Jaya's Green by Dr.Jaya Kurhekar

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Jaya's Green by Dr.Jaya Kurhekar December 31, 2019 1 Comments

BYE BYE 2019!!!!!

As we bid a farewell to 2019 and welcome 2020 with open arms, I once again take this opportunity to share my sentiments with you! It has been a year full of ups and downs, progress and devastation, technological advancement and environmental deterioration, sadness and happiness, achievements and crimes, people boosting you and discouraging you; but finally all these things are just mind over matter. If we really want to think of them, they are important, if you don't, they are trivial! Lets carry only the best souvenirs from 2019! The bad and sad moments should go in trash! For the next twelve months, let's concentrate on Health, Love, Joy, Harmony, Well-being and Peace. Lets take care of our environment, let's preserve, conserve, protect it and spread the message. Let's be positive, forget about all those who take the first chance to hurt us, they are not important! Lets laugh a lot. Let Me Thank All The good people Like You, Who Made 2019 Beautiful For Me. I Pray You be Blessed With a successful, thoughtful and Green Year Ahead. I wish you a Wonderful and Green 2020❣

Dr Jaya Kurhekar

Green Blogger

Friday, December 27, 2019

Jaya's Green by Dr.Jaya Kurhekar December 27, 2019 6 Comments

Welcome 2020!!!

Western Maharashtra experienced one of the worst floods in August 2019. Lot was lost, including life and property. It was a result of very heavy rains, far more than those experienced in the region showing maximum rainfall in India - Cherapunji. Rainfall in Chandoli dam region and Mahabaleshwar drained down south, filling Krishna river and her tributaries to the brim, overflowing wherever and whenever possible. Horrible destruction was experienced by the affected people. Warana and Panchaganga rivers added to the misery.

Every natural crevice and space on the earth surface is occupied by microbes which are ubiquitous, found every nook and corner. Every place has its own micro flora, including water bodies. During floods, microbes from uphill were transported downhill. A lot of microbes from one place were displaced to another place. Weather conditions had changed and genetic variants of microorganisms were emerging leading to newer types of infections. This resulted in outbreaks of diseases immediately like enteritis, colitis, allergies and hypersensitivities. Filariasis was rampant and so also malaria, dengue and chikun gunya. The genetic variants of bacteria and viruses emerged, which created havoc in terms of antibiotic resistance. All this was the result of transfer of flora and fauna during floods, the survival mechanisms of the affected species, which had its toll on human life, man hours and efficiency.

All this happened within a short span of about a month, the effects of which are still being borne by those affected. There has been natural loss of life, diseased loss, loss of cattle, suicides due to total loss of property, and many more!

Are we going to learn from this? Do we realize that ultimately we are responsible? What type of legacy are we leaving behind? It’s time to wake up, reduce consumerism, nonchalant behavior, conserve what we can, preserve whatever is remaining and march forward with a positive attitude! The learned and awaken have to awaken others, spread the message and do whatever they can, realizing the ticking hours! What other NEW YEAR resolution can we think of, in the upcoming 2020?

Dr Jaya Kurhekar

Green Blogger

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Jaya's Green by Dr.Jaya Kurhekar November 16, 2019 5 Comments

A MESSAGE FROM THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CREATIONS OF MOTHER NATURE!

Hibiscus rosasinensis (Shoe flower) says,

I am a favorite of Lord Ganesha,
my life is short but I spread color and radiance,
I am good for long and black hair,
I am thankful for my existence!

Nelumbo nucifera or Lotus quotes,

I am the national flower of India,

I come in attractive blue and pink colors,

I float in water, adorn goddesses,

I beautify the waters of ponds and rivers!

A Rose (Rosa rubiginosa) says,

Pink, Mauve and Red being royal,
I boast about my colorful apparels,
I don't cry at the drop of a hat,
I smile amidst thorny beds!

Magnolia champaca or Champak says,

I spread fragrance through my golden tiara,

a favorite of all,

I peek through green leaves,

I drop my petals as I grow old,

But my fragrance speaks!

Mogara (Jasminum sambac) says,

I give out very sweet aroma,

I wear pure whites,

Never boast about yourself,

the fragrance of virtues always travels miles!!

Tagetes erecta, or Marigold

I am blessed with a golden hue,

I am always fresh and remain new,

I can stay fresh for about five days,

A prestigious part of garland and worships,

I am a must always!

Tabernaemontana Divaricata or Crape Jasmine says,

I wear white always,

I live for two three days,

I am a favorite of Lord Shiva,

I believe in freshness!

Periwinkle or Vinca minor says,

My pink hues attract all,
I am an antidote on cancer,

I never frown and sulk and cry,

But keep smiling while laughing high!

The Night blooming jasmine or Queen of Night Rajanigandha

(Cestrum nocturnum) says,

I am delicate white,

blooming only in the night,

Don't get scared of darkness,

Sometimes its a boon in disguise!

Dr Jaya Kurhekar

Green Blogger

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Jaya's Green by Dr.Jaya Kurhekar November 02, 2019 3 Comments

Can we really do something out of the box?

I recently came across the news about the Aarey green belt in Mumbai being reduced by around 2600 trees in the Aarey forest for setting up a metro car shed. In an era when we all are considering the trees as the most precious living things on the earth, this news was like a sharp bolt in the face! The reasons were related to advancement of urban civil life, ease in human conveyance, saving of man hours and so on. Huge protests were put up by social activists, environment preservers, nature lovers on social media, in various ways and this caught fire! Twitter and Facebook was full of audio and video clips of what went on in the Aarey forest for a few days! They had their own reasons and they were following orders! It is a subtle logic that for some progress, some where some things have to be sacrificed! Taking into consideration today’s increasing consumerism, leading to enhancing pollution, nature deterioration and degradation, global warming, depleting natural resources, it is a crime to destroy our nature and surroundings! Yet, we cannot put obstacles in the path of progress. Aarey forest was supposedly not recognised as a proper forest or an ecological sensitive issue because of jurisdictional limits.

What can then be done?

Can we do something else, to recover the loss that was incurred because of the felling of such a large number of trees? Can we plant more trees, nurture them, care for them, grow them, protect them?

Such thoughts crossed the minds of very environment sensitive citizens of a small village called Chinchani, near Pandharpur, Maharashtra, India. They were furious about the cutting down of Aarey green belt but they knew it was futile to fight against the law and hence they took a GREEN and FEASIBLE wise decision to plant 1100 trees using Japanese technique. As a step towards this decision, in one day, they planted 250 indigenous trees, as a mark of protest!

Chinchani has an interesting history! This village was initially situated at the base of hill station Mahabaleshwar, in Satara district. It was endowed with perennial natural beauty, blessed with very good rainfall, beautiful surroundings and greenery all year round! The village had to be displaced from this wonderland during the execution of Kanheri Dam Project! And that too at a barren, rocky, mountainous land near Pandharpur in Solapur district! It was a devastating transition for the citizens used to the naturally endowed surroundings. But, as fighters that they were, they did not lose heart! In the next ten years, the residents planted four thousand trees. They successfully executed rain water harvesting projects, to conserve and preserve natural rain water. Not a single drop of water is wasted. In times of water scarcity, trees are first supplied water and then the residents!

The trees here have led to a very calm, quiet and green environment, where birds dwell freely. They are supplied with grains and water by the nature loving residents and no crackers are fired during Diwali or other festivals, to protect their breeds! They first planted 250 trees followed by 400 and the remaining within a week! That was their constructive way of showing their anger! The choice of trees was also complimentary to the requirements of regional environment!

Japanese technique proposes to plant trees in communities as, according to environmentalist Miyawaki, trees too love to grow in communities! This technique has been adapted by the environment lovers and using drip irrigation, they plan to raise a forest on these barren mountains! They plan to grow 150 trees per head in the next eight years and that too using their own resources and money. They plan to become totally self sufficient! Three cheers to their positive thinking and green endeavour!

Green Blogger

Dr. Jaya Vikas Kurhekar

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Jaya's Green by Dr.Jaya Kurhekar September 29, 2019 1 Comments

FOLKS, WE REALLY CAN DO IT !!!

I came across news which caught my eyes and made me introspect! Why are we really playing with nature? Are we doing it for a few dimes? Is it worth it? When we enjoy nature, its color, its fragrance and its innumerable blessings, are we not responsible for keeping it safe and as it is? How many of us really think in this way?

Farming and agriculture without using any chemicals is not a new thing now. Many conscientious farmers are already seriously implementing it. A farmer in Alewa, district Jind, in Panipat, state Uttar Pradesh, a farmer Mr. Joginder Singh, for the last eight years, is reaping sugarcane, Grains, wheat, maize, vegetables along with other produce, without using any sort of sprays or chemicals. He insists that he gets the same amount of produce as others and since he uses no chemicals, gets good money for his produce.

He believes in not interfering with the nature. He wonders why, when all farmers, fifty five years back could do it, we cannot do farming without any chemicals. He himself has not used even a drop of chemical in his own farms. He states that the number of earthworms has increased and the produce hasn’t decreased too. From his own experience, he is sure that if the irrigation is proper, quality of seeds is good, timing of all agricultural procedures is proper; the produce will not be diseased. In the process of killing the harmful living beings, using chemical pesticides, we are killing the beneficial ones too. Its better not to kill even the harmful ones, than killing all of them!

He reveals his secret of good agricultural practice saying that he prepares a mixture of five liters of cow urine, five to seven liters of cow dung, one kilogram of old jaggery, 250 grams of any cereal flour, 250 grams of soil dug from below peepal or banyan tree, mixed in 200 liters of water. The mixture is gelled well in summers for three days and in winter for seven days. During irrigation period, this mixture is added to the water and provided directly to the crops, which has been proved beneficial.

He confessed attending the lectures of Dr Surendra Dalal, implementing whatever was taught there and getting very good results. Whatever knowledge he received, he practically used and got very good results. Now he is doing farming without any chemical pesticides. He is trying to motivate other farmers towards following him. A few of his followers are happy that they are saving on the expensive pesticides. They also realized that they are getting better produce and better money for their produce as organic products are more in demand!

Green Blogger

Dr Mrs Jaya Vikas Kurhekar

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Jaya's Green by Dr.Jaya Kurhekar September 10, 2019 0 Comments

LET’S RESPECT OUR ARCHAEOLOGICAL TREASURE!!

On the North East side of the strong walls of Gwalior fort in Madhya Pradesh, is a rundown temple called “Chaturbhuj mandir”. In the core of the temple is an idol of Vishnu Bhagwan, with four hands, carved from a single rock. The idol has been battered and hence the temple is not in use. Neither the lamps are lighted nor is the Vishnu idol worshipped. None of the Gwalior residents visit the Vishnu temple, even by a remote chance. The city of Gwalior boasts of many beautiful examples of architecture and decorative wood cutting work. Hence, no one seems to be interested in the down trodden temple.

On the right side of the Vishnu idol, a text is etched in stone. Mathematicians from all over the globe, visit this temple to read the article etched in stone, which is a surprise! What attracts the dry and drab mathematicians to this place is a matter worth pondering upon!

The article states that the construction of this temple was completed in Samwat 933, on magh shukla dwitiya, according to Hindu calendar. A person called Ala donated his own land, measuring 270 hands long and 187 hands wide, for the temple so that the Vishnu idol could be worshipped everyday with a floral garland.

Anyone would wonder, what is so special about the battered temple, its donated land and the mathematicians who seem to be attracted to this site? If the temple is not in use, why would anyone be bothered about the garlands or the land encroachment?

Here lies the answer!

The special feature of the etched article is that it has the world’s first “written zero” etched in it. Besides, all the letters and figures have been noted in a decimal pattern. The article has been etched in Samvat 933 or Christian AD 876.bThis etched stone article proves that, the decimal system and the use of “zero” has been routinely used in India, for at least 1100 years.

In Sanskrit, “zero” means “nothing”! Arabs call it “Zeefar”, as deduced from Arabian word “Seefara”! It took around the beginning of 17^th century for the “zero” concept to reach Europe! They were then, still using the unscientific and complicated pattern of roman numbers. Arabian “Zeefar” became “Zeferium” in Latin, “Zeero” in French and finally “Zero” in English. Even today, “Zero” is called “Naught” in English, which basically means “nothing” in Sanskrit.

The credit of discovering this stone etched article in “Chaturbhuj” temple goes to Sir Alexander Cunningham. He was the founder of Archaeological Survey of India. He roamed about the whole of India and reported about the archaeological treasure of India, to the whole world. His book titled “Four Reports”, parts 2 -16, during 1862-1865, has a mention of this temple. When this book was published, it was undoubtedly globally established that India was the inventor of “Zero”. From then onwards, scientists and mathematicians from all over the world visit this “Chaturbhuj” temple at Gwalior. Let us all respect our archaeological treasure and preserve our wealth!!!

Green Blogger

Dr Mrs Jaya Vikas Kurhekar

Monday, September 2, 2019

Jaya's Green by Dr.Jaya Kurhekar September 02, 2019 0 Comments

Mother's wrath!

She dances through the city happily and merrily,

Taking twists and turns, feeding her bank gulley.
Usually she is calm and in happy mood,
Playfully irrigating as many fields as she possibly could.
She is the mother of one and all,
Bringing fertility, stability, prosperity for big and small.
Her waters are flowing, clean, calm and quiet,
She comes from the mountains, thirty three rivers in her unite!
But slowly the human babies whom she nurtured,
Have started throttling her veins, getting her waters captured,
Unnaturally, unhygienically, unthinkingly they have blocked her playful streams,
Built houses, farm houses, hospitals, theatres unto the brink.
In the want of riches, luxuries and accessories,
They have dumped plastics, bottles, undegradables in her tributaries!
She doesn't know where to turn and how to reconcile,
Her waters are miserable, her mind in turmoil!
She is fed by heavenly rains and mountain waters,
Which sometimes go beyond her quarters!
Confused, she flows wherever she can,
Taking all under her Wings, rich, poor and clan!
Blessed as she is, she blesses others too,
Bringing in greenery, as she flows through!
But how long can she do that, how long can she bear?
When everything goes beyond measure,
She has nothing in her control, but to despair!
She runs wild, she gets bloated unlimitedly,
She has no choice, she tries to shrink her body repeatedly!
Her wrath knows no one, when she herself frays here and there,
Finding her way through the banks, fields, city and buildings in despair!
Think, where can she really go, where can she really turn?
When we have blocked all her space, unaware of consequences in the long run!
We curse her when she encroaches our dwellings,
But are we really not responsible for her sufferings?
We remember God, when the situation is odd,
We start believing in Divine Force, when there is no hope or recourse!
It's no use thinking after the disastrous calamity,
Let's repair the doings and get blessed by the almighty!
Illegal constructions should be a strict no no,
Dirtying her waters clearly has no go!
Regular checks by the concerned are truly indicated,
Rehabilitating those, residing very close, is a need to be completed!
We need to respect her natural beauty,
Not interfering with that is our prime duty!
We will then be fit for almighty's blessings,
Mother nature will care for us with all her bloomings!

Dr Jaya Kurhekar,

Green Blogger

Friday, August 16, 2019

Jaya's Green by Dr.Jaya Kurhekar August 16, 2019 6 Comments

When she leaves her bed!

Sangli and Kolhapur are two cities in Maharashtra, India, which witnessed a once in a life time natural disastrous calamity of floods from 5th August 2019 to 12th August 2019, which displaced thousands of people, animals and hundreds losing their set up businesses, watching them literally go down the drain, with their every day bread and butter! This was the worst situation in the past 100 years wherein large areas of land was under water, spreading panic and fear.
Rural economy has collapsed with the floods, breaking the backbones of small businesses.
Reclamation of land, canals, illegal constructions, total casual attitude towards indications by nature, over confidence, reasons are numerous!
River left her bed, entered the city, finding her way around, however she could. With her, she brought back to land, all the things we had gifted her, like plastics and bottles, carcasses and debris.
She was strangled, she couldn't breathe freely, her vessels were constricted or pressure closed, she was restless! To top it all, it rained so heavily that God blessed the golden belt of Maharashtra with rains, not experienced even in Cherapunji, the highest rainfall region in India!
The effects were disastrous! Loss of dwellings, loss of life, crumbling of economy, the regions have gone back at least five years, in progress!
Once again, we have to introspect and admit, if only to ourselves, as to who is to be held responsible for all this?
Are we going to learn, are we going to rectify our mistakes? Are we going to understand nature and it's ways?

Jaya Kurhekar,

Green Blogger