Shame on the DANES

Barbaric custom followed by Danes

Media clip Danes slaughtering dolphins

Media clip Danes slaughtering dolphins

Media clip Danes slaughtering dolphins

Media clip Danes slaughtering dolphins

Media clip Danes slaughtering dolphins

I normally write on topics related to my home town Mount Abu, but this has taken me off on a tangent and I felt it should be blogged to make a man feel more responsible for his acts towards his responsibility of protecting his environment and animals of this planet. Today I received a mail and was appalled at this Barbaric custom followed by them. It’s inconceivable that in this age and era we still have Humans who indulge in such acts of violence against creatures who are harmless and friends to humans. This wanton slaughtering of peaceful creatures sends a shiver down my spine. How can a “Civilized” country stand by and see members of its male community commit such an act of atrocity? SOME CUSTOM TO PROVE ONE’S MANHOOD, IT MAKES ME SHUDDER. The Danes should open up a gladiator ring on their beach and pit man against man to prove his virility. I’m sure the dolphins would form row upon row to see this spectacle of humans pitting their strength against each other. The dolphins would probably give a standing ovation to these men of Holland if they could prove their adulthood amongst themselves instead of releasing their basic animal instincts to endanger another of our wonderful and loving species into oblivion.

An Inspirational Update on Mount Abu

Mount Abu was reverted back to Rajasthan in 1956

For years Abuites were aware of the dispute that existed between the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat for this Abode of the Gods. While reading the newspaper on the 1stNovenber, I came across an article posted by “Ashish Vasi” TNN. The extract below is taken from the Times of India Ahmedabad edition. His reflection on Mount Abu has brought forth Forgotten Truths.

Nakki Lake in  Mount Abu

Nakki Lake in Abu

Yes, Sardar, whose birthday fell on Monday, wanted Mt Abu to be part of Gujarat. Before the integration of Indian States, Mt Abu was part of Abu-Sirohi state, with a large Gujarati-speaking population. Bombay and Rajasthan states wanted the mountain peak to be a part of their respective territories. “Until 1300, rulers from Gujarat ruled Mt Abu. However, subsequently, it became a part of Sirohi. Sardar Patel argued that the region belonged to Gujarati rulers and reflected its ethnicity,” says Maharao of Sirohi, Raghuvir Singh. Knowing that the move could trigger protests, Sardar Patel sent his trusted lieutenant VP Menon for a primary assessment. Based on Menon’s feedback, Patel bifurcated Sirohi and merged Abu-Delwada with Bombay in 1949. However, post-merger in 1949, Sardar wrote a letter to one of his colleagues, Kalyanji Mehta, saying he has handed over the whole mountain of Abu to Gujarat and that keeping its possession as well as benefiting out of it was the look-out of the Bombay government. “But soon local people started an agitation. Prime Minister Nehru appointed a commission to solve such issues nationwide. The commission visited Mount Abu and discussed the matter with my father Maharao Abhay Singhji. They also asked me if Gujarati was the mother tongue of the royal family,” recalled Raghuvir Singh. When Sardar died in 1950, the Praja Mandal of Sirohi intensified the agitation and there was no strong voice from Bombay, to decisively fight for Abu. On the basis of the commission’s report, Mount Abu was reverted back to Rajasthan in 1956. Thankfully, some would say.

Mount Abu Camp Sites for Tourists

The day after Diwali, Mount Abu is like the burning Olympic flame, only here it does not attract the athletes, but the Gujjus from Gujarat. It drew them to Abu like the moth to the flame. A steady stream of non-ending vehicles winds its way up this enthralling mountain. This continues for a complete week nonstop. Tourists that have advance booking have nothing to worry about; those who have moved up this hill without any booking are indeed brave souls. Abu at this time of the year is crammed; locals have a heyday as they oblige the tourists by renting out personal rooms in their homes at a premium, and nothing is spared, they make even space in jeeps use of. Abu gears up for this maddening rush by utilizing every asset that it owns, government agencies pitch tents like the Scouts personnel and the forest department. To make life exciting for the youth, the forest department has opened up a “Wilderness campsite Auro Adventures” en route to Gaumukh. The scouts have pitched tents on their lower and upper ground by the name of “Camper Adventure” for families. Tourists interested in utilizing these camping sites have to get in touch with the head of these departments. My suggestion to our guests who make their way up to our Paradise is to please make sure you have your booking well in advance or be prepared to be ripped off. This Paradise could turn into quite hell if they do not prepare you for the worst. Also, note the temperature drops quite low after sunset, so bring along some warm clothing for yourself and your family. Wishing all Guests a Very Happy Diwali Season and “A Joyous Happy New Year” from us folks from the Abode of the Gods.

Mount Abu Mini Nakki Lake Location

Nakki Lake Location Mt Abu

Mini Nakki Lake

I’ve had quite a few queries as to the location of Mini Nakki Lake hence I’ve decided to enlighten and bring those of you who left Abu eons ago up to date. This artificial lake came up as a result of famines that struck this state (Rajasthan) over the years, the authorities to alleviate the plight of the farmers and the labour class began this project some 25 years ago. The work under the tenure of Collector Brandon while here in Sirohi saw its completion.
The labours who worked on the project were compensated with grain to help them tide over the drought period. Not a bad deal it’s like a drowning man grabbing for a straw. Today this water body can be seen when one is driving up the road to Guru Shikhar, the snap above was taken from a vantage point a half a Km or so from the Oriya check post, yea they now have a check post outside both Oriya and Trevor’s Tank. I presume they will also have a check post in place once the new road is completed. The water of this catchment is pretty clean only hope it remains this way after the road becomes operational , humans are humans and are the most unpredictable species . I think I’ll go down there in a day or so and put up a sign “Spare this water Body” it’s the drinking water of the animals, please dispose off your litter on the way out at the dumps.

Mini Nakki Lake Mount Abu

Upper section of road below Wordsworth Farm Middle section of road

Final lap to the mini lake

Freshly pitched tents to attract the tourists

They requested me to furnish information on the Abu Uttarayan farms whether it was operational as a hotel, guest house, or resort. Being an Abuite, it puzzled me that I could not place this spot. My curiosity got the better of me and I made inquiries regarding this unusual place. My queries drew quite a few blanks at first, but then I was given a lead, it’s probably a new name given to Mrs Wordsworth's Farm en route Guru Shikhar. I have been to this place over the years; the earliest was in the 60’s when the austere, grand old lady from New Zealand was alive and after whom the farm was named. I have not been to this place in quite a while, so I picked up my camera, kicked my bike, picked up a friend on the way and headed for the farm. The drive to the farm is lovely and peaceful but today it was anything but peaceful. There was mind-blowing traffic of Diwali holidaymakers. On reaching the junction that branches off to the farm it surprised me to see a broad road being prepared. I drove along this unfinished road and reached the farm. There was a gate with a lock on it; yes it was the Uttarayan farm all right as on the left side a board bore the name. I was pretty keen to take a few snaps of the cottage where Mrs Wordsworth lived so that I could write a few words in praise of this ascetic and mysterious foreigner who lived here out in the wilderness. On asking the chowkidar and the present manager if it was possible for me to snap the forlorn cottage, they became quite hostile. I was pretty shocked at their uncouth behaviour, it was as if I had threaded upon some mystery they did not want me to stumble upon. I then asked the manager if they used the main building opposite the cottage as a tourist haunt to which he curtly replied “NO” it's private property. While I was there, what caught my attention was the big concrete road being built right along the boundary of the farm. My friend Harry, who had accompanied me to the farm, found out that this road was being built from Mini Nakki Lake to the main road. We took a hike down the road and walked to the water’s edge. I took a few snaps of the surrounding area and headed back up the road. It looks like the forest department is all out to promote Abu as one glorious tourist destination. They should complete the road in about 10 days. This place is going to draw crowds of holidaymakers because of its unique location and a new picnic spot. Already tents have been pitched opposite the main road to entice tourists for a stopover for snacks and a quick meal. In a few years' time, I see this place being highly commercialized, and with it, the woes of modern pollution disrupt this once quiet and peaceful environment enjoyed by the New Zealander who lived here to her very tragic end.