Search This Blog

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Grim water situation Mount Abu

Dhobis washing clothes in stagnant water
Dhobi at the Paddys bridge washing clothes

The water situation in Mount Abu at the present is very grim. Owing to continuous slack monsoons in recent years, the water condition is grim and water sources are quite strained. For the last three years we have got used to water being supplied to us every alternative day, of late the supply has been poor as there isn’t enough pressure being supplied from the water works to give us sufficient water , we are now receiving half the quantity previously supplied to us.
Never have I experienced such a hot and dry summer as of this year. Abu’s streams and pond are stark dry; there are just a few artificial water bodies in the hills of Abu that have dwindling water supplies where the local birds and animals can quench their thirst. The dhobis this year are the hardest hit. They are forced to wash clothes in the stagnant water as there is no clean and fresh water to be had. The clothes washed in these unhealthy water bodies are a source of skin rashes and diseases, not to mention the murky stench that they give off.
Month before last a tanker of water could be had for Rs150/- then last month it shot up to Rs350/- Plus. Today evergreen tube wells have all gone dry; getting a tanker of water is a matter of luck, as the water-table has fallen drastically. Most of the municipal tube wells have gone kaput.
This year if the South West Monsoons do not arrive on time, and God forbid if Abu has another erratic Monsoon we in Abu will be facing an extremely grim water situation, and the city may be plunged into scarcity. The fragility of the Abu ecosystem, combined with the scarcity of water we are experiencing, makes it crucial for Abu to agree on a comprehensive, long-term venture. We may offer “Havans” or ‘do the rain dance’ to appease the rain gods, we can’t make it rain, but we can make the system work better to ensure a reliable water supply for Abu and protect the environment.
Mount Abu in the late sixties never needed a fan in the house the climate used to be so pleasant, but with climate warming over the years Abu now needs AC’s to keep the summer heat out. The future I’m sure won’t turn any better not with the way climate warming has become our destiny, and the bottom line is if our leaders do not tackle this grim situation head on we are headed for a dire water crisis.



Tuesday, May 12, 2009

The Miracle Neem Tree Mount Abu

Neem Trees Arna Village
Saurabh's house Neem trees
Plummy from Arna Village
The Golden Horn from Tiger path


Common Shrike
Precarious water situation in Abu

The Legendary Neem tree can be found in nearly all parts of India, it grows at the foot hills of Abu but not in Abu. Abu is blessed with a cocktail of diverse trees, evergreen, deciduous and desert varieties, but not the Miracle tree, the Neem. Many have tried to grow this tree over time but not a single tree could be found in this heaven of ours, my quest for locating a single tree almost came to end and I was ready to believe that this tree could not be grown in Abu, when out of the blue I was told that there were Neem trees growing in Abu.
I had gone to order a cake for my lady love on Valentine’s Day from Saurabh of Swastik Hotel, (by the way his chef makes wonderful cakes) and in the course of our conversation we hit upon the topic of the wonders of the Neem tree and how this tree did not grow in Abu. Saurabh who has a house in Arna Village, just below Monkey Temple told me he had four Neem trees growing on his property, at first I thought he was pulling my leg, but he was dead serious, he told me he had brought them from Himatnager in Gujarat. I told him I would drop in when I could find the time to confirm his claim.
Today was a hay day for me I had driven down to the Arna Village to see the extent of damage the forest fire had caused there. Not only did I get to see the Neem trees but got to hear the Legendary Golden Oriel melodious tunes. The Oriel was a common bird in the sixties, today if one gets to see or hear one, one can consider himself lucky. I did manage to get some lovely shots of the Neem and of some birds and of the horn. I have posted them above. Probably the Neem trees have survived at Arna Village due to a small variation in temperatures, Neem trees cannot survive in temperatures below 4 degree C.








Sunday, May 10, 2009

Tragic end to the fish in the school fish pond


After I had posted the article “Nostalgia St.Mary’s School Mount Abu”, I heard that the fish in the school pond the next day met with a tragic end. No it was not the sloth bear of Abu that attacked the fish in the pond, it was a Good Samaritan, as this bloke took it upon himself to replenish the drying pond with fresh water. It was probably chlorinated water that put paid to the fish in the pond.
The pond is now being refilled after a through spring cleaning. Any one feeling generous could donate some fish when visiting the school next, only after getting a green signal from the principal.

Bees Invade Class 7 St.Mary’s School Mount Abu




A fortnight ago there was abs pandemonium in class 7 as a swarm of bees invaded the class via the open window above the refractory. The students ran helter-skelter and made a bee line for the door. Quite a few students and the teacher Ms Jennifer were at the receiving end. Ms Jennifer got stung 5 times on the back and chest, one of the teachers helped remove the projectiles left behind by the attacking bees, the students who were stung were rushed to hospy for first aid treatment.
The bee hives are just outside the class room under the ledge, it was probably the fumes from the kitchen below that disturbed these little creatures. I believe some class X boys also were at the receiving end a few days later. The window above the hives is now sealed.

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Nostalgia St.Mary’s High School Mount Abu

St.Mary’s High School Mount Abu.



 Blessed Edmund Rice by Pope John Paul II in Rome on 6 October 1996

Plummy heart-throb  of the boys

Absorbed Teachers Seminar

In anticipation for the bus St.Patrics Day

Cliffy looking great

Fish pond school

Ivo in the Staff room



Oh to be on a picnic

School dam or Lower Khodra dam

Gearing up for a picnic beyond monkey temple
Arna village

Staff Room now revamped

Daisies tucking in - lunch break

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

EDMUND RICE CELEBRATION "A day to remember" Mount Abu

Fibreglass statue Edmund Rice Brothers Quarters

Boys having lunch picnic style

Edmund is honoured as the founder of the Christian Brothers. Today to pay homage to his vision and generosity, Father Suprien unveiled a fibreglass statue of his in front of the brother’s cottage a fitting place for a man who inspired a mission that continues today on all continents through the ministry of Christian Brothers and laity called to serve in this vocation of Catholic Education.

Today this order has spread to 28 countries and his vision of helping and educating the poor can be seen all over the world. Father Suprien gave a short speech to all the students and staff gathered around, after a short prayer, all dispersed to participate later in the day in storytelling, speeches, poetry, mime and prayer about the past, present and future. Speaking on behalf of the Christian Brothers, the Principal Ms Mary Joseph thanked the staff and students for their generosity and hard work in arranging the event.

When I reached the school there was music blaring and I could see the students having lunch not in the refectory, but out in the open picnic style. Laughter, music and celebration were the order of the day. Today is the feast day of Edmund.