Hum Paltan Kab Jayege

When you marry a fauji you become a part of not one but two families. One family of course is your in-laws and the other is your husband's battalion and the larger military fraternity. My husband is one who totally believes in self learning, by which I mean he will not tell you anything about the fauj; you have to find your own way to understand what's what……and what’s not!!*#@$%

When we got married Amul was posted at Mhow and as a young bride from a totally non fauji background I was not only  lost but would ask the most silly questions to which my husband would say ,"Oh! all your questions will be answered once we go back to the Paltan and the ladies there will help you understand". Luckily for me I met a few officers who visited us at Mhow while attending a course. Col Gautam Das, Capt Nathani, Lt Anjaria, and young Lt Pramit Saxena,….The few evenings spent with the battalion officers were very special especially with ,' National Anthem' (that's what it was referred to …a song by Jagjit & Chitra Singh) being played each time !! 

As Amul's tenure was nearing completion at Mhow, there was a lot of excitement and anticipation to go back to OUR HOME to THE  PALTAN!! . The battalion was in one of the most beautiful locations of 'Anantnag'( South Kashmir) and so the excitement was that much more.  The 'Kala Baksas ' were being painted with the name and destination being written on them. Since it was a soft- field I could accompany him and so we were in high spirits. Till one fateful evening when we heard the then Prime Minister, Mr V.P Singh addressing the Nation on television and  he said that the Nation should be prepared for war ( May 1990) …..Things were rapidly changing in Kashmir and families were no longer permitted to join. So all the packing now had to have three different destinations on the boxes. 

The best plan under the circumstances was to stay back with my parents in Delhi and  hope to join Amul  and Paltan at the earliest. During my stay at Delhi in waiting  I met a few Officers who would pass through Delhi and share a few humorous anecdotes about the Paltan. During this period I got to meet Col Bhawar Singh ( the CO of battalion)and Capt Pramit Saxena a few times who would visit us each time they visited Delhi to attend court on behalf of the Paltan. During one such visit I was fortunate to meet Mrs Bhawar Singh too. I felt so much a part of the battalion and hence impatiently waited to join Amul.  Since my husband was ‘hanging around’ in exotic sounding places around Gulmarg  like  Apharwat, Alpather Lake, Chor khudan, Chema, Dhroru, Lal Pora, Ziran chasing militants,  and moving to many other places in the valley and not stationed at the place we dreamed of earlier (Anantnag) we could not join him; and alas the elusive enigma of ‘The Paltan’ continued. He would sometimes call me from 'Asha Post'and I used to wonder which place is this and who is this Asha?!  As destiny would have it 30 years later, in August 2021 we visited Gulmarg and guess what we decided to ride on to  that very, and rather forlorn 'Asha Post' on horseback; and onward we rode to the distant ‘Chor khudan’ - still a remote cluster of mud huts. We also drove through Anantnag, Lidder Nadi, Doru, Verinag and other such places he sometimes mentioned to me while narrating his escapades. While my husband re-lived those times and narrated his experiences I kept imagining what all I had missed.

Thus the desire to be with family remained unfulfilled but as luck would have it, while I could not be with the battalion our separation ended as my husband had to attend a course. Though I had heard so much about the battalion and its officers and ladies, unfortunately I did not get a chance to really stay with the battalion. On the other hand I was fortunate enough to get a chance to meet quite a few officers and families over the years. The first family I met were Col & Mrs.  Gildayal who happened to attend our engagement, at Secunderabad. Thereafter, Brig & Mrs Talwar for a Christmas evening at their warm new house at Noida. A warm and  welcoming Mrs Kamlakar and her two daughters who indulged our young toddler as we had a welcoming dinner followed by a lovely picnicking Day at  Secunderabad Zoo.  The most wholesome interaction I had with an officer's family was  Brig (then Col) Thapa, Mrs Prabha Thapa and their friendly dog, Snoopy at NDA, Khadakvasla. We got a chance to stay with them for a few days till we got accommodation for the course my husband was attending at IAT, Girinagar, just across from NDA. It was such a warm, comfortable and memorable stay which is etched in our hearts. It was actually like staying with your very own family.  

As the course at Wellington was ending there was again excitement and anticipation for a posting BACK to HOME, 'The Paltan'.  But sadly we moved to the smoke of Delhi on posting. While at Delhi our pining to connect with home took us on a short and very sweet visit to Meerasahib for Dusherra in the year 1994 I think.  We were welcomed by the then CO Col & Mrs Pradhan. On this brief visit I met a few of the officers and families, some I remember were  Col & Mrs Sahi, Maj & Mrs Carriappa, the newly married Capt Saxena & Puja and a few others. Everyones hospitality was overwhelming. This visit left us yearning for the Paltan even more. Sadly by the time our time to go back to the battalion came, the battalion had once again moved to the field at Bhimber Gali and hence my boys and I could not be with the Paltan once again. At the end of 1995-96 my husband wrote to me and called us to join him for 10 days. The bus journey from Jammu to BG was amazing and one got the feel of the ' Actual Fauj'. As we traversed the winding roads in the bus which was part of a convoy my husband's detailed letter guided us as we stopped for  lunch and tea break at 'Tota-Maina' and the boys happily ran with  the rabbits there.  Couple of hours later, as we reached the ‘Promised Land’ - the Paltan - my boys got so excited as they saw their Dajus and jumped up to say Oh! We've finally reached The Paltan. A warm cup of tea with sel-roti at the battalion tea shop at 'Mayalu' was welcoming. The next few days we were in  a different world. It was for the first time that we were experiencing a 'bhukhari' and for the first time had dinner in the Paltan Mess. It was for the first time I got the feel of the Paltan but Alas minus the families. A lovely tea with then CO of the battalion Col Lalhotra in his tastefully done up abode was most educative and welcoming. 

My boys and I stayed at the battalion base while my husband stayed at his post. Couple of times  we visited my husband's post 488 and we also trekked to some of the forward posts like Dabbi and Dabbi forward. The boys wanted to wear a backpack and trek just like the Dajus. The younger son was just three years old but insisted on trekking and the Daju would pick him when he would almost drop off while trekking but not ready to give up.  The boys were fascinated by almost everything ' the Dumsi ' spines and the tales of capturing one of them by the Dajus. Tales of shooting down Pakistani infiltrators and the big machine guns at the view posts, the bunkers, the firing from the Pakistani post,  the firing of tracer rounds and so many such  things that they absorbed in those few days. On other days at Bimbergali we spent time at the base with boys playing around with the ever caring Dajus, experiencing the new and  fascinating world of their father's, their Dajus and their Uncle's . After lunch a couple of times the battalion Doctor Capt Amitab Tewary would join us for walks and show us around and  share stories of treating and helping the locals in medical emergencies. During dinner time at the mess we were pampered by the few battalion officers who were either located or were visiting the base. The then CO, Col Lalhotra took utmost care that we were comfortable and well looked after. Capt Desai was heard more than seen  around. I think his room was somewhere near ours and in the quiet of the winter night it was only his loud booming voice conveying New Year wishes to the Brigade officers is what I remember of him. 

 " Jaab hum battalion jayenge…." remained a dream and it lived  in my imagination for a long time. I  had heard names of the battalion family and Officers through my husband's conversations with officers visiting us or meeting up occasionally.  I met a few but heard  many more  names and it  was soooo confusing. I would in my mind mix one for the other till  I met  them personally and spent time with them…some confusions lasted till very recently. Though I could never really stay with the Paltan and that yearning remains un - fulfilled but this beautiful family has always embraced us, accepted us, included us,  and helped us at every occasion that we always seem One with this special family.  The Shingo spirit, it's get to gethers and holidays together over the years has filled the gap many times over to the unful-filled dream of, 'Jab hum Paltan jayege'. 

 

Wife in Shining Armour

The concluding para is important but could not be included in the newspaper article probably due to lack of space. 

Wife in Shining Armour !! 

Vikram Jit Singh / TNN

Chandigarh: When the men go to war, the wives lend critical emotional support, look after the children and hold the fort back in the Unit and at home. They also knit woollen socks and manage other vital resources for the soldiers. But there was one war lady, Shobita Asthana, who went way beyond the standard support. She managed to arrange and send to the deep Batalik-Yaldor battlefield of Kargil War critical equipment and resources required for the war effort of her husband's battalion. All the way from Delhi, Shobita sent magneto telephones which were critical for communication.  She then sent light and sturdy water jerricans, Flagyl Medicine, she got war photographs printed at a secure photo studio, and later sent in much appreciated ‘Achaar’ to the Gorkha Soldiers. 

Lt Col Amul Asthana was the officiating CO initially and later the 2IC of the legendary battalion, 1/11 Gorkha Rifles which was conferred the coveted title ‘Bravest of the Brave’ when their officer Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, posthumously; the Battalion was also awarded the Battle Honour ‘Batalik’ and Theatre Honour ‘Kargil’ for OP Vijay 1999. 

   

Shobita's effort is to be seen in the context of the extended and tenuous supply lines of the Batalik sector, where it took anywhere between 12 to 48 to even 72 hours on foot from the road-head along the River Indus to reach the battling troops; unlike the Drass-Mashkoh battle zones where the national highway conveniently ran close the embattled ridgelines. 

Now, picture this scenario in June-July 1999 during the Kargil War, not in the battle-field, but in the hot summer of Delhi. A lady with a ‘mission to deliver’ – setting off to the secluded transit area at Palam Airport at 4:00 am with two little children in her red Maruti 800 car. The rear seat and boot were stuffed with the precious cargo; of hand-cranked magneto telephones or jerricans or pickles and such like items. A day prior she would tie up with the Load Manifest JCO at the transit camp to help her find officers or soldiers flying to Leh and then onward specifically to the Batalik-Yaldor war zone. She would then request those officers / soldiers to take the war stores that she had mustered for 1/11 Gorkha Rifles, at Yaldor-Batalik.  

Doting, loving Army husbands always fall back on their 'Home Ministry' in the critical periods of professional life, as a recourse to the proverbial "last resort". And so it was with Shobita Pachnanda and Amul Asthana. 

They had fallen in love when he was a young officer of the 2 / 11 Gurkha Rifles in Dehradun in 1983 and they got married in January 1988. The business man father-in-law did not relish the thought of his daughter plunging into the extreme rough and tumble of an Infantry man's marital and martial life. But the very patriotic Pachnanda came to accept the love tryst and later went on to play an inspirational and supportive role for his son-in-law's battalion during the Kargil War. 

"The Batalik sector (in comparison to the Kargil Sector) was on a low priority for the Army's higher command by way of provision of war resources. Deep in the Batalik battlefield of Yaldor, a tough 12-hour march on foot from the road-head on the Indus, the Battalion faced an acute problem of communication equipment.  The main-stay ANPRC 25 were very few and not cyber secure. The 2 km range VA-Mk II radios were in-effective as they worked on re-chargeable batteries, which required 220 Volts – which was obviously not available in the rugged mountains. There was thus a critical need for military ‘line’ communication to troops up front and also all the way back to the Gun Positions. This required military telephones.  But, somehow, there was a critical shortage of these very telephones.  As a ‘Last Resort’ he decided to task his wife to purchase 7 Black- ITI type Railway telephones, similar to Fauji hand-crank phones which an army wife is well familiar with. 

He sent a ‘parchi’ (a hand written slip of paper) all the way down to the Base and  the Brigade Major conveyed this message to her on the phone.   

These magneto-phones were not at all easily available. She thought that Chandni Chowk was a good bet to find them. Her father had his business office in Chawri bazaar, and he came into the picture with zeal.  After much hunting, Shobita and her father got seven ITI telephones for Rs. 900 each. 

She found out that an officer of our own Battalion, Maj Christopher Correa, was flying to Leh from Delhi and then to the battlefield.  So he carried the first seven phones to Batalik which were used for the battles" Brig. Asthana (Retd.) told the TOI.

Realising the importance of the magneto phones, and seeing this novel chain of supply opened by the Asthanas, the Brigade Major of Batalik's 70 Infantry Brigade, Maj. M. Indrabalan, requested Shobita to purchase seven more telephones and send them to Batalik for the Brigade's use.

"Since Major Correya had already left, I was wondering how to get the next 7 telephones to Batalik. I was worried and spent a sleepless night thinking “what if someone dies in operations due to lack of telephones or some other mission is effected due to lack of reliable communication?”

“The very next day I engineered my own 'green channel'! I went to the Palam transit area, where I had dropped Amul on 9th of May and spoke to the Load Manifest Desk. I also went to the transit camp and spoke to the Transit Camp JCO.  I found out that one Capt. GP Singh of the 15 Field Regiment was flying to Leh and then going onwards to the Batalik war zone. I met him at the entrance of the airport and he very graciously took these telephones.”

“On his way up in the war zone Capt GP coincidentally met me and said  'Sir, Are you Mrs. Shobita Asthana's husband?; I had met her and she has conveyed her good wishes, and sent telephones – which I have carried Sir”  Lt Col Amul Asthana told the TOI.

Fighting at altitudes ranging above 17,000 feet, the Gurkha soldiers faced an acute shortage of water as they had to lug the water from the nallahs thousands of feet below. The Army-issue jerricans and Pakhal containers were too huge and heavy to carry few thousand feet up the steep slopes.  So, Asthana again sought the intervention of his 'Home Ministry'. Shobita and her father bought 40 plastic jerricans of 10 litres capacity. "My father being a pedigree, astute Punjabi undertook a thorough check of the jerricans to ensure they could survive the test of war and extreme weather conditions. And, lo and behold, he arrived at our apartment on the 5th floor in Cariappa Vihar in the elevator. It was a comical sight. My father in his signature white shirt was camouflaged in the elevator packed with the white jerry-cans!  I was able to send the first lot of 20 jerricans to Batalik through Lt. Akshay Chandran, a young officer of 1 / 11 Gurkha Rifles who had come down from Batalik to Delhi with the body of our brave martyr, Capt. Manoj Pandey, PVC(P) in the first week of July 1999. The rest of them I sent through my own ‘Green Channel’ at the Palam departure area for the Armed Forces. By this time, our battalion's Load Manifest JCO Bhanu had been stationed at Leh airport and he was in communication with me over the telephone from Leh. Bhanu would ensure that whatever I sent was picked up from the aircraft at Leh and then dispatched to the battlefield via the battalion's rear area base at Nurla," said Shobita.

The soldiers in battle were melting the ice to drink water, but the ice was contaminated with the gunpowder from heavy artillery shelling, and this water was causing severe stomach ailments. Flagyl was magic for loose motions and vomiting. But flagyl had been discontinued in the medicine supply chain and its replacement had not yet reached the frontline troops.

The Jerry Cans were thus followed by the doughty Shobita coming to the rescue of the sick soldiers.  She sent in cartons of Flagyl which were very useful. 

Next were Achaars! Her Bhabhi’s family runs the  Avon Agro Greenz industries and she sent many kilograms of their mixed pickle.  The pickle was relished by the Gurkhas because in the initial days of the war they were making do with just stiff, leathery 'poories' sent to the front in gunny bags once in three to four days. Later, Maggi noodles packets came their way from their own canteen. It was only when sturdy Ladakhi porters and their native load-carrier donkeys were allotted to the Battalion that the Gurkhas cooked meals of rice, dals and vegetables at their ' fauji langar' set up at Yaldor. To add to the culinary flavour, Shobita sent these pickles in July 1999, through her ‘Green Channel’!

 "My two little sons, Aakash and Anant, who were studying in class II and VI, took the initiative and pasted hand-written notes in Gorkhali on the jars of pickle, wishing the soldiers good luck and victory. I was keeping a steady nerve but inside me I was so tense. These activities of hunting out war resources in Delhi, purchasing them and sending them to the battlefield kept me busy during the day. At night, I could not sleep and kept reciting the Gayatri mantra. Since I thought that our soldiers would attack the Pakistani positions at night, I dared not stop reciting the mantra as I feared that if I did so, something untoward may happen. In fact, I had a big scare in early June 1999 when it was wrongly reported in the TV news that a Lt. Col. had been martyred in the Batalik war zone. I was worried. I thought - afterall how many Lt Cols could be there in Batalik?  While it eventually turned out to be another officer, I was relieved all right, yet felt very disturbed because he was a friend and my husband's course-mate, recalled Shobita.

The last of the critical tasks carried out by Shobita for the war effort was the printing of exceptional war photographs taken by her husband with his personal camera. "I needed those photographs to attach to the gallantry citations, which I was writing in Yaldor in the second week of July 1999. However, I felt it may not be correct to get them printed in Kargil or Leh as these were very sensitive pictures, such as those of enemy bodies and tactical locations etc, and the war was still on. So, I had the rolls sent to Delhi where Shobita had them developed from a secure and trusted photo studio. The studio owner promised Shobita he would not keep extra copies of the prints nor the negatives with himself after developing them. Two sets of prints and the negatives were then taken back to Batalik by Major Indrabalan (The Brigade Major) who was coincidentally on a visit to Delhi," said Shobita Asthana.

Shobita adds, “During those days, my children and I also had the opportunity to look up Lance Naik Gyanendra, who was wounded in battle and was admitted in the Military Hospital(R & R), Delhi. 

On a very sad morning I was amongt the few who attended a very solemn ceremony at Palam when the body of our own Battalion Martyr, Captain Manoj Pandey arrived at Palam Airport.

Later in March 2000 I got the opportunity to look up a few of our Kargil war widows in Nepal. In the year 2001 I could join the Battalion at Pune and finally meet all the brave soldiers and families of the Battalion. 

As I look back, I feel that any military lady, given a chance, would have done the same, in the true spirit of the Indian Army. I am grateful to God and the Indian Army that I got the opportunity to contribute to the Battalion’s effort in a very small way; and for giving the means to accomplish these tasks”.

In these days, my children and I also had the opportunity to look up Lance Naik Gyanendra, who was wounded in battle and was admitted in the Military Hospital(R & R), Delhi.

On a very sad morning I was amongst the few who attended a very Solemn ceremony at Palam   when the body of our own Battalion Martyr, Captain Manoj Pandey arrived at Palam Airport.

Later in March 2000 I got the opportunity to look up few of our Kargil war widows at Nepal.  In the year 2001 I could join the Battalion at Pune and that is when I got the great opportunity to finally meet all the brave soldiers and families of the Battalion .

As I look back, I feel that any military lady, given a chance, would have done the same, in the true spirit of the Indian Army. I am grateful to God and the Indian Army that I got the opportunity to contribute to the Battalion’s effort in a very small way; and for giving the means to accomplish these tasks. 

-----------------------------------------END------------------------------------------

 

Spring Break!

Dhak,Tesu,Palash

Spring is the most beautiful time of the year and it feels even more beautiful when you drive for a holiday through the countryside with like minded friends soaking in the colours of nature. 

Flowering Mango Tree

Semal, Cotton Silk 

"….……ambua phoole, tesu phoole aur gaye chidiya chu, chu,chu...."  the words of this lilting song of basant ritu, poured out from my memory as we saw the yellowish flowering Mango trees, the blooming orange Palash and Semal with its fleshy and flashy red flowers.  Watching the beautiful reds on the tree tops we crossed the Gaula river to Kathgodam and soon started the ascent to Sattal. 

Walk in the Oak forest

As we climbed the gentle hills, Sattal welcomed us with its shades of green, browns,pink and white on its hillside. The grasses on the hillside were blooming with pink flowers, the Toon tree seemed to be wearing all the shades of pink with its new leaves, the white bushes of wild rose and pink blooms of pear tree all seemed to be singing  the song of Spring. Going up the hill to our accomodation we got glimpses of the lakes  of Sattal. Sattal, we were told, gets its name from its seven lakes namely the Garud tal, Bharat tal and Sattal tal which itself comprises 5 tals i.e.   Ram Tal, Laxman Tal, Sita Tal, Hanuman Tal, Nal Damyanti Tal which appear merged together.  Besides the lakes, Sattal has lovely oak and pine forests which invite you to walk their shaded canopy.

 

Garud Tal

Another highlight of the trip was my friend, Payal's four month old puppy called Kaloh! As we stepped into the forest, dear Kaloh's joy knew no bounds, she hopped and jumped and scampered  like a goat! She kept running back to us as if looking for reassurance. As we stepped into the forest a carpet of  leaves covering the ground welcomed us.  Involuntarily, I  crouched to pick up acorns of oak and the ever fascinating pine cones. While at Sattal we enjoyed a few walks and  treks on the hillside, through the forest and around the Garud Tal. The peaceful Garud Tal was surrounded by drooping pink Toon branches and bushes of white rose flowers that looked so enchanting and were a balm to city souls. Our dear Kaloh got super excited on experimenting with the lake waters and then jumped over us expressing her thanks for such a marvelous experience. 

Kumaoni Meal

Soaking in the beauty of the forest we listened  to the amazing symphony of bird calls like the piou-piou-piou-piou of the Great Barbet,  joined by the ‘took-o-rrook!’  of the blue-throated Barbet. As if orchestrated by Zubin Mehta, the Red- billed blue Magpie, Black- headed Jay, would contribute a few 'notes' and the high pitched grating screech by the Slaty-headed Parakeets,  the Aria by the Black francolin and Fugue by the thrushes together made a fascinating Composition of nature's music. This bird music urged us to do some bird-watching! 

 In the  afternoon we walked in the reserve forest for

Brown Wood Owl

a while and watched a few birds flitting around and performing their antics near a water 'cove'.  Meantime, to avoid startling the birds and possibly disturbing the other birders, my friend took her Miss Kaloh for a kayak ride in the Sattal lake.  A little later we  came across a few other birders who joined us on the trail and  with a lot of patience helped us spot the Brown Wood owl resting among the canopy of thick leaves. Luckily for us the sun was setting and it was time for the owl to get active  with its daily routine . Just as we focused our binoculars at the owl,  the Wood Owl made a deep sound and flew on to an open perch to begin a session of courtship. 

 Meal times in the day we enjoyed outdoors with a bird bath in view. Entertained by the Grey-treepies, the white-throated laughing Thushes and sundry birds splashing in the bird bath, our meals went down with a special joy.  On the first afternoon the White -crested laughing Thrushes gave the guest appearance and next  afternoon the Woodpeckers and the third  afternoon the Emrald Dove. For dinner we decided to savour the Kumaoni cuisine and enjoyed Bhat ka churkani, Palak ka kapa, Kumaoni Aloo and Madhua ki roti with butter,salad and fried red chillies. The fare was simple yet enjoyable. 

Himalayan Rubythroat

Next morning we walked and  birded around our home stay on the Sattal Road  and came across quite a few colourful species including the Himalayan Ruby throat and the Crimson Sunbird.

Later we drove to Chaffi where we got a fleeting glimpse at the spotted forktail as it was nudged away by the blue  whistling Thrush claiming its  territory.

Twany Fish Owl

We walked along the river, saw a few regulars and spotted a Whistler's warbler, the beautiful Yellow bellied fantail, Chestnut-headed tesia and a few other  species which were flutering in the bushes around the banks of the river. The area was quite disturbed due to road construction and sand mining in the river but luckily for us a little walk down the river our guide Hari managed to spot the much sought after Tawny fish owl.

 

The next morning was magical.  We drove to Nanital to look for a rare migrant, the 'vinaceous rosefinch' which is now being seen near this area after many years and that too for just a month or so.  The stony wooded scrubland at Ayarpatta (Near Nainital Polytechnic) rewarded us with the sighting of the Vinaceous rosefinch besides the Common rosefinch and the Pink-browed rosefinch as well.

A little further we were lucky to see the Hill patridge and the Rufous-bellied patridge, Blue-capped redstart, Chestnut-crowned Laughing Thrush, Striated Laughing Thrush among many other birds. The evening was spent walking on the trails of the Christian Ashram along with our scampering Miss Kaloh  and observing the birds flying and simply enjoying the mountain air. 

On the third morning we planned to visit the reserve forest opposite the Sattal lake. As we stepped out of the car the slaty-headed flycatcher gave us a titillating glimpse. A few feet away the Asian Paradise flycatcher was seen briefly and disappeared in the tree canopy showing off its white tail. Just as we got down the steps looking for birds the chestnut-bellied nuthatch was creeping up a massive Oak trunk. Walking along the path we saw a flitty black-throated tit while the blue whistling thrush calmly walked along with us and a green- backed tit in the Oak  tree canopy sang along as we walked!

Black-chinned Babbler hanging 

We crossed the pump house which controls the runoff from Sattal Lake and sat at a spot overlooking the creek. Further up we could see a barking deer grazing at the base of the hillock.  One side of the creek is shaded with large rocks and on the other edge it forms a puddle right  under the shade of overhanging trees and bushes.This little cove under the bushes and next to the puddle makes an ideal place for the birds to hop in, have a drink and maybe a bath too. The tree and the bushes provide ample  perches for the birds to hide, nest, preen and sun themselves. In the creek a few branches have been placed strategically  to provide additional perches for the birds. This point in the forest has been nicknamed by the birding community as 'Studio point'. To me it felt like a theater as the show unfolded in a remarkable, almost rehearsed, sequence. Or maybe they follow their pecking order in a very disciplined manner. At the daybreak a few white-throated thrushes along with  one streaked laughing thrush  hopped in as if to inspect the area like the road opening party in the Army. Once all was declared 'safe', a flock of red-billed Leothrix descended, sipping water, looking around and few of them took a splashing bath. Just then a team of white-throated laughing thrushes noisily  occupied the edge of the water, apparently in their turn, and prompting  the Leothrix flock to withdraw.

Ultramarine Flycatcher

Then like an important character in the play the ultramarine flycatcher flew in taking a dip and then delicately fluttering its wings. It took a high perch to preen its wings and for us all to admire its beauty. Next it seemed was the designated turn of the Himalayan bluetail, which now hopped into the water, gave its performance while bathing and quickly withdrew, giving way to the mountain bulbul!
Meanwhile, the   black-chinned babblers began their performance by dancing and  hanging upside down from the creepers. Successfully, drawing  all the attention the white-browed fantail hopped into our view spread its tail like a fan, danced around showing off its fantail it hopped on a few perches and turned around to show its tail from every angle! The babblers and the fantail then withdrew to give way to the showstopper, the Rufous- bellied Niltava, which gracefully glided in. I was totally spell-bound by the beauty of the Niltava,

White-browed Fantail

I think my heart skipped a beat and then started to race as it started its performance of its fluttery bath in the water, and delicate preening thereafter. I stayed glued to my binoculars and simply forgot to click this most valuable part of the 'show'.  The Niltava now withdrew gracefully and despite my prayers it did not give another chance for a photo shoot. Maybe the choreographer of this wonderful show had no plans for the return of certain singular and uncommon  species! It's only the dancing flocks that reappear to keep up the tempo. The Blue whistling thrush flew in and landed on the stones.

Blue-Whistling Thrush

It hopped around and inspected the area and walked with elan and authority (As a general would survey his troops!) compelling  the audience to notice it. The whistling Thrush softly whistled while the morning sun rays fell on its beautiful blue star studded body. It hopped in under the bushes to check on the back stage friends and so created a lot of commotion, and what sounded like protests from the lagging participants in the bush. Mr. & Mrs Gray-winged black Bird now hopped in cautiously looked around and then took a sip of water. It was another heart-fluttering performance and the show seemed to have reached its climax.

Mr & Mrs Grey-winged Blackbird

Distracting our attention from Mr. & Mrs Gray, a pretty couple of long-tailed Minivets in yellow and red attire landed on the tree top.

Focusing our gaze back on Mr Gray we saw the Rufous-chinned laughing thrush which silently made a guest appearance,  took a sip of water and simply left like a very disciplined guest!  The activity in the bushes sparked by the Blue whistling thrush continued.  Focusing our binoculars we saw a pair of black-throated sun-birds  chasing each other. The Sunbird couple was joined by a third sunbird and they flew all over the bushes in and out at top speed confusing the audience completely.

Verditer Flycatcher

The sleepy blue-winged Manila could be seen peeping through the thick leaves of the bush as if it was rudely woken up by the scampering sun-birds while the Verditer Flycatcher continued to sit on a safe perch unaffected by the activity going around.

Mr & Mrs Striated Laughing Thrush

Even as the performance seemed to have reached another climax, we three friends were approaching our cut off time and we had to start our drive back to Delhi.  We looked at each other and reluctantly decided to move out in the next 5 to 10 minutes. Not really wanting to peel our eyes (or our bodies away) from this most enticing show that too at the peak of activity, we hesitantly started to gather our things and raise ourselves from our prime spots on the ground. As if the birds were requesting us to stay a bit longer and to convey this feeling, a beautiful pair of Striated Laughing thrushes quietly appeared from under the bushes, took a sip of water and settled themselves comfortably on a perch.

The rest of the birds all gracefully withdrew to allow them the space needed to perform their  courtship act. Holding the memory of these beauties we walked away towards the exit and saw a family of magestic Khalij pheasants moving away and bidding us farewell. As we were watching the pheasants a wagtail flew past us and entered the water canal. I thought I should acertsin the species of wagtail so I walked to a point from where I could see inside the water drain and low and behold who was foraging next to wagtail!! A  spotted forktail! 

Spotted Forktail

Our  trip to Sattal  gave us much more than what we had expected and it left us yearning for more such trips. We silently thanked the Almighty for this beautiful world and for letting us see its wonders. 

Semal-The Spirit of Spring!

Come February and the treeline in Delhi is decorated with the orange, scarlet coral and a few yellow signature flowers of the stately ‘Semal’ or Bombax, Indian Kapok or Shalmali. Standing tall at over 60 feet, the Semal is seen along the Shanti Path, Aurobindo Marg, Ring Road and almost all over Delhi and Northern India. It's a feast to the eyes when you drive on the flyovers  which are close to the Semal tree as one gets a balcony view of the bright flowers in bloom.  Its 5 to 7 leaves spread like the fingers of our palm thin out in January to make way for the flowers and new leaves can be seen in March. The fleshy cup shaped flowers with 5 petals attract a variety of pollinators. The tree is abuzz with butterflies, bees and insects besides  squirrels, monkeys and bats.  Numerous birds can be seen enjoying the flowers, some for its nectar, some for its buds or  petals and seeds, others come to forage on the buzzing and the crawling insects which enjoy the nectar. It .is exciting to see diverse birds on one tree, like the oriental white-eye, parakeets, barbets, bulbuls, petronias,sparrows, finches, sun-,birds, jungle babblers,orioles and hornbills besides the common mynahs, yellow- footed green pigeons, bats and even the occasional peafowl. It's a favourite of them all! Once the flower dries or falls, the ants, squirrels and almost all forest animals  feast on them. Semal, like many other trees, is a giver of life, a veritable ecosystem in itself. When in leaf a lot many birds make nests and roost in its crown which gives them protection. No wonder it is often alluded to as a ‘One Tree wildlife Sanctuary’ in itself. 

The tree  has a spiny trunk to protect itself. Its fruit that looks like a woody capsule starts to ripen and   split open in May and the famed ‘Semal Cotton’ with its tiny black seed is seen floating all over; dispersing and  looking for a place to germinate. As kids we all would remember trying to catch and collect the 'budi mai ka baal'. The very soft  cotton is used for filling pillows and quilts. The flowers are used for the exotic Semal tea,the gum from the tree, roots, leaves and bark find medicinal use!! With its bright colours and swirling birds and butterflies, it inspires the Spirit of spring in Northern India.

----Shobita  Asthana. 

Pied Piper of Batalik

http://archive.indianexpress.com/Storyold/120585/

Pied Piper of Batalik

Shobita Asthana

Posted: Fri Sep 10 1999 IST

The memory of the Pied Piper haunts me. A young officer, full of life, dancing ahead of the children. The village children, wild with joy, running after him. The piper would suddenly stop, turn around and shower sweets. The children would catch them and then again sprint after the piper. The piper of Tamisgamn, as we would later call him.

After humoring the kids, he came to the platform and won the respect of the whole village with his humble words. On the mike, with the whole village in the backdrop, standing tall... that's how our camera caught him. Now that's the photograph my children hold next to their hearts as they narrate stories of Pandey Uncle, their Pied Piper who became the target of enemy bullets and is known to the country as the Batalik hero, Captain Manoj Pandey.

In the spring of March '99, that's when we met you, on our visit to Leh. In those fifteen days you won our hearts. Those evenings in the mess while we played pictionary, dumb charades and other games in the dim lights of the overworked generator, your presence of mind and sense of humour never failed to amuse us. In the afternoons children would wait for your return for a pre-lunch session of darts and table tennis. The picnics and outings arranged by you and other young unit officers are etched in our minds as the most memorable and happiest times in our lives.

The virgin land of Ladakh beginning to bloom in spring, the majestic Himalayas silently being cut through by the Indus and serene monasteries were a perfect picture. This heavenly abode was the best place for the infantry battalion to unwind after a tough and successful tenure at the glacier. At dinner time after a drink or two sometimes we would hear the tales of the glacier, tales which were frightening and hair-raising, tales of brave adventure, rough climate, tough terrain. Tales of hidden crevasses and steep climbs, of sickness and laughter. Tales which a husband would never tell his wife or a son his mother. Listening to all these, admiration and respect for each one of you was strengthened. Silently, we would thank the Almighty for his blessings.

Innocently we thought it was all over. We laughed and planned for the unit's move. Little did we know that there was a tougher test left for each of you and these happy moments would be short lived. In these few days we all had fun and good times not knowing that they would be the last few precious memories of you. Henceforth we'll cherish them along with tales of your bravery. Most vividly we remember the welfare mela you organised single handedly. I remember the discussion and planning that went into it, the minute details taken care of by you.

The entire village was somehow involved. Small children with games, the old and sick with the doctor, housewives busy shopping, schoolchildren performing their traditional dance; and for the hungry their were fancy eats. You had thought of them all. The mela was a great success.On our way back, one of us mentioned that it was the first of April the next day, so let's have alittle fun. Some how you became the target. A plot was hatched and at dinner time you received a signal to report immediately at Mhow for a mortar course. You were tired after a long day and for a few minutes totally confused as to how to manage it all. Suggestions were innumerable. We controlled our laughter and wished you luck.

The whole night you pretended to pack and prepare for your departure the next morning. The other young officers danced to bid you farewell. In the morning you loaded your empty bags, said your goodbyes and got into the vehicle. At the gate was a notice saying "April Fools day'' and you were told to get back. On your return, there was laughter and the biggest question was who made a fool of whom. Such were the feelings and joy we all shared.

But now in your martyrdom you have left us all behind. You have reached great heights and memories are all that we have of you. The brave Gurkha officer, we all salute you.

 

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Riding in the land of Junipers and Rhododendrons

 Riding in  the land of Junipers and Rhododendrons

Riding on Rajjoo in the land of Junipers and Rhododendrons.

In the early evening as my taxi drove into Tangmarg from Srinagar the Alpine forests welcomed me with their sweet fragrance and cool mountain breeze. Onwards towards Gulmarg, the hillsides full of white daisies among the  green grass were a sight to behold. It was as if  a fresh breath of life had filled my city starved  senses. 

As I reached Gulmarg( Gul= flowers, Marg = meadow) the valley opened up to wide meadows brimming with flowers. I felt I was truly in 'heaven on earth'.   Countless blooms in shades of pinks and purples, violets and blues, yellows and whites dotted the lush green countryside. Flowers shaped like cups, some like bells,some like torches, some globular  and others  flat hugging the fresh green grass.  Till where my gaze could reach all I could see, smell and feel was the beauty of the meadows of flowers. Yes, Gulmarg lives up to its name, it's indeed a Meadow of flowers nestled in the northern slopes of the Pir Panjals.

At the Gulmarg golfcourse 

 

In the light of the setting sun we took a walk in the  Gulmarg Golf Course which I thought should be one of the most beautiful golf-courses in the world. It was dotted with picturesque ponds with white, pink and yellow water-lilies. All over the course there  were white daisies with their yellow dancing eyes, yellow buttercups swaying with the breeze, lupins in shades of white, pink, purple,violet and blues, the foxgloves in yellows, white indian lily of the valley elegantly standing tall and  in places wild pink rose climbers climbing up the fence. In between these delicate flowers there  were pink thistles, prickly lime-yellow flowers and sheep's sorrel.  In a couple of places I saw a bush  of  small white fragrant elderflowers arranged in flat clusters. The grass of the course seemed studded with ground hugging daisies, yellow flowers and ubiquitous delicate dandelions. 

Lupins and Dasies.

As we soaked  in the beauty of flowers, the rolling hills and  meadows, I could hear the Himalayan cuckoo and see the citrine wagtails chirping.  The   Siberian stonechat were  hopping from flower to flower and an occasional Ashy Drongo conversing with its mate.  In the golden orange hue of the evening sky, a few Raptors  were seen searching the landscape for an evening shikar. Away from the city sounds the silence of the meadows was a quiet balm to the soul. My heart changed its melody as my lungs filled with the pure mountain air and my senses rejuvenated in every way. 

Citrine Wagtail

Citrine Wagtail

Siberian stonechat

Next morning we decided to do  a long-distance horseback trail ride deeper into the mountainous forests.  Buta-pathri, a quaint "Gujjar Bakarwal" village about 10 km from Gulmarg was our start point.  The road to Buta-pathri wound through majestic pines and firs and breathtaking landscape of glacial moraine was a joy in itself. At the village Buta-pathri Low roof mud houses sloped and merged with the green fields. A few of the houses had been painted in colourful pastel shades and looked so welcoming. We saw the heardsmen walking along with  their flock of sheep and mountain goats.The women going about the daily chores and kids playing around. We saw a teacher with a portable blackboard and a few children sitting around in the most beautiful of schools. We learnt that these families go down to the lower valleys in the winters but  they spend their summer and autumn months in these mountain homes feeding and tending to their cattle. During these months here the government sends mobile schools to each of the tiny villages. 

Altaf our horse man, was waiting along with three horses here. My husband mounted the black horse aptly called Kalu while I mounted  the chestnut- roan Rajjoo. After leaving the rough road and the house sparrows behind we got on to a dirt track. Soon my horse anxiety faded  away as I started to get comfortable on Rajjoo  as I soaked in the overwhelming beauty of the mountains. 

Gradually  the tall trees became sparse and gave way to green bushes with pretty yellow heads and just a bit further shrubs of  junipers and rhododendron could be seen clinging on to the slopes; we were on green and open mountain slopes!!. How pretty it must  be in spring when the rhodos are  in full colourful bloom .The large-billed crows and a few ashy Drongos gave us company while our horses clopped down  the rolling hills, truly a riders paradise!

Further on our trail I heard the sound of a stream, the vegetation once again changed to dense pine forest. Along the stream we could  see ferns and bushes in all shades of green, Sorbaria Tomentosa or Kashmir False Spirea  with it's  tassels of cream flowers and delicate flowers of Kashmir Gentian swaying softly with the breeze. Quite a few  black and orange Indian Tortoiseshell butterflies could be seen seeking nectar  from the flowers while the red colour dragonflies hovered over the moist grass. Seeing the gushing stream we decided to take a  much needed break after more than an hour of riding.

We got off our horses and stretched our legs to  give rest to the never used riding muscles. The horses drank water from the sprinkling stream and enjoyed grazing on the green grass. We too washed our faces and drank the cool water from the stream, sat on the rocks enjoying the song and the spray of the rushing stream.  With the break over we walked a while along with the horses, petting and appreciating their skill and  then mounted them once again as we approached the stream crossing. Wading across the stream on the horseback was another thrilling

experience. Next we climbed up the trail leading to Chor-Khudan, our mysterious destination. The refreshed horses trotted up the  track and down the rolling hills along  the tree line for a while.  We climbed up once again and could finally view the panorama of Chor-khudan - the small Gujjar village in a little valley and rolling meadows dipping into a gushing  riverulet. As if from nowhere, a few children ran around our horses  followed by curious adults  while my husband continued to gallop ahead  on the most inviting meadows.

Tucked so far away from Gulmarg with no connecting road,Chor Khudan is a destination for winter back-country skiing (when the villagers have migrated back down to Baramulla) and rarely sees visitors in summer.

Another break, chit chat with the families while our horseman visited the homes of a couple of acquaintances and we enjoyed the goat milk offered. We then decided to head back. A pink- browed rosefinch, green- backed tits and a few russet sparrows  were seen fliting on the high tree branches. We cantered back to our much loved stream. On the way back we saw the beautiful pair of  white-capped water redstart flying and hopping on the  stones near the stream, we admired the verdant green grass along our trail, as if manicured and tended to perfection.  Little pools of water in the grass with white, yellow and pink flowers sprouting from the grass looked so lively yet soothing to the soul. Truly, the magic  of nature 'the gardener' tending to and creating its own diverse and interdependent ecology with its elements.  Flowers,insects, dragonflies, agmos, birds and butterflies completing their dance of life in perfect sync and sprouting  back to life again and again year after year.   

On reaching the halfway point on the bank of our much  loved Chor Khudan stream we  stopped for some much needed packed lunch. We took off our shoes, dipped our feet  in the cool crystal clear water of the stream while the horses too fed themselves to the green grass where an occasional rock-agmo crept under the rocks. 

We enjoyed our picnic with the music provided by the gushing stream  accompanied by fine instruments of narrow-banded satyr, indian tortoise- shell butterflies,  a large number of cherry-faced hawkmoth dragonflies and song courtesy the blue -whistling thrush. Here we collected and ate a few wild strawberries and  layed down on the grass relaxing and looking up at the clear blue sky, a few cumulus clouds, a raptor or two higher up, not a soul around just nature and us. How calm, how harmonious and how humbling  it felt. The dipping sun reminded us to proceed on our trail back to civilization. 

 

Balcony Birding!

बालकनी से पक्षी अवलोकन

मानव अपनी व्यस्त दिन चर्या  में कई बार अपने आस-पास रहने वाले रंगीन और रहस्यमय पक्षियों  की ओर  देखना भूल जाता है। वाहनों की कोलाहल में कोयल की मीठी कूक सुनती तो है परन्तु रुक कर उसके मधुर गान का आनंद नहीं ले पाते ।  इस बार हर वर्ष की तरह बसंत के आते ही सेमल के ऊंचे वृक्षों पर गहरे लाल रंग के फूल खिलने लगे और फूलों का रस पीने के लिए भौरे, तितलियाँ तथा अनेकों पक्षी वृक्षों को सुसज्जित करने लगे । 

प्रकृति हर वर्ष की तरह अपनी क्रिया में लीन थी, कहीं वृक्षों पर नई कोपले फूट रही थी तो कही पीपल पत्ते बिखेर रहा था। छोटा बसंत पक्षी अपनी लाल-पीली कलगी और लाल कंठ को दमकाता मनो बसंत राग का रियाज़ कर अपने साथी के संग प्रेम आलाप कर रहा हो।     

  परन्तु कुछ तो अलग था इस बार, वातावरण में एक चुप्पी सी थी । वायुयान और सड़को के वाहन सब रुक गए। बड़े बसंत पक्षी की टुक-टुक का स्वर इस चुपी में सरे वातावरण में गूंजने लगा।   कोरोना बीमारी के कारण बहुत सारे मानव अपनी दौड़ धूप छोड़ अपने घरो में  बैठ गए। घर रहने पर अपने घरों की बालकनी और छज्जो से प्रकृति का खिलना एक नई दृष्टि से देखने लगे।  

 सुबह आँख खुलने से पहले ही मुझे एक पक्षी का मधुर गान सुनिई दिया, उठी तो अभी अँधेरा था,मैं मन में विचार करने लगी की प्रभात की इस बेला में कौन सा पक्षी गा रहा ? उज्जला होते ही बालकनी से देखा की  गुलमोहर के डाल पर  दयाल पक्षी कुछ नया गान गा रहा था। हर दिन एक नया राग ? दयाल तो पक्षियों में किसी तानसेन से  काम नहीं । प्रेम आलाप में वह मादा को लुभाने के लिए नित नया गान सुनाता है।  

चाय बना कर मैं अपनी दूरबीन तथा कैमरा ले कर बालकनी  में बैठ गयी। सोचा की समाचार पत्र पढने की जगह आज पक्षियों का अवलोकन किया जाये। मेरे घर के सामने सड़क पार बगीचे में जामुन, नीम, अमलतास, शहतूत तथा पीपल के कुछ वृक्ष  है।  पीपल के पेड़ के फुगे पर एक गुलदुम बुलबुल बैठे अपनी चोंच से अपने पंख साफ़ कर रही थी मानो सुबह उठ सवर कर कहीं जाने की तैयारी में हो।  तभी पास की डाल पर हरियल अपने धीमे स्वर में ऐसे लगा की बुलबुल को कुछ पूछ रहा हो,"क्या हाल है बहना आज कहा की तैयारी है?" पंख हिला कर बुलबुल ने कुछ कहा और उड़ गयी, हरियल अपनी ही धुन में कुछ गुनगुनाता रहा।  तभी अमलतास के पेड़ पर कुछ हल चल दिखाई दी, यहाँ पर पीले रंग की छोटी सी चिड़ियों की टोली डाल- डाल पर फुदक- फुदक कर कीट कीटाणु खा रहीं थी। दूरबीन से देखने से पता चला की यह तो पूर्वी बबुना है।  जब तक मैं कैमरा उठती तब तक वह अमलताश से नीम, नीम से जामुन ओर फिर आगे निकल गयीं ।  उसी समय चिररर की आवाज हुई तो देखा की नीम के तने पर कालपुठ आंगरा  कठफोड़ा आ कर बैठ गया।  वह तने पर अपनी चोंच से  बार- बार ठोक रहा था । वह शायद  अपने घोसले के लिए छेद बनाने की सही जगह तलाश रहा था? बहुत देर तक कठफोड़ा नीम के तने पर गोल-गोल घूम नीचे से ऊपर विश्लेषण करता रहा। तभी नीम के नीचे  बहुत चहल- पहल दिखाई दी, देखा तो जंगल चरखी का एक समूह उछल कूद कर रहा था।  जंगल चरखी को सात भाई भी कहा जाता है क्योकिं यह हरदम एक सयुक्त परिवार के तरह मिल जुल कर ही रहते हैं  । इस समय भी शायद  वह सब मिल जुल कर कुछ खाना बटोर रहें थे ओर साथ ही साथ उनकी बात- चीत चल रही थी। 

    बसंत में खिले रंग-बिरंगे फूल हर जीव को आकर्षित करते हैं। कभी चमकती बैगुनी शकरखोरा तेजी से आ कर हेलिकॉप्टर के जैसे फूल पर मंडराती है और अपनी पैनी चोंच से रस का सेवन करती है तो कभी तितलियाँ कोमलता से फूल के रस का चयन । बैगुनी शकरखोरा की मादा और नर शकरखोरा रंग में बिलकुल अलग दिखते हैं । पक्षियों में कई बार नर और मादा के रंग भिन्न होते है। नर के पखं मादा को लुभाने के लिए रगों से भरपूर अत्याधिक आकर्षक होते हैं ।  मादा अण्डे देती है, उन्हें सेकती है। अन्य  शिकारी जीवों  कि दृष्टि उनके घोसंले पर ना पडे,  शायद इसी कारण से सृष्टि रचयिता ने मादा को सादगी प्रदान की होगी? 

तभी दूर कहीं अम्बुवा की बोर पर कोयल की कूक सुनाई दी मानो बसंत का  स्वागत कर रही हो, अब मैं उसको देखने की उत्सुकता से अगले दिन से हर रोज  बालकनी में समय बिताने लगी। लाल कोकयिया, सामान्य दरजी, सामान्य भुजंगा, कोयल, कौआ, कबूतर, छोटा फाख्ता, देसी मैना,अबलकी मैना, पुहय्या,  आदि हर सुबह अपनी खेल क्रियाओं को दिखा कर मेरा मनोरंजन करने लगे ।

कुछ ही दिनों में  पीपल के पत्ते गिर गये और फल आने लगे ।  फलो से आकर्षित हो बहुत प्रकार के पक्षी फलो का सेवन करने के लिए पीपल पर दिखने लगे । धनेष,सिपाही बुलबुल, लहबर तोता,  हीरेमन तोते आदि । अरे!  यहाँ तो गुलाबी मैना की टोली भी पहुँच गई । कुछ दिनों  तक हर  सुबह उनकी चहचहाट से मन खुश हो उठता रहा । पीपल की अनजीर और शहतूत खा कर यह प्रवासी गुलाबी मैना समुंद्र पार अपने धर तक की लम्बी यात्रा कि तैयारी कर रहीं थी। क्या रहस्यमय दुनिया है इन पक्षियों की? बालकनी से ही मानों मैंने  एक नई दुनिया की झलक देख ली । इन पक्षियों को देख मुझे बहुत आनंद मिला और बहुत कुछ सीखने को । 

परन्तु  बचपन में हमारे घरों में खेलने वाली गौरैया  की बहुत याद आई । इनसान विकास की दौड़ में क्या अपनो से ही दूर हो चला 

Hum Bhagwan Nahi hain!

हम भगवन नहीं है !

पक्षी और जानवर को खाना खिलाना  पुण्य का  काम है।  पहली रोटी  गाय को, दूसरे रोटी  पक्षी  को …..यह  सोच  तो  बहुत सही है।  यह हमें  सिखाती  है  कि हम अपने सिवाय औरों  की भी  सोचें । उन्हें  दुःख  न  पहुँचायें । पर  जब  ऐसी   बातें   अंधविश्वास बन  जाये  तो  यह  पुण्य  पाप में  बदल  जाता  है।  पहले समय में  घर में  गाय रखते थे  और पहली रोटी उसे देते  थे, कुत्ते  को  और  पक्षी  को  भी  थोड़ा  सा  दे दिया  जाता  था।  परन्तु  अब  शहरों  का  रूप  बदल  गया  है  न  घर-आंगन  में  गाय  है  न  घर  की मुंडेर  पर  गौरैया। 

    परन्तु  यह अन्धविश्वास और  भी  ज्यादा बढ़़ गया  है। पहले  समय में  कुछ दाने पक्षियों को डालते थे । उन दिनों जनसंख्या कम थी   और  खिलने   वाले और भी  कम।  उन दिनों अनाज बड़ी  मुश्किल  से  खाने  को  पूरा  होता  था  उसमें  से  थोड़ा  मिल  बाँट कर खा लिया करते  थे।  

पहले  केवल  नवाब  लोग  कबूतर-बाज़ी  करते  थे और कबूतर  को  दाना डालते  थे।  इतने अधिक कबूतरों के नज़ारे  केवल  पुरानी  दिल्ली  में देखने  को मिलते  थे  परन्तु  अब  तो  जैसे  पूरी  दिल्ली  कबूतरखाना  बन  गई  है।  अब  जिसे देखो  वो  पुण्य  कामा कर रहा है या  नवाब  बन  बैठा  है। 

कुछ असर फिल्मों का भी  है।  अमरीष  पूरी ने (डी डी अल जे ) कबूतरों को दाना  डाला तो फिर शारुख  खान ने अमरीष पूरी  को ...तो  हम  कुछ कम हैं क्या ?  हिन्दी की कई फिल्मों  मे लंदन के  ट्राफलगर  स्कवयेर  में कबूतरों को दाना चुगते  दर्शाया तो  हम क्यों पीछे रहें?  दिल्ली के हर चौराहे  को  ट्राफलगर  स्क्वायर ना बना  दे? 

परन्तु  किसी  ने  यह  तो  बताया  नहीं  की  ट्रफलगर स्कवयेर   या  फिर  लंदन  में  कहीं भी दाना डालने पर कई वर्षो  से प्रतिबंध है  और  दाना डालने पर बहुत  भारी  फाईन होता है । यह इसलिए कि कबूतरों की संख्या इतनी बढ़ गयी थी कि वह इन्सानो में  सांस की कई बीमारियों  का कारण बने और घरों-इमारतों को  बेहिसाब नुकसान पहुंचा रहे थे । आहार-शृंखला एक प्राकृतिक  नियम है और उसी के चलते भगवन  ने  हर  पशु - पक्षी  को  अपना  खाना  ढूँढने की क्षमता  दी  है । 

 परन्तु  हम  कोई  भगवन  से  कम  है ? हम  खाना  नहीं  देंगें  तो  वो भूखे ना मर  जाएंगे । अरे ! उनको   क्यों  निकम्मा   कर  रहे  हो  भाई ? खुद  तो  फ़ास्ट-फ़ूड  खाते  हो  उनको  भी  बिगाड़  रहे  हो।  मैदे  की  ब्रेड , कुरकुरे, तले हुए नमकीन  और  दाना ...वाह!  क्या  बात  है!   कीट - कीटाणु  अब  वो  क्यों  ढूँढेगे? कीट- कीटाणु को कौन संयम में रखेगा ? क्या  पशु-पक्षियों की एक ही जाति को बढ़ावा देना सही है? क्या इस से असन्तुलन नहीं हो रहा?  जो खाना डाला जा रहा है उस से कबूतरों की  संख्या तो बढ़ ही  रही है साथ मे चूहे- गिलहरी के भी मजे हो रहे है और वह भी दिन दुनी- रात चौगुनी के हिसाब  से बढ़़ ते चले जा रहे है।

कुछ  विचार  करे।।।।।।।  

                                           ---शोभिता अस्थाना

Dhokla

Ingredients:

1 Cup - Besan (bengal gram flour)
1/3 Cup - Suji (semolina flour)
2 Cups - Lassi (butermilk) - Enough to make a batter of dropping consistency
1 tsp - Salt
1 tsp - Turmeric powder
5 gms - Eno (fruit salt)
1/2 tsp - Mustard seeds
5-8 - Curry leaves
2-3 tsp Lemon juice
1 tsp Ground ginger paste
3 Tbsp - Sugar

Method:

1. Sift the besan, add Suji, salt, turmeric powder, and ginger paste to the flour
2.  Add enough buttermilk to the flour to make a batter of dropping consistency, let it set for 5 minutes
3. Check the consistency again, add more buttermilk if required
4. Grease flat container which is at least 2 inches deep and about 9 inches wide