistant to all available antibiotics

                                       (Deccan Herald)

Stop overuse of antibiotics

                                       (Deccan Herald)

Sunbeds may up deadly skin cancer risk:study

                                       (Daily Excelsior)

Exercise may boost memory, brain activity in elderly

                                       (NDTV)

                                                            *

Tailpiece

Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.

              -Carl Sagan, the legendary Astronomer who, sadly, died early.

                                                ***