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Friday, August 24, 2018

Alluring and bewitching the Water hyacinth flower. Mount Abu

The water flower hyacinth invades a thousand freshwater bodies worldwide.

"Water hyacinth flower. Mt Abu.Plucked from the stream."
Water hyacinth flower. Mt Abu

How did the water hyacinth enter Mount Abu?

Unravelling the Green Threat: The Stealthy Invasion of Mount Abu’s Freshwaters by Water Hyacinth

The infamous water hyacinth has taken root in the calm highlands of Mount Abu, famed as the abode of gods, and spread its emerald tentacles over a thousand freshwater bodies worldwide. This water plant, which appears to be a stunning bloom at first glance, has found its way into the heart of Mount Abu, raising doubts about its origin and the environmental implications it bears.

The Water Hyacinth Mystery: A perplexing mystery surrounds the water hyacinth in Mount Abu. Abuites in the region recall a time when this invasive plant was absent from their scenic landscapes. The shift occurred sometime between the swinging sixties and the eventful eighties, leaving many to wonder how this green intruder infiltrated the sanctity of the hill station.

An Abuite’s Story: Harnam, often known as Harry, a seasoned Abu inhabitant, solves the mystery underlying the water hyacinth’s arrival at Mount Abu. Based on his account, the invasion commenced with a grand wedding reception years ago. A surplus of colourful flowers and plants, including the unwary water hyacinth, made its way to the hills as part of the festivities.

After the festivities came to an end, the surplus decorative plants became a treasure trove for the Abuites, as they were sold at discounted prices. Nobody knew that among the brilliant blossoms, the water hyacinth had tucked itself into the streams along the pilgrim route. The unsuspecting introduction of this innocuous plant would quickly create an environmental threat to Mount Abu’s water ecosystems.

The Unexpected Consequences of That Joyous Celebration: The water hyacinth, once an exotic addition, has morphed into a green threat, spreading its tentacles throughout Mount Abu’s freshwater bodies. The invasive nature of this plant has alarmed residents, environmentalists, and officials alike, causing authorities to take immediate measures to stop its growth.
Conclusion: The water hyacinth, a quiet invader whose beginnings may be traced back to a time of celebration and flowery excess, now has Mount Abu’s calm vistas in its grasp. As the green menace spreads, it serves as a harsh warning of the unforeseen environmental consequences that can result from seemingly innocuous activities. To learn more about the complexities of this ecological dilemma, follow the link: "Green menace spreading its tentacles in Mount Abu."

Sunday, August 19, 2018

The Hill are calling and I must complete the Race Mount Abu.

Results of the Half Marathon Mount Abu.

"Panoramic view of Mount Abu,compiled by Edward Alva"
The Hills are a calling and I must run.

Results sent per kind favour of my Brother-in-law Jimmy Vania.

Congratulations to the Winners and to all the Participants from Mount Abu


List of Women Winners

1st Place: Arpita Saini From U.P
Time: 1Hr 45 Min 12 Seconds

2nd Place: Etaferhu Dubale From Ethiopia
Time: 1 Hr 46 Min 32 Sec

3rd Place: Seema Singh  From Delhi
Time: 1 Hr 49 min 10 sec

4th Place: Madhu Chahal From Haryana

List of Men Winners

1st Place: Vishnu Nandan Rathor From Rajgarh M.P
Time: 1 Hr 22 Min 10 Seconds

2nd Place: Simon From Kenya
Time: 1 Hr 23 Min 47 Sec

3 rd Place: Jasvinder Singh From Ranikhet Uttarakhand
Time: 1 Hr 24 min 04 sec

4th Place: Binyam Gets Melgiste From Ethiopia

Will be updating the results as and when they come in bear with me.
Just received these pictures via my WhatsApp Kind favour Jimmy.

1st Place: Arpita Saini From U.P | 2nd Place: Etaferhu Dubale From Ethiopia | 
3rd Place: Seema Singh  From Delhi


1st Place: Vishnu Nandan Rathor From Rajgarh M.P | 2nd Place: Simon From Kenya | 
3 rd Place: Jasvinder Singh From Ranikhet Uttarakhand


The finish Gateway a Misty Mount Abu.

This marathon must have been an immense challenge for first-time participants. I can imagine running a cross-country marathon, but an uphill one must have been especially tough, even for experienced runners. I’m sure this event has received a warm reception from the people of Abu, and they are excited to see it become part of the annual festivities. Its popularity is likely to grow, attracting not only elite marathon runners but also tourists from around the world to witness this yearly event. Hopefully, next year, we’ll see even more participants joining in this sport.

Before I conclude, I want to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of the local administration, the people of Abu, and especially “The Brahma Kumaris” for initiating and organizing this annual event.

Friday, August 17, 2018

Two Days to Go for the Big Run Abu Road to Mount Abu.[17/08/2018 ]

The half marathon Day After Tomorrow 19 August 2018.

My Best wishes to all of you who love to RUN! I pray the rain gods hold off till after the race.



Eritrea's Zersenay Tadese
Source: Snap


The current world record for the half marathon is 58:23 minutes for men, set by Eritrea's Zersenay Tadese on 21 March 2010 at the Lisbon Half Marathon, and 64:51 minutes for women, set by Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya at the Valencia Half Marathon on 22 October 2017.
Source: Wikipedia


It hasn’t rained in Mount Abu for some time now. Yesterday we had a little rain accompanied by thunder. There seems to be a buildup of cloud cover and the Met Department predicts that there is an 80% chance of it raining on the 19 Aug 18. I hope it won’t be a gloomy, wet run. I believe around 1800 participants will be present for the challenge. The run from Abu Road to Mount Abu via Tiger Path is indeed a gruelling one. Only hope the weather holds long enough for those taking part to complete the race without the additional downpour if it occurs. 
We from the Abode of the Gods
Wish all the Participants a HAPPY RUNNING EXPERIENCE filled with warmth and affection from us Abuites.  

Tiger Path / The Old Cart Road.

Mount Abu from Tiger Path 

Believe it's raining heavily in Ahmedabad since morning.


Saturday, August 11, 2018

Monsoon update [ 11 August 2018 ] Mount Abu.

Rain-bearing clouds have disappointed the Abode of the Gods.

Snapshot INSAT pic  2018-08-11 at 10.31.51 AM

The heavy monsoon predicted by the met department for our region has gone up in a vapour. Our streams are a trickle, our lake and reservoir desperately need a filling or next year Abuites are gonna face water rationing on a larger scale.
The local Abuites and the Abu municipality have deemed it fit to have a “HAVAN” to appease the rain gods. Hopefully, it will rain for a few days at the end of the month and the beginning of September. Reports from Skymet are not too promising. Let’s watch and wait, man, proposes, but it’s nature that disposes of it.  



Tuesday, August 07, 2018

Large-billed Or Jungle crows Omen or a blessing Mount Abu

A congregation of a “murder of crows” 

"A congregation of a “murder of crows” apot a tree in Mount Abu."
Long-billed Jungle Crows


Folktale has it that crows congregate and decide another species' capital fate. 
Many view the manifestation of crows as an omen. Well, the 2019 elections are around the corner. Will the coming elections be associated with "Aacha Din", especially in the state of the Rajputs, or will there be an upheaval that may be turbulent and detrimental to the stigmata of our state of being called ‘lychgate’? 
I'm sure there is trepidation about what the results of the coming elections are about bringing forth. I'm no soothsayer but I take it Bharat our nation will rise to the occasion and the folks will rejoice and see AACHA DIN.