Salagrama in the hand of Monkey (Mankada Hatare Salagrama)

Salagrama - a sacred stone usually a black colored spherical fossil found in the holy Gandhaki River in Himalaya. They are considered to be lord himself and are worshiped in temples and at home.

Last weekend, I thought of roaming by cycle which I occasionally do in the galis (narrow roads) of Cuttack city. Popular saying in odia on the millennium city Cuttack, Babana Bazar and Tepana Gali (52 markets and 53 narrow roads) and that day my cycle ride was the gali from Tinikonia Bagicha to Buxi bazar crossing Kesharpur again from Meria Bazar towards dolamundai crossing friend’s colony. Find a busy road, shops and denizens sitting in front of house or in barandas (open space outside houses) may be due to hot and humid summer evening sans power supply. It was worth watching the reaction may be cycling in such roads by my age group of women is not that common. J    

The open surface drain is the specialty of that gali. Witnessed children defecating open in the drain, people throwing all garbage directly to open drain and as usual you find people urinating at road side which very common scene in Cuttack. Local administration carrying a massive drain cleaning activity before monsoon breaks, perhaps worried of last year’s water logging in the city due to chocked drains. Found debris lying on roads blocking almost 70 percent and some side by roads were completely drenched and covered by debris leaving no space to even walk.  It was so spiteful, filthy, unhygienic and unhealthy. I wonder if this the only way to clean the open drain?

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Cuttack is such a beautiful city situated in the delta of River Mahanadi and surrounded by Mahanadi, its dis-tributary Kathjodi. Many times while commuting from Bhubaneswar in my glass covered AC Car in ring road, I keep on watching the crimson hued sunset, the beautiful view of Kathajodi River, the horizon, the gorgeous embracing sky.   Such a beautiful place, so scenic landscape... Once you open your glass you get the real smell of river side open defecation.  It’s so disgusting always and ever. Be it in an advance country with such unique topography it would have been an important tourist place attracting visitors worldwide.    I always feel this is the genuine case of Salagrama in the hand of monkey (Mankada Hatare Salagrama).

Technology Solution: promotion of hand washing practices at critical time

Technology solutions are vital. It’s appealing, adoptable and has greater acceptance, if it is innovative and done with local know how with application of simple science. All most all schools in rural areas do not have specific hand washing provision. You will find many academically good schools in cities even do not have hand washing facility. A simple hand washing solution for schools children done in the design lab workshop at Bakul Foundation. It was really good to brief young participants from countries like Estonia, Denmark, Nepal and India on water sanitation issues in slums, interact with them and learn being a part of the final presentation day in design lab workshop. (Feb 2014)

Local knowledge, and application of that knowledge in various technological adaptation shows it is not only the cup of tea of the engineers with a technical degree. Let’s promote local innovators for adopting technologies required in our day to day life. 

Photo courtesy: Design Lab: https://www.facebook.com/designlabee

Relevance of the story “Kalia dalana” today

It is nice to find Swayam’s (my son 3+ yrs)interest in stories. Currently he is gripped by a pictorial, coloring story book on Sri Krishna Bala Leela and as a result I got an additional work, to narrate various short stories on Bal Krishna as and when Swayam wishes to hear. He enjoys the little Krishna’s victory over demons and how all celebrate that victory. One of his favorites story these days is the story on Kalia Dalana-Krishna dances on the hood of serpent kaliya. Just putting the story in few lines even if it is known to many of us.

In Yamuna there lived a deadly poisonous serpent called Kalia. He poisoned the whole water of Yamuna. Once seeing his friends missing, Krishna searched and found them lying near the bank of Yamuna. The Blue water of the Yamuna had turned black because of the poison of the snake. The water of the lake was radiating heat due to poison. Birds flying over the river were falling down dead. All plants, birds and trees of that region had perished by the contact of the poisonous air of the lake. Krishna decided to purify the river by getting rid of the black serpent. Krishna, girding up his loins and clapping his biceps with his palms in challenge, plunged into the water from the top of a Kadamba tree. By the vigorous dance of krishna, the umbrella – shaped hoods of the serpent were all bruised. Kalia finally surrendered to Krishna and proceeded to sea to make their abodes.

Story telling is popular in all most all cultural tradition. One primary purpose is to introduce values to children. It is really encouraging when children relate the message of these stories in their life know-how.

Taking back to our ferry trip from Dakhineswar to Belur matha, I dropped the idea of collecting the holi Ganga water for Puja, in fact did not feel like to touch even. On our way, was discussing with hubby on direct disposal of drain water to water bodies, no strict regulation, level of consciousness and insensitivity of people who through anything to water bodies, dying rivers ... Taking the clue from our discussion, many times after listening to the kalia dalana story Swayam says mama like kalia many people made river Ganga dirty. Is not it?

On a serious note I always feel why small but important issues are not taken by government to act on a priority. It is real shame that we are neglecting our natural resources the most in the name of development. The learning of the stories is better essential for adults than children. Wish to witness a time when Kalia will finally surrender and vanish. The water bodies will be rescued for the benefit of all species.