Some Random snaps and expressions on Mount Abu

Nakki Lake

Oh, Great lake what have we done

Your precious gift so freely spun

Your placid blue face now turned to green

Humanity has no love for thee.

Spare our precious Lake our gracious visitors

See the debris floating on thee

Dumped by indifferent folks using thee

Our beautiful, unique and vital source

Our drinking water supplied by thee

Tourists, visitors and our own  Abuites if you are reading this blog post of mine I simply make an appeal to you to please treat our vital, emergency drinking water source as a top priority  and not dump your junk into our precious lake. This lake provides habitats to a variety of species, drinking water in emergency to the town of Abu, serenity and expression to lovers and dreamers. We Abuites would appreciate it if you folks would give a helping hand by not dumping your waste valuables into our charming lake.

Water snake basking in the winter sun

Sunbird at the lake

White throated kingfisher

Grey Heron

Cormorant our winter visitors

Dragon fly

Basking early morning

Robin

Modern Dinosaur

Suspended moon early morning 

The Beckoning hills of Mount Abu

Mount Abu is a magical reserve of evergreen and deciduous forests, grey granite lava rocks, embracing cool breezes, and greenery all around. Those of us fortunate mortals who have had the pleasure of romping down the various forest paths and experiencing the natural beauty of the mountains are hooked for life. The serenity and the tranquility one experiences here is akin to having visited Paradise, a paradise that haunts those souls who have left and gone away to live elsewhere.

Those who have lived even for a short duration in this paradise cannot resist the urge of the beckoning hills; the charm is so powerful that sooner or later former Abuites make their way back here to experience the nostalgia.

Yesterday I banged into Stephen, an Aussie who brought me up on the latest happenings in and around his work place. Stephen works at the Global Hospital, a venture of the Brahma kumaris. He told me an ex-Abuite who had migrated to Australia had come to the hospital with a wild fowl in his possession. I then asked him how come?     He then gave me the gist of the story.

John Stracey (son of Late Deputy Commandant E.L.Stracey, an IP officer who was posted here in Abu in the CPTC in the early sixties) came to visit his Alma Mater St. Mary’s School, and indulge in the nostalgia of this magical Abode. He had gone for a morning walk the day before to sunset point, being an Abuite he rambled   down one of the jungle trails. What he witnessed blew him away; a local had set a crude trap (a small fishing hook at the end of a nylon sting) for the wild fowl that strayed there. A fowl had apparently taken hook line and bait and lay there helpless. John must have been furious and I’m sure he must have blown a fuse; he immediately went into town and got the authorities to witness the scene. He then took the bird down to the global hospital to see if he could save it. I wish I could have met his as I believe he was an ace Athlete while he was studying here in school.

 As I mentioned in my last post poaching in Abu is quite common, I’m sure any Abuite who reads this post of mine can vouch for the same and also mention the intriguing items and methods used by our present day poachers.

What a Crying Shame Mt. Abu

Today the forest of Mount Abu cannot be considered ecologically alive, as the birds and beasts that once roamed these virgin forest are today almost nonexistent. The Tiger disappeared in the mid-forties as they were hunted by the English and the elite Rajput rulers. Gradually over the years other large animals like the deer, the Sambar, blue-bull and porcupine s have been poached and today one does not get to see hair or hide of these animals. The Leopard can be seen occasionally when it makes its way to the town premises in search of stray dogs and domesticated animals, this beautiful animal is also poached for its expensive hide.

Wild life protection in and around the forest of Abu are extremely poor due to lack of resources. Hunting is prohibited in this sanctuary of ours, but influential people still get a piece of the pie in the form of small game, trapped wild fowl and the hare. Today while returning from my jungle walk I witnessed a native smuggling a wild fowl in a sack, he must have set a trap earlier in the day. Why work one’s ass off for a daily wage of 250 buck when one can earn up to 300 for setting the right kind of trap for these exotic birds. In the seventies these birds were a common sight today they can be barely heard or seen.

Today I had taken a ride to the school and met Shankar at the Paddy’s bridge and this is what I witnessed have a look at the snaps.

Shankar releasing a trap at Paddy’s Bridge

A trap meant for fish

What a shame

Awful

Five snakes in all

[ 14, November, 2011]. CHILDREN’S DAY CELEBRATIONS ST.MARY’S SCHOOL

Celebrating Children’s Day at St. Mary’s School in Mt. Abu

Children’s Day at St. Mary’s School in Mt. Abu is always a vibrant, awaited event, and this year was no exception. The teachers and staff dedicate themselves to making every student’s day unforgettable, transforming it into one filled with joy, laughter, and lasting memories.

In a heartwarming tradition, teachers showcase their creativity and dedication to making the day special for their students by performing skits, dances, and fun activities. The effort is a testament to the school’s commitment to nurturing a positive, supportive, and joyous environment for every child.

Some delightful video clips, captured by final-year student Master Kashyap Trivedi, document the lively performances and candid moments of the celebration, which I have included. His videos portray the authentic joy, enthusiasm, and sense of community characterising Children’s Day at St. Mary’s.

Whether it’s a comical play, a vibrant dance performance, or a moving speech, the teachers’ efforts are clear. They create unforgettable experiences for students and remind us to appreciate and celebrate our youth.

One Man Show

The Puppet Show

Will post a few more videos when I find the time, till then Happy viewing

My Friends are My Estate, Mt. Abu

“My friends are my estate.” “A real friend walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” “A friend believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself.” “A hug is worth a thousand words. A friend is worth more.” “Friends are the most important ingredient in this recipe of life.”

 I offer my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of my friends. No words can adequately express my gratitude towards you. Some of you reached out after over 40 years of silence, and the very thought of reconnecting with old companions fills my heart with joy. Knowing that someone out there in this vast world still believes in the essence of humanity is a profound source of comfort.

My heartfelt appreciation goes to Father Jackie and Loretta for their unwavering support, providing groceries in the aftermath of the devastating flash flood. A big thank you to all my mates who stepped forward to offer assistance in any way they could. Your acts of kindness and generosity will not be forgotten.

I am blessed in so many ways: a loving and understanding woman by my side, a positive approach to life, and the unwavering belief that “everything happens for the best.” Let me elaborate. When my previous landlord insisted that I vacate his premises immediately, it felt like a great inconvenience at the time. But in hindsight, it saved my life. Floodwaters engulfed the building I was initially considering for its convenience of moving our belongings over eight feet high. Army personnel rescued the caretaker of that building using ropes. Had I been there, I might not have survived.

Even in the face of losing all our earthly possessions, I chose to focus on the brighter side. This experience allowed me to refresh and revamp our household, something that was long overdue. For this, I thank providence.

 Now, we are back in our abode, and life moves forward. Once again, I thank all of you for your unwavering support and for making us feel whole. My only request is that we continue to keep in touch and cherish the bonds we share.

 P.S. A very special thank you to our family doctor, Dr. A.K. Sharma, who was instrumental in mobilising the army and CRPF personnel to rescue us during the flood. Your efforts saved lives, and for that, we are forever indebted.

Man's best friend is the dog.

Bosky and her adopted family

Suckling 

Cats waiting to be fed

Bosky was content with being with her cats

  

Thank you for being My Friend